Chapter 82: Start of the year end examination

第八十二节：年末考核开始

Translator: Skyfarrow Editor: Skyfarrow

The sun was bright after the snow passed.

雪后自是晴空。

Gu Masters streamed into the academy in the morning.

一大早，陆续就有蛊师，走入学堂。

“The annual year end exam has begun again. Hehehe, I wonder if the scene I saw from more than a decade ago when I graduated will be seen again.” A middle-aged Gu Master with long green hair cascading down his back stood outside the academy, reminiscing.

“一年一届的年末考核，又开始了。呵呵呵，想想看，十几年前离开学堂的情形，还历历在目呢。”一个中年男蛊师，一头青色长发垂在背后，站在学堂门前，发出一声感慨。

“Leader, get in, you love reminiscing.” The young female Gu Master beside him had blood red lips, her hands placed in the pockets of her pants. There was a blade of grass in her mouth, and she rolled her eyes.

“头儿，快进去吧，你就爱多愁善感。”他身边一个年轻女蛊师，双唇如血，双手插在裤子两边的口袋，嘴里叼着一根草，翻了一下白眼。

“Hehehe, Yao Hong, don’t rush. We have to get in anyway. Since the clan leader had arranged it already, our new members have been decided long ago.” The green haired Gu Master laughed.

“呵呵呵，药红，不要着急。进去早晚都不要紧。反正族长已经关照了，我们今年的新成员早已经定下来了。”青发男蛊师笑道。

“The A grade talent Fang Zheng?” The female Gu Master Gu Yue Yao Hong tutted in her mouth, saying unhappily, “The clan leader’s idea is to get us to babysit him!”

“就是那个叫做方正的甲等天才？”叫做古月药红的女蛊师“切”了一声，不满地道，“族长的意思，不就是让我们小组当保姆么！”

“But this babysitting mission is not easy to accomplish.” The green haired male Gu Master sighed, “Nevermind, let’s go in.”

“但这个保姆的任务，可不好完成啊。”青发男蛊师叹了一口气，“算了，进去再说吧。”

As time passed, more and more Gu Masters entered the academy doors, and stood in the arena.

随着时间的推移，越来越多的蛊师，走进学堂大门，在演武场中纷纷站定。

These were male and female Gu Masters. There were young faces, middle-aged, and old people as well.

这些蛊师有男有女，有年轻的面孔，也有中年汉子，甚至还有不少的老者。

Gu Masters after graduating would come out and form small teams to complete the clan missions. The Gu Masters that came to the arena were all the representatives of their groups, to assess the performances of the students and absorb them into their own teams.

蛊师从学堂学满一年之后，就会出来，组成小组，完成家族发布的任务。这些来到演武场的蛊师，都是每个小组的代表，前来观测学员们的表现，看中了就吸纳到自己的小组里面。

To the small groups, this was injecting fresh blood and expanding their group.

对于小组来讲，这就是吸收新血，发展壮大。

To the newly joined members, under the guidance and teaching of the older members, they can swiftly adapt to the new environment and more effectively complete the clan missions and result in lesser deaths.

对于加入小组的新成员，在老成员的带领和指导下，也能迅速地适应新环境，更有效率地完成家族任务，同时也能减少伤亡。

The sun gradually rose, as the students entered the fray.

太阳渐渐升高，学员们陆续进场。

“So many people today.” The youngsters proclaimed.

“今天好多人啊。”少年们赞叹着。

“Quickly see, that is Lord Qing Shu. He is our Gu Yue clan’s number one person among the Rank two, and he is known for his mild and amiable temper.” A person pointed at the green haired male Gu Master and shouted.

“你们快看，那是青书大人呐。我们古月山寨的二转第一人，青书大人的脾气是出了名的温和。”有人指着青发男蛊师惊呼道。

“Chi Shan senior is here too.”

“赤山学长也来了。”

“That is the Mo family’s little miss Mo Yan!”

“那边是漠家的漠颜大小姐！”

Qing Shu, Chi Shan, and Mo Yan were the rising stars of the Gu Masters, known by all students.

青书、赤山、漠颜是蛊师中的璀璨明星，为学员们所熟知。

“Sigh, their teams are too hard to get in. I am only D grade, and my vital Gu is a Gentle Silk Spider, I am meant to be a support staff.” A youngster sighed, then asked his friend, “You?”

