Chapter 39: Genius

At the edge of the cliff ahead, a massive boulder, dark as ink and standing two zhang tall, loomed impressively.

The morning sun cast its light upon it, revealing a surface as smooth as jade. The stone’s surface shimmered with flowing luster, as if filled with liquid ink, reflecting deep and peculiar colors under the sunlight. A railing surrounded the giant stone. To the front right, an ink-green stele stood upright, inscribed with two lines of small text: "Guardian Stone of the Academy, keep away."

Not far away sat a thatched hut. On a rocking chair in front of the house sat a thin, withered old man in linen robes. His eyes were closed, and he puffed on a dry pipe, rocking back and forth with great contentment.

"That is Senior Niu, who is in charge of guarding this place," Han Sanzhi whispered, his voice low. It seemed this ill-tempered old gentleman was quite wary of the elder.

Luo Zijun couldn't help but steal a few curious glances. The old man seemed to sense it, for he didn't even lift his eyelids as he spoke: "This brat has peach-blossom eyes and a lecherous gaze. One look and you can tell he's the type who likes to dally with women. Did you recruit him to the academy just to cause trouble for the female students and teachers?"

Luo Zijun: "..." Is this old man blind? Where exactly was his gaze lecherous?

"Move, don't speak!" Han Sanzhi and the others whispered, hurriedly leading him toward the giant stone.

The old man picked up a whip beside him. "Brat, you've disturbed my sleep. If you fail the verification today, I shall whip you until your skin breaks!"

According to the rules, students were only supposed to come for verification after the academy examinations next month. Han Sanzhi didn't dare to retort and quickly pulled Luo Zijun away.

The group passed through the fence and arrived before the boulder. Han Sanzhi pointed to a pale red handprint on the surface. "Place your palm here, close your eyes, and take three deep breaths. Then, open your eyes and stare directly at the pupil mark above."

Above the pale red handprint was a black pupil mark. From afar it was unnoticeable, but up close, it appeared somewhat eerie. Luo Zijun followed the instructions, placing his palm gently into the print, closing his eyes, and taking deep breaths.

Han Sanzhi and the others grew exceptionally nervous. If he failed, they feared Senior Niu might actually use that iron whip. They dared not intervene.

"Hope he reaches three dou..." they prayed silently. For exceptional admissions, one had to achieve at least three dou of 'talent energy' (caiqi); otherwise, they would not be considered qualified.

Luo Zijun finished his breaths, opened his eyes, and looked at the black pupil mark.

However, after a long moment, the boulder remained completely unresponsive. Han Sanzhi and his companions exchanged puzzled looks. "What's going on?"

"Whoosh!"

At that moment, the surface of the boulder suddenly flickered, and several scarlet characters slowly emerged. The group held their breath and stared intently. The characters clearly read: "Idiot, three dou!"

"???" Han Sanzhi and the others were stunned.

Luo Zijun’s mouth hung open, and just as he was about to curse, the old man on the rocking chair burst into laughter. Han Sanzhi paused, realizing they had been played. He was left between laughter and tears, and quickly turned to say, "Senior Niu, let’s focus on the task at hand. Please, lift the barrier."

It turned out that when this 'Talent Stone' had fallen from the sky, it came with a barrier. It could only be used once the restriction was lifted. When the West Lake Academy was founded, an old Taoist had come and broken the seal, leaving behind a jade token that could disable it at will. Since taking on the role of guardian, Senior Niu had learned this sleight-of-hand from somewhere and often teased the students who came for verification. While everyone had complaints, no one dared to provoke him. It was said that the previous head of the academy had personally invited him, and even the current head had to respectfully address him as "Senior."

"I gave this brat three dou; it’s me being generous! I suspect he doesn't even have two!" The old man sneered and produced the jade token.

The stone’s surface flashed, and a layer like a thin veil seemed to recede, revealing a clearer, ink-black surface.

"Zijun, do it again!" Han Sanzhi urged.

Luo Zijun cursed inwardly but raised his hand again, placed it in the print, and closed his eyes. Three breaths later, he opened his eyes and looked at the black pupil.

"Swish!"

In an instant, he felt a wave of dizziness, and his vision blurred! It was as if that black pupil had sucked him inside! He felt his breath stall and his heartbeat vanish; his entire body seemed to be frozen in place!

"Whoosh!"

The boulder’s surface suddenly flashed, and scarlet characters appeared: "Talent energy: five dou!"

Seeing this, Han Sanzhi and the others were shocked, then filled with joy!

"Five dou! It's five dou!"

"Hahahaha, it's actually five dou! A genius! Our West Lake Academy has finally recruited a genius!"

The group was ecstatic. Han Sanzhi was so overcome with emotion that his face flushed and his eyes welled with tears.

Not far away, the old man on the rocking chair saw the characters, glanced at the young man, then closed his eyes again, continuing to smoke his pipe and rock. The iron whip had been set aside.

"Zijun, let's go! We need to get your student badge made!"

"I must report this to the superiors immediately!"

The group surrounded Luo Zijun and departed in high spirits. Han Sanzhi looked back at the old man with a broad smile. Unexpectedly, Luo Zijun turned to the old man: "Senior Niu, smoking is bad for your health. There was an old man in my hometown who died at the ripe young age of 150, all because of smoking."

As soon as he said this, Han Sanzhi and the others were terrified. *This kid!*

The old man slowly opened his eyes, smoke pouring from his mouth and nose. He squinted at him and said, "150, that is indeed quite young. A pity..." As he spoke, he reached for the iron whip again.

Han Sanzhi’s expression changed, and he hurriedly dragged Luo Zijun away, whispering, "You brat, are you tired of living? I told you not to provoke him!"

The old man watched them scurry away, squinting, and muttered to himself, "Coincidentally, I am also 150 years old this year..."

As he was pulled away, Luo Zijun pondered silently. The old man’s trick was likely some form of magic from this world, though Han and the other teachers seemed unaware. He had intentionally left an impression on the man. If the opportunity arose, he might return to investigate Senior Niu further.

"Old Han, I believe it's best not to disclose my situation for now, only to the head of the academy," Luo Zijun suggested.

"After the academy exams next month, we have the exchange with the Linfeng Academy. We can announce it on the spot then..."

"Right! For the past two years, the disciples they recruited through exceptional admission have outperformed ours! I heard they've already recruited two more this year, and they surely intend to embarrass us during the exchange..."

"Hmph! We shall catch them off guard!"

"I heard the inner-city academy and members of the four great families will be attending as well..."

Han Sanzhi pondered for a moment and nodded. "I shall speak to the head of the academy before deciding."

Shangguan Chao whispered, "Zijun, don't reveal the five dou of talent energy to anyone else for now."

Luo Zijun nodded. He didn't care much about it. Five dou, six dou—it sounded impressive, but it couldn't be used for cultivation. It was all show and no substance! Once he got his student badge, he decided to visit the library. Perhaps there, he could find clues on how to use this talent energy for cultivation.