Chapter 28: The Astonished Assessors!

Chen Zheng leapt down from the back of the Swift Wind Divine Eagle, scanning the majestic, towering city that sprawled like a wild dragon coiled.

He knew this city was called Feather Transformation City, created by an Elder of the Feather Transformation Sect who moved the mountains and forged it, housing over four hundred thousand outer and inner disciples for residence and cultivation.

In addition, countless servants who performed menial tasks, raised spirit beasts, and tended medicinal fields for the Feather Transformation Sect also lived within Feather Transformation City.

As for the true disciples of higher rank, they resided on the sky‑piercing giant peaks that Chen Zheng had seen while airborne.

Each true disciple occupied one mountain.

"I'm heading back to the Southern Sea Region; I hope that when we meet again, you'll already be true disciples of the Feather Transformation Sect."

The Swift Wind Divine Eagle gave Chen Zheng and Xiao Shi, who had just dismounted, a glance, uttered a line, then flapped its wings and rose into the sky.

"Young man, rest assured, I won't tell anyone about what happened between you and Xiao Shi, and you need not worry about Xiao Shi's parents causing trouble." A telepathic voice suddenly pierced Chen Zheng's ear.

A flash of surprise appeared in his eyes as he looked up at the Swift Wind Divine Eagle circling the heavens.

It was the creature sending him a telepathic message.

Seeing his gaze, the Swift Wind Divine Eagle blinked at him, then beat its wings and shot away.

"That big eagle is rather interesting."

Chen Zheng shook his head with a smile and withdrew his gaze.

Xiao Shi is a practitioner of the Rou Shen Di Shi Chong.

He is only at the Physical Body Ninth Layer.

His realm can conceal him from Mortal Secret Realm cultivators, but not from practitioners of Shen Tong Mi Jing.

When he was at the Ninth Layer on the eagle's back, he could easily defeat the Tenth‑layer Xiao Shi without any resistance.

Anyone who saw Chen Zheng's displayed strength would know he is extraordinary.

The Swift Wind Divine Eagle, having witnessed everything, likewise offered him a favor.

It could be considered a small investment.

Chen Zheng did not think much about it.

When his cultivation improves later, he will return to the Southern Sea Region and repay the favor to the Swift Wind Divine Eagle.

As for Xiao Shi's parents, he didn't care much, since he is about to join the Feather Transformation Sect, which gives him a backing.

To thrive in the cultivation world, resources, talent, and backing are all indispensable.

It's even better if one is as handsome as Chen Zheng.

He turned and walked toward the gate of Feather Transformation City.

As for Xiao Shi, apparently fearing another beating, he had already scurried into the city like a mouse.

The streets inside Feather Transformation City were vast, paved entirely with white stone, immaculate and beautiful everywhere.

Compared with this, Ban Yue Fang Shi and North Ling Fang Shi were merely tiny rural nooks.

Golden Feather Island was even less comparable.

But Chen Zheng had no time to admire the city's scenery.

Unfamiliar with the area, he needed to ask locals where the Feather Transformation Sect's assessment site was.

He quickly singled out a target, stopped a beautiful, delicate‑looking female disciple, and politely asked her for directions.

He was strikingly handsome and affable; almost anyone would not refuse him, especially women.

Sure enough.

The delicate woman initially frowned at being abruptly blocked, but when she saw Chen Zheng's appearance, her brows instantly relaxed.

She patiently explained the assessment situation for outer disciples of the Feather Transformation Sect.

She even, fearing Chen Zheng might get lost, enthusiastically led him toward the assessment site.

Through her, Chen Zheng learned a few bits of information he hadn't deliberately recalled or that were absent from his memory.

The Feather Transformation Sect controls dozens to hundreds of nations such as the Great Li Dynasty, Great Xu Dynasty, Great De Dynasty, and many others.

These nations range from a few tens of millions to several billions in population, totaling nearly a hundred billion people; therefore the Sect never lacks young disciples.

Precisely because its forces are populous, every year, month, and day people are recommended, receive slots, and come to the Sect for assessment.

