158: Fast pass?

Smelling this faint fragrance, Yang Shi's brows relaxed with a comfortable expression. The fragrance entered his body, seemingly merging into his sea of consciousness, allowing his Mental Energy to increase by a trace.

Moreover, this increase was not temporary but permanent.

Yang Shi's body suddenly stiffened. A Source Beast capable of nurturing and increasing Mental Energy actually existed in the flesh.

After a brief pause, Yang Shi realized he had been delayed for quite some time. He sliced open his palm, revealing a deep bloody wound, and presented his hand in front of the [Myriad Flower Butterfly Spirit].

"Show your ability to treat external injuries."

The [Myriad Flower Butterfly Spirit] flapped its wings, and colorful, sparkling pollen scattered over the wound. Although the difference in Realm was significant, the wound was still quickly healed.

Next, the [Myriad Flower Butterfly Spirit] successively demonstrated two skills: [Myriad Flower Spirit Shield] and [Butterfly Spirit]. Only the [Flower Medicine Spirit Pollen] skill could not be demonstrated, so they stopped there.

With all tests completed, Chu Shengfan looked at Yang Shi, expecting him to grade his first assessment.

Yang Shi lowered his gaze for a moment, then suddenly tossed Chu Shengfan's jade token into the air and announced loudly, "This child's Source Beast is special. Please, Chief Examiner, determine whether he can directly enter the academy."

While Chu Shengfan was momentarily stunned, a streak of light descended from the sky and transformed into a somewhat illusory figure on the platform.

An ethereal, fleeting voice echoed on the platform, "Whose Source Beast qualifies for direct entry?"

Yang Shi slightly bowed to the illusory figure and said respectfully, "This child's two Source Beasts have some peculiarities, especially that Myriad Flower Butterfly Spirit."

The illusory figure's eyes glowed with a faint golden light. First, it scanned the largest [Spirit Origin Cloud Mother], only briefly before indifferently withdrawing its gaze, then turned to the delicate [Myriad Flower Butterfly Spirit].

This time, the observation took a bit longer, and the illusory Chief Examiner even let out a soft 'Oh?'

A few seconds later, the ethereal voice sounded again, "Approved."

With just that single word, Chu Shengfan's jade token lit up with a clear, pure green light.

Then the illusory figure glanced down at Chu Shengfan for a moment before transforming back into a streak of light and disappearing from the platform.

Yang Shi was in high spirits. He smiled at Chu Shengfan. If someone in his charge directly entered the academy, the academy would also reward him.

"Congratulations on your direct entry to the academy."

Struck by this sudden surprise, Chu Shengfan took several deep breaths to suppress his joy. He suddenly remembered that different assessments for direct entry had certain limitations on the majors he could choose.

So Chu Shengfan forcibly suppressed his inner excitement, cupped his hands toward Yang Shi, and asked, "Yang Shi, may I ask which major I can choose through this assessment?"

Calm and not impatient, Yang Shi nodded silently, gaining another layer of approval for Chu Shengfan.

"The direct entry from this assessment is for the Novel Source Beast Research Department. In short, it's the direction of researching and developing the Source Beast's own abilities."

Chu Shengfan's eyes flickered. He was not yet familiar with the departments in the academy and didn't know what this major was like. A conflicted expression involuntarily appeared on his face.

Yang Shi seemed to understand his thoughts and spoke softly, "You don't have to decide now. This can be kept until all the assessments are over before making a decision.

Go back and learn more. You can treat this Direct Pass Card as a final fallback."

Chu Shengfan breathed a sigh of relief, bowed to Yang Shi in thanks, retrieved his jade token that recorded his achievements, and then turned to leave this special space.

Outside the entrance, Chu Shengfan found Sun Chunchen. He had no intention of participating in other assessments now and only wanted to return quickly to investigate thoroughly before taking the exams.

Sun Chunchen sensed Chu Shengfan's urgency. The outside was not a good place for detailed conversation, so against the flow of registrants, they took a Source Beast-drawn carriage and quickly returned to the combined shop and residence.

