Chapter 674: Testing cultivation level, still need to sign a life-and-death contract?

"Let's test it!"

Yaoyue didn't need to ask further, as there was a spirit-testing bead on the table specifically for gauging cultivation levels. Any unidentifiable cultivation could be verified by this test.

The Innate Spirit-Testing Bead could verify all stages within Innate cultivation based on the tester's spirit energy. It displayed colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, along with black and white—to indicate the early, middle, and late phases of the Yuan Court, Ju Wu, and Shang Ling realms, respectively.

Xu Xiaoshou took the spirit-testing bead. He had used similar devices in the outer court of the Spirit Palace, but those were Post-Innate Spirit-Testing Beads. Since achieving the Innate realm, he had always relied on his own perception for his cultivation stages; this was his first time using a spirit-testing bead to verify his current level.

The moment he infused a trace of spirit energy, the bead quickly responded. However, it only trembled slightly before falling silent again.

Everyone present was stunned. "Is that it?" Even Xin Gugu looked bewildered."Received suspicion, Passive Value, +3."

Initially, everyone had been paying close attention to Young Master Xu's cultivation, but this result left them perplexed. The spirit-testing bead's feedback was supposed to be amplified; even a minuscule amount of injected spirit energy would be magnified, indicating the tester's cultivation level through the intensity of its light. Yet, the bead in Xu Xiaoshou's hand appeared to be dormant, showing no signs of activity.

"Did you inject spirit energy?" Xiao Lian was the first to ask. She was the most curious about Young Master Xu's cultivation and had clearly felt the surge of spirit energy in his palm just moments before. Could she have been mistaken?

"Try again!" Yaoyue said, standing up. The Innate Spirit-Testing Bead was infallible; it required no external activation, as the tester's injected spirit energy served as the key to its formation. Yet, the bead in Young Master Xu's hand seemed... broken?

Observing everyone's reactions, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly realized something. He possessed "Concealment." Could it be that under the influence of "Concealment," anything pertaining to himself was undetectable? Frowning slightly, Xu Xiaoshou activated his Qi Sea, furiously channeling spirit energy into the bead. This time, however, the bead merely trembled more violently, still emitting no light.

"Are you truly Innate?" Yaoyue asked, a look of surprise on her face. The Innate Spirit-Testing Bead was designed exclusively for measuring Innate realm cultivation. It would be useless if Young Master Xu were Post-Innate or a Grandmaster.

"Yes, I am Innate," Xu Xiaoshou replied, calmly setting down the bead. He then added nonchalantly, "I just recalled that I seemed to have cultivated a 'Concealment' spirit skill when I was younger. My cultivation cannot be measured by conventional means."

Yaoyue was speechless. She looked from the spirit-testing bead to Young Master Xu's composed expression, and for a moment, she was deeply affected. The spirit-testing bead was a monumental achievement of the Sacred Temple's Dao Department. Its introduction had instantly resolved the issue of classifying spirit refiners' cultivation levels across the continent. What grade of spirit skill had Young Master Xu cultivated that could even deceive the Dao Department's most celebrated creation?

Yaoyue's spiritual sense swept over Xu Xiaoshou's body. Though the action was presumptuous, she had no time for reservations. As anticipated, despite her Grandmaster cultivation and close proximity, she couldn't discern Young Master Xu's realm in the slightest.

"So, what now?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, feeling a touch of helplessness. "Concealment" wasn't something he could control. "If my cultivation can't be tested, can you trust my word?"

Yaoyue shook her head. How could she allow him to participate in the "Heavenly Net Battle" based solely on his unverified claim? That would be unfair to the other contestants!

"If even my word isn't enough, then what are we supposed to do?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, rolling his eyes.

"Don't worry, Young Master Xu, there's one more item we can use," Yaoyue said, after a moment's thought. She picked up her communication bead and instructed the attendant outside the door, "Bring the 'Dao-Sensing Bead,' specifically the Grandmaster-grade one."

"A Dao-Sensing Bead?""Yes."

