The Test of Who's Worse

Senior Brother Song Yu pondered for a moment before saying, "Elder Zhao enjoys Confucian culture. Every time he takes on disciples, he sets a small test related to it, usually choosing from poetry, lyrics, calligraphy, or painting."

Li Xiuchang thought about his "ECG-style" calligraphy and minimalist stick-figure drawings, feeling his artistic style was too avant-garde for this world and likely wouldn't be appreciated.

Poetry and lyrics were his only hope, relying on his nine years of compulsory education to be a literary plagiarist.

It all came down to luck. If the test was poetry, he might just shine.

"I attended a private school for a few years and have a basic grasp of poetry and lyrics, but when it comes to calligraphy and painting..."

Senior Brother Song Yu smiled and comforted him, "Don't worry. The last time Elder Zhao took disciples, the test was calligraphy. This time, it'll likely be different, either poetry or painting.

"Besides, you don't need to be an expert in either. The test is just a test; I never said the one who performs best will definitely be taken as a disciple by Elder Zhao."

Li Xiuchang asked, confused, "If there's a test, why not select the best candidate?"

"As I said, the most important thing for Elder Zhao when taking disciples is whether they catch his eye. The test is simply his way of judging that."

Li Xiuchang detected a hint of teasing in Senior Brother Song Yu's tone and felt there was more to it. He cupped his hands and said, "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

Senior Brother Song Yu fiddled with the jade pendant at his waist, paused for a few breaths as if choosing his words, and then spoke, "Although Elder Zhao enjoys studying Confucian culture, he's busy with affairs and dedicates most of his energy to alchemy. Therefore, apart from calligraphy, where he has some skill, his proficiency in poetry and painting is..."

At this point, Senior Brother Song Yu gave Li Xiuchang a knowing look.

Li Xiuchang naturally understood. So, this Elder Zhao was just a poser, only half-baked in poetry and painting.

Seeing Li Xiuchang's look of realization, Senior Brother Song Yu continued, "Therefore, when Elder Zhao gives you the test, remember to pass it, but try to keep a low profile. Don't be the first bird to stick your neck out. Elder Zhao dislikes overly ostentatious disciples."

Li Xiuchang vaguely understood, grasping at some hidden meaning.

Seeing Li Xiuchang still looked puzzled, Senior Brother Song Yu lowered his voice and explained more clearly, "If you were me, would you choose a disciple who surpassed you?"

Li Xiuchang pondered for a moment and finally understood Senior Brother Song Yu's meaning—if he performed too outstandingly, Elder Zhao would be jealous of his talent!

Li Xiuchang felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Elder Zhao Yuan Si, despite years of studying Confucian culture, only had calligraphy to show for it. If he saw an Outer Sect disciple who, at a young age, surpassed him in poetry or painting, he would naturally feel displeased.

This "displeasure" might not be enough to make him target someone, but he certainly wouldn't look favorably upon them. And Senior Brother Song Yu had repeatedly emphasized that Elder Zhao's sole requirement for taking disciples was that they catch his eye.

Similarly, if someone knew nothing about Confucian culture and couldn't even pass Elder Zhao's simple test, Elder Zhao wouldn't look favorably upon them either.

"So, whether the test is poetry or painting, I need to pass it without demonstrating a level superior to Elder Zhao's. Only then will I have a chance to be taken as a disciple," Li Xiuchang rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Originally, he had planned to try his luck. If it was poetry, he'd be a literary thief and amaze everyone.

If it was painting, he'd just give up. That gave him a 50% chance of success.

But now the situation had become complicated. Even if the test was poetry, he no longer felt confident.

Li Xiuchang deliberated for a moment and asked, "What is Elder Zhao's actual skill level in poetry and painting?"

Senior Brother Song Yu didn't answer, merely reaching out to brush away nonexistent dust from his shoes.

Li Xiuchang understood.

It seemed this test wasn't about being good, but about being bad!

Now, Li Xiuchang actually hoped the test would be painting. He was terrible at drawing, so maybe there was a sliver of hope.

If it was poetry, all the famous lines etched in his memory were masterpieces. How could he possibly "be bad" at that?

"Junior Brother, go back and prepare. I'll handle this recommendation spot for you. I'll send someone to notify you when there's news. Oh, and I still don't know which district you live in in the Outer Sect?"

"Eastern Geng District, number eighteen."

Senior Brother Song Yu's expression turned strange.

"Junior Brother, that place isn't exactly a good place to live!"

Senior Brother Song Yu stopped himself, swallowing the words. He ultimately didn't say them.

Since Li Xiuchang chose to live in the Eastern Geng District, he must already know the rumors about it. There was no need for him to persuade him further.

Moreover, even he couldn't pinpoint the exact problems with the Eastern Geng District; the talk of curses was all speculation, with no evidence.

Li Xiuchang bid farewell to Senior Brother Song Yu and returned to the Eastern Geng District.

This time, there were no convenient flying boats, so he had to walk.

As soon as he left the Inner Sect, a flying boat descended from the sky, and a voice called out from it, "Junior Brother, are you heading back to the Eastern Geng District? Why don't I give you a ride? I'll give you a good price this time, just half a Spirit Stone."

Li Xiuchang looked up and saw a familiar pockmarked face. It was the "rental boat driver" who had been driven away by Zhang Wanzhi at the entrance of the Eastern Geng District earlier.

Li Xiuchang frowned slightly. Half a Spirit Stone to take him back to the Eastern Geng District, especially for a longer journey, was indeed not expensive.

However, he only had nineteen Spirit Stones left and no immediate source of more, so he needed to be frugal.

"If that's too much, I can give you a further discount. How about four Spirit Sand? Consider it making a friend," the pockmarked Senior Brother said with a pained expression.

Spirit Sand is finely ground Spirit Stone particles; one low-grade Spirit Stone is equivalent to ten Spirit Sands.

Times are tough nowadays, Spirit Stones are hard to earn, but even a mosquito's leg is meat.

Li Xiuchang neither agreed nor refused, but instead asked, "Senior Brother, are you a Talisman Master?"

Feeling his question wasn't precise enough, he added, "A first-tier Talisman Master?"

The pock-marked Senior Brother's face changed, as if a sword had pierced his heart. His complexion instantly shifted from red to white, stark white, then back to red, redder than spicy crayfish.

He angrily retorted, "Fine if you don't want to ride, but why insult me!"

With that, he didn't linger, mounting his Flying Boat and soaring into the wind.

Li Xiuchang watched the pock-marked Senior Brother's retreating back, blinking. Had he offended someone?

He had only recalled what Senior Brother Song Yu had said about first-tier Talisman Masters being so common they had to resort to ferrying people on Flying Boats for money, so he'd casually asked. He hadn't expected such a strong reaction.

"It seems the situation for Talisman Masters is even more difficult than I imagined."

Li Xiuchang made up his mind: unless he achieved "Spirit Stone freedom" in the future, he wouldn't easily venture into the path of talismans.

Little did he know, a saying circulated in the Outer Sect of the Immortal Dust Sect: "All professions are superior, only Talisman Masters are lowly."

His single question had struck the pock-marked Senior Brother right in the heart and lungs.