Chapter 118: The Assessment

"Little Junior Brother, remember to come to Zhaoyang Peak to hang out with Senior Sister when you're free! Don't you dare ignore what your Little Fairy Senior Sister says!"

"Heh heh, Seventh Junior Brother, my two brothers and I have established a cave dwelling on the hillside behind the mountain called Mo Xiang Abode. It’s about one or two hundred miles from here. After tomorrow's assessment, I'll take you there for a few days. The scenery is pleasant, and it's near the Moon Well, one of the eight scenic spots of Qingcheng. Once you can fly on your sword, you can go there whenever you like..."

Their earnest words still echoed in his ears. He could sense the genuine sincerity of these four senior siblings; it seemed that as long as one was a member of the Yuxu Sect, they were treated like family, without any pretense or affectation. Zhou Qian felt truly fortunate and grateful to be able to enter Yuxu Peak to cultivate immortality and seek the Dao.

"Alright, Seventh Junior Brother, it's getting late. Go and get some rest; you still have the assessment tomorrow!" Qin Yu stood up and said, "It’s time for me to go practice my internal energy and center my spirit."

Nodding, the two said their goodbyes. However, as he reached the door, Zhou Qian suddenly remembered something and turned back. "Senior Brother?"

"What is it?"

"Since Sixth Senior Sister is a girl, shouldn't she be cultivating on Taisu Peak according to Qingcheng rules? Or at the very least stay on Zhaoyang Peak so that Uncle Master Liu and Uncle Master Su can teach her at any time? Why did she join our Yuxu Peak?"

"Oh, that was a decision made by both Uncle Masters together. I don't know the reason behind it either; I'm afraid only that couple knows for sure," Qin Yu said, shaking his head.

"I see."

"Haha, don't tell me you were intimidated by Sixth Junior Sister today? She isn't usually like this. It’s probably because of your identity as the new junior brother. Don't worry, she’s just a young girl; once the novelty wears off, she won't be so enthusiastic."

"It's not entirely that," Zhou Qian said, feeling rather awkward.

Lying on the jade bed, closing his eyes to rest, he couldn't help but think, 'I was truly like a frog in a well, proud of having reached the Baodan realm and exhausting the potential of the human body, never imagining that this was only the beginning of cultivating immortality...'

"I will not lose to others! Master, please watch over me from heaven!"

The next day, just as the hour of Mao arrived, he woke up. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw a pair of bright, crystal-clear eyes only a fist away from his face. They stared at each other, and Zhou Qian, rarely startled, broke into a cold sweat.

"Good morning, Little Junior Brother!" A faint fragrance drifted from her breath. Without him noticing, Lu Xiaoxian was floating in mid-air, her eyes curiously looking him up and down.

"Senior Sister? How did you get in?" Zhou Qian coughed and asked.

"The Wall-Passing Technique. That’s how Little Fairy Senior Sister floated in."

Is this a sword immortal or a female ghost? She really is an eccentric character. Zhou Qian got up. Fortunately, he had slept fully clothed, so he didn't mind. "Senior Sister, I need to wash up. Could you please step aside for a moment?"

"No need, I’ve never seen a mortal do that before!"

Zhou Qian sighed, feeling quite uncomfortable as he cleaned his face, chatting sporadically with this young senior sister.

"Senior Sister, when did you arrive?"

"After I finished my morning lessons, I went to the Immortal Spring for a drink. I told Senior Sister Liu, and then I flew over to see you, Junior Brother. I had never seen a mortal sleeping, so I’ve finally learned something today," Lu Xiaoxian giggled.

"Senior Sister, how about I call you Little Senior Sister from now on? After all, I am quite a bit older than you," Zhou Qian hesitated for a moment, trying to deceive himself.

"Little Senior Sister?" Lu Xiaoxian frowned. "Then what should I call you? I can't keep calling you Little Junior Brother, right? Could it be Great Junior Brother? Great Junior Brother? Tee-hee, that's a funny title! You call me Little Senior Sister, and I'll call you Great Junior Brother from now on!"

Zhou Qian sighed; it could have been worse.

The two stepped out of the stone house but didn't see Qin Yu. Just as he was wondering, a familiar yellow streak of light passed through the stalactite pillars, dropping a person—it was He Hua, disheveled and bleary-eyed.

"Hmph, do you think I was joking with you? If you don't pass today, you'll be going into seclusion tomorrow!"

He Hua let out a series of wails, but a cold glance from Qin Yu silenced him instantly.

Stepping out of the White Jade Abode, they saw mountains draped in mist and snow, and rainbows leaping over mountain streams. In the distance, a vast sea of forests and cascading waterfalls greeted them. Even though he had seen it multiple times, he was still struck by the grandeur of the landscape.

Qin Yu carried He Hua, and Lu Xiaoxian carried Zhou Qian. Two streaks of light, one red and one yellow, flew toward the west.

"Are we leaving Qingcheng?" Zhou Qian couldn't help but ask, seeing that they weren't heading toward the five main peaks.

"Haha, Sixth Junior Brother, our Qingcheng has more than just five peaks. The thirty-six surrounding mountains are all part of our sect's territory. We are heading to Bitter Bamboo Peak," He Hua, his face having recovered from its gloom, said with renewed spirit.

Zhou Qian understood. The red silk beneath him was soft; this rare treasure was called the Flying Immortal Silk, used by Lu Xiaoxian's mother, Uncle Master Su Ru, for self-protection. It was rumored to be a Dharma treasure at the peak of the Tiangang level.

