The main hall of the Warrior Monk Institute was paved with slabs of black jade over half a meter long, polished bright enough to reflect a person.
Four statues of guardian heavenly kings stood in the center of the hall, some holding demon-subduing vajras, others bronze bells.
Jiang Chuan stood alone in the empty hall, studying the four heavenly king statues as thoughts churned through his mind.
"In the simulation world, Jing Yan, who came first in the assessment, was granted a Mid-grade Treasure Artifact, the Moonlight Mirror, and one of Bodhi Temple's Thirty-Six Divine Abilities, the 'Golden Light Great Hand Seal,' by Elder Jingyun."
"With these two rewards, my chances of killing Ji Xinyu in the simulation will rise another notch!"
"Jiang Chuan."
Just as Jiang Chuan was deep in thought, Elder Jingyun's voice rang out behind him.
Jiang Chuan hurriedly turned around and bowed. "Jiang Chuan greets Elder Jingyun and the other elders."
Elder Jingyun entered the hall together with Jing Fa, Jing Shan, and three other Bodhi Temple elders.
"Jiang Chuan, tell me. How did you learn the 'Demon Slaying Saber'?"
Elder Jingyun's gaze was deep, like a tranquil ocean that seemed ready at any moment to stir up towering waves and swallow Jiang Chuan whole.
You taught me.
The words nearly slipped from Jiang Chuan's mouth, but he knew perfectly well that the Love Simulator was his greatest reliance in this world and absolutely could not be exposed.
"Amitabha! In reply to Elder, five days ago, Elder Jing Zhen assigned this disciple to care for Senior Golden Wind."
"Senior Golden Wind bestowed upon this disciple a Golden Essence Dagger containing the saber intent of the Demon Slaying Saber, allowing this disciple to comprehend it."
"This disciple comprehended it for several days and ultimately gained insight into this strike, then slew the tiger demon within the illusion."
"Senior Golden Wind... It appears I wronged Jiang Chuan."
Upon hearing Jiang Chuan's explanation, Elder Jingyun understood that he had falsely accused Jiang Chuan.
After all, since Golden Wind and Jing Zhen were involved, he only needed to ask the two of them to distinguish truth from falsehood.
He did not believe Jiang Chuan would dare deceive him.
A trace of guilt then rose in Elder Jingyun's heart.
"Amitabha! Jiang Chuan, your talent truly is peerless! In only a few days, you cultivated the 'Demon Slaying Saber' to such a level."
"Once you enter the Warrior Monk Institute, you must cultivate diligently and strive to attain Arhat Fruit Status."
"This disciple will not dare disappoint Elder's guidance. This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently," Jiang Chuan said solemnly.
As the two spoke, a monk carrying an iron staff entered the hall.
The monk had an ordinary face, but his eyes shone brightly like two lamps. One glance was enough to tell that he was no ordinary man.
Behind him was another monk holding a soul-chasing spade, his skin the color of aged bronze.
Since I took first place, Jing Yan, who was first in the simulation world, is now second, while Jing An, who was second, becomes third, Jiang Chuan thought to himself.
Jing Yan and Jing An entered the hall, followed by monks who streamed in one after another.
Before long, the once-empty hall had become somewhat crowded.
"196, 197, 198."
When the number was about to reach two hundred, Jiang Chuan finally spotted Jing Hui.
Jing Hui entered the hall excitedly, strode straight up to Jiang Chuan, and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Junior Brother, we finally don't have to work anymore!"
"Yeah!"
Recalling the grueling labor, Jiang Chuan also smiled.
After entering the Warrior Monk Institute, they would still need to complete tasks assigned by Bodhi Temple every year, but compared to endless labor three hundred and sixty-five days a year without rest, it was clearly far easier.
"By the way, Junior Brother, what rank did you get in this assessment?"
Hearing Jing Hui's question, Jiang Chuan replied, "First."
"First?! Junior Brother, you got first?!" Jing Hui's eyes widened round.
Jiang Chuan said with a straight face, "I contemplate the transformations of fate every day and observe the workings of the Heavenly Dao. Isn't taking first perfectly normal?"
Mm, he had contemplated the transformations of fate and reached a conclusion.
It was all Dragon Transformation Venerable's fault.
