Fu Changling called out, and all the candidates who were discussing the exam questions looked over and then bowed to Qin Yan. Qin Yan nodded, said nothing more, and walked away.
After Qin Yan walked away, Fu Changling's eyes were still on Qin Yan. Shangguan Mingyan, who was standing next to him, saw this and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Brother Shen, do you know Qin Daojun?"
"Um?"
Fu Changling turned around and heard Shangguan Mingyan's words. He quickly said, "No, I just admire Qin Daojun and couldn't help but look at him a little longer."
"Brother Shen is right," Shangguan Mingyan also looked into the distance, with a hint of longing in his eyes, "Who wouldn't admire someone like Qin Daojun?"
Fu Changling didn't say anything. He silently moved a step to the side, blocking Shangguan Mingyan's sight.
He was tall to begin with, and a few years older than Shangguan Mingyan. With the cover on, Shangguan Mingyan couldn't see anything.
Shangguan Mingyan looked up at Fu Changling in bewilderment. Fu Changling hurriedly said, "Brother Shangguan, your seventh question..."
After the candidates exchanged their answers and had a dinner arranged by Hongmeng Tiangong, it was afternoon. The afternoon's written test focused on the candidates' own foundation. They were given a topic, and could write or draw, and hand in the paper on time.
This was not a difficult task for Fu Changling.
After all, he was born in one of the four major families. Although he seemed a little eccentric and absurd on a daily basis, he had been learning the six arts of a gentleman since he was young. Compared with these ordinary people who came from all over the country to take the exam, he was naturally very different.
Everyone's questions were different. Yun Yu handed a box to him and asked him to choose something. Fu Changling reached in and twisted a piece of paper. After opening it, he was stunned.
His test topic was beauty.
A sect test with such a question should be designed to determine what kind of beauty he sees, thereby examining his inner yearnings and pursuits. If this pursuit aligns with the goals of Hongmeng Tiangong, then they will be considered for admission.
Fu Changling pondered the deeper meaning of the questioner, and then considered the criteria that the Hongmeng Tiangong sect liked to use when selecting people.
Compared with other immortal cultivation sects, Hongmeng Tiangong has a different origin.
Other sects were founded either because of a specific cultivation method, such as the Daoist sect seeking the Way, the Sword sect seeking the Sword, and the Confucian sect seeking benevolence, or because of a unique bloodline, such as the Fu, Su, Yue, and Lin sects. However, Hongmeng Tiangong was not like that. It had neither a specific cultivation method nor a special bloodline inheritance.
Hongmeng Heavenly Palace was founded three thousand years ago. After the great war between immortals and demons, Yunze was left desolate and desolate. The immortal sects were depleted of talent, and due to the scarcity of resources, there were many conflicts. So, Sword Master Ye Lan summoned hundreds of sects, selected seven elders, and together they established Hongmeng Heavenly Palace.
The seven elders were chosen from the most prestigious members of the Hundred Immortal Sects, with Ye Jianzun serving as the Palace Master. Due to Ye Lan's status and strength, Hongmeng Heavenly Palace became the leader of the Yunze Immortal Realm, possessing the world's treasured martial arts. From then on, all matters of Yunze, big or small, were mediated by Hongmeng Heavenly Palace. The decision-making process in Hongmeng Heavenly Palace was a joint vote of the seven elders and the Palace Master, with the Palace Master alone receiving two votes.
Later, Ye Lan passed away, and Yunze entered the golden age of cultivating immortals under his planning. All sects and schools only cared about their own cultivation and strengthening their own sects. Only Hongmeng Tiangong maintained its consistent inheritance for three thousand years and managed all the affairs of Yunze.
When it comes to exorcising evil spirits and driving away disasters among the people, usually only the disciples of Hongmeng Tiangong will step forward, while other sects will mostly ignore it, unless they want to train their disciples and it is beneficial to their cultivation.
What kind of person does such a sect want to choose?
Fu Changling closed his eyes, and the first image that came to his mind was Qin Yan.
