NOVPUB"Uncle-Master, where are you coming from with that? Since you trust me, I naturally cannot shirk my responsibility; I will take care of these mortals."
Wang Ba said resolutely.
Ma Shengxu smiled and nodded slightly, then cautioned,
"With the Five Elements Division restarting, there might be a reopening ceremony, and as the Chief Division Master, you will need to make an appearance."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ba, although finding it somewhat troublesome, still nodded in agreement.
After parting with Ma Shengxu and pondering for a moment, he immediately flew towards the Rende Hall.
"Diwu Hall’s Wang Ba seeks an audience with Vice Hall Master Luo of the Rende Hall."
The enforcer guarding the Rende Hall, upon hearing Wang Ba announce himself, did not dare to underestimate him despite being a Nascent Soul Cultivator, and promptly responded with courtesy,
"Chief Division Master, please wait a moment."
Cultivators from other places might be unfamiliar with Wang Ba, but those from the Rende Hall had a certain level of understanding of each cultivator within the Sect.
The position of Chief Division Master could almost be considered a scaled-down version of a Vice Hall Master—how could they dare to belittle him?
It wasn’t long before Wang Ba was surprised to see Luo Yuzhong in his auspicious blue robe walking out of the palace to greet him personally.
"Uncle-Master Luo, you flatter me too much!"
Wang Ba looked earnest and fearful, apologizing profusely.
Luo Yuzhong appeared to be in his early thirties and could be described as dashingly handsome with an imposing demeanor.
Upon hearing Wang Ba’s address, he laughed and said,
"After all, you are the Chief Division Master of the Earth Material Hall. It’s only right for me to greet you outside... However, I am somewhat curious as to what brings you to me?"
As he spoke, he was already leading Wang Ba into the side hall where the Vice Palace Master of Benevolence Hall was stationed.
In the absence of others, Luo Yuzhong personally scooped up water from the spirit spring and started brewing spirit tea.
Instantly, the spiritual energy mingled with the fragrance of the tea, creating a rich and aromatic scent.
Wang Ba accepted the tea and then, with an embarrassed expression, said,
"I am fortunate to hold my position; it is overwhelming, and it’s all thanks to the grand fortune of Hall Master Fei... My visit concerns a new disciple I took on outside."
Luo Yuzhong, who had taken a seat across from him, immediately looked enlightened,
"Oh, a disciple—is it for the Sect entrance assessment?"
Wang Ba complimented with a bow,
"Uncle-Master Luo is truly divine!"
Luo Yuzhong couldn’t help but laugh, but his expression quickly turned serious, and he spoke in a low voice,
"It’s not that I’m unwilling to help you."
"But it’s a Sect’s ironclad rule that no one can interfere with the entrance assessment, and that applies to me as well. I understand your eagerness for your disciple, but if they do not meet the assessment criteria and yet you wish to have them join the Sect, even if you come to me, it won’t be possible."
When Wang Ba heard this, he could not help but show his utmost respect, setting down the tea and bowing,
"Uncle-Master speaks wisely; Wang Ba has been taught."
"However, my main purpose in coming here was to understand the Sect’s standards for passing the assessment, so I can accordingly gauge my disciple’s readiness."
Luo Yuzhong heard him out, and his expression softened slightly as he nodded and said,
"That’s reasonable and within the rules."
"The criteria for the assessment vary by realm, and the standards for recruiting disciples from outside the Sect are also different."
"In short, in the case of your disciple, they need to pass through the Spirit Mirage Heart-inquiring Array to ensure they’re not of extreme malice or harbor ulterior motives. For a Golden Core Cultivator, the Dao-heart must be graded at least as ’B minus,’ for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the Dao-heart must be rated ’C plus,’ and for Qi Refining or mortal individuals, the Dao-heart must be at ’Middle C.’
"At least a ’B minus’ Dao-heart..."
Wang Ba slightly furrowed his brow.
The Dao-heart is an elusive and profound concept.
It’s deeply mystical and not static.
It can change with the events and experiences one encounters.
He wasn’t entirely sure about the level of Wang Qingyang’s Dao-heart.
After some thought, Wang Ba still asked,
"May I inquire, Uncle-Master Luo, is there any way to test the Dao-heart directly without using the Spirit Mirage Heart-inquiry Array?"
Unexpectedly, Luo Yuzhong did have a method to offer.
"This is the ’Manifestation Talisman.’
Luo Yuzhong took out a stack of light purple talisman papers from his storage treasure.
"This talisman can roughly determine a person’s current Dao-heart status, of course, it certainly can’t compare to the Spirit Mirage Heart-inquiry Array, but the difference isn’t too significant."
"Thank you, Uncle-Master Luo!"
Wang Ba couldn’t help but show his joy, and he hastily took out a prepared gift from his sleeve.
"Haha, that won’t be necessary. These talismans aren’t worth much in terms of spirit stones, and besides, I still have to honor the face of the Chief Division Master," Luo Yuzhong said with a hearty laugh.
Wang Ba, feeling somewhat ashamed, bowed and said,
"Uncle-Master Luo is upstanding, and I have been presumptuous."
Luo Yuzhong shook his head slightly.
After the two conversed for a while longer, Wang Ba took his leave.
Leaving the Rende Hall, Wang Ba felt somewhat confident internally; after giving it a bit of thought, he flew toward the Yunguan Courtyard.
...
"’Ninefold Luo Heaven’ has already been practiced to the third stage... After taking the Bone Removing Pill, the Golden Core Realm couldn’t be maintained."
"But this is actually a good thing."
At the Yunguan Courtyard.
Wang Ba looked at Wang Qingyang, who was originally in the likeness of a young girl, but now her face bore a more mature look.
He knew this was the normal state of her body after ’Ninefold Luo Heaven’ had reverted her realm.
Wang Qingyang had a respectful yet curious expression,
"Master, when can I take part in the assessment?"
Wang Ba pondered for a moment, then replied,
"The next Sect assessment will be in three days. I will take you there then."
"By the way, try this ’Manifestation Talisman’ to check your Dao-heart." 𝓃ℴ𝓋𝓹𝓊𝓫.𝒸𝓸𝓂
Wang Qingyang, somewhat surprised, took the light purple talisman that Wang Ba handed her.
Following Wang Ba’s instructions, she sat down cross-legged, placing it on her forehead.
She then closed her eyes to meditate.
Before long, two characters started to form aloft on the light purple piece of paper:
