28: Assessment (completed)

After finishing the explanation, Qin Jue continued to ask, "So, Student Xu Yan, do you still want to participate in the upcoming assessments? If you can perform even better in the subsequent assessments, the contract terms can be further improved."

"You should know that for this kind of contract, the higher you go, the greater the difference in resources between each level."

Upon hearing Qin Jue's question, Student Xu Yan nodded.

In this situation, the best course of action was naturally to show his best and secure better contract terms. If he missed this opportunity, who knew how long he would have to wait for the next one.

Qin Jue's subsequent assessment was actually very simple: it was just to let Student Xu Yan demonstrate his abilities.

The role of a Breeder actually encompasses many fields, such as spirit food, potions, evolution, healing, breeding... A Breeder simply chooses one or several of these fields to specialize in.

What Student Xu Yan had to do next was to choose one or more fields he was most skilled in, and Qin Jue would provide the corresponding topics, materials, and test questions.

The first project Student Xu Yan chose was naturally the one he was most confident in: spirit food production.

After making his choice, Qin Jue handed Student Xu Yan a ring containing various materials ranging from Soldier Rank to Commander Rank. Student Xu Yan could use any of the materials inside, with the requirement being to make a dish of spirit food he was most confident in.

Feeling the dazzling array of materials inside the ring, Student Xu Yan forcefully suppressed the urge to pocket the ring and began to search through the spatial ring with his spiritual power.

Looking at those rare materials that were usually extremely difficult to collect, a somewhat risky idea appeared in Student Xu Yan's mind.

His family farm had been passed down for over a dozen generations, so they still had some good things.

In Student Xu Yan's memory, there was a special spirit food recipe he had found in the warehouse. The spirit food was of General Rank, but because the materials were too rare and the production difficulty was quite high, Student Xu Yan had never attempted to make it.

Now, encountering this opportunity to choose any materials he wanted, this recipe was the first thing that came to Student Xu Yan's mind.

However, was it too risky to use such a recipe, one he had never made before, in such an important assessment?

Thinking this, Student Xu Yan asked Qin Jue directly, "Teacher Qin, may I use my Innate Talent to assist in the production?"

Facing Student Xu Yan's question, Qin Jue nodded.

"Of course, your Innate Talent is part of your own strength."

After hearing the affirmative answer, Student Xu Yan directly activated Heavens Mandate Guidance.

The golden thread on his wrist burned out, and Student Xu Yan firmly took out the materials from the spatial ring and began to process them using the various instruments in the room.

On Qin Jue's side, seeing the materials taken from the spatial ring after the activation of the Innate Talent, a look of surprise appeared on his face once again.

It was nothing else but the fact that most of the materials Student Xu Yan took out were of General Rank, with two items even being of Commander Rank, and several of them were extremely rare.

Seeing this configuration of materials, Qin Jue knew that what Student Xu Yan was about to make was definitely not Soldier Rank spirit food.

To be able to make General Rank spirit food within two years of passing the Soldier Rank Cultivator assessment? This Little fellow's talent in breeding is truly terrifying.

Qin Jue thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Student Xu Yan, having devoted all his attention to making the spirit food, did not notice Qin Jue's change in mood.

After finishing the processing of the materials, he began to extract the substances one by one, following the procedures on the recipe: extraction, neutralization, fusion...

About an hour later, Student Xu Yan, covered in sweat, finally stopped the instrument in his hand. He let out a long sigh of relief, took out more than thirty green cubes the size of dice from the instrument, placed them on a plate, and set it on the table in front of Qin Jue.

Looking at the green cubes on the plate on the table, and at Student Xu Yan, who was covered in sweat and clearly exhausted from the energy consumption, Qin Jue first told him to sit down and rest for a while, then raised his hand to take a green cube from the plate.

After observing it for a while, he put it directly into his mouth to taste it.

"Hmm, an unrecorded General Rank spirit food. Huh? This effect, it can actually improve a spirit beast's affinity for elements, but it is only effective for wood-attribute spirit beasts and requires long-term consumption."

"In addition, it is mixed with a power that does not belong to the production materials themselves, which can improve the spirit beast's taste and absorption rate, giving the spirit beast a sense of satisfaction."

"Although there are some shortcomings, this effect, along with the added power, makes it a rare treasure among General Rank spirit food."

"Student Xu Yan, while giving me a surprise, you have also presented me with a major problem."

Qin Jue said this while tapping his fingertips on the table in front of him.

"Logically speaking, your spirit food production skills are already enough for you to pass the General Rank Breeder assessment. To have upgraded your Breeder level from Soldier Rank to General Rank in two years, coupled with the special power in the spirit food you made—which should come from your Innate Talent—you have already far exceeded the basic requirements for an A-level contract."

"However, it is still a bit short of the highest S-level. At this level, unless your attainments in other fields can exceed your performance in spirit food, it will not bring you extra points. Being in this middle ground is a bit awkward."

Hearing Qin Jue's words, Student Xu Yan sighed inwardly. As expected of a teacher from the Third Academy, to be able to discern so much just by tasting one piece of spirit food he had made. Regarding what Qin Jue said about it being "a bit short," Student Xu Yan wondered if he should reveal some other things to make up for it.

Before Student Xu Yan could make a choice, Qin Jue, after thinking for a while, asked again, "Student Xu Yan, is it convenient to ask about the specific effect of your Innate Talent that adds power to spirit food? Does it only take effect on spirit food, or does it have miraculous effects on anything you make?"

"Of course, if it is inconvenient or something that needs to be hidden, you don't have to say it. I will try my best to help you fight for an S-level contract."

Facing Qin Jue's inquiry, Student Xu Yan did not hide anything and told the other party about the effects of his Myriad Affinity Innate Talent.

Hearing Student Xu Yan's introduction, Qin Jue's previously furrowed brows smoothed out, and he revealed a smile again.

"So that's how it is. No wonder that person from the Seventh Academy looked over here several times after you came in. This Innate Talent of yours is truly very tempting for the Seventh Academy."

"In this way, you have the ability, the Innate Talent, and the external competition. You don't need to participate in the subsequent assessments; the S-level contract is secure. I will introduce the content of the S-level contract to you, and then, whether you want to stay here until the assessment ends or go out to watch the Combat Department's assessment, it's up to you."