bookbashuk Chapter 75 Test of Character
Chapter 75 Test of Character
The incense stick burned out.
Yu Youwei put down her pen and presented her answer sheet.
The three deacons passed it around, and Sun Mao finally looked at it for a moment and nodded slightly.
"The identification of medicinal herbs is all correct; the judgment of the year is within three years; and the description of the medicinal properties is accurate."
He placed the answer sheet on the table and looked at Yu Youwei.
"Have you studied the basics of Daoist alchemy?"
"I've learned some," Yu Youwei replied. "A friend gave me a scroll of silk that records the methods for refining elixirs and basic pills."
"A silk manuscript?" Sun Mao raised an eyebrow. "Who wrote it?"
Yu Youwei glanced at Zhang Lin on the sidelines but did not answer.
Sun Mao followed her gaze and saw Zhang Lin standing with his hands behind his back. His gaze lingered on Zhang Lin for a moment before he looked away.
"Fine, I won't ask about its origin." Sun Mao waved his hand. "Basic level in alchemy, excellent. You can participate in the third round."
The third assessment is a test of character.
The steward on the right, Qian Tong, took out a small bronze bell from his pocket. It was about the size of a palm, bronze in color, and covered with runes.
"This bell is called the 'Heart-Questioning Bell,' which can stir up distracting thoughts and test one's character."
"Those who remain calm after the bell rings three times will pass; those who lose their composure after the bell rings only once will not pass."
Everyone looked at each other.
Someone asked in a low voice, "What if it rings twice?"
Qian Tong glanced at the man and said calmly, "Those who remain focused after two rings will pass, but those whose focus wavers after two rings will not pass."
The assessment begins.
The first to step forward was a young man in white, with a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation level and an arrogant expression.
He held the copper bell in his hand, and Qian Tong made a hand seal with his right hand, sending a ray of spiritual light into the copper bell.
The copper bell made a crisp "clang" sound.
The white-clad youth's expression changed; his brows furrowed, veins bulged on his forehead, and his hands trembled slightly.
Three breaths later, he let out a long breath, and his complexion returned to normal.
"clang--"
The second sound rang out.
The white-clad youth swayed, his face turned deathly pale, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.
He gritted his teeth and steadied himself.
No third sound was heard.
Qian Tong nodded: "Two rings, your mind didn't falter, pass."
The young man in white breathed a sigh of relief and stepped aside, his back soaked with cold sweat.
The second person to step forward was a young man in gray clothes. He had been behind Yu Youwei in line. He also had excellent physical attributes, but he didn't have a special physique.
The copper bell rang three times, but his expression remained unchanged, and he did not move an inch.
Qian Tong's gaze sharpened slightly, and he said, "Three rings, and you remain calm and focused. Pass. Excellent."
The gray-clad youth bowed and withdrew, his expression remaining calm.
The crowd whispered among themselves.
"Who is this person? How can their will be so strong?"
"I heard he's from Central China, surnamed Shen, named Mo, and his family is one of the forty-six prestigious families."
"No wonder, scions of noble families are raised with exceptional character from a young age."
When it was Yu Youwei's turn, she stepped forward and took the copper bell from Qian Tong's hand.
Qian Tong glanced at her and asked, "Ready?"
Yu Youwei nodded.
Qian Tong made a hand seal with his right hand, and a ray of spiritual light entered the copper bell.
"clang--"
The first sound rang out.
Yu Youwei's expression remained unchanged, her gaze calm.
"clang--"
The second sound rang out.
She remained calm and composed, her breathing steady, as if the ringing of the bell had nothing to do with her.
"clang--"
The third sound rang out.
Yu Youwei's body stiffened slightly, and a trace of pain flashed in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
Three breaths later, her complexion returned to normal, and she returned the copper bell to Qian Tong.
"Passed." Qian Tong nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Three rings and you remained calm. Although you barely managed to stay composed, it's still quite remarkable."
Sun Mao smiled and said, "A person with the Xuan Yin Meridian physique who can still cultivate to the early stage of Qi Refining without a suitable cultivation method has an extraordinary temperament."
