Chapter 47: Combat Power Assessment
Zhang Su and his group moved with lightning speed.
They encountered some Outer Disciples along the way.
These Outer Disciples were all surprised.
After all, Zhang Su was now "Outer Sect First," and it was rare to see him.
"Senior Brother Zhang Su, with Chu Dachuan and the others... where are they going?"
"Senior Brother Zhang Su lives a reclusive life, usually on Golden Domain Peak, and rarely comes down the mountain. Besides, rumor has it he’s deep in Cultivation, working on a second Unparalleled Divine Technique. Why would he bother coming down now?"
"This direction seems to be... toward the Inner Sect?"
"Senior Brother Zhang Su is going to the Inner Sect? Could it be..."
Some of the Outer Disciples seemed to have guessed something, and their hearts jolted.
The more curious among them began to follow Zhang Su’s group.
Zhang Su didn’t care if anyone was following him.
He headed straight for the Inner Sect.
The Combat Power Assessment was held in the Inner Sect Grand Hall.
When Zhang Su and his group entered the Inner Sect Grand Hall, they immediately caught the attention of some Inner Sect Disciples.
After all, the Outer Disciple attire they wore was too conspicuous.
It wasn’t that Outer Disciples never entered the Inner Sect.
But usually, it was only a few at a time.
But now?
Not only were there the four of them, but a large crowd of Outer Disciples trailed behind them.
This was extremely eye-catching.
"Who is that? What a grand entrance," an Inner Sect Disciple asked with a frown.
However, Zhang Su’s reputation was considerable now.
Even in the Inner Sect, some people knew of him.
"That’s Zhang Su, the new ’Outer Sect First’! But his case is a bit special. He’s already an Overage Disciple..."
"Overage... He’s come to the Inner Sect, so he must be here for the Combat Power Assessment, right?"
"An ’Outer Sect First’ taking the Combat Power Assessment? That’s rare. We should go watch..."
Many Inner Sect Disciples grew interested as well.
In the past, the "Outer Sect First" was always a genius among geniuses.
As soon as they cultivated Inner Strength, they could be promoted directly to the Inner Sect. Almost none of them were Overage Disciples, so they naturally didn’t need to take the Combat Power Assessment.
Zhang Su was indeed special.
In the entire history of the Guiyuan Sect, it was extremely rare for an Overage Disciple to become "Outer Sect First."
"Elder, this disciple, Zhang Su, requests to participate in the Combat Power Assessment."
Zhang Su stood before an Inner Sect Elder and spoke respectfully.
"Your Identity Token."
The Elder glanced at Zhang Su and said flatly.
Zhang Su respectfully handed his Identity Token to the Elder.
The Elder took the Identity Token and carefully examined Zhang Su’s details.
"Hm? Still Outer Sect First... But almost seventeen. You are indeed overage."
The Elder was a little surprised.
’I can’t believe this Overage Disciple before me is actually Outer Sect First.’
Zhang Su, however, remained calm, his expression unchanged.
The Elder took out a Strength Testing Stone.
"Come, test your Inner Strength."
This Strength Testing Stone was nothing special. As soon as Inner Strength was pressed into it, its color would change.
Zhang Su placed his hand on the Strength Testing Stone and gently channeled the Inner Strength from his body.
Just as expected, the color of the Strength Testing Stone began to slowly darken.
The Elder nodded. "Alright, you may participate in the Combat Power Assessment. However, you will have to wait for now. There are three others ahead of you."
Zhang Su naturally agreed.
’I didn’t expect so many Outer Disciples to be taking the Combat Power Assessment today.’
This was normal, though.
The Outer Sect had tens of thousands of disciples.
Naturally, there were many Overage Disciples, and they too wanted to pass the Combat Power Assessment to be promoted to the Inner Sect and become Inner Sect Disciples.
"Senior Brother, how did it go?"
Chu Dachuan asked expectantly.
"Let’s go. We just have to wait in the back for the Combat Power Assessment to begin."
So, the four of them went to the Martial Arts Arena behind the Inner Sect Grand Hall.
The area was very spacious.
It seemed someone was already undergoing the Combat Power Assessment.
There were a few disciples in the hall watching the fight.
But there weren’t many of them.
For most Inner Sect Disciples, the Combat Power Assessment of an ordinary Outer Disciple was of little interest.
However, with Zhang Su’s arrival, everything changed.
Many people had followed him.
Although most were Outer Disciples, there were also a few Inner Sect Disciples among them.
