Chapter 76: Evaluation

"Who on earth was it that borrowed my power?" Yun Zhi wondered, perplexed. The Immortal Sect had fled in absolute chaos, taking every last soul with them, leaving behind nothing but the Mountain and River Tripod—an artifact valuable enough to purchase a first-rate sect outright.

Now, there was no way to trace exactly who had borrowed her strength.

Among the various mystic arts, there existed a classification known as "Deity Descent." It allowed one to borrow another's power, provided the party granted their permission. However, this particular spell was on the brink of being lost to time and was notoriously difficult to master; Yun Zhi had not crossed paths with it in ages.

Furthermore, who could possibly siphon her strength without her consent? Yun Zhi sensed no malice from the culprit, which was why, driven by sheer instinct, she had chosen not to obstruct the sudden outflow of her power moments ago.

She could guess the culprit's identity with reasonable certainty.

"But where could he have possibly learned the Deity Descent?"

Yun Zhi had no recollection of ever teaching Lu Yang such a spell.

First Place: Lu Yang.

"Huh? The top spot has changed?" The Vice Sect Master muttered in confusion. They had been so consumed by fleeing for their lives just now that they hadn't paid any attention to what Lu Yang was up to.

With the Mountain and River Tripod shattered, replaying the events was out of the question.

"Regardless, the Immortal Eye never errs. These three individuals possess the most formidable destructive potential!" the Sect Master asserted with conviction. He, too, could not fathom what Lu Yang had accomplished. The previous top-ranker had slain hundreds in a short span and left thousands more with ticking time bombs inside them, their lives hanging by a thread. For Lu Yang to abruptly overtake such a person and seize the crown was truly beyond belief.

Yet, there was no need to second-guess it. The Immortal Eye was an supreme treasure of the immortals, a grade far above the Mountain and River Tripod; it was absolutely infallible.

And indeed, Lu Yang had summoned Yun Zhi, who proceeded to obliterate the Mountain and River Tripod and level the Immortal Sect's headquarters. The sheer devastation brought upon the sect could easily rank among the top three in all of history.

If one measured it solely by the sheer trauma inflicted upon the Sect Master himself, it was indisputably number one.

The Sect Master spoke with a smug air, momentarily forgetting the physical agony wracking his body. "See, what did I tell you? This fellow Lu Yang possesses profound wisdom. Don't look down on him just because his ranking lagged for a while; the moment you avert your eyes, he pulls off a massive stunt. Look at that, straight to the top spot."

"And don't be fooled by the mediocre showings of Meng Jingzhou and Mangu, whom you fancied. That was merely a lack of time. Had they been given enough time, they would have guaranteed themselves the second and third spots."

The Vice Sect Master was thoroughly conceded defeat. The Sect Master was the Sect Master for a reason; not only was he meticulous in his actions, but his foresight was incredibly sharp. No wonder he himself remained a mere deputy while the other held the supreme seat.

"Then what is your final evaluation of Lu Yang?"

The Sect Master pondered for a brief moment before speaking in a measured cadence. "Lu Yang took an unconventional path in the first trial, revealing a rare natural talent for martial arts. To enter the Dao through martial prowess is an exceedingly rare phenomenon across the world. In the second trial, he observed meticulously, deduced the underlying patterns, and monopolized the potatoes, leaving subsequent interviewees entirely without a test. This demonstrates a colossal capacity for disruption. This particular trait became even more pronounced in the third trial. To label him a born fiend-seed would not be an exaggeration in the slightest."

The Vice Sect Master was astonished. In all his years knowing the Sect Master, he had never heard anyone receive such an exalted appraisal.

"What about Meng Jingzhou?"

"Meng Jingzhou gained his strength from a spider bite during the first trial, which is a manifestation of raw destiny. In this grand era, he represents a Dao-seed born of favorable tides. In the second trial, he scrutinized the prompt thoroughly, examined the problem from multiple perspectives, and while he appeared arrogant and domineering on the surface, he was actually winning step by step with impeccable planning, ultimately breaking down the examiner's mental defenses to pass smoothly."

"Regrettably, the third trial concluded before he could fully leverage his strengths. He falls slightly short of Lu Yang—a descent of the Dao-Fiend, perhaps."

The evaluation of 'Dao-Fiend Descent' was likewise exceptionally rare; few among the younger generation could ever elicit such an appraisal from the Sect Master. It appeared this Meng Jingzhou commanded a boundless future.

"And Mangu?"

"In the first trial, he displayed comprehension, perseverance, and strategy. In the second trial, his consideration of the problem was remarkably thorough. It was only in the third trial that he showed a lack of independent resolve. In past examinations, he would belong to the echelon of outstanding performers. Sadly, with such brilliant gems preceding him, I can only grant him the evaluation of 'Fiend within the Heart'."

