Invisible Security Guard
Chapter 991 - 990: Assessment

Chapter 991: Chapter 990: Assessment

Jimmie Campbell’s six institutions held an assessment for recruiting disciples once a year, and the number of recruits for each varied, though the openings were always limited.

For instance, this year the Alchemy College offered only thirty-two spots, while tens of thousands had registered to participate.

Whether they were external disciples or Inner Sect Disciples, the allure of Jimmie Campbell’s six institutions was extraordinary. After all, knowing more crafts provided more paths; mastering alchemy meant one could make a living anywhere in the future.

Similarly, mastering the creation of talismans, formations, Artifact Refining, the supreme Secret Sword Technique, and the Five Elements Technique—all of these could make one increasingly powerful on the arduous journey of cultivation.

Therefore, the six institutions of Jimmie Campbell were actually transcendental entities.

Seven days later, Yusuf Zuck followed Rafael Case to the grand competition site of the Alchemy College. The assessment at the Alchemy College lasted three days, one test per day.

The first day was a written examination. All the candidates gathered in the alchemy square of the Alchemy College, where numerous small desks were arranged. Over twenty thousand people sat in the square, taking their exam.

Only those who passed the written test could proceed to the interview—the second test, the content of which was confidential and known only to the chief judge, Zong Zheng, and a few members of the management.

The third test was the evaluation of alchemy skills. Whether in the written or interview phases, these were just tests of theoretical knowledge. Only if one could truly operate a Pill Furnace and concoct an Elixir did one genuinely qualify as a Pill Master.

"Don’t be nervous. The written exam will mainly cover the steps of alchemy, control of the flame, and some common Elixir recipes—all extracted from the three books I gave you. So you shouldn’t have any major problems,"

"Of course, there might be an analytical question. When that comes, you just need to use your own understanding to complete it,"

"Understood, Master," Yusuf Zuck said as he clasped his hands towards Rafael Case. After six days of dedicated practice, his Cultivation Level had improved and he had reached the Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade, although he had not yet entered the Golden Immortal Realm. After all, achieving the Golden Immortal status would have been too astonishing.

"Go, ninth row, number three hundred," Rafael Case said before heading to the gathering area of the third-generation disciples, while other candidates gradually took their seats in the square.

Zong Zheng sat on the platform, flanked by his peers and some other first-generation disciples like Rafael Case, who moved among the candidates in the examination area to invigilate and to serve the examinees.

Yusuf Zuck noticed that Rafael Case was also involved, wearing an invigilator’s badge, walking with confident steps, looking extremely authoritative. However, he was far from his location, seemingly not in charge of that area.

This was also because his Cultivation Level had increased, thus elevating his status and identity. Otherwise, three months earlier, he probably would have had to keep his distance, lest his presence disgraced his master.

With a loud "gong," the mighty bell rang out across the square, signaling all the candidates were seated and the assessment had officially commenced.

No one spoke, as this was only the first test, and it was meant to eliminate many participants.

Yusuf Zuck flipped over the paper on his desk, and as expected, it focused on the foundational theories of alchemy. As long as one comprehended those three books, scoring at least a passing grade shouldn’t be a problem.

His speed in answering questions was quick, and in less than half an hour, he had reached the last few questions.

At that moment, someone began to hand in their test early in the examination room.

The first to submit her test was a young girl, around sixteen or seventeen years old. As she stood, an invigilator immediately accompanied her to leave.

Then, one after another, some handsome young men and beautiful women also started to stand and leave.

Yusuf Zuck was extremely astonished. He thought he was fast, but surprisingly, there were many who were faster, not just one or two, but around thirty to forty.

He took a deep breath, knowing that beyond men there are other men, and beyond the heavens, there are higher heavens. In this vast and boundless Mid Yuan World, geniuses are as common as carp crossing the river, and there are plenty who possess greater talent and fortune than him.

After focusing on continuing his exam, indeed the last question turned out to be an analytical one. The question was lengthy and even told a small story, but ultimately, it boiled down to two aspects, asking the candidates whether Alchemy is important, or whether ’loyalty, filial piety, kindness, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, and sincerity’ are important?

Yusuf Zuck did not understand which bastard had posed such a question, nor why it was asked this way, but he still promptly wrote down a single sentence and that was all; he did not provide any further analysis.

Having finished the paper, he turned it over and likewise stood up.

An invigilator escorted him out and informed him that the results would be announced before the end of the night. If his name was on the list, he should continue with the second phase of the assessment tomorrow, an interview. If he did not make the list, there was no need for him to come.

Yusuf Zuck went back to his small courtyard alone. However, what he did not know was that in fact, many high-ranking individuals were secretly paying attention to him, such as the clan elders and even their fellow disciples and brothers, and so on.

He was Rafael Case’s servant, and in just three months time, he had achieved the cultivation level of Celestial Immortal Sixth Rank. This was already a matter of disbelief, and Rafael Case had also reached the second rank of the Great Luo. Therefore, many people were curious about what fortuitous encounters and fortunes the two of them had come upon.

Some people felt uncomfortable coming over to inquire directly, so they could only silently observe, including wanting to take a good look at Yusuf Zuck’s exam scripts and others.

Of course, at this time, many people were still unaware that Yusuf Zuck’s cultivation level had already reached Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade.

The morning’s assessment came to an end, and after all the examinees had left, all the papers were taken to the Hall of Light. The Hall of Light was not only filled with second-generation disciples but also third-generation disciples who had gathered there to grade the papers. Even Rafael Case was one of the graders.

"Haha, Rafael, I haven’t congratulated you yet, truly a joyous occasion. You have finally attained the rank of Great Luo!" In front of the clan elder, Rafael’s uncles finally spoke to him.

"Thanks to the blessings of my seniors, and I’m grateful for the concern of all my uncles," Rafael replied humbly and strongly.

"I heard you’re planning to take on that servant of yours as your disciple? And that servant of yours, in just three months, went from Spirit Immortal Rank One to Celestial Immortal Sixth Rank? That’s truly unbelievable, he’s a genius! Geniuses like him must be cultivated well!"

"That’s right, that’s right. Oh, what’s the name of that servant disciple of yours again?"

Some uncles chatted amiably with Rafael while others were busy grading papers.

"To answer my uncles, his name is Zayden Newton. He is no longer at the Sixth Rank of Celestial Immortal, but has reached the Ninth Rank," Rafael answered honestly, although he held some disdain for his uncles. Nevertheless, they were his elders and high-ranking people within the college, so he responded with sincerity.

"What? He’s reached Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade?"

Everyone’s faces were filled with disbelief. What sort of fortune had this master and disciple pair seized to cultivate at such a rapid pace?

At that moment, one of the lofty high-ranking individuals’ eyes gleamed sharply, "Find Zayden Newton’s paper for us, we want to scrutinize it. This is a prodigious young man, and his paper must be absolutely stunning!"

"Master, I am currently grading Zayden Newton’s paper," one of the third-generation disciples stood up, and this disciple was none other than the one named Dog, Rafael’s junior fellow disciple!

"Oh, let’s see it then, how did he do on his paper?" his master asked, smiling broadly, sitting right beside the clan elder.

Disciple Dog immediately handed the paper over to his master and bowed, "Master, Zayden Newton’s theoretical foundation is very solid. He got all questions correct in the front, but the last question is a bit... a bit... not rigorous!"

"Not rigorous?" All the people in the great hall were curious when they heard this.

And before Disciple Dog could reply, his master suddenly snorted coldly, "Nonsense, what is this answer to the question? Absolutely audacious!"