bookbashuk Chapter 56 Body cultivators and dogs are not welcome.
Chapter 56 Body cultivators and dogs are not welcome.
After a quick meal, the group left the cafeteria.
Back at his residence in the waterside pavilion, Shen Yanshan had already obtained the latest information about the major examination. He gathered everyone in the hall and solemnly explained the examination process.
"This assessment is divided into three rounds."
Shen Yanshan distributed several copies of the rubbings, saying, "The first round tests cultivation level, and the second round tests practical combat ability. In the past, the Imperial Academy's assessments have only consisted of these two rounds."
"But now, the Dao Court has added a third round of assessment. It tests the understanding and application of runes."
"The specific assessment method involves inscribing runes on an unfinished magical artifact prototype and then testing whether it ultimately meets specific requirements. This tests your adaptability and creativity, as well as your solid understanding of the underlying logic of runes."
The moment Shen Yanshan spoke, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became heavy.
Including Chen Heng, everyone's faces showed a worried expression.
In their past training in the seven kingdoms, they indeed lacked a systematic emphasis on runes.
Moreover, the seven kingdoms are geographically isolated, which inherently limits their access to high-level resources and their ability to understand changes in cultivation trends outside the region. This new round of assessment will undoubtedly further widen the gap between them and students from other wealthy areas.
On the contrary, Zhao Cheng'an, who was sitting in the corner, fell into thought after learning about the exam content.
He quickly calculated in his mind how to make use of the runes he had mastered.
Aside from the basic runes he memorized from books, he has created many new and complex runes over the years using the fusion capabilities of the Qiankun Cauldron. Examples include the Qinghua Zhou Tian Rune, the Qingyan Rune, the Lingxu Rune, and the Kunyuan Rune, among others.
If these original runes can have a remarkable effect in the assessment, or even if they only achieve the same effect as regular runes, their unique structure should be enough to earn them extra favor and points from the examiners.
Shen Yanshan clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back to him.
"There are fifteen days left until the big exam officially begins."
"The spiritual energy within Floating Scale Cave is far richer than that of the Seven Kingdoms. Take advantage of this time to cultivate diligently and solidify your cultivation levels. You can also visit the markets outside, exchange ideas with students from other places, and expand your network. This is a rare and excellent opportunity."
At this point, Shen Yanshan let out a long sigh.
Before the assessment, these people were on equal footing, but once the major test was over, their future paths would be completely diverged.
However, he did not say these words aloud. "The detailed information has been sent to you. Today's meeting is adjourned."
……
……
After leaving the hall, Zhao Cheng'an did not return to his room to cultivate.
He walked out along the long corridor of the waterside pavilion, leaving the Imperial Academy's residence and arriving at the surrounding market.
The bustling market of Fulin Cave was dazzling.
Buildings of various styles stand side by side, towering into the clouds. The shop signs shimmer with colorful array lights, their radiance creating a dreamlike atmosphere that illuminates the entire street.
On the street, monks dressed in various colored robes came and went.
In addition, there are many Taoist enrollment information desks set up on both sides of the street.
Zhao Cheng'an spotted the Qingmu Academy's stall in the crowd at a glance. It was a pavilion made of giant green vines, decorated with various flowers, and surrounded by a large crowd.
"It seems that even among the top-tier Daoist lineages, Qingmu Dao Academy is one of the most prestigious and popular."
Zhao Chengan did not go over to watch the commotion.
He determined the direction and walked towards a shop in the distance with a sign that read "Medicine Gourd".
He hadn't gone far when a sharp-looking young cultivator dressed in a gray short-sleeved shirt suddenly darted out from the side and blocked his way.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait."
The young monk, his face beaming with a warm smile, quickly introduced himself.
"I am the manager of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce. Our chamber of commerce specializes in providing small-amount spirit stone loans to fellow practitioners."
He looked Zhao Chengan up and down.
"Judging from your youthful appearance, handsome appearance, and imposing demeanor, you must be a student here to participate in this Imperial Academy examination, right?"
If you are interested, you can consult us for more details.
"If you are able to gain admission to a second-rate or higher lineage in the future, our Chamber of Commerce can also reduce your interest rate by 30%."
Zhao Cheng'an smiled and decisively shook his head in refusal.
If I hadn't helped An Changzhi solve the pest problem on the Yunhai ship and received the reward of a thousand spirit stones, I might have actually considered it.
But right now, he doesn't lack money.
Continuing forward, Zhao Cheng'an saw a row of shops selling various jade slips and documents by the roadside.
A very eye-catching banner was hanging outside the shop.
"Three Hundred Days to Break Through the Golden Elixir Dao Lineage"
"Ten Years of Major Exams, Six Years of Simulations"
"A Rune Manual That Even Sword Cultivators Can Score High From"
Zhao Cheng'an even saw demonic cultivation techniques seized from Hunyuan Cave at one of the stalls.
While this kind of demonic cultivation method allows for rapid progress, it often has extremely serious side effects. For example, it can burn one's lifespan, cause an unstable foundation, easily lead to qi deviation, and even distort one's mind.
Such dangerous items could actually be openly sold within the territory under the jurisdiction of the Daoist court.
It seems that the Daoist court's governing philosophy is much more enlightened than he imagined. The quality of a practice does not depend on its inherent nature, but rather on the methods and purposes of the user.
These shops selling study materials are extremely popular, with crowds of students packed shoulder to shoulder in front of them as they prepare for exams.
Out of curiosity, Zhao Chengan leaned over to take a look at the price.
He was immediately taken aback.
These materials are extremely expensive, with most costing twenty or thirty low-grade spirit stones.
The most expensive set of so-called "expert prediction exam papers" is even priced at over a hundred spirit stones.
Moreover, the jade slips were all engraved with prohibitions, and were to be destroyed after reading to restrict secondary dissemination.
This is outrageous profit.
After weaving through the crowded streets, Zhao Chengan finally arrived at the shop at the end of the street.
Baicao Danlu (Hundred Herbs Cottage).
From the outside, this shop resembles a giant ancient tree rising from the ground, its branches gnarled and twisted, a truly magnificent sight. Standing outside, one can feel a powerful surge of natural vitality emanating from it.
At the entrance of the shop hangs a conspicuous wooden sign with two lines of large characters written in cinnabar.
[High-end chain]
[Physical cultivators and dogs are not accepted.]
A demon cultivator with a huge dog's head and bulging muscles was standing in front of the wooden sign, pointing at the shop's door and cursing loudly.