Chapter 430 173: Zhao Xin's Progress

Jue Gen immediately stepped forward to ask about the assessment results.

Zhao Xin didn't answer him. Instead, she quietly told Xu Lei via sound transmission that she had also failed the assessment.

But she told Xu Lei that after spending the past year with him, she felt she had improved a great deal and was hopeful they could pass the assessment together and reach the second layer.

Xu Lei's heart filled with joy upon hearing this.

At this point, Jue Gen had also guessed Zhao Xin's assessment result and started to console her again, but Zhao Xin still paid him no mind.

Jue Gen, however, refused to give up and continued to pester Zhao Xin relentlessly.

After that, Wu Sheng entered the assessment room, while Xu Lei and Zhao Xin continued to feign unfamiliarity and returned to their own residences.

This time, however, things were a little different.

Instead of Xu Lei sneaking into Zhao Xin's residence, it was Zhao Xin who quietly came to Xu Lei's.

The two decided to live together, cultivate together, and perform Charitable Giving from time to time.

Cultivating together allowed them to exchange insights from time to time, while also avoiding Jue Gen's frequent disturbances.

「In the blink of an eye, nine years had passed.」

Xu Lei sat cross-legged in the Cultivation Room, cultivating with his eyes closed.

He used Introspection to examine his Dantian and was thrilled to discover that the once-thin halo within it had now grown thick. Moreover, when he circulated his techniques, a nearly solid halo appeared behind his head.

'Nine years of hard cultivation have finally paid off,' Xu Lei rejoiced inwardly. He could feel how full and powerful the Magical Power within his body had become.

As Xu Lei walked out of the Cultivation Room, he saw Zhao Xin emerging from the house as well.

Their gazes met. Though they still kept their distance on the surface, they both shared an almost imperceptible smile.

Just last night, Zhao Xin had secretly returned to her own residence.

Yesterday afternoon, Jue Gen had come looking for Zhao Xin but couldn't find her, as she wasn't home. He had even waited foolishly, unaware that Zhao Xin was right across the way in Xu Lei's residence, receiving some intense Charitable Giving from Xu Lei.

In fact, for the past nine years, aside from necessary cultivation and assessments, Zhao Xin had spent nearly all her time living with Xu Lei.

Their relationship deepened daily through their cultivation and exchanges, and their power had also taken a qualitative leap.

"Uncle Hui Chi, it looks like you've had another breakthrough in your cultivation," Zhao Xin said with a smile, a hint of joy in her voice.

Xu Lei nodded and replied, "Xin'er, your progress has been significant as well. It seems if we take the assessment again today, we might have an unexpected reward."

The two continued to feign unfamiliarity as they walked to the assessment room together.

On the way to the assessment room, they ran into Wu Sheng, who was also preparing to take the assessment.

"Junior Brother Liao Chen, Senior Sister Jin Xin, are you here for the assessment too?" Wu Sheng asked as he hurried over to them, a look of anticipation on his face.

Xu Lei smiled and nodded. "Yes, Senior Brother Wu Sheng. It's time for us to try again."

Wu Sheng seemed a little excited. "That's great! I was thinking the same thing. Let's go together. I'm definitely going to pass the assessment this time!"

They arrived outside the assessment room without incident.

This time, that Jue Gen fellow didn't show up. He was probably still in the middle of his cultivation.

Wu Sheng was the first to enter the assessment room.

Xu Lei and Zhao Xin waited quietly outside.

The minutes ticked by. Finally, the door to the assessment room opened, and Wu Sheng walked out.

His head was bowed, and he looked dejected.

Wu Sheng sighed. "I still didn't pass."

Xu Lei consoled him, "Senior Brother Wu Sheng, don't be discouraged. Failing the assessment is only temporary. What's important is that we learn from it and continue to improve our strength."

Zhao Xin nodded as well. "That's right, Junior Brother Wu Sheng. We'll support you. As long as you don't give up, you'll definitely pass one day."

A flash of gratitude appeared in Wu Sheng's eyes. He looked up and said resolutely, "Thank you. I won't give up."

Afterward.

Zhao Xin also stepped into the assessment room to face the challenge of the Copper Puppet.

Her figure danced about the room as her Flying Sword whistled through the air. Every strike was precise and decisive.

After a fierce battle, Zhao Xin finally defeated the Copper Puppet and successfully passed the assessment.

When Zhao Xin walked out of the assessment room, Xu Lei knew the result just by looking at her expression. He immediately sent a sound transmission: "Xin'er, congratulations! You did it!"

Zhao Xin smiled and replied via sound transmission, "Thank you, Uncle Hui Chi. I could only have achieved this today because you've been with me on this journey."

Wu Sheng, who was standing to the side, was filled with envy and admiration when he learned the result. "Senior Sister Jin Xin, you've really impressed me. We always used to fail together, but now you've passed, and I..." His voice trailed off, his feelings clearly complicated.

Zhao Xin and Xu Lei were speechless.

Wu Sheng couldn't help but ask, "Senior Sister, how did you do it? Is there some kind of secret? How did you improve so much all of a sudden?"

A faint blush crept onto Zhao Xin's pretty face as she thought of the days and nights she had spent with Xu Lei.

The frenzied Charitable Giving, their shared cultivation, and their exchanges during that time had benefited her immensely.

But, of course, she wasn't about to spell all that out here and now.

"Junior Brother Wu Sheng, there are no secrets to cultivation. It's just a matter of steady, daily accumulation and relentless persistence," Zhao Xin said nonchalantly, with a perfectly straight face.

"Indeed. 'Daily'... accumulation and relentless persistence!" Xu Lei added with a nod.

Zhao Xin's face grew even redder.

Then, Xu Lei smiled, stepped into the assessment room, and once again faced the challenge of the Copper Puppet.