The assessment for outer disciples of the Feather Transformation Sect also takes place daily in a dedicated location.

That place is called the Stepping Immortal Courtyard.

Chen Zheng and the delicate woman chatted and laughed, soon arriving before a mansion on the east side of Feather Transformation City.

A massive plaque hung on the mansion, bearing three grand characters of soaring dragons and dancing phoenixes: Stepping Immortal Courtyard.

It seemed that stepping through the mansion's threshold was equivalent to stepping onto the Dao of Immortals.

At that moment, the plaza before the Stepping Immortal Courtyard was filled with many young men and women in brocade robes, eyes sharp, evidently recommended to attend the assessment.

However, the Courtyard's doors had not yet opened, and the youths waited, gathering in groups of three or five, whispering.

The delicate woman said to Chen Zheng, "Young Master Chen, this is where our Feather Transformation Sect assesses outer disciples; when the doors open, present your recommendation letter as proof and you may enter the assessment."

"I have a matter to attend to, so I'll step away for now," she said before preparing to leave.

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"Thank you, miss." Chen Zheng bowed and asked, "May I know your name?"

The delicate woman smiled gently, "I am called Xu Yue'er; after you join the Sect, you may address me as Senior Sister Yue'er."

She turned and left.

"Xu Yue'er…"

Chen Zheng stared at Xu Yue'er's retreating figure, silently reciting the name once in his mind.

It felt vaguely familiar, but not much.

He didn't dwell on it, and lowered his gaze.

He went to a secluded corner alone, closed his eyes to rest, cultivated his spirit, and, like the other youths, waited for the Stepping Immortal Courtyard to open.

After about half an hour, the two great doors of the Stepping Immortal Courtyard finally opened slowly, and two young people dressed in Water‑Fire Dao robes stepped out.

Both bore an arrogant demeanor, and their gaze toward the crowd outside the gate was like an emperor looking at a humble beggar.

One of the Daoists shouted, "The outer‑gate disciples' assessment begins today; everyone, come in."

Immediately, the many young men and women sharpened their minds and squeezed through the door, filing in one after another under the inspection of the two Daoists at the entrance.

The crowd had already submitted their recommendation letters that morning, and the palm‑sized mirrors in the two Daoists' hands recorded their faces.

"Hmph, what good is it to rush in? My Feather Ascension Gate assessment isn't that easy to pass," one Daoist sneered.

The other Daoist shook his head mockingly, "A bunch of twisted gourds and broken dates; I think most of them will die at the hands of the divine‑power puppets during the assessment."

Hearing the two speak so unabashedly, the young people entering for the assessment flushed red, daring to be angry but not to speak.

At that moment, Chen Zheng, holding the snow seal given by Fang Qingxue, walked toward the gate at an unhurried pace.

"Why isn't your image showing? Hmph, tell me honestly… huh? This is Senior Sister Fang Qingxue's Purple Lightning Yin Thunder Blade!"

The two young Daoists at the entrance held up their mirrors toward Chen Zheng; seeing that his face did not appear in the mirror, they instantly grew cold‑faced and were about to rebuke him.

They thought Chen Zheng was trying to slip through by deception.

But when they saw the purple lightning on the snow seal in Chen Zheng's hand, along with the lines of script, their attitude changed dramatically, becoming reverent.

Even their gaze toward Chen Zheng shifted, from the earlier impatience toward others to a solemn stare.

Chen Zheng said, "Two of you, may I go in now?"

"Of course you may."

One Daoist gave Chen Zheng a flattering smile, "Junior Brother Chen, your Physical Body Eightfold can slay the Ninth‑Level Heavenly Demon, and you're recommended by Senior Sister Fang Qingxue; in fact you need not be assessed—you can enter directly."

The other Daoist quickly added with a smile, "But Junior Brother Chen, you still have to go through the passage; in a moment I'll schedule you as the first assessment, so you can enter the sect soon."

Seeing this dramatic scene and the two inspecting Daoists' shift from arrogance to deference, the many young aspirants were left staring dumbfounded.

(End of Chapter)