Chapter 63: The Test of Insight
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Perhaps in a few years, these five self-created soul skills might become commonplace, but during this period, Tian Xing Academy was undoubtedly the institution with the deepest understanding of these five techniques. This advantage alone would attract a flood of students seeking enrollment in advanced academies.
Moreover, it also established an exceptionally high reputation among ordinary soul masters.
After all, Tian Xing Advanced Academy was one of the few neutral institutions not tied to any major faction, meaning there was no fear of being undermined or sabotaged by others.
As the day drew to a close, representatives from various factions sent the two textbooks they had "borrowed" from Tian Xing Academy back to their respective organizations.
The current emperor of the Tian Dou Empire gazed at the two textbooks in his hands, his expression inscrutable.
"Though his cultivation is lacking, this young man is undoubtedly a genius in theoretical knowledge. These five self-created soul skills may not be particularly powerful, but for lower-tier soul masters, they are more than enough to bridge the gap caused by mediocre innate abilities.
Ying Yi, ensure that any new theories Master Ye Wen develops are brought to me immediately."
"Yes," a shadow in the corner responded, kneeling halfway in acknowledgment.
This scene was a microcosm of how the top powers across the continent were reacting.
Anyone in power recognized the significance of Ye Wen's five self-created soul skills—they were top-tier techniques capable of enhancing the combat effectiveness of grassroots-level soul masters. The principle of simplicity held true here: great truths were often straightforward.
Unsurprisingly, many began to wonder what the remaining three forms of the *Six Forms* might entail.
However, none of them would stoop so low as to inquire directly. In the world of soul masters, it was an unspoken rule not to pry into another faction's self-created soul skills. If discovered, it would inevitably lead to a life-and-death confrontation between the two parties.
The faction most delighted by these self-created soul skills was the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect.
Other major powers on the continent weren't entirely without self-created soul skills, but most were closely tied to their ancestral martial souls. For example, the Hao Tian Sect had the 'Hao Tian Nine Absolutes', and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had the 'Dragon Transformation Secret Technique'.
Thus, the auxiliary soul masters of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect had long struggled with their lack of combat ability, forcing them to seek protection elsewhere.
While the 'Six Styles' were inferior in power compared to top-tier or other self-created soul skills, they undeniably provided the auxiliary soul masters of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect with a means of self-defense.
"I wonder if I could persuade Young Master Ye to sell us the remaining three forms…
Never mind, better not be too greedy. If other factions discover that we're seeking further advancements, they won't remain as docile while we profit.
Our sect is currently in a transitional phase—better wait and assess the situation for now."
Time quickly passed, and the next day arrived.
The students, having rested and recuperated, were now brimming with energy. Their eyes were fixed on the 100 students who had passed the first test—the 'Test of Will'.
These 100 students, whether in terms of their martial souls or sheer willpower, were exceptional among their peers.
Those who had been eliminated early on yesterday, after experiencing that terrifying gravity, naturally understood just how formidable these individuals were.
"Now begins the second stage: the 'Test of Insight'," Ye Wen announced calmly from the podium.
Pointing to a distant field, he said, "Follow me."
The students followed Ye Wen to the field. Unlike a standard flat running track, the field Ye Wen had designed was uneven and rugged, with wooden stakes placed every few meters.
Mounted on these stakes were crude, multi-jointed red mechanisms.
Though seemingly simple, these joints were based on a concept from probability theory known as the chaotic pendulum. Once force was applied, the joints would swing chaotically and unpredictably.
"Passing the first test proves that your physical fitness is adequate. While the Test of Insight does require good stamina, it primarily tests your awareness of your surroundings and your body's reaction speed.
The rules for the Test of Insight are as follows:
1. Each group consists of ten people, determined by random draw.
2. You must complete one lap within two minutes; otherwise, you'll be disqualified.
3. Your final ranking will be determined by the number of marks left on your body from the swinging joints. Fewer marks mean a higher ranking. The top 20 will advance to the final Test of Combat."
The track was only 300 meters long. Even an auxiliary soul master could complete it in about half a minute under normal conditions.
Though Ye Wen had made the track uneven and rugged, completing it would take at most a minute and a half. The real challenge lay in dodging the unpredictable movements of the joints while running.
The visiting guests also grasped the key point of the test—it was indeed a method that heavily tested a soul master's observational skills.
"Activate the mechanism! Begin!"
The allure of rewards stirred hearts. Thanks to the promotion by soul masters who had experienced the simulated environment training in the outer regions of the Blue Silver Forest, the remaining students who had passed the earlier tests were well aware of the luxury of such training environments.
Improving aptitude, nurturing the body, and accelerating cultivation—each benefit alone was enough to captivate ordinary soul masters, let alone all three combined.
And the ultimate prize? Training in the core area of the Blue Silver Forest.
Though the exact benefits were unknown, the fact that it was offered as a reward spoke volumes—it was undoubtedly far superior to training in the outer regions of the Blue Silver Forest.
After the race, the final 20 students who passed were undoubtedly among the strongest in terms of overall physical capabilities in the academy.
"These 20 students can be nurtured as future pillars of the school," Ye Wen thought to himself.
Looking over the profiles of the 20 students, Ye Wen furrowed his brow.
Though nobles in this world were often symbols of corruption, the cumulative advantages of their family inheritances occasionally produced extraordinary geniuses. Of these 20 students, 13 were of noble birth, including one sent by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
As for the student sent by the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect, their martial soul was the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda—a completely inadequate choice for an auxiliary soul master.
During the Test of Insight, not only did they fail to complete the lap within the time limit, but they also accumulated the most hits, demonstrating sluggish reactions.
Still, it was understandable—being from a prestigious sect didn't guarantee competence. Pampered upbringing was likely to blame, much like Ning Rongrong's initial state in the original story.
As for the remaining seven commoner prodigies—
"They're all promising talents. At the very least, they possess high-tier martial souls. It seems they're the children of some powerful commoners."
Setting aside the profiles, Ye Wen decided to take another walk around the academy.
Meanwhile, the visiting guests observed the teaching methods of the academy.
It was only the second day of the official start of the term, so Ye Wen didn't plan to push the students into intense training. After all, they needed time to adjust to their new environment.
Besides, there was still the third competition tomorrow.
Teaching the Six Styles wasn't urgent—it was part of the students' elective courses.
After all, everyone had different talents, and mastering all six forms would be too difficult for the average student.
For now, they were learning basic soul power control, practicing tree climbing and water treading.
Ye Wen observed the 20 top students who had passed the second round. They quickly mastered the movement techniques derived from soul power control.
As for the other ordinary students, their progress was slow and clumsy—a reminder that talent determined much.
Yu Xiaogang's claim in the original story—that there were no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters—was nothing more than a joke.
If Yu Xiaogang's martial soul wasn't inherently weak, how could he have been stuck at Level 29 for most of his life? Wasn't that essentially admitting that he himself was useless?
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