Chapter 674: Testing Cultivation, and Still Need to Sign a Life and Death Contract?

“Let’s test it!”

On the table lay a Yan Ling Zhu, specifically used for testing cultivation levels. Yao Yue didn’t need to ask more questions.

If the cultivation couldn’t be seen directly, this test would reveal whether it was genuine or not.

The Xian Tian Yan Ling Zhu could verify all realms within the Xian Tian cultivation through the tester’s Ling Yuan, using the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, plus black and white, to correspond respectively to the early, middle, and late stages of the three realms: Yuan Ting, Ju Wu, and Shang Ling.

Xu Xiaoshou took the Yan Ling Zhu.

He had used this kind of thing back when he was in the outer courtyard of Ling Gong, but that was the Hou Tian version.

Ever since stepping into Xian Tian, he had relied on his own senses to perceive all his realms. This was his first time using a Yan Ling Zhu.

As he slightly infused it with Ling Yuan,

Soon, the Yan Ling Zhu showed some reaction.

But it only trembled slightly before falling quiet again.

Everyone was stunned.

“Is that it?” Even Xin Gugu was puzzled.

“Under suspicion, passive points, 3.”

Originally, everyone was paying close attention to Xu Xiaoshou’s cultivation, but now they were all confused by this.

The feedback from the Yan Ling Zhu should have been amplified.

Even if the tester infused only a trace of Ling Yuan, it would be magnified, and the intensity of the light would reflect the level of the tester’s cultivation.

But the one in Xu Xiaoshou’s hand seemed asleep, completely unwilling to work.

“Did you infuse Ling Yuan?” Xiao Lian was the first to ask.

She was the most curious about Xu Xiaoshou’s cultivation and had clearly felt the movement of Ling Yuan in his palm just now...

Could she have been mistaken?

“Try again!” Yao Yue stood up.

The Xian Tian Yan Ling Zhu couldn’t possibly malfunction. It didn’t need any extra items to activate the array; the tester’s Ling Yuan was the key to starting it.

As for the one in Xu Xiaoshou’s hand...

Was it broken?

Watching everyone’s reactions, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly realized something.

He had “Yin Ni”.

Could it be that under the concealment of “Yin Ni”, anything belonging to him couldn’t be tested?

Frowning slightly, Xu Xiaoshou stirred his Qi Hai, wildly infusing Ling Yuan.

But this time, the Yan Ling Zhu only trembled more violently, yet still produced no light.

“Are you really Xian Tian?” Yao Yue looked astonished.

The Xian Tian Yan Ling Zhu could only measure Xian Tian realms.

If Xu Xiaoshou were Hou Tian or Zong Shi, it would be useless.

“I am Xian Tian.”

Xu Xiaoshou calmly put down the Yan Ling Zhu and said nonchalantly, “I just remembered, when I was young, I practiced a technique called ‘Yin Ni’ Ling Ji. So, my cultivation probably can’t be measured by ordinary objects.”

Yao Yue: “...”

She glanced at the Yan Ling Zhu, then at Xu Xiaoshou’s calm expression, and for a moment, she was impressed.

The Yan Ling Zhu was a great achievement of the Sheng Shen Dian Tang Dao Department.

Its appearance had directly solved the problem of grading cultivation levels for refiners across the continent.

What level of Ling Ji had Xu Xiaoshou practiced that could even deceive the Dao Department’s masterpiece?

Yao Yue swept her Ling Nian over Xu Xiaoshou’s body. Though this was a bit impolite, she couldn’t worry about that now.

But as expected, even at such close range with her Zong Shi cultivation, she couldn’t discern any details of Xu Xiaoshou’s realm.

“What do you think?” Xu Xiaoshou was also a bit helpless. “Yin Ni” wasn’t something he could control, so he asked, “Since the cultivation can’t be tested, can you believe what I say?”

Yao Yue shook her head.

How could she let him participate in the “Tian Luo Zhan” based on just his word?

That would be unfair to the other contestants!

“If even my word isn’t enough, then how do we resolve this?” Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes.

“Xu Xiaoshou, don’t worry, there’s another item we can use,” Yao Yue thought for a moment, picked up the communication bead, and instructed the attendant outside, “Go get the ‘Gan Dao Zhu’, and make sure it’s Zong Shi level.”

“Gan Dao Zhu?”

“Yes.”

Yao Yue nodded and explained, “Though we don’t know your exact cultivation realm, the ‘Gan Dao Zhu’ can test your Dao Yun. If it hasn’t reached Tian Xiang realm, meaning Zong Shi level, then it still meets the ‘Tian Luo Zhan’ participation standards.”

“The Tian Luo Zhan is for trials in Wang Cheng, and the contestants follow the same standards as the Wang Cheng trials: Zong Shi and below, with no limit on Xian Tian.”

“Even if someone is Hou Tian, as long as they have the courage, they can join.”

“The ‘Gan Dao Zhu’ will measure it, and if your Dao Yun isn’t at Zong Shi level, that proves you’re below Zong Shi, so you qualify.”

Everyone suddenly understood.

But Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brows again: “Is this ‘Gan Dao Zhu’ powerful? Can it test any kind of Dao in the world?”

“Yes!” Yao Yue nodded. “Xu Xiaoshou, rest assured, this is another proud creation of the Sheng Shen Dian Tang.”

“Then forget it, tell them not to bring it.” Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand, even more helpless.

“Why?”

Now even Xiao Lian was stunned. “Xu Xiaoshou, aren’t you wanting to compete? Testing your cultivation is a necessary step...”

Before Xu Xiaoshou could speak, Xin Gugu had already figured it out and laughed as he took over: “My Xu Xiaoshou is a Jian Zong! With a Zong Shi level Jian Dao intent... You’d just be wasting your time testing it, and it would only mislead the results.”

“Jian Zong?” Yao Yue was startled.

“Zong Shi intent!”

Xin Gugu looked at her and added: “That means his cultivation is only Xian Tian, but his Jian Dao comprehension is way ahead, already breaking through to Zong Shi level. That doesn’t violate the ‘Tian Luo Zhan’ rules, but using the ‘Gan Dao Zhu’ to test it would definitely give a wrong result.”

Now everyone understood.

Xiao Wanfeng sat at the far end, his expression also shocked.

He had been wondering why Si Ren mister would want to take on a disciple just for a mere physique, but now it seemed Xu Xiaoshou was like him—an ancient Jian Xiu!

“Ancient Jian Xiu?” Yao Yue also realized something, feeling quite surprised.

It was common knowledge that comprehending intent was harder than refining Ling.

Most Jian Xiu had intents that lagged behind their realms, but for Xu Xiaoshou, it was the opposite—his cultivation lagged behind his Jian intent...

What kind of weirdo was this!

Were the heirs of Ban Sheng families all this willful?

After Xu Xiaoshou reluctantly nodded in admission, the two women were both speechless.

“I never expected Xu Xiaoshou to be an ancient Jian Xiu...” Xiao Lian parted her red lips, struggling to calm her emotions.

Jian Zong!

For an ancient Jian Xiu to reach Jian Zong was far more terrifying than Zong Shi cultivation.

Earlier, she hadn’t understood why Xin Gugu had mocked her so much at Tian Shang First Tower for suggesting Xu Xiaoshou compete, but now it all made sense.

This was basically coming to crush the competition!

The key was, the Tian Luo Zhan standards were based on cultivation, with no requirements for ancient Jian Xiu.

Because ancient Jian Xiu were so rare, if a Xian Tian Jian Zong wanted to compete, Sheng Gong would probably welcome it and wouldn’t add restrictions at the trial’s start.

But what did that mean?

Without restrictions, letting a Jian Zong like Xu Xiaoshou compete would be blatant rule-bending—an officially endorsed way to dominate.

“So, I can’t compete?” Xu Xiaoshou hadn’t expected one “Yin Ni” to cause so much trouble, and he felt a bit worried.

“Well, it’s not that you can’t compete, it’s just that we might have to offend you a little,” Yao Yue hesitated and said, “If you’re not lying, we just need to verify your cultivation realm. The last method left is Qi Hai connection...”

Through a highly trustworthy guarantor using the Qi Hai connection method, they could verify Xu Xiaoshou’s cultivation.

At that point, any Yin Ni Ling Ji in the world would be ineffective.

“Qi Hai connection?”

Xu Xiaoshou probed his own Qi Hai, and his face stiffened. “I’m okay with it, but I’m afraid my Qi Hai won’t accept it...”

His Qi Hai was something else!

It had the Jin Zhao Yuan Zhong, San Ri Dong Jie, the sloppy uncle’s Jian Nian floating above it, and his own Jian Nian from sword observation...

The last one could be ignored, but the others made Xu Xiaoshou panic.

He could barely control the first two since they were bound to him, and with some force, he could suppress their rejection to avoid harming anyone.

But the sloppy uncle’s Jian Nian...

That thing was so volatile it had even injured Shou Ye while protecting him. If it detected foreign Ling Yuan and lashed out, Yao Yue could end up decapitated on the spot.

How would he explain that?

“What do you mean, Xu Xiaoshou?” Yao Yue didn’t understand. Qi Hai connection was intrusive, but it was the only option left.

“Under suspicion, passive points, 2.”

Xu Xiaoshou found it hard to say, hesitating before explaining: “My Qi Hai is a bit special. You know, those old folks at home are worried I might get killed by some strong expert while wandering, so...”

Yao Yue instantly got it: “So there are some restrictions?”

“You can think of it that way.” Xu Xiaoshou sighed.

There was another layer he didn’t want to mention—Jin Zhao Yuan Zhong and San Ri Dong Jie might not be recognizable, but their distinctive features could tip off anyone who studied them carefully.

“Are there any other methods besides Qi Hai connection?” Xu Xiaoshou made one last attempt.

“None,” Yao Yue shook her head. “Xu Xiaoshou, if you don’t mind, as long as you slightly suppress the restrictions and let me check, I’ll only look at the quality of your Qi Hai’s Ling Yuan and won’t probe further. How about that?”

You’re basically asking for it!

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, closing his eyes tightly: “Forget about you doing it—let someone else.”

