Chapter 777: Adaptability Verification

Chapter 777: Adaptability Verification

Watching Tianwen Star’s response, Chen Xingxuan nodded in satisfaction, no longer regarding Zhang Yu or Shen Qingyun as threats.

Ever since he began using Tianwen Star’s high-intelligence artifact spirit service, the spirit had consistently gathered data and rendered judgments with remarkable efficiency. Nearly every question Chen posed received a thorough and useful answer.

Without realizing it, Chen Xingxuan had grown accustomed to consulting Tianwen Star each morning before work, before facing senior cultivators, and whenever encountering difficulties. Even for trivial daily matters, he sometimes couldn’t resist asking Tianwen Star—and each time he gained insight, his dependence on this intelligent spirit deepened.

“The only regret,” Chen mused, “is that my Tianwen Star service tier is too low.”

He knew well that Tianwen Star, developed by the upper echelons of the Myriad Methods Sect, had been answering countless cultivators’ questions nonstop since its official launch. Only by spending more money and attaining a higher service tier could one command greater resources from Tianwen Star.

“The more you spend, the higher your tier—the more accurate, profound, and comprehensive Tianwen Star’s answers become, drawing upon broader and richer datasets.”

Chen Xingxuan had already made up his mind.

“Now that breakthroughs have been achieved in high-intelligence artifact spirit technology, this will become a new dimension for all cultivators.”

“To advance further along the Immortal Path, possessing such an intelligent spirit is indispensable.”

“If I secure the position of Group Leader of Martial Cultivation Team One this time—earning a promotion, a raise—I’ll immediately upgrade my Tianwen Star service tier.”

His thoughts flashed like lightning, vanishing in an instant. His gaze then shifted to the third candidate, aside from Zhang Yu and Shen Qingyun.

“Tianwen Star, how does this person compare to me?”

Your dedicated artifact spirit, Tianwen Star, is contemplating your query.

Compared to the previous two candidates, your tone is graver, your observation longer—you clearly hold this individual in high regard. I shall gather more detailed data for analysis…

Countless streams of thought flickered at blinding speed. In the next moment, Tianwen Star replied: “Yu Qingrang of the Dao Arts Team One, Audit Department—a fifth-generation descendant and dual-cultivation partner of Minister Luo Wujī.”

“According to publicly available records from the Dual-Cultivation Support Division, Yu Qingrang has ranked first for consecutive years in the frequency of dual-cultivation sessions among Minister Luo Wujī’s partners.”

Chen Xingxuan gave a slight nod. He already knew these facts and privately envied Yu Qingrang’s background.

“Though cultivating with one’s own bloodline descendants eliminates concerns about leaking ancestral secrets or being tricked into paying child support, finding a truly exceptional cauldron among one’s own lineage… is no easy feat.”

Chen thought inwardly, “After all, the number of direct blood descendants is minuscule compared to the vast pool of lower-tier cultivators… and the chances of producing top-grade cultivation material are far rarer.”

“Especially as time passes, the number of upper-tier cultivators’ bloodline heirs dwindles—Yu Qingrang herself was born over a century ago.”

Yet Chen also understood that while few bloodline descendants rose to prominence, those who did often possessed extraordinary advantages—such as being trusted dual-cultivation cauldrons by their ancestors, a privilege unmatched by non-bloodline cultivators.

Moreover, her position in Dao Arts Team One indirectly testified to Yu Qingrang’s strength.

“But how can a member of the Dao Arts team compete as a martial talent for the leadership of Martial Cultivation Team One?”

Just as Chen pondered this, Tianwen Star answered his unspoken question.

“According to extensive records of cultivation power transactions, Yu Qingrang has sold most of her Dao Arts cultivation base and used the proceeds to purchase martial cultivation power.”

“Her entire Dharma Skeleton alone shows download records for hundreds of martial cultivation manuals, covering nearly every major category of martial arts.”

“Per her registered staff records, she has employed at least seven soul cultivators of Nascent Soul realm—each specializing in martial cultivation techniques—to reside permanently within her sea of consciousness over the past month.”

This cascade of data revealed Yu Qingrang’s formidable dedication to transitioning into martial cultivation.

“This person… converted nearly all her Dao Arts cultivation into martial cultivation?”

Chen thought darkly, “Could it be because the Dao Arts team leaders live so long that she sees no hope of promotion there? So she’d rather switch paths and snatch a position from our Martial Cultivation team? Yu Qingrang… this Dao-thief! How can Martial Cultivation Team One possibly fall into such hands?”

As Tianwen Star presented its findings, a Spirit Qi Consumption Map materialized before Chen Xingxuan.

The map displayed traces left by intense Spirit Qi depletion—areas filled with deeper red indicated fiercer consumption.

