Chapter 148: Chapter 147: Elder’s Benefits
"CAW CAW, Eighth Master is finally free!"
"Xiaoba, you’ve already stressed that point for the eight hundred and fifty-third time!" a youth’s helpless voice sounded.
A strange scene unfolded on the main street: a bizarre, ugly bird was perched on the shoulder of a youth in a black robe.
The ugly bird was chubby and, aside from two feathers on its wings and a small tuft of black down on its head, was basically naked.
This ugly bird was chattering away excitedly.
"Brother Feng, Eighth Master isn’t trying to lecture you, but you truly have a discerning eye! You saw through the flashy but worthless true nature of those pretty ones at a glance and chose the outwardly simple but inwardly brilliant Eighth Master!"
Qin Feng was starting to have regrets—regrets about agreeing to let this chirping, endlessly chattering Nether Crow out.
After spending thirty Points, Qin Feng parted ways with Ji Huang’Er and left the Primordial Spirit Beast Shop alone with the White Sparrow and Little Slippery Head.
The White Sparrow, which Qin Feng had named "Dork," had already been placed inside his Blue Sea and Heaven.
The Blue Sea and Heaven was filled with abundant Water Spirit Qi, which was the favorite environment for a Water Attribute Spiritual Bird like Dork. Plus, staying in the Ice Spirit Spring would be beneficial for the White Sparrow’s growth.
But this Nether Crow, who called himself Eighth Master, was unwilling to stay inside the Blue Sea and Heaven. He refused to go in, no matter what.
"Alright, not another word for a while. Otherwise, I’ll pluck all the feathers off your head and make you go streaking!"
"CAW CAW, Eighth Master doesn’t want to go streaking! No streaking!" The Nether Crow hurriedly covered its beak with its wings. That small tuft of black feathers on its head was extremely precious to it; it was its Achilles’ heel.
Leaving the Primordial Spirit Beast Shop, Qin Feng headed toward the Medicine King Hall.
The Medicine King Hall was part of the All Stars Academy and not far from his location. An hour later, Qin Feng arrived at the Medicine King Hall.
The Medicine King Hall was the territory of the Medicine Garden.
Since Qin Feng was becoming a disciple of the Medicine King Hall, he first had to report there, as well as collect the official uniform of the Medicine Garden, an Identity Token, and his assignments.
The Medicine King Hall was rather quiet and cool. Walking inside, the faint scent of medicine wafted over him, refreshing his mind and spirit.
There weren’t many people in the main hall. Qin Feng walked up to a service counter and briefly and clearly explained his purpose to a graceful young woman in a black robe who was stationed there.
"So, you’re Qin Feng!" After learning his purpose, the graceful young woman in the black robe at the counter looked up, slightly surprised, then smiled.
"Young Master Qin Feng, welcome to the Medicine Garden! An Elder informed us this morning that a new disciple of the Medicine Garden named Qin Feng would be coming to collect his Identity Jade Token. We’ve already prepared it for you!"
"Please, follow me!" With a radiant smile, the graceful young woman came out from behind the counter and led Qin Feng further inside, passing through a side door into a Side Hall.
’It seems the people at the Medicine King Hall already know about my choice. Right, Heavenly Red Peak is the Medicine Garden’s territory. They probably got the news and made preparations the moment I selected Heavenly Red Peak as my Cave Mansion!’ Qin Feng followed her in.
By the time Qin Feng walked in, the graceful young woman had already returned with a Jade Disc.
On the Jade Disc lay an exquisitely crafted black long robe. A faint, special medicinal fragrance wafted from it.
Beside the black long robe was a Jade Token with a pale yellow tassel.
"Young Master Qin Feng, this is the special uniform that symbolizes our Medicine Garden Disciples. This black long robe was made by the Profound Lady Hall. Not only does it possess considerable defensive power, but its special medicinal fragrance also has the effect of repelling insects and calming the mind."
"According to the rules from previous years, as you are this year’s Elder of the Cyan Dragon Academy, you will automatically be promoted to a Fifth-level Inner Sect Disciple upon joining the Medicine Garden!"
The graceful young woman glanced at Qin Feng, a trace of envy in her eyes.