Looking down, he saw the mountains scattered and continuous, with interlocking ridges and peaks. On the five main peaks, one could faintly see immortal pavilions, cave dwellings, jade ponds, and green marshes, with figures moving about. He couldn't help but sigh; this was what a true celestial paradise was like.

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the four landed on a smaller, lower mountain three hundred miles to the left of Taisu Peak. This was Bamboo Mountain, covered in a vast forest of bamboo with sturdy stalks and fluttering pointed leaves.

They landed in a spot dense with green bamboo. Qin Yu said, "This is the first trial. Little Junior Brother, you must cut ten black bamboos, ten white bamboos, and ten green bamboos. These three types of bamboo are exotic species with various defensive mechanisms, so be careful. As for you, you lazy bum," he said, glancing sideways at He Hua, "you need to cut double!"

He took out an object resembling a birdcage and tapped it against He Hua's body. With a flash of spiritual light, it vanished. "This is the Immortal-Trapping Cage. Although it is only a Dharma treasure with sixteen Earthly Fiend restrictions, it can temporarily seal your magic power for one hour. Begin now."

"Run, Junior Brother!" He Hua grabbed Zhou Qian, and the two bolted.

"Fifth Senior Brother, where are we going? We don't have any tools; what are we going to use to cut the bamboo?" Zhou Qian asked while running.

"There is a banana tree at the top of Bitter Bamboo Mountain. Its leaves are as hard as refined iron; we'll rely on those."

Panting heavily, they finally reached the summit. They saw a massive banana tree, three zhang tall, entirely emerald green, except for the banana leaves, which were yellowing. When struck, they emitted a dull metallic sound.

"How are we supposed to pull these down?" Zhou Qian stared in astonishment.

"Let me think... how did we do it back when the three of us were brothers? Right! This tree fears water and fire; it shrinks when it touches them."

"Then we need to quickly find a mountain stream!"

"No need for such trouble!" He Hua waved his hand. "Senior Brother doesn't have water, but I have urine! Good banana tree, taste this!"

Accompanied by a trickling sound, the base of the two fan-sized leaves shriveled and detached, and the golden leaves fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

He Hua handed one to Zhou Qian and said generously, "Little Junior Brother, don't be modest."

Zhou Qian twitched his mouth, carefully taking it. It was indeed heavy. He wiped it on the ground and swung it, discovering that in terms of sharpness, it was no worse than his own three treasured swords.

"Let's go! Time to find some bamboo!"

The two wandered around the mountain. Before long, they found a black bamboo, as thick as a bowl, heavy and dense. Working together, it took hundreds of strikes to cut it down. With their strength, even ordinary iron of the same thickness would have been cut in just a few blows.

"Quick, quick! The difficulty of this trial lies in the limited time. Let's find the next one!" He Hua said, experienced.

They searched the mountain carrying the bamboo. They soon found a green bamboo. He Hua said happily, "I remember this bamboo is very easy to cut. Let me handle it!"

"If it were that simple, it wouldn't be considered a trial, would it?" Zhou Qian reminded him.

"Good point!" He Hua nodded. After a moment's thought, "We'll know what this bamboo is capable of once we try. Bad luck, it’s been over a decade, I can't even remember!"

He stepped forward and swung with force, creating a half-inch notch in the bamboo. Before he could celebrate, bamboo leaves rained down like arrows. He Hua scrambled, wailing in pain. By the time he reached Zhou Qian, five or six leaves were stuck in his back, and three sharp ones were embedded in his backside.

"I remember now! These green bamboo leaves can shoot at people!" He Hua said weakly, though it was a bit too late...

"Should I give it a try?" Zhou Qian said, helping He Hua pull out the leaves. He didn't know if they were poisonous, but the wounds were painful and itchy. He Hua gritted his teeth, fiercely cursing his eldest senior brother.

"Then be careful! Run if things look bad!"

Nodding, Zhou Qian carefully approached the green bamboo. As he swung his blade, the notch widened, nearly splitting it in half. The bamboo leaves shot toward him like hidden weapons. Zhou Qian narrowed his eyes and utilized his footwork, moving like a phantom so that none could touch him. With two more strikes, the green bamboo collapsed.

In the world of martial arts, dodging hidden weapons is like avoiding needles aimed at the eyes; as long as the eyes don't close and the mind stays calm, it isn't difficult.

"Seventh Junior Brother, you have quite the skill!" He Hua was stunned.

"Just some mortal tricks," Zhou Qian replied, shaking his head.

Carrying the two bamboos, they continued their search. Time passed slowly, and the pile of bamboo on their shoulders grew. The black bamboo was hard to cut, and the green bamboo shot leaves. As for the white bamboo, there was a strange bird nesting on it, looking like a crow several times its normal size. They divided the labor: one would distract it, and the other would take the opportunity to cut the bamboo. After spending more than half an hour, they finally collected enough of the three types of spiritual bamboo and hurried back to where Qin Yu was.

"Seventh Junior Brother, I really owe this to you. Otherwise, I might not have managed it alone!" He Hua expressed his sincere gratitude.

"No need to be so polite, Senior Brother."

"Next time you try to skip your lessons, I'll help you cover for it!"

"..."

Seeing Qin Yu, they piled the bamboo on the ground. He counted them and nodded. "Not bad! This trial was to test your agility and physical constitution. You have passed!"

"Let's move to the next location, the Fire Pond. It's just right that you go and pay your respects to the Second Senior Brother..."