Qin Shu shifted his focus away from the scenery, took a deep breath, and walked toward the inner sect assessment venue.
Knock, knock, knock.
Qin Shu gently tapped on the door. He observed as the grand, opulent door cracked open slightly, revealing a small head peering out from within.
"What is it?" the young disciple inquired, looking at Qin Shu.
"Junior brother, I've come to participate in the inner sect assessment. Could you please inform the assessment elder?" Qin Shu hastily replied.
"Oh, come in," the short disciple replied, pushing the door open wider to admit Qin Shu. Once Qin Shu entered, the disciple closed the door behind him.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Wang Ho gazed at his injured brother, Wang He, who was being supported by Luo Xue. He had crushed his teacup, and an unidentifiable anger surged within him.
On one hand, he was furious at his younger brother's incompetence. Despite lavishing him with nearly half of his cultivation resources, this good-for-nothing sibling would invariably squander them on alcohol and women.
This laziness and ineptitude had left Wang He stranded between the outer and inner sects, impeding his swift promotion to inner sect disciple status.
On the other hand, he found himself astounded by Qin Shu's rapid progress. He had encountered Qin Shu while training in the training ground previously, and according to his assessment at the time, Qin Shu's cultivation had barely reached the Level 4 Qi Refinement.
"Wang He, what level has Qin Shu reached to have injured you like this?" Wang Ho, suppressing his anger, inquired coldly.
"Brother, please help me. That guy not only crippled my hands but also pilfered my storage bag. All my assets are inside!" Wang He wept bitterly, lamenting how easily the assets he had saved for so long had fallen into another's hands.
"I asked you about his cultivation level, not for you to play the victim!" Wang Ho could no longer restrain his ire. He frowned as he slammed the table and berated him loudly.
"H-he should be at the Level 5 Qi Refinement, possibly nearing Level 6," Wang He stammered and hastily responded.
"How could he progress so swiftly? It doesn't make sense. Has he chanced upon some extraordinary opportunity?" Wang He inquired in perplexed. He was familiar with Qin Shu's abilities, and although they weren't exceptional, they certainly weren't abysmal. He was just an ordinary disciple.
"Brother, I might have a clue," Wang He timidly began. He glanced at the young woman supporting him, hinting at what he wanted to say.
"Luo Xue, please step outside for a moment," Wang Ho directed. Upon observing Wang Ho's signal, the young woman, Luo Xue, assisted Wang He to a seat and then retreated, closing the door behind her.
"I-I acquired a book of Blood Burning Technique. Initially, I planned to use it to divert attention from the recent incident of me selling forbidden techniques. Little did I know that he would learn the Blood Burning Technique and subsequently destroy the book."
"I bought that book for seventeen taels of silver from a friend in the demon clan..." Wang He began to explain, though he didn't get far before Wang Ho lunged at him, clutching his clothes.
Wang He's face contorted, and his trembling betrayed his understanding that were it not for the kinship between them, he'd be facing severe consequences.
"Do you comprehend the gravity of your actions? I explicitly warned you not to involve yourself in this matter. Have you forgotten the individuals who perished on account of the Law Enforcement Peak?"
"Be grateful that he destroyed the book. Otherwise, based on the Fallen Shadow Stone evidence, you'd surely be accused of peddling forbidden techniques. Do you comprehend the implications of such an accusation?"
Wang He's fury blazed. If this situation came to light and fell into the hands of his enemies or rivals, it could significantly jeopardize his prospects of becoming a direct disciple next year.
"Then... then what should we do?"
Wang He showed a fearful expression. He feared nothing except for the potential consequences that could affect Wang Ho's future. Without Wang Ho's protection, his reputation would likely lead to his demise on the streets.
Wang Ho sighed, suppressing his anger. "For now, just keep a low profile. I'll arrange for someone to handle it. As for your injuries, I'll find a solution."
"But my assets..."
