Chapter 81: The Trial of Focus
In the hearts of all the cultivators, a single thought emerged simultaneously.
"This is a windfall."
Just by looking at this first level, the number of cultivation techniques exceeded tens of thousands! Taking some of them out at random would be equivalent to years of hard work.
A wave of desire surged in the hearts of the cultivators.
Although these cultivators were already very envious of the techniques on the bookshelves, they were still restrained by Qin Tang's previous display of power and didn't dare to act recklessly.
However, it seemed that Qin Tang was unaware of the abnormality among the cultivators.
He looked at the rows of bookshelves, a look of nostalgia in his eyes, and slowly said, "The path of the heart lies in focus, courage, and perseverance."
"This first trial is to test your level of focus."
"There are 36,541 techniques here. For the next period, stay here and transcribe these techniques. You have three months."
"After three months, I will assess you based on the quantity and quality of the techniques you transcribed."
Upon hearing Qin Tang's words, all the cultivators present showed wild excitement.
So many techniques were actually made available for them to transcribe?
As long as they could remember a few techniques, even if they gained nothing else later, this adventure would still be worth it.
Ignoring the reactions of the cultivators present, Qin Tang casually pointed, and hundreds of sets of tables and chairs floated up in the attic.
On the tables were brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
"Alright, you may begin. I hope you don't disappoint me," Qin Tang said and took out a wine gourd from somewhere, drinking from it again.
Then he leaned against the wall, motionless, seemingly falling asleep.
Seeing Qin Tang giving the order, these cultivators couldn't hold back.
They rushed to the bookshelves, picked up the techniques, and checked them out.
After a while, the attic erupted into a commotion.
"What is this? How is this possible?"
"'Golden Flame Intense Fire Technique,' a fire attribute technique. You can cultivate it all the way to the Nascent Soul stage?"
"This book, and this one too, they're all Nascent Soul level techniques?"
"Haha, it's a windfall, a complete windfall this time!"
...
Watching the cultivators, seemingly insane, Li Fan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
He randomly picked up a technique, chose a table, and began transcribing.
He didn't bother to delve into the contents of the technique; he just patiently copied it word by word.
Because he knew, these techniques were all illusory!
In the previous life, the cultivators who had explored this trial had already reached a conclusion about the techniques that appeared in this trial.
No matter how you recorded the techniques during the trial, once you left the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, all the records would disappear.
As if they never existed.
These tempting techniques were like a mirror's reflection or a moon in water, tools to lure one's mind.
Although some of the cultivators present had a vague idea of the truth...
But...
When faced with genuine Nascent Soul level techniques, how many could resist the temptation and not read them carefully?
There were even one or two individuals who were directly captivated by the profound and miraculous aspects of the techniques, and they hadn't begun transcribing even after being reminded by others.
Even when they finally came to their senses due to others' reminders...
They still transcribed intermittently, unable to resist looking back and reading.
Few were as focused as Li Fan, writing tirelessly and paying no attention to the techniques.
Paper and ink seemed endless, and soon Li Fan finished transcribing the technique in his hands.
He returned it to the bookshelf and picked up another one.
Li Fan's indifferent behavior caught the attention of some people.
After some contemplation, they also gave up the idea of trying to memorize the techniques.
They focused on transcribing instead.
As for those still immersed in the techniques, they didn't have the kindness to remind them.
...
Time passed day by day.
Transcribing continuously was a monotonous and arduous task.
With the previous lesson in mind, nobody dared to use their magical powers to cheat.
Soon, some couldn't endure it.
They couldn't help but stop to take a break.
Some closed their eyes and rested for a while, then immediately resumed transcribing.
Some thoroughly rested before regrouping.
Li Fan, however, never rested for a moment.
There were about two or three others like Li Fan, seemingly tireless, likely due to their good endurance and mental strength from practicing cultivation techniques.
Even after staying awake for a very long time, there was no apparent exhaustion.
Li Fan persisted unendingly.
Because he was clear that in this trial, Qin Tang's evaluation was not only based on the quantity of transcribed techniques and the number of mistakes made but also on an essential criterion: the duration from the moment one picked up the brush to when they put it down.
As Qin Tang had mentioned earlier, this trial was about focus.
Since they started transcribing techniques, stopping for any reason would mean a disruption in that "focus."
Li Fan was single-minded, immersed in transcribing the techniques.
All physical and mental fatigue was forcibly suppressed.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
"Oh, I had such a good sleep!" Qin Tang's voice suddenly echoed in Li Fan's ear.
He stretched lazily, and the pen and paper in front of Li Fan disappeared.
"The time is up, let me see how you've performed."
"Tsk tsk tsk, it's really worse than the previous years." Qin Tang squinted as if inspecting something and shook his head repeatedly.
"Oh, wait a moment..."
"This is interesting."
As if he had discovered something, he glanced towards Li Fan, a hint of a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
But Qin Tang didn't say anything more; he quickly withdrew his gaze.
"The first trial is now over. Rest for a day, and on the day after tomorrow, we'll begin the second trial."
He clapped his hands, and Li Fan felt a sudden shift in his surroundings.
In the blink of an eye, he was back in the tall building where he had slept earlier.
Qin Tang's figure didn't appear this time.
The cultivators finally relaxed.
They were excited, sharing their thoughts with each other.
"This was a real stroke of luck. I transcribed while memorizing, and I recorded a total of fifteen techniques. Most of them are Golden Core techniques, and a few are Nascent Soul techniques."
"I recorded quite a few as well."
"What's the use of recording so many? It only matters if we survive."
"That's not entirely true. With my abilities, if everything goes as expected, I'll probably stop at Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. Now, I have the rare opportunity to glimpse into the mysteries of Nascent Soul techniques. Even if I die tomorrow, I'll have no regrets!"
"Friend, you speak to my heart."
"Some people are just stubborn and won't listen to good advice. Hmph!"
...
Apart from the arguments, some cultivators began eyeing the belongings of those who had perished.
Unfortunately, after some investigation, they all wore disappointed expressions.
Li Fan even heard someone nearby sneering, "Don't bother. I checked that night. After being killed by Qin Tang, all the storage rings, magical items, and the like on their bodies disappeared, not a trace left."
Li Fan shook his head upon hearing this, preparing to go back and rest. But then, almost by accident, he saw a corpse.