Chapter Twenty-Four: Inside and Outside the Imperial Examination Hall

The instrument indicated by the officiating Daoist was a single jade lotus.

This was the device used by the Examination Institute to assess cultivation. It was made of colorless glass with twelve petals in total, which were usually tightly closed. Only when a cultivator infused it with spiritual power would the petals gradually unfurl.

Each of the twelve petals represented one stage in the Qi Refining Realm.

Ying Chen, practiced and composed, placed his hand upon it and slowly infused his spiritual energy. Soon, six petals blossomed open.

The Daoist watched silently, his expression unchanged, and recorded “Qi Refining, sixth stage.” Yet, before his brush could be lifted from the page, he couldn’t help but raise his eyes in surprise.

For after the sixth petal opened, the previously translucent and colorless lotus began to flush with a crimson hue, deepening rapidly until, in a moment, it gleamed as vividly as fresh blood.

This signified that Ying Chen’s spiritual power was not only free from any instability but was purer and more robust than that of the average cultivator.

The Daoist glanced once more toward a nearby niche in the wall.

There stood a clay idol with a blue face, tusked mouth, and four wide-open eyes. No matter where one stood, it seemed to stare directly back.

This was the Examination Institute’s Ghost Soldier. Each one, even at random, possessed cultivation equal to the peak of Qi Refining. More importantly, their role was supervision—monitoring not only the disciples sitting for the minor examination but also the officiating Daoists.

Although the strictness of their oversight often varied, the fundamental rules could not be changed.

The Daoist, with his years of experience, understood this perfectly.

He withdrew his gaze and, unexpectedly, allowed a faint smile to appear. With a flourish, he added, “Foundation firm, spiritual power pure,” then clasped his hands and congratulated, “Congratulations, junior brother. Your progress is admirable.”

“With such cultivation, I believe you are certain to obtain an excellent result this time.”

Ying Chen was rather surprised. Retracting his hand, he returned the salute. “Thank you for your kind words, senior brother.”

The Daoist then led Ying Chen to the rear of the hall, pointing out the path with patient instructions. “This is not your first minor examination, so you likely need not be directed to the various institutes. Still, let me say this: if you wish to attain the highest marks, the three major disciplines—Daoist practice, talismans, and spellcraft—must be without flaw.”

The Examination Institute’s assessments were quite complex. Beyond the three disciplines the Daoist mentioned, there were others: alchemy, herbology, restrictions, exorcism, curses, poison-making, the flaying of human skin, soul extraction and refinement—even bedroom arts and dual cultivation techniques. As long as it pertained to the path, almost nothing was excluded.

Of course, not all these subjects were mandatory. The sect simply wished to avoid producing disciples who possessed only empty spiritual power and no skill. Any additional points earned were based on one’s cultivation progress.

Ying Chen was well aware of all this, but nonetheless replied, “Thank you for the reminder, senior brother.”

The Daoist nodded with a smile and handed Ying Chen a slip of talisman paper. “Each institute has Daoists officiating. I have other duties and cannot accompany you further.”

The slip recorded the result of Ying Chen’s cultivation assessment. If the result was inaccurate, Ying Chen could appeal to the supervising Ghost Soldier for a review.

Of course, whether such an appeal achieved anything was another matter.

As the record was correct, Ying Chen glanced at the slip, thanked the Daoist, and continued along the path.

The Daoist watched his figure recede into the distance. Only when Ying Chen had disappeared did the smile abruptly fade from his face. After a moment’s thought, he summoned a little ghost from who knows where, whispered a few instructions, and then, hands clasped behind his back, sauntered back toward the main hall.

The little ghost wavered and turned into a thin wisp of shadow, slipping out of the Examination Institute and quickly seeking out Wei Yuan. It slipped into his ear.

Wei Yuan’s face immediately darkened.

Those who had previously clustered around him—perhaps also called to the Examination Institute—had mostly vanished, leaving only one companion who, seeing the change in Wei Yuan’s expression, hurriedly asked, “Why are you suddenly displeased, brother?”

Wei Yuan shot him a sidelong glance and sneered, “Hmph. That Deng fellow says Ying Chen’s foundation is solid and his spiritual power pure. With the Ghost Soldier watching, he dared not falsify the record.”

“What?” his lackey exclaimed in shock.

Ying Chen had made remarkable progress to the sixth stage of Qi Refining in just two or three months, yet his foundation showed no sign of weakness, nor was his spiritual power impure. Even the Examination Institute’s Daoist could find no fault?

He found it hard to believe and asked, “How can this be? Did he consume some rare heavenly treasure?”

Wei Yuan scoffed, “Why don’t you go and ask him yourself?”

The lackey immediately fell silent. After a pause, he cautiously ventured, “Since Ying Chen’s progress is genuine, he might well earn top marks. Should we arrange something to trip him up in the three disciplines?”

Wei Yuan regarded him for a moment, then suddenly chuckled. “Wei Ran, if your pig-headed stupidity wasn’t tempered by some Wei family blood, I’d have long since made you into blood food for my vengeful spirits.”

“If we can’t stop him from taking the exam, why waste effort on pointless tricks? If I want to grind him down, can I not find another way?”

Wei Ran fell silent in terror. Seeing this, Wei Yuan grew only more annoyed and barked, “Get lost.”

“Yes, yes…” Wei Ran stammered. “Then I’ll take my leave?”

Wei Yuan had little interest in him, but suddenly recalled something and called him back. “Wait.”

After a moment’s consideration, he ordered, “Go investigate whether, before and after Di the Leper’s disappearance, Ying Chen ever left the mountain.”

“Yes.” Wei Ran replied, just as Wei Yuan flicked his wide sleeve. A gust of cold wind swept up from his robe, lifting him into the air and carrying him swiftly into the distance.

Wei Ran watched him soar away, then shook his head.

“A fine magical artifact, wasted on a dog,” he spat, hands clasped behind his back as he strolled away from the Examination Institute.

...

Unnoticed, the sun slanted westward.

Ying Chen passed the three major disciplines in turn, all with surprising ease.

Daoist practice was not his strongest suit, but as this subject was basic, as long as one wasn’t particularly dense and had attended every lecture, it was hard to perform poorly.

Talismans, Ying Chen’s greatest strength, gave him no trouble—he had studied diligently and made no mistakes.

Spellcraft was his weak point, for in Redwater Cliff, aside from some elementary spells for moving water and fire or manipulating objects, anything more advanced had to be learned independently.

Fortunately, the assessment did not test knowledge of esoteric spells, but rather one’s understanding and application of them.

Ying Chen’s skill with elemental manipulation and object control was well practiced; at the very least, he avoided being rated “crude and incompetent.”

Having cleared all three disciplines, Ying Chen had a real chance at achieving the highest distinction.

Even so, he made a mental note: “After the exam, I must remedy this weakness.”

Conveniently, the rules of Redwater Cliff allowed those who earned top marks each year to select a volume from the library. If Ying Chen succeeded this time, he could make direct use of the opportunity.