Chapter 8: Lesser Yang Dao Examination, A Class Standard

In Junior Martial Uncle Jiang's room.

After chatting with Junior Martial Uncle Jiang for a while, Li Yinsheng suddenly remembered something. He had never participated in a Dao examination, but rumor had it that in her youth, Junior Martial Uncle Jiang had achieved an A Class evaluation in the Lesser Yang Field's Dao examination. This was an extremely rare feat among the Daoist Temples. Even with dozens of temples combined, it would take many years to produce a single A Class cultivator. What was even more remarkable was that her A Class evaluation wasn't at the bottom of the rankings—she was among the very top of all A Class participants. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become a Daoist at such a young age.

The Lesser Yang Dao Examination itself offered incredibly generous rewards, and securing an A Class meant the entire Daoist Temple would devote all its resources to nurturing that disciple.

"Martial Uncle," Li Yinsheng asked softly. "Do you still remember when you participated in the Lesser Yang Dao Examination?"

Junior Martial Uncle Jiang froze for a moment. Raising her pale, slender hand, her fingers weakly pinched Li Yinsheng's ear as she narrowed her eyes. "You're already past the age to enter the Lesser Yang Field. Why ask this? Are you trying to mock me?"

"Martial Uncle, am I that kind of person?" Li Yinsheng looked entirely innocent. "I'm asking for our new junior martial sister. Cultivation always requires weathering storms and enduring trials, so I want her to participate in the Lesser Yang Dao Examination. I just wanted to ask you about it in advance." The young man, who had never taken the Lesser Yang Dao Examination himself, spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Her?" Junior Martial Uncle Jiang's narrowed eyes instantly widened. "Did she offend you?"

"No," Li Yinsheng shook his head. "I think the child has a very bright future. I can't wait to nurture her."

"A bright future without a Root Device, huh? Do you have any idea that someone without a Root Device might not even achieve ten years' worth of a normal Cultivator's Cultivation after practicing for a lifetime?" Junior Martial Uncle Jiang retorted. "If you send her to the Lesser Yang Dao Examination, what other outcome could there be besides her getting thoroughly beaten in the first round? Although killing is strictly forbidden during the examination, it's not uncommon for participants to be severely injured."

Unsurprised by her answer, Li Yinsheng pressed on with even greater earnestness. "Uh... then what if junior martial sister trains bitterly? If she forgets to eat and sleep, works tirelessly, never rests for a single day, and studies with grueling dedication—what kind of evaluations do you think she could achieve in the two Lesser Yang Dao Examinations she's eligible for?"

"Both will be the lowest E Class, without a doubt," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang replied without hesitation. "After all, to get a D Class evaluation, one needs at least ten years of Cultivation.

"For someone with mediocre aptitude who starts as a Beginner at six or seven years old, they must study Daoist Scriptures for two or three years before they even begin practicing. From that point on, they can't slack off for a single day if they want to accumulate ten years of Cultivation before the age of twenty.

"But that girl has terrible aptitude and started late. She only has four years to practice. Therefore, she can only be an E Class, and she'll be at the very bottom of the E Class at that."

"What if she wanted to get a C Class evaluation? What level of Cultivation would be considered safe?" Li Yinsheng glanced at Junior Martial Uncle Jiang's *are you kidding me* expression and quickly added, "I'm just curious. Just asking."

"Then she'd need nearly twenty years of Cultivation. She'd also need decent mastery of Magic, paired with a Magical Artifact, even if it's just a Lower Grade one. Hmm... much like your Cold Leaf Sword." Junior Martial Uncle Jiang glanced at the Qiankun Bag on Li Yinsheng's waist and smiled teasingly.

"Martial Uncle, there's no need to emphasize that my Cold Leaf Sword is a Lower Grade Magical Artifact. Besides, Lower Grade Magical Artifacts are already incredibly expensive! Even at a thirty percent discount, it cost me five thousand talismanic coins." After defending his equipment, Li Yinsheng asked, "What about higher up? B Class and A Class?"

"Those are reserved for the cream of the crop and youthful geniuses," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said. As she spoke, she glanced at the mirror resting on a distant desk. The glass reflected her face. "To achieve a B Class evaluation, even if one's Cultivation hasn't reached thirty years, it can't be too far off. They also need a highly proficient Combat-Killing Magic, a Middle Grade Magical Artifact, or some other extraordinary talent.

"Furthermore, at this level, their Cultivation Technique must be on the tier of the Qingxuan Scripture. As for A Class..."

A trace of pride, like someone reminiscing about their glorious past, surfaced on her face.

"First, they need at least thirty to forty years of Cultivation. Based on the Qingxuan Scripture you practice, that means getting close to or even reaching the Seventh Layer.

"Second, they must have absolute mastery over at least one Slaughter Skill. Knowing more is better; the more, the merrier. Other methods, such as an Escape Skill and Secret Techniques, are also indispensable.

"Naturally, they must possess Superior Magical Artifacts. Since a single Upper Grade Magical Artifact is often insufficient on its own, it's best to have several Middle Grade Magical Artifacts as support so that their repertoire isn't too shallow and easily countered. That is, unless they are a Sword Cultivator like me. In that case, a single Flying Sword is enough.

"In addition, they must have ample experience in Magical Combat and life-or-death struggles...

