“Everyone, come over and line up according to your jade token numbers!”
Elder Bai’s expression remained cold, as if everyone owed him money. He was stern, unsmiling, and showed no trace of warmth.
Judging by the reactions of the Yuehua Sect disciples, it was clear that Elder Bai was usually strict. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so obedient.
But this suited Ling Xiao just fine.
He preferred such cold, impartial figures. They were less likely to be unfair, which was absolutely to his advantage.
“Next, we proceed to the second assessment—potential testing!” Elder Bai announced, standing beneath the massive mountain gate. “You’ve all seen this gate. It’s a treasure forged by our Yuehua Sect’s most skilled artificer. Its principles are similar to the Seven-Star Flower, but its effects are more comprehensive and superior!”
Hearing this, Ling Xiao understood.
While the Seven-Star Flower could test potential, it was less effective for potentials beyond seven stars. This gate was likely designed by artificers based on the Seven-Star Flower’s principles.
“Starting from the last number, step forward for testing. Do not use martial techniques. Channel your true essence into your palm and strike the gate.”
After speaking, Elder Bai sat back down to sip his tea, leaving others to oversee the detailed testing process.
“Number 356, Liu Tian!”
“Here!”
Upon hearing his name, Liu Tian hurriedly stepped out from the crowd, walked to the gate, took a deep breath, and struck the gate with his palm as instructed.
Contrary to expectations of a loud impact, the gate made no sound.
Liu Tian’s hand seemed to sink into the gate.
Was it soft?
Ling Xiao was surprised. He had assumed the bronze-coloured gate was metal. It must be made of a special material, perhaps one he had never encountered.
When Liu Tian’s palm struck, the gate showed no reaction.
“Impossible! My potential is clearly five stars! Is your gate malfunctioning?” Liu Tian shouted in disbelief.
“I forgot to mention,” Elder Bai explained, “before the twelve sects re-emerged, the Seven-Star Flower was used to test potential. However, it could only measure the potential of martial artists without a complete martial soul—a significant flaw! This gate was designed to address that flaw and serves as the unified testing standard in the sect. It differs greatly from the Seven-Star Flower, as it excludes mortal body qualifications. In other words, one star here represents a mortal treasure body!”
What!
This revelation shocked everyone, including Ling Xiao.
The re-emergence of the twelve sects was clearly no simple matter. Many rules of the world had subtly shifted, unnoticed by most.
“But I’m certain I have five-star potential. Even with this test, I should qualify as a mortal treasure body,” Liu Tian argued.
“Good question. Why is that?” Elder Bai suddenly raised his voice. “I forgot another detail. To be tested as having a treasure body potential, you must have awakened at least ten percent of a martial soul remnant. Without a martial soul remnant, no matter how high your previous potential test was, it’s meaningless here.”
This statement left many stunned.
Very few had awakened martial soul remnants, and those with complete martial souls were even rarer.
The Yuehua Sect’s standards were extraordinarily high.
“Enough. Those who haven’t awakened a martial soul remnant may leave now. As compensation, each of you will receive a high-grade True Essence Pill.”
Elder Bai’s words reflected the Yuehua Sect’s magnanimity as a major sect, likely an attempt to maintain goodwill.
After all, awakening a martial soul remnant was unpredictable. Some of these youths might return home today and awaken tomorrow due to pressure.
Offending them completely would be unwise.
This time, over two hundred people left silently.
Unlike the other three assessments, failing the potential test meant immediate elimination. For the others, even a zero score allowed continued participation.
This underscored the importance of potential.
“Not bad. It seems that since the Mountain River Martial Soul appeared, awakening martial soul remnants has become easier. Continue,” Elder Bai remarked, a fleeting hint of satisfaction crossing his face.
The second person to be tested was a young girl. When10.10.10When she struck the gate, a petal-like shape, glowing with strange light, appeared on the gate, similar to the Seven-Star Flower’s petals.
Ling Xiao noticed it displayed three colours—distinct from the Seven-Star Flower’s.
Black represented soul potential, white represented internal energy potential, and red represented physical potential.
This was likely the standard display.
Though the reason for this representation was unclear, it was probably due to some established convention.
“Well done. Mortal treasure body, qualified, score 1. Next!”
…
The scoring rules here need clarification.
One star: score 1, mortal treasure body.
Two stars: score 10, fine treasure body.
Three stars: score 20, rare treasure body.
Four stars: score 30, immortal treasure body.
Five stars or above: automatic pass with a perfect score!
Clearly, the higher the potential, the greater the benefits. The Yuehua Sect evidently placed immense importance on potential.
A one-star rating here was equivalent to a five-star potential on the old Seven-Star Flower test.
The Seven-Star Flower couldn’t measure five stars or higher.
Thus, the gate’s test results were far more accurate.
…
As more martial artists underwent testing, some wept with joy, others with despair.
This assessment was unforgiving. Failure meant immediate elimination, with no chance to participate in further tests.
“Number 20, Dai Yuling!”
The moment of truth had arrived.
When Dai Yuling previously tested her potential, all three aspects were only four stars and ninety percent, meaning she wouldn’t even light up a single star here.
She faced a major crisis.
Even Master Baiyun was sweating for her.
“This girl!”
Elder Bai, who was sipping tea, suddenly paused, his gaze on Dai Yuling seeming different.
But he said nothing.
Dai Yuling underwent the test.
As expected, one star lit up only about ninety percent, not fully. Though it showed three colours, it was a pity.
“Young lady, is your martial soul remnant of the healing type?” Elder Bai asked as Dai Yuling walked away dejectedly.
“Indeed,” Dai Yuling nodded.
“As I thought. Although you don’t qualify to become an outer disciple of the Yuehua Sect, I have a friend who is a steward at the sect’s Medicine Mountain. If you’re willing, you can become her disciple and be considered an inner disciple in the future.”
Elder Bai smiled—a rare occurrence.
“Is this true?” Dai Yuling could hardly believe it.
“Nonsense! How could Elder Bai deceive you? Kneel and give thanks at once!” Hei Suo snorted coldly.
He was already displeased with Baiyun’s disciples, hoping to see one eliminated. This turn of events was utterly frustrating.
“Hei Suo, when did I ask for your input?” Elder Bai glanced at him, his sharp eyes like piercing blades, making Hei Suo tremble.
“This disciple dares not.”
“Then keep quiet.”
Turning back to Dai Yuling, he awaited her response.
“This junior is, of course, willing,” Dai Yuling quickly nodded. Refusing would be foolish.
