Chapter 442
Testing Doctor Mo
The group was taken to a mud house on a low hill and spent the night there.
The next morning, a group of more than thirty children followed Protector Wang to a slope covered with large green bamboo. The red-faced old man "Master Yue" from yesterday and several unfamiliar young men were already waiting.
Master Yue said, "The rules for this assessment are as follows: Next, you need to follow the bamboo path to the Bone Refining Cliff ahead, then through another bamboo forest, past a rock wall, and finally arrive at a cliff. If you can arrive before noon today, you can become a formal disciple of my Seven Mysteries Sect. If you don't arrive on time, but your performance is still acceptable, you can become a nominal disciple. Now it's almost time, so set off now! With your senior brothers protecting you, there's no need to worry about danger!"
Upon hearing Master Yue's words, the children all tensed up, and some rushed directly into the bamboo forest.
Han Li followed behind the crowd.
Fang Xiao followed behind Xiao Hanli at a leisurely pace.
Behind the two was a thin senior brother who remained silent.
"Han Li, let's go, together."
Seeing that Han Li seemed a little scared, Fang Xiao smiled.
For him, taking first place would be very easy.
However, his goal was not to enter the Seven Mysteries Sect, but to catch the eye of Doctor Mo and then learn the Qi-cultivation technique, "Eternal Spring Skill".
Although Doctor Mo only had eight levels of the Changchun Gong, Fang Xiao could use those eight levels to push it to the Great Perfection.
"Yes, Brother Xiao."
Han Lidao.
This "dumb guy" wasn't actually stupid; on the contrary, he was extremely intelligent. Therefore, Xiao Hanli gradually changed his way of addressing him.
Han Li walked ahead along the slope.
I felt my body getting heavier and heavier, and eventually I even found it difficult to lift my legs.
They persevered for quite some time before finally finding a mound of earth to rest on.
He was panting heavily.
Fang Xiao did not abandon Han Li, but stayed by his side.
"Brother Xiao, you go first, I really can't walk anymore."
Han Lidao.
This Brother Xiao has amazing stamina! Not only did he not pant at all, but he didn't even break a sweat.
"It's alright. Since we came from the same village, I will naturally not abandon you."
Fang Xiao said calmly.
These words deeply moved Han Li.
They displayed astonishing perseverance.
Many children were gradually surpassed by Han Li.
Finally, Han Li made his way to a huge rock.
This rock is composed of layers of sedimentary rock, heavily weathered, with some sections being extremely sharp. Climbing to the top won't be easy. However, several figures have already begun their ascent.
During the climb, Han Li faced several dangerous situations, but his senior brother provided excellent protection, which gradually put Han Li at ease.
Fang Xiao, on the other hand, went up leisurely and with ease, a stark contrast to the children's behavior. However, in order to catch Doctor Mo's eye, he still forced himself to sweat and feign exhaustion.
At the end of the giant stone wall is a vertical cliff, a full hundred meters high, with more than a dozen hemp ropes hanging down from the top of the cliff, each with a knot the size of a fist.
People have already started climbing.
At this moment, less than an hour remained until noon; time was running out. "Father, Mother, I'm afraid I cannot enter the Seven Mysteries Sect!"
Realizing he was still far from the top of the cliff, Han Li knew he didn't have enough time and was overcome with sorrow. He suddenly slid down the cliff, startled, but managed to grab onto a sturdy rock face in time to steady himself.
"That was really close!"
Han Li's heart pounded wildly, and it took him a long time to calm down.
After resting for a moment, they slowly climbed towards the rope.
It was already noon, and Han Li had only just reached the bottom knot of the rope before beginning his ascent. Although the assessment time was up, Han Li didn't want to give up; he wanted to complete the assessment.
When he finally reached the top of the cliff, having exhausted all his strength, he was completely drained.
Fang Xiao followed at a leisurely pace and climbed up as well.
At this moment, at the top of the cliff, besides Hall Master Yue, Protector Wang, and many senior brothers in front, there was also a wealthy old man wearing a dark blue outer robe with his hands behind his back.
Then Master Yue said, "There are seven qualified people this time. Six of them can enter the Hundred Forging Hall and officially become inner disciples. If Yan Wu performs well, she will be sent to the Seven Absolutes Hall to learn the sect's unique skills."
Upon hearing this, the portly old man nodded in satisfaction.
Fang Xiao couldn't help but glance at Yan Wu, who was the first to reach the summit before noon.
Yan Wu was originally past the age limit for entering the sect, but one of her cousins married a deputy sect leader surnamed Ma from the Seven Mysteries Sect as his second wife, which is why she was able to enter the Seven Absolutes Hall. This portly old man was none other than that "Deputy Sect Leader Ma".
"Fang Xiao, Zhang Tie, and Han Li, although you three did not arrive at the cliff top on time, it is commendable that you persevered to the end. You will first follow the instructors of our sect to lay a foundation. You will be re-examined in six months. If you pass, you will become inner disciples; if you fail, you will become outer disciples."
Fang Xiao, in particular, was very adept along the way, only showing signs of fatigue at the end. If he had put in the effort, he might not have been inferior to Yan Wu, making him a promising inner disciple.
"The rest of them are all unqualified because they are neither physically fit nor have the perseverance to persist. Protector Wang, you should give each of these children some silver and send them back."
Protector Yue concluded.
"Follow your orders~"
Protector Wang said respectfully.
They led the unfit children down the cliff.
"You two, bring these qualified children to this hall and hand them over to Vice Hall Master Gu and Instructor Li."
As soon as Master Yue finished speaking, two more young "senior brothers" divided Fang Han, Han Li, Zhang Tie, and the other nine into two groups and led them down the cliff.
Just as the group reached a dense grove of trees, an old man slowly emerged from the woods.
The old man had a sallow complexion, looked to be over sixty years old, was tall and thin, with a full head of white hair from head to toe, and coughed incessantly, as if he were seriously ill.
"coming!"
A glint flashed in Fang Xiao's eyes; he had found a method to cultivate.
Upon seeing the old man, the two senior brothers who were leading him immediately ran over respectfully and said, "Doctor Mo, why did you come out in person? Is there something you need us to do?"
This old man was the sect leader's savior, and he deserved their respect more than any protector, hall master, or deputy sect leader.
"Are these the new disciples?"
After the coughing subsided, the white-haired old man asked, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"That's right! Among them are three nominal disciples and six formal disciples."
"Oh? I'm short-handed right now. I need two herb-gathering disciples and one alchemy disciple. These three can come with me!"
The old man, referred to as "Doctor Mo," spoke with an air of absolute authority. (End of Chapter)