43: Chapter 43 Not a Genius

However, during the final test, while injecting Spiritual Qi into the Spiritual Plant, although his Spiritual Qi was pure and stable, it lacked the "intuition" and "creativity" required by an Alchemist for fusing medicinal properties and controlling the heat; it leaned more towards methodical healing and nourishment.

The Alchemist's final evaluation.

"You may have potential in medical care. However, the path of Alchemy requires a 'spark of inspiration' regarding the changes in medicinal properties, and you... are a bit too rigid."

"You could join Baicao Hall as a medicine boy or a nursing Disciple, but if you wish to become an Alchemist, you are not an ideal candidate."

The Talisman Pavilion, Beast Taming Garden, External Affairs Hall... almost every place that tested Li Changsheng reached a similar conclusion.

This child has a steady Heart-Nature and decent Comprehension Ability, and even performs excellently in certain basic aspects (such as Spiritual Qi control, physical coordination, and memory of knowledge).

Yet, he happens to lack that most core "spark of talent" or "special endowment" required to step onto the Peak of that path.

His performance is more like that of a diligent, hardworking "honor student" with a solid Foundation, rather than a stunning "Genius."

Especially during the most direct test of Spiritual Root Aptitude, a Golden Core Elder from the Scripture Transmission Hall personally used a high-Rank Spiritual Root testing array to investigate.

The results showed: Li Changsheng possesses wood, fire, and earth Spiritual Roots, with wood as the primary one, and fire and earth as secondary.

The purity of his wood Spiritual Root barely reached "Medium Grade," while the fire and earth ones were merely "Low Grade."

With such Aptitude, among the Disciples recruited by the Qinglan Sword Sect each session, he can only be considered lower-middle, or even near the bottom.

The fact that he could break through to Qi Refining Level 1 on his own with such Aptitude in the Spiritual Qi-barren mortal world might be due to coincidence or a special Physique; while his determination and perseverance are indeed commendable, that is all.

The news gradually spread among the lower levels of the Qinglan Sword Sect.

"Have you heard?"

"That kid who Elder Yunyin personally paid attention to and brought back from the land of the demonic disaster?"

"I know, his name is Li Changsheng."

"I thought he was some incredible Genius, but after the Sword-Wielding Elder looked at him, he said his talent for the Sword Dao was mediocre."

"He's been to Wanqi Peak and Baicao Hall too; his talent for Artifact Refining and Alchemy is also average."

"His Spiritual Roots are just mixed three-element Spiritual Roots; wood is Medium Grade, fire and earth are Low Grade..."

"Tsk tsk, with this Aptitude, you can find a handful in the Outer Gate."

"Maybe he just relies on that special Physique of his to Cultivate a bit faster?"

"But even if the Physique is special, without core talent, his achievements will be limited, right?"

"What a pity, it was a waste of Elder Yunyin and Senior Brother Liu's efforts."

"I heard Senior Brother Liu was even seriously injured to bring him back."

The direction of public opinion shifted quietly.

From the initial shock and expectation caused by "Elder Yunyin's attention," "suspected special Dao Body," and "sealing the demons in a crisis," it gradually turned into disappointment, doubt, and even faint contempt.

The world of Cultivation is, after all, realistic.

Potential requires the support of talent; without eye-catching talent, even the most special encounters are easily viewed as a flash in the pan.

A few days later.

The preliminary decision regarding Li Changsheng's placement was issued by the Outer Gate Deacon Hall and delivered to the guest quarters where he was temporarily staying.

"Disciple Li Changsheng, Spiritual Root Aptitude: Wood (Medium Grade), Fire (Low Grade), Earth (Low Grade). After review by various halls, there is currently no outstanding specialized talent."

"However, his Heart-Nature is decent, his Comprehension Ability is not bad, and he possesses a special Physique, which may have unknown value to the Sect."

"Temporarily designated as an 'Outer Sect Named Disciple,' affiliated with the 'General Affairs Hall,' with specific duties to be determined, and entitled to the basic treatment of an Outer Sect Named Disciple."

"Collect the basic Cultivation Technique 'Qingyuan Formula' and the corresponding monthly stipend; you must figure out how to enter the entry level on your own within half a year at the latest."

"At that time, you may apply to participate in the basic chores of various halls to observe your subsequent performance."

The General Affairs Hall, as the name implies.

