Turmoil Within the Sect: Chapter 31, Outer Disciple Examination

With this realization, Chu Xing no longer hesitated, committing the contents of the manual to heart, word by word.

At first glance, it felt obscure and difficult to grasp, like an incomprehensible heavenly script. Yet, when he calmed his mind and read it a second time, Chu Xing was astonished to discover that those initially chaotic diagrams and internal cultivation techniques began to reveal vague outlines. He vaguely sensed that this might be connected to the stone bead within his body; ever since he obtained it, his mind had seemed significantly clearer than before.

After reading it several times until the entire manual was etched into his memory, Chu Xing carefully tucked it away. He then stood in the small clearing at the center of his room, took a deep breath, recalled the techniques from the manual, channeled his origin energy, and took the first step.

That step was clumsy and stiff. The flow of energy within him was erratic, like a clogged stream, and he nearly stumbled to the ground.

"Wrong. The circulation of energy through the Yongquan acupoint was a fraction too slow."

Chu Xing stopped immediately, closed his eyes to ponder for a moment, and tried again. This time, it was slightly smoother than before, though still incredibly rigid. He did not lose heart. If once was not enough, he would try twice; if twice was not enough, he would try ten, a hundred times!

Chu Xing lost track of time and forgot his fatigue. In that cramped space, he repeated those seemingly simple opening moves over and over again. He fell, climbed back up, adjusted, and tried again. Sweat mixed with blood soaked his garments, but his eyes grew brighter and more focused with every attempt.

For several consecutive days, Chu Xing’s small courtyard remained excessively quiet. By day, he went to the Herb Gully to work—a chore others considered a death sentence, but to him, it was a perfect training ground. The stone bead greedily devoured the energy from the rotting herbs, converting it into the purest origin energy. By night, the sound of breaking air would emanate from his hut, occasionally punctuated by the muffled thud of colliding bones.

Chu Xing immersed himself completely in his training, almost forgetting everything outside. His martial arts movement technique, the Phantom Flowing Wind Step, had evolved from initial stumbling to gradual fluidity, thanks to his unremitting efforts and the subtle influence of the stone bead. Though he had not yet reached minor mastery, he could at least execute it roughly.

Early one morning, as Chu Xing paused his training, his aura had climbed to a brand-new height.

Body Tempering Realm, Eighth Level!

After days of frantic cultivation, having exhausted the pills and herbs obtained from Lu Mingchuan, he had finally achieved a breakthrough. Chu Xing slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, a completely different sensation permeating every inch of his body. He felt the changes in his dantian: if his seventh-level energy had been merely wisps of flickering air, his eighth-level energy had now condensed into a slowly rotating vortex.

It was more refined, more substantial, and more responsive to his will. With a thought, Chu Xing channeled a portion of the vortex from his dantian, letting it flow through his meridians to his fingertips without obstruction. He pressed his index and middle fingers together and slashed gently at the empty space in front of him.

*Hiss!*

A pale white streak of origin energy projected from his fingertips, carving a faint half-foot-long glimmer in the air before slowly dissipating.

Energy projection! This was the most distinct hallmark of the eighth level of Body Tempering!

"So, this is the feeling of the eighth level..." Chu Xing clenched his fist, feeling the abundant, solidified power within. He looked down at his body; his previous injuries had long since healed. Although his frame remained lean, the muscle definition beneath his skin was tighter than before, exuding an understated sense of power.

Only at the eighth level of Body Tempering could one accumulate enough energy to support the execution of martial arts techniques. In other words, starting today, he finally possessed the qualifications to truly drive the Phantom Flowing Wind Step.

Just as he was basking in the joy of his improved strength, a commotion broke out outside the courtyard.

"Hurry, hurry! Today is the day of the outer sect competition, and I hear there’s a great show to see!"

"What kind of show?"

"You don't know? It’s that guy Chu Xing, the one who beat Zhao Hu a few days ago. He’s having his term-end assessment today! His opponent is Senior Brother Wang Meng!"

Hearing these murmurs, Chu Xing was stunned for a moment, then tapped his forehead with a helpless, bitter smile. "Outer sect assessment... today?" He had only just remembered; he had been so focused on his training that he had nearly forgotten about it.

He pushed open his gate to find many outer sect disciples heading toward the practice arena in small groups. Seeing Chu Xing emerge, many pointed at him. Ignoring their gazes, Chu Xing stretched his limbs and followed the crowd toward the arena at a leisurely pace.

The Profound Star Pavilion’s outer sect practice arena was located in an open area between several peaks, large enough to accommodate thousands. By now, the stands surrounding the arena were already packed, with not a single seat left. Most were outer sect disciples there to watch the spectacle, and even some inner sect disciples stood on the high ground, looking down with interest.

On the northern side of the arena stood a high platform where several elders in charge of the assessment sat with solemn expressions. As Chu Xing walked onto the grounds, he immediately drew everyone’s attention.

In the center of the arena, a figure had been waiting for a long time. The man was tall, shirtless, his bronze skin bulging with power. It was Wang Meng, the top fighter of the outer sect. Seeing Chu Xing actually appear, a cold sneer spread across his rugged face. He flexed his muscles, and a powerful aura belonging to the Qi Gathering Realm pressed down on Chu Xing without reservation.

"I thought you wouldn't dare to come." Wang Meng’s voice was deep and resonant, carrying across the entire arena.

Chu Xing merely looked up at him and said indifferently, "I'm in a hurry. Let's begin."

This nonchalant attitude caused the smile on Wang Meng’s face to stiffen, then transform into even greater irritation. "Fine! You've got guts!" He stopped wasting words and turned to the high platform.

On the platform, Elder Feng Yichen of the Law Enforcement Hall spoke in a voice devoid of emotion. His gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, swept across the crowd before he cleared his throat.

"Today, you have been summoned for the three-year term-end assessment of outer sect disciple Chu Xing."

"The sect has a rule: if an outer sect disciple cannot pass the sect assessment after three years of entry, they forfeit their right to remain in the sect."

Elder Feng’s gaze swept calmly over Chu Xing before his tone shifted, revealing a hint of leniency. "However, the sect acknowledges your recent slight progress and has granted you this assessment as a final opportunity."

"Although your opponent for this test is Wang Meng of the Qi Gathering Realm, the rules have been exceptionally merciful to you."

He paused, his voice ringing clearly across the arena.

"You do not need to win. You need only stand on this arena for the duration of one incense stick, and you shall be deemed to have passed!"