Chapter 38: THE EXAMINATION(12)

Li Yan turned toward Gu Jun and Hu Biyan before following the disciple toward the examination hall. He had no idea why Elder Mo wanted to see him immediately after the results, but there was no reason to keep the elder waiting.

Elder Mo was standing beside a long table when Li Yan entered.

"Come closer."

Li Yan approached and bowed respectfully. "Elder Mo."

Elder Mo’s stern expression softened slightly as he looked at him.

"You have achieved three thousand points and ranked first in the written examination. The sect has prepared a reward for you."

He opened a small wooden box resting on the table, revealing a finely crafted medal engraved with the emblem of the Nine Jade Sect.

Li Yan’s eyes brightened with surprise because he had expected his score to determine whether he could proceed, but he had not expected the sect to reward him personally.

"This medal is awarded to the highest-ranked examinee," Elder Mo explained as he handed it to him. "You earned it through your own ability, so accept it."

Li Yan accepted the medal with both hands and examined the inscription before carefully putting it away.

"Thank you, Elder."

Elder Mo nodded before continuing.

"Your ranking also grants you another privilege. Once you are accepted into the sect, you may choose which department you wish to enter."

Li Yan immediately became interested.

"There are several departments within the Nine Jade Sect," Elder Mo explained. "Each has its own requirements, so you should choose according to your interests and abilities."

Li Yan thought about the departments he had heard mentioned before deciding to ask about the two that interested him most.

"Elder Mo, would I be allowed to join both the Pill Alchemy Department and the Apothecary Department?"

Elder Mo raised his eyebrows because most examinees would have been satisfied with gaining entry to a single department.

"You wish to join both?"

Li Yan nodded because the two disciplines complemented each other. If he could study both medicinal herbs and pill refinement, he would gain a much deeper understanding of medicine.

"It is possible in principle," Elder Mo explained, "but you must meet the requirements of both departments. The Pill Alchemy Department requires suitable attributes for controlling flame and refining medicinal ingredients, while the Apothecary Department has its own requirements concerning spiritual perception and medicinal energy."

Li Yan immediately understood the problem.

He could not reveal the true attributes he had deliberately concealed beneath his ordinary yellow spirit root. If he admitted that he possessed the qualities required by both departments, the concealment he and Xiaoxiao had arranged would become pointless.

He therefore chose his response carefully.

"If I do not possess the ideal attributes, I can compensate through intelligence and study."

Elder Mo studied him with a thoughtful expression.

"You believe intelligence can overcome a lack of natural aptitude?"

"I believe understanding and practice can overcome many disadvantages," Li Yan replied. "If I am allowed to learn, I will find a way to keep up."

Elder Mo remained silent for several moments.

Li Yan did not look away because he had nothing to hide in his answer. He genuinely believed that a person who was willing to work hard and think carefully could compensate for many things.

"You may attempt the assessments for both departments," Elder Mo finally said. "Whether you are accepted into both will depend on your performance."

Li Yan’s eyes brightened because that was all he had wanted.

"Thank you, Elder."

He bowed before leaving the hall.

When Li Yan returned to the examination grounds, Gu Jun was still waiting beside Hu Biyan because the two had agreed to remain there until he returned.

Gu Jun immediately looked toward him.

"What did Elder Mo want?"

Li Yan showed him the medal he had received.

"He gave me this because I ranked first."

Gu Jun’s eyes widened when he saw the Nine Jade Sect emblem. "You even received an award?"

"I did."

Gu Jun looked at the medal before turning toward the ranking board again, where Li Yan’s name still stood at the very top.

"Then I really did choose the right master."

Li Yan laughed because Gu Jun had somehow found another reason to justify becoming his lackey.

"You scored two thousand points, and you are already flattering me."

"I am only acknowledging your ability." Gu Jun looked completely serious because, from his perspective, following someone who had just obtained full marks was hardly a bad decision. "Besides, if you intend to make me the strongest and richest man on the continent, I need to choose a capable master."

Hu Biyan laughed when he heard that explanation, while Li Yan shook his head with amusement.

Before he could answer, another bell rang across the examination grounds.

The sound drew everyone’s attention toward the mountain entrance.

The enormous array had begun to illuminate, and waves of spiritual energy spread across the formation as the disciples started organizing the one thousand five hundred qualified examinees.

Li Yan remained beside Gu Jun as they moved with the other examinees toward the entrance. They had already agreed to enter the array together, so neither needed to discuss the matter again.

Gu Jun adjusted the equipment he had prepared for the mountain examination while watching the formation grow brighter.

"I wonder what they put inside this year."

Li Yan studied the shifting patterns of light across the array, trying to determine whether he could recognize the formation from its structure. The changes were too complex for him to identify the examination’s contents, and that only made him more curious about what awaited them.

"We will find out soon enough."

Gu Jun smiled; there was no point in guessing any longer. Whatever the Nine Jade Sect had prepared, they would have to deal with it after entering.

The spiritual energy surrounding the mountain entrance continued to intensify as the disciples completed their preparations.

Li Yan looked at the vast array before him and felt a faint thrill of anticipation.

The first examination tested his spirit root.

The second had tested his knowledge.

Now, the third examination was finally going to test what he could actually do.