Rejuvenating Pearl Test Questions

Yan Huanyue's miraculous escape from the Ghost Market has become a widely known story in Zhijing Hall, and people greeted her and offered their regards along her way there.

The moment she entered the Heart-Character Hall, a fellow disciple said, "Senior Sister Yan, Senior Sister Yan, it's been so long since we last met. It's so good to see you again. I heard you survived a close call, truly turning misfortune into good fortune. You're sure to have great blessings in the future."

Yan Huanyue made a hand seal to greet him and said with a smile, "Thank you for your kind words, Junior Sister."

Zhou Jiao sat upright in his original position, looked up and said loudly, "Oh, I was wondering why auspicious light suddenly shone on me and made my eyes blurry. It turns out that our wealthy and noble Senior Sister Yan has returned."

Li Ji had only recently returned from the ghost market when he heard this, and said, "Didn't you ask every day? You already knew the day before yesterday, and you were still shocked two days later."

Zhou Jiao smiled faintly, as if he were a wise hermit who had seen through everything. "I heard that my brother Xuanzhi has lost his memory. I am concerned about this matter. Amnesia is good. People with amnesia are not sad, and they are not lost."

Yan Huanyue simply ignored him and returned to her seat.

The books on the table were neatly arranged and free of dust, and a new set of "True Immortal Treasure Scrolls" was also placed on the table.

It seems that the sect leaders truly intend to promote the Demon Clan's supreme treasure here and find those who can surpass their predecessors.

Before she could even open the book, Li Ji said, "Junior Sister Jian, you're here again?"

Yan Huanyue looked up and saw Jian You, who had gone to the Ghost Market with her that day, standing by the door.

As soon as their eyes met, Jian You walked straight through the crowd toward her.

When she arrived in front of her, Jian You only said, "Senior Sister Yan, I heard you were back. I came looking for you yesterday, but you weren't here."

Yan Huanyue nodded and said, "I spent all of yesterday inside the Heavenly Stele. It's been a long time since I've been inside it, so I need to spend more time getting used to it."

Jian You lowered her eyes, raised her hand to brush away the drifting catkins on her book, and said, "I don't believe what others say. I can only feel at ease when I see you safe and sound with my own eyes."

A stream of light flowed down from her sleeve, and a shimmering leaf landed on Yan Huanyue's book page.

“These are the lantern shadows from the Ghost Market when the evil cultivators were executed. I kept a bunch of them, but now no one can see that place anymore. They’re quite a rare little thing, and I think they’re perfect for you.”

Zhou Jiao walked over with his hands in his pockets, clicked his tongue, and said, "Hey Senior Sister Jian, if you want to see lanterns, I'll take you to Xiling sometime to see the colorful lanterns and dazzling lights on the long street back home. This stuff of yours is really bad luck. Why did you keep something like this?"

Jian You turned her face away and said expressionlessly, "Did I talk to you? Get lost."

Zhou Jiao rolled his eyes, but dared not say another word. He pretended to be indifferent and walked past with his hands in his pockets. He then walked out and stood alone under the tree in the courtyard, admiring the magnolia flowers.

Yan Huanyue happily put away the beam of light and tucked it into her book, saying only, "It's because my cultivation wasn't high enough that I didn't get to deal with those evil cultivators and heretics. Thank you for the light, Junior Sister; it made this trip worthwhile."

Jian You said, "There was no spiritual energy back then, anyone would have fallen. It wasn't your fault. I heard that 'Re-entering Reincarnation' is you. Last night in the Heavenly Stele, I saw that you had moved up a few places. Will you participate in this inner sect trial?"

Yan Huanyue nodded. "I originally planned to come back to participate in the inner sect trial."

Jian You asked, "Which teacher will you choose, Senior Sister?"

Yan Huanyue said, "Elder Lingwei."

Jian You said, "Me too."

Few among those with multiple spiritual roots do not admire Song Lingwei's deeds.

Jian You is a practitioner with four spiritual roots. It is already quite an achievement that she was able to break into the inner sect of the Heavenly Stele over the years. Choosing Song Lingwei is also a very responsible choice for her.

