Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Jiang Cheng’s Understanding Is Still Perfect
 

Although the performance of some candidates in the first batch was rather ludicrous,

fortunately, their scores were reliably tallied.

You exhausted all your tricks, and I scored as if divinely assisted.

Everyone has a bright future ahead.

However, the candidates in the second batch were different.

Among them was the much-anticipated 1016—Jiang Cheng!

The wonder of this contender lay in the fact that he could use the Shackled Servant in his performance and still receive an outrageous score!

As the host announced the start of the assessment, the ten candidates of the second batch immediately rushed to the designated area for placing components and tool development.

While everyone else busied themselves with gusto, Jiang Cheng stood still, just like in the aesthetic assessment, and slowly exhaled.

Honing the axe will not delay the work of cutting firewood; rather than diving straight into the task, Jiang Cheng planned to clarify his thoughts one last time and then complete his work in one go.

According to Jiang’s Fundamental Logic Analysis Method, this “Leap Over the Cliff” undoubtedly tested a candidate’s pursuit of “beauty” and “art.”

If one were to simply assemble a bunch of parts and combine them with Magical Treasures and Talismans to achieve the “leap,” that would be far too simple.

Isn’t it the same if 1002, the barbarian, just throws it to complete the mission?

So why didn’t 1002 score high?

The answer is obvious, because it’s not beautiful, not pretty, not elegant, and lacks artistic quality!

Therefore, this assessment is undoubtedly about the “beauty” in “morality, intelligence, physique, aesthetics, and labor”!

That raises the question.

What is “beauty”?

How can “leap” be demonstrated with “elegance” and “artistic” quality?

Art, first and foremost, was not Jiang Cheng’s strong suit.

Except for the abstract.

However, Jiang Cheng’s strength remained his ability to learn.

As a game designer on Earth, he had seen and known a lot, so why not just “learn” a process of “leaping”?

Having conceived a design concept for the prop,

Jiang Cheng immediately took out his Composite Reusable Talisman to get down to business!

Jiang Cheng’s Composite Reusable had a total of nine grades designed.

The ninth grade was the previously used “Furniture War God Talisman.”

And now, Jiang Cheng touched the Composite Reusable, switching its mode to the seventh grade!

[Name: Talisman Army Training Talisman (Composite Reusable Type•Grade Seven)

Rank: First Order

Type: Summoning

Effect: Grants simple spirit to an object through the talisman, enabling it to understand simple commands and carry out basic movements.

Notice: After using this talisman, be wary of the threat from the “Non-living Object Protection Organization.”]

Jiang Cheng used the “Spell Training Talisman” three times in a row to endow three wooden boards with temporary spirits.

And then…

Li Youyuan charged over!

“Jiang Cheng!”

Li Youyuan said with an aggressive air.

At the same time, his face displayed a cruel smile that seemed associated with phrases such as exacting vengeance and slaying the murderer.

Haha!

You’ve met your match today!

I’ve finally caught you slipping!

“Jiang Cheng, stop what you’re doing!”

Facing the head of the admissions office, Jiang Cheng, although confused, chose to respectfully halt his activities.

“What’s the matter, Mr. Li?” Jiang Cheng asked amicably.

“What’s the deal with this reusable talisman?”

“What?”

“Still playing dumb, huh? During your artistic examination earlier, was this the talisman you used?”

“That’s right.” Jiang Cheng nodded.

“There, now you’ve admitted it—caught red-handed!” Li Youyuan exclaimed loudly.

With Li Youyuan’s clamor, Jiang Cheng, who was already very conspicuous, now became the center of attention for everyone present.

Even the candidates who were still taking their exams had to glance over at Jiang Cheng’s situation occasionally, managing to watch the spectacle without missing a beat in their exam.

“Caught red-handed? What are you talking about?” Jiang Cheng didn’t understand.

“Still trying to argue your way out, huh? During your artistic examination, you used a reusable talisman that could control water, but now, your reusable talisman has changed to one that enhances wood! There’s nothing wrong with using a reusable talisman, but, according to the examination rules laid out by our admissions office, you are only allowed to use one magical treasure, which is a single reusable talisman!”

