Chapter 44 - Su Mu, Please Stay

The atmosphere inside Shangqing Palace was tense, as if it were a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest touch.

On Earth, prestigious institutions like Peking University and Tsinghua University had publicly clashed on Weibo over top college entrance examination students. Considering that, it was remarkable how the recruitment teachers from these cultivation universities were merely competing face-to-face for talents without coming to blows – a testament to their restraint.

Teacher Sun and the other assistants were sweating bullets, internally cursing the recruitment teachers for creating such a melodramatic scene. Yet, they dared not show their frustration outwardly, instead they had to carefully persuade the teachers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down. The examinees are still waiting outside for the results. Look, shouldn't we announce the examination results first? As for Su Mu, according to his file, although he is young, he seems to have a mind of his own and likely has his plans set. All this fighting over him without considering his wishes is a pointless squabble, isn’t it?"

This was a reasonable point. Just like the college entrance examination, the examination for cultivation was a two-way selection process; hence, their struggle here was somewhat meaningless.

After much persuasion, the recruitment teachers finally calmed down, but they still gave each other unfriendly looks. The previously harmonious scene had vanished in an instant.

Teacher Sun and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

It was good that no fight had broken out; otherwise, this year's specialized subject examination in Shu Province would have turned into a scandalous joke. Everyone involved would have suffered.

"Let's rely on our own abilities to see who can recruit Su Mu!" Wu Jian declared with determination, his eyes set on winning Su Mu over.

His statement echoed the inner thoughts of all the recruitment teachers present.

No one wanted to miss out on such a brilliant and dazzling genius!

Outside Shangqing Palace, the examinees who had been waiting for a long time without any news or sight of a teacher coming out were becoming increasingly anxious and unsettled.

They didn't dare to rush into Shangqing Palace to inquire about the situation and could only stretch their necks from the bottom of the steps, looking towards the palace gates. Due to the angle, they couldn't see anything, but instead of giving up, they tiptoed even higher.

Su Mu and Kevin were doing the same.

Kevin even jumped a few times, but to no avail, and finally frowned, asking, "Buddy, did you see anything?"

Su Mu smiled wryly, "If you couldn't see anything even by jumping that high, what about me?"

"I have a feeling something's going on inside."

Kevin glanced around, and seeing that no one was paying attention to them, lowered his voice and said, "I'll send a scout in to check."

"A scout?" Su Mu was puzzled, not understanding what he meant.

Kevin made a 'shush' gesture, swung his Louis Vuitton messenger bag around to the front, and quickly unzipped it.

A furry head popped out from the bag, looking like a monkey, yet somewhat different.

It had long grey and white fur and big eyes.

Was this LV messenger bag actually a magic treasure? And what kind of animal was emerging from it?

The animal poked its head out, saw the crowd, and immediately turned transparent, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Actually, to be precise, it became invisible rather than disappearing. Kevin was holding onto it, helping it out of his messenger bag, then pointed covertly towards Shangqing Palace and muttered something in a language Su Mu couldn't understand.

Then, turning to Su Mu, Kevin whispered in Chinese, "Don't be afraid, my friend. That's my pet, an Invisible Beast. As you can see, it has the power of invisibility. It's perfect for scouting out the situation inside."

Su Mu wasn't scared, just fascinated, though somewhat concerned, "Maybe you should call it back. It would be bad if it gets caught."

Confident, Kevin smiled and said, "Don't worry, it won't be discovered. I've often had it do things for me back at my old school, and it's never been caught..."

He was about to share some of his past exploits with Su Mu when suddenly a cry of distress came from Shangqing Palace, followed by a muffled groan, "Whose Invisible Beast is this? Who dares to release it inside Shangqing Palace? What are you trying to do? Steal something or change the scores?"

A group of recruitment teachers emerged from Shangqing Palace.

Leading them was Wen Wubin, holding the Invisible Beast firmly in his grasp. It could no longer turn invisible or even struggle, only emitting low whimpers of fear and pleading.

Kevin stepped forward responsibly, bowing deeply to the teachers on the stone steps.

"Respected teachers, this poor Invisible Beast is mine. I had no idea it had wandered into Shangqing Palace. I regret this and am very sorry. Please don't harm it. I am willing to pay a fine or even donate some equipment to your esteemed school..."

True to his wealthy background, Kevin's solution was to throw money at the problem.

The recruitment teachers were stunned, clearly having never encountered a student like this before.

Wen Wubin tossed the Invisible Beast back to Kevin, and the frightened creature immediately scurried back into the LV bag.

Kevin breathed a sigh of relief and bowed again, "Thank you, teacher. Your kindness is admirable."

Wen Wubin said, "No need for thanks, just try not to cause us any more trouble in the future. And remember what you've said."

Kevin nodded repeatedly, "I won't forget, and I'll have someone contact your school shortly."

Satisfied, Wen Wubin nodded and then cleared his throat, ready to get down to business.

The examinees, who had been eagerly watching the drama unfold, tensed up immediately.

"Now, I will announce the names of the examinees who have passed the specialized subject examination. If your name is called, you have passed the assessment."

"Mianyuan Nanshan High School, Chen Zhihao, recommended major Spiritual Plants; Rong City No.7 High School, Zeng Ping, recommended majors Flying Sword, Runic Formation..."

Those whose names were called were mostly ecstatic, either cheering and raising their arms or crying with joy. They had finally been given the chance to embark on their spiritual practice and start a different life!

Each person who passed the specialized subject examination received recommendations for their majors, which would help them in submitting their university choices.

The recommended majors varied; some people received one, while others received two or three, depending on their talents and performance. Pei Jun received the most major recommendations, a total of six, and Wen Wubin even paused to praise him specifically.

Pei Jun was delighted but not arrogant. When other examinees congratulated him, he responded politely, showing no signs of haughtiness or aloofness, which truly reflected his good upbringing.

Kevin also passed the specialized subject examination.

The Majors he was advised to consider were alchemical pill and beast taming, likely related to his best subjects at Hogwarts: Potion Making and Magical Creature Care.

Su Mu was the last examinee to be called, and he was the only one not to receive any Major recommendations.

This drew many curious glances towards him.

However, Wen Wubin offered no explanation.

"To all the examinees whose names have been called, congratulations on passing the examination for cultivation. Please submit your university choices online within a week. If necessary, feel free to call the universities you're interested in to inquire about more details."

"To those whose names weren't called, I'm sorry to say you did not pass the examination for cultivation. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors..."

"Now you may leave the mountain. Teacher Sun, could you please assist them on their way down?"

The event should have concluded there, but Wen Wubin suddenly added, "Su Mu, please stay behind."

Instantly, all the examinees' attention was riveted on Su Mu.