Zhao Xuanqi finished his demonstration and returned to his place. In the wake of his performance, the arena fell quiet.
"Alright, the demonstration continues. Stop staring. Next disciple, hurry up and get on stage!"
The White-robed True Inheritance spoke, breaking the silence.
It was only then that everyone snapped out of their daze. The Named Disciple after Zhao Xuanqi, startled, finally rushed onto the stage.
Back in his place, Zhao Xuanqi could clearly feel the strange gazes on him from all directions—looks of envy and disbelief. He ignored them, lowering his head with his eyes half-closed.
The following demonstrations became unremarkable once more. A miracle like Zhao Xuanqi's did not happen again. Among the remaining Named Disciples, not a single one managed to pass the assessment.
A little over an hour later, all the demonstrations were finished. Weng Xiaolin did not linger; as soon as the last Named Disciple finished their demonstration, he stood up and left.
The White-robed True Inheritance stayed behind, slowly walking to the front of the stage to address everyone. "The assessment demonstrations are complete! Those who passed, stay. The rest of you will leave the Martial Arts Hall now. You have lost the privilege to continue training. Return your Martial Arts Hall uniforms. From now on, you have no further connection with this Hall. Go!"
As soon as he said this, several Inner Sect Disciples in black clothes immediately came forward to disperse the Named Disciples who had not passed the assessment. Some disciples could no longer suppress their emotions and began to sob quietly. But they didn't dare cause a scene in the Martial Arts Hall, so they could only turn around obediently and walk out the Martial Arts Hall gate.
The courtyard emptied in an instant, leaving only the fourteen who had passed the assessment.
The White-robed True Inheritance offered some words of praise to the group, then specifically commended Zhou Ze, announcing that the Hall Master had granted him special permission to directly become an Inner Sect Disciple.
At once, envious gazes fell upon Zhou Ze. Even Zhou Ze himself was a little surprised. He remained outwardly composed, but inwardly, he was ecstatic.
Outer Sect and Inner Sect. Though the names differed by only a single word, the status, benefits, and everything else associated with them in the Martial Arts Hall were worlds apart.
The most obvious difference was that Outer Disciples were taught by senior Inner Sect instructors or a Martial Arts Hall True Inheritance on behalf of the master, whereas Inner Sect Disciples were able to receive personal instruction from the Hall Master himself.
From this moment on, one could say Zhou Ze had ascended to the heavens in a single step.
Next, the White-robed True Inheritance gave the group some final instructions, then had a senior Inner Sect instructor bring out grey Martial Arts Uniforms for everyone except Zhou Ze to change into. He then dismissed them, telling them to rest for a day and return to the Martial Arts Hall on time tomorrow for the formal entrance ceremony.
Zhou Ze, however, was asked to stay behind. The White-robed True Inheritance led him into the inner courtyard. It seemed the Hall Master wanted to see him alone.
This made everyone even more envious.
Zhao Xuanqi, however, felt nothing. Seeing that business was concluded, he was about to turn and leave when a series of voices suddenly called out from behind him.
"Zhao, congratulations, congratulations."
"After half a year together, to think we never knew you had such skill, Zhao. How embarrassing for us!"
"That's right, Zhao! You were really holding back. To think you reached Four Sounds without making a peep."
"Zhao, we're getting a group together for a little celebration at the Drunken Immortal Tower later. It's our treat. You should join us."
"..."
Zhao Xuanqi turned his head and saw that the ones crowding around him were the same group of rich kids who used to hang out with Zhou Ze.
Four Sounds, although far from Zhou Ze's Seven Sounds, was still a good enough result to rank in the top five among the hundred Named Disciples.
These rich kids, influenced by their families, had been shrewd and calculating since childhood. Seeing that Zhao Qi had some ability and was now a fellow disciple they would surely interact with more in the future, they immediately put on friendly smiles and took the initiative to build a connection.
To them, the Martial Dao wasn't about fighting and killing—it was about social politics and connections.
Zhao Xuanqi looked at these rich kids who previously wouldn't have given him the time of day. Now they were all beaming as if they were old friends, showing no trace of their former coldness. He felt no sense of pride, only a faint disgust.
Glory, wealth, status, fame...
