A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 160 - 130: Test Results

Tan Hong said softly, "Now the main focus is to help them lay the foundation, learning words, identifying meridians, classifying herbs, recognizing acupoints and observing qi, and studying various basic concepts of cultivation. For now, the emphasis is on feeling the Spiritual Qi and Spiritual Power. Once the foundation is solidly established over time, we will begin the formal Qi Cultivation process."

Lu Qian nodded, having no objections to this learning arrangement. Some of these lessons, like words and such, can be taught by mortal teachers, which would greatly reduce Tan Hong’s burden. As more disciples join later, senior brothers can lead the junior ones, with some outstanding senior brothers taking the role of teachers in the classroom.

Tan Hong continued, "Among these disciples, Li Da is learning the fastest and best. He’s mature for his age and quite perceptive, generally understanding what I explain in one go. Moreover, he studies diligently, even during rest periods, and is often seen consulting other senior brothers with questions."

"Compared to him, the other disciples fall short, with the biggest gap being with Wang Ruoyu," Tan Hong said with a bitter smile. "Although he has a six-inch Spiritual Root, he’s slow to react, his comprehension is poor, always half a beat slow, and he seems a bit dazed. The only advantage is his patience and concentration; he’s honest and earnest, but I’m worried that if others outside the Mountain Gate talk to him, he’ll just listen to anyone and could easily be taken advantage of."

Lu Qian glanced at Wang Ruoyu, who was staring hard at the test paper as if trying to see flowers in the questions, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Since he was already noticed by these kids, Lu Qian didn’t hide anymore. He simply stepped forward and clapped his hands.

Li Da immediately stood up and respectfully bowed, "Disciple greets Sect Leader."

The other young disciples quickly scrambled to stand and salute Lu Qian. Wang Ruoyu’s deskmate nudged him, causing him to suddenly lift his head, and upon seeing the Sect Leader, he stood up so quickly that his doodled paper flew into the air. While saluting, he hurriedly picked up the paper but ended up knocking his knee against the desk hard, grimacing in pain.

Baitao giggled, and Tan Hong shook his head.

Lu Qian signaled everyone to sit down and smiled, "I came by today to see how everyone has been learning in the first month since joining. Coincidentally, there’s a test going on. Continue to focus on it, and we’ll see who finishes both quickly and well; there’ll be rewards for the best performance."

Upon hearing this, the young disciples got excited and hurriedly bent over their desks to write. Soon, the only sound in the classroom was the rustling of pens on paper.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Li Da was the first to stand, his face flushed with excitement, presenting his paper to Lu Qian, "Permit me, Sect Leader, I have completed it."

Lu Qian nodded with a smile, taking the paper. He scanned through it, finding Tan Hong’s questions to be well-designed, covering comprehensive content with flexible formats, neither too simple nor too profound, serving as a perfect summary of recent studies.

He then reviewed Li Da’s answers, finding the handwriting neat with few corrections, with only one incomplete answer and all others correct. For a beginner to learn to this extent in such a short time was impressive.

Lu Qian nodded in approval, "Not bad. You finished quickly, with only one oversight and everything else correct."

Li Da couldn’t help but reveal a proud expression. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Baitao sprang up, "I’m done too."

Most of this knowledge, Baitao had already learned, so she naturally answered quickly. Unfortunately, she was penalized for causing trouble earlier, wasting some time, and thus Li Da finished first.

Lu Qian took Baitao’s paper and after a look, nodded with a smile under her expectant gaze, "Very well done, all correct."

Li Da felt a surge of disappointment, while Jiang Baitao was about to cheer but was gently knocked on the head by Lu Qian, "As a Junior Martial Uncle, you should naturally do better than your junior disciples. It’s fortunate you got everything right, otherwise, I’d have to punish you."

Jiang Baitao stuck out her tongue and hugged Lu Qian’s arm, "Sect Leader Senior Brother is so fierce. I won’t compete with the junior disciples; let them have the reward."

"Consider yourself wise," Lu Qian said somewhat sternly, "Since you know you’re a Junior Martial Uncle, you shouldn’t lead in causing trouble all day. If you misbehave again, I’ll confine you."

Upon hearing this, Baitao pleaded playfully, and after a few more threats from Lu Qian, she returned to her seat.

Judging by her cheeky demeanor, those threats probably wouldn’t have much effect.

Subsequently, the young disciples submitted their test papers one after another. Lu Qian reviewed them, offering praise to the better ones and encouragement to the average ones, not being overly harsh, making everyone quite happy.

Lu Qian understood clearly that the real Transmission Elder was Tan Hong, and since he appeared harsh over time, Lu Qian might as well play the good cop.

Currently, Li Da was performing the best. Wang Ruoyu, however, was yet to submit his paper.

After a while, Tan Hong said loudly, "The time is up, Wang Ruoyu, it’s time to submit your paper."

But Wang Ruoyu was unmoved, still fixated on his paper, scribbling here and there.

Tan Hong quietly remarked, "This kid Wang Ruoyu can only focus on one thing at a time. If the task at hand isn’t completed, he won’t react to anything else, insisting on finishing. While focus is commendable, it also makes him inefficacious."

Tan Hong walked over to Wang Ruoyu, tapped the table to wake him, then gently took the paper, presenting it to Lu Qian.

Lu Qian glanced at it, and saw that it was scribbled with messy handwriting akin to a Ghost Talisman, a chaotic scribble, with many unanswered questions. Raising his eyes, he saw Wang Ruoyu blushing with shame, standing there with a dejected look, wringing his hands tightly.

The child must feel ashamed inside.

Lu Qian put the paper down, smiling, "Everyone’s finished. Not counting Jiang Baitao, based on the results, Li Da is first, and will be rewarded with a bottle of High-Tier Elixir. However, you must wait until the actual Qi Cultivation under a teacher’s supervision to consume it."

Li Da excitedly bowed, "Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Jiang Baitao pursed her lips, unconcerned, thinking, "What’s a bottle of elixir? Your Junior Martial Uncle Jiang has seen all kinds of treasures, that’s nothing impressive."

Li Da, being popular among the young disciples, was surrounded and congratulated as he received the reward, while Wang Ruoyu stood alone on the side, eyes full of envy.

Lu Qian gestured for everyone to sit down. Observing the varied expressions of the young disciples, he suddenly began, "Let me tell you all a story."

These children, seven or eight years old, were ecstatic, cheering loudly, with Li Da’s eyes even lighting up.

Having completed the test today without being scolded by Elder Tan, and now the Sect Leader is going to tell us a story—what a wonderful day!

Facing the eager eyes of the young disciples, Lu Qian slowly began, "Once upon a time, there was a rabbit and a tortoise..."