Volume One: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter 103: The Adventurers’ Assessment

Late at night, Wang Jue sat quietly cross-legged on his bed, dressed in loose training clothes. The dense starlight energy in the room was being rapidly absorbed by his body.

“At last, I’ve thoroughly consolidated my cultivation at the third tier of Spiritual Essence. The instability from my previous rapid breakthrough has been resolved as well.”

After a while, Wang Jue stopped cultivating, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. “I could break through if I wanted, but I sense that I haven’t reached my limit yet. There’s no need to rush—better to refine my current level to its utmost before advancing, so I won’t have to spend ages stabilizing my cultivation every time.”

Ever since Wang Jue killed that man in Blood Wolf Valley, he had barely left home for half a month, wary of stirring up trouble, and focused solely on strengthening his cultivation.

During these weeks, Wang Jue learned about the trial to become a registered adventurer with the Martial Association. He hadn’t originally planned on applying, but after hearing about it from Monkey, he decided to obtain an adventurer’s status.

The difference between having adventurer certification and not having it is vast. Previously, since Wang Jue lacked adventurer status, he could only claim materials when hunting Blood Wolves. With certification, he would earn points for slaying star beasts.

Points are more valuable than money within the Martial Association; some trade points for cash, but money can’t buy points. Generally, unless someone is desperate for funds, they won’t exchange their points for money.

Adventurer rankings are tiered—the higher your rank, the better the privileges. To raise your rank, you need points.

The wristwatch Lan Yiyi gave him was something only registered adventurers could possess. Unfortunately, because Wang Jue wasn’t an adventurer, he couldn’t activate its permissions, and thus missed out on many precious items, information, and secrets.

He’d learned all this from chatting with Monkey. Monkey seemed an ordinary martial arts academy student with modest cultivation, but he had many business contacts—most were members of adventurer teams or lone wanderers, so gathering information was effortless.

Wang Jue had thought this world lacked storage rings, but unexpectedly learned that only those with adventurer status and sufficient rank could exchange points and money for one. The price was unclear, though—he hadn’t seen anyone with a storage ring yet. Presumably, it wouldn’t be easy to obtain.

Tomorrow was the adventurer trial. Wang Jue wasn’t overly excited; instead, he maintained his calm and planned to sleep well, so he’d be in top condition for the assessment.

“Tomorrow comes the practical adventurer trial. Tonight, I’ll rest properly.”

…

This year, the Peace Town adventurer assessment was held at Luo Lake, a bit of a distance for Wang Jue, but Monkey sent someone to pick him up, which made things easier.

On the way to Luo Lake, he saw faces of all ages, most wearing anxious expressions; some even sat cross-legged on the ground.

“Mr. Wang, the exam grounds are divided into ten zones. The assessment starts at ten in the morning and ends at five in the afternoon,” said Lao Jin, a chatty driver arranged by Feng San. “I heard there are over a million applicants this year…”

Wang Jue said little during the journey, instead listening as Lao Jin recounted assorted rumors. It was not without its entertainment.

Soon, they arrived at the site. After getting out, Wang Jue thanked Lao Jin.

Lao Jin quickly waved his hand, knowing Wang Jue was his boss’s friend and thus being extra courteous. “Mr. Wang, if you finish, just call me and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Alright.” Wang Jue nodded. Rather than walk back, it was better to let Lao Jin drive him home.

After weaving through the dense crowd, Wang Jue queued at the entrance, and upon verification, received a numbered badge for his wrist.

He then moved to a shaded spot to rest.

Wang Jue was waiting idly when he noticed his martial academy mate Wang Bin, accompanied by Chen You and several unfamiliar faces, passing by in a conspicuous group. Chen You glanced at Wang Jue but ignored him, instead chatting eagerly with another young heir.

“Hey, isn’t that Junior Brother Wang?” A student from the Extreme Martial Academy beside Chen You, seemingly emboldened by his connection to Chen You, looked rather arrogant. “We’re all from the same academy. Why not join us? During the trial, you can follow behind us, and I guarantee you’ll pass.”

“Idiot,” Wang Jue thought to himself, too disinterested to even look up, dismissing the remark as the buzzing of a random fly.

He barely recalled this student, only his name—Sun Da.

