Chapter 159
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It was not that everyone wanted to mock Li Xin. After all, how could one possibly master a spiritual technique just by watching it performed three times, without the heart method or incantation?
However, the way Li Xin wielded his sword to perform the Four Seasons Spiritual Sword Technique was simply too amusing. The gentle, continuous strength of the spring rain was like a courtesan from a pleasure quarter, weak and boneless, waving a fragrant silk handkerchief to attract passing customers. The startling power of the summer thunder was like a farmer plowing the fields—completely lacking the imposing might that the disciples of Qingyun Academy had displayed earlier.
Throughout the entire sword routine, Li Xin seemed more like a circus performer, which was utterly hilarious. Yet, despite the laughter, Li Xin still completed his performance with all the moves he had grasped.
After a short while, a line of text appeared within the Jiu Tian Yuan Yang Mirror:
“Inferior Talent.”
Bai Yi, seeing the words, declared: “Li Xin, with an inferior talent rating, you have failed the third stage!”
However, when everyone saw the words “inferior talent” displayed within the mirror, their eyes widened in shock, and their jaws dropped. Was this even a joke? Li Xin’s performance had been like a child playing make-believe, utterly lacking the true power of the Four Seasons Spiritual Sword Technique.
At this moment, Xiao Yuan, Wang Xueqi, and a few others’ eyes brightened upon seeing this scene. Wang Xueqi whispered to Ye Wushuang beside her, “It seems you were right. The academy’s assessment in this stage is not about whether we can master a technique after seeing it performed three times, but rather how much we can learn.”
This stage tested observation and learning abilities. The first stage focused on martial foundation, the second on the martial spirit, and the third on talent and learning capacity—wasn’t that the true measure of one’s talent?
No wonder the third stage carried the most weight.
Xiao Yuan curiously asked, “How did you know?”
Ye Wushuang glanced at Xiao Yuan and smiled, “I guessed.”
In reality, five hundred years ago, his ninth spirit had been reincarnated as Ye Wentian, who had also participated in the Qingyun Academy’s assessment in his youth. He hadn’t expected that, after more than five hundred years, the academy’s assessment process remained the same.
Moreover, as the former Heavenly Emperor whose spirit had been divided into nine parts, experiencing nine different lives, he had only recently integrated his ninth spirit. Many memories were still hazy in his mind. It was only now, at this third stage, that he gradually remembered.
Back then, he had created a miracle: his ratings in the three stages were “Born Sage,” “Born Sage,” and… “Son of Destiny”! He wondered if anyone had broken his record in the past five hundred years.
However, it would be quite interesting if he were to recreate that record once again. He could only imagine the astonished expression on Qin Hao’s face when that moment came.
The assessment continued…
In less than the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, twelve people had already performed, but none had passed. The best result was merely an “upper-class” rating, which undoubtedly put immense pressure on the remaining sixteen participants.
“Next, Shi Yan!” Bai Yi called out again.
This announcement brought the somewhat drowsy audience back to full attention. Shi Yan was the son of Shi Wenyao, the city lord of Shanyin, and had performed exceptionally well in both the first and second stages.
Shi Yan stepped up to the Jiu Tian Yuan Yang Mirror and announced, “I have chosen the Mingyuan Fist.”
As soon as he spoke, Shi Yan clenched his hand and began to perform several moves of the Mingyuan Fist. At this moment, everyone could see that although the power of Shi Yan’s Mingyuan Fist was not strong, the moves were executed with a certain degree of formality.
After completing the entire set of boxing techniques, a flash of light appeared before the Jiu Tian Yuan Yang Mirror…
