Huff, huff-
Zhang Jing's legs moved swiftly.
"The Stone House Area really is too far from the Lecture Hall. I spend ages on the road every time. The Grade A Courtyards where Brother Ji and the others live are much better-so close."
A trace of envy seeped into his words.
All he could say was, having Spirit Stones was wonderful!
Fortunately, after hurrying all the way, Zhang Jing managed not to arrive late.
He was only a little later than usual.
By now, however, nearly all the meditation cushions in the Lecture Hall were occupied, with only a scattering of empty seats left at the very back.
"Looks like everyone's eager to improve." Zhang Jing smiled.
For him, it made no difference whether he sat at the front or the back, or even whether Instructor Wang gave a lecture today.
With skill proficiency, he could afford to be that cavalier.
He picked an empty spot at random and sat down.
Zhang Jing instinctively looked toward the front.
Sure enough, the four seated at the very front were still Ji Bochang and the others, immovable as ever, as though those four meditation cushions were their exclusive seats.
Just then.
Tap, tap-
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Zhang Jing involuntarily turned his head.
A young man came into view, hurrying into the Teaching Hall with a touch of arrogance on his face.
Him?
Zhang Jing seemed to have some impression of this person. He was one of the few whom Instructor Wang had encouraged during the last lecture, saying they had a chance of earning a Grade C assessment.
He counted as something of a genius.
After entering the Lecture Hall, the young man first glanced at the meditation cushions beside Zhang Jing, then frowned, unwilling to sit down.
The next moment.
"Brother Wang, over here! I saved you a seat." A chubby young man seated toward the front suddenly stood up and waved enthusiastically.
The young man accepted without ceremony.
He walked straight over to the chubby young man and said in an indifferent tone:
"Come find me tomorrow. I'll guide you through practicing the Visualization Method once."
"Thank you, Brother Wang. Thank you, Brother Wang..." The chubby young man flushed red with excitement.
Afterward.
Under everyone's envious gazes, the chubby young man swaggered to the very back and plopped down beside Zhang Jing, the flush lingering on his face.
"Hehe, brother, what do you think? Wasn't I quick on the uptake just now?"
Unable to resist poking Zhang Jing with a finger, the chubby young man said proudly, "I actually snapped up the chance to give Brother Wang my seat."
"If I make the most of tomorrow, I might greatly improve my chances of passing the assessment!"
"Congratulations, congratulations."
Zhang Jing spoke quietly.
Only then did he notice that everyone seated at the very front was someone Instructor Wang had favored last time as likely to pass the assessment, or even earn a higher grade.
What is this? It's only been five short days, and the hierarchy is already this clearly defined?
Zhang Jing grumbled inwardly.
The scene before him felt all too real.
"Hey, brother." Seemingly sensing Zhang Jing's distraction, the chubby young man could not help trying to persuade him. "Our talent may be a little lacking, but we can't give up. Look at you-if you'd come as early as I did today, that opportunity might have been yours!"
Before Zhang Jing could respond.
He heard the young man mutter to himself with a hint of regret, "Too bad the Four Great Prodigies are so far above us. I have no way of forming a connection with them. If only I could get their guidance..."
"If you have questions about your cultivation, why don't you ask Instructor Wang?"
Zhang Jing asked curiously.
"I... I..." The chubby young man's face immediately reddened. "I haven't even fully understood the Visualization Method yet."
A trace of understanding crossed Zhang Jing's face at those words.
He had almost forgotten that this was an assessment, after all. Instructor Wang would not guide them through everything.
"Wait, the Four Great Prodigies?"
Zhang Jing pointed at Ji Bochang and the other three ahead, asking in astonishment, "You mean... them?"
"Who else?"
The chubby young man looked at Zhang Jing and asked in return.
Then, as though he had discovered something, he studied Zhang Jing's face again and again before finally saying in surprise:
"Hey, brother, aren't you that... that lucky fellow everyone talks about, the one who's close to Ji Bochang? No wonder you don't care."
"I'm so jealous that you can ask Ji Bochang for advice whenever you want!"
While they were speaking.
Instructor Wang appeared on the platform like a phantom.
His piercing gaze swept over the familiar faces before him, and he nodded in satisfaction, thinking:
For them to have made this much progress in practicing the Visualization Method, it seems talent alone isn't the reason. Diligence has played a part as well.
Then Instructor Wang withdrew his gaze.
"The lecture begins!"
His voice instantly reverberated through the Lecture Hall like great bells ringing.
Time gradually passed.
"That will be all for today. Do you have any questions?"
Instructor Wang's gaze lingered on Ji Bochang and the other three below the platform, as though he were anticipating something.
Sure enough.
Ji Bochang rose unhurriedly and said slowly:
"Instructor, I've reached the introductory stage of the Pure Origin Qi-Gathering Visualization Method, developed spiritual sense, and sensed spiritual qi."
As his words fell.
The entire Teaching Hall instantly fell so quiet that a falling pin could have been heard.
Immediately afterward, dozens of gazes mingled with amazement, envy, and awe turned toward the composed Ji Bochang.
At the same time.
Zhang Jing felt an intensely envious gaze suddenly light up beside him, staring at him until his scalp tingled.
On the platform.
"Excellent!" Instructor Wang called out in satisfaction, wearing an expression that said he had indeed judged the right person.
He then turned toward Chu Lingyun and the other two.
"Today is already the fifth day. How is your cultivation coming along?"
"Instructor, I should reach the introductory stage of the Visualization Method around the day after tomorrow. A Grade B assessment won't be a problem." Chu Lingyun smiled brightly.
"I'm only a hair's breadth away. I might reach the introductory stage tonight," Deng An said as well.
"Very good!"
Instructor Wang voiced his praise.
He had not expected these four to truly give him a pleasant surprise. He had originally thought it would already be good if two of them earned Grade B assessments.
By now, Instructor Wang no longer clung to his earlier goal of ranking among the top three of the many provisional courtyards. More precisely, after learning about the other provisional courtyards yesterday, he had decisively chosen to accept reality.
Because it was simply impossible.
"Instructor, I... I'm still a little short." Wu Mingyuan's somewhat trembling voice rang out.
"Understood. Just focus on your cultivation," Instructor Wang reassured him.
With that said.
Instructor Wang left directly with Ji Bochang.
Seeing this, the others also left the Lecture Hall in twos and threes, discussing Ji Bochang's successful breakthrough in the Visualization Method with one another, looking as though they shared in his glory.
On his meditation cushion.
"As expected of Brother Ji. He's taken a step ahead of me."
Zhang Jing offered a word of praise.
Although Ji Bochang had the aid of many resources, that was within the Dao Academy's assessment rules, so there was nothing to say about it.
Besides, under almost identical conditions, Ji Bochang had managed to get ahead of the other three. His talent was evident.
Time to go back and cultivate. I absolutely mustn't slow my pace. Once I break through in the Visualization Method, I'll go straight to Instructor Wang. Better sooner than later!
Where was his residence again?
Before you continue