Yan Huanyue smiled and said, "I hope that this time both of us can get what we want."

Jian You said, "It's possible that many people will compete for one spot, but I wish you and me all the best."

Thank you.

Shortly after Jian You turned and left, Han Shuangying entered Xinzizhai.

After finishing her morning classes, Yan Huanyue went to Tianbei.

When afternoon classes started, Gu Yuxiao came to deliver a message.

"These are turbulent times. This year's inner sect selection exam has been moved up by two months. Those of you who wish to register can submit your name, real name, and the name of the teacher you wish to choose from the Heavenly Stele before the end of evening class."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao looked pained and said with great sorrow, "Alas, how did things change so quickly this year? I was almost ready to enter the inner sect. Give me two months and I'm sure I'll be able to enter the inner sect. It's true, I have to wait another year."

Li Ji questioned, "Have you been to the Heavenly Stele? I've never heard of anyone seeing you."

Zhou Jiao said, "What do you know? If I don't work hard in secret, am I supposed to go around making a big fuss? Wouldn't that just make people like you jealous?"

Li Ji sneered, "What a joke! Do you even know how to write the word 'effort'?"

"you!"

Gu Yuxiao raised his hand in the air and pressed it down slightly, saying, "Alright, that's all. Just know it. Okay, take out the 'True Immortal Treasure Scroll'. My master will be giving a lecture on it in a bit."

As a supreme treasure of the demon race, the True Immortal Scroll indeed contains a large portion of content that differs from the cultivation methods practiced by humans.

Especially after being revised by several living masters, its published content became truly extraordinary.

As Yan Huanyue perused the book, the spiritual energy within her body gradually flowed back into her spiritual sea through the spiritual meridians and acupoints, with the internal and external spiritual energy converging in her spiritual sea.

There was an unprecedented feeling of being full of spiritual energy yet calm, like being immersed in a piece of warm, cool water.

The more she flipped through the scroll, the more she realized that she could use it to resolve many of her previous unresolved questions about spiritual practice. It turned out that it was simply a matter of different perspectives on practice that led to entirely different states of being.

She alone can gain a lot of knowledge and realize things she couldn't see before, let alone those who are already exceptionally talented.

The sect leader did not choose to keep this book to himself and practice it privately, but instead published it widely to enhance the entire human race's understanding of the methods practiced by the demon race and to provide another reference for the laws of heaven and earth. This is truly commendable.

When evening class started, Yan Huanyue handed in the things she had prepared.

After evening class, she went to the Heavenly Stele again, using the knowledge she had gained from the new scroll she had learned that day. She made great progress and her ranking improved by one place.

She emerged from the Heavenly Stele, soaking wet, the night wind chilling her to the bone.

She cast a cleansing spell and quickened her pace as she walked back, thinking that Pei Xuanzhi was still waiting for her at home.

She subconsciously planned to bring Pei Xuanzhi some food when she passed by the dining hall later.

But when they reached the library, they suddenly remembered meeting him there earlier that day and realized that he had gone into seclusion that day.

She gradually stopped walking. In the dark night, she suddenly felt that there was no point in going back, so she decided to wander around.

Before long, they arrived near the mountain gate where Pei Xuanzhi was in seclusion.

She leaped into the air and landed on the rocks opposite the mountain gate. A crescent moon hung in the sky, and some clouds drifted by.

She was like a straight sword stuck in the mountain rocks, with the long wind blowing her clothes.

She stood there quietly until the night wind grew colder, then silently rode the wind away.

There was no moonlight in the secluded place. Pei Xuanzhi sat cross-legged on a white jade platform, with a talisman array made of yellow talismans and red ropes above his head.

He was making a hand seal with one hand, his eyes were lightly closed, and a jade coin lay in his fair palm. He looked like a beautifully carved jade statue.

After a short while, he slowly opened his eyes, his expression indifferent and aloof, like the eyes of a celestial being, not taking any worldly matters seriously.

But he was not so without desires.

He could sit here, abandoning his family and business, not to listen to the remnant soul in the jade coin boasting and saying meaningless things.