And Yu Qingrang’s figure on the map glowed crimson, nearly black.

Chen Xingxuan frowned. “What is this?”

Tianwen Star replied, “A Spirit Qi Consumption Map. Based on your Dharma Skeleton’s detection data, Yu Qingrang consumes more Spirit Qi per minute than you and the other two candidates combined.”

Chen drew a deep breath. Such massive Spirit Qi expenditure meant immense internal activity—he understood it stemmed from the sheer volume of Dharma Skeleton components, resident soul cultivators, and martial techniques Yu Qingrang carried.

From this alone, he grasped just how formidable she was.

At that very moment, a message flickered in Yu Qingrang’s vision: “Your data is being leaked. Block it?”

With a single finger tap and an infusion of Immortal Coins, an invisible ripple erupted from her body.

Instantly, Chen Xingxuan saw Tianwen Star’s analysis halt.

“Should I pay more?”

He shook his head. Forcing a data unlock now would likely trigger a direct Immortal Coin duel—an outcome he wished to avoid.

He knew such coin contests resembled old-fashioned battles of spiritual energy—but far more perilous. While spiritual duels ended when one ran out of energy, coin duels could bankrupt you before you blinked.

His eyes locked onto Yu Qingrang’s—and theirs clashed midair like sparks igniting gunpowder.

In that instant, both recognized the other as their greatest rival today, the gravest threat to securing Third-Tier Rank.

…

While the four candidates sized each other up,

in a hidden space beyond their perception,

the arbiters of this Adaptability Verification observed the proceedings. They bore no responsibility for scoring or selection—only supervision, projecting themselves here to witness the entire verification process.

Among them stood Minister Luo Wujī of the Audit Department, along with Deputy Ministers Lu Hengzhang and Gu Qingya.

When Gu Qingya saw Chen Xingxuan and Yu Qingrang appear, his brow furrowed slightly. He understood now: this competition would indeed be fierce.

He thought inwardly, “After all, the number of Level-Two Sect Administrators with years of accumulated merit keeps growing, while vacancies above grow scarcer. In the past… someone of Chen Xingxuan or Yu Qingrang’s caliber would’ve been promoted directly to group leader without contest. Why must they fight now?”

“If Zhang Yu loses to them, it’s only natural.”

“At worst, I’ll offer him extra guidance afterward—broaden his Immortal Path—as compensation for his efforts this time.”

Meanwhile, Luo Wujī studied the four candidates and concluded silently: “Qingrang’s greatest threat is Chen Xingxuan.”

“Zhang Yu might pose a secondary concern.”

His gaze cooled slightly upon seeing Zhang Yu.

This disobedient martial team member had long lost Luo Wujī’s favor—especially after choosing to hand materials over to Gu Qingya. That decision had stirred resentment in Luo, even regret for having elevated Zhang Yu to Tier Two.

“I raised your rank, yet you remain insubordinate. Clearly, you lack obedience—unworthy of further investment.”

On the other side, Lu Hengzhang watched the four and hoped neither Zhang Yu nor Yu Qingrang would gain promotion.

The former was a detested mortal-world upstart; the latter, Luo Wujī’s heir—both were individuals he fervently wished to see fail.

“Still, Zhang Yu’s chances are slim—his foundation remains too shallow.”

“But this Yu Qingrang… Chen Xingxuan won’t find it easy to defeat her.”

While the others were each lost in their own thoughts, the adaptability assessment had already officially begun. Lines of rules shimmered into view before them.

Zhang Yu glanced at the rules and thought inwardly, “Choose from the martial cultivation manual library provided by the assessment and simulate the selected techniques.”

“You have five minutes to familiarize yourself with the chosen manuals and practice their simulation.”

“Then… apply these techniques to complete assigned work tasks.”

At that very moment, rows upon rows of martial technique listings appeared before everyone. Chen Xingxuan and Yu Qingrang had already begun swiftly making their selections.

After a quick scan, Zhang Yu realized that the highest-level manuals available in this assessment’s library reached only expert tier.

“And the tasks we’re meant to solve using these techniques are…”

His eyes flickered toward the task list, and he mentally summarized: “In short… transportation, archaeology, and factory work?” Studying the specific requirements of the three tasks, Zhang Yu began pondering which techniques he should choose.

He murmured inwardly, “Jian Xian, what would you pick?”

…

Luo Wuji mused silently, “This adaptability assessment aims to test candidates’ professional competence in their assigned roles.”

“What abilities does a Martial Arts Division leader truly need?”

“Reviewing capability goes without saying—it’s essential even for ordinary team members.”

“More crucial is discernment—the ability to swiftly judge a technique’s application scenario, usage direction, and value, enabling efficient task delegation.”

