Looking at the dazed Li Qingchen, Chang Qing waved his hand and called out again.
"Hmm, what's the matter?"
Diverting a part of his consciousness, Li Qingchen looked up at Chang Qing.
"May I ask for Master's name? How should I address you in the future?"
Chang Qing asked somewhat awkwardly.
He had become an apprentice, yet he didn't even know his Master's name.
Li Qingchen paused, suddenly remembering his current status as a failed Scholar.
He quickly changed his words with a smile, "Just call me 'Scholar Master'."
Chang Qing was not suspicious, nodded, and then asked, "When does the disciple start learning?"
Knowing that reading could lead to cultivation, he was already somewhat impatient.
"Why? Haven't finished reading this 'Annals of Various States', and already thinking about reading other books?"
Li Qingchen instructed, "Although it's just a simple unofficial history, it can let you understand the complete world, which will be beneficial for you in the future..."
"Scholar Master, I've just finished reading this book."
Li Qingchen, who was about to say something, was taken aback.
This 'Annals of Various States' might be simple, but it was a hundred pages long, recorded in complex elegant language, difficult to understand.
For an average person to finish this book, it would take at least three days. But how long had it been since he gave the book to Chang Qing?
Not even a quarter of an hour?
"Have you memorized it all?"
"Of course, this book is very simple, isn't it?"
Chang Qing had realized that his brain in this life was indeed very clever.
No matter how complex the sentences in the book, he could instantly understand and never forget.
Moreover, he read very fast, able to absorb the content of each page at a glance.
"Take a look at this 'Benevolent Records', I'll test you later."
Li Qingchen paused for a moment, then handed Chang Qing another book.
This book, similar to the previous one, was also about a hundred pages long, recorded in elegant language, complex and difficult to understand.
Upon hearing the Master would test him later, Chang Qing immediately appeared serious and diligently began reading.
Li Qingchen, at the side, watched his eyelids twitch.
He had taught for many years, but it was his first time seeing someone flip through a book as quickly as Chang Qing did.
Almost at a glance, his hand never stopped flipping through the pages.
Within less than a quarter of an hour, Chang Qing stood up and handed the book back to him.
"Master, I've finished reading it."
Li Qingchen accepted the book without even looking at it and asked, "What does line 12 on page 47 say?"
Without hesitation, Chang Qing replied, "I've never seen a person who loves benevolence but hates the non-benevolent. Those who love benevolence have no equal, those who hate the non-benevolent practice benevolence, not allowing the non-benevolence to fall upon them."
Li Qingchen paused for a moment, then continued, "Line 7 on page 53."
"A person's faults belong to their group. Observing faults reveals benevolence."
"To a gentleman, there is no fitting friend or enemy, only righteousness aligns them."
Li Qingchen was completely silent.
He had seen photographic memories before, such prodigious talents existed in the literary world.
But not only did Chang Qing remember everything, he completely understood the meaning behind the words.
This was truly terrifying!
Why do academies exist in this world? Because so many students do not understand things and need teachers to enlighten them.
But Chang Qing fundamentally did not need this; as long as something was recorded in a book, he could fully comprehend its meaning, and infer further knowledge from it.
With such formidable comprehension and coupled with a photographic memory...
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, you were so proud to have taken in a disciple, yet you had to compare him with me."
Li Qingchen silently mourned for a moment.
Ling Si might have decent intelligence, but was not on the same level as Chang Qing at all.
Within two years... perhaps he would no longer have anything left to teach Chang Qing.
"Master, how does the disciple read?" Chang Qing asked confidently with a smile.
He was actually quite satisfied with himself.
This reading speed, if in his past life, was practically immortal.
The exhilarating feeling of reading and the satisfaction of accumulating knowledge made him extremely pleased.
And Li Qingchen, looking at the smile on Chang Qing's face, seemed somewhat dissatisfied, saying:
"It's barely adequate, a little better than the average person, but still far from those geniuses!"
"Huh? Am I really that bad?"
The slightly smug Chang Qing couldn't help but ask suspiciously.
He felt he was quite strong.
Li Qingchen said with a serious expression, "Do you think you are powerful just because you read fast?"
"There are countless prodigious talents in this world, some have never read a book, yet comprehend the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, and become saints in a day."
"Some children just born bring heavenly blessings and are gifted by the literary path."
"You're already an adult starting to read, and even if you read faster, it's simply because your intellect has matured; it's not considered... any kind of talent."
Li Qingchen spoke with some embarrassment, to speak of the number one prodigy in such a dismissive way is unique to him.
But there was no choice, Su Nan's advice echoed in his ears.
Coupled with Chang Qing's extraordinarily strong aptitude, if not constantly criticized and challenged, he might become overly complacent.
He could only speak blatant lies now.
"Master is right; the disciple will definitely pay attention in the future."
Chang Qing's expression was somewhat dejected.
He had thought he was an exceptional prodigy, but in the end, only a little better than average.
But on second thought, it made sense; this world was not like his previous life.
Even Immortals who could move mountains and seas existed; what did it matter if he could read fast?
Perhaps everyone in this world was like that, who knows?
"Alas, I was just an ordinary rural child, how could I become a genius, dreaming of something impossible."
Chang Qing bitterly laughed and shook his head, discarding those unrealistic thoughts.
"Ahem, you shouldn't belittle yourself either."
Seeing Chang Qing's expression, afraid of hitting him too hard, Li Qingchen comforted:
"Your comprehension is still... quite good, as long as you work hard, you will surely achieve something in the future."
Chang Qing, having rectified his mindset, smiled and said, "No need to console me, Master, I know my own abilities."
"Don't worry, I won't be discouraged!"
"Though I'm not a genius, nor affluent, I will strive to change all of this!"
Even Li Qingchen almost couldn't maintain his composure at these words.
But seeing Chang Qing's spirited demeanor, he couldn't help but nod in relief.
The Patriarch of the Su family's method was indeed excellent.
"That's enough for the first day."
After glancing at the sky, Li Qingchen took out a few books and handed them to Chang Qing,
"If there's anything you don't understand, ask me tomorrow. For these days, you don't need to learn anything but just read books."
For an average person, learning requires close guidance and frequent problem-solving.
But... Chang Qing's comprehension is so strong; no matter the book, he can understand it and draw inferences, so his Master's job is much easier.
He just needs to oversee the direction of future studies, and that's sufficient.
Cyan Mountain Village.
On his way home, Chang Qing was in a relatively good mood.
Though his talent wasn't great, at least he had successfully become an apprentice, taking a crucial step, having learned of the exciting world beyond.
As long as he takes his time, he will one day leave this Cyan Mountain Village.
By then, he would find a sect and see the legendary cultivators who fly in the air...
"Chang Qing, Chang Qing!"
A sudden voice interrupted Chang Qing's thoughts, causing him to look up and immediately greet with a smile.
He recognized the person approaching him, it was Su Erniu, his childhood friend and the one who insisted on joining him for school the previous day.
"Uh, I just knew Chang Qing wouldn't refuse, if Brother Er Niu needs any help, just say the word."
"Hey, I just knew you wouldn't refuse. Your Brother Er Niu recently fancies a girl from a certain family, but she doesn't fancy a simple man like me, she prefers someone knowledgeable."
"I just want to be able to show off a little in front of her!"