Chapter 2: Testing Abilities

Chapter 2: Testing Abilities

As morning approached, Tian Fan stood in front of a stack of wood prepared to cremate his mother's body. It would be the last time he saw her.

Tian Fan embraced his mother's body one last time and then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagonal pendant with the word "Tian" written on the back and a carved dragon on the front, engulfed in flames.

"Rest peacefully in heaven, Mother. Fan'er will fulfill all your wishes and dreams. I promise, Mother," he whispered softly. "Always watch over Fan'er from above."

Tian Fan then put on his mother's necklace and proceeded to light the fire for her cremation.

Guan Yu and Guan Wei, who had been observing Tian Fan all night, were sitting inside Tian Fan's hut, cultivating their own arts.

Guan Yu slowly opened his eyes. "Younger brother, please retrieve the books from your storage pouch. I have an idea to test the child's abilities and desires."

"Sure thing," Guan Wei replied.

Guan Wei then pulled out a stack of books from his storage pouch, dozens of volumes on medical practices scattered on the wooden table in front of them.

Guan Yu called Tian Fan into the hut, and the young boy approached his masters.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Child, can you read and write?" Guan Yu asked.

"Yes, Sir."

(As I suspected.) "Good, in that case... Copy these books." Guan Yu handed Tian Fan two books, one empty and one on the basics of cultivation.

"If you get hungry, there are some dry biscuits in the basket for you to eat. Your master will meditate; don't disturb our meditation. You can continue your work now."

Tian Fan nodded in understanding and began transcribing the requested books.

In truth, Tian Fan was curious about where the food and books in front of him had come from. However, he couldn't express his curiosity because his masters had given him a task.

It didn't take long; within the time it took for three incense sticks to burn, Tian Fan had quickly finished transcribing the books. Driven by his curiosity and thirst for knowledge, Tian Fan started reading the books laid out before him.

He read the books sequentially, starting with the basics of medical practice, various medical treatments, types of medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and acupuncture points, along with many other books. Tian Fan only needed to read each book once, as he retained all the information in his mind.

For three days and three nights, the young Tian Fan devoured all the books. He only took short breaks to eat and sleep, dedicating the rest of his time to reading and comprehending the texts.

After finishing the reading, and out of boredom while waiting for his masters, the five-year-old Tian Fan fell asleep in his chair.

Guan Yu and Guan Wei, who had been observing Tian Fan's progress during their meditation, opened their eyes when they saw that Tian Fan had fallen asleep.

"This child is truly intelligent. He has a strong memory. Wei'er, tomorrow morning, try testing Tian Fan's memory," Guan Yu suggested with joy.

"Of course, brother. I'm also very curious about his abilities," Guan Wei replied.

---

The next morning, Tian Fan, who had just woken up, was surprised to see that the neatly arranged books he had transcribed had disappeared without a trace.

He also realized that his masters had completed their meditation. Tian Fan then approached his masters.

"Good morning, Sirs."

"Child, please sit," Guan Yu said, and then he pulled out food from his storage pouch.

Seeing food coming out of the small cloth bag left Tian Fan astonished and fascinated.

"Sir, this..."

"Just eat for now," Guan Yu interrupted.

Tian Fan quickly devoured his meal, driven by curiosity and the desire to get answers to his questions.

Noticing Tian Fan's curiosity, Guan Wei began to explain the function and usage of the storage pouch. He told Tian Fan that not just anyone could use such storage items, as it required the cultivation of qi to activate them.

He also explained that humans could store qi within themselves, and these individuals were called cultivators. The storage of qi within one's dantian allowed it to be used for various purposes, enhancing physical health and reaching spiritual heights.

As with the natural world acting as a vessel for qi, humans could also store qi. Tian Fan learned that these people were called cultivators, and they stored their qi in a dantian, with the capacity increasing as they advanced in cultivation.

"Fan'er, you've already read and transcribed the basic cultivation book. Now, can you explain its contents to your masters?" Guan Yu asked eagerly.

Tian Fan nodded and proceeded to explain the contents of the book to Guan Yu and Guan Wei. He began by discussing the basics of cultivation, explaining that there were several realms, each divided into three levels: early, middle, and late. The realms ranged from Black to Immortal, with Bone Levels also divided into five stages: Bronze, Iron, Gold, Diamond, and Dragon.

Tian Fan then described the different levels of alchemy and what each level could create, from pills for Black Realm cultivators at Level 1 to pills for Saints and Immortals at Level 5.

Guan Yu and Guan Wei were delighted by Tian Fan's explanations.

"Well done! It turns out that you're truly a genius, young one," Guan Yu exclaimed joyfully. "To both of us, you are a real genius, indeed!"

"Child, your debt is repaid now. Your masters are releasing you from your status as a servant," Guan Wei added.

Tian Fan's eyes sparkled with excitement and gratitude. He immediately prostrated himself before Guan Yu and Guan Wei.

"Tian Fan pays his respects to his masters."