As Qian Daoliu observed Yu Xiaogang with an inexplicable smile, the corner of his mouth curved into a subtle arc. Confidence radiated from his face, and at the same time, Yu Xiaogang's heart bloomed with joy.
"This old man must have been awed by my exceptional abilities, right?"
"After all, who am I? I'm the son of the renowned Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, and the master of Tang San, a prodigy with twin martial spirits. My abilities are self-evident and surely well-regarded across the entire Douluo Continent!"
[TN: Don't ask me. That's what the raw says.]
With this thought, a smug expression emerged on Yu Xiaogang's face.
Suppressing the urge to strike Yu Xiaogang down, Qian Daoliu handed the corresponding golden light to Lu Yunzhou while transmitting a message telepathically:
"Sanctuary Master, take a look. I suspect this brat is here to cause trouble. If not for the crowd, I would have already struck him down with my Angelic Sword!"
Hearing this, Lu Yunzhou glanced at Yu Xiaogang and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Skill level...abysmal?
Good heavens! Yu Xiaogang truly outdid himself. He created a fifth level of incompetence in a system that only divided abilities into four levels.
One had to admit, Yu Xiaogang was truly extraordinary. This was akin to witnessing a small knife scrape across a tough surface—it opened one's eyes to new possibilities.
Regaining his composure, Lu Yunzhou sent a telepathic response to Qian Daoliu, saying, "Let him continue. I'm curious to see how he performs in the other tests."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu reluctantly complied.
"The second test, the Skill Assessment, had 83 participants, all of whom passed. Next is the third test, the Test of Perseverance. Prepare to ascend the Hundred-Tier Gravity Staircase!"
As time passed, the third test concluded.
Among the 83 participants, 82 passed. The one who failed was none other than our esteemed "Master" Yu Xiaogang.
"This so-called 'master' isn't much after all. His willpower is so lacking that he couldn't make it past the forty-eighth step. For context, even the weakest among the other participants reached at least fifty steps."
"Middle-aged struggles, I suppose?"
"Isn't this guy supposed to be a 'master'? What a joke!"
Hearing the murmurs of the crowd, Bibi Dong clenched the scepter in her right hand. Watching Yu Xiaogang's exhausted and disheveled appearance, she felt no pity—only displeasure and resentment.
"If, back then, you had remained steadfast and waited for me, you could have been one of Spirit Hall's honored guests, a figure of unmatched authority second only to me.
"But you gave up back then, just as you've given up now.
"A man without perseverance or willpower is no different from trash."
As she silently lamented, Bibi Dong's disappointment in Yu Xiaogang deepened.
"Is Xiaogang going to be eliminated?"
Seeing her beloved struggle to climb beyond the forty-eighth step, Liu Erlong's heart was torn with a mix of agony, disappointment, and frustration.
"Yu Xiaogang has failed the third test, the Test of Perseverance. Next is the fourth test, the Test of Character. Remaining participants, prepare yourselves."
As Qian Daoliu's announcement rang out, Lu Yunzhou was about to initiate the integrity test using the Azure Dragon Illusion Array when Yu Xiaogang interrupted once more.
"Please, everyone...give Yu Xiaogang another chance!"
"Due to the mutation of my martial spirit, I have been unable to break through to the rank of Soul Elder in my lifetime. Thus, my willpower may not match that of others. However, passing the Skill Assessment proves that my abilities are not lacking.
"Therefore, I humbly ask for another opportunity to continue with the tests.
"I assure you, Yu Xiaogang will not disappoint. Furthermore, I will undoubtedly train outstanding disciples for the Ethereal Sanctuary!"
As he spoke, a self-assured and arrogant expression once again adorned Yu Xiaogang's face.
"Where does he get the audacity? And who gave him this confidence? Once was bad enough, but now he's at it again. I swear, I'm about to strike him down!"
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu barely suppressed his temper amidst the crowd.
Lu Yunzhou, however, found himself increasingly intrigued. "This Yu Xiaogang...I recall that in countless fanfictions, his reputation is utterly ruined. Fine, let's test his character and morals today."
With that thought, Lu Yunzhou gave a single word in response: "Granted."
Receiving Lu Yunzhou's approval, Qian Daoliu, despite his reluctance, allowed Yu Xiaogang to proceed.
Upon learning he could continue, Yu Xiaogang's confidence and arrogance grew even more pronounced.
"Indeed, the Ethereal Sanctuary must value my talents. Otherwise, why would they keep giving me more chances?"
With this thought, a look of conceit and disdain flickered in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
The fourth test, the Test of Integrity, and the fifth, the Test of Morality, were conducted in a similar manner. As time passed, the final results were revealed.
[Name: Yu Xiaogang. Character: Abysmal.]
Reason 1: Publicly condemns Spirit Hall while using his status as a Spirit Hall Honorary Elder for personal gain.
Reason 2: Abandoned one relationship only to jump into another, only to later escape responsibility entirely.
Reason 3: Stole theories from Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, claimed them as his own, and even published them with official statements.
[Name: Yu Xiaogang. Morality: Beyond Redemption.]
Reason: Promised a purely spiritual relationship with a partner but ultimately crossed the line.
Qian Daoliu: "..."
Lu Yunzhou: "..."
Golden Crocodile: "..."
Every elder who read the results: "..."
After a long silence, the elders of the Ethereal Sanctuary finally spoke.
The Lion Elder remarked, "A true talent indeed."
The Golden Feather Elder added, "One of a kind."
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