After several rounds of competition, there were still six people left on the stage, which meant that once the three pairings concluded and a winner emerged from each group, the assessment would be over. The selection process was indeed very rigorous. Many rogue cultivators were so weary of such assessments that they would rather drift outside, even setting up stalls in the market to sell fruit, than participate in the sect assessments.
The outer disciples watched the stage intently, their eyes filled with admiration. Having cultivated for many years, they too longed to enter the inner chamber and enjoy the treatment accorded to inner disciples. Each inner disciple was given a private chamber of their own, and the spiritual qi there was exceptionally abundant. A single day of cultivation in the inner chamber was worth five days in the outer sect.
Now came the critical moment, for Han Lin was about to step onto the stage—a day he had been waiting for a very long time.
Ding Yi stepped forward to announce the list of matchups for the three groups: Zhou Ping versus Erhu, Shen Wan'er versus Lu Zi'ang, and Han Lin versus Liu Hong.
Probably very few cultivators knew much about Shen Wan'er. Since childhood, she had been exceptionally gifted, clever, and adorable. As Elder Shen's only daughter, she had already passed the Qi Condensation stage by the age of fourteen and was sent to Divine Dragon Island, one of the twelve islands of the Nebula Continent. On the island stood Luojia Academy, a noble institution of immortality cultivation where only those with extraordinary innate talent were admitted for advanced study. Her return this time might have been because Elder Shen doted on his daughter, or perhaps because turmoil had broken out on Divine Dragon Island, prompting her hurried recall.
At that moment, Shen Wan'er walked lightly and slowly onto the stage. With her slender figure, graceful curves, autumn-water eyes, and a demeanor as startled as a swan in flight, she looked as ethereal as a Celestial Immortal descending to the mortal world. Her white robes radiated a faint, sacred glow. Goudan stared straight ahead, swallowed hard, and praised, "This woman is as beautiful as a Celestial Immortal! The disciples on the stage had better go easy on her!"
Han Lin's refined and handsome face glanced sideways at Shen Wan'er with deep, bright eyes. Shen Wan'er sensed Han Lin's graceful and composed demeanor; even if she noticed his look, she pretended not to see it, fearing that if they kept gazing at each other like that, it would become awkward.
Ding Yi looked up and then announced in an even tone, "The match begins."
The stage was quite spacious. With the three groups fighting in turns, Liu Hong threw a kick that missed entirely, then spun around, gathered his spiritual qi into a fierce punch, and struck viciously toward the side of Han Lin's ear. A gust of wind rushed past; it looked as though the blow had landed, but unfortunately for Liu Hong, Han Lin had sidestepped and evaded it. With graceful form, Han Lin executed the Rippling Ten-Step technique, nimble as flowing spring water, and then channeled his spiritual qi to unleash the Seismological Seven-Wounded Fist. The force of this punch was like the onset of an earthquake, instantly sending Liu Hong flying more than ten feet away. Liu Hong spat a mouthful of blood, cupped his hands together, and said, "I concede."
Ding Yi announced that in the match between Han Lin and Liu Hong, Han Lin was the victor.
Shortly after, Shen Wan'er also won her match with a single punch, leaving Lu Zi'ang utterly defeated.
In the bout between Zhou Ping and Erhu, Zhou Ping emerged victorious. Zhou Ping knew that Erhu was a good person, so he had indeed gone easy on him this time.
Before long, the surrounding disciples surged with enthusiasm, their cheers growing louder and louder.
Having watched the matches, Ding Yi was thoroughly convinced and happily declared, "Zhou Ping, Shen Wan'er, Han Lin, the three of you have passed this assessment and successfully earned the qualification to enter the inner chamber for cultivation."
Han Lin and Shen Wan'er exchanged a glance. Han Lin's ocean-blue robes were particularly eye-catching. Looking into Han Lin's deep, mysterious eyes and at his handsome, striking face, Shen Wan'er said happily, "Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
Han Lin's face turned red, and his lips trembled slightly as he replied, "Junior Sister, you flatter me! Congratulations to you too! Haha!"
This public display of affection left the surrounding disciples dumbfounded. Feeling rather awkward at the sight, Zhou Ping coughed twice and walked away. Hearing the cough, Han Lin immediately said, "Junior Sister, I have things to take care of. See you tomorrow, bye!"
Shen Wan'er also returned to where Elder Shen was standing.
Wanting to give his father a surprise, Han Lin walked into his father's room and found him busy refining pills. Patting his father on the shoulder, Han Lin said, "I passed the assessment through my own strength and can now enter the inner chamber to cultivate." Han Longsheng said with gratification, "Congratulations, son! Well done, you didn't disappoint your father. Stay and have dinner here tonight, and I'll make your favorite braised fish."
Han Lin said excitedly, "Great, wonderful!"