Chapter 144: The Examination Procedure

“If Fellow Daoist Qu is willing, you may stay here at the Celestial Masters Hall. You can choose any cave residence you like, and all spiritual herbs and plants will be at your disposal. We will, of course, fully support you”—support you in opening classes to teach—“What do you think, Fellow Daoist?”

“No!”

Before Qu Qiuming could reply, the young girl hiding behind him suddenly spoke up, eyes brimming with tears as she looked at him. “Brother Ming, you promised me that once you finished the registration, you’d go home with me! How can you stay in a place like this? I don’t care! Don’t let this bull-nosed old priest trick you!”

Bull-nosed Old Priest Xu: “……”

“Die’er, mind your manners,” Qu Qiuming scolded softly, though his tone carried no real reproach—his face was filled instead with indulgent affection.

Hall Master Xu frowned and looked at the lively young girl. “And this is…?”

“Forgive her,” Qu Qiuming said helplessly, turning to glance at the girl before explaining, “Her name is Caidie. She was one of the people I saved in Tianfang City when they were afflicted with dark energy. Since she was left alone with no family, I took her in as my little sister. She’s young and ignorant; I ask my fellow Daoists not to take offense.”

“I’m not ignorant!” Caidie immediately pouted, hugging his arm and shaking it like a spoiled child. “They just want to take you away from me. Brother Ming, don’t leave Die’er all alone, okay?”

“All right, all right.” Qu Qiuming sighed softly, clearly used to this. He turned and half-embraced her, patting her head tenderly. His eyes were filled with doting warmth. “Don’t worry. You’re my sister—I’ll never abandon you.”

“Mm.” Caidie finally smiled, nestling happily into his arms.

The onlookers: “……”

An entrance examination… and he brought his “sister”?

Also—this really didn’t look like a sibling relationship.

Had the times changed so much that they could no longer keep up with the younger generation?

Everyone silently turned toward Yun Jiao to gauge her reaction—only to find her calmly observing the pair, openly, with not the slightest sign of embarrassment. In fact, she even seemed to be studying them thoughtfully.

…Yeah. They were definitely getting old.

“Fellow Daoists…” After a while, Qu Qiuming finally turned back to the group and continued, “While I would be glad to assist the Celestial Masters Hall, it wouldn’t be convenient for me to live here permanently. I heard that your Hall has a Guest Elder position, one that doesn’t require residence. If that’s the case, I could perhaps oversee your healers in that capacity.”

Hall Master Xu frowned slightly, an inexplicable irritation rising in him. Never mind whether this Qu’s medical skills were truly that great—his tone made it sound like becoming an elder here was somehow beneath him.

The only existing Guest Elder was Yun Jiao, and that was because her abilities unquestionably warranted it.

The other sect leaders seemed to share the same thought. Even if Qu Qiuming truly had extraordinary skill, wasn’t this attitude a bit too arrogant? He hadn’t even passed the examination yet, and he was already discussing elder appointments?

Still, considering how desperately the Celestial Sect needed healers, Hall Master Xu let it slide and said calmly, “Of course, as long as you pass our healer’s assessment, we can discuss that afterward.”

“Assessment?” Qu Qiuming paused as if only just remembering that they had mentioned a test earlier.

“Indeed,” Hall Master Xu explained. “Since none of us have seen your medical skills firsthand, and today is the registration day, naturally we must verify them.”

Qu Qiuming frowned, clearly displeased. Before he could speak, Caidie burst out indignantly, glaring at everyone. “You don’t believe in my Brother Ming’s healing skills? How dare you!” She even took a step forward as if to confront them. “You’re all—”

“Enough, Caidie.” Qu Qiuming raised a hand to stop her, his expression confident and composed. “It’s just an assessment, isn’t it? Whatever the illness, just bring the patient to me—I’ll cure them.”

Caidie huffed, crossing her arms. “Hmph! You people have no idea how amazing my Brother Ming is! He can even bring the dead back to life—you’ll all be stunned when you see!”

Hall Master Xu was left utterly speechless. What was wrong with these two? Hadn’t he said from the start there would be an assessment? This was the registration exam! Where did this sense of being insulted come from?

He exchanged baffled looks with the other sect leaders, suddenly beginning to doubt whether recruiting this man had been the right decision. Still, as the Hall Master, he forced down his irritation and turned toward Yun Jiao.

“This is Master Yun,” he said by way of introduction. “She is also an exceptional healer. How about letting her design the test?”

“Healer?” Qu Qiuming’s eyes widened as he finally turned his attention to Yun Jiao. Something flickered in his gaze—curiosity, or perhaps something else—and he studied her for a long moment.

Caidie immediately scowled, turning her head toward Yun Jiao and saying in a sweet but venomous tone, “You’re a healer too? Hmph! You’re so ugly—you can’t possibly be better than my Brother Ming!”

Yun Jiao blinked, momentarily speechless.

Before she could respond, the old man beside her shot to his feet with a loud scrape of his chair—followed instantly by every elder and sect leader in the hall, all rising together to bark out in fury:

“What did you just say?!”

“Mind your tongue, girl!!”

Caidie froze, utterly stunned, while Qu Qiuming instinctively took a step back, alarm flashing in his eyes. Neither of them had expected that the same crowd who had just been smiling so amiably would turn hostile in an instant. Even Hall Master Xu’s face had darkened with displeasure.

Qu Qiuming hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “Caidie is young and ignorant. Please forgive her, fellow Daoists.”

Unfortunately, their anger didn’t subside at all. She could be ignorant to anyone else—but not to Master Yun!

What if she got annoyed and gave them more homework?

Yun Jiao: “……”

Seeing the situation growing awkward, Yun Jiao sighed and finally spoke. “Didn’t we say there would be an assessment? Let’s begin.”

Her calm voice instantly defused the tension. Everyone slowly sat back down. Caidie quickly hid behind Qu Qiuming again, not daring to utter another word.

Qu Qiuming frowned, displeased, and gave Yun Jiao a resentful look. “Then let’s get on with it—take me to the patient!” he said sharply, determined to prove his worth and make them all regret underestimating him.

“There’s no rush,” Yun Jiao replied serenely, showing no intention of moving. “You’re here for registration, aren’t you? Everything follows proper procedure. Let’s start with Subject One.”

As she spoke, she reached into her bag, pulled out a perfectly square sheet of paper, and placed it before him—a written test.

Her tone was solemn. “Begin. I’ll collect it in one hour.”

The old man: “……”

Hall Master Xu: “……”

All the sect leaders: “……”

It was like watching their worst nightmare come true.

(End of Chapter)