touchnovel Chapter 88 Mid-Month Mini-Test
Chapter 88 Mid-Month Mini-Test
Chapter 88 Mid-Month Mini-Test
Time flies, and the month is almost over.
On this day, the bell tolled loudly in the courtyard.
All the newly initiated disciples gathered in the main hall of the building, in a solemn atmosphere.
Today is the first monthly mini-test.
Although Lu Banxian was not present, the chief examiners were Cao Wenjing and Shen Qingyi, which carried considerable weight.
Several senior disciples from the inner sect were also watching from the sidelines, clearly there to scout for promising talents.
The assessment consists of three parts.
Cao Wenjing stood at the front of the stage, his eyes sharp as lightning: "First, a written theoretical test; second, material identification; third, drawing symbols on the spot."
"The attributes of the drawn symbols will be determined by drawing lots."
Upon hearing the word "lottery," many people turned pale.
If you draw an attribute you're not good at, that would be terrible.
The written test ended quickly.
Gu Shenyan's writing flowed like a divine inspiration; those obscure principles of talismans flowed from his pen with clarity and unique insights.
When Shen Qingyi was inspecting the examination, she deliberately stood behind him for a while longer.
Looking at the discussion on "the generation and restraint of the five elements and the transformation of qi" on the scroll, her eyes lit up.
This insight has already begun to take shape.
Next is material identification.
Dozens of spiritual materials, some genuine and some fake, were laid out on the long table.
"This is a century-old piece of wood struck by lightning—no, the grain is wrong, it's fake fire-damaged wood."
Han Sushuang has excellent eyesight and can identify them one by one very quickly.
Jia Shouren was covered in sweat. He held a stone and looked at it for a long time, but he couldn't tell whether it was a magnet or a black iron ore.
When it was Gu Shenyan's turn, he glanced at them almost immediately.
The information provided on the panel is detailed down to the micrometer level.
"Number three, inferior cinnabar, adulterated with lime."
"Number Seven, False Death Soul Grass, without spiritual energy."
"Number twelve, genuine cold iron, but due to improper storage, 30% of its coldness has been lost."
His voice was steady, and with each sentence he spoke, the senior student taking notes beside him became more and more surprised.
A perfect score, no doubt about it.
Finally, the most crucial moment arrived: drawing the talisman on-site.
"Jia Shouren, draw lots—Earth element."
Jia Shouren breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, it was his innate attribute.
He shakily drew a "ground collapse talisman," which, though ugly, was effective at least, causing a small pit to appear in the ground.
"Barely passing," Cao Wenjing commented expressionlessly.
"Han Sushuang, draw lots—Fire element."
Han Sushuang raised an eyebrow, and without saying a word, picked up her brush and began to draw.
A "Firestorm Talisman" took shape in her hand. With a soft shout, the talisman exploded into a ball of raging fire with astonishing force.
"good!"
Cheers erupted from the surrounding crowd.
Han Sushuang raised her chin triumphantly and looked at Gu Shenyan.
"Gu Shenyan, draw lots—Water element."
Song Qingyuan held the divination stick container and looked at him with a forced smile.
Water-related skills—that's Gu Shenyan's forte.
Gu Shenyan walked to the table but did not rush to write.
He casually picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write.
In an instant, an "Ice Freezing Talisman" was completed.
A chill permeated the air, and even the corners of the table were covered with a thin layer of frost.
"Approved." Cao Wenjing nodded.
"Wait a minute."
Gu Shenyan suddenly spoke up: "Senior Brother Cao, I have a favor to ask."
"explain."
"This disciple wishes to have another test."
Gu Shenyan's gaze swept intently over Song Qingyuan, who stood to the side sneering: "I've heard that Senior Brother Song has always been worried about my 'unbalanced' studies, and is particularly concerned about my fire-element talismans."
"Today, I wish to draw a 'Blazing Sun Talisman' in public to reassure my senior brother."
The room fell silent upon hearing this.
A disciple with a water-elemental talent volunteered to draw a fire-elemental talisman that counters it.
This is a provocation!
This is a blatant slap in the face to Song Qingyuan!
A hint of appreciation flashed in Cao Wenjing's eyes, and he nodded, saying, "Granted."
