The Recruitment Test

Chapter 77: The Recruitment Test

"Brother Su might not know this, but because of the Sacred Spirit Medicine Body, I don't need to stabilise my foundation after breaking through a major realm, much less minor realms."

While walking through the streets of the Medicine King's Valley, Xia Ning Chang explained some extra benefits of her Special Physique, which Su Mu listened to with interest.

"No other Special Physiques in my knowledge provides such additional benefits…"

"I never thought there were things that you wouldn't know."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not some all-knowing deity."

'It seems that Xia Ning Chang won't need to stabilise her foundation until the peak of internal cultivation, the Emperor Realm.'

Open Heaven Realm wasn't part of the original human cultivation system, so some benefits that Special Physiques offered were limited to the peak of the Emperor Realm.

'If that's the case, modifying her version of the Harem God's Cultivation Scripture wouldn't be a bad idea.'

Just as that thought crossed his mind, he heard Xia Ning Chang's light giggle.

"That makes me happy."

"Why?"

"Because it makes Brother Su less perfect and more humane, just like the rest of us…"

"In my current state, I am not so different from any ordinary person in this world, even those who aren't cultivators; just more wise and experienced."

Su Mu wasn't surprised by Xia Ning Chang's thoughts since it was similar to what Su Yan had once told him, and he watched as a smile appeared on her face.

"I see…"

"But now that Sister Xia has broken through the Immortal Ascension Realm, you should start cultivating the Medicine God's Divine Hands. That, coupled with the Harem God's Cultivation Scripture, will make your cultivation speed a sight to behold."

"Mmh." Xia Ning Chang enthusiastically nodded. "I'll do my best."

"And make sure not to reveal your cultivation base until we meet Old Man Meng."

Meng Wuya's reaction to the fact that Xia Ning Chang improved faster with Su Mu would be interesting.

"Brother Su, you…" Xia Ning Chang was at a loss for words for his habit of messing with her master, but she still complied with his request.

"Hey! Why are you guys so slow? Hurry! We'll be late for Grandmaster Xiao Fu Sheng's disciple exam!" Dong Qing Yan called out to Xia Ning Chang and Su Mu from a distance, waving her hand towards them.

"At least someone is enthusiastic."

"For the past weeks, Little Sister Dong has only talked about becoming Senior Xiao Fu Sheng's disciple, so she is bound to be enthusiastic."

During their time together, Xia Ning Chang and Dong Qing Yan had bonded over their love for alchemy, and she had diligently taught the latter about the Dao of Alchemy. Thanks to her hard work, the Dong Family's Young Lady had ranked up to a Common Grade High-Rank Alchemist, which was a considerable achievement.

"I wonder how she'd react when she learns you're a better alchemist than Xiao Fu Sheng." Su Mu asked, and Xia Ning Chang showed a bitter smile.

"It's sad that we won't see her after leaving the Medicine King's Valley."

"Do you want me to seduce and take Dong Qing Yan with—"

"No! I have enough sisters!" Xia Ning Chang didn't even let him finish, interrupting his words with a loud shout, which caused the people around them to notice their presence.

"Pfft…!" Su Mu laughed at Xia Ning Chang, who had covered her blushing face with her hands out of embarrassment. "That's the loudest I've heard Sister Xia's voice."

Previously, he had been concealing their presence with his Divine Sense, but he lifted the concealment to mess with Xia Ning Chang a little.

After all, she was the only Immortal Ascension Realm Cultivator who would get embarrassed over something insignificant like this, which made it all the more interesting to watch.

"Brother Su, you did that on purpose…!" Xia Ning Chang protested, removing her hands as she felt Su Mu's Divine Sense guide the people away from them.

"I lost control of my Divine Sense for a moment because of you…"

"What did I do?"

"Sister Xia looked so beautiful when flustered…" Su Mu suddenly brought his face closer to Xia Ning Chang's, so much so that she could feel his breath over her veil as he stared into her eyes. "I couldn't help but forget about everything and admire your beauty…"

"B-Brother Su!" Xia Ning Chang's face flushed red again, and she closed her eyes. "Please don't tease me!"

"I can't help it when I'm with you." Su Mu replied with a light chuckle.

If he had said something like that to Su Yan, she would have replied, 'What are you doing?' with the blandest face known to humans. The Ice Phoenix had developed a strong defence against compliments like these, after all.

