Chapter Fifteen: Quarterly Assessment, Grandpa's Benevolence!

“Sorry for making you worry, Grandpa.”

Ning Wuque first apologized proactively to comfort the elderly man, then was surprised that he had actually communicated with his Martial Soul for such a long time.

That can’t be right.

They had only exchanged a few hundred to nearly a thousand sentences—surely that wouldn’t take a whole month, right? Or is the concept of time different in the spiritual world compared to the physical world?

After all, deep meditation is somewhat like taking a nap, accomplishing a series of previously impossible things under a time flow that can’t be felt at all.

Enlightenment is just like that.

But the first time he tried this, nothing like this happened. Could it be that…

The process of connecting with his Martial Soul is a form of deep meditation? His semi-deep meditation was merely a bridge to complete this process!

“Wuque, do you have a new discovery?”

Zhang Can sensed something was off. From Ning Wuque’s response, he knew his prodigious grandson well enough to understand that what he was really saying was that he had no idea he was deep meditating at all!

This implies that he can consciously achieve deep meditation! That’s an incredibly rare and powerful ability!

What is deep meditation? It’s one of the opportunities even the titled Douluo can only hope to encounter!

“Hmm, I have a new theory, Grandpa. I don’t know if it works for others, because it’s actually very difficult to achieve.”

“That’s alright, Wuque. If you write down this method and contribute it to the sect, I promise to get you permission to enter a higher-level treasure vault to select artifacts!”

“I’ll do my best.”

The reward was tempting. With the rare treasures in the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda sect’s vault, Ning Wuque might even reach the third ring in ten thousand years—who knew?

But… to be honest, he didn’t believe the sect could verify his method.

It wasn’t arrogance; his understanding was just too advanced. No one would grasp what his theories truly pointed to within at least five years, even if he personally guided them.

It was like building a giant Ivan: everyone knew to add sugar, but even if you went there and someone taught you step by step, you still wouldn’t learn, right?

Moreover, this deep meditation had its limitations—it only allowed communication with his own Martial Soul, so its value was great but not overwhelmingly so.

Still, that said, he needed to earn that money. He was very short on resources now; he could never have too many!

“Good boy! By the way, Wuque, the academy’s quarterly assessment is coming up soon. Do you have any thoughts?”

“Quarterly assessment?”

Ning Wuque scratched his head, looking puzzled as he stuffed food into his mouth, occasionally swallowing with some water. He asked Zhang Can in confusion:

“Grandpa, what’s a quarterly assessment?”

“Ah…”

Zhang Can hadn’t expected Ning Wuque to be so indifferent to his studies. For a genius like him, though, caring was just a waste of time.

After some thought, he explained to the energy-replenishing Ning Wuque:

“The quarterly assessment is a unique internal selection mechanism in our Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda sect.

Although the children mostly study in the sect’s own junior academy, their Martial Souls and soul power inevitably determine their future paths…”

Thanks to Zhang Can’s explanation, Ning Wuque understood what the so-called quarterly assessment was.

It was like the annual test at Shrek Academy. The whole academy held a tournament to fight together, using rankings to divide potential and future territories, and to cultivate their employability in advance.

Those with high rankings were groomed to be bodyguards, talents, or even future elders, protecting the sect and even arranged marriages with core sect families.

Children who awakened strong Martial Souls and had high innate soul power, even without any background, could take a giant leap—engaging to a sect’s wealthy and beautiful elite, reaching the pinnacle of life!

Those who ranked low but had combat ability became caravan assistants, while those without combat skills learned specialized knowledge—such as “service,” “accounting,” “culinary arts,” and other miscellaneous professions—and were assigned to work in sect industries after graduation.

It was essentially guaranteed placement and future; as long as one wasn’t lazy, they might not become fabulously rich, but a peaceful, happy life was assured.

The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda sect was famously hearty and generous; their benefits and welfare were definitely top-tier across the continent.

Only the main sect itself could compare in terms of protectiveness.

“Wuque, what I mean is I want to secure a bright future for you. The assessment only looks at rankings, not background or soul power. With your strength, there’s no doubt you’ll be first!”

Zhang Can spoke proudly, barely able to contain a smug hum at the thought of his grandson bringing him honor.

How strong was Ning Wuque now? Even before obtaining his soul ring, his body was tough enough to take on the weakest millennium-level soul beasts, comparable to predatory soul beasts of seven to nine hundred years!

And he was only nine years old! Such strength was only attainable by Martial Soul owners like Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus, Haotian Hammer, or White Tiger—with innate full soul power.

These Martial Soul owners at the second ring level already possessed strength comparable to high-level century-old soul beasts; innate full soul power ensured they reached level twenty or above by nine years old.

But this year’s students?

To put it bluntly, Ning Wuque could defeat them without throwing a second punch! After shedding all his weighted training gear, they couldn’t even touch his shadow before being forced to concede defeat.

And now Ning Wuque was even stronger—he had his first soul ring, and it was a millennium one!

What could others possibly use to fight him? Huh? What could they?

So Zhang Can wanted to secure the best prospects and treatment for Ning Wuque, ideally pairing him with a core sect daughter who possessed a Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda.

The size didn’t matter, as long as he could become a core member of the sect!

As for Ning Tian? Ha! That was a joke. The sect leader valued stable talents, and Ning Wuque obviously didn’t fit that category.

“However, Grandpa still wants to hear your thoughts.”

Although Zhang Can believed his plan was best, he ultimately chose to respect his grandson’s opinion rather than act unilaterally.

Ning Wuque was touched by this, then shook his head and replied:

“Grandpa, whatever you arrange is fine. I have no opinions for now; you know I’m not very interested in these things.”

If Ning Wuque wanted to go anywhere, it wasn’t Shrek Academy or Mingdu.

It was—the main sect!

He craved their martial techniques very much. He no longer had the energy to invent new offensive methods; otherwise, he’d be putting the cart before the horse.

But honestly, he didn’t want to rely solely on these fists to clear the entire Douluo Continent.

Showing off and acting cool was a human nature.

Fortunately, the main sect already had ready-made “tools” for that!

Ning Wuque planned to wait—wait until he became stronger or gained more influence before seeking a deal with the main sect.

After all, he wasn’t a main Martial Soul. In their minds, he wouldn’t receive any special treatment; he might even be kicked out before being seen.

Better not make a fool of himself.