The outcome will be revealed on the Five Spirits Platform.
Chapter Fifty
Looking back on her days at the Xuanling Sect, Zhou Yulin recalled that while they weren't exactly easy, they were certainly carefree.
Her master often assigned a lot of homework. After doing so many practice questions, the written exams became easier, so she often got first place in the written exams. However, Zhou Yulin was a late bloomer when it came to kendo.
By the time she truly grasped the concept, her peers had already left her far behind.
Recalling how he once challenged Chen Muyao to a duel with a broken sword, Zhou Yulin thought to herself how brave she had been back then. Indeed, youthful spirit is something that can never be regained.
If it were her now, she probably wouldn't go looking for trouble.
Chen Muyao's swordsmanship was excellent. After entering the Xuanling Sect, the elders praised him more than once in class. As for himself, he was the one whom the elders encouraged the most.
"It's normal for girls not to be good at swordsmanship."
"Yes, yes, look at girls playing the piano and drawing talismans, isn't that nice too?"
"Little Moon, you don't need to be confined to one skill. Although you may not be first-rate in swordsmanship, who knows, you might have talent in other areas?"
Everyone tried to persuade Zhou Yulin, except for one person.
He would only knock Zhou Yulin to the ground when he came looking for a fight with his sword, and then leave as if nothing had happened.
"Chen Muyao, you wait, one day I will beat you to the ground!"
At that moment, the boy paused in his departing figure, chuckled as if he had heard a funny joke, turned around and slowly replied, "Alright, I'll look forward to that day." His light amber eyes gleamed.
Chen Mu frowned, looked down at his tightly clenched hand, tried to pull it out, failed, tried again, failed again, and finally chose to give up.
The spiritual energy had gradually returned to his body. Chen Mu leaned against the pillow, unable to fall asleep, not only because of the commotion tonight, but also because of the memory he had lost.
"Chen Muyao," the person beside him murmured in their sleep.
Just as he was about to lean closer to listen, a gentle kiss landed on his cheek. "All's fair in war... deception." Chen Muyao shuddered, instinctively frowning. His murmured words, accompanied by the boy's rapid heartbeat, echoed silently in the long, quiet night.
He covered the side of his face where he had been kissed, looking at the person who had fallen asleep again. He was clearly furious, but for some reason, the image of the woman's sly and bright smile, saying those words to him, suddenly appeared in his mind.
"I know," Chen Muyao whispered, quietly tucking the blanket around the young man. In the candlelight, the young man's profile revealed a tenderness in his eyes that was not usually there, and the sharp, fierce aura around him dissipated, though he was completely unaware of it.
*
A month has passed in the blink of an eye.
"The way to enter the inner sect this year is different from previous years. Teams of four will enter the formation. Whoever can break through the later formations will get a higher ranking. The top 100 will directly enter the inner sect, while those ranked 100 to 200 will be qualified to challenge for the inner sect."
Upon hearing the news, Qu Suiwan immediately exclaimed happily, "That's great, Zhaozhao! Now we can team up!"
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the elder on the stage calmly added, "As for the team formation, it will be decided by drawing lots. Teams with the same lot will form one team and enter the formation at the same time."
Upon hearing this devastating news, Qu Suiwan clenched her fists and said angrily, "This is too much! In this day and age, do spiritual dregs not deserve to be protected by high-level spiritual overlords?"
"Oh, you can't get along with the big shots anymore, so... you've broken down?" Yu Tingting glanced at the two of them. "Getting first place in the written exam is nothing special. If you ask me, getting first place in the martial arts exam is more valuable and has more prestige."
The sarcastic words, though harsh, were indeed the truth.
Those who rank high in the written exams often lack sufficient spiritual power, which is why they put in extra effort for the exams.
But then again, "Oh? Then show me what you've got, and I'll see you get first place." Zhou Yulin crossed her arms and said calmly, "Didn't you say that first place has no real value? Then let's see if you can get one."
"Some people need to put on a show of bravado, but I don't need this icing on the cake," Yu Tingting said with utter disdain. "Some people should worry more about whether they can even get into the inner sect. Otherwise, they might end up making a fool of themselves by not even touching the threshold, hahaha."
"You!" Zhou Yulin shook her head at Qu Suiwan, indicating that she was alright.
The change in exam rules was something Zhou Yulin hadn't expected. She had originally wanted to challenge Yin Xinglu to a duel, but now it seemed that opportunity was gone.
If it is a team-based challenge, according to fair arrangements, a team must have at least one damage dealer, one ranged attacker, one healer, and one support. In other words, the most basic configuration of a team is one swordsman, one weapon wielder, one medicine practitioner, and one talisman practitioner.
