Building a sect from scratch.

Chapter 133 Seriously? Even cultivators have to take exams?

"you--"

"Junior brother!"

Before Lü Wenyuan could roll up his sleeves and say anything, Zhaoyan stood on tiptoe and slapped him hard on the shoulder, warning him through gritted teeth, "Junior brother, do you still remember Senior Sister Jiao's 'advice' before she left?"

"Hmph! Senior sister, you're overthinking it! How could I, a dignified disciple of the Taiyi Ziwei Sect, bother with someone of unknown origin!"

Lu Wenyuan spoke defiantly, holding his head high and adopting an air of superiority. He stood to the side like a pine tree, his eyes fixed straight ahead, exuding a certain dashing charm.

"They're entering! They're entering! Silence!"

Soon, the doors of the research institute were pushed open.

Zhou Qian, his face visibly weary, clutched a piece of paper and read aloud: "No whispering, no using spells, etc. There are devices detecting spiritual energy fluctuations indoors; if detected, it will be treated as cheating. After entering, just find a seat. There are only thirty questions in total: twenty multiple choice, seven true/false, and three subjective questions. Half an hour... well, that's two quarters of an hour. Write as much as you can. The results will be released this afternoon and the list of candidates for the second round will be posted on the bulletin board at the entrance..."

At this point, a sudden exclamation rang out from the crowd: "Only half an hour! What can they possibly write in that time?!"

Someone kindly whispered reassurance, "Fellow Daoist, you just arrived in Chang'an City, right? The exams here are usually held around this time, and the content is different from those in other sects. But it's okay. If you didn't pass this time, you can practice more. A new 'Exam Training Center' has opened next door, and they've even released a collection of mock exams and past exam questions called 'Five Years to Pass the Exam, Three Years to Get Ahead.' Go there and practice more, and you're sure to succeed!"

"Yeah, yeah, my senior took the test three times before he passed. It's perfectly normal to fail the first time!"

Asagao was stunned by the cultivators' words: "No way, is it that exaggerated? Is it really necessary to go to this research institute?"

"Does this fellow Daoist not know? The various research institutes of the Taiyin Sect are renowned treasure troves and money-making dens! Several shrewd fellow Daoists who entered early on have already made a fortune from the little gadgets they research!"

At this point, the monk even beat his chest in regret: "Alas! Alas! If only I had applied back then! At that time, all I had to do was pass an interview, unlike now, where I also have to take a written test!"

"Alas, fellow Daoist, calm down. What is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force!"

Hearing everyone's exaggerated claims, Lü Wenyuan found it absurd, sneered, and said disdainfully, "Tch! How much profit could they possibly make!"

"I heard that the fellow Daoist who earns the most from patent royalties is making thousands of spirit stones every day! It's only been a few days! He's already wearing gold and silver, and I heard he even put down a deposit to buy a luxury flying boat for transportation!"

Asagao's eyes widened: "Duo, Duo Shao!? Mei what? Mei every day!?"

Even Lü Wenyuan couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, but then he thought it was impossible—the small Taiyin Sect had never been known to own any spiritual mines, so where would they get so much money!

"Hmph, that's not all! These past few days have seen the Taiyin Sect's grand ceremony, which has attracted many major sects, chambers of commerce, and alliances. You've surely heard of the renowned Fu Lu Shou Chamber of Commerce, the number one chamber of commerce in the Ten Continents and Three Islands, right? Their investment in the Chang'an Research Institute alone amounts to hundreds of thousands of spirit stones! And that doesn't even include the money from a series of goods orders they've signed!"

"Yeah, yeah! I don't need much. As long as I can get into the research institute and get involved in a few projects, I can earn 100 spirit stones a month. I'll be laughing in my sleep!"

"Keep dreaming! What great stuff do you think you can come up with and get patented?"

"Why not? Those hot-selling products they're selling don't have much technological content!"

...While the cultivators below were whispering amongst themselves, Zhou Qian, the proctor at the door, had already read the instructions for the second time. After he finished reading, he gestured to open the door, signaling everyone to enter the examination hall.

Lu Wenyuan walked into the examination hall with unsteady steps, and sat down at the examination table in turn with the cultivators in front of him.

The Taiyi Ziwei School also has examinations.

Or rather, most sects have examinations. They are generally called "ten-day exams" or "annual exams," which, as the names suggest, are held every ten days or every year. There are also more laid-back sects that only hold exams every three to five years.

However, whether it was the ten-day exam or the annual exam, Lü Wenyuan had never heard of any "multiple choice questions" or "true or false questions." Weren't they usually just questions about calligraphy and classic texts?

There are also "subjective questions" that you can't even guess what kind of questions they will be!

Could it be that I really can't even pass this simple preliminary test?!
Seeing the other cultivators filing in with seemingly relaxed expressions, Lü Wenyuan's face paled.

When he looked down and saw the title on the Xuan paper on the table, he found it even more unbelievable.

He understood the requirements clearly; it was simply a matter of choosing the correct answer from four options for each question, which seemed very simple.

But the questions were outrageous; they were all things I'd never heard of or seen before!
Which of the following statements about the Rejuvenation Pill is correct?
1. The principle is basically the same as that of spirit stones replenishing spiritual power.

2. Other cooling herbs can be used to balance the irritant properties of the Rejuvenating Herb.

3. It is harmless to those who have not cultivated themselves and can be ingested by ordinary people…

The feeling of having to use a whole paragraph to describe something in just a few words was both novel and uncomfortable for him.

It's so orderly, so serious, so straightforward, it's as if it's dissecting and chopping up all the mysterious things in spiritual practice, determined to flatten and straighten them out!
How can this be done!
Cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao are such tests of one's aptitude and "spirituality," so straightforward, as lowly as hoeing in the fields. Isn't that... isn't that...

Wouldn't this drag cultivators down from their pedestals?

The moment this idea popped into Lü Wenyuan's mind, he felt as if he understood something, yet he couldn't quite grasp the many new questions that had arisen in his heart.

Amidst the rustling sound of paper being rubbed together, he stared fearfully at the tiny characters on the snow-white Xuan paper, as if those characters could devour him. His mind was a complete mess, and he couldn't think of anything.

After an unknown amount of time, several loud thuds of the gavel rang out. The proctor, who had been sitting at the head of the table lost in thought, said, "There are fifteen minutes left, which is a quarter of an hour. Fellow Daoists, please pay attention to your answering speed. This is just one reminder!"

Lu Wenyuan then realized what was happening. He looked around and found that everyone else had already filled out several sheets of paper, and some of them seemed to have already answered some "subjective questions".

Turning his head again, he suddenly saw that the unknown cultivator who had just been arguing with him at the door was also writing furiously.

The cultivator seemed to sense something, and when he looked up, he saw Lü Wenyuan's pale face. He rolled his eyes at him and shook his head mockingly.

This time, however, Lü Wenyuan was not in the mood to compete with him.

(End of this chapter)