We're practicing all martial arts, so why did you switch to easy mode?

Chapter 107 Assessment: Planning the Profound Origin Technique, Superior Comprehension

"Is your master well now? Has he married and had children? Where has he settled down?"

A barrage of questions left Su Chen speechless, unsure how to answer. He looked at the slightly flustered woman in front of him with some surprise, feeling as if a green light was emanating from her.

Seeing Su Chen's expression, the beautiful woman Qin Xue coughed lightly, clearly realizing her lapse in composure. After a moment of silence, she continued to ask:

"You've just arrived in Dafeng City. Would you like me to arrange accommodations for you? Your master said you'll be staying in Dafeng City. Would you like me to find you an easy job? Oh, and your master also said you're unmarried. I can introduce you to a few..."

Su Chen: "..."

The green light is getting stronger.

"Ahem, that Madam Qin..."

“Just call me Aunt Xue,” Qin Xue interrupted.

"Aunt Xue, I've temporarily rented a place to stay..." Su Chen said, somewhat unable to resist Qin Xue's enthusiasm.

"I see. Then tell Aunt Xue if you have any difficulties." Qin Xue nodded, and then continued to ask about Hong Ming's situation.

Su Chen did not hide anything and told him everything.

After listening, Qin Xue sighed, "Sigh, Ming-ge is still so stubborn and persistent."

Su Chen did not reply, but he could sense Qin Xue's concern in her voice.

A concern that is almost like that between family members.

After a short while, Qin Xue looked at Su Chen and said, "You are Ming Ge's disciple, so I will help you as much as I can. I will write you a letter later regarding the recommendation to Xuan Shui Sect. At the end of this month, you can take my letter of recommendation to Xuan Shui Sect for the assessment."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Ming said that you entered the Qi Refining stage at the age of eighteen, but you have been cultivating for less than half a year. Your talent is indeed amazing. However, the Xuan Shui Sect's assessment is not so easy to pass. You should be prepared for that."

The Xuan Shui Sect is the number one sect in Qinzhou, so the requirements for entering the sect are naturally very high. It has very strict requirements for one's physical constitution, and one cannot enter without meeting the standards.

Su Chen was aware of this, but he wasn't particularly concerned about whether he could enter the Xuan Shui Sect.

Afterwards, Qin Xue briefly explained the Xuan Shui Sect's assessment, asked Hong Ming some other questions, and then let Su Chen leave. Before leaving, she reminded Su Chen not to forget the assessment time.

Hong Chen watched Su Chen leave, letting out a cold snort. He then informed Hong Risheng of the matter, but Hong Risheng didn't take it seriously and simply told Hong Chen to wait for news.

After leaving Sheng Mansion, Su Chen went to a pharmacy to buy medicinal herbs. He bought a large quantity, so he asked the pharmacy to send someone to deliver them directly to his door. By the time he got home, it was already getting dark.

For the next two weeks, Su Chen stayed home and rarely went out. Apart from going out to buy medicine and inquire about the market, he spent his time preparing medicine and practicing martial arts.

As expected of a prefecture city, Dafeng City also sells some medicinal herbs that nourish qi and blood in its pharmacies. During this period, Su Chen bought one or two portions from almost every pharmacy to try, and the effects varied. The best one was even comparable to Qi and Blood Powder.

However, if you want something of higher quality, you can't buy it from a pharmacy.

The prices of these medicinal herbs vary, but they are generally low. According to Su Chen's calculations, unless he sells a hundred doses of the nameless herbs a month, he won't make much profit overall.

Similar to Baishi City, the medicinal herb business in Dafeng City is also monopolized. They rarely accept supplies from individual customers, let alone accept medicines prepared by Su Chen without any source. Therefore, they directly abandoned Su Chen's plan to prepare nameless medicines.

These days, Su Chen has been mainly using Boiling Blood Powder to make money and buy medicine. Last time he used eight Qi and Blood Pills, and he still has two left, but that's not enough to improve his stats, so he can only use Boiling Blood Powder as a temporary substitute.

In this way, Su Chen used the Boiling Blood Powder to advance the panel by four and a half units. Adding the original two Qi and Blood Pills, that's six and a half units, for a total of forty-five Boiling Blood Powders.

He prepared a total of eighty doses of Boiling Blood Powder, and now there are thirty-five doses left.

