The Inner Sect assessment was held in the Pillar of Ascension, a massive stone obelisk that rose from the center of the Spirit Stream Sect like a finger pointing at heaven. The obelisk was covered in ancient runes that measured a cultivator's spiritual foundation, combat potential, and — most importantly to Bai Xiaochun — their likelihood of surviving the sect's most dangerous missions. Candidates with low survival probability were assigned to safe duties. Candidates with high survival probability were assigned to dangerous duties. Bai Xiaochun wanted to be so low that the obelisk would recommend him for permanent kitchen duty.

He stepped up to the obelisk and placed his palm against the cold stone. The runes flared to life, tracing the contours of his spiritual veins, measuring his cultivation at the third level of Qi Condensation.

The obelisk hummed. The elders leaned forward.

'Unusual,' Elder Sun muttered.

'What's unusual?' Bai Xiaochun asked, his voice climbing toward panic.

'Your survival probability is... exceptionally high. Near one hundred percent. The obelisk seems to think you're nearly impossible to kill.'

Bai Xiaochun stared at the glowing runes with the expression of a man who had just been betrayed by mathematics. The Undying Live Forever Technique, which he had chosen because it sounded safe, had made him harder to kill — which meant the sect would give him MORE dangerous missions.

'I want to switch techniques,' he said.

'No switching.'

'I don't want to be immortal anymore.'

'The obelisk has spoken. You're assigned to the Beast Subjugation Division, combat track.' Elder Sun actually smiled — the first time Bai Xiaochun had seen him smile. 'Congratulations, Bai Xiaochun. You're going to be very useful.'