Undying Blood: The Path of the Ancient God

Chapter 20

With his smile withdrawn, Mu Qiu, disregarding the buzzing discussions around him, bowed respectfully to Fang Yunshan. Now, the assessment had been ongoing for most of the day.

It was well past noon, and everyone thought it was over...

Everyone was waiting for Fang Yunshan to announce the assessment results.

Suddenly, they saw Mu Qiu rushing to Fang Yunshan's side.

In an instant, everyone was stunned!

"What is Mu Qiu trying to do?"

"Is he going to take the inner sect assessment?"

All the disciples' eyes landed on Mu Qiu.

Not far away, Tang Ying stood in the crowd. Seeing Mu Qiu, her eyes brightened.

However, she immediately pouted, wrinkling her cute nose and giving a disgruntled look.

But seeing Mu Qiu's funny appearance, she couldn't help but burst into laughter with a "pfft".

"Thank goodness the assessment isn't over."

Standing upright, Mu Qiu saw Fang Yunshan and the disciples hadn't left yet. He wiped his sweat and breathed a sigh of relief.

Originally, he had reached the tenth step toward the heavens last night.

But he didn't expect that the fusion of the ancient god's blood with his body would take almost a whole day.

This caused him to arrive late.

"Mu Qiu, are you here to participate in the evaluation?" Fang Yunshan furrowed his brows, looking at Mu Qiu.

"Yes, I am!" Mu Qiu nodded firmly.

"Too bad, the evaluation is over." Luo Bin came forward, laughing coldly at Mu Qiu. "What you should do next is face me in the dueling ring."

"Exactly, who does he think he is, coming in anytime he wants?"

"What a joke!"

"We absolutely cannot make exceptions; otherwise, everyone will just arrive late whenever they please, wouldn't that be chaotic?"

A wave of dissent emerged amongst the disciples; deep down, they all despised Mu Qiu.

Their aversion for Mu Qiu wasn't only because he was considered useless but also due to his cultivation in demonic arts, with numerous innocent women falling victim in the past!

Within the Hengshan Sect, the majority of the disciples were justice enthusiasts.

Fang Yunshan looked serious; in his heart, he wanted Mu Qiu to participate.

Yet, all the disciples disagreed. If he directly agreed now, he feared that he, the outer elder, would become the topic of private conversations amongst the disciples!

Fang Yunshan found himself at a crossroads, unable to make up his mind.

Suddenly, a figure as graceful as a willow, garbed in a purple skirt decorated with tassels, landed swiftly beside Mu Qiu.

Her appearance momentarily stunned all the disciples present.

Unchanged by the attention, Tang Ying first shot Mu Qiu a glare, before turning to Fang Yunshan to inquire, "Elder Fang, is there a time limit for the inner gate assessment?"

Fang Yunshan of course recognized Tang Ying, and was even aware of her true identity. His stern expression instantly softened into a respectful one, and he gravely replied, "The inner gate assessment has never had a specific time limit. If there is any, it would be on the day of the assessment itself."

"Well, isn't that sorted then! The day of the assessment is not over yet. There's nothing wrong with Mu Qiu participating!" Tang Ying retorted. She turned to Mu Qiu, "What are you still waiting for? Why aren't you hurrying to the assessment?"

"Eh..."

Mu Qiu was taken aback, glancing at Fang Yunshan.

Fang Yunshan gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, "Follow me to the martial arts square for the test."

Having received permission from Tang Ying, Fang Yunshan had no reason to refuse.

"Hold on!" Luo Bin shouted, stepping forward and bowing to Tang Ying and Fang Yunshan, "Senior Sister Tang, Elder Fang, the inner gate assessment requires a cultivation level of the ninth level of martial arts. Does Mu Qiu have this level of cultivation?"

"Erm..." Fang Yunshan looked towards Mu Qiu.

Tang Ying pulled a grim face and coldly retorted, "Are you daft? If he didn't have the cultivation of the ninth level of martial arts, would Mu Qiu dare to take the test?"

"No, no, no, Senior Sister Tang, I didn't mean it like that." Luo Bin lowered his head, a hint of fierceness flashed in his eyes, and he quickly added, "Then, let Mu Qiu take the examination!"

In reality, Luo Bin was not afraid of Mu Qiu participating in the assessment; he just wished for Mu Qiu to die as soon as possible on the life-and-death stage.

"Hmph!"

Tang Ying chose to ignore him, giving a cold harumph as she turned away.

Then, she beckoned Mu Qiu to head towards the martial arts square.

"Who knows why Senior Sister Tang would help Mu Qiu; I mean, he doesn't exactly look like a pretty boy."

"Apparently, Mu Qiu had unintentionally saved Senior Sister Tang's life once; perhaps that's why she treats him so well?"

"Why wasn't I the one who appeared at the critical moment when Senior Sister Tang's life was in danger? Such a shameless guy is the one getting all the benefits!"

The disciples exchanged looks with each other, cast their eyes at their retreating figures, unavoidably feeling a bit envious. Those with malicious thoughts couldn't help but look forward to how Mu Qiu would die on the life-and-death stage.

Mu Qiu was unaware that because of Tang Ying, he had become the common enemy of all the male disciples of Hengshan Sect.

At this moment, he only said a "thank you" to Tang Ying and then slowly made his way to the testing stele.

After taking a deep breath, Mu Qiu slowly placed his palm onto the stele.

Three breaths later, a flash of red light flickered on the testing stele.

Upon seeing the red light, Tang Ying's brows furrowed.

How could Mu Qiu's talent be so low?

Fang Yunshan also wore a puzzled expression!

Luo Bin and the rest of the disciples sneered continuously. However, just when everyone thought Mu Qiu had a red talent, suddenly, the light on the testing stele glimmered again...

In a split second, it actually changed from red to orange!

"Huh?"

"What's happening?"

"Why would the talent change?"

Everyone gawked in stunned surprise.

But it wasn't over yet.

Because the shimmer passed over the stone stele again.

Immediately after, it changed from orange to yellow.

Then it was green, cyan...

Until it was purple!