"The two hundredth disciple has entered the hall. This assessment is over."
As Elder Jingyun's voice fell, waves of unwilling, resentful, and helpless cries rose and fell from the courtyard outside the Warrior Monk Institute's main hall.
Jiang Chuan's expression remained calm.
This was the cruelty of cultivation!
Limited resources could only be given to a small number of people!
Standing before the heavenly king statues, Elder Jingyun swept his gaze over everyone in the hall and spoke again.
"The top three in this assessment are Jiang Chuan, Jing Yan, and Jing An. You should take these three as examples and cultivate diligently."
Everyone spoke in unison. "We shall heed Elder's instruction!"
"Jiang Chuan, Jing Yan, and Jing An, the three of you, come forward."
Hearing Elder Jingyun's words, Jiang Chuan, Jing Yan, and Jing An stepped out from the crowd and came before him.
"Jing An, you ranked third in this assessment. I grant you a gourd of Jade Essence Soul Nurturing Pills. I hope you will soon reach the fourth realm."
As Elder Jingyun spoke, he took a yellow-skinned gourd from his Storage Bag and handed it to Jing An.
Jing An accepted the yellow-skinned gourd excitedly.
"This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently and break through to the fourth realm as soon as possible."
"Jing Yan, you ranked second in this assessment. I grant you the Low-grade Treasure Artifact, the Purple Gold Zen Staff."
As Elder Jingyun spoke, he took out a nearly two-meter-long zen staff from his Storage Bag and handed it to Jing Yan.
Jing Yan accepted the zen staff and bowed. "Many thanks for Elder's reward."
"Jiang Chuan."
Elder Jingyun then looked toward Jiang Chuan.
"This disciple is here," Jiang Chuan said respectfully.
"You ranked first in this assessment. I grant you the High-grade Treasure Artifact, the Flame Sun Needle, and one of Bodhi Temple's Thirty-Six Divine Abilities, the 'Treasured Mountain Seal.' I hope you cultivate well and enter the Arhat Hall as soon as possible."
Elder Jingyun then took out a golden needle the length of a thumb and a slightly yellowed scroll.
Jiang Chuan froze slightly and did not immediately accept the Flame Sun Needle and the "Treasured Mountain Seal."
A trace of astonishment appeared in Elder Jing Fa's eyes as he transmitted his voice. "Senior Brother Jingyun, aren't these rewards a little too generous?"
Although the "Treasured Mountain Seal" was ranked among Bodhi Temple's Thirty-Six Divine Abilities alongside the "Demon Slaying Saber."
The "Demon Slaying Saber" could only be considered middle to lower tier among the Thirty-Six Divine Abilities, while the "Treasured Mountain Seal" could rank within the top ten!
Even many elders were not qualified to cultivate it!
"Jiang Chuan's talent is exceptional. He has already cultivated the 'Demon Slaying Saber' to the verge of major mastery. Ordinary divine abilities will not help him much; the 'Treasured Mountain Seal' is exactly suited to him."
Elder Jingyun transmitted his voice.
Jiang Chuan had displayed exceptional talent, and Elder Jingyun also felt guilty for having wronged him.
Therefore, Elder Jingyun replaced the originally prepared "Golden Light Great Hand Seal" with the "Treasured Mountain Seal."
"But—"
"I am an elder of the Warrior Monk Institute and oversee the Warrior Monk Institute. If the abbot blames us, I alone will bear the responsibility," Elder Jingyun interrupted Elder Jing Fa.
With the High-grade Treasure Artifact Flame Sun Needle and the 'Treasured Mountain Seal,' my chances of killing Ji Xinyu in the simulation will increase by at least twenty or thirty percent!
Looking at the divine ability and Treasure Artifact in Elder Jingyun's hands, Jiang Chuan was thrilled. He then respectfully accepted the Flame Sun Needle and the "Treasured Mountain Seal."
"Thank you for Elder's reward! This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently and strive to enter the Arhat Hall as soon as possible."
The monks around him looked at the Treasure Artifact and divine ability in Jiang Chuan's hands, revealing expressions of jealousy and envy.
Elder Jingyun nodded in satisfaction, then had the Warrior Monk Institute disciples arrange new residences for Jiang Chuan and the others.
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