Chapter 234 - Assessment, Gao Zhice
Chapter 234 Assessment, Gao Zhice
After hearing what Zheng Yiqing said, Xu Ning’s interest was piqued.
Xu Ning had not communicated with other alchemists when he was in the Abyss North.
This was because Xu Ning’s advancement in alchemy was all due to the help of the Martial Arts Panel, so there was no need to communicate with other alchemists.
Moreover, the level of alchemists in the Abyss North was relatively low. Even if Xu Ning wanted to communicate with other alchemists, they would not be on the same level.
But after hearing what Zheng Yiqing said, Xu Ning felt that if he went to see Leng Ran, he might be able to get in touch with the alchemy circle in State Wansheng.
“Brother Xu, you are trying to find Senior Leng, Ran because you want to follow Senior Leng Ran and advance your alchemy, right?”
Zheng Yiqing looked at Xu Ning as though he had seen through him.
“That’s right.”
Xu Ning stopped explaining and just said, “I just wanted to ask Senior Leng Ran for some pointers, but I didn’t expect Senior Leng Ran to still be accepting disciples.”
“In this case, let’s go and become her disciples together, what do you think?”
Zheng Yiqing invited.
“Sure, but if I join, you will have one more competitor.”
Xu Ning smiled.
Zheng Yiqing waved his hand. “Senior Leng Ran does not restrict the number of disciples she accepts. As long as you can complete the assessment, you can become an in-name disciple.”
“An in-name disciple…”
After Xu Ning heard this, he asked, “Then how do I become a core disciple?”
“A core disciple?”
Zheng Yiqing shook his head gently. “It’s difficult, too difficult. Senior Leng Ran accepts in disciples once every ten years, and each time, she may only recruit one or two core disciples. Those who can be selected as core disciples must basically be at the level of a master alchemist.”
“Oh?”
Xu Ning realized that he had underestimated Senior Leng Ran.
This Senior Leng Ran’s alchemy standards might even be considered high-level even among the master alchemists.
”No wonder the former sect master of the Swallow Heron Sect gave the sect’s treasury to Leng Ran…’
Xu Ning thought to himself, ‘It is probably because Leng Ran has a high status in the alchemy circle and a very powerful faction behind her. Otherwise, if it were someone else, they probably wouldn’t be able to protect the treasury of the Swallow Heron Sect. An example of this case was Senior Wan Ye. Senior Wan Ye had only taken the sect token but was chased away from State Wansheng.’
“There is a big difference between an in-name disciple and a core disciple.”
Zheng Yiqing didn’t notice Xu Ning’s thoughts. He said, “In-name disciples can only learn from Senior Leng Ran for ten years. Once the ten-year period ends, they have to leave the Faint Bamboo Forest. Only core disciples can stay by Senior Leng Ran’s side and learn her alchemy knowledge for a long time.”
“Let’s not think too much about it. Being able to become an in-name disciple and observe Senior Leng Ran’s alchemy skills for ten years is enough.”
Zheng Yiqing didn’t have any hopes of becoming a core disciple, nor did he think Xu Ning had the opportunity to become Leng Ran’s core disciple.
After all, Zheng Yiqing had never heard of Xu Ning in the alchemy circle.
“Thank you Brother Zheng for explaining.”
Xu Ning learned about Leng Ran from Zheng Yiqing, so he thanked him.
Soon, the delicacies were served, and Xu Ning invited Zheng Yiqing to enjoy them together.
During this period, Gray tasted these precious cooked delicacies, but it showed not much interest in it.
Afterwards, Xu Ning went to the Faint Bamboo Forest with Zheng Yiqing.
Because Xu Ning had to accommodate Zheng Yiqing’s speed, this trip took nearly ten days.
Soon after, the two arrived at the bamboo forest where Leng Ran stayed.
Xu Ning looked around. It looked more like a sea of bamboo than a bamboo forest.
There seemed to be no end to the green shadows.
The wind blew, creating jade-green waves.
“We’re here!”
Zheng Yiqing looked at the familiar scene in front of him and couldn’t help but feel excited.
He had already been eliminated twice, so he came here with the intention to burn his bridges.
“Who are you?”
As soon as the two walked a few steps along the path between the bamboo forests, a figure suddenly flashed in the sea of bamboo.
A man in white with a bamboo sword in hand blocked their path.
‘”‘Dao realm master…”
Xu Ning noticed that the white-clothed bamboo swordsman in front of him was a body smelting realm master.
“We are here to participate in Senior Leng Ran’s disciple assessment.”
Zheng Yiqing was not surprised to see this white-clothed man. This was not the first time he had come here. And every time he came here, he would be interrogated.
“Participating in the assessment…”
When the white-clothed man heard this, his serious expression relaxed a little.
“You too?”
He asked Xu Ning specially.
The white-clothed man also noticed Xu Ning’s strength as a dao realm master.
“Yes.”
Xu Ning did not explain his intentions.
Xu Ning felt that he couldn’t tell anyone that he was here to take the Swallow Heron Sect’s treasury. He had to see Leng Ran personally.