Gu Shenyan spread out the talisman paper again.
He changed to a different pen, a red-tipped pen that he had specially prepared.
Song Qingyuan's face was ashen. He slowly walked over to Gu Shenyan under the guise of proctoring the exam.
"Junior Brother Gu, don't be reckless."
His voice was so low that only the two of them could hear it.
At the same time, a chilling spiritual pressure silently pierced towards the back of Gu Shenyan's neck.
This is the pressure of the late stage of the Spirit Gathering Realm.
It's enough to disturb a newcomer's mind, cause their spirit to go out of control, and make them embarrass themselves on the spot!
Gu Shenyan's hand trembled slightly.
That chilling coldness seeped into his body like a venomous snake, trying to disrupt his vital energy.
[WARNING! You are being interfered with by malicious external spiritual forces!]
[Immediate counterattack recommended!]
"No need."
Gu Shenyan sneered inwardly.
He closed his eyes, and in his mind's eye, an ancient and simple image slowly emerged.
It was a bottomless abyss.
Hidden in the abyss!
This was a sliver of truth he gleaned from contemplating the diagrams of gods and demons.
Dragons lurk in the abyss, for they are deep, not shallow.
No matter how turbulent the storm, I will remain steadfast and unmoved.
Song Qingyuan's spiritual interference crashed into that "abyss," but it vanished without a trace, like a mud ox sinking into the sea.
Song Qingyuan's face turned pale as he suffered a slight backlash and stumbled.
Just then, Gu Shenyan made a move.
He suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint in them.
He picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and finished the work in one go!
Under the suppression of the "Diving Abyss" realm, the water and fire energies within the body became as docile as lambs.
Lotus leaves hold up dewdrops, water and fire complement each other!
"boom!"
The final stroke was made.
A small, phantom-like firebird rose up from the talisman, emitting a clear, melodious cry.
When the talisman was completed, extraordinary phenomena occurred!
"this----"
Cao Wenjing suddenly stood up and strode to the table.
He picked up the Blazing Sun Talisman and felt the inexhaustible fire within it.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He said "good" three times in a row, his eyes filled with surprise as he looked at Gu Shenyan: "A water-elemental body can actually draw such a pure fire talisman."
"It not only overcomes the mutual restraint, but also borrows the power of water to nurture the spirit of fire."
"Such talent, such temperament—"
He turned to look at Song Qingyuan, whose face was deathly pale, and said coldly, "Qingyuan, did you see clearly?"
Song Qingyuan gritted his teeth, lowered his head and remained silent, his nails digging into his flesh.
The assessment is over, and the rankings are announced.
Gu Shenyan received the highest overall score.
Han Sushuang, second.
Jia Shouren, although at the bottom, still passed the passing grade.
"Be careful what you say, this is your reward."
Cao Wenjing took out a jade box from his sleeve and handed it to Gu Shenyan.
Upon opening it, one finds a handful of bright red, diamond-like sand.
"Fire Spirit Sand!"
The discerning disciple exclaimed in surprise.
This is a top-grade material that only cultivators at the Forging Realm would be willing to use; even a single ounce is worth a hundred gold!
"Thank you, senior brother!" Gu Shenyan accepted it with both hands.
Although Han Sushuang lost, she was not discouraged. She received a copy of "The Essentials of Ice Talismans" with annotations by Shen Qingyi.
"Senior Brother Gu, I'll definitely beat you next time!" She clenched her little fist, her eyes filled with even stronger fighting spirit.
The crowd dispersed.
As the sun set, Cao Wenjing called out to the group of people who were about to leave.
"Don't get too excited yet."
He looked at these spirited young men: "Drawing talismans is just the first step."
"Talisman masters, in the end, must go to the battlefield."
"Starting next month, basic courses will be cancelled."
"Add practical simulation courses."
Cao Wenjing grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, looking somewhat sinister: "You will be teaming up with the senior disciples for a real confrontation."
"At that time, no one will go easy on you just because you're newcomers."
Upon hearing this, Gu Shenyan showed no fear; instead, he gripped the jade box in his hand even tighter.
In real combat?
This was exactly what he wanted.
Only in battle can theoretical knowledge truly be transformed into a deadly weapon.