He was dressed in white and carried a sword on his back. In front of him was a blazing fire. His wide sleeves, with jade hanging from them, fluttered violently, carrying his courage to move forward without retreat.
Fu Changling opened his eyes, took a deep breath, picked up the pen, dipped it in the ink in the inkstone, and wrote down the picture in his mind.
After he finished, he went forward to hand in his paper. Qin Yan was sitting with his eyes closed. Fu Changling didn't dare look at him, so he lowered his head, respectfully put down the paper, and hurried out. After he left, Qin Yan slowly opened his eyes, looked at the painting in front of him, and stopped at the man's name.
Shen Xiufan.
"Hey," Yun Yu came back from inspecting the examination room and his eyes fell on the painting. He couldn't help but say, "This painting looks like my senior brother."
Qin Yan responded softly, closed his eyes and continued to meditate.
Fu Changling walked out of the gate and breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Zhu had been waiting at the door for a long time. Seeing Fu Changling come out, Chen Zhu said happily, "Young Master, you came out early. Are you confident about what you have planned?"
"Ninety percent sure."
After Fu Changling finished speaking, he returned to the inn with Chen Zhu.
The second day was a test of sword skills. Fu Changling, carrying a precious sword inlaid with pearls and jade, arrived at the examination arena early. When he arrived at the arena, he saw a huge crowd of people, and it was already packed.
As soon as Fu Changling reached the outer circle, he heard Shangguan Mingyan’s voice coming from inside: “Brother Shen!”
Fu Changling saw Shangguan Mingyan waving at him in the crowd, so he quickly squeezed in. When he got to Shangguan Mingyan's side, he straightened his messed-up clothes while asking, "Brother Shangguan, why are there so many people?"
He gasped, "It's still early."
"Today, there are many people, and Qin Daojun and Xie Daojun are both the examiners. Everyone has come here to admire the demeanor of the Immortal Lord."
"Examiner?"
Fu Changling was stunned for a moment: "Isn't today a test of sword intent?"
"I heard that because there were too many people, they changed it a little bit."
Shangguan Mingyan explained, "After you step onto the stage, Qin Daojun will strike with one sword, and Xie Daojun will strike with one sword. If you can still stand up after taking two sword strikes from both Daojuns, you will pass the test."
After receiving the two swords from Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing, Hongmeng Tiangong probably doesn't want to recruit anyone anymore.
Fu Changling suddenly wanted to understand what the person who set the question was thinking.
“What if the whole audience can’t handle it?”
Fu Changling couldn't help but wonder, Shangguan Mingyan turned around and said seriously: "I will definitely take it."
"You are quite ambitious." Fu Changling blurted out. Shangguan Mingyan said seriously, "Qin Daojun saved my life. In the future, I will follow Daojun even if I die."
Fu Changling felt a little unhappy when he heard this.
He was the one who saved people back then, so why didn’t Shangguan Mingyan remember it so clearly?
Fu Changling didn't think much about it. When a gong sounded, everyone cheered. Then he saw Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing flying on their swords and landing steadily on the stage.
The two of them were dressed similarly. Compared to Qin Yan, Xie Yuqing was more plain. She was born plain, and with the plain clothes, she looked like she had walked out of the ice and snow.
Shangguan Mingyan looked at the two people, lowered his voice, and said excitedly: "I heard that although Xie Daojun hasn't participated in the Junzitai debate for a long time, his fighting ability is not inferior to Qin Daojun. He is the new generation of Hongmeng Tiangong's number one swordsman."
"Just keep talking," Fu Changling said, a little puzzled. "Why are you so excited?"
"You," Shangguan Mingyan blushed a little, "Don't you think Xie Daojun..."
"very beautiful?"
Fu Changling interrupted, and Shangguan Mingyan's face turned even redder. Fu Changling looked at him carefully and said, "I still think Qin Daojun is more handsome."
As the two were talking, the rules were announced from above. The person who took the two swords from the two immortals would pass. Then, Yun Yu, who was standing above, read out the first person's name: "Yi County, Wang Dafang."