Yaoyue nodded, explaining, "While we don't know Young Master Xu's exact cultivation realm, the 'Dao-Sensing Bead' can test his Dao rhythm. If it hasn't reached the Heavenly Phenomenon realm, which is the Grandmaster level, then he still meets the entry criteria for the 'Heavenly Net Battle.' The 'Heavenly Net Battle' serves as a preliminary for the Royal City Trial, and its participants share the same standards: anyone below the Grandmaster realm, regardless of Innate cultivation, is permitted. Even a Post-Innate cultivator can join, provided they have the courage. Therefore, if the 'Dao-Sensing Bead' indicates that Young Master Xu's Dao rhythm is below that of a Grandmaster, it will confirm he is below Grandmaster, thus meeting the requirements."

Everyone understood. Xu Xiaoshou, however, frowned again. "Is this Dao-Sensing Bead truly powerful? Can it measure any Great Dao in the world?"

"Yes!" Yaoyue confirmed with a nod. "Rest assured, Young Master Xu, this is another one of the Sacred Temple's proudest creations."

"Then let's just forget it; tell them not to bring it," Xu Xiaoshou said, waving a hand, his expression growing even more helpless.

"Why?" Even Xiao Lian was startled. "Doesn't Young Master Xu wish to compete? Cultivation testing is an indispensable part of the process..."

Before Xu Xiaoshou could reply, Xin Gugu, having understood his meaning, interjected with a smile: "My Young Master Xu is a Sword Sovereign! He possesses Grandmaster-level sword Dao artistic conception. Any test you perform would be pointless and would only yield misleading results."

"Grandmaster?" Yaoyue repeated, dumbfounded.

"Grandmaster artistic conception!" Xin Gugu clarified, looking at Yaoyue. "This means his cultivation realm is only Innate, but his comprehension of the Sword Dao is so exceptionally advanced that he has already broken through to the Grandmaster level. This doesn't violate the 'Heavenly Net Battle' entry regulations. However, if you use the 'Dao-Sensing Bead' to test him, the result will invariably indicate Grandmaster cultivation, which would be incorrect."

Now, everyone fully understood. Xiao Wanfeng, seated at the far end, also appeared quite shocked. He had previously been puzzled as to why Mr. Si Ren would want to take a disciple based solely on a physique. Now, however, it seemed Young Master Xu was an ancient sword cultivator, just like himself!

"An ancient sword cultivator?" Yaoyue asked, a hint of astonishment in her voice as she too grasped the situation. It was common knowledge that comprehending artistic conception was more difficult than refining spirit energy. Most sword cultivators struggled to match their artistic conception with their cultivation realm, but Young Master Xu was the inverse: his cultivation lagged behind his sword intent. What an eccentric anomaly! Were the descendants of semi-saint families truly so unconventional?

After Xu Xiaoshou reluctantly nodded in acknowledgment, both women were left speechless.

"I never imagined Young Master Xu was also an ancient sword cultivator..." Xiao Lian murmured, her lips parted, clearly struggling to compose herself. A Sword Sovereign! An ancient sword cultivator who has attained the rank of Sword Sovereign is far more formidable than a Grandmaster cultivator. She now understood why Xin Gugu had so thoroughly mocked her suggestion of Xu Xiaoshou entering the First Floor of Heaven. This wasn't merely participation; it was a massacre! The critical point was that the Heavenly Net Battle's entry criteria were based on cultivation levels, with no specific requirements for ancient sword cultivators. Ancient sword cultivators were so exceptionally rare that the Sacred Palace would eagerly welcome a Sword Sovereign with Innate cultivation to compete. Why would they impose further restrictions in the initial stages of the trial? — But what did this mean? Without restrictions, Young Master Xu, a Sword Sovereign, entering the competition was a blatant violation, officially sanctioned bullying!

"So, I can't compete?" Xu Xiaoshou hadn't anticipated that his "Concealment" skill would cause such a cascade of issues, and he expressed some concern.

