"Oh, Chunxi, you've arrived." Ling Yuanhong smiled and tried to sound casual after exhaustively making his way through the dense crowd. "Why are you wearing a hat? Ah, that's right. It's better for you to wear a hat. If other people saw your face, it might not be such a good thing."
Ling Chunxi looked quizzically at Ling Yuanhong. He was either brain damaged by nature or brain damaged after getting beaten up by her. Since he was now fawning over her directly, he must have recognized her voice that night. Aha! Ling Chunxi realized it wasn't brain damage but an awakening of Ling Yuanhong's lustful tendencies. Even though she had beaten him up severely and shaved his head, he didn't hold any grudges against her because he was smitten by her newly recovered face. She recalled Aunt Wang telling her Ling Yuanhong had come looking for her when she wasn't home, but she hadn't taken any particular notice of the matter.
"Have you eaten, Chunxi?" You'll be participating in the assessment later, won't you? So will I. If we both pass, we can attend White Stone Academy together," said Ling Yuanhong as he grinned and brushed a hand over his short stubs of hair.
Ling Chunxi was well and truly speechless. Was Ling Yuanhong an idiot? He seems to have forgotten how cruel and evil he was to her in the past when he mercilessly bullied her. Now he was casually trying to flatter and pander. Was this not disgusting? Was this not despicable? Was this not ridiculous? Even if Ling Chunxi were to consider accepting the advances of a pig, ah, no, ptui, ptui, ptui. Even if came to Ling Chunxi having to accept the advances of Little White who was in her arms, the day would never come when she would stoop low enough to accept Ling Yuanhong, the dirty rascal!
Ling Chuxi was about to rebuff Ling Yuanhong, when another person stepped between them. Ling Yuanhong turned to give the person a good scolding for interrupting but froze when he found himself looking up into Ling Yichen's handsome poker face. Ling Yuanhong was stunned and could only drop his head and step aside glumly.
"Thanks. A buzzing fly is indeed annoying." Ling Chunxi expressed her thanks as such.
"You're welcome," replied Ling Yichen briefly in his baritone voice.
Ling Yuanhong was still observing them from afar. The was much anger and anxiety within him since he knew there was now no hope of him attaining Ling Chunxi's affection. Ling Yichen must have seen Ling Chunxi's stunning face and attached himself to her. Whether it was in terms of looks or abilities, Ling Yuanhong knew he was no match for Ling Yichen. He could only look on reluctantly.
...
This year's annual assessment ceremony was as significant as always. Assessing one's innate talent was essential to understanding the potential of one's Qi Ocean to see if cultivation is something that individual should pursue. The ability to cultivate Battle Qi wasn't the only requirement needed to pass the assessment. Although some are able to cultivate Battle Qi, they may only be able to go so far as Battle Qi Levels 1,2 or 3 for as long as they live. The correlation between the longevity of one's cultivation journey and one's innate talent was indivisible. The same old principle of the strong preying on the weak was applicable here too. Since the Ling clan would be investing energy and resources to help those with strong innate talent advance along the path of cultivation, there was a need to assess who amongst them had such talent in the first place. Those who didn't pass the assessment would most likely stagnate along their cultivation journeys despite all the support the clan could provide. Instead of this occurrence, the clan would encourage them to continue supporting the clan in other affairs by encouraging such individuals to find their talents in different areas aside from cultivation, such as business or management.
Bong! Bong! Bong!
The drum sounded thrice.
The whole courtyard instantly fell silent.
The Ling clan's five elders who sat atop each of the red wooden chairs in a row onstage stood once the drums sounded. First Elder stepped forward to address the quiet and eager crowd. He gave a light nod of his head and began to speak loudly and clearly, "The annual assessment ceremony is here once more. No matter the outcome, what's important to remember is that all of you are an essential part of the Ling family's future. You are our pillars. Our mission and glory is to build and prosper the Ling family together!" First Elder's words managed to reach each and every member of the crowd. Clearly, he had used Battle Qi as he spoke.