The morning of the test arrived swiftly.
Tang Ning stood before the Old Master's study, her heart pounding in her chest . It had been a grueling month, filled with countless hours of learning, practicing, and training. And now, it was time to prove herself.
Gu Yan stood beside her, his presence a quiet source of comfort. Though he had prepared her as much as he could, the outcome now lay entirely in her hands.
"You're ready," Gu Yan said, his voice steady. "Trust in what you've learned."
Tang Ning nodded, her face set with determination. She took a deep breath before stepping into the study, where Old Master Gu awaited. The room was dimly lit, filled with the scent of incense and the familiar aroma of drying herbs. The Old Master sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable.
"You've had a month to prepare," the Old Master said, his voice calm but laced with an underlying intensity. "Now, let us see if you prove yourself."
On the desk before him, several trays had been laid out, each filled with different herbs. Tang Ning felt her stomach tighten as she recognized some of the plants immediately. Others were unfamiliar, their shapes and colors foreign to her eyes. The Old Master's challenge was clear—this would not be an easy test.
"You will identify each herb," he said, "and tell me its properties. You will have no help. The time for teaching is over."
Tang Ning's heart beat faster, but she took a deep breath. She had prepared for this, studied every day, and learned from her mistakes. She had come too far to fail now.
Tang Ning stepped forward, her eyes scanning the trays. The first herb was familiar—**Gisheng**. She smiled inwardly, her confidence growing as she described its calming properties, remembering Gu Yan's teachings. The Old Master gave no reaction, simply listening as she moved to the next tray.
Her heart began to race as she encountered a plant she didn't immediately recognize. Its dark green leaves shimmered slightly in the light, and its small white flowers seemed delicate but deadly. She took a breath, recalling Gu Yan's advice to trust her intuition. She touched the leaves, felt their texture, and suddenly, a memory stirred. She had seen something similar in one of the rare books Gu Yan had shown her.
"This is **Deathpetal**," she said slowly. "It's used in small doses as a painkiller, but in larger amounts, it's poisonous. The flowers give it away."
The Old Master's gaze flickered, but he said nothing. She moved on to the next, and the next, her mind racing as she identified each herb, her confidence growing with every correct answer. But then, she reached the last tray.
It was a plant she had never seen before. The leaves were pale, almost silver, and the stem twisted in a strange spiral. There was something unnerving about it, but she couldn't place it. Her heart pounded in her chestas she reached for it, her fingers trembling slightly.
This was it. This was the real test.
She closed her eyes, trying to remember everything Gu Yan had taught her. She thought of the lessons, the mistakes, the corrections. Slowly, a realization dawned. It was not the appearance of the plant that mattered—it was its energy, the feel of it in her hand. She had learned to sense the life within the herbs, the power they held.
Her eyes snapped open. "This is **Silverthorn**," she said, her voice steady. "It's a rare herb used to treat severe infections, but it's dangerous to harvest. The thorns on its stem are poisonous to the touch."
The Old Master leaned back in his chair, his expression inscrutable. Silence filled the room as Tang Ning stood there, her heart pounding in her ears. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Old Master spoke.
"You have passed," he said quietly, his gaze never leaving hers."Your knowledge is sufficient for now. There is much to learn, but you have proven you are willing to work for it."
Tang Ning let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She had done it. She had passed the test.
Gu Yan, who had been standing by the door, smiled, his pride evident as he stepped forward to congratulate her.
"Well done," he said softly. "You've earned it."