The remnant soul inside the jade coin claimed to possess world-destroying power. It said that if Pei Xuanzhi were released, he could become Pei Xuanzhi's subordinate, following him to slay gods and demons, and command the wind and rain.

Pei Xuanzhi only asked one question: "Then may I ask why you have been imprisoned here?"

The other party immediately flew into a rage, "You brat, what do you know? You're just in seclusion here. Once I emerge, I'll restore order and reclaim Fairy Rouyin..."

Pei Xuanzhi suddenly became interested and asked, "Are you referring to Lan Rouyin of Chongxian Palace, whose beauty is said to have captivated the 'Demon Realm'?"

The lingering soul drifted on, and said in a deep voice, "What? You dare to covet Zhi Rouyin's beauty?"

Pei Xuanzhi's consciousness lingered for a while before he said, "So you were imprisoned here at the very beginning of the Demon Clan's descent into the world? Didn't you know that?"

"Lan Rouyin of Chongxian Palace fell in love with the first Demon Lord and altered the protective formation of Chongxian Palace for him. As a result, everyone in Chongxian Palace was drained and slaughtered by the demons. I heard that the fairy is now enjoying great wealth and honor in the demon realm. As for whether it is true or not, I don't know."

The remnant soul hesitated for a moment, then suddenly realized, "That's right, it's been too long, how could I forget... After I led the massacre of Chongxian Palace, my brother bestowed her upon me, but she ran back, and my brother killed her and shared her with the demons. I even used this opportunity to rebel and kill my brother..."

Pei Xuanzhi smiled slightly and said, "So you are the renowned Second Demon Lord."

Upon hearing this, the remnant soul laughed loudly, "Now that you know my identity, are you afraid?"

Pei Xuanzhi said, "Perhaps. I wonder who has imprisoned you here?"

Perhaps out of pride, the remnant soul didn't want to reveal its identity, and instead said to him with an arrogant attitude, "You think you're worthy to know? If you bow down to me, I might take you as my pawn. This might be the most glorious moment of your life."

Pei Xuanzhi sighed softly and said indifferently, "If you had fallen into the hands of a sect, your fate might not have been so simple, but unfortunately, I am not very interested in this matter."

Having said that, he withdrew his divine sense from the jade coin.

Soon, he released the remnant soul and stored it in the Soul-Ferrying Bracelet. Around noon the next day, the bracelet released the fragments, and the golden snake on his back once again crawled out of the darkness and devoured the fragments...

.

After submitting her registration for the inner sect trial, Yan Huanyue was among those listed on the trial list issued a day later after her qualifications were verified within the Heavenly Stele rankings.

From then on, after her evening lessons every day, Yan Huanyue, along with Li Ji and Mu Huage, who had also applied for the inner sect trial at Xinzizhai, would follow Han Shuangying and Gu Yuxiao to the martial arts arena for further training.

She drags her tired body home to rest every day.

Busy with inner sect trials every day, accumulating experience by flipping through other people's records of their origins, and memorizing new techniques and scriptures, there was almost no time to think about anything outside of the trials.

She also opened the small inner room that Pei Xuanzhi had locked when he was alive. Every day when she went back, in addition to burning incense for her parents, she would also worship herself.

In the dead of night, the charred bones within my soul still sit atop the cauldron, gazing at the tattered sky.

But she still passed by that mountain gate almost every night, pausing for a short while.

One night, her heart sank, and she knew what he was going through.

She walked to the mountain gate, where it was quiet and there was no sound.

It seems there must have been a barrier blocking him, but he didn't use a transmission talisman, so his suppression talisman must have been somewhat effective, and he shouldn't be in any pain.

That night, she had something on her mind, and after a half-awake sleep, as she was about to get up to go to the Heavenly Stele, the communication talisman she had placed by her pillow suddenly lit up.

Pei Xuanzhi didn't say anything, but said with a heavy weariness, "I couldn't sleep last night, so I ate a piece of candy you bought. I don't know if it went bad, it tasted bitter."

Yan Huanyue was suddenly taken aback, feeling a mix of emotions. She asked, "Did you bite your tongue? Or did you bite your arm?"

He was silent for a moment, coughed a few times, and replied casually, "No, if something really happened, I don't think I would have made it through last night. I'm fine now..."