As he spoke, a burly man walked up, bowed, and said in a trembling voice, "I am..."
Before he finished speaking, Xie Yuqing raised the long sword in his hand and slashed out. There was a loud "bang" sound, and then Xie Yuqing's cold voice rang out: "Next."
Looking at Wang Dafang who was blasted ten feet away, everyone present couldn't help swallowing.
Next, Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan kept seeing people appear, people flying away; seeing people appear, people flying away... This cycle continued.
"Next."
"Next."
"Next."
Xie Yuqing's voice was quick and cold. Qin Yan, who was standing next to him, had no chance to draw his sword at all. He just stood there quietly, as if he was just a mascot there to fill the space.
After most of the players on the field had been cleared, Shangguan Mingyan's name was finally called. Shangguan Mingyan swallowed his saliva and grabbed Fu Changling's name and said, "Chen...Brother Chen...wait a moment, please...you must come..."
"I'll help you collect the body."
Fu Changling shook his hand firmly, then pushed him forward and encouraged him, "Go!"
Shangguan Mingyan took a deep breath, walked forward, and with a spirit of being ready to die, drew out the sword he had prepared long ago.
Xie Yuqing swung his sword, and Shangguan Mingyan was knocked back to the edge of the ring. After the sword intent dissipated, he vomited blood and his knees almost bent, but he still used the sword to support himself and barely stood on the ring.
"good!"
Fu Changling immediately applauded and cheered, and everyone looked at him. Fu Changling had everyone's attention, so he smiled embarrassedly, nodded to express his apology, and lowered his voice.
Shangguan Mingyan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, stood up, tremblingly bowed to Qin Yan, and said respectfully: "Qin Daojun."
Qin Yan nodded, and then he drew his sword. Everyone held their breath, and saw him raise his hand and slash with the sword. The force of the sword was not very strong, and it pushed forward like a spring breeze. After hitting Shangguan Mingyan, it pushed the opponent three feet away.
However, although Shangguan Mingyan was pushed out, he still stood.
Yun Yu saw it and quickly said, "Passed! Write it down, Shangguan Mingyan, passed!"
Shangguan Mingyan forced a smile upon hearing this. Fu Changling placed one hand on the railing in front of him, leaped lightly, and then ran to Shangguan Mingyan's side. He supported Shangguan Mingyan, who was about to fall, and smiled: "Well, I said I would come to collect your body. Am I right?"
Shangguan Mingyan smiled. Yunyu stood on the stage and looked at Fu Changling who had come over and said, "You're here at the right time. Come up, Shen Xiufan."
Fu Changling was stunned for a moment, and Yunyang came over to help him support Shangguan Mingyan: "Don't worry, Master Shen, we will make arrangements for Master Shangguan."
"Go ahead," Shangguan Mingyan patted Fu Changling's shoulder, approached Fu Changling, and whispered, "Just get through Senior Sister Xie, and Senior Brother Qin will let you go."
When Fu Changling heard this, he couldn't help but look up at him. He didn't expect that Shangguan Mingyan, who looked so serious, was so arrogant.
The test hadn't even finished yet, but the seniors were already being called.
After Shangguan Mingyan finished speaking, he was helped away by the people from Hongmeng Heavenly Palace.
After the area was cleared, Fu Changling walked onto the stage. He was wearing a gorgeous peacock blue robe that stood out against the plain white on the opposite side. He raised the sword inlaid with pearls and jade in his hand, and the dazzling light made all the sword practitioners lower their heads and take a look at the swords in their hands, which were either black or white, in short, plain and without any aesthetic appeal.
I don't know why, but everyone was a little angry.
Xie Yuqing on the opposite side seemed to think the same. She looked at Fu Changling's sword, frowned, then raised her hand and swung the sword!
Fu Changling saw the sword coming and swung it towards Xie Yuqing's sword. The two sword forces collided with each other, and only then did Xie Yuqing's sword force reach Fu Changling, pushing him a dozen feet away.
