Compete to Demonstrate Talents

For the next two days, Chen An’nian spent his days lying in bed, practicing fist techniques in his mind.

He rarely even got out of bed, wrapping himself in a thick quilt.

Regardless of how he viewed Lu Zhongmu, he had to give him some face.

After all, these things on his body were carefully prepared for him by others.

It wasn’t until evening that Chen An’nian quietly got out of bed and continued practicing fist technique until dawn.

He didn’t even use a drop of his divine power, saving it for when he truly needed it.

As long as he passed the assessment, he could use it however he wanted.

On the day of the assessment, Lu Zhongmu visited again. “An’nian, how are you feeling?”

“Zhongmu, I’m still feeling so cold. Will I be able to pass today’s assessment?”

Chen An’nian was anxious to the point of tears welling up in his eyes.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” Lu Zhongmu reassured, but in his heart, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

First, he gave him hope, then he would make him despair.

Truly, he was unparalleled in his cunning strategies.

Lu Zhongmu lightly touched Chen An’nian’s forehead, his touch icy cold.

Only then did he truly feel relieved.

“The assessment will take place at Factotum Peak, the sixth mountain. It’s not too far from here. I’ll go ahead, so make sure you don’t waste any time.”

“Alright, I’ll get ready and join you soon.”

Chen An’nian pursed his lips, displaying a determined expression that would never yield to fate.

Lu Zhongmu patted Chen An’nian’s shoulder and almost couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“Good luck.”

After getting up, Chen An’nian took a hot bath and prepared a bottle of warm water to bring along.

Looking at his reflection in the water, Chen An’nian shook his head helplessly and comforted himself, “Although I’m not devastatingly handsome, I still have delicate features. I can be considered somewhat good-looking.”

Reflecting on this, Chen An’nian tucked a steamed bun and a gourd of wine into his arms and dashed towards Factotum Peak, the sixth mountain.

This was specially prepared for Lu Zhongmu; he couldn’t afford to forget it.

...

Today was the annual assessment day at Factotum Peak.

Passing the assessment meant entering the Outer Sect and officially stepping into the path of cultivation.

Failing the assessment would result in being expelled from the sect and becoming an ordinary mortal.

So today, it was not an exaggeration to say that it was a crucial turning point.

About three to four thousand factotum disciples were participating in the assessment, and it was the first time Chen An’nian had seen so many of them.

However, most of them were strangers to each other.

Besides completing tasks, they spent their days cultivating, leaving no opportunity to make friends.

On the way, everyone displayed their unique abilities, each showing their own strengths.

Some ran back and forth to keep their qi and blood active.

Others continuously hit themselves with stones, claiming it would enhance blood circulation and stimulate their qi and blood.

Some chanted loudly, claiming it would uplift their spirits and invigorate their qi and blood.

Chen An’nian had truly witnessed how crazy these people were to pass the assessment.

Upon reaching the sixth mountain, the participants lined up from the platform halfway up the mountain to the foot of the mountain.

Some confident participants had already begun the assessment.

“Attention, participants! Hold a piece of Qi and Blood Stone in one hand. When your qi and blood circulate within your body during the practice, the stone will glow. As long as the stone glows, you pass. Each person only has one chance.”

The outer disciple in charge of the assessment announced the details.

The platform was spacious, with an ample supply of Qi and Blood Stones, allowing up to twenty people to participate in the assessment simultaneously.

Despite having four drops of divine power as a precaution, Chen An’nian couldn’t help but feel nervous.

He wasn’t a hundred percent confident.

This assessment would determine his future.

If others failed, they could continue their cultivation on the mountain.

But for him, it would be a dead end.

Who wouldn’t be anxious?

The guy behind him was still reciting Buddhist scriptures.

Unbelievable, right?

Chen An’nian felt restless as if a monkey was jumping around in his mind.

Unable to calm down, he turned around and said, “Brother, aren’t you reciting Buddhist scriptures to calm your mind? How can your qi and blood be stimulated?”

The disciple reciting the scriptures was momentarily stunned.

