Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 610 - 2: Examination at the Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)_7

Chapter 610: Chapter 2: Examination at the Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)_7

"This is rather difficult," the proverb goes, "Those who emulate me die, those who learn from me live. Many people’s original spells only show their fullest potential in their own hands. Others who follow the process can only achieve half the power, or even less."

Zhao Xing said, "Indeed, the requirements for being an Honored Preaching Master are quite strict. We must leave something genuine in the Daoist Academy."

Assessment exchanges, akin to a resource exchange.

You either teach there, or leave a powerful spell for future generations to learn.

As for the Doctor of Governance, or vice-president, one must make significant contributions to the Li Fire Daoist Academy to be granted the ’Honorary’ title.

Of course, the goal of Zhao Xing and the other two was simply the level of ’Honored Preaching.’

Long Xiao nodded, "Alright, I’ll prepare."

"Then let’s meet at the Chen hour five days from now."

"Good."

...

Five days later, at Chen hour, Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao, took a Flying Boat to Nanyang County.

In Nanyang County’s Tower Ship Department, they changed to a tower ship and arrived at Dayuan Prefecture.

In Dayuan Prefecture, there was a branch of the Li Fire Daoist Academy.

"This branch in Dayuan Prefecture is headed by ’Ji Qingshan’, a member of the Imperial Family. He is a nephew of the Emperor, two hundred and one years old, at the Third Grade Realm," the three chatted as they walked upon arriving at Dayuan Prefecture.

"How is Ji Qingshan’s relationship with Prince Liang?" Long Xiao asked, "He won’t deliberately make things difficult for us, will he?"

Zhao Xing shook his head, "Not sure, probably not."

In a previous life, when Prince Liang rebelled, there was no mention of such a person as Ji Qingshan.

Logically, if he was at the Third Grade Realm and had joined Prince Liang’s ranks, he would definitely be well-known.

However, Zhao Xing’s knowledge of Ji Qingshan was less than that of Chen Shijie, as Yang An here knew a Doctor of Governance.

After several visits back and forth, they also learned a bit more.

"This isn’t something where personal relationships help. We will take the test based on merit, and there shouldn’t be any problem," Zhao Xing said.

"What spell are you planning to leave in the academy?" Chen Shijie asked.

"Thunderbolt Breaking Illusion Finger," Zhao Xing answered.

This Thunder spell, which he created, had now evolved into a high-grade spell, though not yet perfected, it reached the seventh tier.

The subsequent three transformations were still unrefined.

"And you?"

Chen Shijie said, "I have created an Earth Palace Skill that has barely reached the threshold of High Order Fourth Transformation."

Long Xiao proudly said, "I will just leave a technique of Shenxiao Swordsmanship, that should be enough."

"Who asked you?"

"..."

....

Upon arriving at the gate of the Li Fire Daoist Academy, Zhao Xing and the others waited.

At this point, they could only rely on Chen Shijie to contact the Doctor of Governance known to Yang An.

Their master, Liu Tianning, was not influential here, and it might even backfire.

Because in the past, Lao Liu had challenged the Li Fire Daoist Academy, and among seventy-two Daoist academies, he had fought nearly half of them.

If Zhao Xing declared himself as a disciple of Liu Tianning, it might unintentionally provoke complications.

After waiting for about two quarters, a Daoist Child in a yellow vestment robe floated out.

"May I ask if Chen Shijie and Long Xiao are present?"

"Indeed." Chen Shijie nodded.

"My teacher has sent me to welcome the two of you. And this gentleman is..."

"This is my colleague," Chen Shijie didn’t mention Zhao Xing’s name, "He is also here to take part in the assessment."

"Please follow me." The Daoist Child casually asked and then led the three of them into the Daoist Academy.

...

The palace style of Li Fire Taoist School was very ancient, and the buildings were very tall, creating a majestic atmosphere.

The pavilions inside the academy were seven or eight meters high, and the corridors were even wider, wide enough to allow several carriages to run abreast.

"Although it is called Li Fire Taoist School, there are plenty of spiritual springs and lakes inside,"

"The architecture of mountains and waters subtly conforms to the Dao of Yin and Yang, using earth and water to balance the fire ponds of Li Fire Altar, preventing the flames from becoming too fierce."

"This is just a branch academy." Zhao Xing observed the surroundings, which had significant differences from the Li Fire Taoist School he was familiar with in his past life.

Calm, peaceful, with an ethereal air of transcendence.

The Li Fire Taoist School Zhao Xing knew from that era was already under Emperor Wu’s reign, effectively turned into a war machine by him.

Even inside the Daoist Academy, there was an air of sternness.

The gentle aura of the Immortal Sect was harshly militarized by Emperor Wu.

"The Li Fire Taoist School had a total of forty-nine Fire Spirit Mountains, but by the Emperor Wu Period, thirty-two had been ruined," Zhao Xing pondered.

The cost of warfare was not minor, and with Li Fire Altar being such a valuable means of transportation, it was naturally commandeered.

The Daoist Child led the three on a Flying Boat within the academy, leisurely flying for two quarters, and stopped in front of a two-hundred-meter tower.

"Honored guests, we have arrived," the Daoist Child introduced, "The building ahead is the Dharma Transmission Tower."

"The Dharma Transmission Tower has a total of ninety-nine floors,"

"It contains thousands of spells left by the predecessors."

"The first thirty floors contain mostly mid to low-grade spells,"

"After the thirtieth floor, they are all high-grade spells,"

The Daoist Child explained, "If you wish to obtain an honorary title, you must leave your own created spell on the ’Magic Wall’ after the thirtieth floor."

"Remember, it must be a newly created spell of your own."

"If it’s not original, it cannot leave a mark,"

"The three honored guests can follow the instructions within the tower; the many Magic Walls can guide you in enlightenment. Perhaps with a few days of observation, you might create a new spell."

"Thank you for guiding us," Chen Shijie bowed to the Daoist Child.

"You’re welcome." After returning the bow, the Daoist Child boarded the Flying Boat and left.

There were many such guiding Daoist Children around, carrying guests on Flying Boats to the Dharma Transmission Tower.

Many people wanted to leave their names in the Li Fire Daoist School, and even if they couldn’t obtain the honorary title, leaving a name on one of the floors below thirty was worth boasting about.

Of course, the majority were still students of the academy itself.

In the graduation requirements for Daoists at the Li Fire Taoist School, one condition was to leave a new spell within the first thirty floors.

"There are really a lot of people, but their realms are generally low," Long Xiao observed the surroundings, "Most are of Lower Grade; Middle Grade are fewer; I haven’t seen a single High Grade."

"High Grade powerhouses are not cabbages to be encountered casually," Zhao Xing laughed.

"The more they are half-full, the more they slosh," Long Xiao pointed at those coming in and out, "with just a Lower Grade Realm, what profound Daoist Skill can they understand."

Long Xiao’s air of pointing out what needed to be done immediately drew quite a few glances.

"Can you keep it down," Zhao Xing hissed, "Do all you Sword Cultivators have this problem, preferring to act so high-profile?"

"Keep your voice down, my identity is a bit tricky, don’t stir up trouble for me."

"Oh, then I won’t talk," Long Xiao also lowered his voice, "I’ll listen to you, keep it low-key."

"All right, let’s go."

With that, the three of them entered the Dharma Transmission Tower.