"If they aren't confident, they can bring more Talismans. It's a bit opportunistic, but it doesn't break the rules. Of course, when I participated, I couldn't be bothered to bring any Talismans...

"Also, everything I just mentioned is only for the very bottom of the A Class. To go even further, like I did back then, is significantly more difficult..."

Junior Martial Uncle Jiang grew increasingly excited as she spoke. A vibrant glow colored her pale face as she seemed to relive her glory days.

Li Yinsheng's heart, however, sank lower and lower with every word. He wondered what kind of monsters were taking the A Class in the Lesser Yang Field. Under twenty years old with forty years of Cultivation, plus mastery in Magical Combat and multiple Magical Artifacts on top of that...

Even though his quest stated that as long as she squeezed into a certain class, the reward would be the same regardless of whether she ranked at the top or bottom, just reaching the bottom of the B Class was already an astronomical hurdle. She only had four years to achieve nearly thirty years' worth of a normal Cultivator's Cultivation. With that much Cultivation, she could reach the Sixth Layer of the Qingxuan Scripture!

He prayed inwardly, "Junior martial sister, you absolutely must work hard!"

Having talked for ages, Junior Martial Uncle Jiang finally caught her breath before addressing Li Yinsheng seriously again. "In short, I don't recommend placing any expectations on that girl, because she will definitely disappoint you. After all, just reaching the Third Layer of the Qingxuan Scripture and living to be a hundred and twenty without illness or disaster in this lifetime would already be an incredible feat for her."

Li Yinsheng didn't argue. Instead, he followed Junior Martial Uncle Jiang's train of thought to ask about another matter he cared more about. "Martial Uncle makes a fair point. But even so, we still need to help our little junior martial sister master the First Layer as soon as possible. Otherwise, without Magical Power, she won't be able to practice everyday Magic, which makes life in the Daoist Temple quite inconvenient."

"What does that matter? Didn't everyone start out like that? When I was a Beginner, I didn't know any Magic, either," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang said dismissively. "In fact, even now I don't use everyday Magic. Can a person not live without it?"

"You are a Daoist. You don't need to eat or drink, nor do you gather dust and grime, so you don't even need to bathe," Li Yinsheng said helplessly. "But our little junior martial sister doesn't know the Artifact Manipulation Skill. I even have to draw her bathwater for her."

"What?" Junior Martial Uncle Jiang's gaze instantly turned solemn upon hearing this. "Let me think. If it's just a matter of making her cultivate faster in the First Layer, it shouldn't be too hard. Let me think carefully..."

A moment later, her eyes lit up. "I've got it! Though I've never practiced the Qingxuan Scripture, I know a bit about it. The First Layer only refines the Physique and nourishes Primordial Energy.

"While the next two layers begin to condense Magical Power, they still require solidifying the foundation of the Flesh Body. You could say the first three layers are all focused on the Physique.

"Yinsheng, have you ever heard of the Quenching Essence Lock?" Junior Martial Uncle Jiang asked with a smile, having thought of a solution.

"The Quenching Essence Lock? What is that?" Li Yinsheng shook his head.

"It's a type of supplementary Cultivation Magical Artifact forged by Zulu Temple many years ago. Although it is a Magical Artifact, it's forged with Earth Qi, allowing it to be absorbed into the body.

"The Quenching Essence Lock offers no benefit against enemies. Its function is to cover the muscles and bones of the entire body, applying hundreds or even thousands of pounds of force evenly during Cultivation. It's somewhat similar to mortals wearing iron clothes while practicing martial arts, but a hundred times more brilliant."

Junior Martial Uncle Jiang grinned. "This item is highly beneficial for Cultivators who are still at the stage of refining their Physique, and it has no side effects. The only catch is that wearing it while practicing will be a bit more tiring than usual."

"As long as there are no side effects, that's fine. As for being a bit more tiring... how could we Cultivators possibly covet pleasure and fear hardship or fatigue?" Li Yinsheng declared with a face full of resolute determination.

"This item is only useful for those just beginning their Cultivation, so its grade is very low. You can buy it at the Zulu Temple shop within Baoguang Temple, martial nephew. I remember... it should only cost around one or two thousand talismanic coins." Junior Martial Uncle Jiang urged him, "Make sure that girl masters Magic as quickly as possible, lest she remain incapable of even drawing her own water."

"I understand, Martial Uncle," Li Yinsheng nodded. He glanced out the window, looking thoughtful. "By the way, it's almost 7:00 AM... Junior martial sister went to sleep after finishing her practice at Midnight yesterday. She should be up and bathed by now. I'll go call her for her morning practice."

"Mm, go on," Junior Martial Uncle Jiang nodded.

Li Yinsheng got up to leave. Upon reaching the door, he seemed to remember something and turned back to look at the scrolls placed facedown on the inner side of her soft couch. "Oh, by the way, Martial Uncle, I won't laugh at you for reading storybooks. You don't need to glue Daoist Scripture covers onto every single one of them."

Junior Martial Uncle Jiang was speechless.

"Furthermore, since I plan to take my junior martial sister to Baoguang Temple tomorrow to buy the Quenching Essence Lock, do you need me to pick up some new storybooks for you while I'm at it? The few you've been reading over and over are getting worn out," Li Yinsheng offered with a face full of innocent goodwill.

A pillow was immediately hurled at him.

Li Yinsheng dodged out the door in a flash, not forgetting to casually weave a Wind Technique to blow the flying pillow right back.