Zhou Yulin filled in talisman cultivation in her entry information because it was inconvenient to take out a spirit sword anytime and anywhere, so she simply filled in her second best skill.
After awakening her spiritual veins, Zhou Yulin sealed away her spiritual power. The spiritual power she gained through the spirit exchange was sealed within her body, so to outsiders, her cultivation level was only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Unless someone forcibly tested her spiritual power, it would not be discovered.
Zhou Yulin also bought a magical medicine to change her appearance, taking it once a month.
It can be said that they have completely wiped away all the grudges and grievances that may have been accumulated in their previous lives.
However, when Zhou Yulin discovered that her roommate, Qu Suiwan, was engrossed in reading a novel, her face would still stiffen. "This novel, 'The Genius Young Master Falls in Love with Me,' was bought at a high price on the market! Do you want to take a look, Zhaozhao?"
Zhou Yulin: "No need."
"Are Chen Muyao and Zhou Yulin from the book really real?"
Qu Suiwan leaned against the pillow and asked curiously, "I feel like these two names sound familiar."
"I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before."
"Perhaps, as long as you believe, it will exist." Besides this sentence, Zhou Yulin couldn't think of anything else to tell Qu Suiwan that the real person in the fanfiction she was reading was actually standing right in front of her.
"Go to sleep early, we have to draw lots tomorrow."
After that day, Yu Tingting moved out. Her other roommate didn't like living in the dormitory, so the room was suddenly left with only her and Qu Suiwan.
After washing up, Zhou Yulin lay on the bed, recalling everything that had happened since her rebirth. She would write a letter to her second uncle after she entered the inner sect. News of her entry into the Qingyun Sect should have reached Jiangning by now, but she still wanted to write a letter to Zhou Xiuer to discuss the specifics.
The matter of Quan Jin being expelled from the Qingyun Sect still needs to be investigated. Most importantly, the person she saw in the sect whose features were almost identical to her second senior brother's must be an inner disciple of the Arrow Academy. She needs to enter the inner sect as soon as possible, wait for Chen Muyao to regain her memories, find out the whole truth, and clear her senior brother's name.
With so many things to do, Zhou Yulin fell asleep while thinking about them.
The next morning, a sleepy-eyed Zhou Yulin was pulled by the energetic Qu Suiwan to the foot of the Five Spirits Platform. As Zhou Yulin had expected, the lottery was conducted according to different professions. Qu Suiwan was a medical cultivator, so she and Zhou Yulin drew lots separately.
"Twelve." Zhou Yulin glanced at the number on the fortune slip and went to the Five Spirits Platform.
In her team was a sword cultivator named Tu Ya, who tied for first place in the written exam.
Gu Shuangshuang, the archery expert who ranked 30th in the martial arts test, and a most familiar stranger.
"Medical practitioner, Yu Tao'er."
Good heavens, wasn't this guy a quack? When did he turn over a new leaf and study medicine?
Zhou Yulin suppressed her lingering thoughts and stepped into the formation.
The draw is divided into three rounds: upper, middle, and lower, with twenty-five groups in each round taking place simultaneously.
The disadvantage was that there were no teams ahead of us to refer to when we entered the formation in the morning.
As for the benefits, it was probably that Zhou Yulin's three teammates were all easygoing. This easygoing nature was evident as soon as they entered the formation. Yu Tao'er found a place to sit down, Tu Ya followed closely behind and took out a book, and as for Gu Shuangshuang, he glanced at the two of them and resolutely... took out a roast chicken to eat.
"..." Leaving behind only a support character standing forlornly in the wind.
"Hey bro, wanna have a leg?" Gu Shuangshuang's hand, covered in grease, reached up with a sincere and genuine smile.
After confirming that the words were being spoken to her, Zhou Yulin smiled and declined.
She doesn't usually eat roast chicken early in the morning.
Seeing Gu Shuangshuang enjoying her meal, Tu Ya quietly moved away a little, carrying his book, as if afraid that the oil stains on her hands would drip onto his precious book.
The formation was officially activated as the group landed. Looking at the virtual demonic beasts in the early Foundation Establishment stage approaching from not far away, Zhou Yulin walked in front of the three. Yu Tao'er squinted and took a nap, Tu Ya glanced at them and quickly lowered his head, while Gu Shuangshuang gnawed on her leg and cheered for Zhou Yulin, "Brother, I respect you as a man, keep it up! When you're done, I'll take over."
It was truly like listening to a lecture.
In short, it's pure wishful thinking.
Two words: nonsense.
