He secretly assessed itâthe amount of Evil Qi for him was just like a breeze.
But outwardly, he still pretended to be impacted, his steps heavy.
"Should be slow enough now."
Gu Sheng calculated the time in his mind, intentionally lingering a while under the guillotine before "struggling" to pass the trial.
When he walked out of the guillotineâs range, he felt more helpless insideâeven with the delay, the total time was still too short.
"I must linger in the insight trial awhile."
Gu Sheng made up his mind, casting his gaze towards the final trial.
In front was a massive stone monument reaching a thousand meters, entirely pitch-black with a surface smooth as a mirror.
This was where one must comprehend the Daoist Technique contained within the monument.
"Finally, I can rightfully delay time."
Gu Sheng sat cross-legged in front of the monument, feigning complete concentration.
His Divine Sense entered the monument and immediately sensed a lifeless seed inside it.
The seed emanated a cold aura, the entry-level essence of the Yin Dao Skill.
"So simple?"
Gu Sheng nearly laughed aloud.
The Daoist Technique of this level was practically a childâs play to him.
He originally intended to casually study it then withdraw his Divine Sense, pretending to misunderstand.
Just as his Divine Sense touched the seed, a sudden change occurred!
The previously lifeless seed began to tremble, with fine cracks appearing on its surface.
With a jump in his heart, Gu Sheng hurriedly tried to withdraw his Divine Sense but it was too late.
Crackâ
A crisp sound of breaking echoed in the Sea of Consciousness, the seed completely split open, and a tender shoot emerged, bursting into dazzling white light!
"This is bad!"
Gu Sheng was frightened.
The white light shot skyward, instantly illuminating the entire assessment space.
The ground began to tremble violently, the monumentâs surface revealed countless cracks.
Before Gu Sheng could react, a powerful repulsive force pushed him out of the monumentâs range.
Boom!
Gu Sheng staggered out of the insight trial and the scene before him quickly changed.
In the blink of an eye, he was back outside the assessment arena, surrounded by a dense crowd of observing cultivators.
The entire venue was silent, everyone staring at him in shock.
Gu Sheng felt a headacheâthings had gone out of control.
Humâ
In the sky, a massive leaderboard suddenly lit up brightly, with all the names starting to shift fiercely.
A Light Screen directly projected into Gu Shengâs Sea of Consciousness, awaiting him to write down his name.
Sigh...
Gu Sheng reluctantly wrote the words "Qing Feng" on the Light Screen.
As soon as "Qing Feng" appeared, it immediately burst into dazzling green light, shooting to the top of the leaderboard, forcibly pushing "Ling Xiao" from first to second place!
One hundred and ten breaths...
Someone trembled as they read Gu Shengâs score, their voice full of disbelief.
The venue was eerily silent, everyone too shocked by the score to speak.
This...this canât be happening?
Faster than Senior Brother?
Monster! Heâs simply a monster!
Whispers began to rise, quickly turning into an uproar.
The disciples of Qinghe Holy Land couldnât sit still, whispering with grim faces.
Senior Brother is a once-in-a-century genius of our Holy Land!
Who exactly is this Qing Feng?
Could the assessment array have malfunctioned?
Gu Sheng felt the surrounding eyes, either shocked or suspicious, inwardly lamenting.
He wanted to act low-key, but ended up being the focus of attention.
At this moment, a familiar voice sounded in his ear, noticeably displeased.
Gu Sheng! What are you up to? I thought we agreed to keep a low profile?
Without needing to look back, Gu Sheng knew it was Ling Xiaoâs voice.
He replied bitterly.
This was an accident...I didnât expect the seed to suddenly sprout...
Accident?
Ling Xiaoâs voice raised.
Do you realize now all eyes are on you? Liang Yuâs gaze towards you seems off!
Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng instinctively looked towards Liang Yuâs direction.
Sure enough, Liang Yu stared at him with a complicated expression.
Itâs over...
Gu Shengâs heart sank.
Liang Yu was a key figure in their plan; if he became suspicious, the whole plan could fail.
Qing Feng, my friend!
A loud voice suddenly interrupted Gu Shengâs thoughts.
Turning his head, Gu Sheng saw an elderly man with white hair and beard walking towards him, emitting a radiant smileâit was the chief examiner of this assessment.
I am the Third Elder of Qinghe Holy Land, in charge of this assessment.
The elder said happily.
My friend, your talent is astonishing, youâve truly opened my eyes!
Gu Sheng quickly gave his respects.
Senior praises too highly; I was merely fortunate.
Fortunate?
The Third Elder laughed heartily.
Clearing the five assessments in one hundred ten breaths isnât something explainable by fortune. I want to introduce you to my master; he loves mentoring rising talents.
Gu Sheng was about to politely decline when a cold voice suddenly intervened.
Third Elder, I think this is suspicious. This Qing Feng, with unknown origins, managed to pass the assessment effortlesslyâthere must be deception involved.
The speaker was a young disciple wearing Qinghe Holy Land attire, staring sharply at Gu Sheng, full of suspicion.
He mustâve used some cheating means!
Please, Elder, investigate!
Other Holy Land disciples also chimed in, creating a somewhat chaotic scene.
These usually lofty sons of heaven were now humiliated because of an unknown "Qing Feng."
The cultivators in Gu Shengâs faction also whispered; though they belonged to the same side, suspicion was obvious in their eyes.
Friend Qing Feng, about your score...
An elderly man with white mustache from the same faction hesitated to speak.
Gu Sheng smiled lightly.
Senior too considers it impossible?
The old man coughed awkwardly, without replying, but his doubts intensified.
Pound!
A burly disciple of the Holy Land suddenly slammed the table, shaking the nearby chairs.
His face was sinister, veins bulging on his forehead.
Qing Feng! You think this is a place for games in my Qinghe Holy Land?
Gu Sheng looked up, seeing the disciple wearing a dark green robe, with three golden clouds embroidered on his chestâthe mark of Inner Sect Disciples of Qinghe Holy Land.
What guidance does Senior Brother have?
Gu Shengâs tone was calm.
Guidance?
The burly disciple sneered.
I want you to explain in front of everyone how you cheated!
The square was in an uproar.
Voices of doubt, opposition, and reprimand rose.
Gu Sheng curled his lips into a smile.
Since you all believe I cheated, then let it be considered cheating.
Originally worried about clearing the array too fast, now he could seize the opportunity for another assessment, buying time and reducing attention.
Youâ!
The burly disciple didnât expect Gu Shengâs reaction, momentarily speechless, his face flushed red.
Other Holy Land disciples were even more furious, murderous intent in their eyes.
Gu Sheng sharply detected at least a dozen hostile Divine Senses locking onto him, some carrying sinister killing intent.
Such a witty young man!
"After this assessment, Iâll see you dead!"
A mere Loose Cultivator behaving outrageously in my Holy Land!
Gu Sheng wished for peace but didnât expect such heavy hostility from Holy Landâs disciples.
Silence!
A clear shout like thunder suppressed all noise.
The chief examiner stood at the central platform, his white mustache floating, inherently commanding respect.
The assessment array was personally set by the ancestral master, and is beyond questioning!
The chief examinerâs gaze like lightning swept over the agitated Holy Land disciples.
Anyone disturbing the order will be expelled from the Holy Land!
An overwhelming pressure swept through the crowd, causing the clamoring disciples to become docile, despite their unwillingness, they retreated respectfully.
Gu Sheng cast a thankful glance at the chief examiner, who was looking at him meaningfully, with exploration in his eyes.