Then Yan Huanyue asked again, but he didn't answer.

Yan Huanyue was afraid of using up all the communication talismans, so she dared not use them anymore. She also regretted not leaving him more communication talismans as originally planned.

After getting up and washing up, she did not go to the Heavenly Stele immediately, but went directly to the Changqing Palace. She originally wanted to ask Pei Hanzhou if he had left a communication talisman for Pei Xuanzhi.

To her surprise, when she arrived outside the hall, Su Xianqing was practicing his sword on a stone platform. After hearing her purpose, he smiled and said:

"Master was worried that he might need some help, so he left a few communication talismans. However, they were all destroyed by Junior Brother Pei on the first day. When Master tried to speak to him, the communication talismans couldn't even withstand the magic and turned to ashes. Master couldn't speak to him at all. However, the life-sustaining formation in the secluded cultivation area did not change and the message was transmitted, so he must be fine."

Yan Huanyue personally followed Su Xianqing to the back hall and saw the life-bearing lamp that had guided them here. The thin wick burned calmly, indicating that the people in the formation were indeed temporarily safe.

If there was any tribulation for him during his seclusion, it was probably what happened last night. That's why Yan Huanyue came to check on the Life-Holding Lamp for three nights in a row.

One night, she had just gone to the back hall and glanced at the calm, still lights when suddenly a huge cat's shadow appeared on the wall.

She was thinking about the little golden raccoon when she suddenly turned around and saw Pei Hanzhou standing alone outside the door, bathed in moonlight.

The night was deep, and he was no longer his usual aloof self. He hung a lamp on the door, walked unhurriedly into the inner hall, and said:

"Xuanlang will be fine, you don't need to worry too much. Don't you still need to prepare for the inner sect trial? Go back and rest early."

Yan Huanyue looked behind him, but there was nothing there except the swaying branches and leaves.

She asked in a low voice, "Did the Sect Leader see a cat just now?"

Pei Hanzhou said gently, "I saw it. It runs very fast; it might have come from the mountains."

Yan Huanyue said, "Oh, then I'll go back first."

She looked around as she went out, but couldn't find the cat.

A few days later, Yan Huanyue and several outer disciples were summoned to the main hall of the Zhijing Hall, where Song Lingwei was waiting for them.

In front of her was a celadon plate containing several rolled-up paper scrolls.

Once everyone had arrived, Song Lingwei stood up and bowed, and the disciples quickly returned the bow.

Song Lingwei raised her hand to indicate that they did not need to be so polite, and said calmly, "I am fortunate to have your favor and to have chosen me to guide you in the future. Now I have selected a few new matters of equal difficulty, which are currently being handled by people from various sects, and set out the test questions. The test will last for two months. This is the trial for you to become my disciple."

Several people took turns drawing questions and then went to the disciples who were serving Song Lingwei to take notes.

Yan Huanyue opened the scroll she had drawn, which read: "The scourge of the Corpse Demon in Tingnan, retrieve the Rejuvenation Pearl."

Yan Huanyue immediately thought of what Ning Wuyang had done after leaving Emperor Mingde, and what Su Xianqing had said that day.

Is the matter of the Corpse Demon still so troublesome after all this time? And it even appears in the form of an exam question.

The elders of the Tianyan Sect often chose topics based on the same event that occurred at the time, but the final test questions given to the disciples might differ.

What exactly is the Rejuvenation Pearl? Does such a thing exist in the world?

When Yan Huanyue took the paper roll to register her name, the senior sister holding the pen smiled and said, "As expected of you, although these questions are of similar difficulty, they are not equal in number. Congratulations on choosing the most difficult one."

Yan Huanyue's mind went blank for a moment.

However, upon further reflection, I thought, since I'm already here, I might as well make the best of it. Whatever I draw, I'll just do it. I don't care about the difficulty or importance of it. Now that I've chosen it, there's no need to dwell on it anymore.

The woman holding the pen was named Zhao Liujin, a disciple of Song Lingwei, and a notoriously unruly person in the Tianyan Sect.

Seeing that Yan Huanyue's expression remained unchanged, she couldn't help but laugh and say, "I say, how come you're not nervous at all?"