"I wonder how much profit these thirty-five doses of Boiling Blood Powder will bring me. It cost me a full three thousand taels to prepare these eighty doses of Boiling Blood Powder!"

Ten thousand taels quickly turned into seven thousand taels; the money just flowed away like water.

"Tomorrow is the Xuan Shui Sect's assessment. Aunt Xue said that we cannot take any Qi and Blood medicine the day before the assessment. If we are found out, we will be disqualified. Just to be on the safe side, we will not take the Boiling Blood Powder today."

Early the next morning.

Qin Xue then sent someone to pick up Su Chen and took him directly to the foot of the Xuan Shui Sect mountain.

Besides Su Chen, there were a few other people who also came to participate in the assessment. There were only about a dozen people.

Like him, none of them were members of the Hong family; they all participated in the assessment through recommendation.

The Xuan Shui Sect has a fixed time to recruit disciples every year, which is a grand event for the Xuan Shui Sect and even the entire Dafeng City.

There were at least thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people participating in the assessment!

Unfortunately, the Xuan Shui Sect has very high entry requirements, and it only admits a few hundred people each year, including members of the clan.

"Everyone, please hand over your letters of recommendation to me first."

After waiting for about half an hour, a thin man wearing a black robe came out and addressed the crowd in a loud voice.

The crowd produced their letters of recommendation, and after the thin man examined them, he said, "Come with me."

Upon hearing this, Su Chen and the others followed the thin man up the mountain.

Soon, the group arrived at a large courtyard. Upon entering the courtyard, the thin man stopped.

He turned to look at the crowd, his gaze sweeping over each person before saying, "The assessment is about to begin. Those who have taken the drugs should leave now to avoid being discovered and implicating their recommenders."

No one spoke; they all stood there calmly and composedly.

The thin man was just going through the motions; after he finished speaking, he told everyone to wait in the courtyard.

After a while, he reappeared, this time holding a box in his hands. He placed the box in front of the stone table and said to the crowd, "Three people will go in each time. Before entering, take a pill from me."

After speaking, he asked everyone to line up. Everyone knew the procedure and didn't say anything. Su Chen was placed in the middle.

Su Chen stood in the queue and observed. Three people went in at a time, with an interval of about fifteen minutes. He would be able to go in after four rounds.

Round after round went by, and those who came out all had expressionless faces, making those outside feel uneasy.

Soon it was Su Chen's turn. Su Chen walked up to the thin man, received a pill, and then went inside.

"Swallow the pill, then sit down."

In the main hall, three middle-aged men sat side by side, and one of them spoke.

After hearing this, Su Chen swallowed the pill, found a place to sit down, and as soon as the pill entered his mouth, Su Chen felt a slight throbbing pain in his bones.

Fifteen minutes later, a voice rang out: "Alright, drip a drop of blood into the bowl in front of you."

Su Chen opened his eyes, looked at the murky water in front of him, picked up the dagger, made a heavy slash, then frowned, but did not leave a mark.

Helpless, he had no choice but to bite his finger, and a drop of blood fell into the bowl. In less than a moment, it spread out, like ink dropped into clear water, dispelling the turbidity.

Under Su Chen's gaze, a drop of blood instantly split into six parts, becoming six small drops.

In the courtyard.

Apart from Su Chen, everyone else looked at the thin man with trepidation, like prisoners awaiting sentencing.

The thin man held a slip of paper, his calm eyes sweeping over everyone before looking away. His indifferent voice rang out: "Which one of you is Bi Kui?"

"In response to Steward Yu, I am Bi Kui!" A handsome young man, his expression moved, clasped his hands in greeting.

All eyes immediately fell on Bi Kui, their expressions varied, but all showed envy.

Su Chen also looked at this person, and he already understood.

He failed the aptitude test for the Xuan Shui Sect this time.

In the blood test just now, Su Chen's blood only yielded six small drops.

Although I don't know my ranking among the crowd, I don't meet the recruitment standards of the Xuan Shui Sect.

I learned from Qin Xue that the few drops of blood extracted represent the quality of one's physical constitution.

The six small drops of blood indicate that Su Chen's physical constitution is above average.

This level of talent might allow one to easily join other sects, but it's not enough for the large and powerful Xuan Shui Sect.

The Xuan Shui Sect only accepts geniuses and disciples with superior aptitude!
"Yes, you've passed the test." Deacon Yu glanced at Bi Kui and then nodded.