After a while, a look of defeat appeared on his face.

It seemed as if all hope in life had been shattered.

He glanced deeply at Chen An’nian and walked down the mountain without looking back.

Chen An’nian was dumbfounded.

He had only said a few words...

“He’s just someone with an unstable mind,” another disciple following behind sneered.

Chen An’nian became interested. “Since you seem so confident, do you have a method?”

“Reciting Buddhist scriptures stabilizes the mind, but I have a book that can stir up your qi and blood, accelerating your heartbeat. Participating in the assessment will undoubtedly yield twice the result with half the effort.”

The disciple spoke with great enthusiasm, immediately attracting several anxious factotum disciples nearby.

“Brother, since we’re not in competition with each other, if you tell us the method and we pass, we’ll reward you with a hundred taels of silver.”

“Yes, yes, if you tell us the method, we’ll definitely show our gratitude.”

...

The disciple’s lips curled up, and his eyes revealed an air of superiority.

“It’s nothing. After I’m done using it, I’ll pass it on to each of you.”

“After this assessment, the number of outer disciples will definitely skyrocket, and Green Mountain Sect will flourish. It’s just a matter of time.”

Chen An’nian couldn’t help but feel amazed.

This guy’s words were too extraordinary as if he alone could propel the development of Green Mountain Sect.

It was getting a bit mystical.

Amidst the eager anticipation of the crowd, the factotum disciple carefully retrieved a tattered tome from his pocket.

“This is something I acquired at great expense from a fellow disciple,” he proclaimed.

“Back then, he used this very method to enter the Outer Sect.”

His words were grandiose, causing the hearts of those surrounding him to race like mice scratching within.

As the factotum disciple turned to the first page, everyone’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Immediately, heavy gasps filled the air.

Chen An’nian took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to berate the dude.

Just as the onlookers were left in awe, Chen An’nian kindly reminded them, “Reading this book will disrupt your vital energy.”

“Did you perhaps tie the Qi and Blood Stone to your body while practicing your punches during the assessment?”

His words struck like a thunderbolt.

“That makes sense!” the factotum disciple nodded, “It’s not entirely impossible...”

Then, he loudly asked, “Who has a rope!?”

...

The assessment proceeded swiftly.

Some rejoiced with excitement, while others departed with a heavy heart, tears staining the stone steps.

Chen An’nian arrived at the platform halfway up the mountain, where only a dozen or so people remained ahead of him.

His companion, Lu Zhongmu, had long been waiting.

Upon seeing Chen An’nian, he gently touched his forehead, relieved to find it still cool.

Now, he could rest assured.

“An’nian, you will surely succeed,” Lu Zhongmu encouraged.

“Thank you, Zhongmu!”

Chen An’nian nodded earnestly, “I shall make my preparations.”

After speaking, Chen An’nian performed a series of high leg lifts, followed by jumping jacks.

It was a routine procedure, familiar to everyone.

“Next round.”

When the bronze bell before the steward rang out.

Amidst the watchful gazes of all, Chen An’nian opened a thermos flask and poured the warm water over his head.

“When the body is immersed in warm water, the pores open, aiding in blood circulation,” he explained.

Steam rose from Chen An’nian’s body as he took the opportunity to absorb the last traces of cold energy from the Ice Refinement Pill.

Then, amidst the collective sighs of “Why didn’t I think of that?” from the other factotum disciples, he entered the assessment area.

He grasped two Qi and Blood Stones.

His heart thumped wildly, and his body felt slightly weak.

At this critical moment, a matter of life and death, no one could remain calm.

“Exhale...”

Chen An’nian took a long breath.

The fist technique, ingrained in his muscle memory, flowed effortlessly.

Chest compressed, head raised, hips swayed, waist coordinated with hands and feet, qi flowing seamlessly...

In this moment, Chen An’nian immersed himself in the art of his fists, the nervousness and unease in his heart vanished, and he disregarded the gazes of the other factotum disciples around him.

At this moment, only the fist technique mattered, and it became his sole focus.