"Ugh…" Xia Ning Chang groaned in embarrassment, and she started walking a bit faster, catching up with Dong Qing Yan. She was happy that Su Mu complimented her beauty, but she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye.

'If you keep reacting like that, how am I supposed to stop?' Su Mu smiled as he watched Xia Ning Chang escape, walking behind her.

"We're here!" Dong Qing Yan exclaimed with a bright smile.

"Oh…"

Xia Ning Chang looked at the crowd gathered around them, noticing many people with a unique flower badge on their chests. Each of them had one, two, or three petals that were gold, silver, or white.

Naturally, all of them were Alchemists.

Earth Grade Mid to High-Rank Alchemists were the majority, but there were also many Common Grade Alchemists present. Altogether, at least three hundred had gathered, creating an extremely bustling atmosphere.

At some point, Dong Qing Yan had also taken out a rusty ornament, a two-petal silver flower, and proudly pinned it onto her chest as if she wanted to let everyone here know she was also a Common Grade High-Rank Alchemist.

'Amazing… There are so many alchemists here…'

Even within the Medicine King's Valley, it was Xia Ning Chang's first time seeing so many followers of the Alchemic Dao gathered in one place.

'I rejected Old Man Meng's offer to take me to the Myriad Drug Pond to mess with him, but it seems like coming here was worth it…' From the side, Su Mu noticed how excited Xia Ning Chang was to be here, and he gave her a small smile, which caused her to smile back at him.

As time passed, more and more Alchemists gathered. All of them were full of anticipation, including Dong Qing Yan, with tension and expectations apparent on their faces. Some of them even had expressions of reverence and worship.

It was easy to tell how highly these people regarded the chance to worship Hidden Cloud Peak's Xiao Fu Sheng as their master.

Within the Alchemist community, Xiao Fu Sheng held a position of unparalleled respect.

A few months ago, when word came out from Medicine King's Valley that Grandmaster Xiao was going to recruit disciples, the entire world shook. Countless Alchemists rushed over, wishing to worship him as their master and inherit his mantle.

Both the Eight Great Families and the First-Class Sects also wanted to send their prized Alchemists to attend, but they were all rejected by Master Xiao.

"Right. You can't participate in the test if you are older than the age of twenty." Dong Qing Yan suddenly turned towards Su Mu and Xia Ning Chang.

That explained why those gathered here were all from the younger generation.

"That's fine. I am seventeen."

"And I am eighteen."

Dong Qing Yan nodded at Su Mu and Xia Ning Chang's answers, turning back towards the stage of the exam.

Time continued to pass, and after about half an hour, a commotion suddenly arose from the crowd. The disciples of the Medicine King's Valley had finally appeared.

These Medicine King's Valley disciples were not direct disciples of Grandmaster Xiao, but they were instead Alchemists from other Peaks who got commissioned to handle the administration of today's test.

Four Medicine King's Valley disciples slowly walked towards the high platform, led by a middle-aged man walking forward. The man held a large pot of pills in his hands, and upon his appearance, the people suddenly burst into an uproar.

"It's Medicine King's Valley's Qin Ze. He's only thirty-five years old but has already become a Heaven Grade High-Rank Alchemist!"

"An unparalleled genius of this generation's Medicine King's Valley disciples; I heard he was even likely to become the next Valley Lord."

"Shh, be quiet…"

"Sister Xia, when did you become a Heaven Grade High-Rank Alchemist?"

"Hmm…" Xia Ning Chang pondered for a few seconds. "Around six months before the Heaven's Cave Inheritance opened."

"More than two and a half years, huh?"

"But why do you ask?"

"Curiosity."

"Gentlemen…" Qin Ze swept his eyes over the crowd, placing the large bowl of pills on the table before cupping his fists. "For Uncle Xiao's disciple recruitment test, this Qin Ze will be your invigilator!"

After saying a few words, he turned around and removed the lid of the giant pot, allowing a strange medicinal fragrance to spread out. As everyone sniffed the aroma, each of them felt their spirits lurch.

'Ah, I see. So that's what the test is…' Su Mu understood what Xiao Fu Sheng intended to do with the recruitment test.

"The test is simple! These pills here are something my Uncle Xiao personally refined for today. Anyone who wants to become a disciple of Hidden Cloud Peak must swallow one of these pills and refine its medicinal effects. If you can do so, you will have passed the test. You may begin!"