Fu Changling's face turned a little pale, but he was not too embarrassed. Xie Yuqing said "Huh" and moved his hands, as if he wanted to chop again. Fu Changling quickly said, "Thank you, Daojun!"
He stared at Xie Yuqing's sword: "We agreed to only use one sword!"
After hearing this, Xie Yuqing hesitated for a moment, nodded, and said, "See you next time."
Fu Changling immediately shook his head: "No, no."
As he spoke, he turned to look at Qin Yan, smiled, and his voice became much gentler: "Qin Daojun, please."
Qin Yan nodded, and Fu Changling felt much more relaxed after seeing his actions.
He guessed that if he really had to withstand two full-strength sword attacks, he would probably not be able to choose a disciple today. Qin Yan's role was probably just to keep up the show. Just like Shangguan Mingyan just now, if Qin Yan really attacked him, he would not be able to stop, and his life would be in danger.
Fu Changling looked at Qin Yan with a smile, his heart full of anticipation. He missed Qin Yan's sword intent very much.
Especially, the beautiful and gentle sword intent like Yijian Chunsheng.
However, after Qin Yan drew his sword, Fu Changling felt something was amiss. He felt that Qin Yan's sword was moving a little slowly. A sword cultivator's sword moving slowly was often due to a reason.
He is gathering strength.
What is Qin Yan accumulating strength for?
This was just a small test for a new Foundation Establishment cultivator. What was he, the foremost swordsman below the Nascent Soul stage, a genius swordsman who could fight a Divine Transformation cultivator with just a sword, doing by the way?!
Fu Changling felt a little panic, and at that moment, Qin Yan suddenly drew his sword!
The sword was like a tidal wave, flattening the entire arena and rushing towards Fu Changling. Fu Changling opened his eyes wide, and had no time to resist. He could only raise his hand and use his sword to block it!
The sword wind was like a violent hurricane that swept through everything. Fu Changling gritted his teeth and felt his clothes being torn apart by the sword wind. The pearls on the sword broke apart and hit him with a crackling sound!
He suddenly understood why the swords of those sword practitioners were so simple.
At such a critical moment, the pearls and agates on the sword hit you on the head, it hurts!
When the strong wind passed and the sword intent dissipated, everyone looked at the smoke in the distance in horror. The smoke slowly dissipated, revealing Fu Changling in the middle.
He used his sword to support himself and barely stood on the ground. His clothes were tattered, his hair was messy and scattered behind him, and there were blood marks on his face from broken jade. His eyes, which usually smiled, stared at Qin Yan.
Everyone present was stunned. Xie Yuqing couldn't help but glance at Qin Yan. Qin Yan looked at him indifferently: "What are you dissatisfied with?"
When Fu Changling heard Qin Yan speak, he suddenly came to his senses.
dissatisfied?
He didn't dare have it.
He forced a smile, gnashing his teeth and swallowing his blood: "No, I'm not dissatisfied."
"Then why are you looking at me?"
"Yes..." Fu Changling's chest was filled with blood, and then he spat out a mouthful of blood. Mixed with the answer, he said vaguely, "Worship."
Yun Yu finally reacted when he saw Fu Changling spurting blood. He hurriedly said, "He's passed. Yun Yang, hurry up and bring the stretcher over!"
Hearing this, Fu Changling felt that his life was saved. He stopped holding on, closed his eyes, and fell down.
When Fu Changling regained consciousness, he was lying on a stretcher, with Yun Yu and Shangguan Mingyan squatting beside him. Yun Yu fanned him and looked at him with respect, saying, "Brother, it's not easy for you to survive."
"Immortal Yun Jun..."
Fu Changling recalled his identity and immediately showed excitement in his eyes. He climbed up and was about to salute Yun Yu. Yun Yu held him down and said with emotion: "Hero, lie down first."
As he spoke, Yun Yu fanned Fu Changling, "Hero, this is the first time in my life that I've seen someone who can take two consecutive sword strikes from Senior Sister Xie and Senior Brother. And you didn't just take two sword strikes, you took Senior Brother's full-strength attack. Amazing, brother!"
