Daily life of a cultivation judge



"Glad to see some things haven't changed despite you being a palace court judge," said Instructor Wu Shi with a light chuckle.

Yang Qing could only grin foolishly at this.

"So, are you here for a 'friendly' duel like your past seniors the moment they broke through to the palace realm?" asked Instructor Wu Shi.

Yang Qing flinched at the question before he answered,

"No, I'm not that crazy. I'm here to meet with the Vice Chancellor to agree on a few things. I will be the chief examiner for the entrance examinations happening tomorrow," said Yang Qing as he immediately smiled in embarrassment when he saw Instructor Wu Shi's unconcealed look of disbelief.

"They decided on you!?"

'What's wrong with me, I'm more than capable. Just you wait till I'm in the domain realm. I'll make sure to take good care of you then, just like you always took care of me.'

Yang Qing kept those thoughts to himself as he outwardly said,

"I know I'm still immature and unworthy of it, but I will work hard not to disappoint the Institute," Yang Qing solemnly said.

Even though he was essentially bootlicking and pandering here, he still meant those words. He was going to give his very best to ensure the standards of the Institute were maintained, which was why he didn't hesitate to use his own incomplete gold-grade cultivation art as one of the means or pay Kang Huilang 10,000 middle-grade spirit stones for his assistance.

"That I do not doubt, you did have one of the fewest loss records in your year after all," said Instructor Wu Shi with a look of approval and respect.

His statement drew looks of awe from the haggard-looking students who regained some life in their eyes as they stared at Yang Qing with gleaming eyes of respect.

One's records of defeat and loss were tabulated throughout all their five years at the Institute from the moment they begin their death duels with the convicts of Requiem.

They knew Instructor Wu Shi's temperament and methods of judgment. If he praised someone, they had to be of an outstanding caliber. Those worthy of his praise were those who were in the top 10.

Yang Qing smiled bitterly at this, despite the praise. Unlike others within the top 10, he didn't reach there solely because of this combat acumen. As long as you were not defeated, it would count as a win for you, which on loose definition meant even a draw was a win or out-enduring your opponent. 

Yang Qing's physique was built for exactly that; durability and endurance. 

"All the best, and do find us some good seedlings ones with the backbone to take a beating and still keep going," said Instructor Wu Shi.

"That was my exact intention," answered Yang Qing with excitement in his tone. He has always been a little sadistic due to how much trouble he got into over the years. It's in doubt if he even realized it himself.

In as much as being a Chief Examiner came with an opportunity to score a lot of merits, he also relished it for the opportunity to put his new juniors through the wringer.

Instructor Wu Shi on seeing the malevolent small grin appearing on Yang Qing's face, dryly laughed, said his goodbyes, and then left with the haggard students who had looks of pity on their faces for the new prospects.

It took a few seconds for Yang Qing to pull himself back from that reverie.

'I can't wait to get started,' thought Yang Qing in glee.

Using the administration office in the outer perimeter of the Institute he was able to access a spatial rune that took him to the central administration building where the Vice Chancellor was located.

Lucky for him, Vice Chancellor Wu Ling was around and he also had Dean Zhu Lao with him which came as a welcomed surprise for Yang Qing since he had plans for visiting him later once, he was done with the Vice Chancellor.

Even though extrapolating a cultivation art for those in the body refinement realm and those in the early stages to middle stages of qi refinement was not difficult, it did not hurt to seek the opinion of a skilled cultivator in the creation and improvement of cultivation arts like Dean Zhu Lao. He may be able to point out inconsistencies and mistakes that he or Kang Huilang may have overlooked and make the art even more refined.

Yang Qing quickly gave out an in-depth explanation of his plans for the examination including the measure Kang Huilang was working on, which he was surprised to see that Vice Chancellor Wu Ling and Dean Zhu Lao were in support of.

Yang Qing was fully prepared to list all the pros of the measure, however just after giving out the preliminary explanation, both seniors were in full support of it.

Once he was done with his explanation, he went on to show Dean Zhu Lao a copy of their modified cultivation art and also the 108 steps of the autumn leaves, for reference.

Like a cultivation art fanatic, Dean Zhu Lao was immediately immersed in the art and almost lost himself to it if it wasn't for Vice Chancellor Wu Ling's timely intervention.

The Dean didn't disappoint as he made a few improvements to the art, especially to the parts touching up on the early stage to middle stage of the qi refinement realm. After he was done, he asked to make a copy of the 108 steps of the autumn leaves cultivation art in exchange for a copy of an equivalent incomplete art that Dean Zhu Lao had on hand. 

Yang Qing readily agreed to the deal and left immediately after to finish up the remaining tasks for the day.

The goals of coming to see the Vice Chancellor was to fill him in on his plans for the test and the other was to get the materials and approval of the place he would be conducting the test.