"It's not that you cannot participate, but it might require a slight intrusion," Yaoyue said, hesitating. "If Young Master Xu is being truthful, we merely need to verify your cultivation realm. The only remaining method is a Qi Sea connection... This involves a highly reliable guarantor using a Qi Sea connection to confirm Young Master Xu's cultivation. At this point, a direct probe would reveal the truth, as no concealment spirit skill in the world could hide it."

"A Qi Sea connection?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, his expression hardening as he probed his own Qi Sea. "I can certainly accept it, but I fear my Qi Sea might not."

His Qi Sea, however, was quite formidable! Suspended within it were the Primordial Ember Seed, the Three-Day Frozen Tribulation, the scruffy uncle's sword thought, and his own sword thought cultivated from sword observation... The last one could be ignored, but the others made Xu Xiaoshou anxious. He could barely manage the first two, as they had acknowledged him as their master; even if they were exclusionary, he could use forceful means to suppress them and prevent harm. But the scruffy uncle's sword thought... That entity was so volatile it could even wound the Night Watchman, and it resided in his Qi Sea specifically to protect him. If it sensed an outsider's spirit energy, it might erupt in a furious burst, separating Yaoyue's head from her body and splattering blood instantly. How would Xu Xiaoshou explain that?

"What do you mean, Young Master Xu?" Yaoyue asked, bewildered. While a Qi Sea connection was intrusive, it was the only viable option left. He agrees, but his Qi Sea does not...

"Received doubt, Passive Value, +2."

Xu Xiaoshou found it difficult to explain. After a moment's hesitation, he finally said, "My Qi Sea is rather peculiar. As you know, the elders in my family are quite concerned that I might get abused or killed by powerful cultivators while traveling, so..."

Yaoyue immediately understood. "So there are some restrictions?""You could put it that way," Xu Xiaoshou sighed.

In truth, there was another layer of meaning he preferred not to reveal: while outsiders had never seen the true forms of the Primordial Ember Seed and the Three-Day Frozen Tribulation, they possessed distinct characteristics. A careful examination might allow someone with ulterior motives to uncover their secrets.

"Aside from a Qi Sea connection, are there any other methods?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, making a final desperate attempt.

"No," Yaoyue replied, shaking her head. "If Young Master Xu doesn't mind, you could slightly suppress the restrictions and allow me to test. I would only examine the quality of the spirit energy in your Qi Sea, without any further probing. What do you say?"

*You're practically asking for death!* Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, closing his eyes tightly. "Forget it, you're out. Get someone else to do it!"

Yaoyue remained bewildered.

Xu Xiaoshou continued, "Summon a Throne-level cultivator, just to be safe. Ideally, someone whose identity and status are inconsequential, someone whose death wouldn't be an issue... Of course, if an accident truly occurs, I can offer compensation; I have money."

Yaoyue: ???Xiao Lian: ???Xiao Wanfeng: ???

Upon hearing Xu Xiaoshou's words, all three wore expressions of utter bewilderment. Could testing cultivation truly result in death? And more importantly, to ensure safety, a Throne-level cultivator was needed? Could a Throne-level cultivator actually die while testing an Innate?

"Received suspicion, Passive Value, +3."

"Young Master Xu, please don't jest..." Yaoyue's mouth twitched, suppressing the urge to kick him.

"I am not joking," Xu Xiaoshou asserted. "This is a matter of life and death. Let's be clear now: you can test my cultivation, but you must be prepared to face the consequences."

Yaoyue was speechless. Why did his words sound so incredibly strange? Yet, she had never truly dealt with a semi-saint family before. What if? What if the absurd things he spoke of actually came true?

"Summon Dong Cheng," Yaoyue instructed, saying no more as she picked up her communication bead and then set it down. After a brief pause, she picked it up again. "And while you're at it, please invite Mr. Zhou as well!"

A middle-aged man and an elder soon entered the private room. However, their presence only made the atmosphere more strained and peculiar.