Li Youyuan’s voice was firm and powerful, the kind that one listens to and immediately recognizes as belonging to the morally upright.

Jiang Cheng just smiled and didn’t stoop to Li Youyuan’s level.

He explained in a calm and gentle tone, “Mr. Li, I did indeed use only one reusable talisman. It’s just that my talisman can switch effects.”

Upon hearing this, Li Youyuan was so shocked that his eyes widened.

A reusable talisman that can switch effects?

Stop pulling my leg! It’s as if nobody has ever used a reusable talisman before!

Around them, some onlooking seniors started to chime in righteously, “I’m a Talisman Master major, how come I don’t know that a reusable talisman can switch effects?”

A female student retorted, “No, no, I think there really is such a thing. It’s just that reusable talismans capable of switching effects are generally not very practical, since material wear and tear issues have never been solved, so they can’t be commercialized. It’s not recommended for study.”

“Then why haven’t I heard about it, and why hasn’t the teacher taught it?”

“Is it possible that the teacher can’t draw it?”

“What the fuck, our third-order Talisman Master teacher can’t draw it? He’s what, a 1016th order Talisman Master and he can?!”

“What makes you think he can’t? Do you know him?”

“There’s no way he can draw it!”

The audience’s arguments grew more and more intense while Jiang Cheng snapped back to reality, as if waking from a dream.

According to that senior sister, did he essentially reinvent the wheel under his cloistered efforts?

Could it be that the Composite Reusable Talisman had already been “invented” before?

Jiang Cheng thought about it and then dropped the issue.

He has always pursued practicality, not titles like “xx inventor” or “xx founder.”

Who invented the Composite Reusable Talisman doesn’t matter—it’s good as long as it works.

Jiang Cheng raised the Composite Reusable Talisman in his hand and addressed Li Youyuan, including those who were enjoying the spectacle of the exam, “Alright, alright, let’s stop arguing. I’ll demonstrate to everyone that this ‘Composite Reusable Talisman’ in my hand can indeed achieve many different talisman effects.”

Having said that, Jiang Cheng adjusted the Composite Reusable Talisman back to the ninth setting and then smoothly activated the “Dragon Talisman” feature.

The Dragon Talisman picked up a plank, controlled its flight, and then suspended it in mid-air.

“Mr. Li, look, this is the talisman I used during the artistic examination. I’ve named it the ‘Furniture War God Talisman.’ Since I’ve put this talisman in the Composite Reusable Talisman, it’s not on our ‘ban list.’

Li Youyuan swallowed nervously to himself, thinking it was lucky that it wasn’t on the list, or he’d have to sell his house.

After finishing, Jiang Cheng switched the Composite Reusable Talisman to the sixth setting to show Li Youyuan another effect.

The sixth setting of the Composite Reusable Talisman is a conventional “Call Fire Talisman,” which wasn’t invented by Jiang Cheng. However, he optimized it to make the fire larger and more spectacular in shape but less powerful.

In short, it became a cool but useless talisman.

After demonstrating three effects in a row, Jiang Cheng wanted to continue the exam, so he stopped temporarily to conserve some spiritual power.

“Mr. Li, I didn’t lie to you, did I?”

Li Youyuan nodded.

He admitted that he had been a bit arrogant just a moment ago.

He hoped Jiang Cheng was magnanimous and wouldn’t decide to sell individual talismans from his reusable talisman during freshmen assessments.

It wasn’t easy even for him, who had been a director for so many years, to buy a set of rooms in the Capital.

Don’t just fleece him!

“Mr. Li, now that you’ve confirmed there’s nothing wrong with my talisman, can I continue with the examination?” Jiang Cheng asked.

Li Youyuan of course nodded and said “Yes,” and even prepared to extend Jiang Cheng’s examination time.

After all, just proving the effectiveness of his talismans had taken quite a bit of effort.

But Jiang Cheng confidently waved his hand and said, “No need, the remaining time is enough for me to prepare.”

The onlookers with a penchant for amusement muttered, “Damn it, he’s going to show off again, isn’t he?”