'Fiend within the Heart'—by historical precedent, so long as such an individual did not fall prematurely, they were guaranteed to rise into the high-ranking leadership of the Immortal Sect.

"Should we transfer them to headquarters to be nurtured with utmost care?" the Vice Sect Master inquired.

The Sect Master shook his head, drawing upon his own wealth of experience. "There is no need to rush. Let them start from the grassroots level. They must have at least two years of grassroots experience. Trust me, such experience is immense benefit to one's future growth. That is precisely how I climbed the ranks."

"Furthermore, I harbor a grander scheme. This Lu Yang is an unbridled spirit, highly imaginative and destructive. Once he matures, we shall see if he can infiltrate the orthodox sects—the Askew Dao Sect, for instance."

The Vice Sect Master let out a wry chuckle, feeling the Sect Master truly overestimated the youth. They might possess methods to slip into other sects, but the Askew Dao Sect was a different beast entirely. The sheer eccentricity of the disciples there was something few could match; an infiltrator would likely be exposed before long due to sheer incompatibility.

Infiltrating the Askew Dao Sect was far easier said than done.

"I shall take my leave to heal my wounds first," the Sect Master concluded, before retreating into a secret chamber to regulate his breathing in seclusion.

From beginning to end, the Vice Sect Master harbored no intentions of usurping power. Today served as a prime example; while assassinating the Sect Master might allow him to ascend a step higher, what of the aftermath? What if the orthodox sects launched another assault? Could he make the correct decisions?

The moment he made a fatal misjudgment, he would surely perish beneath the techniques of the orthodox factions. By then, it would be far too late to regret the usurpation.

The Yanjiang Branch.

"A total of ten passed the trials, and three even received the appraisals of Born Fiend-Seed, Dao-Fiend Descent, and Fiend within the Heart?!" The Branch Master's eyebrows arched with sheer delight upon hearing the message relayed by the Sect Master's envoy.

This surpassed even the wildest expectations of his best-case scenario! The opportunity for promotion was right before his eyes!

As for those loose fiendish cultivators who failed the first and second trials, the eleven deacons had dispersed while the candidates were unconscious, dumping them across various regions. Upon awakening, they would forget the location of the Yanjiang Branch, dismissing their recent ordeal as nothing more than a vivid dream.

The most foolproof method would have been to slaughter them all, ensuring the branch's location would never be compromised. However, taking the larger picture into account, the Immortal Sect abstained from such bloodshed.

These loose fiendish cultivators wrought havoc across the lands, serving as excellent lightning rods to draw the attention of the orthodox sects. Amidst the chaotic sea of misinformation, the orthodox factions would be hard-pressed to distinguish between the deeds of isolated fiends and those of the demonic sects, thereby achieving the desired effect of muddying the waters.

Lu Yang and his two companions slowly drifted awake, their minds thoroughly muddled by the sheer volume of events they had just endured.

The final image they beheld before losing consciousness was... Eldest Senior Sister descending from the heavens?!

A cold sweat broke out across Lu Yang's skin. Surely Eldest Senior Sister hadn't seen him masquerading in her form? If she had, she would undoubtedly flay him alive.

Meng Jingzhou and Mangu also recalled what had transpired—Lu Yang's Pictographic Boxing had somehow summoned the genuine Eldest Senior Sister.

Lu Yang threw a warning glare at the two, silently commanding them not to breathe a word of this. Sensing the gravity, the duo nodded in hasty comprehension.

Suppressing the jubilation in his heart, the Branch Master spoke in a tone he strove to keep nonchalant. "From this day forth, the ten of you are members of our Immortal Sect."

"By right, we ought to conduct the initiation ceremony immediately. However, today's three rounds of trials have drained the energy of everyone present, myself included. To pay homage to the Immortal with such exhaustion would be an affront to his divine majesty. Return here tomorrow, and we shall formally conduct the initiation ceremony."

Lu Yang could clearly discern that the moment the Immortal was mentioned, the Branch Master's tone and the countenances of the eleven deacons underwent a distinct shift.

This proved that their veneration of the Immortal was no mere facade, but a profound, unwavering belief in his actual existence.

'No wonder they are termed a "Sect,"' Lu Yang pondered.

The Branch Master continued, "However, with new members joining our ranks today, it would be improper not to celebrate. Let us head out for a meal together."

"I hear a new barbecue establishment has opened in the county called 'One More Time.' The flavor is quite remarkable and highly acclaimed. We shall gather there shortly; the treat is on me."

Lu Yang: "..."

Meng Jingzhou: "..."

Mangu: "..."

Are we simply not permitted to rest?