Chapter Twelve: Sect Assessment

The name "Return of the Myriad Currents" sounded intimidating, but in truth, it was an utterly ordinary spell, and quite limited at that. Therefore, no sect considered it a treasure, and many water-element rogue cultivators could recite its incantation. In battle, this technique instantly siphoned a large amount of water from the opponent’s martial skills. If the enemy possessed a water spiritual root as well, it became a contest of cultivation. Against a wood spiritual root, one might barely keep up, but if the opponent’s roots were of metal, fire, or earth, using "Return of the Myriad Currents" would leave one with no point of entry.

What Hongjian did not know was that, in Danya Sect, famed for cultivating the water element, many cultivators dabbled in "Return of the Myriad Currents" after establishing their foundation. Yet, in the thousands of years since the sect’s founding, none had ever chosen it as their very first spell to study in earnest.

Because practicing martial skills during the Qi Refining stage was forbidden in Danya Sect, Hongjian had to plead with the mysterious figure to teach her the incantation for "Return of the Myriad Currents." This time, the figure agreed readily, imparting the incantation to her and leaving without caring how she practiced.

This time, Hongjian paid attention to where the figure went. She saw him walk straight into the Boundless Sea. Without casting any spell, he simply strode farther and farther onto the surface, soon shrinking to a tiny black dot, and at last vanished with a crashing wave.

Perhaps her body was truly suited for "Return of the Myriad Currents." Hongjian picked it up with remarkable ease. Her longing for power, combined with the novelty of learning a new martial skill, kept her on the rocky shore until the sky began to pale. Though her true essence was depleted several times, she felt little discomfort. In the end, she cultivated the nourishing technique the mysterious figure had taught her to replenish her spirit.

She passed the night sleepless, yet felt invigorated. Taking advantage of the lingering darkness, she slipped quietly back to her quarters.

Considering the apprentices’ nightly cultivation, Danya Sect had arranged for Hongjian and the others to live on a hillside near the Boundless Sea. Space was limited, and the slope was planted with many flowering trees, so each residence was small. The only advantage was that opening a window and looking down revealed the vast sea stretching away.

Hongjian had no high expectations for her dwelling. As a female apprentice, she was fortunate enough to have even a small stone house to shelter her from the elements. What’s more, Yao Zhen lived in the cottage to her left and Qi Xiuning to her right. Whether or not they confided in each other daily, having her sisters close meant help was always at hand in times of need.

Returning so late, Hongjian feared waking her neighbors and having to explain herself, so she tiptoed as lightly as she could.

After several years together, Hongjian knew well that Yao Zhen was fond of sleeping in. On nights when Hongjian returned late, she sometimes heard Yao Zhen muttering in dreams. Passing through the flowers and by Yao Zhen’s door, she suddenly paused. Inside, all was silent—not even the sound of breathing. At this hour, Yao Zhen wasn’t home?

Puzzled, Hongjian didn’t linger and went straight to her own room to change out of her wet clothes and wash up. As she moved about, she mused, “Where could Senior Sister Yao have gone? Is she also out cultivating, like me?”

Then, Hongjian realized that, since Yao Zhen had told her the news about the Nascent Soul master seeking a personal disciple, she hadn’t seen much of Yao Zhen outside of class. That was the last time they’d really talked.

The next day, Yao Zhen was the last apprentice to arrive. She rushed in, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling, her water-spirit girl’s figure newly graceful and soft, as fresh as a drop of morning dew. Hongjian could not help but feel a twinge of envy and thought, “Alas, I’ve been so absorbed in cultivation, I didn’t even notice how much Senior Sister Yao has grown and how lovely she’s become.”

Hongjian hesitated, thinking that just as she herself had secrets, she should not pry into Yao Zhen’s private affairs. Before she could ask anything, Master Qu Changhe arrived, so she let the subject drop. Normally, there was room for whispers, but today Qu Changhe wore a dark expression, clearly in a foul mood. Since Master Chen Zai had been demoted, everyone was on edge, hoping not to draw Qu’s ire—especially the few young female disciples like Hongjian.

Qu Changhe did not speak of cultivation, but went straight to the point with a solemn face: "Five days from now, you will undergo a major examination. The sect attaches great importance to this assessment, and it will be personally overseen by Uncle Yan. But do not be nervous. Just prepare well."

The upcoming assessment was not exactly a secret; everyone had heard rumors. Now it was official. The examiner, “Uncle Yan,” was Yan Changqing, a Golden Core cultivator with a water spiritual root. Hongjian had only glimpsed him from afar at grand sect ceremonies and had no idea what he would test, or whether he was strict or lenient.

That same day, Fang Zheng, on the wood spiritual root side, received similar notice. His examiner would be Elder Fei Chengji, another Golden Core cultivator, and the assessment would be held at the same time.

With only five days left, Hongjian knew that even if she drove Fang Zheng hard, he would not reach the fourth layer of Qi Refining, so she relented and suspended the daily Transforming Cycle technique, letting him focus on practicing the Green Wood Method.

There was another reason she stopped helping her brother. Perhaps it was due to cultivating that wondrous spirit-nourishing technique or because of "Return of the Myriad Currents," but the previous night had brought Hongjian great progress. If she had five more days like that, she might break through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

All the Qi Refining apprentices were pushing themselves relentlessly, and time passed swiftly. On the night before the sect examination, Hongjian made her breakthrough. She was practicing "Return of the Myriad Currents" when suddenly the receding tide surged with unusual force, raising a giant wave a full ten feet high, drenching her from head to toe atop the rocks.

Overjoyed, Hongjian skipped home to change and rest.

Yao Zhen was still absent from her quarters—not just that night, but for several nights running, her whereabouts unknown. Hongjian had missed her chance to ask on the first day, and seeing Yao Zhen cheerful by day but silent about her evenings, she decided not to meddle further.

The next morning, Qu Changhe led all the water spiritual root apprentices to Late Tide Peak, where Yan Changqing awaited them and the examination would be held.

Late Tide Peak belonged to Yan Changqing’s master, Elder Sun Yougong, a Nascent Soul cultivator. Sun was the senior martial brother of the sect leader, Ling Xuzi, and in Danya Sect his status was second only to Elder Jin, who was in the Soul Transformation stage, and the sect leader himself. This was Hongjian and her peers’ first time at Late Tide Peak. They followed closely behind Qu Changhe, not daring to glance about.

At the Tidewatch Terrace halfway up the mountain, Qu Changhe ordered them to wait while he ascended to invite Uncle Yan down.

After he left, no one dared speak above a whisper. Hongjian, knowing that with her fifth layer of Qi Refining she could handle the assessment, felt utterly at ease, having not the slightest thought of the Nascent Soul master’s selection. She glanced around, observing everyone’s reactions: several senior brothers stood pale and silent, clearly tense; Senior Brother Chen Zai stared off, lost in thought, his fists clenched tightly outside the sleeves of his narrow tunic. Was even he anxious about the coming examination?