Stepping through the gate, Sun Zhe quickly discovered the Training Ground of the guards.
This Training Ground was roughly several hundred feet in size, with a uniform layer of Azure Stone Slab covering the ground. Surrounding it were some conventional martial arts equipment, and in the center of the Training Ground stood a simple Wooden Platform.
Around the Wooden Platform, more than ten young men and women dressed in blue garments stood guard. Although they were not very old, their expressions were stern, and there was a hint of fierce energy in their brows that involuntarily instilled a sense of awe.
Beside the Wooden Platform sat a White-Clad Elder. The elder appeared unremarkable, with his hands resting on his knees and his eyes gazing straight ahead. His calm gaze held no emotion, yet he exuded a powerful aura that was palpable. This aura was also present in the more than ten guards but was much less intense. The elder's presence was intimidating; even the most formidable beasts Sun Zhe had encountered did not compare to this elder's terrifying aura.
"Is this what they call a Cultivator?"
Looking at the people ahead, Sun Zhe felt a sense of gravity for the first time. Ever since his body merged with lightning, forming an extraordinary Thunder Body with a Qualification of forty-six points, he had always regarded others with disdain, including those lofty Cultivators. However, feeling the oppressive aura of the Cultivators this time made him realize his mistake; their strength was far beyond what he had imagined.
Taking a deep breath, Sun Zhe suppressed his shock and slowly walked forward, but unknowingly, a sense of vigilance crept into his heart.
"Qualification forty-six points, disqualified!" The cold voice carried no emotion.
Sun Zhe looked up and immediately recognized that it was a middle-aged man standing in front of the Wooden Platform. He had black hair and thick eyebrows, with a square face that appeared stiff. He wore the same blue outfit as the others, with a purple character "Xuan" printed on his chest, clearly another disciple of Xuan Lei Sect. On the wooden table in front of him lay a fist-sized transparent orb—the Spirit Testing Orb used for assessments. Sun Zhe knew this man was responsible for testing Qualifications.
In front of the Wooden Platform stood a young man around twenty years old, who had just undergone the Qualification test. Upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, the young man froze in shock, momentarily stunned.
Disqualified! Those three words felt like a death sentence to him.
"No... this is impossible... how could this happen..." The news struck him like a bolt from the blue, disbelief filling his eyes.
"Hmph, take him away!"
Seeing the dazed young man, impatience flashed across the middle-aged man's face. Clearly accustomed to such situations, he waved dismissively at two nearby Xuan Lei Sect disciples. The two disciples behind him wasted no time and dragged the young man out towards the courtyard.
"Next!" Ignoring the young man's unwilling cries, the middle-aged man directly called out to the remaining crowd.
At this moment, a young girl of eighteen stepped forward. Although she was young, she was quite delicate and lovely, dressed in a purple long dress that gave off a hint of elegance, drawing the attention of those around her. Following the instructions of the middle-aged man, she nervously extended her slender hand and pressed it against a Spirit Testing Orb placed on the wooden table. After a brief moment, the transparent Spirit Testing Orb immediately lit up with a faint purple glow.
Instantly, everyone's gaze was drawn to the Spirit Testing Orb.
The purple light grew brighter and brighter, reaching an extremely bright level in an instant, then it stabilized. The brightness of the Purple Light peaked, and at that moment, the middle-aged man's previously stiff face broke into a smile as he called out,
"Qualification: Eighty-Three Points, qualified, high-level Qualification!"
The Qualification measured by the Spirit Testing Orb was divided into one hundred points: sixty points were considered qualified; sixty to seventy points were low-level Qualification; seventy to eighty points were intermediate Qualification; eighty to ninety points were high-level Qualification; and anything above ninety was top-level Qualification. The girl's Qualification reached Eighty-Three Points at high-level, which was already quite rare.
Hearing the middle-aged man's voice, excitement spread across the girl's face as she joyfully rushed back to the crowd behind her, exclaiming,
"Mother, Yan'er passed the test! Yan'er can become a Cultivator now."
"Ha ha, our Yan'er is indeed amazing," a Middle-Aged Woman in the crowd responded with a smile. This Middle-Aged Woman was clearly the girl's mother. Unlike her daughter's naivety, she understood very well what having an Eighty-Three Points high-level Qualification meant. With such a daughter, she could already foresee the rise of their family.
At this moment, the White-Clad Elder sitting quietly nearby slightly nodded his head, revealing a hint of satisfaction. They had indeed recruited a good seedling this time.
Next, the testing continued. Few people managed to pass; only about one in five succeeded. Moreover, none of those who followed surpassed the girl named Yan'er; most had ordinary Qualifications.
"Next!"
"Finally it's This Young Master's turn!" A proud shout suddenly rang out from the crowd. Upon hearing this voice, everyone turned their attention towards it. Few dared to shout like this in Xuan Lei Sect; aside from fools, it was likely only those with real status.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a young man dressed in luxurious attire walked forward without concern. Seeing him made Sun Zhe's gaze turn slightly cold; this was Zhao Gongzi, who had humiliated him outside!
"This guy actually came here! I really don't know what that old fellow is thinking," the White-Clad Elder muttered to himself while shaking his head helplessly upon seeing the young man.
Striding forward without waiting for the middle-aged man’s command, Zhao Man directly pressed his right palm against the Spirit Testing Orb. Instantly, the originally transparent Spirit Testing Orb began to flicker with dazzling purple light. The brightness increased until it surpassed that of the purple-dressed girl, reaching a new height.
“Qualification Eighty-Eight Points, qualified, Qualification advanced!”
“Wow…” Upon hearing this voice, everyone immediately widened their eyes. The Eighty-Three Points qualification was already shocking enough, but unexpectedly, another even more terrifying Eighty-Eight Points appeared in such a short time. This level of qualification could definitely be considered top-tier.
Seeing the astonished expressions on everyone's faces, Zhao Man standing on the stage immediately showed a clear look of pride. He had been waiting patiently until now for this effect. What did Eighty-Three Points qualification matter? In front of This Young Master, it was still just a joke.
“Alright, alright, Zhao Ang, you’ve finished your test and showing off, so hurry up and get down. Don’t embarrass yourself up there…” Seeing Zhao Man flaunting himself endlessly, the White-Clad Elder helplessly scolded with a smile.
“Hehe, as you command, Elder Li.”
Zhao Ang clearly had some fear of the White-Clad Elder. With a chuckle, he walked off the Wooden Platform.
Although there was this little interlude, the testing did not stop. However, no matter what qualifications appeared afterward, none could surprise people like Zhao Ang did. The Eighty-Eight Points qualification was already extremely impressive!
“Next!”
At this moment, under everyone's gaze, a Man in Old Clothes with Black Hair slowly walked forward. As soon as this man appeared, most of the gazes flashed with obvious disdain. This person was none other than the long-awaited Sun Zhe!
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