"Qi Refining Fifth Layer? That's enough to apply?" Han Yi was slightly taken aback; it was somewhat unexpected.
"That's right. I heard the Sect Leader himself is coming to select Outer Sect Disciples to replenish the Inner Peak."
"Of course, even after reaching the Inner Peak, you can only become an Inner Sect Disciple once your cultivation reaches the Late-Stage Qi Refining."
"Enough talk! I'm heading over now. I recently broke through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, and I need to register quickly."
The familiar Junior Brother hurried toward the main building on Little Spirit Void Peak.
Han Yi quickly followed. Catching someone who knew the details was far quicker than trying to figure things out on his own.
"Junior Brother, how long has the Inner Peak registration period been open?"
"It's been open for nearly half a month. Today's the last day to register."
"Are there any specific requirements? What are the selection criteria?"
"There must be some requirements, though I'm not sure exactly what they are. But given that our Profound Pill Sect specializes in pill refinement, I'd guess alchemy skills are a key factor. Those with strong alchemy techniques definitely have a better chance."
Han Yi's heart leaped with joy at this news. Alchemy was his forte.
Having reached the Perfected Purity realm, Han Yi believed his Alchemy Technique rivaled that of most Late-Stage Qi Refining disciples on the Inner Peak. Perhaps only a handful of elite Alchemists at the peak of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining could surpass him.
But among Outer Sect disciples, such skill was utterly dominant. He didn't need to compete with Inner Sect disciples; outperforming his Outer Sect peers was enough.
"Senior Brother Han, with your exceptional Alchemy Technique, this opportunity is surely yours for the taking!"
"I heard they're offering two hundred slots this time, spread across the hundred-plus peaks of the Outer Sect. The allocation won't be equal—the capable will advance, and the weak will be left behind. The Sect Leader himself said so."
"Everyone has a chance."
As they walked, Han Yi asked several questions he was curious about. Soon, they arrived at the main building of Little Spirit Void Peak.
Overseeing registration inside was Li Heng, the newly appointed Peak Lord of Little Spirit Void Peak and a peak Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivator.
This wasn't Han Yi's first encounter with Li Heng. Three years prior, after Li Heng replaced Fan Mo, who had been sent to the Demon Cave War, Han Yi had seen him several times.
After his Junior Brother finished registering, it was Han Yi's turn. He stepped forward, presented his Sect Identity Token, and registered his information.
"Martial Uncle Li, when will the Sect's assessment take place for this selection? Are there any specific criteria?"
After completing his registration, Han Yi hesitated before carefully asking, "Senior Brother Li, could you tell me more about the assessment?"
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he wanted to do everything possible to seize it. First, he needed to understand the assessment criteria so he could prepare accordingly.
Li Heng's expression remained unusually calm as he glanced at Han Yi. "The assessment has four stages: eligibility verification, alchemy technique evaluation, combat proficiency assessment, and comprehensive evaluation."
"Detailed information is posted over there," Li Heng said, gesturing toward a notice board about ten meters away, where a group of disciples had gathered, discussing the assessment animatedly. "You can review it yourself."
Han Yi thanked him and hurried over. As he read the notice, he listened to the disciples' discussions, gradually piecing together the full scope of the assessment.
The first stage, eligibility verification, confirmed whether candidates met the basic requirements for participation.
The second stage, as the name suggested, tested their proficiency in the Alchemy Technique.
Han Yi initially struggled to understand the third stage, combat proficiency assessment. However, after hearing the other disciples' discussions, he began to grasp its significance.
During the recent Demon Cave War, the Profound Pill Sect had suffered devastating losses. The primary reason was the sect's lack of combat prowess compared to other sects in Great Qian.
To address the sect's poor performance in the recent Demon Cave War, the leadership had instituted a third assessment step, aiming to encourage disciples to focus more on combat skills rather than solely on the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation. The goal was to prevent them from neglecting their battle prowess and suffering in real combat situations.
The fourth step, a comprehensive evaluation, remained a mystery to Han Yi and the other disciples. They could only assume it was a "cream of the crop" selection process employed by the sect's elders.
Having thoroughly examined the four selection steps, Han Yi felt confident.
He undoubtedly met the qualification requirements, as his Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivation far exceeded the minimum standard.
He was certain his Alchemy Technique surpassed that of any other Outer Peak disciple.
His combat ability, honed through the combined application of the Spirit Void Finger, Sword Control Technique, and Light Body Technique, allowed him to face even Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivators without fear. He dared any Outer Peak disciple to challenge him.
He excelled in the first three steps. Regarding the fourth step, the sect's comprehensive evaluation, he remained optimistic. Even if there were some behind-the-scenes manipulations, he believed that as long as he ranked high enough, he wouldn't become a sacrificial pawn.
With these thoughts settled, Han Yi happily returned to his courtyard to continue consolidating his cultivation.
Three days later, the list of disciples who had passed the qualification review was released.
Han Yi rushed to the main hall of Little Spirit Void Peak, only to be informed that his name was not on the list.
Han Yi was stunned.
He had accounted for every possibility, yet he could never have imagined failing the very first step—the qualification review.
This was completely unexpected.
"Martial Uncle Li," Han Yi ventured, "may I ask why I didn't even pass the initial qualification review?"
Unable to understand and unwilling to die in ignorance, Han Yi went straight to Li Heng to demand an explanation.
Li Heng glanced at Han Yi, and Han Yi detected a faint flicker of disdain in his gaze.
"During this qualification review, over a dozen disciples from Little Spirit Void Peak were rejected, despite meeting the cultivation realm requirements."
"The reason is the same for all of them."
"Three years ago, when the Heavenly Demon True Body manifested on Little Spirit Void Peak, Peak Lord Fan Mo abandoned his post and fled. Subsequently, the Sect ordered him to redeem himself by leading an expedition to the Demon Cave."
"When he selected the disciples for this mission, he preemptively excluded over a dozen of them."
"The rest should be obvious."
"A Golden Core Stage elder personally decreed at the Sect's Hall of Affairs: 'Cowards who shrink from danger are unworthy of early entry into the Inner Peak.'"
Li Heng fell silent, but his lingering gaze made Han Yi intensely uncomfortable.
Han Yi didn't press further. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow and turned to leave.
After leaving the main building, Han Yi returned to his courtyard, sighed, and wore a complicated expression.
What goes around comes around.
He never imagined that paying to avoid trouble over three years ago would cost him a coveted Inner Sect spot today.
Considering the pros and cons, Han Yi didn't regret his past decision.
Still, a pang of regret lingered.
Well, if I can't enter Inner Peak early, I'll just focus on diligent cultivation here.
I refuse to let this hold me back. I'm not going to die of frustration like some fool who holds his pee too long.
With the Proficiency Panel, I'll reach Inner Peak sooner or later. No one can stop me.
Time to grind Proficiency again, starting with the Alchemy Technique.
Medicinal Pills bring Spirit Stones, and Spirit Stones provide the foundation for cultivation.
No need to rush. One step at a time.
In the days that followed, Han Yi regained his composure. He occasionally ventured to the market to sell pills and overheard stories of someone being exceptionally admitted to Inner Peak despite only being at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining. Though his face remained calm, a flicker of regret inevitably crossed his heart.
But he quickly purged those emotions.
Time slipped by unnoticed, and the Inner Peak selection process had long concluded.
Some rejoiced, others despaired.
Spring turned to autumn, and another year passed.