’Dean Chen once said that if I decided to choose the path of the Five Elements, I could go and see him.’
’Since the first wisp of Innate Geng Metal Qi has entered my body, I should go and pay my respects to the Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator today.’
Chu Bai straightened his robes and strode toward the Dean’s office.
Just as Chu Bai reached the heavy wooden door, before he could even raise his hand to knock, it swung open on its own. A faint scent of sandalwood, mixed with the unique, imposing aura of a High-Tier Cultivator, washed over him.
He composed himself and stepped inside.
The room’s furnishings were incredibly simple. Besides a low table and a few meditation cushions, the only other object was a scroll on the wall depicting the character for "Dao" amidst swirling clouds and mist.
Dean Chen, still dressed in a dark Daoist Robe, sat cross-legged on a cushion, his eyes gently closed. The moment Chu Bai stepped into the room, he slowly opened them, his gaze as sharp as lightning as it swept directly over Chu Bai.
"You’ve absorbed Metal Qi?"
Dean Chen’s voice was level, yet it seemed to see through everything. "The Qi is sharp, with a subtle evil-sundering intent... It is the Innate Geng Metal Qi."
A chill went through Chu Bai’s heart. He had only just guided a single strand of Metal Qi into his body, not even enough to completely alter the nature of his Magical Power, yet the Dean had seen through to the very origin of his Spiritual Qi with a single glance. ’Is this the keen eye of a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator?’
"Your insight is truly sharp, Dean." Chu Bai bowed respectfully. "I happened upon this Qi in the Spirit Pavilion and felt it was compatible with me, so I boldly chose it."
"Not bad at all." Dean Chen gave a slight nod, his tone unreadable. "This Qi is strong and upright. As the ’skeleton’ for starting your Five Elements foundation, it is an excellent choice."
Then, changing the subject, he didn’t dwell on Chu Bai’s cultivation. Instead, he suddenly asked, "Do you know why I created such a complex scenario for this examination?"
Chu Bai froze for a moment as the details of the three-day examination flashed through his mind.
From the conventional trials on the first day, overseen by Dean Liu, to the sudden appearance of the Earth Smoke Fire poison gas on the second, and finally, to the realistic "death" and desperate situation at dawn on the third day...
After a moment of thought, he replied in a low voice, "You must have done it to test the students’ character, Dean. To see if we could put aside personal grievances and take charge when faced with a desperate situation."
The "incident" on the third day was, in reality, a Heart Inquiry scenario set up by Dean Chen using Spirit-Slaying Silk.
If Chu Bai had chosen to abandon the injured Dong Feng and the others just to save his own skin, he might have still placed first in points, but his standing in the eyes of these Great Cultivators would have been severely diminished.
"Correct. You have a sharp mind."
Dean Chen looked at the composed, respectful young man before him, a slight smile gracing his lips. "You not only saw through the True Intent of the examination but also made the best possible choices amidst the chaos. From your steady command to your final sacrifice—swallowing the poison to slay the enemy—you did very well."
"The purpose of the Daoist School has never been merely to train a group of enforcers who only know how to cultivate in seclusion."
Dean Chen stood and walked to the window. With his back to Chu Bai, his voice seemed to come from a great distance. "This ’Heart Inquiry’ of ours probes one’s devotion to the Dao, but more importantly, it measures one’s potential for greatness. We’ve had no shortage of geniuses in the past—prodigies with supreme cultivation who placed first in the examination. But in the end, because of their narrow minds and petty ambitions, they faded into obscurity or even strayed onto a malevolent path."
"A low Cultivation is a temporary setback; with enough hard work, one can always catch up. But if a person’s heart is corrupt, then even with a Golden Core Cultivation, they are nothing more than a scourge."
At this, he turned around and gave Chu Bai a profound look. "Based on your performance, your character and your methods are both of the highest caliber. One of this year’s ’Immortal Official’ slots should be yours."
"Immortal Official slots?"
Chu Bai was taken aback. The term was entirely new to him.
He only knew that students of the Daoist School engaged in cultivation after Receiving Talismans in order to secure a place for themselves within the system.
For instance, by obtaining a Gray Talisman in the County Examination, one could become a constable or a Medical Officer at the County Yamen. In a small place like Anping County, this was the "Official Status" that countless people dreamed of, and it was enough to protect one’s entire family.
To advance further, one had to participate in the grueling Celestial Examination after graduation and compete for the incredibly rare formal official positions.
Only by obtaining an Official Status and receiving a White Talisman conferred by the Court would one be eligible to break through to Foundation Establishment.
’But this Immortal Official... from the way Dean Chen said it, it sounds like something even beyond the Celestial Examination?’
Seeing Chu Bai’s confused expression, Dean Chen explained with uncharacteristic patience, "When each class of students graduates from the Daoist School, the ten most outstanding are selected and directly granted the status of ’Immortal Official’."
"Once you gain this status, you no longer have to go through the tedious Celestial Examination. You are directly granted a White Talisman, giving you a clear and unobstructed path straight to Foundation Establishment!"
"What?!"
Even with Chu Bai’s steady disposition, his breath caught in his throat.
’No need to take the Celestial Examination? A direct pass to qualify for Foundation Establishment?’

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