Regarding the array patterns she had translated for today's ancient script assessment—although Gu Ningyun couldn't yet fully understand or absorb them, she had already memorized the content.
Even from a simple translation, she could sense the profound depth of the knowledge within. Moreover, that specific ancient text included the original recorder's insights and realizations.
If she took on translation missions later, she could learn so much ancient knowledge while earning sect points.
After practicing the 《Xiaoyao Wind Records》, she had a faint inkling that all the myriad laws of the world were interconnected in certain aspects.
The more knowledge she accumulated, the deeper her own foundation would become. In the future, this knowledge would likely prove useful.
Just as she was thinking this, a flash of spirit light pulsed from the identity jade token at her waist.
“The ancient script results should be out. Take a look.”
Gu Ningyun swept her divine sense over it. In the initial stage assessment section, next to the ancient script course, was the word: Distinction.
Gu Ningyun: “!!!”
To be honest, she hadn't had time to check her answers for that exam, so she hadn't been entirely sure she would get a Distinction.
Wen Xuan touched her jade token, looking somewhat confused. “I'm certain I didn't get a single word wrong. Why did I only get a Grade A?”
“If you were perfectly accurate, getting a Grade A is normal,” Martial Uncle Lu said. “Think about it—was your layout messy? Was it difficult to read?”
Wen Xuan thought back to her answer sheet, which was just one long, massive block of text with no formatting at all. “...Alright, I get it.”
“The time was so tight; getting a Grade A is already very impressive!” Jiang Yao wailed. “I didn't even finish. I only got a Grade B. I won't have to take a makeup exam, will I...?”
“No, only a Grade D requires a makeup exam,” Martial Uncle Lu said in a gentle voice. “The fact that you got a Grade B without finishing means the part you did write was one hundred percent accurate.”
Jiang Yao patted his chest. “That’s good, that’s good.”
Mu Chenze rested an arm on Jiang Yao's shoulder. As if struck by a sudden thought, he spoke up, “Martial Uncle Lu, you seem to know Martial Aunt Yang very well. You even know what she’s thinking when she grades papers.”
The field fell into a sudden silence...
“Uh...” Feeling everyone's gazes turn strange, Martial Uncle Lu cleared his throat. “It’s probably... because I studied ancient script under her before.”
Gu Ningyun looked at Martial Uncle Lu’s suddenly flushed ears and felt inexplicably suspicious.
Before Mu Chenze could press further, Martial Uncle Lu turned to Gu Ningyun. “Ningyun, how did the three of you do?”
Gu Ningyun briefly mentioned her score, while Jun Luo and Mu Chenze also indicated they had received a Distinction.
Martial Uncle Lu nodded with satisfaction. “Not bad. Your group is the most outstanding class I’ve ever led.”
Mu Chenze tilted his head. “Have you led other classes, Martial Uncle Lu?”
“Hahaha, well, no.”
Martial Uncle Lu gave a forced laugh. “Anyway, after you finish lunch, go ahead and use today’s body refining spirit herb packs. At 2:00 PM, go to the schoolroom. Your Martial Aunt Yang will take you to Book Peak to accept ancient script translation missions.”
...
Book Peak, Affairs Pavilion.
Unlike the Cultivation Technique Hall, which was only frequented by new disciples, the area in front of the Affairs Pavilion was bustling with people, most of whom were blue-belted inner sect disciples.
To avoid being too conspicuous and being noticed by other groups—who might catch on and start earning points early—Martial Aunt Yang led them around the main entrance.
They followed a small path obscured by flower beds and trees, entering an office room within the Affairs Pavilion through a back door.
The four walls of the room were lined with bookshelves, neatly packed with yellowed books and fragmented scrolls, giving off a heavy sense of history.
Several blue-belted inner sect disciples were busy at the shelves or desks.
Martial Aunt Yang led them to the very back. Behind a desk piled high with materials stood an inner sect disciple organizing mission plaques.
Seeing them enter, he took five palm-sized wooden plaques from the wall behind him, which was covered in various tokens. “Senior Sister Yang, I’ve prepared five sets of short ancient script materials according to your request.”
“Good. Thank you for your hard work.”
She turned to the five students. “For your first time, start with simple translations. Once you’re proficient, you can even translate entire ancient volumes.”
Seeing them nod, Martial Aunt Yang added, “This is Martial Uncle Wang, who is in charge of organizing ancient script missions. Give him your jade tokens.”
Gu Ningyun handed over her identity jade token. Martial Uncle Wang took a wooden plaque and registered her identity information against the plaque’s details.
“It’s done. The translation materials are inside the wooden plaque. Just come back here to submit them within a month.”
Gu Ningyun accepted it with both hands. “Understood. Thank you, Martial Uncle Wang.”
Gu Ningyun swept her divine sense over the wooden plaque. Inside was a stack of well-preserved, single-page materials about half a person tall, very similar to the exam paper she had used today.
There was also a stack of blank paper made of an unknown material, presumably for them to write their translations on.
The wooden plaque also contained a piece of information: One hundred pages of ancient script materials, totaling two hundred points.
In other words, these basic materials were worth two points per page. Based on her speed during the exam, she could earn two points in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
There was no danger, and it only required using her brain and a brush. Were points really this easy to earn?
Once they had all finished registering, they returned to the schoolroom where they usually had their ancient script lessons.
“The plan for this afternoon is simple: just translate these ancient script materials here.”
Martial Aunt Yang’s voice turned serious. “These missions are relatively simple, but there are three things you must keep in mind.
“First, there must be no errors in the translation.
“Second, the layout must be neat, clear, and highly readable.
“Third, there can be no corrections or smudges on the translation. If you accidentally write a wrong character or get a stain on it, you must re-translate the entire page.
“When you submit the mission, someone will conduct a random check. If even one page of the translation does not meet the requirements, the entire batch will be destroyed on the spot, and all original materials will be sent back for you to re-translate from scratch.
“Therefore, you must be extremely careful while translating and check your work thoroughly.”
Gu Ningyun took out her brush and paper, noting down each of these requirements.
Martial Aunt Yang then handed each of them a template. “This is something I translated previously. Look at this while you listen to me.
“When a translation involves array patterns or other diagrams, the layout needs to be...”
“Alright, those are the things you need to watch out for.”
Martial Aunt Yang took back the templates. “You can work on your translations until 6:00 PM today. If anything is unclear, you can come and ask me.”
Thinking of the points, Gu Ningyun took the materials out of the wooden plaque and began to work diligently.
At first, it took her the time of an incense stick to translate one page. Later, as she became more proficient, she could figure out the layout with just a glance at the original text, and her efficiency improved.
She already possessed the ability of photographic memory; she remembered every page she translated.
The only issue was that her physical writing speed was too slow, which severely hindered her performance.
She wondered if the speed advantage of wind spirit energy could be applied to writing.
With that thought, she attempted to draw a thread of wind spirit energy from her dantian and guide it toward her wrist.
Rate on N.U.
