Ling Xiao wasn’t one of the escorts like Master Baiyun, so he wouldn’t break the rules.
Though he couldn’t help Leng Mei in the potential assessment, offering guidance for this test was fair game.
With Ling Xiao’s advice, Leng Mei, despite her early Martial Channel Eighth Layer cultivation, astonishingly scored a perfect 10 in this stage!
This shocked everyone.
Yet who could have guessed that much of the credit belonged to Ling Xiao?
On her own, Leng Mei might have scored 5, maybe 6 points at most.
After Leng Mei, Xu Ying and Zhao Zhi both easily secured perfect scores.
Interestingly, both tried to slay the mechanical giant beast at the end but were defeated instead.
Feeling it was his turn, Ling Xiao stepped up to the passage.
“Master, taking the extra 10 points shouldn’t be an issue, right?”
Ling Xiao asked Master Baiyun before entering.
“Of course not. Many know your combat skills are formidable. If you underperform, it’d raise suspicions. But that mechanical giant beast is equivalent to a peak Martial Channel Ninth Layer martial artist. Can you really kill it?” Master Baiyun, aware of Ling Xiao’s combat prowess, still had doubts.
Ling Xiao didn’t answer.
A peak Martial Channel Ninth Layer martial artist would outmatch him, but a mechanical giant beast was different—it lacked intelligence.
By targeting its weakness, even a Mortal Realm beast wouldn’t scare him.
Whoosh!
Ling Xiao darted into the passage.
What followed stunned everyone.
He didn’t engage any mechanical puppets, strolling toward the end as if on a walk.
Each time an attack came, his figure sped up slightly, effortlessly dodging.
“Is this kid related to the Moonlight Sect? How does he seem to know the mechanisms in advance?”
“Yeah, how else could he dodge so easily?”
“Shh! Want to get kicked out? Don’t say such things!”
“Such ignorance. Can’t you see the attacks follow a pattern? Most can’t dodge even if they notice it, but this kid can because his movement technique is terrifying—at least Mortal Martial Art, or rather, Golden Grade Martial Art now!”
Zhao Zhi scoffed at their comments. Accusing someone of connections just for performing well was laughable.
But what happened next made even him doubt.
At the passage’s end, Ling Xiao thrust his sword.
It struck precisely at the mechanical giant beast’s weakest point.
With its central core destroyed, the beast shut down, becoming a helpless lump of metal.
Elder Bai’s face showed astonishment.
“Such terrifying judgment! Such terrifying combat skills! It’s a pity his potential isn’t outstanding, or he’d be a once-in-a-hundred-thousand-year genius. What a shame!”
He believed Moyan Tianzun would share this view.
Heisuo, however, was another matter.
Since Ling Xiao had injured him, it was natural for Heisuo to hold a grudge.
But Ling Xiao wasn’t afraid of Heisuo causing trouble. Once in the Moonlight Sect, he was confident he’d find ways to grow stronger. As long as he survived, he’d soon catch up to, or even surpass, Heisuo.
For now, he’d avoid direct conflict with Heisuo, as it would be too disadvantageous.
“Completed ten zhang, killed the mechanical giant beast. Score for this assessment: 20!”
The 10-point maximum, plus 10 for slaying the beast, meant Ling Xiao’s score here offset his potential test.
“He’s worth recruiting!” Zhao Zhi rubbed his chin. As a prince steeped in intrigue, he naturally considered winning Ling Xiao over.
Ling Xiao’s combat skills were formidable, making him a valuable ally, at least below the Mortal Realm.
“No wonder he killed Zuo Leng. His combat skills are impressive, but that’s his limit. Below the Mortal Realm, he might be unmatched, but with his potential, the gap widens in the Mortal Realm,” Xu Ying remarked, unsurprised by Ling Xiao’s performance.
She already knew his combat skills were exceptional.
Many veteran disciples shared Xu Ying’s view.
With potentials at least at rare treasure body, and many at celestial treasure body, they didn’t admire Ling Xiao’s combat skills—they disdained them.
This mirrored Master Baiyun’s earlier attitude toward Ling Xiao.
After Ling Xiao, others took the challenge.
The mechanical giant beast was repaired after being destroyed, causing little delay.
But no one after scored above 5, let alone higher.
Ling Xiao’s estimation was correct—only a handful here had true potential for growth.
“Next is the final assessment: ‘Divine Sealing Record’!”
Elder Bai led the group underground.
It was clearly an ancient ruin.
The walls were etched with strange patterns, mostly human figures.
“Alright, this assessment is like the others—act on your own. Enter when ready, no need for number order!” Elder Bai stood before a stone gate.
Beyond the gate, a mysterious aura emanated, and Ling Xiao felt his Shanhe Wuhun stirring eagerly.
But he didn’t rush.
He preferred caution, leveraging his ability to analyze and deduce. He’d observe others’ performances before deciding.
There was no shortage of eager volunteers.
Some young prodigies, feeling their chances of passing were slim, went in hoping to gain something.
People entered one after another, emerging quickly.
Some emerged muttering to themselves.
Others looked bitter.
Some were visibly excited.
Most perplexing, some were carried out unconscious by Elder Bai.
What was inside?
Ling Xiao was truly eager to find out.
Master Baiyun couldn’t offer hints, so he had to rely on himself.
“Leng Mei, I’ll go first this time. Wait for me to come out before you enter!”
Ling Xiao decided to scout ahead.
He couldn’t glean clues from those who’d taken the test, so he’d rely on his Shanhe Wuhun to crack the challenge.
He had some guesses, though.
The first assessment tested endurance and resolve.
The second tested potential.
The third tested combat skills.
This final assessment likely tested comprehension or soul strength.
The two were linked—stronger souls meant higher comprehension.