"Thank you, Steward Yu!" Bi Kui said hurriedly, unable to hide his joy. Although he suppressed his smile, his brows relaxed.

Steward Yu also clasped his hands in response: "Junior Brother Bi, you are too kind. From now on, we are fellow disciples. This is nothing to worry about."

He paused for a moment, then beckoned to a man and said, "Xiao Hai, take Junior Brother Bi to Jinxiu Pavilion."

"Yes!"

After Bi Kui left, Steward Yu's smile faded, and he turned his gaze to the crowd:

"Since you are all standing here, you must know the rules, so I won't repeat them. Each of you should pay one thousand taels."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone took out a silver note and handed it to Steward Yu.

Su Chen hesitated for a moment before paying as well.

Although the Xuan Shui Sect values ​​innate talent and aptitude, it does not neglect comprehension.

Therefore, after the aptitude test, those who are confident can take the comprehension test.

If one's comprehension is up to par, it may be possible to enter the Xuan Shui Sect.

Su Chen didn't care about the so-called test, but he was more interested in the content of the test.

Qin Xue once said that the cultivation technique presented in the comprehension test of the Xuan Shui Sect was the sect's own cultivation technique, the Xuan Yuan Jue.

This is a technique that leads directly to the Blood Transformation Realm.

The path of cultivation is divided into four stages: Strength Training, Internal Energy Training, Organ Refinement, Bone Forging, and Blood Transformation. A cultivation method that allows one to progress all the way to Blood Transformation is likely only possessed by the Xuan Shui Sect in the entire Qinzhou region, highlighting its rarity and value.

Of course, the Xuan Shui Sect could not possibly release the complete Xuan Yuan Technique; they only provided the basic introductory techniques for everyone to cultivate and comprehend.

Before long, everyone had paid their money, and the steward handed each of them a small booklet containing the essential techniques for the beginner's manual, the Xuan Yuan Jue.

"Remember, you only have one hour. If you haven't mastered it within an hour, then give up." Deacon Yu said calmly, taking in everyone's anxious expressions.

Everyone nodded, then eagerly opened the booklet. The steward sat quietly to the side, seemingly unconcerned about the others' reactions.

"There's always this group of persistent people. It's a pity they're so arrogant and don't even know their own limitations. Do they really think the Profound Origin Technique is so easy to comprehend?"

Since the beginning of the Xuan Shui Sect, very few disciples have truly entered the sect based on their comprehension. He did not believe that these people in front of him could pass the comprehension test.

However, he still liked these fools, since they always brought him a considerable amount of money. Who wouldn't like someone who gives them money?

Su Chen read through the Profound Origin Manual several times before the words "Profound Origin Manual" appeared on the panel. Without wasting any time, he directly spent 100 taels of silver to activate the easy mode.
[Easy Mode Activated: Swallow saliva 100 times to reach the beginner level of the Xuan Yuan Technique.]

Swallowing saliva, that's easy!

Su Chen thought to himself, a smile appearing on his face, and then he began to swallow.

Time passes bit by bit.

Jingxiu Garden.

A faint, hushed argument could be heard.

“The internal energy cultivated by Bi Kui is very similar to that of my Hunyuan Academy. He should be admitted to my Hunyuan Academy. There is no need for you fellow disciples to compete for him.”

Hong Zhendong, the head of the Hun Academy, interrupted the argument. Only one person had passed the test, which was definitely not enough for the four academies. Except for the head of the Li Academy, who did not speak, the people from the other two academies began to openly compete for Bi Kui.

This is because Bi Kui's cultivation method is relatively balanced, allowing him to practice other techniques simultaneously. Although there will be conflicts in strength later, Bi Kui's aptitude means he can quickly rebuild his strength after dissipating his power.

Therefore, such a promising talent would naturally attract competition from the four major academies, especially given the Xuan Shui Sect's rule of "better to have none than to have bad ones," and the fact that they haven't filled their quota of disciples this year.

“Zhendong, let’s give it to Qingyuan. Bi Kui’s strength is similar to that of Qingyuan. Perhaps we can continue to cultivate without dispersing our power. In this way, we won’t waste too much time.” Hong Xuanqing, the head of Qingyuan, said. She was the first to ask for Bi Kui.

