Chapter 83: The Test, Part 1
Chen Youyu admired Huo Quan's depth of knowledge. It was impressive that a student who hadn't yet graduated could analyze her martial spirit so thoroughly.
"Not bad," a voice suddenly remarked from behind, making Huo Quan jump in surprise.
Stiffly turning around, Huo Quan saw his teacher, Ye Wen, standing there. "Master… You're back!" he said with a nervous grin.
"Yes, I came back just in time to see you getting knocked around. Quite the show you put on for me," Ye Wen replied, tone laced with sarcasm. Huo Quan's face fell, knowing he was in for it now.
Chen Youyu couldn't help but stifle a laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry! That was too good! I didn't mean to laugh," she said, barely holding it in.
Ye Wen glanced at her, amused. "Seems you have a low threshold for humor."
Then, turning back to Huo Quan, Ye Wen said sternly, "Your training doubles starting tomorrow."
Huo Quan grimaced, realizing there was no escaping it. "Ah! Mistress, help!" he called out, hoping for sympathy from Ah Yin, but his plea went ignored.
Ye Wen then addressed the siblings, who were standing at attention before him. "Now that you're here, it's time for your test."
Without hesitation, Aba summoned his martial spirit, standing ready. Ye Wen, however, looked at Chen Youyu. "What are you waiting for? Summon your martial spirit."
Surprised, Chen Youyu pointed to herself. "Me? But my talent is average… I'd be grateful just to be allowed into the academy, really. You shouldn't waste your time on me, Master Ye."
Ye Wen shook his head. "Your martial spirit is unique, just like your brother's. You're only lacking a proper training method, which makes it seem weaker than it is. Pass my test, and I'll help you become as formidable as he is," Ye Wen said confidently.
With the valuable essence of celestial herbs now at his disposal, Ye Wen believed he could enhance any martial spirit to high levels with the right resources. Still, not everyone was worthy of this privilege; only those who proved their loyalty and potential would receive such attention. Even if the siblings joined, Ye Wen planned to take them on as probationary disciples to gauge their true merit over time.
Realizing her chance, Chen Youyu took a deep breath and summoned her incomplete sword spirit. The blade glimmered, missing only its pointed tip, which gave it a blunt edge.
"Come over here," Ye Wen called to four of his younger students who were training nearby.
Hu Rou, Xu Teng, Dongfang Jiaojiao, and Du Gu Xin stepped forward. Each of them had been trained since infancy by Ye Wen, making them loyal and formidable. Du Gu Xin, with his family's heritage and his father serving as the academy's honorary dean, was no less talented.
Aba sneered when he saw these students, each a head shorter than he was, but Chen Youyu observed them cautiously. Although she was older, her spirit power was much weaker than theirs.
"These are my direct disciples. Choose one to face. Defeat them, and you may join my school," Ye Wen instructed.
Aba's eyes locked onto the two boys, Du Gu Xin and Xu Teng. "You!" he called, pointing his blade toward Du Gu Xin.
Aba had no intention of fighting girls, and Xu Teng's younger appearance didn't intimidate him.
The aloof Du Gu Xin glanced at Aba with a cool demeanor, then walked forward to face him. Chen Youyu hesitated, unsure which girl to pick. Both seemed delicate due to their martial spirits, but she couldn't assess their strength. She ultimately decided on Hu Rou.
"Hu Rou, spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit, level 28 agility system battle spirit master," Hu Rou introduced herself in a quiet voice.
In a swift display, Hu Rou's form elongated, her soft pink ears standing tall atop her head, while her legs were clad in pink, armor like skin. Her martial spirit manifested two spirit rings a yellow one and a purple one an impressive combination that Chen Youyu had only read about in Ye Wen's Path of the Spirit Master.
Chen Youyu gasped inwardly. The disciple of the famous master was indeed remarkable, already reaching a level that many ordinary spirit masters could never achieve.
Yet despite her awe, Chen Youyu's confidence wavered. An eight level difference in spirit power would be no small challenge.
Gathering her resolve, Chen Youyu summoned a silvery arm guard on her right arm, decorated with sleek, green wind motifs.
"Chen Youyu, spirit: Broken Sword, level 20 battle spirit master. Pleased to meet you," she said, readying herself.
(Chapter end)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10