"Kid, I've got my eye on you." Watching Lin Tian stride away with a smug expression, Xu Guan's gaze flickered with a glint of malice. As one of the officials in charge of recruiting new disciples for Xuanwu Sect, all applicants showed him utmost respect—but Lin Tian had dared to make a public spectacle of himself before so many.
Two days later, with registration at Xuanwu Sect concluded, the official assessment finally commenced. On Xiangye Mountain just outside Hongye City, the sect's disciples lined up, while an elderly man with hair and beard as white as snow sat at the central position—the elder overseeing the assessment.
"Brother Zhu, this time, it's all up to you," Xu Guan murmured, handing a Linggrass to a man beside him.
"That's the kid, isn't it?" Zhu Zhiwei glanced at the crowd, his eyes briefly alight with disdain. Lin Tian appeared ordinary, and he could not fathom why Xu Guan would single him out for special attention.
"That's right. If you can ensure he doesn't survive this assessment, it would be ideal," Xu Guan said, his gaze darkening with cold intent. As a seasoned cultivator, he had long grown accustomed to life and death. A human life was inconsequential to him—but seeing Lin Tian sparked a visceral desire to tear him apart.
"Never thought you'd be so devious. But for the sake of the Linggrass, I'll give you a hand," Zhu Zhiwei replied with a wry smile, pocketing the herb.
As three deep bell tolls resonated through the mountain, the elder at the center rose to his feet.
"The assessment of Xuanwu Sect is straightforward. On Xiangye Mountain behind me reside one thousand twin-tailed spirit cats. Each cat has a ribbon tied to its tail. Your task is to capture the cats and retrieve the ribbons. You may employ any means necessary, including taking ribbons from other contestants. After two hours, the one hundred disciples with the most ribbons will be admitted as outer disciples of Xuanwu Sect.
"Now, let the trial begin."
The gathered disciples surged forward, activating their spiritual power and racing toward the mountain. Compared to them, Lin Tian's pace was noticeably slower. Among these cultivators, even the lowest level reached Qi Refining Stage Five, while Lin Tian was still Stage Four—an obvious disadvantage in speed.
"Junior Brother, so this is the kid who embarrassed you?" Zhu Zhiwei's eyes narrowed with scorn. He had not expected Xu Guan to enlist his help for such a 'worthless' opponent.
"He may be low in cultivation, but he can punch with a force of a thousand pounds. Brother Zhu, don't underestimate him," Xu Guan's lips twitched. Though surprised by the situation, he could not rescind his obligation, as the Linggrass had already been given.
"Enough. Even if he had higher cultivation, does he think he could contend with my three-tailed spirit cat?" Zhu Zhiwei scoffed. The twin-tailed spirit cats used in the trial were all Stage Five, but Zhu Zhiwei's personal three-tailed cat had reached Stage Eight. None of the contestants on Xiangye Mountain stood a chance.
Entering the mountain, Lin Tian remained calm. The twin-tailed cats were slightly stronger than the Qingye Snake, yet far faster. Even Stage Seven cultivators would struggle to catch them. Though many contestants were Stage Six, Stage Seven was rare, leaving plenty of opportunity.
Finding a secluded spot, Lin Tian sat comfortably and slowly released his spiritual power, allowing its pure essence to permeate the air. Spirit beasts have keen senses, far sharper than humans, and the twin-tailed cats' olfactory perception was extraordinary. Within moments, several cats gathered around. Lin Tian uncapped a jade vial, extracting a portion of spirit liquid, which he then shattered into pure energy, suffusing the surrounding air.
Sensing the concentration of spiritual energy, the spirit cats eagerly absorbed it. In that instant, Lin Tian effortlessly snatched the ribbons from their tails. After several rounds, he had collected over thirty ribbons.
Meanwhile, the Du Clan disciples gathered, glancing around anxiously.
"Have you seen Lin Tian?" Du Yuejiao asked, barely able to contain her curiosity.
"What, Yuejiao? Are you trying to help him?" Du Yuefen interjected with a sarcastic tone. Always favored by their father, Yuejiao had been shielded even when she could not cultivate. Now, having recovered her strength—and even surpassed it—thanks to Lin Tian, the news was nothing short of a disaster for Yuefen, who redirected all her frustration toward him.
"Lin Tian is strong enough to handle this assessment on his own; he doesn't need my help," Yuejiao said, displeased.
"Strong enough?" Yuefen laughed scornfully. "Did you see how pitiful he looked, trailing behind when the assessment started? At his speed, forget collecting ribbons—he can barely touch a twin-tailed cat!"
"Don't speak of my brother that way," Du Feng interjected, his voice firm.
"Brother? Du Feng, have you no shame? You actually recognize a loser like him as your leader," Yuefen sneered.
"My brother will pass this assessment," Du Feng said resolutely, his eyes unwavering.
"Ha! If he passes, maybe I can become a core disciple too," Yuefen declared arrogantly.