Yao Yue was still confused.

Xu Xiaoshou added: “Call a Wang Zuo. For safety, it’s best if they’re someone unimportant, whose death wouldn’t matter... Of course, if something goes wrong, I can compensate. I have money.”

Yao Yue: ???

Xiao Lian: ???

Xiao Wanfeng: ???

Xu Xiaoshou’s words left the three of them baffled.

Testing cultivation and ending up with a death?

And for safety, they needed a Wang Zuo?

A Wang Zuo testing Xian Tian and possibly dying?

“Under suspicion, passive points, 3.”

“Xu Xiaoshou, don’t joke...” Yao Yue’s mouth twitched, holding back the urge to kick him.

“I’m not joking. This is a matter of life and death. Let’s agree in advance—if you want to test my cultivation, be prepared to die.”

Yao Yue: “...”

How could that sound so strange?

But with a Ban Sheng family involved, she hadn’t dealt with them before. What if his absurd claims turned out to be true?

“Call Dong Cheng over.” Yao Yue said no more, picked up the communication bead, gave the order, and put it down.

Then she paused and picked it up again: “Oh, and bring Mr. Zhou along too!”

A middle-aged man and an elder entered the private room.

But the atmosphere inside grew even more tense and bizarre.

After understanding the situation, Dong Cheng looked at the life-and-death contract on the table and felt dizzy.

“So, Yao Yue girl, testing cultivation requires signing a life-and-death contract?” Shock filled his brows, as if his worldview was collapsing.

A Wang Zuo!

I’m a Wang Zuo!

Even if you don’t trust that kid, you should trust me!

The other elder, Zhou Gu, with his Zhan Dao cultivation, was also stunned by the odd scene in the room.

Yao Yue didn’t respond to Dong Cheng but turned to Zhou Gu: “Mr. Zhou, about Xu Xiaoshou’s cultivation...”

“Don’t mention it, I really can’t see it.” Zhou Gu circled Xu Xiaoshou like he was examining a curiosity, going around three full times before holding back his breath and saying, “But from his Dao Yun, he definitely hasn’t reached Zong Shi realm. That’s all I can tell.”

He felt a bit ashamed.

With Zhan Dao cultivation, he couldn’t see through a young man’s realm and could only discern a bit from Dao Yun. Saying it out loud would be embarrassing.

Yao Yue sighed: “But Dao Yun can also be concealed. We can’t handle the matter entrusted to us by Sheng Shen Dian Tang carelessly.”

It was all because this Xu Xiaoshou, as a Ban Sheng heir, was like a hot potato—no one dared touch him.

“Just sign it!”

The life-and-death contract was Xu Xiaoshou’s idea, so Yao Yue had no choice but to go along.

But now that things had reached this point, no matter how strange or absurd, anyone would have second thoughts—especially knowing the young man’s background.

Dong Cheng wisely refused: “Yao Yue girl, for other matters, as a guest elder, I’d do my best. But a Ban Sheng family... that’s like stroking a tiger’s whiskers!”

“Testing might not hurt, but if some restriction really blasts me to death, that would be too unjust, too much of a loss, too ridiculous!”

Everyone in the room smiled bitterly.

What Dong Cheng said made sense.

A dignified Wang Zuo dying from a rebound while testing Xian Tian cultivation? It would only make people laugh if word got out.

Yao Yue rubbed her forehead, her gaze toward Xiao Lian full of helpless resignation: What kind of monster did you bring?

Xiao Lian shrugged, indicating she hadn’t known about all these complications either.

Seeing no one dared sign the contract, Xu Xiaoshou was even more pleased.

“How about this...”

He thought for a moment and suggested: “I really am Xian Tian, no doubt about it. Just trust me this once and let me compete.”

“Once the fight starts, have Mr. Zhou watch the whole thing. He’s Zhan Dao, so if I do anything against the rules, he’ll spot it right away and can stop the match.”

“Anyway, I’m not Zong Shi cultivation. Practice makes perfect—trying it out won’t hurt.”

Yao Yue instinctively wanted to object.

But Zhou Gu reminded her: “Special people deserve special treatment.”

That finally enlightened Yao Yue.

True, a Ban Sheng family heir was too rare. Even if something went wrong, Sheng Shen Dian Tang would probably understand.

And Xu Xiaoshou’s words were sincere, his attitude honest, and he even volunteered to take responsibility if issues arose...

“Alright!”

Yao Yue made up her mind: “We’ll sign an agreement. Xu Xiaoshou can compete, but if you do anything against the rules, Tian Luo Field has the right to stop the match and impose a full ban, preventing you from competing again. Do you understand?”

“Understand, understand.”

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself that this was perfect—he didn’t want anyone probing his Qi Hai or leaving them dead with eyes wide open.

Resolving it this way was best.

“Then it’s settled.”

Yao Yue called in an attendant to draft the agreement. After both sides signed, she finally relaxed.

“The afternoon matches are on their last one anyway.”

“We’ll schedule yours for tonight. That’s the ninth ‘Tian Luo Zhan’ today, with an hour to prepare. We look forward to your performance!”