ASER – Chapter 39

Everyone soon entered the school and was led through its wide and grand ginkgo path. The ground was covered in gold, resembling a golden corridor for time travel.

Everyone was stunned.

A’Diao’s eyes lit up. She took a photo with her phone, edited it a bit, and set it as her profile picture.

While she was looking down at her phone, the teacher led them into a large ginkgo forest. There was a circular clearing, very large, at least three hundred meters in diameter. In the middle, a floating platform with nine steps had been built. The construction material was somewhat special.

Jade and some special rare ores were layered one upon another. But each layer was carved and inscribed with different runes. A’Diao specialized in this and vaguely recognized that some of the Daoist talismans were related to the Daoist intentions of “Gathering, Dispersing, Expelling, and Exterminating.”

The teachers were all here. However, the one presiding over this assessment was not the big, tall teacher from yesterday, but a thin, tall middle-aged man. He looked quite shrewd and sharp, but his appearance was very ordinary. If placed in a crowd, he would look like an ordinary manager from a small company.

When A’Diao saw the fat bees flying around him, a thought struck her.

Is he a bee controller?

He must be the one who tricked me out of my crab roe pan-fried bun.

“Everyone, I am Zhou Jiang, the chief examiner for this Jinling Academy assessment.”

“Today’s assessment is divided into two parts. First, testing the speed of absorbing spiritual energy. Second, determining the talent value of the spiritual energy you cultivate.”

“The first part will be tested in the morning, the second in the afternoon.”

“You’ve probably guessed the method for testing spiritual energy absorption. It’s related to this Spirit Gathering Platform. After you go up, it will release spiritual energy. Absorb it within four hours. During this process, your wristbands will sense the amount of spiritual energy you absorb. But when the time is up, you must descend the nine steps. These nine steps will test, step by step, the spiritual energy retained in your body. Overall, it’s the amount absorbed plus the amount retained in the body. A comprehensive test of both. It will measure the data and input it into your wristbands. Through a fixed algorithm, this will become your score. The rankings will appear on the screen.”

Zhou Jiang raised his hand. Two fat bees flew over, stuck out their round bottoms, and released a projection. A leaderboard appeared on the floating light screen. Of course, there were no rankings on it yet.

“Now, you have ten minutes to prepare.”

He had nothing more to say. But among the examinees, a scholarly-looking young man with glasses suddenly asked: “Excuse me, what do these runes mean? Could you tell us? I think… if I knew the meaning of the runes, and could calculate the frequency and amount of spiritual energy released, it would help me change my method of absorbing spiritual energy. Although I could also figure it out on the platform, it would waste time in the initial stage.”

Holy crap, is this a data cruncher?

Tian Zhongye was a bit stunned: “This is also possible?”

Tian Zhongxiang nodded. “It’s feasible. However, one must possess super strong calculation abilities and an understanding of rune-based spirit gathering to use this method. Most importantly, he has mastered more than one absorption method.”

The siblings’ expressions turned somewhat grave. After all, compared to someone who had mastered several spiritual energy absorption methods and could even choose the most suitable one based on the spirit gathering situation, commoners like them simply lacked the resources.

Tian Zhongxiang turned her head and saw A’Diao also had a miserable expression. Clearly, they were all in the same boat.

A’Diao really wasn’t faking it. She had been worried since yesterday that this would be the content of the assessment.

If it was testing aptitude, she preferred ultra-advanced instruments that could test it with a single ‘beep’, avoiding many tests of methods and techniques. Because that was the most advantageous way for a commoner like her.

But things didn’t go as she wished.

The person who had just asked was Cheng Zhang. He wasn’t from a top-tier noble family in Jinling, but he was from a renowned scholarly family in Danzhou. He had a family heritage. So he had the confidence to ask such a question.