The crowd instantly filled the area around the Martial Arts Arena behind the Inner Sect Grand Hall, packing it tightly.
There were people everywhere you looked.
The few Inner Sect Disciples who had been watching were a bit stunned.
’How did so many people suddenly show up?’
After asking around, they learned that "Outer Sect First" Zhang Su had come to take the Combat Power Assessment.
That was why such a large crowd had gathered.
Moreover, as the news spread, more and more people arrived at the Inner Sect Grand Hall.
Zhang Su, however, paid no mind to the spectating disciples.
His attention was focused on an Outer Disciple currently undergoing the Combat Power Assessment.
That Outer Disciple was fighting three puppets.
The three puppets were humanoid and appeared very agile.
Although they lacked the Inner Strength or Qi Blood of a Martial Artist,
the puppets were made of tough materials and possessed immense strength. Their combat power was indeed comparable to that of a Martial Artist at the Early Stage of Outer Force.
Even in a one-on-one fight, a Martial Artist at the Early Stage of Outer Force might not be able to win, let alone face three puppets at once.
WHAM.
One of the puppets landed a punch on the Outer Disciple.
Instantly, the Outer Disciple was sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground.
Combat Power Assessment: Failure!
"He failed..."
"That’s normal. It’s not so easy for an Overage Disciple to pass the Combat Power Assessment."
"Out of ten Overage Disciples, it’s considered good if even one passes. Those who fail can only become Outer Sect Stewards, get posted to various locations, and take on the most dangerous assignments."
Some Inner Sect Disciples were already unfazed by an Overage Disciple failing the Combat Power Assessment.
Failure was the norm; passing was the exception.
"Next, Tang Rong!"
Soon, the Elder called out the name of the next disciple for the Combat Power Assessment.
Tang Rong immediately rose and walked into the Martial Arts Arena.
She was a female disciple.
While not stunningly beautiful, she was tall and slender with fair skin. Her youthfulness alone was enough to draw the gazes of many hot-blooded disciples.
Tang Rong’s expression was grave.
She wielded a light longsword.
Her Swordsmanship wasn’t particularly strong, but her Body Technique was very agile. She had likely reached Perfection in a Superior Body Technique.
But even with such a nimble Body Technique, she only managed to hold her own against the three puppets for a few moments.
Then, she was defeated by the three puppets, her longsword shattering into several pieces.
"Next, Zhou Tao!"
The third Outer Disciple stood up and entered the Martial Arts Arena.
This was a disciple who used a saber.
His Saber Technique was extremely ferocious.
It even seemed to be a top-tier Saber Technique.
Zhou Tao lasted the longest against the three puppets.
He even managed to damage one of them.
Unfortunately, he was ultimately defeated and severely injured. He lay on the ground, unable to get up, and was carried out of the Inner Sect by the Inner Sect Elder. It was uncertain if he would even survive.
Many of the spectating Outer Disciples fell silent.
They had come to watch Zhang Su.
Normally, they didn’t know much about the Combat Power Assessment.
But now they had personally witnessed three Outer Disciples, all of whom had cultivated Inner Strength, fail to pass the test.
It was clear just how brutal this Combat Power Assessment was.
Passing it was no easy feat.
Zhang Su had also watched the entire process of these three Outer Disciples’ failures.
Now he fully understood just how difficult it was for an "Overage Disciple" to be promoted to the Inner Sect.
’Those three puppets are even stronger than I imagined.’
’Defeating them will be very difficult!’
"Next, Zhang Su!"
The Inner Sect Elder called out the name of the next disciple for the Combat Power Assessment.
Instantly, countless gazes fell upon Zhang Su.
So many Outer Disciples, and even some Inner Sect Disciples, had come here for the sole purpose of watching Zhang Su.
Among the crowd was a particular person.
Lu Tianqing!
He had also arrived at some point, unnoticed.
However, unlike the others, Lu Tianqing was full of confidence in Zhang Su.
After all, Zhang Su had defeated him back when he was still in the Qi Blood Realm.
Moreover, Zhang Su had even undergone a Second Limit Breaking, condensing a Thousand Threads of Qi and Blood.
If even Zhang Su, with his Second Limit Breaking, couldn’t pass the Combat Power Assessment... then what other Overage Disciple could possibly be promoted to the Inner Sect?
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhang Su slowly rose to his feet.
He paid no attention to their stares, instead leaping directly into the middle of the Martial Arts Arena.
"Elder, I am ready to begin."
Zhang Su said calmly.
The Inner Sect Elder nodded. Then, he released three perfectly intact puppets.