At this moment, Hong Xuancheng, the head of the Liu Academy, chuckled: "Senior brothers and sisters, although what you said makes a lot of sense, have you forgotten that Bi Kui's intention is to send your own Liu Academy?"

These words immediately silenced the two men. Hong Xuanqing and Hong Zhendong were speechless, understanding the implication behind Hong Xuancheng's words. After all, Bi Kui had already revealed the Zhongyi Sect. If Hong Xuancheng refused to let go, no matter how much the two men fought for it, it would be useless.

"Hmph, you got away with it again!" Hong Zhendong sighed helplessly, deciding not to continue competing with Hong Xuanqing.

Hong Xuanqing remained silent, clearly acknowledging Hong Zhendong's words, though a hint of regret still lingered in his eyes.

Tapping.

Just then, footsteps came from the doorway, gradually slowing down as they approached. A figure walked in, bowed, and said, "Four Heads of the Academy, this disciple has something to report."

"What is it?" Hong Zhendong looked impatient; he hadn't calmed down from his anger, and his tone was slightly displeased.

“One candidate comprehended the Profound Origin Technique in just a quarter of an hour!”

"A quarter of an hour?"

Upon hearing this, the group of people who had just been ignoring each other were suddenly startled, their eyes filled with a hint of surprise.

"If it's just a quarter of an hour, his comprehension is enough to reach the top level," Hong Xuanqing muttered to himself after a moment of thought.

Hong Xuanqing looked at the newcomer and asked softly, "Do you have any information on him?"

"Yes, I brought it." The man said, taking out Su Chen's information.

The four of them stood up, huddled together, and simultaneously turned their gaze to the paper, on which was written:

Su Chen, age eighteen, with above-average physical constitution (six drops), is suspected of having cultivated at least three martial arts techniques, his strength is mottled, and his comprehension is above average.

After the four finished reading, their brows furrowed slightly.

With above-average physical constitution and above-average comprehension, such conditions barely qualify them to join the Xuan Shui Sect, but the mottled energy made the four of them reconsider.

After a long silence, no one spoke, and they looked at each other speechlessly.

Hong Xuancheng couldn't help but ask, "Everyone, which faction or academy wants it?"

“His energy is mottled and contradicts the cultivation methods of Qingyuan Academy. This person is not suitable for Qingyuan Academy. If you junior brothers and sisters want him, you can have him.” Hong Xuanqing shook his head and said, giving up the choice.

After hearing this, Hong Zhendong spoke up at the right time: "Although our Hunyuan Academy does not place much importance on the purity of internal energy, with his physical constitution, it will be extremely difficult for him to cultivate internal organs after dispersing his internal energy. Moreover, Hunyuan Academy only appears to be turbid, but its internal energy is actually pure. He is not suitable for Hunyuan Academy. Xuancheng, on the other hand, is more suitable for you. Liuyuan Academy's techniques still have certain requirements for comprehension."

Upon hearing this, Hong Xuancheng did not reply, but looked at Hong Ting. Hong Ting seemed to know what Hong Xuancheng was thinking, and her clear, cold voice rang out: "As you know, I have always only recruited female disciples."

Everyone remained silent, without offering any rebuttal. Hong Ting had not participated in the previous debate about Bi Kui's whereabouts, and this time was no different; she had always been averse to accepting male disciples.

For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat somber, with everyone preoccupied with their own thoughts, yet no one spoke for a long time.

After a long pause, Hong Xuancheng sighed and said, "How about this, go and ask him if he is willing to give up his cultivation. If he is, he can join my Liu Academy, but he needs to serve as a page for a year. Only if he performs well afterward can he be admitted to my Liu Academy."

"Yes!" the man replied, and then withdrew.

The three looked at Hong Xuancheng with surprise, not expecting him to say that.

They had no objection to dispersing his cultivation, but they hadn't expected Su Chen to become their page.

The so-called pageboys are actually similar to pageboys. Generally speaking, they serve the disciples of various academies and have a certain status, but it is not high. In essence, they are still miscellaneous servants, at most they can be considered high-level miscellaneous servants.

It's doubtful the other party would agree to make someone with such above-average comprehension a menial worker.

Hong Xuancheng seemed to know what the three were thinking, and chuckled: "Although this person's comprehension is above average, his physical constitution and strength do not meet the requirements. Let's observe his temperament for a year. If his temperament is sufficient, then it's fine to take him in."

the other side.