Finished, Qin Ze moved aside and allowed the three young Medicine King's Valley disciples to step forward. Each of them watched the crowd with arrogant and indifferent eyes.

Of the hundreds of people gathered, no one dared to step forward and become the first to try.

"Brother Su, those are…" Xia Ning Chang quietly leaned towards Su Mu, whispering into his ear.

"You aren't wrong. Those pills are indeed poisonous, but it's not lethal." Su Mu quietly explained the pill's function to her, and Xia Ning Chang nodded in return.

On the other hand, Qin Ze also explained the test's details to the participants.

"Although it is a poison pill, swallowing it is not fatal! But if your aptitude isn't enough to resolve its effects, you'll be sick for three to five months at least."

Hearing that this pill was not fatal, many participants' nerves suddenly calmed. After all, Grandmaster Xiao was still a renowned master; naturally, he wouldn't maliciously target their lives.

After a short while, someone finally jumped onto the high platform and shouted, "I'll go first!"

"Me too!"

With someone taking the lead, many people were suddenly willing to participate, and shortly after, more than a dozen people came forward.

"Go ahead!" The disciples of the Medicine King's Valley nodded.

Every participant who had come up walked over to the pot, took out a pill, and placed it inside their mouth.

"Please refine it completely!"

These dozen or so people who had swallowed the poison pill quickly sat cross-legged and began circulating their various Secret Arts.

Meanwhile, the hundreds of people in the audience stared towards them and carefully observed, hoping to gain the slightest of insights that may help them pass this test.

"Should we also join them…?" Xia Ning Chang turned towards Su Mu, followed by Dong Qing Yan.

"There's no need for that. The test isn't about who refines the pill first, so it doesn't matter." Su Mu lightly shook his head. Even if they were to finish first, they'd still need to wait for the test to end. "Let's take our time and watch others suffer."

"That's not something one should say with such a calm face." Dong Qing Yan's mouth twitched at his words, and Xia Ning Chang gave her an awkward smile.

"I'm not the one who designed such a crude exam." Su Mu shrugged his shoulder at their reaction, creating a small barrier around him and his companions.

"What are you…?"

Su Mu didn't answer Dong Qing Yan's question, pointing his index finger towards the stage instead.

After just ten breaths, one of the Alchemists who had taken the poison pill had their face go pale, and soon after, his whole body also began to tremble, and cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Gasps arose from within the audience. None of them had expected this poison pill to be so potent.

As these gasps continued, three puffing sounds suddenly rang out from the stage, and soon, a bizarre stench began wafting through the air.

It was that struggling Alchemist on stage inadvertently releasing several loud farts.

The people who stood close to the platform were caught unaware and inhaled a big mouthful of this stench, which almost caused them to vomit on the spot. All of them showed expressions filled with disgust.

The Alchemist's pale face immediately turned bright from the stench. Under the watchful eyes of his peers, suddenly releasing three farts, such a result was obvious.

Seeing countless members of the crowd gazing towards him with looks of both pity and disdain, the Alchemist, who was now thoroughly embarrassed, hastily stood up, jumped from the high platform, panicked and fled like a stray dog.

"At least it's mildly entertaining…" Su Mu commented.

The crowd had not yet recovered from this farce when the high-profile two 'thud' sounds suddenly came. As the people turned back to look at what had happened, everyone noticed that two Alchemists who had swallowed the poison pills completely slumped over. Their eyes were unfocused, but they still maintained their initial position, yet they were unconscious.

The three Medicine King's Valley young disciples only spared these two a single glance before coldly snorting, walking over, and kicking them down off the platform.

Their attitude was arrogant and overbearing, almost as if they were kicking aside two pieces of trash rather than people. However, no one dared object.

"It's hot!" One of the remaining Alchemists on the platform suddenly cried out, every last piece of his exposed skin showing a blood-red shine, exuding a scorching heat. As steam began rising from his head, he viciously tore all his clothes apart until his upper body was exposed. However, it seemed he was so hot he did not realise he was already half-naked and kept clawing at his chest.

A few cultivators soon jumped onto the platform and dragged this suffering man down. These cultivators were likely from the same family or Sect as this Alchemist and did not want to see him shame himself.