It is mainly responsible for the large amount of complex and trivial daily affairs of the Sect.

From cleaning and sweeping, transporting Materials, and delivering information, to assisting in the management of Spiritual Fields and beast gardens, and maintaining public facilities, etc.

This is one of the most inconspicuous and "futureless" departments among the Outer Sect Disciples.

It usually houses those Disciples with the worst Aptitude and no particular strengths.

This result is a world of difference from the initially expected "Genius treatment."

The Deacon Disciple who delivered the decision had a rather business-like attitude, with no more of the previous politeness and curiosity.

Li Changsheng calmly accepted the Jade Slip and the cyan waist token representing his identity as an Outer Sect Named Disciple, as well as a low-Rank Storage Pouch containing the 'Qingyuan Formula' Jade Slip, two sets of gray cloth robes, ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and a bottle of the most basic 'qi gathering pill.'

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

His expression was as usual, showing no trace of frustration or dissatisfaction.

The Deacon Disciple was slightly surprised, took an extra look at him, nodded, and left.

The guest quarters returned to silence.

Li Changsheng stroked the cold cyan waist token, which was simply engraved with his name and the two characters "General Affairs."

He walked to the window and looked out at the Qinglan Immortal Mountain, which was shrouded in clouds and mist, overflowing with Immortal Qi, yet strictly hierarchical and full of cruel competition.

A faint, yet extremely clear, arc slowly curled at the corners of his mouth.

"Ordinary Aptitude? Mediocre talent? Mixed Spiritual Roots?"

He whispered to himself, his eyes showing no loss, but rather a clarity as if the dust had settled, and... a deeply hidden sharpness.

"This... is just right."

An unattended corner, an inconspicuous identity, tedious yet relatively free general affairs...

For him, this might be more advantageous than directly becoming a high-profile Genius Disciple.

He has the Longevity Dao Body, the samsara simulation system, and the knowledge and accumulation from different worlds.

What he needs is not temporary glory and a pile of resources, but a relatively stable starting point, an environment that allows him to accumulate silently and grow quietly without exposing all his trump cards too early.

General Affairs Hall? Named Disciple? Isn't this the best disguise?

He hung up the waist token and changed into a set of gray cloth robes.

The young man in the mirror had a delicate face and calm eyes, with no more of the sharpness he had in Qinghe Town.

He looked more like an ordinary young man who had just entered the Sect, feeling both confused and hopeful about the future.

Pushing the door open, he walked towards the valley where the General Affairs Hall was located.

Li Changsheng's Cultivation career in the Qinglan Sword Sect officially began in a way that surprised everyone.

The General Affairs Hall. It was located in a valley with sparse Spiritual Qi on the west side of the Qinglan Mountains.

The terrain was low-lying, shrouded in mist all year round, but it was not Spiritual Mist, just the ordinary damp water vapor of the mountains.

Several rows of dusty stone and wood houses were built against the mountain; in front of the door was a patch of dirt ground that had been trampled solid and shiny, piled with all kinds of sundries.

Damaged Magical Artifacts waiting to be repaired, sorted Ore waste, bundles of Talisman Materials waiting to be processed, and some daily Sect consumables whose names he couldn't call out.

There was no scorching heat from the earth fire of Wanqi Peak, and no lingering medicinal fragrance of Baicao Hall here.

And even less of the soul-stirring, sharp Sword Intent of Heavenly Sword Peak.

There were only busy, head-down gray-clad Disciples, and the sound of urging and scolding rising one after another.

In the middle of the General Affairs Hall was the main courtyard of the General Affairs Hall.

There was a relatively large house, which was the center for handling daily docking.

Li Changsheng came here to report.

The person who received him was a middle-aged Deacon surnamed Liu.

With a cultivation base of Qi Refining Level 6, he was short and fat, and his eyebrows carried the shrewdness and impatience polished by years of handling general affairs.

"Li Changsheng?"

Deacon Liu flipped through the roster in his hand, lifted his eyelids, and then lowered them again.

"Oh, the one from Qinghe Town, the one nobody wanted after being tested everywhere."

He did not deliberately lower his voice when he said this.

Around him, several General Affairs Hall Disciples who were transporting Materials all raised their heads, their eyes filled with undisguised curiosity and scrutiny.

One of them couldn't even help but snicker.

"Deacon, sir, you are right."

Li Changsheng's expression was calm, as if he hadn't heard the mockery in the words.