Reborn as Xu Xuan, Plundering Perks & Flooding the Mountain Ling

Chapter 5: Early Assessment! Can the Rules Be Broken?

“Alright, what’s the point of discussing this now? Does anyone know where Jing Ming went last?”

Everyone turned to look at the group of disciples from the Servants’ Court. A slightly older disciple immediately stepped forward:

“Reporting to Master Shouxin, an hour ago, a servant disciple reported that some disciples were having a private duel in the back mountain. Senior Brother Jing Ming went over to check, but he never returned…”

Daoist Shouxin, who was in charge of the Servants’ Court, frowned.

“An hour? And none of you went to check?”

The inner sect disciple looked uneasy, their gaze flickering with fear.

“Half an hour ago, Senior Brother Jing Ling took three servant disciples to search for him, but they haven’t returned either…”

Two inner sect disciples had disappeared in the back mountain. Not daring to delay, they immediately reported to Daoist Shouxin. However, before they could explain, Daoist Shouxin had already begun reprimanding them.

“What? Jing Ling is missing too?”

Now that he heard the full story, Daoist Shouxin couldn’t help but gasp.

“Could it be that a formidable enemy has invaded Mount Longhu? Stay here and don’t move around recklessly! I will report this to the Elder immediately!”

Moments later, a startled exclamation echoed from the Alchemy Chamber of the Celestial Master’s Temple.

“What? Something happened in the back mountain?”

The Elder in charge of the Celestial Master’s Mansion that day was Master Xuan Mu, an elder of the Alchemy Sect, one of the four main sects. Upon hearing about the incident, the elderly Daoist with white hair and beard flared his nostrils in anger.

“Damn it! Truly damn it! Why is it that nothing happens when others are on duty, but as soon as it’s my turn, chaos erupts? My batch of Elixir of Fleeting Life is about to be completed! If I leave now, all my efforts will be wasted!”

Daoist Shouxin clasped his hands together and smiled bitterly.

“Master, please step in and help…”

Master Xuan Mu pouted in displeasure. Even though he didn’t want to go, he knew this was serious.

“The back mountain, huh? You, watch the fire for me here. I’ll be right back! If my Elixir of Fleeting Life gets ruined, I’ll make you copy the Daoist Scripts a hundred times!”

As he spoke, golden light flickered around Master Xuan Mu’s body, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished. In just a single breath, the old monk arrived at the back mountain. As soon as he entered, he wrinkled his brows.

“This scent… is from the Anshen Flower? But why is the smell so strong? There’s also Snake Tongue Grass and Viper Vine…”

Master Xuan Mu walked forward while discerning the fragrances. In a few strides, he reached the medicinal field at the edge of the back mountain. There, a tall young man was picking herbs while muttering to himself:

“Damn it! I’m in trouble now! I never expected this Drunken-Dream Powder to be so powerful. And I never thought I’d run out of antidote! Am I going to get expelled from Mount Longhu…?”

Xu Xuan muttered while swiftly gathering herbs. Suddenly, he heard shouts from nearby.

“Master Xuan Mu!”

Jing Ling and Jing Ming, now awake, looked embarrassed upon seeing Master Xuan Mu. As inner sect disciples and Innate-level martial artists of Mount Longhu, being taken down by a mere servant disciple—even if drugged—was utterly humiliating!

Yet, to their surprise, Master Xuan Mu didn’t even spare them a glance. His eyes swept over the fallen inner sect and servant disciples before landing on the only one still standing—Xu Xuan.

“Boy, you made this sleeping powder?”

Facing the elderly Daoist, Xu Xuan couldn’t help but feel nervous. Mount Longhu had many ranking systems—Xu, Xuan, Shou, and Jing—but that wasn’t the main issue. What really stunned him was the glaring title display above the old Daoist’s head:

[Master Xuan Mu • Mount Longhu]

[Race: Human]

[Realm: Golden Core, First Transformation]

[Skills: Golden Light Divine Incantation (Purple), Grandmaster of Alchemy (Red), Wind Manipulation (Red), Thunder Palm (Red), Three-Colored Flame (Red), Dragon’s Stride (Blue), Master of Swords (Blue)…]

Xu Xuan swallowed nervously. But deep down, he wasn’t scared—he was drooling in awe! Never mind the fact that Golden Light Divine Incantation was clearly superior to the basic Golden Light Spell, the Wind Manipulation, Thunder Palm, and Three-Colored Flame were all authentic Daoist spells!

I want them! I wonder if this old man is willing to compete with me in farming…

While salivating, Xu Xuan quickly responded, “Reporting to Master Xuan Mu! I made it, but I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I just didn’t expect the Dream Drunken Powder to be this potent…”

Master Xuan Mu had already figured everything out. He was only asking to confirm.

“Drunken-Dream Powder? That’s a good name! Not many sleeping drugs can affect Innate-level cultivators. Did you come up with the formula yourself, or did you learn it from somewhere?”

Xu Xuan took a deep breath. He knew this was his chance. This was the moment to showcase his talent! If he could impress Master Xuan Mu, he might soar to greatness!

“I created it myself! The Drunken Dream Powder was originally derived from ordinary knockout drugs…”

Xu Xuan didn’t hesitate to explain his entire process. Master Xuan Mu listened attentively, nodding repeatedly while secretly observing him. The moment Xu Xuan finished speaking, Master Xuan Mu suddenly grabbed his wrist with lightning speed. Before Xu Xuan could react, his pulse was already taken.

Seventh level of the Body Refining Stage But your vitality is far beyond normal! With this foundation, entering the sect is not an issue at all!

Master Xuan Mu muttered to himself for a moment before smiling.

“Boy, fortune has smiled upon you! I will conduct a special assessment for you today. If you pass, you can enter my Alchemy Sect!”

The Celestial Master’s Temple on Mount Longhu had one mansion, one palace, four sects, and six academies. The Mansion was the residence and training ground for the direct descendants of the Zhang family. The Palace, Daqing Palace, was where deities were worshipped, Daoist gatherings were held, and grand rituals took place. It was also the training ground for elders and true disciples.

The Four Sects were Alchemy, Talisman, Weapon Forging, and Combat. The Combat Sect was responsible for exorcising demons. Only by entering one of these four sects could one become a true disciple of Mount Longhu.

“Thank you, Master Xuan Mu! I will do my best!”

Hearing this, Xu Xuan’s face lit up with joy. He had struggled to reach Mount Longhu precisely for this moment!

Meanwhile, the other servant disciples who had woken up couldn’t help but look on with envy and resentment. Xu Xuan had only been here for a few months, yet he had already caught the eye of a Sect elder and was granted a special assessment!

They had to toil for three years just to get a chance! Comparing oneself to others was truly frustrating! Of all the outer disciples boiling in envy, the most infuriated was Fan Rui.

Damn it! Damn it all! Did I offend some celestial being today? Not only was I humiliated by this brat, but now I’ve also paved the way for his success?! If this kid becomes more and more successful, won’t I be even more humiliated? If he really becomes an inner sect disciple, will there still be a place for me?

The more Fan Rui thought about it, the angrier he became. Looking up, he felt as if all the gazes around him were mocking him. Gritting his teeth, Fan Rui suddenly stepped forward.

“Master Xuan Mu, I believe this decision is inappropriate! The rules of Mount Longhu require three years of servitude before one can take the assessment. When I joined, I never heard of such exceptions!”