As soon as he got home, Chu Shengfan told Sun Chunchen about his first assessment in that special space.

After listening, Sun Chunchen also smiled, "Your Source Beasts are extraordinary. Getting a direct entry is only natural. Although I'm not sure what that major does, it's likely research-oriented.

If you choose this, it's not bad. At least from what we know now, there shouldn't be much danger in the academy."

Chu Shengfan pursed his lips. Perhaps getting a direct entry in this assessment gave him some courage. "I want to try the other assessments."

Sun Chunchen stroked his chin. "It's good to try. If you can get a few more Direct Pass Cards, even better."

Chu Shengfan scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Getting more Direct Pass Cards later might be difficult.

Grandpa Sun, I need to go out later to see if there are any detailed introductions about the Qianling Academy assessments in nearby bookstores."

Sun Chunchen waved his hand. "Go ahead. Although security is best at Qianling Academy during this time, you still need to be careful."

"Okay." Chu Shengfan replied, and his figure had already passed through the shop front and onto the street.

While Chu Shengfan was busy with assessments here, the Chu family on Qixia Mountain was also busy with the selection of patrol villagers.

On the square before the Chu Family Residence's main gate, young and strong men from different villages had already gathered. The women, children, and elderly stood at the edge of the square, curiously watching to see who would be chosen by the Main Family.

Not to mention catching the Main Family's eye or showing off in front of the four villages, those selected would receive extra monthly pay.

There were even rumors that if one performed well in the patrol team, they might have a high chance of undergoing Spirit Opening and contracting a Source Beast to become a member of the Main Family's Guard.

Thus, all the young men from the four villages presented their best selves, just to catch the Main Family's attention.

Some show-offs even bared their upper bodies in this early summer morning, fully displaying their muscular Physiques to show the Main Family how robust they were.

Three chairs were set up in front of the Chu family gate.

Seated on them were Chu Qinhui, Jiang Nian, and Chu Shengyuan.

The villagers often saw Chu Qinhui and Jiang Nian, so they dared not look too much at these two decision-makers, fearing offense.

As for the Young Master Chu Shengyuan, they rarely saw him. The little boy sat upright in his chair, trying hard to maintain a serious expression, but his slightly chubby face only made him look adorable.

He wore clothes made from spirit silk woven by spirit silkworms, which Jiang Nian had just bought from the town. A faint spiritual energy flowed over his body, making him look like a clever child beneath an immortal's seat.

Many villagers frequently glanced at him, sighing at how exquisite the child was—truly a noble Young Master of the Main Family.

Led by their respective village heads, the villagers lined up in groups of ten and came before Chu Qinhui and the others for inspection.

For every ten people, Chu Qinhui and the others would observe for about half a minute. If satisfied, they would pick them out and have them stand on the other side of the square. If not, they would directly move to the next batch.

Half the morning passed, and basically all the young men, and even some half-grown boys, had participated in the selection.

In the end, thirty-seven people were chosen. They weren't exceptionally strong, but among the villagers, they stood out like cranes among chickens.

To make it a round number, Chu Qinhui selected three more from those who didn't pass the first round, adding them to the group that passed on the other side.

This made a round number, making it easier to allocate spots for each patrol team.

"Lin Yue, organize these people into five teams. Their daily training, patrol areas, and shift schedules are entirely up to you."

Lin Yue was the single father who contracted the [Blade Mantis] and the lucky winner of the Spirit Opening slot during the Chu family's establishment banquet.

Hearing the Main Family's arrangement, Lin Yue nodded slightly. His stern, square face showed no extra expression, but his eyes swept over the newly appointed patrol team members, sending chills down their spines.

At first sight, these villagers realized that Lin Yue was likely a strict and serious person.

"The patrol team's meals are covered by the Chu family. Additionally, each member receives thirty taels of silver per month as salary. Shifts rotate, with one day off every ten days."

Three days off a month might be a grind for modern people, but for villagers who had to toil in the fields daily, this was an excellent job.