Yan Huanyue said, "Being nervous is pointless now. I'm thinking about how to do well in this trial."

Zhao Liujin scratched his messy head with the pen, laughed, and said, "Well then, since it's possible that she's my junior sister, I'll help you out a little. When you get to Tingnan, find Jiang Xian of the Sky Patrol Division, who's dealing with the corpse demon there. He used to be on good terms with me. If you mention me, he'll definitely tell you all the clues he's found right away."

Zhao Liujin spoke with a loud voice, and when she was happy, she couldn't hold it in any longer. For a moment, the entire main hall was silent as everyone pricked up their ears to listen to her recount this deafening story.

Song Lingwei glanced at her with a cold, indifferent look and said coolly, "Don't make a fuss."

Zhao Liujin stood up, held the pen above his head with both hands, bowed respectfully, straightened up, winked at Yan Huanyue, and said silently, "Listen to me, just mention my name, you can't go wrong."

Seeing that Yan Huanyue remained unmoved, she raised her voice, "I'm saying, if you've used my people, you can't deny it. You'll have to treat me to drinks when you get back."

Song Lingwei coughed expressionlessly.

Zhao Liujin quickly brought over a cup of tea and said with concern, "Teacher's wife, please have some tea."

Song Lingwei also adored Zhao Liujin, and in recent years she had spoiled her rotten. While taking the tea, she couldn't help but whisper:

"I'm afraid I'm becoming less and less capable. I can never teach you well. I'm truly ashamed of you, your parents."

Zhao Liujin looked understanding. Seeing his teacher's wife analyze herself so frankly, he couldn't help but be moved and offered her words of comfort:

“Master’s wife, you see, you really don’t need to blame yourself. I don’t blame you either, so why are you so fixated on your shortcomings?”

Song Lingwei held a cup of tea, laughing in exasperation. She pointed at someone and said, "Go, shut up for an hour."

Zhao Liujin nodded, "Yes, yes, I can easily agree to that. Please don't be sad anymore."

After saying that, he returned to his original position and said seriously, "Please, everyone, don't talk to me."

Then he sat down at his desk to record names and didn't say another word.

Yan Huanyue recalled the name she had just mentioned, and waited until all her fellow disciples had finished recording their names before bidding farewell to Song Lingwei.

Although it is said to be a two-month period, the round trip will take almost half a month, so the actual trial time is only about a month and a half.

Yan Huanyue went straight to Han Shuangying after receiving the test questions, but Han Shuangying couldn't explain what the so-called Rejuvenation Pearl was.

However, she still gave Yan Huanyue a few talismans for self-defense as usual, and said, "Since it is something from the chaos of the corpse demons, judging from the name, I wonder if it is something used to raise corpses."

Yan Huanyue felt that her guess made some sense.

Han Shuangying advised, "These matters are handled by people in each sect who have higher cultivation levels than you. If you really can't find them, don't force yourself. It will be the same next year."

Yan Huanyue nodded. "Yes, I understand."

She returned to her room with her memorial tablet, not knowing when Pei Xuanzhi would be released. She left him a letter, packed her things, and went to Pei Xuanzhi's secluded place.

She stood in the wind for a while, and then the little golden raccoon jumped down from the tree, wagging its fluffy tail and excitedly tugging at her skirt.

As soon as Yan Huanyue bent down, it stretched out its two front paws and showed her its furry little belly so she could hold it.

Yan Huanyue picked it up, but saw a thin wound on the back of its round head.

She turned it around and sure enough, she saw a scratch mark, like a cat's claw, which had scratched off a thin strip of cat hair, leaving a light pink mark.

She held it in mid-air, and it just kept wagging its tail and purring, completely oblivious to the pain.

Yan Huanyue asked, "Did you get into a fight with the cats in the mountains?"

He sat down on a rock, applied some medicine to it, and whispered, "If you're willing to come home with me..."

The little golden raccoon tilted its head back and licked her chin, then darted away without hesitation.

Yan Huanyue really wanted to catch it this time, but after searching for a long time, she couldn't find anything and didn't know where it had gone.