Qi Sense and Talent [Roar]

A month later.

"Finally, I can sense qi!"

Inside the study hall, Zhou Ling took a deep breath and thought to himself with delight.

[You are breathing in spiritual energy. Spiritual Energy Affinity +1, spiritual energy +2]

[Total times breathing in spiritual energy: 2082/10,000]

Now, he came to the Dao Academy half an hour early every day.

Though he had yet to officially cultivate any technique, with the [Spiritual Energy Affinity] talent, he could gradually improve his sense of qi.

Ever since the [Spiritual Energy Affinity] talent had been activated, he could draw in 2 points of spiritual energy with every breath.

That meant his speed of absorbing spiritual energy had doubled from before.

And that would determine his cultivation speed in the future.

Generally speaking, the quality of one's Spiritual Root Aptitude determined how compatible a cultivator's physique was with spiritual energy.

For example, a cultivator with a Mid-grade Spiritual Root had spiritual energy compatibility five to ten times greater than one with a Low-Grade Spiritual Root.

Likewise, a Low-Grade Spiritual Root was far superior to a Mixed Spiritual Root.

Over the past month, he attended cultivation theory classes every morning, such as Introduction to Cultivation, Qi Sense Assessment, and How to Activate Spirit Acupoints.

The afternoons were for Practical Class. Different students practiced separately according to their own choices.

Students like Zheng Youwei, who had already activated their spirit acupoints, chose cultivation techniques.

Others who were interested in skills such as puppetry, medicinal herbs, or spirit beasts could make their own choices as well. The Dao Academy provided places for practice.

As for Zhou Ling, he mainly practiced the Great Yang Art.

[Effect: Total punches practiced 380 times. Great Yang Fist proficiency (Beginner 30)]

[Total punches practiced: 380/1,000]

Every day, he made sure to practice the Great Yang Fist five or six times.

By now, he could perform it with convincing form, his moves fierce and powerful.

At this rate, [Physique Evolution] would improve once more in four months.

[Physique: Nutrition mediocre (5200/10000)]

Whenever he practiced his punches, Yuan Hu and Wang Xin would imitate him and practice alongside him.

After spending the past month together, the three of them had become familiar with one another.

Being around these children all day, Zhou Ling naturally seemed out of place.

So he generally did not speak much. Every day, he only pondered how to cultivate a sense of qi as quickly as possible, so that he could select a basic cultivation technique.

Wang Xin, meanwhile, had not made a sound for the entire month and had already been dubbed Little Mute by the children in the study hall.

She was unhappy at the other children's mockery, but after class or during meals, she followed Zhou Ling around every day.

It annoyed Zhou Ling to no end, but Wang Xin was like a little tagalong—wherever he went, she followed.

Then there was Yuan Hu. It was said that his parents were fishermen, and his family was so poor they could barely keep the pot boiling.

Yet his parents had still found a way to send him to the Mid-Grade Dao Class.

Since he normally ate only ordinary food, dressed shabbily, and was dark-skinned besides, the other children were unwilling to associate with him.

He felt that only Zhou Ling was willing to talk to him, so whenever he had nothing to do, he followed Zhou Ling around as well.

Thus, their group of three seemed rather distinctive in the study hall.

Zhou Ling continued taking deep breaths. After a while, Instructor Liu walked in with a gentle smile on her face.

Liu Yan was kind and approachable, and she taught her students with great patience. She was already at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

Moreover, it was said that she was also a Formation Master.

She treated all the children equally.

Over the past month, she had basically come to understand each child's family background.

But whether they were Scions of Noble Families or ordinary Rogue Cultivators, if they made mistakes, Liu Yan rebuked them when she should and punished them when she should. She would not look at them differently just because they were Scions of Noble Families.

Thus, though these children were young, they both respected and feared Liu Yan.

Zhou Ling, however, had none of those reservations. He often liked to ask Liu Yan all sorts of questions.

Not to mention that Liu Yan was delicate and beautiful—even simply speaking with an adult was far better than trying to communicate with these children.

Moreover, whether in cultivation or knowledge, Liu Yan was far superior to Li Ru and the others.

Thus, talking with Liu Yan was something Zhou Ling never tired of.

Today marked one month since school began. After the first monthly exam, the assessment results would be handed out.

Liu Yan walked in with her hands behind her back, holding a stack of report cards.

The children immediately quieted down, each of them looking somewhat nervous.

Zhou Ling, however, did not take it to heart.

This assessment mainly tested theoretical knowledge.

So he was very confident.

With the boost from the [Immortal Root Aptitude] talent.

[Comprehension, Mediocre (82/100)]

In terms of comprehension, he had already surpassed ordinary people.

Before long, Zhou Ling saw his assessment results.

Grade A.

Second in the entire Study Hall.

And the first-place student was, surprisingly, his deskmate, Little Mute.

But since it was only a theory assessment, the other children did not seem to care much.

After all, theory and cultivation were entirely different matters.

True cultivation required not only Spiritual Roots and comprehension, but also ample resources.

Things like alchemy and talisman crafting required Spirit Stones to buy materials for practice.

Just a First-Grade Low-Rank alchemy cauldron cost twenty or thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones. Not to mention the medicinal ingredients—even the cauldron alone was beyond what an ordinary Rogue Cultivator could afford.

[You obtained second place in the monthly exam. Born to Excel +1]

"Brother Ling is amazing!"

Yuan Hu said enviously.

As for Wang Xin, who had taken first place, he selectively ignored her.

"Hmph!" Zheng Youwei, dressed in the brand-new Dao Academy robe, snorted unhappily at the sight and said, "What's so impressive about that? It's only a theory assessment. Who can't do that? Look, he hasn't even awakened his Spiritual Acupoints yet."

"Then what were your results?" Yuan Hu retorted indignantly.

"What's it to you?" Zheng Youwei said disdainfully. "You Rogue Cultivators, no matter how good you are at theory, without a legacy or resources, you'll never become Inner Disciples."

Yuan Hu's momentum immediately faltered, leaving him speechless.

[Directly scorned. Stronger from Adversity +1]

[Growth Talent activated. Roar: When you roar in anger, you can inflict a massive sonic attack on the opponent.]

[Requirement met: achieve the effect of shouting 1,000 times.]

This was the absolute attribute of the Stronger from Adversity talent.

Zhou Ling was delighted. He had not the slightest interest in the children bickering and fighting over face.

Besides, what Zheng Youwei said was true. Rogue Cultivators struggled every step of the way.

But he had not expected to gain something from it as well.

This [Roar] talent looked like an active Skill.

If used together with the Great Yang Fist, suddenly letting out a roar could catch an opponent off guard as well.

It was just that completing a thousand roars would be a little troublesome.

After all, he was in the Study Hall now and could not shout whenever he pleased and disturb the others.

Got it. I can practice it together with the Great Yang Fist later!

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

"Quiet, all of you!"

At that moment, Liu Yan shouted from the podium.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Liu Yan's gaze swept over the seated children. With a solemn expression, she continued, "Although this is only a theory assessment, it can still reveal your attitude toward cultivation."

"The path of cultivation is like rowing upstream: if you do not advance, you fall back."

"An upright, persevering attitude is what every cultivator should possess!"

"If you rank among the bottom three in the Study Hall again in next month's assessment, you will be sent to stand as punishment at the Outer Sect."

Hearing this, the children could not help growing nervous.