These were not the things he pursued. To him, they were merely tools to achieve his goals.
If he had wanted such things, he could have had them all in his past life.
In the past, these smiling faces would have been met with nothing but his cold back as he swiftly departed, because he had no longer needed such tools.
'When a tool is no longer useful, it should naturally be discarded.'
'But for the person I am now, these tools might still have their uses.'
'I only despise the rules; it's not that I don't understand them.'
"I wasn't hiding it on purpose, I just had a breakthrough recently."
"As for the get-together, I think we should save it for another time. My sister is waiting for me at home, and I want to share this good news with her right away. I hope you'll all understand."
Zhao Xuanqi said with a smile.
"Of course, of course. Your sister has certainly worked hard these past six months."
"No problem, we'll get together another day then."
"..."
The group exchanged a few more pleasantries with smiles, then took their leave.
Xia Qing stood alone where she was, taking in the scene.
She did not go up to greet Zhao Xuanqi, but left the Martial Arts Hall directly.
In reality, what she didn't know was that Zhao Xuanqi hadn't paid her any mind at all.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with the other disciples, he left the Martial Arts Hall and started on his way home.
...
...
「Near the street where Zhao Qi and his sister lived.」
Five figures hid at a street corner, staring intently in the direction of the small house.
"Are you sure Zhao Qin is still in the house?"
Deng Zhuo asked his underling beside him.
"She is. I just went to look. She's still inside. Zhuo, the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall assessment should be over by now. That little brat Zhao Qi definitely failed. Why don't we just go in and grab the girl now, before something goes wrong?"
A wiry underling suggested.
"No rush. As long as Zhao Qin's here, Zhao Qi isn't going anywhere. To be safe, we'll wait for him to get back from the assessment and confirm the results before we move. No need to be reckless. We've waited half a year; we can wait a little longer."
Deng Zhuo wasn't worried. The prey was in his hands; he wasn't afraid it would escape.
"Zhuo, I gotta say, that woman's skin is so pale. After we grab her... can we...?"
an underling said, and lecherous smiles crept onto the faces of the others.
"If she's a virgin, then of course we can't break her in. She won't sell for a high price otherwise. But, as for other parts..."
Deng Zhuo chuckled meaningfully, and the others laughed, getting his drift.
"Zhuo, look over there. Isn't that the little brat Zhao Qi coming back?"
Just then, an underling suddenly said, pointing towards the street entrance.
Deng Zhuo and the others' expressions shifted. They looked toward the end of the street and, sure enough, saw the figure of Zhao Qi approaching step by step.
But then, their faces fell. They could clearly see that Zhao Qi was wearing a grey Martial Arts Uniform with a distinct black tiger head embroidered over the heart.
'Is that... the grey Martial Arts Uniform of a Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall Outer Disciple? Don't tell me that guy Zhao Qi actually passed the Hall's assessment?!'
'How is that possible?! Just a few days ago, he was bedridden and unconscious! I heard he almost died.'
A sense of disbelief rose in the hearts of Deng Zhuo and his men. They even suspected that the Martial Arts Uniform on Zhao Qi might be a fake.
However, the possibility was extremely low. Even if Zhao Qi had the nerve, it was unlikely any tailor in Celestial Sea Prefecture would have the audacity to make one.
Zhao Xuanqi also noticed these guys hiding at the street corner. A smile appeared on his face, and he walked directly towards Deng Zhuo and his men.
"Let's go."
Watching Zhao Xuanqi approach, Deng Zhuo's face darkened. He stared intently at the grey Martial Arts Uniform for a few more seconds, then swiftly led his underlings away. They headed down the other end of the street without a backward glance, not daring to confront Zhao Xuanqi, let alone utter any threats.
Deng Zhuo knew full well that if Zhao Qi had truly become an Outer Disciple of the Martial Arts Hall, the boy was now out of his league. He had to abandon today's plan. Confronting him would be pointless; it would only bring humiliation upon himself.
Zhao Xuanqi was momentarily surprised by how decisively they left. He didn't pursue them. Instead, he watched the backs of Deng Zhuo and his men, a slight smile forming on his face.
'Going after trash like this... shouldn't count as "breaking my precepts," right?'