Sun Da, full of self-confidence, stood before Wang Jue, looking down with a cold expression. “If I were you, I wouldn’t embarrass myself here. Just leave.”

Wang Jue looked up.

In the next moment, he clenched his fist and struck.

“Bang!”

Before everyone’s eyes, Sun Da was punched back four or five meters.

“You…”

His face flushed red, torn between anger and shock. Wang Jue’s strength had grown remarkably since their last meeting.

Chen You, meanwhile, cast a cold glance. “Useless.”

Apparently ashamed by Sun Da’s embarrassment, he flicked his sleeve and walked away.

Sun Da’s expression changed; he hurried after him. “Senior Brother Chen, let me explain…”

Feeling the curious stares of the crowd, the other academy students who had come with Chen You followed suit.

To Wang Jue, this was nothing but a trivial episode. He dusted himself off and sat back down.

Unbeknownst to him, the spectacle drew many eyes.

“Who is that?”

“He seems pretty strong.”

“I don’t know him.”

“No impression.”

“Just another nobody, don’t mind him.”

“…”

…

Soon, a man in martial attire clapped his hands. “Since everyone is here, let’s begin the test. Those with badge numbers under five hundred, step forward and follow me.”

Under five hundred?

Wang Jue looked at his wrist badge.

Hmm…

He was number 666. So, not in the first group!

“The first round is a physical fitness test. Those who pass move on; those who fail must leave and not disrupt the assessment. Anyone who breaks the rules will be dealt with accordingly!”

The man’s voice echoed across the square—calm but chilling, sending shivers down spines.

The first group was led away; less than ten minutes later, the second group set out. Wang Jue, number 666, was up next.

The physical fitness test was simple. Each person walked through something like a security gate—if it made no sound, they passed; if it buzzed, they failed. It took about a second per person.

Most passed, but some refused to leave.

“No! I’m qualified, I swear! Something’s wrong with the device!” shouted a young man, refusing to leave. “I caught a cold today—it must be the cold! Otherwise, I’d have passed!”

The examiner appeared, kicked him unconscious, and waved his hand indifferently. “Drag him away.”

“…”

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, unsettled by the scene.

“Yes, sir.” Two figures stepped forward and swiftly carried the troublemaker off.

The examiner addressed the crowd. “Listen carefully. Don’t make me repeat the rules. Otherwise, you’ll only suffer. The assessment continues!”

One by one, the applicants walked through the gate. With precedent set, those who failed simply left in disappointment, not daring to make trouble.

When Wang Jue’s turn came, he stepped through.

No sound.

From the crowd, Chen You glanced at Wang Jue in surprise. “Hmm, didn’t think he’d pass.”

But his curiosity lasted only a moment.

Sun Da, however, kept his gaze fixed on Wang Jue.

Soon, Wang Jue was led by staff to join the group who had passed, including Chen You and his cohort.

The adventurer trial was not just a simple physical test—it also valued talent and overall capability.

The second and third rounds were standard tests of strength and speed.

In these, Wang Jue didn’t unleash his full power, merely displaying abilities matching his cultivation level, and passed with ease.

The first three rounds were done.

Next came the talent assessment.

Looking at the familiar yet alien crystal sphere before him, Wang Jue’s expression grew complex.

He remembered, at age seven, being “ruined” by this device—it caused him to spend over nine years unable to break through as a martial artist, until his transmigration and golden finger finally allowed him to advance.

The talent test was individual, with results recorded by machine. Otherwise, Wang Jue’s talent might have caused a sensation.

The final round was a comprehensive strength assessment.

From over a million candidates, fewer than ten thousand remained, yet the crowd was still vast.

A ninety percent elimination rate!

The examiner appeared, and the noisy square fell silent.

“If you’ve passed the first two rounds, you’re qualified to become adventurers—but don’t get complacent! Registered adventurers are stronger than those without certification. Besides robust physical fitness, you need dazzling talent and limitless potential!”

“The final round tests your strength. According to safe zone standards, there are several categories—sword, blade, spear, staff, stick, archery, fist techniques, leg techniques, etc. Choose your specialty.”

“Grouping ends in ten minutes; your group examiners will explain the details.”

Wang Jue surveyed the area and headed toward the sign marked [Sword] at the far left entrance to the square.

The others dispersed to find their respective groups.