16: autistic

"I don't believe their talent is better than He Wuyi's!"

Zhang Qiang stared at Steward Shi with wide eyes, demanding an explanation.

In reality, he felt that neither Lin Yiyi nor Mo Fan had as much talent as he did.

"You're unconvinced?" Hearing Zhang Qiang's words, Steward Shi was so annoyed he almost laughed.

"You have the nerve to be unconvinced?

"It is true that during the second round of assessments, you were the first to master the Test Fist Technique, ahead of both Mo Fan and Lin Yiyi.

"But think about your performance in the third round of assessments!"

Before Zhang Qiang could reply, Steward Shi continued.

"In the third round, your fist technique was abysmal, completely lacking any structure!

"As a Body Tempering Sixth Level Martial Artist, you were actually beaten by a few Body Tempering Third Level and Fourth Level disciples without any ability to fight back!

"I even believe that Xu Jing alone could fight you to a draw!

"And she spent an hour longer than you to master the Test Fist Technique, and her cultivation Realm is even one minor Realm lower than yours!

"If I were you, I'd just find a piece of tofu and smash my head against it until I died; how do you have the face to question others here?"

"This..." Zhang Qiang was stunned, his face turning red with shame.

He had not expected that in Steward Shi's eyes, he was actually so incompetent.

However, he also knew that what Steward Shi said was the truth.

During the third round of assessments—the combat assessment—he had indeed performed poorly, acting timid and being suppressed by others.

Thinking of this, he turned to look at Xu Jing, who had been silent on the side.

At that time, Xu Jing had been the main force besieging him.

And he had indeed felt a lot of pressure from her.

The key was that he was one minor Realm higher than her!

His Comprehension Ability was also much better than hers!

But even so, it seemed he was only on par with Xu Jing in combat power!

Damn it!

Was I really that bad?

Zhang Qiang wanted to cry but had no tears; he was starting to doubt his own life.

Watching this scene, Steward Shi smiled.

Zhang Qiang did indeed have some shortcomings.

But he wasn't as incompetent as he had described.

It was just that this kid was a bit arrogant and conceited.

He needed to be properly humbled.

However, soon after, Steward Shi's face darkened again.

He saw that Zhang Qiang, who had been sulking for a while, quickly regained his senses and still said, somewhat unwillingly.

"I admit I'm not outstanding enough, but Mo Fan and Lin Yiyi couldn't possibly be better than He Wuyi—"

Before Zhang Qiang could finish, Steward Shi interrupted him.

"You are wrong. Whether it is Mo Fan or Lin Yiyi, both are much stronger than He Wuyi."

Once these words were spoken, not only Zhang Qiang, but even He Wuyi was stunned.

Really?

These two are actually that talented?

It wasn't just them; even Mo Fan himself was somewhat surprised.

Am I really that talented?

I clearly kept such a low profile!

Steward Shi scanned the group and continued.

"Although Mo Fan and Lin Yiyi spent a bit longer mastering the Test Fist Technique.

"Their application of the fist technique and their grasp of actual combat are far superior to yours."

A glint flashed in Steward Shi's eyes, and he looked at Mo Fan with a smile.

"Mo Fan is only at the Body Tempering Second Level of cultivation, yet by using the Test Fist Technique, he can instantly defeat a Body Tempering Third Level and easily defeat a Body Tempering Fourth Level. Such combat talent is truly rare..."

By the end, Steward Shi couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

If Mo Fan's cultivation talent were just a bit better.

His future achievements would be immeasurable!

It was precisely because of this that he had given Mo Fan an A-plus rating without hesitation.

However, upon hearing Steward Shi's words, the group was shocked, their eyes widening as they looked at Mo Fan in disbelief.

This guy... is he really that terrifying?

Even Xu Jing, who had been silent and expressionless the whole time, looked at Mo Fan now, her eyes flickering with surprise.

"Body Tempering Second Level instantly defeating a Body Tempering Third Level? Easily defeating a Body Tempering Fourth Level? How, how is this possible?"

