Chapter 392: Practicals [PART 2]
Liu Qing held a rune disc in her hand and a brush in another.
Xiang Yu looked at her with a proud smile, out of the entire school of talismans, she was the only one that had discovered the runesmithing path. Fu Yue could also draw runes to some extent but he didn’t seem interested in them as much so she was currently the only one in this branch.
The formation students arranged discs and traced geometric patterns on the ground.
Many were confused, wondering why their formations didn’t seem to be working and Xiang Yu could only shake his head. He then moved his gaze to the second twin.
Zhen Yue, just like his brother, was also in deep concentration, visualizing the formation blueprint and simulating the energy flows in his mind before drawing it into the disc with his spiritual sea.
As he slowly drew the blueprint, he thought to himself that it was all about balance and conductivity. If one side was more conductive than the other, the whole thing would become unstable.
Rhythmic hammering echoed from the blacksmithing area as students worked heated metal.
Most struggled with the physical demands, their arms quickly tiring from the repetitive strikes.
Zhu Rong’s massive frame made the work look effortless as he shaped the glowing metal with powerful, measured blows, thinking that blacksmithing was about becoming one with the forge and respecting the metal’s natural properties.
Some metals simply couldn’t be used to form certain aspects of a weapon no matter how much one hammered it, he thought as he glanced at his fellow students, shaking his head.
Xiang Yu smiled at this, thinking to himself that Zhu Rong’s blacksmithing side was already awakening, he could even feel pain when he saw someone hammering badly. He thought to himself that Zhu Rong was definitely up there with the most talented students he had.
He had even practiced the body refining scripture that Xiang Yu had given to the sect and entered the body refining twelfth layer.
The farming students examined soil samples and seedlings, while others examined sprouts.
Shen Nong knelt beside his plants, carefully, analyzing them.
After checking the root systems and soil moisture, he nodded his head in understanding.
He thought to himself that farming was about nurturing life and working with natural cycles. When taking care of a plant, especially a spiritual herb, it was best to first understand the current age of the herb and recognize what part of its natural growth cycle it was currently in so you could best take care of the plant.
In the alchemy area, various colored liquids bubbled in containers as students attempted to create concoctions.
Lao Zi measured his ingredients carefully, making sure not to put in a drop extra. He thought to himself that alchemy was all about perfect timing and measurement. As long as he followed everything by the book, he was sure to succeed.
“Of course, that’s without taking account of external interference” he thought as he stirred his concoction.
The appraisal students focused intently on the objects before them, trying to discern their hidden properties and values.
While many of them were struggling, trying to remember details about this specific item, Wen Chang just glanced at them. He thought to himself that for some reason, knowledge about the items seemed to pop out in his mind when he focussed really really really hard.
He held his head, the only downside about this was that his mental energy quickly ran out. But he couldn’t give up now, he concentrated and moved on to the next item, he would definitely not fail this test.
Xiang Yu walked among the individual workstations, observing each student’s performance with a proud smile.
The practical nature of today’s test allowed him to see not just their technical skills, but also their dedication, problem-solving abilities, and genuine passion for their chosen professions. As he watched them struggle until they succeed, he couldn’t help but feel a warm feeling inside.
It seemed he was a teacher after all.
…
“Alright, time’s up. Stop!” Xiang Yu called out, his voice cutting through the sounds of bubbling potions, hammering metal, and sizzling pans.
The students immediately froze in place, some still holding ingredients halfway to their workstations, others caught mid-brush stroke on their talismans. The sudden silence that followed was broken only by the gentle crackling of dying forge fires and the last few bubbles from cooling alchemical concoctions.
Xiang Yu began his walk through each individual workstation, taking in each disciple’s work. His expression remained neutral as he examined the results, though internally he was evaluating not just the final products but also the techniques and understanding displayed.
“Rat poison, ten points,” he announced at the first alchemy station. The student’s face crumpled in disappointment.
“Minor speed potion, twenty-five points,” he continued at the next station. This student looked uncertain whether to be happy or sad with such a score.
He moved through the cooking area. “Burnt spirit rice, five points.” The disciple fell to his knees in despair. “Basic nourishing soup, forty points.” This one managed a weak smile.
The pattern continued as Xiang Yu worked his way through hundreds of workstations.
Some students jumped in joy when they heard their scores, others fell to the ground in complete despair, while many others didn’t even know what emotion to show.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as students waited for their turn, watching their fellow disciples’ reactions and trying to gauge where they might stand.
Finally, Xiang Yu stood before Liu Qing’s workstation. She looked up at him with a determined expression, her jaw set and her hands clenched at her sides.
“I’m ready,” she said to him, though her voice carried just the slightest tremor.
Xiang Yu wondered why she was looking at him as if he was about to execute her. He examined her rune disc carefully, noting the precise strokes and the stable spiritual energy flowing through the inscribed symbols.
“Eighth grade explosion rune, ninety points,” he announced.
Liu Qing instantly let out a sigh of relief when she heard this, her shoulders sagging as the tension left her body. The other students who had already been graded looked at her with awe, some even jealous of such a high score.
But Liu Qing ignored their stares. She hadn’t disappointed the Grand Elder, she thought with satisfaction. It was because of her that the Grand Elder had decided to form the Secondary Professions Pavilion – she couldn’t fail.
Her expression became stern once again as she straightened her posture. This was nothing. She needed to do even better next time.
The other students observed her reaction with respect. As expected of the chairman, they thought, to still be so determined even after achieving such a high score. It seemed they still had much to learn from her example. Inspired by her dedication, they also straightened their expressions. They might not have gained high scores today, but what about tomorrow? And the day after? They needed to work even harder.
Zao Shen looked at Xiang Yu with intense anticipation as the Grand Elder examined his carefully prepared dish. After a few seconds of evaluation, Xiang Yu opened his mouth to speak. Zao Shen’s anticipation soared even higher – he wondered what the Grand Elder thought of his cooking.
“Eighth grade energy recovery spirit food, eighty-five points,” Xiang Yu announced.
Zao Shen instantly jumped up in excitement, pumping his fist in the air.
Then he glanced at Liu Qing with a competitive gleam in his eyes. Dammit, he couldn’t believe he had lost to her! But wait, they were both eighth grade, so why was her score higher?
Was it because she was learning a special profession?
“Hmph, so what if it’s a special profession? Next time, I won’t lose,” he thought with renewed determination.
Xiang Yu continued grading the students one by one.
Wang Cheng of the medicine school received eighty-three points for his diagnostic work and treatment plan. Fu Yue of the talisman school had created a seventh grade defensive talisman and earned ninety-five points. His twin Zhen Yue of the formations school had also crafted a seventh grade protective formation, receiving the same ninety-five points.
Shen Nong of the farming school received eighty-nine points for his cultivation technique demonstration and plant analysis. Wen Chang of the appraisal school gained ninety points for his detailed and accurate assessment of the test objects.
Lao Zi of the alchemy school earned eighty-seven points for his eighth-grade healing pill.
Finally, Xiang Yu approached Zhu Rong’s blacksmithing station. The massive disciple stood proudly beside his creation – a beautifully forged sword that gleamed with spiritual energy.
Xiang Yu examined the weapon carefully, testing its balance and spiritual conductivity. His eyebrows rose in genuine surprise at the quality of the work.
“High tier magical treasure, one hundred points,” he announced.
A stunned silence fell over the entire test area. Even the other presidents looked at Zhu Rong with respect and no small amount of envy.
Someone actually managed to get a perfect score?
Daily (2/2)