At this moment, Zhou Yulin couldn't care less about her unreliable teammates. Facing three Foundation Establishment stage demonic beasts, she took out the yellow paper she had prepared in advance and began to draw talismans one by one on the spot.
Outside the formation, there were elders ready to teleport the examinees back at any time, as well as disciples watching the battle. Among them were some inner disciples who came to scout out outstanding outer disciples on behalf of their masters.
"Junior brother, junior brother, do you have any promising talents on your mind?" Jun Fengqiu asked excitedly. "Let me tell you, I talked to a few a few a few days ago..."
"Shut up."
Seeing his junior brother's impatient expression, Jun Fengqiu had no choice but to remain silent, though there was still a hint of regret in his eyes. "Sigh—the match you watched is probably going to be eliminated. In formations, the highest explosive power undoubtedly comes from sword cultivators, followed by arrow cultivators. According to seniority, it's not going to be the turn of talisman cultivators."
"Besides, aren't we here to find a disciple for our master? Did you see that guy eating roast chicken? No way, I'm already a poor wretch. If another gluttonous junior brother comes along, won't we be completely destitute?"
Jiang Si seemed oblivious to the sighs of those around him, focusing his research on Zhou Yulin for only a few seconds before looking away.
The only person in the audience who was genuinely worried for Zhou Yulin was probably Gu Ling. Ever since he secured his place in the Qingyun Sect, his days had been unbearable. He couldn't even sneak out to meet Zhou Yulin, and could only run into Chen Muyao in the dormitory every day.
Gu Ling, who had lost a lot of weight, leaned forward slightly and asked, "Do you think she'll be in trouble?"
These words were directed at Chen Muyao, who only glanced at them and said, "Don't worry, I won't die."
After saying that, Gu Ling felt relieved. "I think so too."
He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and leaned back. "By the way, it's been a month since we last met. Has anything interesting happened between you two?"
In truth, Gu Ling had a vague idea: that day, after burning paper money at the cliff edge, Miss Zhou was able to cultivate again upon waking. He also had a vague idea of Chen Muyao's identity, but since neither of them had revealed it, he generally wouldn't bother asking. He awaited the day they would be honest with each other, but he also hoped to truly become friends with them.
"My story is boring, are you sure you want to hear it?"
Gu Ling thought for a few seconds and quickly made a decision, "Then I'll wait for Miss to tell me!"
After a few seconds of silence, Gu Ling looked down and saw the crisscrossing sword wounds on his hand, looking somewhat bewildered. "Young Master, have you ever been lost and unsure of which way to go?"
"No." Chen Muyao decisively uttered these two words.
His fate was predetermined from birth.
Chen Muyao rarely felt lost.
"I... had an older brother, who was incredibly outstanding. I can't even remember exactly how outstanding he was, but he was the most powerful cultivator in my heart. Unfortunately, he disappeared when I was six years old." This was the first time Gu Ling had spoken to someone about his past.
Chen Muyao wasn't interested in these trivial family matters, but noticing the dejection in Gu Ling's expression, he didn't interrupt. He only heard the person beside him continue, "After he disappeared, his father and mother never gave up looking for him, but there was no news at all. It was as if he had vanished into thin air, and no clues could be found."
"I can hardly remember what he looks like anymore, but I think if he were here, my life would be much easier. At least I wouldn't have to be the first to bear things that didn't belong to me in the first place."
Gu Ling seemed to realize something, but he didn't stop talking. "I'm thinking, maybe I'm really not suited for the path of cultivating immortality. There are countless talented people in the world, but I don't have any talent. Maybe inheriting the family business was my only way in the past."
Why do you want to cultivate immortality?
"Would you laugh at me if I told you?" Gu Ling asked somewhat awkwardly, but Chen Muyao only glanced at him indifferently. "Of course not."
Hearing this, Gu Ling seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Ah, it was a long time ago. When I was fifteen, I was saved by a cultivator. He did a good deed without leaving his name. I grabbed his sleeve to repay him, but he didn't want any gold or silver. He only hoped that I could become a kind and charitable person in the future."
"One person's strength is limited after all, so I decided to become a cultivator to better benefit the people and be a person like Brother Good Guy, doing good deeds without seeking recognition."
At this point, Gu Ling scratched his head. "You must think I'm stupid!"
"It's fine." Chen Mu shook her head without looking at Gu Ling. "Aren't you already on your way? Why are you doubting whether you're on the right track?"
Gu Ling stared at the young man's handsome profile, and heard him say in a flat tone, "Just keep going. Even if it's dark, you'll only know once you've walked through it." Suddenly, Gu Ling felt a sense of relief.
He thought that meeting these two benefactors was the luckiest thing in his life.
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