“Therefore… this assessment requires candidates to select appropriate techniques based on the tasks they must solve. It tests both their capacity to simulate techniques and their acumen in evaluating them.”

While the arbiters’ minds churned with such reflections, some candidates had already finished their selections.

With Tianwen Star’s assistance, Chen Xingxuan completed his choice of three techniques faster than anyone else.

Lu Hengzhang gave a slight nod. “Chen Xingxuan was first to finish selecting—three tasks matched precisely with three techniques, each perfectly suited. It’s practically a model answer.”

Gu Qingya turned his gaze toward Yu Qingrang, who had just become the second to complete her selection, and thought, “She picked five techniques at once? And even included two internal cultivation methods? Quite confident… Does she really believe she can simulate all five—including two internal methods—to level 40 within five minutes?”

“According to the rules, every selected technique must be applied during the tasks.”

“If she picks techniques she doesn’t use—or worse, if they hinder performance—her evaluation will suffer.”

Just as Gu Qingya felt Yu Qingrang might have overreached, Zhang Yu on the other side concluded his own selection, having chosen seven techniques outright.

Seeing this, Gu Qingya frowned slightly. “What’s this kid trying to prove by picking so many? This isn’t a contest of quantity… With only five minutes to prepare, how far can he possibly simulate so many techniques?”

After Chen Xingxuan, Yu Qingrang, and Zhang Yu successively finalized their choices, Shen Qingyun grew visibly tense. After repeated deliberation and inner turmoil, she finally settled on her three techniques just before time ran out.

As the selection phase ended, a five-minute countdown commenced.

Within this window, the four candidates needed to urgently familiarize themselves with their chosen techniques in preparation for practical application.

The moment everyone began studying their manuals, a sharp whoosh echoed through the air—Chen Xingxuan, while reading his manuals, simultaneously activated his Wu Xiang Yan Wu, commencing technique simulation.

Level 30… Level 33… Level 40!

With every movement, he astonishingly replicated the effects of martial techniques at breakneck speed.

“No wonder—he’s an elite who broke through to Martial Rank Twenty from the Internal Cultivation Division. His learning speed is impressive,” Luo Wuji nodded faintly, then shifted his attention to Yu Qingrang.

“But compared to my bloodline heir…”

In the next instant, Yu Qingrang waved her hand, effortlessly simulating one martial art after another to full level-40 effect, then devoted most of her remaining time to internal cultivation methods.

Her speed stemmed from prior preparation: long before the exam began, she had already downloaded memorized data of various expert-tier martial manuals.

Armed with this knowledge, her current Wu Xiang Yan Wu simulations flowed as naturally as if she were replicating techniques she’d practiced for years.

Watching her, Gu Qingya thought, “Yu Qingrang—a reviewer from the Daoist Arts Division—simulates techniques faster than even Chen Xingxuan? Luo Wuji must have given her substantial support.”

He then glanced at Zhang Yu, only to find the young man seated cross-legged, showing no sign of simulating any technique at all.

“What is this kid up to?”

Zhang Yu was flipping through the main texts of his seven selected manuals, imprinting every character into his mind. By the time he finished reading, without a single trial, he knew instinctively that he could flawlessly simulate all seven techniques.

He understood this was the power of Lian Fa Tu Wu Xiang Yan Wu—an extraordinary ability born of his prodigious talent and latent potential. Merely by reading the texts, he could immediately simulate any technique via Wu Xiang Yan Wu, reaching level 40 instantly with fifty percent of its full potency.

He mused inwardly, “Once I cultivate further—Martial Eleven, Martial Twelve, and more techniques unique to Wu Xiang Yan Wu—the power of this Lian Fa Tu will grow even stronger. I wonder just how formidable it’ll become then.”

To Gu Qingya, however, Zhang Yu’s stillness appeared as failure—as if he hadn’t even dared attempt a single simulation.

“This kid… why hasn’t he practiced even once?”

Under Gu Qingya’s puzzled gaze, the four candidates were transported into a simulated work environment to begin their first task: transportation.

Chen Xingxuan summoned a surge of *Xuan Ci Gang Qi*, using repulsive magnetic force to lift cargo and deliver it to the target location.

Lu Hengzhang watched and gave a slight nod. “Relying purely on expert-tier martial arts for labor—this is a rather primitive work scenario. Using gang qi for transport under these conditions is reasonably efficient.”

But at that moment, Yu Qingrang let out a thunderous roar—her body swelled dramatically, transforming into a giantess who swallowed the cargo whole and charged straight toward the destination.

Luo Wuji watched with satisfaction. “Gang qi is too slow. Nothing beats raw physical speed.”

“Yet bodily transformation techniques demand extreme mastery over one’s physique. Fortunately, under my tutelage, Qingrang’s physical cultivation is highly advanced—simulating this technique is now second nature to her.”