Su Chen had already learned about Hong Xuancheng's conditions from Steward Yu, and also learned from him what the so-called pageboy was.

These conditions surprised him, and also left him somewhat frustrated.

He never imagined that his displayed talent would ultimately only qualify him to be a page!
He only went to Xuan Shui Sect to take the assessment because of Hong Ming. As for whether he could join Xuan Shui Sect, he didn't care much.

Now, not only does the other party want him to lose his power, but they also want him to be a servant for a year. This is tantamount to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, putting the cart before the horse.

In a year, he might have already entered the Bone Forging stage. Why should he huddle in this high and mighty Xuan Shui Sect waiting for their charity?
With this in mind, he looked calmly at Steward Yu and asked, "Steward Yu, I heard that there is a second stage to the comprehension test. I would like to try it."

Deacon Yu glanced at Su Chen with some surprise. Ever since he revealed the conditions set by the head of the academy, Su Chen's eyes had remained completely still, except for a slight fluctuation at the beginning.

When he spoke, his voice remained calm and composed, showing no sign of disappointment. This demeanor caused him to glance at him slightly, and then he fell into deep thought.

Generally speaking, comprehension tests only need to be conducted once. However, in special cases, such as the compatibility with cultivation techniques or whether similar techniques have been practiced before, a second test may be conducted.

However, few people would make such a request, because the second test would be more difficult, and no one could guarantee that they could achieve the same level as the first time when they took the test a second time.

Su Chen's first comprehension test was rated as above average. If he can achieve the same rating on the second test, then the probability of him joining the Xuan Shui Sect, if not a certainty, is at least 80%.

After all, since the founding of the Xuan Shui Sect, no one has ever achieved the upper-middle level in two consecutive comprehension tests.

"Pay up!" Deacon Yu replied without stopping him.

Su Chen reluctantly handed over a thousand taels of silver and received the first level of the Xuan Yuan Technique from Steward Yu.

The previous technique was merely an introductory technique of the Xuan Yuan Jue, with relatively low difficulty. However, this time it is the first level of the Xuan Yuan Jue, and although it lacks the method for entering the internal energy, the difficulty is no less.

After flipping through the booklet several times, Su Chen sat cross-legged to meditate, while simultaneously communicating with the control panel in his mind. The next instant, the panel responded:

[Easy Mode Activated: Swallow 200 times to reach the first level of the Profound Origin Technique.]

This is the power of the panel; even without the entry-level technique, Su Chen can still cultivate the Profound Origin Technique with the help of the panel.

However, this time, Su Chen did not complete the first level of the Profound Origin Technique. Instead, he pushed the progress to 99% and then paused the easy mode.

Even so, a drop of water was still faintly visible between her eyebrows.

Upon witnessing this scene, Steward Yu could no longer remain calm. He understood better than anyone else present what this truly meant.

"He comprehended this level in just half an hour. If he had a method to enter the realm of internal energy, wouldn't he have directly mastered the first level of the Profound Origin Technique? Such comprehension surpasses even the 'upper middle' level!"

Deacon Yu was lost in thought. He took a deep look at Su Chen, and as soon as Su Chen opened his eyes, he immediately said, "You stay here. I'll be right back."

After saying that, he walked away, his pace noticeably quickening, and soon he left everyone with only his back view.

Jingxiu Garden.

"So much time has passed and there's still no reply. I'm afraid this person might not agree. In that case, let's end today's assessment here," Hong Xuancheng said, standing up.

"Alright!" Hong Zhendong had been waiting impatiently for a long time, and as soon as he finished speaking, he took a step to leave.

Hong Xuanqing and Hong Ting exchanged a glance and then stood up one after the other.

As soon as the four stepped out of the courtyard, they saw Steward Yu running towards them. Seeing Steward Yu's hurried manner, the four stopped.

"Four Heads of the Academy, I have something to report..."

"What?" Hong Xuancheng and the other three were all shocked after hearing what Steward Yu said.

He comprehended and mastered the first level of the Profound Origin Technique in half an hour. Such comprehension is enough for them to accept him as a disciple, even if his talent is only average or below average.

For a moment, the four looked at each other in bewilderment, and in the end, Hong Xuancheng was the first to step back.

"If you don't want Su Chen, my entire academy will take him."

(End of this chapter)