Chapter 39: Genius

Ahead, at the edge of the cliff.

A giant rock, black as ink and about two zhang tall, stood prominently!

The morning sun fell upon it, smooth as jade.

The surface of the giant rock had a flowing luster, as if it were filled with ink inside, shimmering with deep and strange colors under the reflection of the sunlight.

The giant rock was surrounded by a railing.

An ink-blue stone tablet stood on the front right side, with two lines of small characters written on it.

"Town Academy Treasure Stone, idlers keep away."

Not far away, a thatched cottage was situated.

On a rocking chair in front of the cottage sat a thin, withered old man wearing hemp clothes; the old man was closing his eyes, smoking a dry pipe, rocking back and forth, looking very content.

"That is Niu, who is responsible for guarding this place."

"However, his personality is eccentric, so we don't need to disturb him; let's just go straight to the Talent Gem."

Han Sanzhi lowered his voice to speak.

It seemed that this short-tempered old gentleman was quite wary of that old man.

Luo Zijun couldn't help but look a few times out of curiosity.

The old man seemed to sense it; without even lifting his eyelids, he spoke directly: "This brat has a pair of peach-blossom eyes and a lecherous gaze; one look and you can tell he's the type who likes to dally with women. You invited him to the Academy—do you want him to come and wreak havoc on the female students and female teachers in the Academy?"

Luo Zijun: "..."

Is this old man blind? Where was his gaze lecherous?

"Go, don't speak!"

Han Sanzhi and the others whispered a reminder and hurriedly led him toward the giant rock in front.

The old man picked up the whip beside him and said: "Brat, you disturbed my sleep; if you don't pass the verification today, I will beat you until your skin is torn and flesh is mangled!"

According to his rules, students would only be allowed to come over for verification together after the Academy Examination next month.

Han Sanzhi didn't dare to speak and hurriedly pulled Luo Zijun away.

The group passed through the fence and arrived in front of the giant rock.

Han Sanzhi pointed to a pale red palm print on it and said: "Press your palm here, close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and then open your eyes and stare directly at the pupil print above."

Above the pale red palm, there was also a black pupil print.

From afar it wasn't noticeable, but looking at it up close, it was actually somewhat chilling.

Luo Zijun followed the instructions, raised his palm, placed it gently inside the palm print, and then closed his eyes and took deep breaths.

Han Sanzhi and the others were all exceptionally nervous at this moment.

If he couldn't pass, that Niu would likely really pick up the Iron Whip in his hand and lash someone.

They didn't dare to intervene either.

"Hope he can break through Three Dou..."

Several people were silently praying in their hearts.

For those admitted by exception, they must reach at least Three Dou of talent; otherwise, it does not count as passing.

After finishing his breaths, Luo Zijun opened his eyes and looked at the black pupil print.

However.

After a long while, the giant rock had no reaction at all.

Han Sanzhi and the others showed confusion.

"What's going on?"

"Whoosh!"

Just at this moment, the surface of the giant rock suddenly flashed with light, and a few scarlet characters slowly emerged.

The group hurriedly held their breath and stared intently.

They saw those large characters clearly written: "Idiot Three Dou!"

"???"

Han Sanzhi and the others were dumbfounded.

Luo Zijun had his mouth open and was just about to curse, when the old man sitting on the rocking chair suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Han Sanzhi was stunned for a moment, then realized they had been played; he was left between laughter and tears, and hurriedly turned his head to say: "Niu, official business is urgent, please quickly remove the restriction."

It turned out that when this Talent Gem fell from the sky, it carried a restriction.

Only after the restriction was removed could it be used.

When the West Lake Academy was first established, an old Daoist came, broke the restriction on this Talent Gem, and left behind a Jade Tablet that could close the restriction at any time.

Ever since this Niu took on the task of guarding it, he learned this kind of Obstruction Technique from somewhere and often teased the students who came for verification.

Although everyone had many complaints, they didn't dare to provoke him.

It is said that this Niu was personally invited by the previous old Dean, and even the current Dean has to respectfully call him "Senior" when he comes. "I gave this brat Three Dou; that's me doing him a favor! I'm afraid he doesn't even have Two Dou!"

