84: Sorry, I got stronger too

Mo Fan nodded and turned to leave the assessment room.

The assessment went quite smoothly.

The only fly in the ointment was that the results wouldn't be out until the next day, so the merit points would be late.

As a result, he would also have to wait until tomorrow to Breakthrough to the Innate Realm.

Before long, Mo Fan arrived at the room next door.

As soon as he entered, he saw a tall young man with a buzz cut wearing black training clothes. His gaze was sharp, and he looked very energetic while practicing boxing techniques.

Looking at the buzz-cut youth practicing boxing, Mo Fan was slightly surprised.

Disciples of Yuxu Academy generally kept long hair, and their clothing style was closer to ancient times.

Even if they didn't start that way, they would be assimilated over time.

The young man before him was quite special.

What confused Mo Fan even more was that this person's breath was long and steady; the boxing technique he practiced seemed ordinary, yet every punch contained hidden killing intent and was extremely powerful.

"Judging by this power, it's at least a second-class Martial Skill. However, this cultivation aura doesn't seem like something an Outer Sect Disciple could achieve—"

With doubt, Mo Fan cast an Appraisal Technique on him.

A virtual panel lit up, and the buzz-cut youth's appraisal information appeared.

[Xu Wei, Inner Sect Disciple of Yuxu Academy's Pill Dao Hall, Foundation Establishment Fifth Level cultivation, skilled in boxing, one of the leaders for this Huilong Mountain herb-gathering mission.]

Seeing the appraisal information, Mo Fan understood.

"So he's an Inner Sect Disciple.

"It seems the herb-gathering mission is quite important, being led by more than one Inner Sect Disciple—"

While thinking, Mo Fan walked over and offered a greeting.

After explaining his purpose, Xu Wei frowned immediately, stopped his practice, straightened his collar, and walked toward Mo Fan.

He glanced at the time and said with some surprise, "You finished the written assessment so quickly?"

"I write fast. May I ask, Senior Brother, are you in charge of the practical combat assessment?" Mo Fan asked.

Xu Wei: "..."

He was somewhat displeased, feeling that the guy before him was too boastful. Most likely, he had just scribbled random answers for the written test, and coming for the practical assessment was just a waste of time.

However, he didn't say much. He turned to the corner, picked up a water bottle, took a gulp, and then said:

"I am indeed the person in charge, but I'm not the one testing your combat skills. That guy went to the restroom and will be back in a moment. Wait patiently."

As a dignified Inner Sect Foundation Establishment Fifth Level expert, wouldn't testing your practical combat skills be like bullying a child?

"Alright." Mo Fan nodded and waited patiently.

Five minutes later, a young man of medium build, wearing white training clothes and looking to be in his early twenties, walked in.

Seeing the person who entered, Mo Fan couldn't help but be stunned, his eyes widening slightly.

Isn't this... that guy?

He suspected he had misidentified him and subconsciously cast an Appraisal Technique.

[Zhao Yong, Outer Sect Disciple of Yuxu Academy, Xiantian Fourth Level cultivation. He was lucky enough to snag a spot for this Pill Dao Hall herb-gathering mission's combat strength testing and feels his luck has turned for the better, believing he is about to reach the Peak of his life.]

Looking at the appraisal information appearing on the azure panel, Mo Fan was dumbfounded.

He didn't expect to run into Zhao Yong from the promotion assessment again.

It was worth mentioning.

This guy's injuries seemed to have healed.

Furthermore, he had made bold progress; his cultivation had broken through from the original Xiantian Third Level to the current Xiantian Fourth Level.

Besides that, his luck was indeed quite good, having once again snagged such a rare mission.

Coming here to be a testing tool would take half a day at most to earn ten Spirit Stones.

If he could snag such a mission every day, he would net 300 Spirit Stones a month—he'd be rich!

Of course, such missions were too few and only appeared a few times a month.

Moreover, there were many people trying to get them; being able to snag one once a month was considered very lucky.

For someone like Zhao Yong to snag two in just a few days was practically the treatment of a novel's protagonist.

Noticing Zhao Yong walk in, Xu Wei stopped his practice again and said to him:

"Junior Brother Zhao, an examinee has arrived. Take him to register his information and conduct the assessment."

Hearing this, Zhao Yong was stunned and blurted out:

"Finished the written test so early? Must have just guessed, right? Probably another one who gave up because the questions were too hard and—"

Before he could finish, he realized something was wrong and quickly shut his mouth, turning awkwardly toward Mo Fan on the side.

"I'm not targeting you, I'm just outspoken and tell the tru—"

However, halfway through his sentence again, Zhao Yong froze, instantly petrified on the spot.

After a moment, he took a deep breath, rubbed his eyes, and looked at Mo Fan again.

