Unexpectedly, what appeared in the water mirror was no longer the treacherous dense forest, but the scene in front of the Zhenyan Sect's mountain gate. The mountain gate was wide open, and all the disciples who had passed the first test had entered. The scene even showed everyone entering the main hall and passing by the square where they were now sitting.
“This is…” Youyou was stunned for a moment.
“It is also an illusion,” Yuan Qi explained with a light laugh. “It’s just that I sealed off part of their senses in the illusion, and the passage of time is different from that in reality.”
"Oh." You nodded and continued watching, discovering that the illusion was changing rapidly. Everyone thought they had passed the test and happily entered the main hall to officially become disciples. They then began cultivating with their fellow disciples, and Qiu Zhang's figure even appeared in the scene.
He was still a white-haired, white-bearded, floating, semi-transparent remnant soul, giving his first lesson to the new disciples.
He first gave his disciples a long speech of encouragement, then handed each of them a cultivation manual and said, "Memorize this cultivation technique within three days. Then I will formally teach you the basics of cultivation." After saying that, he floated away, leaving behind the group of disciples who were frantically memorizing the books. Although the books in their hands did not have titles written on them, judging from the contents, it was undoubtedly the Qiu Zhang Jue!
Youyou silently turned her head and glanced at a wisp of remnant soul floating high above, instantly realizing who had set up this level.
"Master Qiu said that this test assesses the disciples' comprehension ability and their readiness for diligent practice," Ling Qi reported in a low voice. "This test was strongly requested by the Master to be placed among the first three tests, so the Qiu Chapter Formula that the disciples memorized is genuine. Master Qiu said that as long as they can remember the first five chapters, they will pass. As for those who haven't memorized that much... knowing the contents of a top-tier cultivation technique is also considered an opportunity for them. Even if they don't have spiritual roots, it will benefit future generations, which is excellent."
"..." You You's lips twitched. No, Qiu Zhang was obviously ulterior motives! Don't think she couldn't see it. Was he now even going to harm mortals for the sake of the inheritance?
"Huh?!" Qiu Zhang, who had been smiling as he looked at the water mirror, suddenly paused, his eyes fixed intently on a person in the image, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "This disciple has actually memorized the last chapter! Not bad, not bad at all, a promising talent with great potential!"
"..." No, the exam isn't over yet, and they've already called on the disciples?
You You was speechless. Following his gaze, she saw that time was indeed different in the illusion; it was already the third day, time to collect homework. Everyone was reciting Qiu Zhang's instructions, while Qiu Zhang was looking at someone in the lower right corner—a boy who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old.
The name he wrote on the paper was Ning Hui. Compared to the others who started to ponder deeply as they wrote, this young man wrote quickly, almost without hesitation, filling many pages and nearing the end. However, his expression was not relaxed; in fact, he seemed more alert than the others, his brow habitually furrowed, as if carrying an anxiety quite incongruous with his age.
“I think the one in the bottom left corner is quite good!” Feng Yu chimed in, pointing to the bottom left corner. There was a muscular man with a proud look in his eyes. “This man looks like he has excellent physique and should have practiced martial arts. He should be quite skilled among mortals and is very suitable for cultivation.”
“That’s right!” Lin Feng nodded in agreement, then added, “He seems to be one of the few people in the Upper Pass who can subdue monsters and pass through.” The monsters in the illusion look terrifying, but they are only at the first or second tier. However, they are still a great challenge for mortals. Being able to subdue a first or second tier monster on one’s own is quite impressive.
"I think that one is not bad; he looks just like a junior apprentice who carries water!"
"No, I think that one is better. He's a doctor, and someone who cultivates alchemy, he definitely wouldn't give me the wrong spiritual plant!"
"That one is not bad either. He's strong, healthy, and resilient. I haven't been able to find a junior brother to spar with for months. My sword is itching for a fight!"
"I think..."
Qiu Zhang's comment sparked a lively discussion, and the disciples began to chatter amongst themselves about the people they favored, instantly enlivening the entire square.
"What do you think, Xiao You?" Yuan Qi asked You You with a smile.
"Huh?" You You paused for a moment, then glanced again at the boy named Ning Hui whom Qiu Zhang had praised. A strange feeling flashed through her mind, and she quickly shook her head and replied, "I don't buy stocks. I'll just wait and see the results."
"..." What does it mean to buy stocks?
The second round ended quickly, with only a few people eliminated, a significant decrease compared to the first round. Then came the third, fourth, and fifth rounds… It must be said that Qiu Zhang truly lived up to his reputation as a professional inheritor selector; the challenges were incredibly ingenious, each one different, testing almost every aspect of a cultivator's basic qualities—morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor skills.
Fewer and fewer people passed the test, until they reached the ninth level, at which point there were fewer than a hundred people left on the Heavenly Ladder. Some disciples guessed correctly, while others guessed incorrectly. From time to time, cries of despair from disciples who had failed to bet on stocks and cheers of success could be heard from the crowd.
The two people Qiu Zhang and Feng Yu initially favored both successfully stayed. The one Feng Yu had chosen had a foundation in martial arts and was even a master; he passed each challenge without serious incident. Of particular note was the boy named Ning Hui. He looked frail, but for some reason, he always managed to avoid danger perfectly and pass each challenge successfully, as if he had some kind of danger radar installed on him. He became the one who passed the challenges most easily among everyone.
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