The old man sneered and took out the Jade Tablet.

The surface of the giant rock flashed with light, as if a layer of thin gauze had been pulled back, revealing a clearer, ink-black stone surface.

"Zijun, do it again!"

Han Sanzhi said hurriedly.

Luo Zijun cursed in his heart, but had no choice but to raise his palm again, place it in the palm print, and close his eyes.

After three breaths.

He opened his eyes and looked at the black pupil above.

"Swish!"

In an instant, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness in his brain, and his vision blurred!

!

That black pupil seemed to have sucked him in!

He felt his breathing stall and his heartbeat vanish, as if his entire body had been frozen in place!

"Whoosh!"

On the surface of the giant stone, light suddenly flickered, and several scarlet characters appeared:

"Talent of Five Dou!"

Seeing these characters, Han Sanzhi and the others were instantly shaken, overjoyed!

"Talent of Five Dou! Talent of Five Dou!"

"Hahahaha, it is actually the Talent of Five Dou! A genius! Our West Lake Academy has finally recruited a genius!"

The few were incredibly excited.

Han Sanzhi was even so excited that his face flushed red and his eyes welled with tears.

Luo Zijun, however, had his mouth twitch, feeling it was all quite absurd.

Why did he have a sense of déjà vu like "Dou Qi, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, don't bully the young for being poor"?

Not far away.

The old man sitting on the rocking chair, after seeing those characters, glanced at the youth under the giant stone again, then closed his eyes, continued smoking his dry tobacco, and rocking his chair.

"Zijun, let's go! Let's go get your Student Nameplate made!"

"I must report this matter to the superiors immediately!"

The group excitedly crowded around Luo Zijun and left.

Han Sanzhi glanced at the old man on the rocking chair, his face full of smiles.

Who would have thought that at this moment, Luo Zijun suddenly looked at the old man: "Niu, smoking is bad for your health. There was an old grandfather in my hometown who died at the young age of one hundred and fifty, all because of smoking."

Once these words were spoken, Han Sanzhi and the others were startled once again.

This kid!

The old man suddenly opened his eyes slowly, smoke billowing from his mouth and nose, and squinted at him, saying: "One hundred and fifty, that is indeed young, what a pity..."

As he spoke, he picked up that Iron Whip again.

Han Sanzhi's expression changed, and he hurriedly pulled Luo Zijun along as they ran, whispering: "You kid, are you tired of living? I told you not to provoke this person!"

The old man squinted as he watched them hurry away, frowned, and muttered to himself: "Coincidentally, I am also one hundred and fifty years old this year..."

Luo Zijun was pulled away, but he was secretly pondering in his heart.

The Obstruction Technique used by Niu just now was very likely some kind of magic of this world, only this Han Lao and these teachers did not seem to know about it.

Therefore, he intentionally left some impression on the other party.

If there is a chance, perhaps he could come and get to the bottom of it with Niu later.

"Han Lao, this junior feels that it is not appropriate to disclose the matter regarding Zijun for now; it is better to let only the Dean and a few others know."

"After the Academy Examination next month, it will be the day for exchanges with Linfeng Academy and other academies; we can announce it on the spot then..."

"Right! During the exchanges the year before last and last year, the new disciples exceptionally admitted by Linfeng Academy all had the upper hand over us! I heard they have already exceptionally admitted two more this year; they definitely want to embarrass us again in front of those people at the exchange meeting..."

"Hmph! We will catch them off guard then!"

"I heard that this time, people from the Inner City Academy and the Four Great Families will all be coming to attend..."

After listening, Han Sanzhi pondered for a moment, nodded, and said: "I will go to the Dean's place to speak about it first before deciding."

Shangguan Chao whispered: "Zijun, do not disclose the matter of the Talent of Five Dou for now either."

Luo Zijun nodded.

He had not taken this matter to heart at all.

Whatever Talent of Five Dou or Six Dou, it looked impressive, but it turned out it could not be used for cultivation.

All show and no substance!

After he got his Student Nameplate later, he decided to go to the Hidden Book Pavilion to take a look.

Perhaps he could find some clues there on how to use talent for cultivation.

(End of this chapter)