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Chapter 61: The Quasi-Sharp Weapon

“Right, right, assessment, how to assess you, I’ve actually already thought it through.”

Zhou Heng’s speed in learning martial arts was incredibly fast. Even for someone as experienced and knowledgeable as himself, who had seen many talents, he had rarely come across anyone who learned martial arts at such a speed.

Originally, he just felt that Zhou Heng was somewhat similar to himself, and considering he came recommended by Cheng Jianjian, and had the Pure Yang Body, he planned to cultivate him.

But he had never imagined that Zhou Heng’s martial arts talent would be so immense.

It was inconceivably strong!

Consequently, the original assessment plan simply wouldn’t suffice anymore.

At this point, Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and others also turned their attention to You Ziheng, as they too were very interested in how the Pure Yang Palace’s Grandmaster intended to assess Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng watched You Ziheng, waiting for an answer.

"Originally, I wanted to assess you with the requirement to ‘reach the top twenty of the Ren List within five years’,” said You Ziheng, shaking his liquor gourd in hand and smiling,

“However, now I’ve changed my mind.”

Hiss hiss!

Upon hearing this, all the apprentices and trainers couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

To reach the top twenty of the Ren List within five years!?

That was indeed too severe.

Zhou Heng was only seventeen now. In five years, he would be just twenty-two.

And to find someone below twenty-five years of age in the top twenty of the Ren List was rare indeed, and they were mostly from top Martial Dao Sects or noble families.

Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang also frowned slightly.

They felt the standard was a bit high.

Even if Zhou Heng’s talent and qualifications far exceeded the ordinary, rankings on the Ren List weren’t based solely on talent; they represented genuine battle achievements.

They were earned through combat.

It wasn’t enough just to have exceptionally high talent and swift advancement in cultivation.

One had to make a name for themselves in the Jianghu, securing impressive battle successes, to have any chance of achieving that rank on the Ren List.

Thankfully, he changed his mind.

But had this change made the assessment harder or easier?

Still, Zhou Heng was not at all flustered and smiled, saying,

“Then what are you thinking now, senior?”

"Glug glug glug glug!” You Ziheng took a drink, his face exuding pleasure as he shook his head, and laughed, “According to what I think, you should just directly join Pure Yang Palace now, heh heh, but that would break the rules.

"Although I don’t like all these rigid regulations, the necessary assessment process still needs to be followed. So, let’s make it simple, you kill three Eighth Rank martial artists from the Plague Emperor Sect, and you’ll have passed the assessment.”

"The Plague Emperor Sect?” Lei Xiuyan exclaimed in shock upon hearing this:

“Daoist You, that’s one of the most sinister among the four great evil paths, could that be dangerous?”

"I’ve heard that the disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect are adept at using various poisons for assassination; wouldn’t it be too dangerous for Zhou Heng to go?” Lin Cang also expressed some concern.

You Ziheng smiled without saying a word, just looking at Zhou Heng.

"Why is the assessment like this?” Zhou Heng didn’t agree or refuse, but instead asked for the reason.

"Correct, a test that requires killing people, and you didn’t immediately accept it, indicating you think for yourself,” praised You Ziheng, then explained:

"One month ago, in Wuzhou’s Qingchuan Prefecture, people from the Plague Emperor Sect poisoned and killed an Ninth Grade outer disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. Heh, my Pure Yang Palace has always protected its own…”

As he spoke, You Ziheng’s gaze turned cold, and he said,

“To kill one from Pure Yang requires threefold restitution, and the perpetrators must be of at least one rank higher than the deceased Pure Yang disciple.”

"This is the principle every disciple of Pure Yang Palace adheres to, and slaying members of the Plague Emperor Sect is what every disciple is doing at this time.”

"Using this as a test for you is both reasonable and appropriate.”

"Hmm, I accept,” Zhou Heng nodded. The Pure Yang Palace’s vengeful nature and protectiveness toward its own suited his taste perfectly.

After all, he lacked not martial arts skills, but still wished to join a Martial Dao Sect, and a very important reason for that was his desire to find a strong backing, a mountain to lean on.

Sects like Pure Yang Palace that protect their own, defend their disciples, and go to great lengths to avenge them are truly the most suitable choice.

"Good!” You Ziheng saw Zhou Heng agree and stretched out a palm, his fingers spread, and a longsword suddenly appeared out of thin air,

“This sword is the standard sidearm for the outer disciples of Pure Yang Palace when they travel the world. Take it.”

The longsword was about three feet long, sheathed at the moment, with only the pattern on the scabbard visible and not the edge of the blade. However, being a weapon for the outer disciples of Pure Yang Palace, its quality was unlikely to be poor.

Even if it was poor, it didn’t matter.

As long as it was sturdy.

With the +1 sharpness attribute, even a weapon made by an ordinary blacksmith could be used to achieve nearly the effect of a sharp weapon.

"Thankyou, Senior You.”

Zhou Heng took the longsword and slowly drew it, immediately a bright glint burst forth, with ripples like those on water engraved on the blade, very exquisite and glittering under the sun.

"A Hundred-Refined weapon!” Lin Cang couldn’t help but exclaim,

“Just this sword alone is worth a hundred pieces of silver.”

"No, it’s more than a Hundred-Refined weapon.” Lei Xiuyan, with broader knowledge, stared at the longsword and said,

“This is an exceptional item among Hundred-Refined weapons, perhaps it even has a touch of the mystical, nearing the quality of a sharp weapon.”

Sharp-grade weapons, because they are forged with some rare materials, all have special effects, such as

“sturdiness,”

“slicing iron like mud,”

“lightness,” and so on.

Each sharp weapon possesses at least two special effects and surpasses Hundred-Refined weapons in all aspects.

A sub-sharp weapon is, frankly, a Hundred-Refined weapon with just one special effect, without any fundamental improvement.

"Indeed, this is a sub-sharp weapon,” You Ziheng nodded, saying to Zhou Heng, “This sword is a Hundred-Refined weapon with one sharp-grade special effect — sturdiness.

"Its hardness and durability far exceed ordinary Hundred-Refined weapons, and it even has an advantage in direct clash with sharp weapons, provided that the opponent’s sharp weapon doesn’t have a special effect that counters it.

"When necessary, it might even be used as a shield.”

Sturdiness?

Zhou Heng’s heart leapt with joy upon hearing You Ziheng’s introduction; perhaps for others, a weapon with the

“sturdiness” effect might not be very useful.

But not for him!

With the +1 sharpness attribute, he dared to clash directly with sharp-grade weapons!

Zhou Heng fully drew the longsword, waving it slightly, feeling incredibly comfortable, as if it had been custom-made for him.

This meant that the design of the standard longsword was very clever, definitely the product of much effort.

It had to be said, Pure Yang Palace was indeed a place of great means.

For a mere standard sidearm given to ordinary outer disciples, they would pair it with a Hundred-Refined weapon and still craft it with such care and seriousness.

For a martial artist, obtaining a weapon that suits them could significantly boost their strength.

Especially at the Lower Third Rank stage.

Especially for someone like Zhou Heng with additional attributes to use.

Now the question comes.

In the next Martial Dao Sect support policy, how should he use that one opportunity to request a military smith to forge a weapon?

What kind of weapon would be best to craft?