Chapter 11: Testing Times
Sitting in the Outer Disciples' courtyard waiting for a cultivation evaluation that might accidentally trigger interdimensional travel was stressful. At least with regular exams, the worst that can happen is failing. Here? The consequences ranged from "lifetime spiritual beast stable duty" to "oops, I accidentally fell into another reality where everything wants to kill me."
"You look like you're planning your own funeral," Wei Lin commented, sprawled on the stone steps beside me. "Relax! You've made it to Qi Condensation Second Realm, your energy control is weirdly perfect, and you've got that mysterious talent thing going for you. What could go wrong?"
"Please don't tempt fate," I muttered, watching more disciples gather for the evaluation. "Every time someone says that, the heavens take it as a personal challenge."
Status Update:
Soul Essence: 280/300 (Stable... for now)
Spiritual Essence: 246/246 (Ready for testing)
Physical Essence: 215/215 (Probably not enough)
Chance of Dimensional Incident: 8% (and rising with anxiety)
"He's right though," Lin Mei added from my other side. She was methodically sorting spiritual herbs, because apparently even impending doom couldn't stop her from being productive. "You've been advancing faster than anyone expected. Even Senior Sister Chen mentioned your progress, and she never compliments anyone."