Not to mention the monthly salary of thirty taels of silver—one tael a day—which ordinary villagers wouldn't dare dream of.

The families of the selected villagers were overjoyed.

After the selection, Chu Qinhui left with Jiang Nian. Chu Shengyuan, who had sat stiffly in his chair for half a day, initially wanted to follow his parents.

But his eyes caught sight of Lin Yue, and he turned back, approaching Lin Yue. "Uncle Lin Yue, Lin Zixu hasn't been out for a few days. What's wrong with him?"

Facing Chu Shengyuan, Lin Yue's perpetually stern expression softened. He bent down. "Young Master Yuan, Zixu has been sick recently and can't stand the cold wind. Let him come find you when he's better, okay?"

"So he's sick." Chu Shengyuan clapped his hands. "Alright, I'll go find him."

With that, he ran into the courtyard on his short legs.

Lin Yue shook his head helplessly in the direction where Chu Shengyuan disappeared, then his expression hardened as he turned to the patrol team villagers.

Lin Yue said to the four village heads, "Gentlemen, please arrange for the onlookers to go back. I need to use the square."

Hearing Lin Yue's words, the village heads suddenly realized that the selection was over, yet so many villagers were still gathered and noisy in front of the Main Family's gate—what a sight.

So the village heads scowled and forcibly drove away the reluctant onlookers. After apologizing to Lin Yue, they also left.

Soon, only the patrol team members remained on the square.

Lin Yue glanced at them standing scattered together and said coldly, "One minute to line up in formation."

...

Chu Shengyuan, holding a pink-eared rabbit in his arms, stealthily approached the small courtyard where Lin Yue lived. After checking that no one else was around, he carefully pushed open the yard door and entered.

Closing the door, Chu Shengyuan turned around and met a pair of curious eyes face to face.

Chu Shengyuan was startled and jumped back.

"Thud." The back of his head hit the wooden door, making a dull sound.

Immediately, the owner of the curious eyes—a boy about ten years old—shifted from curiosity to concern.

"Young Master Yuan, are you okay?"

Chu Shengyuan then realized who the owner of the eyes was. He waved his hand magnanimously. "Doesn't hurt, I'm fine. With my Uncommon Rank Physique, a bump is nothing."

Hearing this, the boy opposite him nodded half-believingly.

"Young Master Yuan, you could have just come in openly. Why sneak around..."

"Shh, aren't you sick? I sneaked this out from the backyard." Chu Shengyuan pointed mysteriously to his arms, where a small pink-eared rabbit lay.

The boy's face was indeed pale, his lips lacking color. Under the early summer sunlight, he looked somewhat sickly.

"What is this?" Looking at the [Medicinal Fragrance Powder-Eared Rabbit] in Chu Shengyuan's arms, the boy showed curiosity. It was his first time seeing a rabbit-type Source Beast.

"Medicinal Fragrance Powder-Eared Rabbit. Let it treat you." Chu Shengyuan patted the rabbit's rump proudly and held it up to Lin Zixu.

"Little rabbit, treat him quickly."

After holding it for a while, nothing happened.

The boy tilted his body, looking past the rabbit at Chu Shengyuan. "Young Master Yuan, this isn't your Source Beast. It probably doesn't understand what you mean.

But it's okay. Just smelling its scent makes me feel much better."

Chu Shengyuan shook the rabbit stubbornly. "Hey, treat the patient! Don't you see a sick person in front of you?"

The [Medicinal Fragrance Powder-Eared Rabbit] blinked its red eyes, then closed them, ignoring Chu Shengyuan.

The boy grabbed Chu Shengyuan's arm and laughed, persuading, "Young Master Yuan, don't force it. Did you sneak this rabbit out? Hurry and return it. It won't be good if the Young Master finds out."

Return it? Chu Shengyuan's eyes lit up. Holding the rabbit with one hand and pulling Lin Zixu's arm with the other, he said, "Come on, let's go to a good place. If one rabbit can't cure you, maybe a group of rabbits can."