Chapter 81: Focused Trial

A single thought simultaneously surfaced in the minds of all the cultivators:We’ve struck it rich this time.

Just on this first floor, there are easily tens of thousands of cultivation techniques! Taking just a few out would be worth more than a decade of their usual hard work. A surge of avarice arose in the cultivators’ hearts. Although these cultivators greatly coveted the cultivation techniques on the bookshelves, awed by Qin Tang’s earlier display of power, they did not dare to act rashly.

Qin Tang, however, seemed oblivious to anything unusual about the cultivators present. He looked at the rows of bookshelves with a nostalgic gaze and slowly said, "The path of the heart lies in focus, in courage, and in perseverance."

"This first trial is to test your concentration."

"There are thirty-six thousand five hundred and forty-one cultivation techniques here. For the next period, you will stay here and transcribe them. You have three months."

"After three months, I will evaluate you based on the quantity and quality of the techniques you transcribe."

Upon hearing Qin Tang's words, the cultivators present all showed expressions of wild joy. So many cultivation techniques, and they were actually being allowed to copy and read them freely? As long as they could memorize a few techniques, even if they gained nothing more later, this adventure would still be worth it.

Ignoring the reactions of the cultivators present, Qin Tang casually pointed a finger, and hundreds of sets of tables and chairs rose within the pavilion. On the tables were brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

"Well then, you may begin. I hope you don't disappoint me." Qin Tang pulled out a wine gourd from somewhere and took another gulp. He then leaned against the wall, motionless, as if he had fallen asleep.

Seeing Qin Tang's instructions, the cultivators could no longer contain themselves. They rushed to the bookshelves, picked up the cultivation techniques, and began to examine them closely. A moment later, the pavilion erupted in a clamor.

"What is this? How is this possible?"

"'Golden Flame Blazing Fire Technique,' a fire-attribute cultivation method. It can be cultivated all the way to the Nascent Soul realm?"

"This one, this one, and this one too—they are all Nascent Soul cultivation techniques!"

"Hahaha, we've struck it rich! We've truly struck it rich this time!"

Observing the cultivators, who appeared almost mad with excitement, Li Fan couldn't help but sneer inwardly. He casually picked up a cultivation technique, chose a table, sat down, and began to transcribe it. He didn't bother to delve into the content of the technique at all, merely transcribing it patiently, word by word, sentence by sentence.

Because he knew that all these cultivation techniques were illusory! In his previous life, cultivators who had explored it countless times had long since come to a conclusion about the cultivation techniques appearing in this trial. During the trial, no matter what method was used to record the cultivation techniques, as soon as they left the Cloudwater Celestial Palace, all records would disappear. As if they had never existed. These tens of thousands of enticing cultivation techniques were fundamentally like flowers in a mirror or the moon in water—mere tools used to tempt one's mind.

The cultivators present, although some could vaguely guess the truth, but… With true Nascent Soul techniques right before them, how many could resist the temptation and not read them carefully? There were even one or two who became so engrossed in the mysterious profundity of the techniques that they were slow to transcribe them. Even if they snapped out of it with others' reminders, their transcription was still stop-and-go, as they couldn't help but look back and re-read. Those who, like Li Fan, wrote swiftly and continuously without caring about the content, were truly too few!

The paper and ink were inexhaustible, and Li Fan quickly finished transcribing the one in his hand. He put it back on the bookshelf and picked another one.

Li Fan's detached manner attracted the attention of some people. After some thought, they also abandoned their previous idea of trying to memorize and focused solely on transcribing. As for those still engrossed in the techniques, they had no kind intention to remind them.

Time passed day by day. Continuous transcription was, after all, a tedious and arduous task. Having learned from the previous lesson, no one dared to cheat using their spiritual energy. Soon, some couldn't persevere anymore. They couldn't help but stop to rest. Some closed their eyes and recovered for a moment, then immediately resumed transcribing. Others, however, took a thorough rest before regrouping.

As for Li Fan, he did not rest for a single moment. There were also two or three others who were as tireless as Li Fan. They seemed to have exceptionally good endurance and mental fortitude, possibly due to the cultivation techniques they practiced. Even after a long time without sleep or rest, they showed no signs of fatigue. Li Fan, however, was purely pushing himself to the limit.

Because he knew clearly that Qin Tang's evaluation for this trial, besides being related to the quantity of transcribed techniques and the number of errors, there was also a very important criterion: the duration of continuous effort, from the moment one picked up the brush until one put it down. Just as Qin Tang had said before, the test in this trial was "focus." Since one had begun transcribing techniques, then no matter the reason for stopping, it counted as one's "focus" being interrupted.

Li Fan, with an undivided mind, was immersed in transcribing the techniques. The fatigue of his body and mind was completely suppressed by sheer willpower.

After an unknown period of time, "Ah, that was truly a good sleep!" Qin Tang's voice suddenly rang out in his ears. He stretched, and the paper and brush in front of Li Fan disappeared with it.

"Time's up. Let me see how you've performed."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, it really gets worse every year." His eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly probing something, and Qin Tang continuously shook his head.

"Eh, wait…"

"This is interesting."

As if he had discovered something, he glanced at Li Fan, and a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. However, Qin Tang didn't say anything and quickly withdrew his gaze.

"The first trial is now over. Everyone will rest tomorrow. The second trial will begin the day after tomorrow."

He clapped his hands, and Li Fan felt a blur before his eyes. In the blink of an eye, he was back inside the tall building where they had slept before. Qin Tang's figure did not appear with him.

The cultivators finally relaxed. Their expressions were excited, and they exchanged words with each other. "This truly is a great opportunity. I copied and memorized as I went, recording a full fifteen cultivation techniques. Most are Core Formation techniques, and a few are even Nascent Soul techniques."

"I also memorized quite a few."

"What's the use of memorizing so many? Let's talk about it once we've survived and gotten out."

"That's not entirely true. With my abilities, if nothing unexpected happens, I'd probably stop at the Foundation Establishment stage in this life. Now, to be fortunate enough to glimpse the profound mysteries of the Nascent Soul formation method, even if I die tomorrow, I'll have no regrets!"

"Fellow Daoist, your words resonate deeply with me."

"Good advice is wasted on those destined to die, hmph!"

Besides arguing, some cultivators also started to eye the belongings of those who had died earlier. Unfortunately, after examining them, they all wore expressions of disappointment. Li Fan even heard someone nearby sneer, "Don't even think about it. I checked that night already. After they were killed by Qin Tang, their storage rings, magic tools, and everything else on them were all gone—not a single thing remained."

Li Fan listened, shook his head, and was about to go back and get some good rest, when he inadvertently saw a corpse and was momentarily stunned.