I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

This is the eighth test.

Peng Hu's ranking dropped to sixth, almost indicating that he had fallen out of the competition for the position of apprentice at Baicaotang.

As the assessment entered its final month, the other inner disciples no longer maintained their initial casual attitude; instead, they became more serious. Before the test, they focused on studying, only exchanging a few words with each other after the test results were released.

They started from a very high point, and now that they're serious, they're even harder to catch up with.

Peng Hu has fallen out of the top five at this point, and it will be difficult for him to catch up in the final test.

Xu Zhou glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw that Peng Hu was in even worse condition. His clothes looked alright on the surface, but his body was swaying uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a muffled thud was heard, and Peng Hu lost his balance and fell to the ground.

He was kneeling on the ground, clutching his hair tightly with both hands, breathing rapidly.

"I can't beat them... Why can't I beat them!"

He slammed his fist into the ground, his spiritual energy surging around him.

Those nearby immediately exclaimed in alarm, "Watch out! His breathing is erratic!"

The next moment, a deacon appeared and forcibly restrained him, pulling him away.

Only Peng Hu's mournful voice continued to echo.

"Let me go!"

"I haven't lost yet, I can keep going!"

"I've already spent three months on this; I can't afford to fail now..."

Xu Zhou looked at it for a moment, then finally looked away.

Although Peng Hu's condition was alarming, he had no time to pay attention to it.

After all, his own ranking wasn't high either, only seventh.

Although his progress in studying the "Spirit Herb Scripture" had steadily improved during this period, and his ranking had improved in almost every test, the starting point for the inner disciples was simply too high. In particular, those inner disciples became even more serious in the last month, making it difficult for him to catch up.

If the assessment period were extended by another month, or even one more test opportunity, he would be 80% confident of making it into the top five.

Unfortunately, time waits for no one.

However, having come this far, he had no intention of giving up and wanted to try one last time.

Peng Hu's form is deteriorating, and he's nearing his limit. His sixth-place position might be difficult to surpass. The fifth-ranked player is roughly on par with Peng Hu, and if that player makes a mistake, Xu Zhou still has a chance.

After seeing the results, Xu Zhou decided to go back and continue to work hard.

"This junior brother!"

A disciple of Baicaotang called out to him, "Junior brother, wait a moment. There is a steward in the hall who wishes to see you."

"The deacon is looking for me?" Xu Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly.

After receiving confirmation, he followed the other person into the Baicaotang.

After passing through several corridors, we arrived at an old-fashioned wooden house. The door was half open, and through the crack, we could see several young disciples sitting inside, intently arranging various herbs in front of them.

A middle-aged, bearded, unfamiliar deacon paced back and forth between them, occasionally pointing out their mistakes.

"Wait here for a while."

He left a message for the disciple Xu Zhou had brought with him, then turned and left.

Xu Zhou stood at the door. Seeing that the steward inside showed no intention of coming out, he thought for a moment and then stayed by the door to wait patiently.

About an incense stick later, the steward finally came out.

"So you are Xu Zhou?"

"Yes," Xu Zhou replied respectfully.

"Come with me."

The two walked to an open space in the courtyard of the hall, where the steward turned around and said, "My surname is Zhang, and I am in charge of teaching at Baicaotang."

His gaze fell on Xu Zhou's face: "Xu Zhou, I've seen your assessment results. Your improvement isn't as good as Peng Hu's, but it's very stable. Your ranking isn't high, but it's remarkable that you've been able to persevere until now."

"You flatter me, Steward," Xu Zhou said modestly.

"However," Steward Zhang added, "the number of apprentices at Baicaotang is not solely based on academic performance."

"Some people have been preparing for this for years before they come; you should understand that."

Xu Zhou remained silent.

He couldn't quite figure out why the other party had summoned him here.

Was it forcing myself to give up the assessment, or was there another reason?

Steward Zhang continued, "With your assessment results, it won't be easy for you to get into the top five in the final test. According to the rules, Bai Cao Tang will not accept you."

He paused, then suddenly changed the subject:

"However, rules are rules, and Baicaotang may not be limited to only five people."

Xu Zhou's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Deacon Zhang continued, "The reason for the restriction of these five apprentices is that the sect only allows resources for five people. However, if you are willing to accept less resources, it is not impossible for you to stay."

"If you are willing, Baicaotang can take you as a disciple."

"However, since you're not a formal apprentice, your compensation will be different. You'll only receive half the contribution points of a regular apprentice, and your pill supply will be changed to once every three months. Resources will be scarce, but you won't miss out on anything you need to learn."

"If you agree to these conditions, I can let you enter the hall now."

