Chapter 13
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 13: Annual Exam
As the year approached its end, the assessment was just around the corner.
If someone didn’t qualify, their treatment level would drop.
Not only would the dormitories turn into shared rooms, but even the Superior Food and lessons would also be downgraded; those who tried to coast along would quickly be eliminated.
Yun Ye entered school at the age of eight, and the main assessments were the Qi Cultivation Technique and the secondary subject, Tiger Fist.
In the first year, the tasks were not heavy, allowing Yun Ye to spend plenty of time reading and learning to recognize characters.
Since he couldn’t practice the Qi Cultivation Technique for long periods, he also had a lot of time to learn Tiger Fist.
In class, Yun Ye ranked among the top, ensuring that he would pass the assessments without any issues.
After eating D-level Superior Food, Yun Ye practiced the Qi Cultivation Technique five times in his room before taking out a book to study.
"Dark Copper, a type of bronze mixed with black streaks, after refining, has the effect of warding off evil and suppressing monsters."
"Patterned Silver, a type of silver with unique white patterns, can sense the presence of demons. When demon energy is strong, the white patterns turn black. If Patterned Silver is embedded in a demon’s body, it will ignite violently, severely injuring the demon, but the Patterned Silver will then become worthless."
"True Gold, a shining gold that radiates light. When accumulated in large amounts, low-level demons will turn to ashes if they approach. It is generally used to forge weapons with great lethality against demons; only true gold weapons can protect a region."
"Star Jade…"
Yun Ye found many books in the library. Although there weren’t any texts on cultivation methods, some knowledge was casually mentioned, which was of great value to him.
One book explained the value of the currency used in Baishi Town and the Luo Dynasty; they all had the power to suppress demons, so their value was recognized everywhere and held significant purchasing power.
Another book mentioned that the walls of Baishi Town were actually coated with Patterned Silver to prevent demonic invasions.
Even if a demon forcibly broke in, the Patterned Silver would sense it and give a warning; the white wall would turn black, clearly visible even in the dark.
This knowledge further enriched Yun Ye’s understanding of the world.
…
"You are the new seedlings enrolled this year, aged from five to twelve, totaling two hundred thirty-one of you."
"After a year of study, you should already know your own levels."
"Today, you have a total of five assessments to choose from, and the academy will reclassify you based on your results."
"Assessment One to Assessment Five covers all courses in the Academy. Whoever passes all of them will graduate directly and join various Spiritual Law Teams for practical combat. You should understand the difference between a Spiritual Law Team and the Academy."
“In terms of resources and benefits, they are far superior to what the academy offers; for instance, D-level Superior Food is completely free. If your results are excellent enough, you may enter the Black Armored Army, which means even C-level Superior Food will be totally free.”
“Alright!”
“The exams begin!"
The test official, dressed in blue with a stern expression, spoke in a monotone voice.
“Assessment One tests the Qi Cultivation Technique and Tiger Fist!”
“The higher your levels in the Qi Cultivation Technique and Tiger Fist, the higher your scores will be!”
“You will step forward in turn, and these three teachers will conduct the tests and take the average score.”
The testing method was simple; just perform a demonstration on the spot.
The results would be announced immediately.
Yun Ye finished his practice and was extremely hungry, but it seemed that this was exactly what the examiner wanted, showing no intention of providing food.
"Tester: Yang Shi."
"Main Subject: Qi Cultivation Technique"
"Mastery: Average."
"Effect: Poor."
"Level: Good."
"Secondary Subject: Tiger Fist."
"Mastery: Average."
"Evaluation: C-level, Qualified."
Yun Ye twitched his mouth in surprise; he didn’t expect his scores to be so low.
Mastery refers to the perfection of his use of the Qi Cultivation Technique.
An initially unstandardized Qi Cultivation Technique would have no effect.
A standard Qi Cultivation Technique can nourish the body.
However, an excellent Qi Cultivation Technique can reduce food consumption.
The overall trend is that the more perfect the technique is used, the better the effect.
This "Average" meant that Yun Ye was only slightly better than the standard level, still far from excellent, and he needed to work harder to grasp its essence.
As for the second column "Effect," this is an indicator related to talent.
With the same level of mastery, the better the body-nourishing effect, the higher the score in this column.
"Poor" indicated that Yun Ye had very low adaptability to the Qi Cultivation Technique.
The term "Level" was much simpler, referring to the grading of the Qi Cultivation Technique under the second assessment.
"Good" indicated a preliminary foundation had been established.
There was an even higher score, "Excellent."
Clearly, in every aspect, Yun Ye fell far behind those top students.
Wealth, talent, family background—these mountains stood in front of Yun Ye, making it difficult for him to break through, even as a reincarnate.
In this world, achieving extraordinary status required resources and talent, both of which were held by the government and noble families.
It was normal to find it hard to make any progress.
As for Tiger Fist, it was divided into five levels of mastery: Beginner, Skilled, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, and Perfection.
After a year of practice, Yun Ye had only reached the Skilled level, so his score was not high, just "Average."
However, being qualified was enough; he didn’t expect more.
In fact, when he first entered school, he believed he could use his adult self-control to stay at the top, hiding his strength to avoid drawing too much attention.
But he had overthought that completely.
Among the three literacy halls in the academy, there were only about fifty people in total.
Yet over the year, during several tests, he fell far behind. Forget about being first; he struggled to even make it into the top five.
This was in comparison to others who started at the same level; those who finished their reading early didn’t take the exams.
The world had changed; in this world, the limit for geniuses was frightening, and no amount of hard work could catch up.
"Next is the second exam. Besides testing the levels of the Qi Cultivation Technique and Tiger Fist, there will also be a written test on knowledge of demons."
"Those participating, stay. Those not, leave."
With a rustle, around forty to fifty people left.
The majority were commoners; for them, the first assessment was their limit. The second assessment required reading comprehension, which they had little chance of passing.
Some from the literacy class also felt that their accumulated level over the year was insufficient, so they chose not to waste time.
Yun Ye decided to stay.
Also remaining was Wang Yao.
He and Yun Ye were in the same literacy hall, and as a poor, ordinary person, Wang Yao had no choice but to work hard.
Although hard work didn’t guarantee success, he could gain early experience to strive for passing next time.
"The answer time for the written exam is only half an hour; there will be no extensions. Second Exam, distribute the papers!"
"Start!"
The academy examiner remained expressionless, his voice lacking any inflection.
But the over one hundred sixty candidates below him didn’t care about that; they all focused on the exam papers in the examiner’s hands.
It was flowing water!
Everyone’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
They saw the flowing water in the examiner’s hands as over one hundred sixty exam papers were swept up, as if surfing.
Accompanied by the flow of water, they instantly landed in front of the candidates.
Yet, the papers showed not a single trace of moisture!
This was spiritual law!
