Path to Dual Cultivation

Chapter 12: Evaluation

Upon entering the building, Su Yang walked directly to the bed and grabbed the manual that was resting on the blanket.

"Fleeting Sword Basic Manual."

Su Yang immediately opened the manual and started studying its content.

Meanwhile, Senior Wu showed up at the scene shortly after. He approached the Sect Elder sitting beside the evaluation platform and asked, "Which building did the examinee with the mask go?"

The elder stood up and greeted him, "This disciple greets Grand Elder Wu. That masked examinee entered building 165 about 30 minutes ago."

'He should be able to comprehend a trash technique like that within a day or two with the Perfect Sword Body.' Senior Wu thought to himself as he took a seat beside the elder.

"G-Grand Elder?" The elder looked at him with a puzzled face.

"Don't mind me and act like I am not here."

"If you say so..."

The Fleeting Sword Sect might be deemed remarkably generous for imparting one of their sword techniques to mere examinees, who might not even become disciples. Even though it was a basic technique, unbeknownst to the examinees, the sword technique held no practical use and was solely created for the exam, not being taught to actual disciples.

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An hour passed since Senior Wu showed up at the scene, but not a single soul approached the platform, which wasn't unnatural. Since this was the first day of the entrance exam, 99 percent of examinees wouldn't come out of their building until the seventh day, as they wanted to spend every last second preparing for the evaluation.

However, after another ten minutes, one of the buildings opened its door, and a masked figure emerged.

Senior Wu's eyes widened with surprise as he watched Su Yang approach the stage.

'He's already learned the sword technique? Surely not, right...? This is too fast even if he has the Perfect Sword Body!' Senior Wu was in disbelief.

Once Su Yang reached the platform, he spoke in a calm voice, "Senior, I'd like to be evaluated now."

"You what?!" The examiner sitting beside Senior Wu expressed clear disbelief. "This is not a funny joke, examinee!"

Su Yang shook his head and confirmed, "I am not joking, senior. I have learned the technique and would like to be evaluated."

"How dare–"

Senior Wu raised his hand and gestured for the examiner to stop.

He then asked, "Even if you managed to learn the technique so quickly, why would you want to be evaluated right now? Wouldn't it be more logical to spend a little more time understanding the technique better so that you would have a better score?"

"So I don't get extra scores for coming early?" Su Yang asked.

"You do, but we've never had anyone request for an evaluation as quickly as you. With that being said, it's ultimately your choice if you want to be evaluated now or later. What do you want to do?" Senior Wu asked.

"I will do it now," said Su Yang, his voice overflowing with confidence.

"Very well. Then grab a sword from that rack and get on the platform." Senior Su instructed.

"Yes, senior."

Su Yang quickly went to grab a sword and returned to the platform.

"Show us everything you learned from the manual. You may begin whenever."

'Hmph. This fool is only going to make a mockery out of himself before the Grand Elder.' The examiner sneered inwardly at Su Yang's arrogance.

Su Yang closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, the atmosphere around him changed drastically, and the aura of a swordmaster became more vivid in Senior Wu's eyes.

He started moving the sword in his grasp a moment later, guiding it around the air like an expert who had practiced the technique countless times.

Senior Wu was stunned when he saw Su Yang's performance. The Fleeting Sword Basic Manual was created specifically for this exam and didn't exist until a few weeks ago, so there was simply no way for Su Yang to learn the technique before taking the entrance exam. Yet, Su Yang has managed to display a level of mastery that could only be achieved if one had practiced for months–if not years.

'I have underestimated him! The Perfect Sword Body is truly a godsend for swordmasters!' Senior Wu was trembling from delight at the sight of such talent before his very eyes, but he also couldn't help but feel a little envious for not having such talent.

The Fleeting Sword Basic Manual was a short technique that only had seventeen different movements, and it took Su Yang a little over two minutes to finish his performance. At the end of the performance, the examiner had a look of immense shock on his face, his eyes and mouth as wide as saucers.

Su Yang lowered his sword and bowed to them, speaking in a calm voice, "I have finished."

However, the examiner remained silent, as he didn't know how to evaluate someone like Su Yang.

Even though Su Yang barely studied the technique, he managed to achieve a level of mastery that even the examiner was nowhere near close to achieving after weeks of study and practice.

After a moment of silence, Senior Wu laughed joyously, "This is great! To think the heavens would bless our humble sect with such a genius!"

"Su Yang, I shall announce the evaluation of your entrance exam now. Congratulations, you have passed with a perfect score! You are now a disciple of our Fleeting Sword Sect!"

"Huh? I am a disciple already? I thought there was another exam after this one," Su Yang spoke in a puzzled tone.

"There is, but it would only be a waste of time for you since the next and final exam is an interview with several Sect Elders. However, I am the Grand Elder of the Fleeting Sword Sect, who oversees all Sect Elders. My position within the sect is only second to the Sect Leader, and I have already approved of you, so there's no need for you to go to the interview." Senior Wu explained in a prideful tone as he revealed his own identity within the sect.

He continued, "Moreover, I want to start training you immediately."

While Su Yang took Senior Wu's words at face value, the elder beside him knew of his true motives for wanting Su Yang to skip the interview.

If the Sect Elders at the interview learned of Su Yang's talents, they would surely fight for the right to teach him. Even with Senior Wu's status as the Grand Elder, he wouldn't be able to take Su Yang as his disciple without a fierce fight with the other elders, especially when he already had an excellent disciple under him.

"If you're ready to become a disciple, I will take you to my place now." Senior Wu said.

Su Yang nodded, "Yes, I am ready."

"Very well." Senior Wu waved his sleeves, lifting Su Yang into the air with an invisible force.

He then glared at the examiner with a threatening and silent gaze.

Seeing this, the elder forced a bittersweet smile and said, "Don't worry, Grand Elder. I didn't see you or this disciple today."

Senior Wu smiled back and spoke in a low voice, "I'll compensate you at a later date."

He then flew into the sky with Su Yang the very next moment, quickly disappearing from the examination area.