Chapter 1026 -658: Year-End Assessment (Thanks to the Lord of the Wind Chocolate~) Chapter 1026 -658: Year-End Assessment (Thanks to the Lord of the Wind Chocolate~) Every year, before the Sect’s cultivation practice ends, a year-end assessment is held. It assesses the disciples’ achievements in various subjects. It’s both a test for the disciples and a measure of their potential, while also impacting their reputation within the Sect and the extent to which they’re valued by it. When the disciples return home for their annual leave, it also serves as an explanation to their family elders. Whether the year ends with laughter or tears depends on the year-end assessment. The process of the year-end assessment is similar to the usual ones, only more formal, more complicated, and more significant. At the same time, the punishment for cheating is also more severe. Three days after the assessment was completed, Mo Hua received his “report card”. Quite ordinary, one Grade A and six Grade Cs. Formation is undoubtedly “A”, as that’s the highest possible grade. With Mo Hua’s sixteen pattern Divine Sense and extremely solid foundation in Formation, answering some Second Grade, and even under Second Grade formation questions is effortless. His formations, laid out in each stroke, could be deemed flawless. Elder Master Xun sighed in his heart. He even considered creating a new grade above “A” for Mo Hua, but after some thought, he restrained the impulse. It’s not good to draw too much attention. Better to keep a low profile. Apart from the “A” in Formation, the other subjects were all “Cs” without exception. It just means barely qualifying. The six “Cs” included Cultivation, Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Refining Rune, Taoist Skill, and a hundred arts of cultivation. Mo Hua’s cultivation was diligent, but his speed was moderate to low. It’s just that his Spiritual Root was poor, and he never established the “Taoist Foundation” for Body Refinement or Spiritual Power, so his cultivation seemed somewhat lackluster. The Cultivation Elder, a Feathered Immortal from within the Inner Sect, may have taken Elder Master Xun’s face into account, and confided to Mo Hua: “There’s really nothing you can do…” “I can only give you a ‘C’…” “The foundation of cultivation, speed of cultivation, Blood Qi, Spiritual Power, potential for cultivation…” The Cultivation Elder paused, then delicately added, “…all have a huge room for improvement…” Mo Hua didn’t know whether to feel disappointed or moved for a moment… The Cultivation Elder continued: “So I won’t be expecting too much from you, just do what you can. It’s okay if your foundation is a bit weak, but when it comes to cultivation, you still need to strive harder and at least keep up with the realm…” “Otherwise, if you’re still at the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage in three years, you’ll be ‘held back’…” Mo Hua was startled, “Held back?” “Yes,” the Elder said, “repeating a cycle, and you’d study for another three years with the Junior Brothers and Sisters that came after you.” “If within three years, you manage to advance to the Middle Phase of Foundation Establishment, then you’ll be promoted. If not, you’ll remain…” “If you have to repeat several cycles, regrettably, the Sect might have no choice but to ask you to leave…” Mo Hua was alarmed, “They’ll actually ask someone to leave?” If he doesn’t advance, could he also be asked to leave… Seeing through Mo Hua’s thoughts, the Cultivation Elder said kindheartedly: “Don’t worry…” Nobody would dare to ask you to leave… With Elder Master Xun standing behind you, no one in Taixu Gate would dare provoke him by asking you to leave… Even if you have to stay for fifty years, or a hundred years, it’s not like Taixu Gate can’t afford you… 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 Of course, these things can’t be said outright. The Cultivation Elder thought for a moment, then comforted Mo Hua: “The path of Foundation Establishment isn’t that difficult, really. As long as you meticulously follow the instructions of the Elders, and cultivate earnestly, you will break through the realm, and won’t be asked to leave…” Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled. Three years from Foundation Establishment Initial Stage to Middle Stage. Another three years from Middle Stage to Late Stage? “Elder, isn’t cultivation very difficult? Is three years enough to master a Middle Realm of Foundation Establishment?” Mo Hua asked. The Cultivation Elder replied: “Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment are not actually difficult. With sufficient Spirit Stones and Spiritual Objects, even a pig can be force-fed to Foundation Establishment level…” “The difficulty in Qi Refinement lies in how to consolidate the fundamentals and nurture the origin, to polish the realm, and establish the Taoist Foundation…” “The difficulty in Foundation Establishment is in how to solidify the Taoist Foundation, laying down one’s own path, and further advancing from there…” “Purely in terms of realm, neither is actually difficult…” “The difficult part comes after Golden Core…” The Cultivation Elder sighed. “Golden Core is a major threshold. It poses high demands on the Spiritual Root, Blood Qi foundation, Spiritual Power Taoist Foundation, Taoist understanding, and cultivation opportunities…” “Golden Core isn’t something you can achieve by just cultivating in seclusion and piling up Spirit Stones…” “For Core Formation cultivators, the fast ones take several years, the slow ones take decades, and there are plenty who get stuck for over a hundred years…” “Even among the noble family’s sons with exceptional talents, many never surpass the Golden Core threshold in their lifetime…” Mo Hua felt apprehensive in his heart. Core Formation is so difficult… “Hence, even in a Fifth-grade family, Golden Core cultivators are considered an absolutely core force…” Seeing Mo Hua’s anxious expression, the Cultivation Elder reassured him: “But you shouldn’t worry too much…” “Whether it’s difficult or easy, you have to take it one step at a time. You can’t rush it…” “If you are wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao and undistracted, the obstacles, whether overt or covert, can be overcome with determination, and you might just step over them all at once…” “But if you are filled with worries and fears of loss, you’ll stumble everywhere and lose the resolute will to advance. At the threshold of Golden Core, you might struggle for a long time…” “Difficulties that are of no help shouldn’t be brooded over in your heart…” Mo Hua’s eyes brightened, and he bowed respectfully: “Thank you for your guidance, Elder. Your disciple will bear it in mind!”