"Holy moly!" He let out an exaggerated cry and instinctively tried to bolt.

At this moment, Xu Wei's confused voice came over:

"Junior Brother Zhao, why are you standing there like a statue? Hurry up and take him to register his information for the combat strength assessment."

"I, I-I-I—" Zhao Yong's legs trembled, and he hesitated to speak.

"What's wrong with you?" Xu Wei frowned, somewhat displeased.

Why did he keep running into unreliable guys today?

Was this a sign that something would go wrong with the upcoming mission?

On the other side, Mo Fan smiled slightly and greeted Zhao Yong.

"Senior Brother Zhao, long time no see."

Seeing this, Xu Wei's brow furrowed again. He glanced at Zhao Yong and reminded him:

"Even if it's someone you know, you can't go easy on him. I'll be watching from the side. If you intentionally hide your strength, I will cancel your mission reward."

Zhao Yong: "..."

How the hell am I going to go easy on him?

I can't beat him at all, okay!

He rubbed his temples and looked at Xu Wei, saying:

"Senior Brother Xu, I know Junior Brother Mo's strength. He indeed possesses Innate combat power; we've sparred before. Can we just count him as having passed this assessment?"

Xu Wei looked at Zhao Yong as if he were a fool. "What do you think?"

"Al-alright—" Zhao Yong had no choice but to nod.

However, by now he had calmed down. He took a deep breath, looked at Mo Fan with a calm expression, and said slowly:

"Junior Brother Mo, come with me to register your information." Saying this, he turned and walked toward a computer in the corner.

Although Mo Fan was very strong.

But he wasn't the same Zhao Yong anymore either.

After his cultivation broke through to the Xiantian Fourth Level, his combat power had increased significantly, to the point where he could even defeat two of his former selves.

He believed that in this state, he had a hope of defeating Mo Fan!

No, it wasn't just a hope—it was a certainty!

He was going to wipe away his previous humiliation!

But he was also somewhat puzzled.

How could a simple mission lead him to encounter a freak like Mo Fan again?

This assessment mission from the Alchemy Hall only needed to test examinees below the Xiantian Third Level to confirm if they truly possessed Innate combat power.

Those at the Xiantian Third Level or above passed automatically and didn't need to be tested at all.

As for him now, with a Xiantian Fourth Level cultivation, dealing with Martial Artists below the Xiantian Third Level was as easy as pie.

Such a mission was as simple as could be; it was basically just picking up Spirit Stones!

But now, he had run into Mo Fan—

He remembered the last time during the Menial Service Yard's promotion assessment, he also wanted to pick up some Spirit Stones.

But then he met Mo Fan.

As a result, he almost lost half his life, and the Spirit Stones he earned were all spent on Medicinal Pills to treat his injuries!

What a sin!

Thinking of this, Zhao Yong was on the verge of tears and felt like dying.

But soon, he adjusted himself.

"My cultivation has broken through now, and my strength has increased greatly. This time, I'll definitely counter-kill him!"

After pumping himself up, Zhao Yong finished registering Mo Fan's information and stepped onto the small Martial Arts Stage on the side, speaking slowly:

"Junior Brother Mo, come up and fight me. I will evaluate whether you possess Innate combat power based on your specific strength!"

"Alright." Mo Fan stepped onto the Martial Arts Stage and said politely, "After you, Senior Brother Zhao."

Zhao Yong nodded, not daring to be overconfident. He quickly circulated his Innate Protective Aura, layering armor upon armor for himself.

Then, with a muffled grunt, he stomped his foot on the ground and exerted sudden force, rushing toward Mo Fan like a cannonball.

However, he saw a beam of dazzling golden light bloom like a great sun.

With a muffled bang, he felt as if he had been hit by a truck. His chest caved in slightly, and he was instantly sent flying backward, spitting out a large mouthful of blood before even hitting the ground.

With a thud, Zhao Yong landed outside the Martial Arts Stage.

His clothes were stained red with blood, and hot tears flowed from the corners of his eyes as he stared at the ceiling with a face full of despair.

"Why, why? I broke through in my cultivation, so why didn't I get stronger?"

He didn't understand.

He had clearly broken through.

Why could he still not block a single punch from Mo Fan?

Was the Breakthrough from two days ago just an illusion?

While Zhao Yong was confused, Mo Fan jumped off the stage, walked over with an apologetic face, and said, "Sorry, I just happened to get stronger too."

Zhao Yong: "???"

"You, you-you-you, I, I-I-I—"

Finally, Zhao Yong's head tilted to the side, and he fainted.

Mo Fan: "..."

Is this guy too weak?

"V-Vajra Fist?" On the other side, Xu Wei was also stunned, standing frozen for a long time without coming to his senses.