“Both of you can go in, but not this demon beast.” The man in white stared at Gray on Xu Ning’s shoulder.
Xu Ning did not argue.
“Gray, wait for me outside the bamboo forest.”
Xu Ning said to Gray.
He was not worried about Gray’s safety. If it really encountered any danger, Gray could hide in the Demon Beast Scroll.
Moreover, this bamboo forest was Leng Ran’s territory. Under normal circumstances, no one would dare to cause trouble here.
“Brother, after you are done with your work, just find me outside.”
Gray turned into a silver shadow and left the bamboo forest.
“Go in.”
The man in white looked at Xu Ning.
“There are a hundred and fifty spots for this year’s assessment, and there are already more than a hundred candidates here. Quickly hurry over.”
The man in white reminded.
“Thanks a lot.”
Zheng Yiqing and Xu Ning said at the same time.
Afterwards, the white-clothed man disappeared into the bamboo forest.
“That person is a disciple of the Faint Bamboo Forest?”
Xu Ning asked.
“No, he is Senior Leng Ran’s follower.”
Zheng Yiqing said, “Although Senior Leng Ran recruited disciples, she did not establish a sect. But in order to maintain the safety and stability of the Faint Bamboo Forest, she recruited a group of followers. These followers are responsible for the chores of Senior Leng Ran, and in return Senior Leng Ran would provide them with the medicinal pills needed for their cultivation.”
“For example, recently, the Faint Bamboo Forest is recruiting new disciples, and these followers are responsible for interrogating the candidates who come here. Only those who have reached the common seal realm and are willing to be a disciple are allowed to enter.”
Zheng Yiqing continued to add, “To become a follower for a master alchemist of Senior Leng Ran’s level, they would have to go through a process of selections. After all, following Senior Leng Ran means not only would you receive enough medicinal pills, but also high quality medicinal pills, which will greatly increase one’s speed of advancement.”
“I see…”
Xu Ning understood and nodded.
“Let’s go, let’s occupy a spot first.”
Zheng Yiqing urged.
Xu Ning quickly followed.
After passing through the bamboo forest, Xu Ning saw other white-clothed followers.
He also saw some demon beasts that were not particularly fierce moving about in the forest.
These demon beasts were different from Gray and Cyan. They obviously did not have the fierceness of demon beasts. They even looked like domesticated pets. They were obviously raised in the Faint Bamboo Forest. “Sure enough, most of them have arrived.”
Zheng Yiqing brought Xu Ning to the assessment venue.
It was an open space in the bamboo forest. The open space was laid with cyan bricks, and one hundred and fifty tables were neatly arranged on the ground.
There were people sitting cross-legged next to each table.
Most of them were high level void realm martial artists, and only a few were elementary level dao realm masters.
There were several people in white waiting at the edge of the open space. When Zheng Yiqing and Xu Ning arrived, some looked over, but most of them closed their eyes and waited for the assessment. “Find a table and sit down. By sitting down, your spot is secured.”
Zheng Yiqing whispered, “When all hundred and fifty candidates are here, the assessment will begin.”
“Understood.”
Xu Ning responded.
He planned to participate in this assessment first. After that, he would meet Leng Ran in person and explain his intentions.
After passing this assessment, he could also observe the standard of ordinary alchemists in State Wansheng. Afterwards, Zheng Yiqing and Xu Ning found two vacant connected tables in the corner and sat down.
Zheng Yiqing closed his eyes and adjusted his mental state.
On the other hand, Xu Ning was quite relaxed. With nothing to do, he checked the decorations on the table.
On the table in front of him was a half meter tall and half meter wide pill furnace, as well as the special burning wood needed to refine pills.
Not everyone who practiced the alchemy sutra could directly use the power of their attributes to break down the medicinal effect. Some people had to use flames to refine the medicinal effect of the raw materials.
“The equipment on everyone’s table is the same. This kind of assessment can avoid external interference to the greatest extent.”
Xu Ning understood the intentions.
For example, Xu Ning’s dao weapon pill furnace could provide an increase in success rate and quality.
Although its boost when it came to refining dao realm medicinal pills, which were harder and had higher requirements to refine, was limited, its function could not be completely ignored.
After observing all the candidates, Xu Ning sat down like everyone else.
Several hours had passed. Although Xu Ning did not open his eyes, he could still sense people coming in one after another. “There are almost a hundred and fifty people here…”
Xu Ning opened his eyes again and found that it was already dark.
Of course, the weakest person present was in the common seal realm, which did not affect them.
“Gao Zhice is actually here!”
“Gao Zhice? He is Gao Zhice?”
“He also came to participate in Senior Leng Ran’s disciple assessment?”
“It seems that he is going to be a core disciple after this assessment!”
.
.
Suddenly, the quiet assessment venue became noisy.
A handsome man in a green robe walked into the assessment venue step by step.
He ignored the discussions around him and sat down on an empty seat.
He waved his long sleeves and sat down to rest. “Gao Zhice…”
Xu Ning took a few more looks at this person.
Although he didn’t know about this Gao Zhice before, he could infer from the reaction of others that this Gao Zhice was very famous in the alchemy circle of State Guqing.