Chapter 2

Why did the Su clan establish the clan school?

Why did they pour so many resources into it?

Isn’t it to screen out children with exceptional talent from a young age, then heavily cultivate them, so that when they grow up, they can become the clan’s leaders and guide the Su clan forward?

Thus, every batch of children entering the clan school is meticulously selected; those lacking quick wit or poor comprehension are weeded out during the initial enrollment screening.

“Master Liu, how many points is each of our cultivated spiritual plants worth?” Su Lan, though small, was bold.

She stood up bravely and asked.

“Each plant counts for one point. Twenty plants equal twenty points.

To pass the planting task, you need at least twenty points. Below twenty, you’re eliminated and expelled.

Only above twenty points counts as passing.

If you grow two hundred plants, that’s two hundred points. Add your written exam score, and you’ll have over two hundred—certainly top of your grade.”

Master Liu hinted.

Su Lan’s heart immediately burned with excitement.

She wanted to be top of the class!

Master Liu quickly pulled out a large wooden box from beneath his desk. After lifting the lid, he revealed dozens of small wooden compartments, each holding a tiny bag labeled with the name of a specific seed.

“Who will be the first to pick a seed?” Master Liu smiled.

“Me.” Su Lan raised her small hand again.

“Very well, Su Lan, you may go first.”

“Yes, Master Liu.”

Su Lan immediately rose from her seat and walked toward Master Liu.

After she finished, Master Liu asked again: “Who’s next to pick a seed?”

Me, me, me…

A crowd of children raised their small hands.

Master Liu noted the order in which they raised their hands.

One by one, he called them up to pick seeds.

When it came to Su Jin, the little girl frowned at the wooden box, which still held about ten types of spiritual plant seeds, then chose red ginseng seeds.

“Why choose red ginseng? This plant isn’t easy to grow,” Master Liu asked with a smile.

“Sigh, the easy ones are all gone,” Su Jin said, as if resigned to her fate.

Master Liu nearly laughed.

"Why don't you pick green lu instead? That one's easier," Master Liu suggested.

Su Jin shook her head. "Our backyard soil is dry and sandy; red ginseng suits it better. Green lu needs constant watering—I don't have time to take care of it."

She thought: red ginseng just needs enough fertilizer soil buried beneath it; if you don’t water it for three or five days, it’s fine.

Green lu, however, requires daily watering—three times a day. What a hassle.

“But red ginseng is prone to insect damage,” Master Liu warned her.

“My father grew red ginseng before. I know how to prevent pests,” Su Jin said.

“Alright then, take the red ginseng,” Master Liu said, reassured that Su Jin knew pest control, and left her be.

Su Jin had just returned to her seat when the girl in front, Su Yue, turned around and whispered: “Xiao Jin, what seed did you pick? I got point-star grass.”

“Huh? Point-star grass is said to be extremely hard to grow—slight carelessness and it dies,” Su Jin hurriedly said. “Why did you pick such a high-difficulty seed?” she asked in surprise.

The Su clan was a great family that rose through alchemy.

Children in the clan began learning alchemy and plant cultivation from age two or three. Su Jin herself started memorizing the Spiritual Plant Catalogue at just over two years old.

So Su Jin knew that even many older clan cultivators disliked growing point-star grass—it was too risky and often a financial loss.

“It looks beautiful when it grows,” Su Yue said, clenching her small fist firmly. “I’ve always wanted to grow point-star grass, but my family never let me. Now I’ve finally got the chance—I’m going to grow it.”

Su Jin frowned. “What if you can’t make it grow? What if you fail the school task?”

“I’ll definitely make it grow. And if I don’t, I won’t speak to you tomorrow. Hmph—not just tomorrow, I won’t speak to you for three whole days.” Su Yue said, pouting.

Su Jin was left speechless.

She thought: Just a moment ago you were begging me to help you. How quickly you’ve turned around and threatened to ignore me.

Sigh, no wonder Mother said: women’s hearts are like deep-sea needles—impossible to fathom.

When Su Jin returned home, her eldest brother Su Jian was already waiting for her.

Her brother and sister-in-law Liu Yunniang were both in their twenties, and had moved in with their eldest daughter Su Hua, age eight, and youngest daughter Su Xiaohe to care for Su Jin.

Su Jian was handsome—not in a refined way, but in a tall, sturdy, ruggedly masculine manner. His wife Liu Yunniang was a gentle beauty with a kind disposition. Their daughters Su Hua and Su Xiaohe both resembled their mother in appearance.

“Jinjin, how was your first day at the clan school?” Su Jian pulled her to sit beside him as soon as he saw her, taking her small book bag and basket.

“It’s okay. A bit stressful and tense. Master Liu said the clan school only cultivates elite members, not mediocrities. He also said there’s an annual final exam—you need at least sixty points to pass. Below sixty, you’re expelled.

I’m nervous about this final exam. I don’t know if I’ll pass sixty.

They also assigned us school tasks: grow two hundred spiritual herbs. But you only need to submit twenty harvested plants to pass.

That’s manageable—I can handle it.

No wonder our kids are taught to memorize the Spiritual Plant Catalogue and learn herb cultivation from such a young age—it’s all actually useful once you enter the clan school.”

Su Jin was deeply impressed by her parents’ foresight.

Su Jian thought: It’s not just memorizing the Spiritual Plant Catalogue or learning herb cultivation.

Every child’s early training is tailored to their spiritual root talent and future learning path.

Families wanting their children to study talismans make them draw from infancy, then teach them the Basic Talisman Compendium—before even entering the clan school, they’ve already mastered over a dozen talismans.

Families aiming for other paths also prepare their children in advance.

Parents go to extreme lengths to ensure their little ones keep pace with the clan school’s future curriculum.

They scramble and strain, over-preparing like their lives depend on it.

“Jinjin, don’t stress over studying—you’ve always been exceptionally bright. Your parents and I have full confidence you’ll master the lessons and pass the final exam. Your sister-in-law has already prepared your herbal bath. Why not soak for a while? Tomorrow you’ll likely begin learning a cultivation technique—today’s bath is to enhance your sensory sensitivity.”