Just as Zhou Jiang was about to speak, someone in the crowd suddenly let out a sentence: “Sister A’Diao, Uncle Chen said you’ve studied for many years under an old Daoist priest of profound cultivation, and you are most skilled in this art. I think you must recognize these runes, why don’t you explain them to everyone.”

Everyone was astonished by the speaker, the content of his words, and the person he “cued.”

Cui Yun and A’Diao? How could that be?

Many people knew Cui Yun, but not many knew A’Diao. After being suddenly “cued” by Cui Yun, A’Diao immediately became the subject of everyone’s sidelong glances and observation.

Speaking of which, aren’t these two families political enemies? Have they joined forces?

Among the 500 people, there were quite a few from collateral branches of the Song and Wang families, or from related affiliated smaller families. Upon hearing this, their expressions all changed.

A’Diao: Damn it, this Cui dog knows I just wrote that little piece about him. Why is he suddenly attacking me?

No, wait, he mentioned Chen Ran.

Could it be that the Cui Clan has contacted Chen Ran?

A’Diao’s mind raced. In an instant, she thought of—wooing, marriage alliance, pawn.

Undoubtedly, she herself was that insignificant but manipulable pawn.

Although she spent all day dreaming of marrying into a wealthy family, but this Cui Family… would Chen Ran agree?

Probably not. After all, the Cui Clan was on the decline. He would be better off choosing the Song or Wang families.

For the Cui Clan, it was undoubtedly using her as a smokescreen, to lull Chen Ran, and also to sow discord between Chen Ran and the political understanding he had with the Song and Wang families.

But for a shrewd person like Chen Ran, why wouldn’t he choose to throw her out to placate the Cui Clan, to temporarily delay their retaliation against him? After all, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Currently, at least two of Chen Ran’s superiors were members of the Cui Clan. If he wanted his official career to go smoothly, this wouldn’t be a bad method.

However, Chen Ran would definitely not agree rashly. He was a seller who excelled at waiting for the highest bid. He would definitely first see what kind of results she could achieve today.

If she performed well, naturally, she would be kept for better uses in the future, to strengthen the family’s power.

If she performed poorly… then she would be used to her fullest extent.

A’Diao sorted things out in her mind, but she said aloud: “Young Master Cui, you jest. My master and I are merely in the service industry. Whenever we offer guidance, it’s for a fee. However, Young Master Cui is a direct descendant of the Cui Clan, of noble status. Since you’ve said so much, if I don’t answer, wouldn’t I be causing you to lose face? How about one hundred thousand star coins?”

Her movement of taking out her payment code was exceptionally smooth.

Cui Yun: “…”

In front of so many people, could he refuse to pay? He could refuse, but then he would have to amicably take a step back along the lines of the false relationship he had constructed, say ‘never mind’, or he could only pretend to be generous… and scan the code to pay.

Moreover, he had to pay in a particularly nonchalant, suave, and natural manner. Otherwise, those talented individuals from humble backgrounds whom he wanted to recruit for his family would think he was a pauper, and also feel that the Cui Clan was not what it used to be.

He had to keep up appearances.

Thus, while Tian Zhongxiang and the others watched dumbfounded, Cui Yun paid. He indeed smiled faintly, and with an air of nonchalant coolness, said: “Please enlighten me, Sister A’Diao.”

Towards people who gave her money, A’Diao always had a high degree of tolerance. Feeling pleased, she actually took a careful look at the steps, and said very seriously: “I recognize that basin; it’s a treasure-gathering basin. That copper coin means getting rich. That string of wheat ears is a blessing for bearing a son soon. And that last circle and cross represent marriage, meaning a smooth marriage, and no third party messing things up. Teacher, that’s all I can make out. Actually, my skill is limited, I dare not take credit. Do you have anything to add?”

The surrounding teachers fell silent.

Zhou Jiang said: “You didn’t get a single one right. I don’t know how to supplement that.”

The other examinees were all numb.

One hundred thousand star coins? She just fucking scammed one hundred thousand star coins.