His gaze then drifted to Zhang Yu, recalling how swiftly the youth had mastered body-forging techniques during his interview. He knew this boy possessed equally astonishing control over his own flesh.

Indeed, Zhang Yu’s form suddenly expanded, towering into a giant that rivaled Yu Qingrang’s.

Luo Wuji thought, “It seems the first task won’t create much distance between him and me.”

But just as he thought this, Zhang Yu unleashed a long, piercing cry—and simultaneously generated layer upon layer of gang qi, sweeping up even more cargo in a single burst.

Gu Qingya’s eyes lit up with a flicker of admiration. “He simulated and deployed two techniques at once? Both already at peak level 40?”

As the first task concluded, both Yu Qingrang and Chen Xingxuan looked at Zhang Yu with changed expressions.

Chen Xingxuan turned to Tianwen Star and demanded, “What’s going on? Didn’t you say Zhang Yu was insignificant? How did your judgment go so wrong?”

Tianwen Star replied, “You are absolutely correct—I did err in my earlier assessment. However, based on Zhang Yu’s operational data, the number of techniques he can master within five minutes is surely limited. These two techniques likely consumed most of his energy. His current excellence foreshadows future disadvantage.”

Tianwen Star added, “Please remain calm and focus on completing subsequent tasks in optimal condition—you will surely triumph.”

Meanwhile, Yu Qingrang also fixed her eyes on Zhang Yu, thinking, “This guy… poses more of a threat than I anticipated. In the next two tasks, I must utterly surpass him.”

Shen Qingyun, watching the three of them, felt inwardly shaken. “I always believed I stood above all in the three martial divisions—truly top-tier. Yet compared to them… I’m still far behind. In terms of martial potency alone, I can barely push techniques to forty percent effectiveness, while they’ve all reached fifty percent.”

“Especially Zhang Yu—how could he simulate two techniques simultaneously in such a short time? Just how deep is his understanding of martial arts? How fast is his mastery?”

At this thought, Shen Qingyun sank into quiet despondency, feeling as though the assessment had already slipped beyond her reach.

Soon, the four candidates arrived at another simulated worksite—an archaeological excavation zone.

Gu Qingya observed silently, “This archaeology task requires sealing and preservation. That’s always critical at excavation sites—especially those involving lost sects, where secrecy is paramount.”

“It’s not just about confidentiality. As eras shift, the celestial cultivation environment of today differs vastly from the past. Many ancient artifacts, once unearthed and exposed to modern celestial energies, may instantly disintegrate.”

“Thus, the key to this task lies in how effectively one uses their selected expert-tier techniques to seal the site.”

As Gu Qingya pondered this, the candidates sprang into action.

“Chen Xingxuan chose freezing? A level-40 ice technique—indeed effective.”

But even as he thought this, a tremor erupted beneath Yu Qingrang’s feet.

Earth surged upward, wind howled—the entire archaeological site was instantly sealed into a vacuum.

Gu Qingya’s eyes widened slightly. “Not only did she deploy one level-40 technique—she pushed two! One manipulating earth, the other controlling airflow—transforming the entire site into a vacuum in an instant.”

“Who would have thought that aside from Zhang Yu, Yu Qingrang could also simulate two martial cultivation techniques in such a short span of time—breathlessly, all at once.”

“These junior cultivators nowadays are growing fiercer by the day. I’d wager even some team leaders overseeing martial evaluations couldn’t match them.”

Meanwhile, Luo Wujie mused inwardly, “In this assignment, Qingrang must surely be the best…”

Just as this thought crossed his mind, he noticed Zhang Yu on the other side hadn’t moved an inch—the surrounding work environment appeared utterly unchanged.

“No… that’s not right,” Luo Wujie’s eyes flickered. “It’s not that nothing changed—it’s that the change has already concluded. The entire scene is now enveloped in a stasis field; every particle of matter has fallen into absolute stillness.”

“How did he manage this?”

For the first time, Luo Wujie felt genuine astonishment. “This effect is nearly on par with military-grade standards. Can expert-level techniques truly achieve something like this?”

His thoughts flashed briefly, and instantly the full list of techniques from the recent archive sprang to mind.

He searched his memory but recalled no single technique capable of producing such an effect.

Yet Luo Wujie was, after all, Director of the Evaluation Department—he quickly discerned the anomaly.

“It’s ‘Cloud Sea Breath’ and ‘Heavenly Soul Freeze.’ Zhang Yu ran both techniques simultaneously… then fused their effects together. The convergence of these two qi currents… actually formed this stasis domain?”

“Two expert-tier martial arts, when combined in his hands, have been elevated to something bordering on military-grade efficacy?”

(End of Chapter)