Surprisingly enough, it only took around thirty breaths for the first group of participants to fail the test.

"A poison that reacts differently depending on the consumer's Secret Arts; how profound." Xia Ning Chang muttered, looking at the fallen alchemists with pity and interest.

These poison pills that Xiao Fu Sheng had refined were all the same type of pill, but they could produce various effects. There was no doubt he was worthy of his title of Grandmaster.

Because of this, the Alchemists present could only randomly guess how they should refine Grandmaster Xiao's poison pill.

Soon after the first group got pushed down by the disciples of the Medicine King's Valley, another thirty went up.

As time passed, those who went up got poisoned one after the other, falling unconscious and embarrassing themselves. In the end, after almost two hundred of those gathered went up, no one cleared Grandmaster Xiao's test.

A gloomy atmosphere surrounded the whole test site.

Amongst the latest group of Alchemists to go up and be poisoned, one of them, who had his entire body go stiff as stone yet remained conscious, cried out, "I'm not satisfied! I'm not convinced! How can just a single refining of a puny poison pill measure my extraordinary aptitude?  I demand to visit Hidden Cloud Peak and speak directly with Grandmaster Xiao! Grandmaster Xiao, please give this junior a chance!"

"Kick him down!" Qin Ze coldly replied.

One of the three young disciples of the Medicine King's Valley walked over in front of this youth and coldly booted him off the stage.

However, despite being kicked off the stage, the young Alchemist kept shouting, "Grandmaster Xiao, I am worthy to inherit your mantle! Please give this junior a chance!"

"No matter what the place, Alchemists are always desperate to learn more…" Su Mu commented.

Dong Qing Yan quietly whispered, "It's because you don't understand just how prestigious Grandmaster Xiao's position in the Alchemist community is that you can say that. Just look at that guy; even though he's behaving so ugly and disgracefully, is anyone here ridiculing him?"

Her words weren't wrong; most people were indifferent, while the others wore looks of sympathy.

Without waiting for his answer, Dong Qing Yan bit her lower lip and continued.

"Grandmaster Xiao, in the eyes of us Alchemists, is a supreme existence, and to worship him as a master, who would care about facing humiliation and losing face? It is simply their show of determination and preserving."

"You're not entirely wrong, but it depends on the master's perspective. For some, things like these will be a sign of a disciple's unwavering willpower and dedication, but for others, it will be a sign of desperation and lack of self-esteem."

"Then, what does Brother Su think about this situation?" Xia Ning Chang asked.

"I teach whoever catches my interest, but if I needed to choose a disciple as a Swordmaster, I'd prefer to teach someone willing to swing their sword for a thousand years to show their dedication rather than someone who'd lower their head without consideration."

"A thousand years? That's impossible." Dong Qing Yan retorted.

"By the way…" Su Mu didn't mind her words, and instead, he gave her a meaningful smile. "Are you sure you want to take that poison pill?"

"W-What do you mean?"

"You've also seen those people's reactions; just passing out and falling to the ground could be considered lucky. If you fail the test and rip off all your clothes in the process…"

Dong Qing Yan's pretty face suddenly went pale.

"There are so many young people gathered here, and I think they would all be interested in that scene. The Dong Family's Young Lady stripping off all her clothes, it'd make an even better rumour than you sneaking into my room."

"That won't happen…"

"What if you accidentally let out a few earth-shattering farts…"

"Don't say that! And what even is earth-shattering farts?!" Dong Qing Yan shouted with a bright red face, which made Su Mu chuckle. Even Xia Ning Chang couldn't help but giggle a little.

No matter which of these ugly performances it was, they weren't something this little girl could accept. If she were to embarrass herself in front of all these people, it would undoubtedly become a permanent shadow that loomed over her life, and once it happened, she would never be able to raise her head in public again.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine." Su Mu decided not to tease her anymore.

"You should've said that earlier!" Dong Qing Yan stomped her foot on the ground and turned around before walking towards the stage, her voice gradually turning into a whisper. "If things turn out like you said… please take me away quickly…"

"Are you worried about her?" Su Mu looked at Xia Ning Chang with a smile.

"Since Brother Su said she'll be fine, I have nothing to worry about." Xia Ning Chang shook her head. She was worried a little, but she trusted her partner's words. "Should we also participate in the recruitment test? There aren't many people left…"

"Alright."