Zhang Qiang stared blankly at Mo Fan, his head buzzing, completely dumbfounded.

This time, he had completely shut down.

Compared to Mo Fan.

He was practically a clown!

So embarrassing!

A moment ago, he had actually asked Mo Fan to return the Spirit Stone!

Now...

He wanted to dig a hole right there and bury himself!

So embarrassing!

"This, this is too monstrous, right?" He Wuyi was also a bit confused, suspecting he had misheard.

A Body Tempering Second Level defeating a Body Tempering Third Level is fine; after all, the gap between them isn't that large.

But when breaking through from Body Tempering Third Level to Body Tempering Fourth Level, the body undergoes some changes, and human potential is partially unleashed.

This results in the Body Tempering Fourth Level usually having much stronger physical fitness than the Body Tempering Third Level, completely distinguishing their levels of strength.

But this guy Mo Fan could actually defeat a Body Tempering Fourth Level while still at the Body Tempering Second Level!

This kind of thing is simply unbelievable!

This guy is just too monstrous!

Yuxu Academy is truly deep; one can even encounter such a monster when applying to be a Utility Disciple!

Just as everyone was astonished, Mo Fan wiped away some cold sweat, feeling relieved inside.

He had still underestimated himself!

Fortunately, he had held something back during the second round of testing!

Otherwise, it would have been even scarier, even more outrageous, and even harder to explain!

Steward Shi scanned the group with their exaggerated expressions, nodded in satisfaction, and continued.

"Lin Yiyi is the same. Even though she is only at the Body Tempering Third Level, she can also easily defeat a Body Tempering Fourth Level and hold her own against a Body Tempering Fifth Level.

"At that time, she and Mo Fan worked together to fight the enemy, taking out many examinees who were one or even two minor cultivation Realms higher than them.

"Based on the above considerations, I set their assessment ratings to A-plus, with monthly cultivation resource subsidies three times that of a regular Utility Disciple."

Having said this, Steward Shi couldn't even suppress the joy in his heart.

Being able to recruit geniuses like Mo Fan and Lin Yiyi, his luck was truly too good!

How many merit points would he be rewarded with for this?

It should be worth the resources he would get from working hard for half a month, right?

For Yuxu Academy.

It doesn't matter if cultivation talent is lacking.

As long as the Comprehension Ability is good enough and the combat talent is outstanding enough, that's fine.

After all, it is an ancient Sect with a heritage spanning thousands of years; it still has some foundation.

As long as Mo Fan and Lin Yiyi can demonstrate sufficient value for cultivation.

Then it wouldn't be difficult for Yuxu Academy to spend a certain price to improve their cultivation Aptitude.

Years later, if the two achieve success in the martial path, he, Steward Shi, would also be able to bask in some of the reflected glory.

After imagining a bright future for a while, Steward Shi coughed lightly twice, immediately regained his composure, returned to his cold and aloof expression, and continued.

"Alright, enough talk. Now I will assign you your Utility Disciple positions. Currently, the Alchemy Hall, Artifact Refining Hall, Talisman Crafting Hall, and Magic Array Hall all happen to have one vacancy each!

"The five of you, according to your assessment ratings, choose the position you like in order!

"Mo Fan, your assessment rating is the highest, you choose first!"

Hearing this, Mo Fan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked somewhat uncertainly: "Does every hall only have one vacancy?"

"Yes, every hall only has one vacancy, so you must consider carefully; once you make a choice, you cannot change it!" Steward Shi warned.

Upon hearing this, Mo Fan's eyes lit up, then he turned to Lin Yiyi and spread his hands apologetically.

Then, he turned back around and said firmly: "I choose the Alchemy Hall!"

Since there was only one spot for each, if he chose it, Lin Yiyi naturally wouldn't be able to choose it.

In this way, Mo Fan wouldn't have to wrong himself by choosing the Artifact Refining Hall just to avoid being in the same position as Lin Yiyi!

After all, Alchemists are the ones who really make money!

Lin Yiyi: "..."