“唉，他们三位学长的小组，我可进不去。我只有丁等资质，本命蛊又只是一只温丝蛛，将来只能做后勤。”一位少年唉声叹气，又问身边的好友，“你呢？”

“Oh, I got it settled with relationships. Through the godson of my uncle’s cousin’s sister.”

“哦，我托了关系，已经联系好了。是我舅舅的堂哥的姐姐的干儿子。”

…

……

As the students observed the Gu Masters, Qing Shu, Chi Shan and Mo Yan also observed the students.

学员们在观察这些蛊师的同时，青书、赤山、漠颜等人也在观察这些学员。

“Oh? There are two Gu Yue Fang Zhengs.” Yao Hong saw Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng, shouting out subconsciously.

“咦？居然有两个古月方正。”药红看到人群中的方源和方正，不禁惊奇地道。

The green hair male Gu Master Gu Yue Qing Shu helplessly sighed, “Did you see the information I gave you yesterday? Fang Zheng has a twin brother, they look very similar in appearance, but his brother is only C grade talent.”

青发男蛊师古月青书无奈地叹了一口气，“昨天给你的资料你没看么？方正有一个孪生哥哥，他们相貌很相似。不过他的哥哥只是丙等资质。”

“Oh so that’s the case. I seem to have heard that the one who made poems when he was young was Fang Yuan? Are we getting him into the team?” Yao Hong patted her forehead with her palm, saying whatever she thought of.

“竟然是这样。哦，我好像听说过，就是那个早年作诗的方源？那我们要收他进来么？”药红忽然用手掌拍拍额头，想到哪里说到哪里。

Qing Mao shook his head, “The clan leader specifically mentioned, do not recruit him. He seems to be wanting to observe something. The brothers don’t have a good relationship anyway. Even if we want to recruit him, Fang Yuan probably wouldn’t join.”

青书却微微摇头：“族长特意关照了，不要招纳他。似乎想要观察什么的样子。而且，这两兄弟的关系并不和睦。我们就算有招纳的意向，估计方源也不会加入的。”

Yao Hong did not think much of it, muttering, “Among the groups, we are the publically acclaimed number one, joining us means a bright future. Any student would be interested. How could he be unwilling?”.

药红却不以为意，撇嘴道：“在所有的小组中，我们可是公认的第一，加入我们，就代表光明的前途。只要是学员就会心动。他怎么可能不愿意？”

Qing Shu laughed lightly, “That’s because you don’t know him, look at the information I sent you first.”

青书轻笑一声：“那是你不了解他，你还是先看看我给你的资料再说吧。”

At this time, the clan leader Gu Yue Bo, and the authoritative clan elders Gu Yue Chi Lian and Gu Yue Mo Chen entered, getting into the seats under the tentage.

这时，族长古月博，当权家老古月赤练、古月漠尘等人，鱼贯而入。他们走到棚子下，依次坐下。

“Not only the clan leader, but also Lord Chi Lian and Lord Mo Bei are attending this year.”

“今年不仅族长亲临，还有赤练、漠尘两位老大人，都来了。”

Seeing this, not only the students but also the Gu Masters were excited, this did not happen in previous years.

看到这里，不管是学员，还是这些蛊师都有些激动，往届可没有这等情况出现。

“Nothing strange, Chi Lian and Mo Chen’s grandsons are all in this year’s class.”

“这也不奇怪，赤练、漠尘的孙子都在此届。”

“Fang Zheng is the clan leader’s successor, the hope of the future to go against Bai Ning Bing. The clan leader naturally has to observe carefully.”

“方正是族长的培养的接班人，将来抗争那个白凝冰的希望种子。族长自然也要好好观察了。”

Discussions were aplenty among the people.

人群中传来嘈杂的议论声。

“Perform well brother.” Mo Yan looked at Mo Bei among the people, silently praying in her heart. Her group had the most people, it was of the largest scale. Thus there were a bunch of Gu Masters around her, showing her imposing aura.

“弟弟，你可要好好表现啊。”漠颜望着人群中的漠北，心中默念着。她的小组人数最多，规模最为庞大。此时身边围着一圈蛊师，更彰显出了她的气势。

As her most intense rival, Gu Yue Chi Shan from the Chi faction was standing alone, his huge figure easily acting like a giant red tower in a sea of people, standing out extensively.

