With determination etched on his face, Zhu Longwei made his way to the contribution hall to apply for the coveted position of medicine boy. To his surprise, he was informed that a test would be conducted to determine his eligibility for the job. The realization that such a popular and rewarding position required a test only fueled his determination further.
Directed to a hall on the western side of the sect, Zhu Longwei entered to find a small group of individuals gathered together. As he waited, his attention was drawn to a commotion nearby. Two youths, Li Xue and Wang Jie, seemed to be embroiled in a conflict, with several groups surrounding them.
After a while, Elder Zhang, a stern and respected figure, arrived, accompanied by Li Wei and Wang Ming his two disciples. The candidates were called forward, and Zhu Longwei joined the group for the test. The first part involved herb identification, where he had to discern and name various herbs. He managed to identify 36 out of 40, a commendable result. However, to his surprise, both Li Xue and Wang Jie performed even better, leaving him curious about their exceptional knowledge.
Next came the quiz about herb growth and usage. As Zhu Longwei waited for his turn, Li Xue and Wang Jie approached him, attempting to discourage him and convince him to give up.
Li Xue smirked and said, "Zhu Longwei, you think you can compete with us? We've been studying herbs and cultivation for years. Don't waste your time on this futile endeavor."
Wang Jie chimed in, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Yeah, Zhu Longwei, it's clear that you're out of your depth. Just save yourself the embarrassment and quit while you still can."
Undeterred, Zhu Longwei stood tall and replied firmly, "I appreciate your concern, but I believe in my abilities and the knowledge I have gained. I won't back down easily."
With determination burning in his eyes, he walked into the room for his turn in the quiz. There, he faced a series of questions related to herbs and their uses. Despite the subtle nerves, he answered to the best of his ability, drawing upon his knowledge and intuition.
Finally, as the test concluded, Zhu Longwei emerged with a sense of accomplishment. He had passed the tests and was led to the next venue, where he noticed a significantly smaller number of people compared to the initial group. It was a clear indication that only a few had made it through the selection process.
As Zhu Longwei looked around, he caught a glimpse of Li Xue and Wang Jie among the few remaining candidates. Their expressions were a mix of surprise and annoyance. It seemed his determination had garnered their begrudging respect.
With each step he took, Zhu Longwei could feel the weight of his dedication and hard work propelling him forward. The challenges he encountered and the encounters with Li Xue and Wang Jie had only fueled his determination to excel. Now, standing on the threshold of a new opportunity, he prepared himself for the trials that lay ahead in his journey within the Azure Mist Sect.