BXBX NOVEL Chapter 36: 30 Minutes
This test will evaluate your basic knowledge, from understanding the tools to using herbs.
Each of you will receive a scroll with questions related to basic alchemy."
He gestured to an assistant, who began distributing scrolls and writing tools to the participants.
Ethan received his scroll and unrolled it, finding a series of questions about the properties of various herbs, the principles of alchemy, and the processes involved in refining pills.
Ethan focused on the questions.
Surprisingly, the test seemed much simpler than he had expected.
Although he had quickly learned everything thanks to the system downloading the knowledge directly into his brain, he hadn\'t imagined it would be this easy.
\'Bless whoever created the system,\' he thought to himself as he took the brush and dipped it in ink.
Without wasting any more time, he began to write everything he remembered.
As soon as he read a question, the relevant information immediately came to mind, and he wrote it down on the sheet.
He decided to limit his answers to only the most basic information because if he wrote everything he knew, it would take too much time.
Question 1: Describe the properties of the Fire Dragon Herb and its use in creating energy pills.
Ethan wasted no time and wrote everything he remembered about the Fire Dragon Herb.
"The Fire Dragon Herb," he wrote steadily, "is known for its powerful energizing properties.
It is often used in creating energy pills for its ability to boost physical and mental strength.
Its red, fiery leaves contain a substance that, when properly refined, can significantly increase the energy levels of those who consume it."
Question 2: What are the three fundamental principles of alchemy, and how are they applied in daily practice?
Without hesitation, Ethan replied, "The three fundamental principles of alchemy are Transmutation, Balance, and Purification.
Transmutation involves transforming substances from one form to another, a crucial process in creating pills.
Balance is essential to ensure that the pill components are harmonized to avoid unwanted side effects.
Finally, Purification is the process of removing impurities from substances to achieve a higher concentration of active ingredients."
Question 3: Explain the process of refining healing pills and the importance of each phase.
"The process of refining healing pills," he began, "comprises several crucial phases.
First of all, Ingredient Selection: choosing high-quality herbs and minerals is essential for the pill\'s effectiveness.
Next is Grinding, where the ingredients are reduced to a fine powder.
The following phase is Mixing, where the powders are blended in precise proportions.
Finally, there\'s Cooking, where the mixture is heated at controlled temperatures to activate the healing properties of the substances."
Ethan was amazed at how quickly he could answer each question.
The knowledge flowed effortlessly, as if every detail had been etched into his mind.
\'Well, thinking about it, that\'s exactly what happened,\' Ethan thought as he continued to write without stopping.
Due to his quick and fluid movements, even the person sitting next to him couldn\'t help but glance at him.
Seeing Ethan scribbling furiously on the answer sheet, they sneered disdainfully before returning to their own sheet.
\'Hmph, these days, even nobodies like him can afford to take the exam,\' they thought, imagining Ethan had obtained the registration fee through dubious means.
If it had been someone else in Ethan\'s place, possibly someone with status, they might have thought the person was some sort of genius.
But in Ethan\'s case, they assumed he was answering randomly, hoping to pass the test by chance.
The test was supposed to last two incense sticks.
[N/A: one incense stick = 30 minutes]
When Ethan checked the time, he realized that only 30 minutes had passed, nearly one incense stick.
Not knowing what else to do, he decided it was best to submit his sheet.
According to the rules, to pass the test, one had to answer at least 70% of the questions correctly, and thinking back on his answers, he felt he had done well enough.
He knew he could answer all the questions correctly but decided to leave some out and give half answers for others.
The last thing he wanted was to attract attention by achieving a perfect score.
He stood up and went to submit his answer sheet.
As he approached Master Lei\'s table, he noticed some of the other students looking at him curiously but quickly averting their gazes after a glance.
He could tell that some were nervous about the test and occasionally tried to copy from their neighbors, while others looked at him out of simple curiosity.
Master Lei, seeing him approach, thought Ethan wanted to ask for clarification on some questions.
Knowing this wasn\'t allowed, he frowned, ready to scold him.
Ethan, who was almost at the table, noticed the old man\'s expression and couldn\'t help but think,
\'Hm? Why on earth is he giving me those angry looks?\'
Ethan reached the table, and before the old man could say anything, he placed the sheet down and said,
"Master Lei, I have finished answering the questions," he said cordially.
The old man, who was just about to reprimand him, found himself at a loss for words, looking at him with a strange expression.
He took the sheet and examined it, astonished to see that all the questions had been answered.
At that point, he thought that Ethan, out of desperation, had answered everything, even the questions he might not have known.
After all, the test included an advanced-level question inserted for additional assessment, to see if anyone would solve it and how.
It wasn\'t possible for anyone to have answered that question, especially in such a short time.
He set the sheet aside, nodding his head, thinking it wasn\'t worth wasting time on the boy in front of him.
The test answers would be evaluated at the end of the exam, and the results would be announced afterward.
After submitting his sheet and seeing that the old man had given him permission, Ethan left the test hall and went to sit outside, waiting for the test to finish.
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FRANK_LEE_JUNIOR:
Ladies and gentlemen, rejoice, I have a release date for the mass release I promised you.
On 20/07/2024, I will be releasing more chapters than usual.
Although I have previously mentioned that it would be a small mass release, this may vary depending on how the novel performs up until that date.
As usual, If you have any advice, comments, or errors to report, please do so below.
See you tomorrow!