A Fifth-level Inner Sect Disciple... An ordinary student of the All Stars Academy would need to strive for several years, or even more than a decade, to have a chance at reaching this position.
At the All Stars Academy, regardless of the department, disciples are divided into nine levels. Level One is the lowest, and Level Nine is the highest.
Take the Medicine Garden, for example: Level One is a Junior Medicine Boy, Level Two is a Middle-tier Medicine Boy, Level Three is a Senior Medicine Boy, Level Four is an Outer Disciple, Level Five is an Inner Sect Disciple, Level Six is a Steward, Level Seven is an Elder, Level Eight is an Elder Quan, and Level Nine is a Medicine King.
According to the promotion rules, if one can become a Ninth-level Medicine King, they can be automatically promoted to an Outer Disciple of the Star Sect.
The other halls of the All Stars Academy are more or less the same; as long as you advance to Level Ten, you can be automatically promoted to an Outer Disciple of the Star Sect.
Generally, when students of the All Stars Academy enter a department, they start with the status of a First-level Disciple.
However, most disciples who pass the All Stars Academy’s trials start as Fourth-level Outer Disciples.
Only an Elder starts as a Fifth-level Inner Sect Disciple!
And not just any Fifth-level Inner Sect Disciple, either. Ordinary Fifth-level Inner Sect Disciples don’t get a Spirit Mountain Blessed Land Cave Mansion!
"This is your Identity Jade Token. It represents your status as a Fifth-level Inner Sect Disciple. You must keep it safe. If you lose it, you’ll have to spend Points at the Medicine King Hall to have it reissued!"
A smile on her face, the graceful young woman handed a smooth, warm, pale yellow Jade Token to Qin Feng.
Qin Feng took it and stored it securely on his person.
He took the black long robe and ran his hand over it. The soft texture felt like a woman’s delicate, smooth skin, and it was exceptionally comfortable to wear.
Qin Feng had originally been on the thin and pale side, considered handsome at best, but after several months of cultivation and nourishment, his frame had gradually filled out.
Combined with his demonic and unusual aura, and the occasional glint of ice in his eyes, he looked like a completely new person now that he had put on the black robe.
In the hall, the graceful young woman watching Qin Feng’s transformation blushed slightly. Her beautiful eyes sized him up, her gaze lingering on his face for a few extra moments.
"Ahem!" Seeing the young woman’s slightly dazed expression, Qin Feng let out a light cough.
The young woman snapped out of her reverie as if waking from a dream, a blush spreading across her cheeks. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, hiding her embarrassment.
"Junior Brother Qin Feng, here are two Medicine Garden Secret Manuals: one is the Little Cloud Rain Technique, and the other is the Geng Metal Breaking Killing Technique! Both of these Technique Manuals are Spirit Martial Level High-level Techniques, and each has twelve layers!"
"This is the assessment the All Stars Academy gives to new students who join the Medicine Garden. Within three months, you must cultivate the Little Cloud Rain Technique and the Geng Metal Breaking Killing Technique to the 3rd Layer or higher!"
Glancing at the young woman, Qin Feng took the two standard-issue Technique Manuals from the Medicine Garden. He knew that the Little Cloud Rain Technique and the Geng Metal Breaking Killing Technique were two cultivation techniques that all disciples entering the Medicine Garden had to learn.
However, Qin Feng hadn’t expected that these two cultivation techniques would be tied to the new student assessment in three months.
Furthermore, to have to cultivate both of them to the 3rd Layer or higher in just three months—the difficulty was absurd.
Forget two techniques; just cultivating one of them to the 3rd Layer or higher was already an extremely difficult task.
After all, these were two Spirit Martial Level High-level Techniques!
Qin Feng asked, "What happens if I don’t complete the assessment?"
"If you don’t complete the assessment, you will be eliminated and advised to withdraw from the All Stars Academy!"
His brow twitched. Qin Feng’s expression turned grave. "That serious?"
The graceful young woman shook her head. "That’s just the basic requirement. It’s not enough if you want to compete for the position of Elder. You must cultivate these two techniques beyond the 3rd Layer. For every additional layer you master, you will accumulate one point. If you can cultivate both techniques to the 12th Layer, you will accumulate eighteen points. The person who ranks first in assessment points will become the academy’s new Elder!"
