Chapter 38: Advancement Test . . .
Amid the astonished gazes of the students, Ye Yuan discreetly slipped away, leaving behind Feng Ruoqing, who wore a somewhat bitter expression. Unfazed by the teacher's reaction, Ye Yuan's weariness propelled him forward, with the looming prospect of another intense battle during the night demanding his immediate attention.
The agreement to become Feng Ruoqing's assistant was a casual acquiescence on Ye Yuan's part, driven by the necessity of the moment. Feng Ruoqing, being a genuine Spirit Condensation Realm martial artist, held the power to restrain Ye Yuan, making his compliance the only viable option.
Returning to his residence, Ye Yuan succumbed to a deep slumber, awakening only at dusk. Consuming a transcendent-grade Qi Returning Pill, combined with the restorative effects of his sleep, swiftly replenished the essence energy in his fatigued body. The Qi Returning Pill, meticulously crafted before Ye Yuan embarked on his endeavors, proved to be a valuable asset at this juncture.
With revitalized energy, Ye Yuan resumed the intricate task of employing the Six Astral Array to refine transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills. This monumental undertaking involved the transformation of tens of thousands of high-grade Essence Qi Pills, with each iteration yielding several thousand transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills.
Days passed in a cyclical pattern of daytime slumber and nighttime alchemical endeavors, demonstrating Ye Yuan's unwavering commitment to his pursuit.
Two days later, during the onset of dusk, Ye Yuan, poised to refine the final batch of transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills, received an unexpected visitor – Huyan Yong, the host of the deathmatch.
Summoned by Lu-er, Ye Yuan, employing a peculiar stance, blocked the entrance to his abode to prevent Huyan Yong from peering inside.
In a jovial manner, Ye Yuan greeted Huyan Yong, expressing a desire for brevity due to pressing matters. Huyan Yong, known for his stoicism, showed no irritation at Ye Yuan's behavior, prompting the curious question, "Since I'm here, you are not going to invite me in to have a seat?"
Ye Yuan, maintaining a vigilant posture at the door, declined Huyan Yong's entry, attributing the refusal to the disarray within. His true motive, however, was to conceal the miraculous alchemical feats transpiring inside. He was acutely aware that allowing Huyan Yong to witness the refinement of transcendent-grade Essence Qi Pills could potentially throw the Dan Wu Academy and the state of Qin into chaos.
With an excuse of tidying up, Ye Yuan deftly dodged Huyan Yong's request, who, despite recognizing Ye Yuan's evasion, refrained from further intrusion.
Ye Yuan, eager for uninterrupted rest, proposed an invitation for another day. To his surprise, Huyan Yong readily accepted, indicating a desire to await the promised tea gathering.
Ye Yuan's polite gestures were met with unexpected persistence, as Huyan Yong conveyed the purpose of his visit. Recognizing Ye Yuan's enhanced strength, Huyan Yong suggested that he undertake the advancement test, signaling a potential ascent to the coveted Black rank.
In the Dan Wu Academy, one's rank was determined not by cultivation realm but by combat prowess. The Illusionary Spirit Tower housed the advancement test, and Huyan Yong, responsible for overseeing it, found merit in Ye Yuan's abilities.
The revelation stirred curiosity, as Huyan Yong's interest in Ye Yuan had intensified during the recent deathmatch. Ye Yuan, labeled a dark horse, carried an aura of mystery that intrigued the observant teacher. The secrets veiled within Ye Yuan's being, a trait not uncommon among accomplished individuals, added an additional layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative.
In the esteemed Martial Roll of Honor, the first and second ranks belonged to Long Tang and Zuo Bugui, individuals whose achievements undoubtedly stemmed from their fortuitous encounters. The academy, however, remained indifferent to such matters, focusing instead on cultivating formidable students.
Ye Yuan, currently at the Third Level Essence Qi Realm, had managed to defeat Fei Qingping, a cultivator at the Fifth Level Essence Qi Realm, during the recent deathmatch. What caught the attention of Huyan Yong, however, was the suspicion that Ye Yuan hadn't exerted his full potential in the confrontation. Eager to explore Ye Yuan's true limits, Huyan Yong deemed the Illusionary Spirit Tower test as an ideal platform for such an evaluation.
In the Dan Wu Academy, students promptly underwent the advancement test when their strength met the requisite standard. However, Huyan Yong learned that Ye Yuan, despite possessing the necessary prowess, had been seemingly disinterested and spent several days sleeping through classes. Intrigued by this peculiarity, Huyan Yong personally sought out Ye Yuan to encourage his participation in the test.
Surprised by the suggestion, Ye Yuan readily accepted the proposal, forgetting in his recent focus on strength enhancement that the advancement test awaited him. Unconcerned about potentially invoking jealousy, Ye Yuan, a former Alchemy Emperor, felt no need to be overly cautious within the confines of the Dan Wu Academy. His willingness to explore the limits of his current strength mirrored his determination.
Observing Ye Yuan's willingness to partake in the test, Huyan Yong, initially anticipating some hesitation, expressed his availability at any time for the examination. The agreement was settled, with Ye Yuan deciding to visit the Illusionary Spirit Tower the following morning.
As Huyan Yong prepared to depart, Ye Yuan halted him with a sudden realization. Requesting a favor, Ye Yuan sought Huyan Yong's assistance in facilitating an entrance test for his maidservant, Lu-er. Having accompanied Ye Yuan for several days, Lu-er needed to formalize her stay within the academy. Huyan Yong, acknowledging Lu-er's strength at the Third Level Essence Qi Realm, agreed to arrange the entrance test.
Unbeknownst to Huyan Yong, Lu-er's remarkable cultivation speed had astounded even Ye Yuan. Achieving the Third Level Essence Qi Realm in less than a month, Lu-er's talent overshadowed many purported geniuses in the State of Qin. Ye Yuan attributed her rapid progress to both her innate abilities and his teachings, particularly the Heaven Illusionary Ice Soul technique tailored for her.
With Lu-er's strength rivaling that of the average Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm cultivator, both master and servant eagerly anticipated their simultaneous participation in the entrance test, a noteworthy event that promised to unravel further layers of their abilities.