"Get out!" Before the words were finished, Wang Ho looked at him with murderous intent in his eyes. Wang He, understanding the situation, promptly closed his mouth and left through the door, his head hung low in disappointment.
Luo Xue, Wang Ho's wife, walked in. She approached Wang Ho and her hands rested on his shoulders. She whispered into his ear. "Husband, why are you so angry? While our brother lacks ambition, he hasn't committed any grave crimes."
For her and Wang Ho, although this matter has a significant impact on the outer sect, with the relationships they've established within the inner sect, they can also suppress it.
Wang Ho sighed. "Xue'r, When do you think my brother will finally wake up? I provided him with resources that many outer sect disciples can only dream of. But he..."
The two of them lost their parents at a young age, and Wang Ho, raising Wang He by himself, tried his best to meet his needs. This has also led Wang He to become more and more unruly, with a sense of superiority.
Luo Xue reassured him. "As far as I know, Qin Shu has no one to rely on in the sect. His only friend is the servant disciple, Zhao Tian. Even if we kill him, we can shift the blame away from us. After all, incidents like this happen quite frequently in the outer sect."
Luo Xue's tone was gentle, but her words carried a touch of ruthlessness.
Wang He agreed. "I'll leave it to you. I'm going to continue cultivating. Remember to get some medicine for Wang He's injuries from the Herb Hall and put it on my tab."
Wang He pulled Luo Xue into his arms, engaged in some intimacy, and then released her, heading alone toward the cultivation room.
He intended to continue his breakthrough of the post-peak stage of Foundation Establishment, striving to reach the early stage of Golden Core as soon as possible. Only then could he secure his position as a direct disciple.
Luo Xue, on the other hand, got up and pushed the door open to leave. She had some matters to attend to.
On the other side, Qin Shu had followed his junior disciple to the main hall, a splendid place. In the center stood several stone statues with unfamiliar faces, a combination of gentle beauty and dignified expressions.
"Fifth Elder, another candidate for the inner sect examination has arrived," the junior disciple announced respectfully as he led Qin Shu to a counter.
The Fifth Elder was a white-haired old man. He had his eyes slightly closed but exuded a formidable aura. Qin Shu felt intense pressure, almost like facing a great adversary.
The old man tilted his head slightly and glanced at Qin Shu.
Qin Shu felt as if his entire body had been seen through, and the blood essence inside him surged wildly as if he were facing a formidable enemy. To alleviate the pressure, Qin Shu hastily handed over his identity jade slip.
"Qin Shu, from Black River Village, has been in the outer sect for one year and seven months, with a cultivation level of Level 5 Qi Refinement, is that correct?"
"Yes, that's correct," Qin Shu replied with respect and reverence.
"Listen, young man. Although I don't have the authority to inquire about your cultivation method, remember that taking the long and steady path is the way to achieve immortality. Don't seek shortcuts, or you'll only harm yourself."
The old man withdrew his oppressive presence and spoke with a hint of uncertainty.
"I will remember your words," Qin Shu replied respectfully.
"Good. Go over there and wait. The assessment begins at 7 p.m. You can explore the area but do not touch anything here."
With that, the Fifth Elder placed Qin Shu's jade slip in a nearby box and closed his eyes.
Upon seeing this, the junior disciple quickly pulled Qin Shu aside and said, "Senior Brother Qin, if you have any concerns, you can just call me. My name is Pang Yuan."
"Alright, Junior Brother Pang."
Qin Shu followed Pang Yuan into a room on the left, where more than ten people were already present. Most of them weren't dressed as outer sect disciples and engaged in casual conversation.
After Pang Yuan made the arrangements, he hurried back to attend to others.
"I am Xuanyuan Quanlong. May I know your name, fellow Daoist?"
"I am Qin Shu."
"Senior Brother Qin, we've met before," the handsome man said as he raised his hands to cup his fists at Qin Shu.
"Have we met before?"