"What does 'medicinal acceptance rate' mean?"
"…"
The one-eyed instructor in the black robe was clearly irritated again. But deep down, he couldn't truly be angry. Looking at Lin Xi, who had just asked such a foolish question, he patted the body of the black bow and explained with strained patience:
"It's one of the most important indicators of natural talent. To put it simply, it's like eating. Most people can absorb seventy to eighty percent of the nutrients from a bowl of rice, but you? You might only absorb thirty to forty percent."
"So basically, it's still an issue of poor aptitude," Lin Xi said with an aggrieved, innocent look at the visibly frustrated instructor. "But didn't we already get our talent tested before? Why do we need another one?"
"Although the Soul-Testing Stone rarely makes mistakes, you're one of the Heaven's Chosen. Naturally, we still held some hope. Also, this black bow is primarily used to identify Wind Striders," the instructor replied, visibly irritated.
"There are many aspects to one's talent—how fast you can enter a meditative state, your medicinal absorption rate, your soul power, your compatibility with various runes… You've never practiced cultivation before, yet you entered meditation more quickly than anyone else, even among this year's Heaven's Chosen. That's extremely rare. From what I know, even the other two who joined the Heaven's Chosen group with you took longer to enter meditation, and that was at night in silence. That's why I had you pull the black bow first. However, the benefits you gained from that single Mingzhen Pill… ultimately weren't any better than others with level-two talent."
Despite the same elixir, his cultivation growth was the weakest. Lin Xi had already figured that out from the results and from the teacher's expression of bitter disappointment.
Yet he didn't feel too discouraged. Based on the scattered notes left by the middle-aged uncle, he'd already gained one key insight:
He and that man were both "double containers."
Most people had one bowl inside them, but the two of them had two. If you poured the same amount of water into both setups, the water level in the double bowls would naturally be shallower—but the total amount of water remained the same.
"So my talent is technically 'double-two,' that makes four! And I was the first to enter meditation?" Lin Xi actually looked quite pleased with himself, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as he looked at the black-robed instructor. "Teacher, was I really the fastest to enter meditation? Did the other departments already start their first meditation lessons last night?"
"You must understand one thing," the instructor said sternly, "even the underperforming graduates of Qingluan Academy, when placed among the border armies, are still outstanding talents. Students from other departments also face the battlefield and must work in coordination during certain missions. However, our Warfare Department is the main combat force. Unlike the others, who may mostly cultivate peacefully in the court or behind the scenes, we must be able to enter meditation and restore soul power even in broad daylight and amid the screams of battle. Otherwise, when your soul power runs out—even if you have the strength of a national-level cultivator—you'll still be no match for low-tier soul cultivators."
"So, while other departments have that luxury, we do not. Only a rare few among our graduates can enter meditation on chaotic battlefields to restore their soul power in real time," he added.
"Based on your first-day performance, you might've achieved that… general-level potential," the instructor said.
"But understand this: the speed at which most people enter meditation and recover soul power is about the same. Even if you can meditate for one or two more hours than others each day, medicinal acceptance remains the most critical aspect. Just one Mingzhen Pill, for example, equals two or three years of cultivation for a beginner."
"That powerful? Then since I'm a Heaven's Chosen and can meditate so quickly, why not just give me a few more Mingzhen Pills?" Lin Xi asked hopefully.
"In your dreams!" the instructor almost spat out blood in anger.
"Not only are the ingredients for Mingzhen Pills extremely rare, but even our academy can only provide enough for one per new student per year. Moreover, these pills—like many others—are only effective when taken sparingly. More won't help. If you can invent a new pill that works even when taken frequently, congratulations, you might just become our next Vice Principal!"
"Let me make this clear," he continued coldly, "aside from the Mingzhen Pill—gifted so you can officially begin your cultivation—no other pills will be handed out for free. All future pills must be earned through academy credit. We will not waste such precious resources on trash talent."
Lin Xi studied the instructor for a moment and said,
"It seems reaching national-level cultivation must be incredibly difficult—otherwise, Teacher wouldn't be so disappointed, frustrated even."
The instructor was momentarily taken aback. He nodded silently.
"At least you understand. It seems you've been paying attention in class."
Lin Xi asked again, "Then why do medicinal pills stop being useful once you reach the national level?"
"Why are you full of questions?" the instructor sneered.
"The Principal despises wasting time on things that can't be answered. For thousands of years, once you hit the national level, you have to rely solely on your own cultivation through meditation—unless you invent something new yourself."
"…Fair enough."
Lin Xi glanced at the frail girl next to him who hadn't said a word. "Teacher, since you knew Bian Linghan was a natural Wind Strider, why not say it outright? Why all this mystery?"
"The Yunqin Empire has been at war for years," the instructor's face turned completely cold. "The students we train are the backbone of the empire. Every elite student becomes a target for assassination by rival empires. At least one-third of our fallen generals didn't die on open battlefields, but in silent assassinations."
"So, it's better to keep such things secret?" Lin Xi's expression grew serious.
"This 'Little Black' bow was a gift from the Principal. It looks identical to other training bows, but it has slight modifications. Even senior students don't know it can detect Wind Strider talent. That's why no one suspects why I kept Bian Linghan behind. They think I'm punishing her. So, unless you want her to become an assassination target before she even grows strong, keep this secret," the instructor warned, narrowing his one eye at Lin Xi.
Lin Xi froze for a moment, then bowed solemnly.
"Thank you, Teacher, for your trust."
"There's no need to thank me," the instructor said coolly.
"The trust comes from the Vice Principal and others judging you worthy of the Heaven's Chosen title—and from your spotless family background. Lulin Town is so remote that no one pays attention to it. Your entire Lin family, and practically every townsperson, is clean, with no connections to other nearby towns."
Lin Xi stuck out his tongue in surprise. "You investigated that thoroughly? Don't tell me…"
"What you're thinking is correct." The instructor nodded.
"Just like we infiltrate enemy nations, they do the same to us. Even with strict vetting, no one can guarantee our academy is entirely free of enemy agents. While you're safe inside the school, assassination attempts do occur during field trials outside."
Lin Xi felt a chill in his heart and glanced toward Bian Linghan.
The frail girl from the misty south looked pale, her delicate hand trembling as it gripped her sleeve.
Lin Xi sighed inwardly. He could already tell that her sense of national pride and duty would keep her from living freely like him, seeking fun and variety in life. Instead, she would march forward without hesitation, burdened by the heavy responsibility now placed on her thin shoulders.
"In the next month, I will set aside an hour each day to teach her the basics of being a Wind Strider," the instructor said, glancing at Bian Linghan with a subtle sigh in his heart. But his face remained stern and cold.
"To avoid suspicion, I will announce that you two have angered me. You'll both be assigned to work an hour a day in the Herb Valley. If you're interested, you can learn a thing or two there as well."
Lin Xi couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Teacher, it seems you still hold out some hope for me?"
The instructor gave him a blank look and coldly declared,
"Class dismissed!"