After being briefed on the situation, Dong Cheng stared at the life-and-death contract on the table, utterly bewildered. "So, Miss Yaoyue," he stammered, his brows furrowed with shock as if his worldview were crumbling, "testing one's cultivation... requires signing a death waiver?" *I am a Throne!* he thought. *Even if you don't trust that young man, you must trust me!*

Even Zhou Gu, an elder with Dao Severing cultivation, was greatly astonished by the bizarre scene unfolding in the private room.

Yaoyue didn't respond to Dong Cheng, instead turning to Zhou Gu. "Mr. Zhou, Young Master Xu's cultivation...""Honestly, I can't tell," Zhou Gu admitted.

Zhou Gu circled Xu Xiaoshou three times, observing him as one might a curious creature. Then, holding his breath, he admitted, "While observing his Dao rhythm, it truly does not appear to be at the Grandmaster realm. That's all I can discern." He felt a pang of shame. As a Dao Severing cultivator, being unable to ascertain a young man's cultivation realm and relying solely on a partial analysis of his Dao rhythm was utterly humiliating.

Yaoyue sighed. "However, Dao rhythm can also be concealed. We cannot treat the tasks entrusted to us by the Sacred Temple lightly." If blame were to be assigned, it lay with Young Master Xu, the semi-saint successor, who was proving to be a true hot potato, impossible to handle.

"Sign it!" The death waiver had been Xu Xiaoshou's suggestion, and Yaoyue could only reluctantly agree. But at this juncture, no matter how bizarre or peculiar the situation, any sane person would entertain a "what if" scenario, especially after learning of the young man's extraordinary background.

Dong Cheng wisely opted to refuse. "Miss Yaoyue, for any other matter, as a guest elder, I would wholeheartedly dedicate myself. But a semi-saint family... this is like asking me to stroke a tiger's whiskers!" he protested. "A simple test is harmless, but if I were truly blown to bits by some restriction, that would be utterly unjust, a complete waste, and entirely ludicrous!"

Everyone in the room exchanged wry smiles. Dong Cheng's reasoning was undeniably sound. A dignified Throne-level cultivator dying from a restrictive rebound while simply testing an Innate realm cultivator would undoubtedly become a widespread laughingstock.

Yaoyue massaged her forehead, her gaze at Xiao Lian filled with profound helplessness. *What kind of monster have you brought here?*

Xiao Lian merely shrugged, indicating that she hadn't been aware of such intricacies herself.

Seeing that no one dared to sign the death waiver, Xu Xiaoshou felt even more amused.

"How about this..." he proposed after a moment's thought. "I am indeed Innate; there's no doubt about that. Trust me this once and allow me to compete. Once the battle begins, Mr. Zhou can keep a close watch over the entire match. As a Dao Severing cultivator, he'll immediately spot any rule violations on my part and can then terminate the competition. After all, I'm not a Grandmaster cultivator. Experience is the best teacher, and there's no harm in trying."

Yaoyue instinctively moved to object, but Zhou Gu interjected, "Special individuals require special treatment."

This finally dawned on Yaoyue. Indeed, a successor from a semi-saint family was exceptionally rare; even if something unforeseen occurred, the Sacred Temple would likely be understanding. Moreover, Young Master Xu's words were sincere, his attitude frank, and he had even offered to take full responsibility if anything went wrong...

"Alright!" Yaoyue finally decided. "Let's sign an agreement. Young Master Xu can compete, but if he commits any rule violation, the Heavenly Net Arena reserves the right to terminate the match and implement a complete ban, preventing him from competing again. Do you understand, Young Master Xu?""Understood, completely understood."

*This is perfect,* Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself. *I certainly don't want anyone probing my Qi Sea, nor do I want them to die with unseeing eyes after doing so.* To resolve it this way was, naturally, ideal.

"Then it's settled." Yaoyue summoned an attendant to draft the agreement. Once both parties had signed it, she finally felt a sense of relief.

"The afternoon matches are nearly over; this is the last one now, no worries," she said. "We'll schedule Young Master Xu's match for the evening. That will be today's ninth 'Heavenly Net Battle.' You have an hour to prepare. We look forward to your performance, Young Master Xu!"