Was this Chen A’Diao a charlatan or a pyramid schemer before? Is Cui Yun an idiot?

Cui Yun: I’m not an idiot. I’ve just confirmed that this woman will never be worthy of me. She’s not even worthy of polishing my shoes!

Zhou Jiang coughed, glanced at Cui Yun, and said seriously: “Actually, that basin is for spirit gathering. The copper coin signifies the square earth and round heaven. The wheat ears represent all natural things. As for that circle and cross, uh, no, it’s the Celestial Ring and Sharp Spear, meaning to seal and exterminate evil.”

He was almost led astray by this Chen A’Diao.

A’Diao: “Oh, is that so? Teacher, you’re amazing!”

She absolutely didn’t mention the fact that she had scammed one hundred thousand star coins.

From Zhou Jiang +222!

Zhou Jiang: “…”

Great, she got another 222 Mental Energy points.

Everyone was speechless. Originally, they were somewhat wary of A’Diao, thinking she cultivated orthodox Daoist methods and was a profound and unfathomable figure. Now it seemed… she was clearly a countryside quack Daoist, not worth mentioning.

Zhou Jiang didn’t bother arguing further. He directly told them the true meaning of these runes, then looked at the time, “You have five minutes left.”

No one paid attention to the trivial matters of the Cui and Chen families anymore. They focused on resting well, preparing to face the exam in their best condition.

Tian Zhongxiang was a little worried. “Why do I feel that Cui Yun has ill intentions? Did you offend him?”

A’Diao: “Someone like him, does he need to wait for others to offend him before dealing with them? It just depends on whether there’s a need to eliminate them.”

That seems right too.

But you’re ranked 51st, why would he want to eliminate you? Just because of that little piece? Did he hear it?

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Five minutes passed quickly.

Zhou Jiang checked his watch. “Alright, everyone go up.”

Everyone?

The crowd, who had been prepared, was startled. All 500 people together?

This was no different from dumping dumplings into a pot. Spiritual energy was the water. Those who could absorb water would be cooked well. Those who couldn’t absorb water well would fucking end up dry-fried.

They were doomed.

A’Diao also had a headache. However, others had powerful ancestors who naturally provided them with resources. There was nothing to complain about. She could only think about how to perform better later.

But how could she perform well? She only knew one method in total—the toilet breathing technique.

What a pain in the ass.

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Regardless of what they thought inwardly, everyone prepared to ascend the steps together. At this moment, Zhou Jiang suddenly answered a call. His brow furrowed. “Okay, I understand.”

He hung up the phone and then announced some news to everyone.

“Regarding the exams that started yesterday, there has been immense public attention nationwide. Perhaps some schools, like ours, have stricter requirements, and too many people were eliminated. This has led to dissatisfaction among many, who feel the exams are not transparent enough and suspect us of insider dealings. Therefore, today’s results will be publicly posted on the notice board at the school gate.”

So what if they’re announced? The competition results couldn’t be hidden anyway. Those who were determined to find out could still find out.

Those with good results didn’t care. As for those with poor results… they were too busy feeling sad about their own scores to care what others thought. Besides, they didn’t know all those miscellaneous people anyway.

Most importantly…

“What do you mean? Those people who couldn’t make it themselves suspect our results are fake?”

“Damn, I even comforted several people yesterday.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Most people probably wouldn’t. It’s just a small minority. Whether it’s exams or other matters, there will always be some people causing trouble.”

Anyway, the 500 people weren’t afraid of the results being announced. After all, they had been the cream of the crop in their respective regions since childhood, and had always been confident.

But A’Diao was a bit melancholic.

What did this mean? Would the way they took the exam be announced? I was originally planning to use my ‘unconventional’ breathing method. Now it seemed that wouldn’t work.

It would be social suicide.

I can forget about marrying into a wealthy family in the future.

Then what other methods do I even know?

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