而作为她的死对头，来自赤脉的古月赤山，则一个人站着，他身材高大威猛，足足高出周围一截，像是一座红塔站着，鹤立鸡群。

After checking out Chi Cheng, he retracted his vision.

再暗自打量了一下赤城之后，他就收回了视线。

With a speech from the clan leader, the year end exam began.

族长一通简短的讲话之后，年末考核便开始了。

The three stages held fights at the same time.

三个擂台上同时进行着战斗。

At once, shouting noises, sounds of moonblades flying, and the sounds of punches and kicks as well as the discussions of the Gu Masters below the stages fused into a loud banter.

一时间，呼喝声，呐喊声，月刃飞射时嗤嗤的响声，拳脚的击撞声，台下蛊师们的议论声汇成了一片。

“This year’s physical fighting skills is high.” Soon, Yao Hong saw the difference.

“这届的拳脚水准，都有些高啊。”很快，药红就看出了不同。

“Hehehe, all thanks to Fang Yuan.” Gu Yue Qing Shu laughed.

“呵呵呵，这一切都亏了方源呢。”古月青书就笑。

“What do you mean?” Yao Hong did not understand.

“什么意思？”药红大为不解。

Qing Shu explained to her.

青书就解释了一遍。

Yao Hong exclaimed in shock after listening, “Fang Yuan this lad, he’s really daring, almost to the point of fearless. Hehehe, bullying even his own brother. This is interesting.”

药红听了不禁啧啧称奇：“方源这个小子，胆子还蛮大的，有些无法无天的意味。呵呵，他连亲弟弟都欺负，有些意思啊。”

She looked towards Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng from the crowd, thinking internally — Which is the elder brother and which is the younger one.

她看向人群中的方源和方正，心中不禁琢磨起来——这两人到底谁是哥哥，谁是弟弟。

“Next, Gu Yue Jin Zhu against Gu Yue Mo Bei.” On the arena, the hosting Gu Master shouted.

“下一战，古月金珠对决古月漠北。”一个擂台上，主持的蛊师高喊出声。

Gu Yue Mo Bei leapt upwards, and Jin Zhu walked up the stage with a serious expression.

古月漠北一跃而上，古月金珠则一脸凝重地，顺着台阶，走了上去。

The two paid respects to each other and said no more, fighting at once. Moonblades danced in the air.

双方行了一礼，也不多话，直接就交手，顷刻间蓝色的月刃，在空中飞舞。

The two continued to shoot and at the same time, moving and evading nonstop.

双方不断对射，同时，不断移动和躲闪。

Although a girl, Jin Zhu had good basic skills and was able to fight equally with Mo Bei for a while. But as time passed, her stamina could not keep up, and she started to be suppressed.

金珠虽是女孩，但基本功相当的扎实，短时间内竟然和漠北斗得个旗鼓相当。但是随着时间的推移，她体力渐渐不济，落入下风。

Finally, with her body full of sweat and having no energy left, she surrendered.

最终，她娇汗淋漓，没有力气，只能认输。

Mo Bei on the other hand was not even fazed.

反观漠北，仍旧脸不红气不喘。

“Increasing endurance Gu huh, probably the Yellow Camel Longhorn Beetle Gu….” Below the stage, Fang Yuan observed, quickly seeing through Mo Bei.

“增强耐力的蛊虫么，搞不好就是黄骆天牛蛊……”台下，方源观察着，顿时就看出了古月漠北的虚实。

Fang Yuan had six Gu worms, but that was an exception. Among the people of his age, they all had one or two Gu worms.

方源手中有六只蛊虫，但这是特例。在同龄人的手上，每个人一般都只有两只蛊虫。

Not only because of the financial stress of feeding Gu worms, but also because the Gu worm’s usage needed constant practice to accumulate experience.

不仅是因为喂养蛊虫，经济压力的关系，还有一点，那就是蛊虫的使用，也需要不断的练习，积累出丰富的经验。

Greed for more would backfire. The students only started interacting with Gu worms, and just began on their cultivation journey. Two Gu worms were enough for them to practice.

贪多嚼不烂，学员们初步接触蛊虫，才刚刚开始蛊师修行，两只蛊虫就够他们练习掌握的了。

Only an exception like Fang Yuan with his rich experience from his previous life, could easily grasp every Gu worm that comes into possession and use them to the very best he can.

