Chapter 12: Future allies and enemies

A day had passed since the great efforts of Doctor Lin, and Tang Jian was able to heal without any lasting side effects. Doctor Lin, an Imperial doctor proficient in healing all types of injuries, was assisted by Tang Jian's Wood spiritual roots, known for their ability to accelerate a cultivator's healing process.

Relieved by the news of Tang Jian's recovery, all the hall masters let out a collective sigh of relief.

Moments later, Tang Jian slowly opened his eyes to find Li Bai, his roommate, sitting by his side, peeling a black fruit that resembled an apple.

Feeling a slight pain in his left arm, Tang Jian winced and asked, "Ouch! Why does it hurt so much? And what brings you here, Li Bai? I thought you didn't like me."

Li Bai, in a cold manner, replied, "Your arm suffered heavy injuries because you shielded yourself with it from the Qi pressure at the last moment. As your roommate, I stayed here out of obligation, and I never said I didn't like you. You simply appeared fierce to me."

Tang Jian sought an explanation, asking, "Seeing me as a vicious person or hating me, aren't those the same?"

Avoiding eye contact, Li Bai looked away, unwilling to answer Tang Jian directly. Sensing Li Bai's hesitation, Tang Jian let out a sigh and dropped the subject.

Li Bai then looked at Tang Jian with a stern expression and said, "You were on the verge of passing the trial, but you failed at the last moment. However, all the hall masters praised your bravery and mental fortitude. The results will be released soon. In the meantime, eat this palliante fruit. It will alleviate the pain from your injury." Li Bai explained the situation to Tang Jian before preparing to leave the room.

Tang Jian, making a disgusted face due to the fruit's smell, asked Li Bai, "The palli... what fruit? And why are you leaving me all alone here?"

Li Bai turned back upon hearing Tang Jian's voice and replied, "I'm going to train for a bit. I can't let my guard down, as I don't know when someone like you might surpass me." Impressed by Tang Jian's unwavering determination, Li Bai complimented him and left the room.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the academy grounds, Vice-Head Li Jun called for a grand assembly to announce the results of the entrance exam. Students, both successful and unsuccessful, gathered in the main square, their hearts pounding with anticipation.

The hall masters and instructors convened to discuss the participants' performances and the overall outcome of the trials. Tang Jian's valiant effort in the Trial of Spiritual Pressure had left a lasting impression on everyone, sparking discussions and debates among the hall masters about his potential and future prospects.

Standing at the center of the square, Vice-Head Li Jun cleared his throat, capturing the attention of the crowd. His voice carried an air of authority and wisdom as he addressed the eager students. "Today, we have witnessed remarkable displays of talent, determination, and resilience throughout the trials. Each and every one of you should be proud of your efforts, as you have taken the first step on the path of cultivation."

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After delivering a short speech, Vice-Head Li Jun began calling out the names of students one by one, handing them their badges and uniforms. The uniforms were a dark black color with a symbol of a dragon at the center, representing Azure Dragon Academy.

Now it was Tang Jian's turn to receive his results. Vice-Head Li Jun spoke kindly, "You did a good job, young Tang. You will receive a silver badge, as only students who pass the third trial can obtain a golden one. But don't be disheartened, because we have decided to allow you to attend advanced alchemy courses due to your valiant performance in the Trial of Spiritual Pressure." Vice-Head Li Jun handed Tang Jian his badge and uniform, providing further explanations.

According to Vice-Head Li Jun, a person can join a maximum of two halls, but doing so restricts them from attending two courses from the same hall. General Studies Hall is a mandatory hall, and Tang Jian joined both the Soul Cleansing and Alchemy halls. This decision would make Tang Jian's schedule extremely busy, as he would have to attend lectures from all three halls.

Within these halls, there are three types of courses: basic, intermediate, and advanced. These courses directly impact a student's future path. Tang Jian decided to take the Soul Manifestation Course and Elixir Refining Course.

His reasons were simple. The Soul Manifestation Course would allow Tang Jian to learn Soul Manifestation Cultivation, a rare type of cultivation that enables one to devour the soul of a demonic beast, inheriting its characteristics. This requires a strong and stable soul, as demonic beasts can handle multiple cultivators at once. However, this type of cultivation is slower in speed compared to others and has the drawback of being risky if the demonic beast possesses a refined soul.

On the other hand, the Elixir Refining Course is a straightforward path that teaches the true art of alchemy, allowing alchemists to refine healing or cultivation pills.

With his choices made, Tang Jian realized that this combination of being a Soul Cultivator and an Alchemist would pave the way for a bright future, even without high-level spiritual roots.

Setting that aside, Tang Jian had another plan in mind. During the third trial, he intentionally gave up in the final moments for specific reasons. He could have held his ground for a few more seconds if he wanted to, but he refrained to avoid drawing unnecessary attention when he was at his lowest. Additionally, he wanted to gauge the true personalities of Li Bai and Liang Meng. Li Bai showed himself to be easy to read, kind, and competitive, while Liang Meng revealed himself to be shrewd, cunning, and opportunistic. Tang Jian had noticed this earlier.

Many would consider this too risky for the sake of avoiding severe injuries, but Tang Jian viewed it as an important task. Both Li Bai and Liang Meng were no ordinary students; they could become Tang Jian's enemies or allies depending on the situation.

As Tang Jian contemplated the potential alliances and rivalries he could form within the academy, he understood the importance of his decision during the trial. By observing Li Bai and Liang Meng's true natures, he gained valuable insights into their characters and motivations. It was crucial for Tang Jian to assess the individuals around him, as they would shape his journey and potentially impact his future.

With the results announced and Tang Jian's determination renewed, he eagerly embraced his new path as a Soul Manifestation Cultivator and an Alchemist. The combination of these two disciplines held great promise, and he was determined to unlock their full potential.Tang Jian understood that his journey would be demanding, as he would have to manage a rigorous schedule attending lectures from multiple halls. However, he was undeterred by the challenges that lay ahead, driven by his unwavering ambition and desire for greatness.