Du Zhong rarely spoke, but he said, "With such perseverance, this girl is promising."
Yu Youwei bowed and stepped back, pausing slightly as she reached the edge of the field.
Zhang Lin noticed that her fingertips were trembling slightly.
The third ring of the bell clearly touched upon something she didn't want to talk about.
But she persevered.
Zhang Lin withdrew his gaze and nodded to himself.
This woman's character was more resilient than he had imagined.
After a brief discussion, Du Zhong made his announcement.
"A resilient mind and unwavering commitment to the Dao are of the highest quality."
He paused, then said, "All three assessments were rated as excellent. Yu Youwei, you have passed."
Yu Youwei cupped her hands in greeting, her voice clear yet unable to conceal a hint of excitement: "Thank you, stewards."
Du Zhong took out a blue jade pendant from under the table and handed it over.
"This is your identity token; a blood oath will bind you to it."
Yu Youwei took the jade pendant, bit her fingertip, and dripped a drop of blood onto it.
The blood seeped into the jade tablet, and a spiritual light shone forth, which slowly dissipated after a moment.
"From this day forward, you will be a registered disciple of the Danxia Sect," Du Zhong said. "You will receive a monthly stipend of twenty spirit stones and three Qi-cultivating pills. Your residence will remain unchanged at No. 83, Outer East District."
"If you can pass next year's major exam, you can be promoted to an outer disciple."
Yu Youwei cupped her hands in greeting: "This disciple understands."
She stepped down from the platform and walked to Zhang Lin's side.
Zhang Lin glanced at her and nodded slightly.
Yu Youwei didn't speak, but simply held the cyan jade pendant tightly in her hand.
Chen Boyuan walked over, clasped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Yu! Congratulations on achieving three top-tier results. This is quite rare among registered disciples."
Yu Youwei returned the greeting: "Thank you, Senior Chen."
"What are you thanking me for? I was just saying a few words; it's all thanks to your own abilities."
Chen Boyuan stroked his beard and said, "However, Fellow Daoist Yu, if I may be so bold as to add a word, being a registered disciple is only the first step in entering the sect; the real test is yet to come."
"Although you possess the Xuan Yin Physique and have a solid foundation in alchemy, the resources available to registered disciples are limited. If you wish to advance to the outer sect, you will need to work even harder."
"I understand," Yu Youwei said.
Chen Boyuan then looked at Zhang Lin and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, your fellow townsman is destined for great things. You'd better keep a close eye on him and make sure no one steals him from your side."
Zhang Lin said calmly, "She is not my vassal. Where she wants to go is her freedom."
Chen Boyuan was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Good, good indeed, not a vassal. I've lived for over fifty years and seen far too many people treat those around them as tools, pawns, or vassals. Someone like you is a rare find."
After laughing, he patted Zhang Lin on the shoulder, turned and walked towards the west district, saying as he went, "I'll head back now, goodbye."
Zhang Lin and Yu Youwei walked side by side onto the martial arts field.
The morning mist has dissipated, and sunlight shines softly on the bluestone pavement.
"Thank you," Yu Youwei suddenly said.
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you for giving me that scroll," Yu Youwei said. "If it weren't for that scroll, I certainly wouldn't have passed today's alchemy assessment."
"That scroll is just a stepping stone," Zhang Lin said. "How much you can remember and how much you can use is up to you."
Yu Youwei was silent for a moment, then said, "There is one more thing."
"explain."
"When that deacon asked who wrote the silk scroll, I glanced at you," Yu Youwei said. "Should I not have looked at you?"
Zhang Lin thought for a moment and said, "It's alright. Even if I don't tell them, they can find out anyway. It's not a secret."
"Will they make things difficult for you?"
"What's so difficult about it?" Zhang Lin said calmly. "I won first place at the Dharma assembly through my own abilities, and I wrote the silk scroll through my own skills. It wasn't stolen or robbed."
Yu Youwei nodded and didn't ask any more questions.