只有方源这样的特例，因为有丰富的前世经验，导致几乎每只蛊虫到了他的手上，都能迅速地掌握，使用起来有板有眼。

The exam continued.

考核在继续。

“Damn, jumping like a rabbit!” On another stage, a youngster angrily shouted, “Gu Yue Chi Cheng, you’re not a man, do you dare to fight with me physically?!”

“可恶，跳得像个兔子似的！”另一个擂台上，一名少年恼怒地大叫起来，“古月赤城，你是不是爷们，敢不敢和小爷来肉搏！？”

“Tsk, only a fool would fight close range with you.” On the stage, Gu Yue Chi Cheng laughed in disdain. He used the Scarlet Pill Cricket Gu and jumped around, his body being very agile.

“切，傻子才和你玩肉搏。”擂台上，古月赤城不屑地笑了声。他仗着赤丸蛐蛐蛊，跳来跳去，身手敏捷得很。

His opponent only had a Flower Boar Gu. Even if he could temporarily raise his strength by one boar, it was useless. Chi Cheng would not go hand to hand with him.

而他的对手空有一枚花豕蛊，虽然能暂时暴涨一猪之力，但是却英雄无用武之地。精明的赤城根本就不和他玩近战。

Finally, he got hit by a moonblade from Chi Cheng and lost too much blood, retiring from the fight.

最终他胸膛中了赤城的一记月刃，失血过多，败下阵来。

The healing Gu Masters below the stage quickly rushed up and treated his injuries.

场下的治疗蛊师们，立即拥上去，为他治疗伤势。

As time passed, more and more students were mercilessly eliminated, and many youngsters also started to show their abilities.

随着时间的推移，许多学员被无情地淘汰，在此同时，不少的少年则开始展露头角。

Chi Cheng, Mo Bei, Fang Yuan, Fang Zheng……

赤城、漠北、方源、方正……

Until noon.

到了中午时分。

The D grade talents were all eliminated. They had limited talent and all chose support-type Gu worms for production line or transport, which suited their lives. Thus, they had little help in battles.

丁等资质的学员们，都已经被全部刷下。他们资质有限，选择的都是后勤类蛊虫，这些蛊虫要做一些生产、运输等等的事情，还比较合适。用作战斗的话，对蛊师起到的帮助，实在是太低了。

“Little junior sister, your vital Gu is a Life Breath Grass right, my group needs a healer Gu Master.”

“小学妹，你的本命蛊是一只生息草吧，我们小组正需要一名治疗蛊师。”

“Senior, I wish to join your group, my vital Gu is a Moonlight Gu.”

“这位学长，我想加入你们的小组，我的本命蛊是月光蛊。”

“Sorry, we are not lacking any attack-type Gu Master.”

“对不起，我们小组暂时还不缺进攻蛊师。”

…

……

The small groups quickly recruited newbies, and the students also chose the groups they wanted.

各个小组早已经开始收纳新人，而学员们也在挑选着小组。

The fights on the stage did not have much visual appeal, and after a few rounds, there were not many highlights, it was even boring. This was because most people chose the Moonlight Gu, and to most people, the fight would start with shooting moonblades. Whoever expended their primeval essence first would lose.

擂台上的战斗，其实观赏性并不高，几场下来，亮点也不多，乏善可陈得很。因为很多人都选择了月光蛊，一般而言，双方对战，首先都是月刃对射。往往谁的真元耗尽，谁就失败。

If both parties had no more primeval essence, they would fight with punches and kicks. At the end, one will fall.

若是双方真元都同时不济，那就比拼拳脚功夫。总之最终，总会有一人倒下。

Be it students, Gu Masters, or clan elders, they got bored watching and some were about to fall asleep.

不管是学员、蛊师，还是那些家老，看得都有些兴趣泛泛，有些人都快要打瞌睡了。

Until evening, there were only less than ten students left on the stage.

到了傍晚时分，留在场中的，只剩下个位数的学员。

“Finally ending.” Some Gu Masters lifted their spirits, shrugging off the sleepiness.

“终于要结束了。”有些蛊师打着哈切，勉强提起精神。

At this moment, the Gu Master shouted, “Next round, Gu Yue Fang Zheng vs Gu Yue Mo Bei!”

就在这时，蛊师大喊道：“下一场，古月方正对战古月漠尘！”

《蛊真人》中英文对照版 第八十二节：年末考核开始

《蛊真人》中英文对照版第八十二节：年末考核开始