Xu Zhou's expression shifted slightly, but he did not immediately respond.

His mind raced as he pondered the impact of Deacon Zhang's suggestion.

The silence didn't last long; Xu Zhou quickly made a decision.

"Thank you for your promotion, Steward Zhang. I am happy to accept. I am already content to stay at Baicaotang."

Upon hearing Xu Zhou's choice, a hint of approval flashed in Deacon Zhang's eyes, and he nodded, saying, "You do know how to make choices."

He then added, "Frankly, if you really insist on continuing to try to take the exam, you will only end up failing."

"These five apprentice positions have long been coveted by many. If we give them to you, Hundred Herbs Hall will face difficulties within the sect. Your decision to forgo the assessment shows you're a smart person."

Xu Zhou didn't respond; saying even one more word on this topic could cause trouble.

Fortunately, Deacon Zhang seemed to be just grumbling, and his expression quickly returned to its indifferent state: "Since you've agreed, go back and prepare. You'll move into the hall tomorrow and begin your apprenticeship. As for your assessment, you don't need to participate."

He paused, then added, "Although you've already joined Bai Cao Tang, you still can't let your guard down. If your performance doesn't meet expectations, Bai Cao Tang has its own ways to recoup its costs."

...

The next day, Xu Zhou moved into Baicaotang as instructed by Steward Zhang.

He didn't have any important belongings to begin with, so the move was very easy. The Hundred Herbs Hall was quite spacious, and even someone like him, who wasn't a formal student, had a private room for cultivation.

However, from what he knew, the apprentices probably didn't have much time to cultivate.

On his first day in the academy, his fellow disciples showed him around the rooms where apprentices could go, and in particular, they pointed out dozens of medical texts to him in the place where books were stored.

These classic medical texts are all as thick as the "Lingcao Jing" (Classic of Herbs). There are dozens of them; to study them all would probably take more than ten years.

However, Baicaotang only gives apprentices two years to prepare.

Fortunately, Baicaotang didn't require apprentices to completely understand these medicinal texts; a basic grasp was sufficient. Even so, Xu Zhou roughly calculated that a normal person who wanted to learn these classics would have absolutely no time for cultivation outside of eating and resting.

After a moment's thought, he decided to simply give up cultivation.

These numerous medicinal texts before him were his greatest gain from joining the Hundred Herbs Hall. The reason he had spent three months striving in the Hundred Herbs Hall's assessment was precisely for these medicinal texts.

Now that he can study medicine classics at will, it means that for a long time to come, he will not need to worry about finding sources of knowledge.

As for cultivation, there's no rush.

He could simply wait until he learned alchemy, accumulated enough contribution points, and then exchange them for advanced cultivation techniques and pills. Cultivating then would be far more efficient than his current arduous efforts.

So, after his fellow disciple finished introducing the medicine, he almost immediately chose a classic text on medicine and began to study it.

Seeing this, the senior brother looked at him strangely, but ultimately didn't say anything more.

Xu Zhou was so engrossed in the knowledge of the pharmacopoeia that he would only come back to his senses once a day to eat something symbolically and rest for a while before returning to the book to continue his study.

A few days later.

The apprenticeship assessment is over, and the results are in.

Several inner disciples who had passed the test slowly approached the library along the corridor, discussing the final scene of the test.

"This was really close. Junior Brother Huang's final score was almost the same as Peng Hu's, and he was almost overtaken."

"Tch, so what if they catch up? My father has already spoken to the steward here. It's just a slight difference, not enough to make Bai Cao Tang change its mind."

"If Peng Hu's grades improve a few more places, do you think Bai Cao Tang will let him go?"

"Uh... but it didn't happen."

One of them said in a serious tone, "You should be more careful with your words in the future. If Peng Hu had any connections, like being acquainted with any of the stewards, the outcome might be different. If he gains power, he's not someone we can afford to mess with."

Another person chimed in: "My mom scolded me yesterday, telling me not to cause her any trouble after I join Baicaotang."

"Me too, my grandfather said the same thing."

"However, people like Peng Hu are ultimately a minority."

At this point, they pushed open the door to the library.

As the group entered the house, their gazes involuntarily fell on Xu Zhou, and they paused in their tracks.

Xu Zhou sat in the corner of the room, not even raising his eyes, his gaze fixed on the medicine book in front of him, as if he was completely unaware that someone had entered the room.

The inner disciples exchanged glances, each with an ambiguous meaning.

Some of them opened their mouths to say something, but after a long pause, they swallowed their words back.

Afterwards, they each found their seats, selected several medical classics, and began their study as apprentices.