Fu Changling lay down and took a deep breath. He realized that all the injuries on his body had been treated.
The people who treated his wounds were all low-level medical practitioners from Hongmeng Palace. After all, Shen Qingzhu was the number one medical practitioner in Yunze, and his medicine was invisible to ordinary people. Naturally, these low-level medical practitioners did not notice his previous injuries and the existence of his golden elixir.
Fu Changling listened to Yun Yu's words and slowly came to his senses. Shangguan Mingyan fed him some water. Fu Changling drank it and said weakly, "Immortal Yun, I have something to ask, but I don't know if I should ask it..."
"You ask."
Yun Yu fanned him with a fan, full of interest. Fu Changling sighed: "Well, does Qin Daojun have any opinions about me?"
"He thinks highly of you." Yun Yu explained to him, "You don't know, but when your written test results came out yesterday, they shocked everyone. Hongmeng Tiangong has been recruiting for so many years, and this is the first time we've seen a candidate with a perfect score. Everyone is looking forward to you. So, Senior Brother suspects you are a spy."
Fu Changling was a little bewildered: "This... is this important?"
"Of course not." Yun Yu said seriously, "Do you think anyone can be suspected of being a spy?"
Fu Changling choked for a moment, then said, "So, does Qin Daojun still have doubts now?"
"I don't know about that." Yun Yu shrugged. "But as long as you're not a spy, there's no need to feel guilty. You," Yun Yu said earnestly, "shouldn't glance at my senior brother in the future, so as not to hinder your future. If I didn't see that you have a promising future, I wouldn't bother to give you any advice."
Fu Changling smiled awkwardly. After Yun Yu chatted with him for a while, he patted his shoulder, encouraged him a few words, and then got up and left.
After he left, Shangguan Mingyan and Chen Zhu, who had rushed over, carried him back to the inn. Chen Zhu asked a doctor to examine him and prescribe medicine. Shangguan Mingyan sat with him and sighed, "Hongmeng Tiangong will release the results of the literary examination tomorrow. Only those who pass both the literary and martial arts examinations can enter the third level."
"Brother Shangguan, do you know the content of the third level?"
Fu Changling knew Shangguan Mingyan was familiar with the people of Hongmeng Tiangong and had already figured out the recruitment process. Shangguan Mingyan nodded, and said with some concern, "The third stage is entering the forbidden area of Spiritual Mountain of Hongmeng Tiangong. In the past, people were divided into several groups and competed to collect the most spiritual herbs. But this year..."
"How's this year?"
Fu Changling was a little confused. Shangguan Mingyan smiled and said, "That's a good thing. Judging from the situation today, I'm afraid we won't be able to get so many people into groups this year. Everyone will have to compete on their own."
"That's not bad either."
Fu Changling nodded, thought for a moment, and continued, "However, I heard that the Moonlight Grass of Hongmeng Heavenly Palace is also grown in the forbidden area of Lingshan..."
"That's in the back mountain," Shangguan Mingyan immediately understood his confusion, "It's not the exam area. Be sure not to take the wrong path and get lost there."
"clear."
Fu Changling twirled his fan and answered nonchalantly, "I definitely won't go."
It's impossible.
Besides the Rebirth Flower, the Moonlight Grass is the best thing that can repair his golden elixir. The forbidden area of Lingshan in Hongmeng Heavenly Palace is usually not open to the public, so this is his best chance.
Fu Changling was secretly making his own plans. Shangguan Mingyan stayed by the side for a while, and when Chen Zhu came in, Shangguan Mingyan said goodbye to Fu Changling and left.
Fu Changling rested overnight at the inn and felt much better. The next day, he took Chen Zhu and Shangguan Mingyan to look at the list. Hongmeng Tiangong had released the list of those who would enter the third round. There were only twenty people in total, ranked by their combined scores from the three rounds, with their names followed by their scores. Fu Changling looked up and saw the name "Chen Xiufan" at the top, followed by three "Tian" characters.
The word "Tian" represents full marks. Fu Changling was stunned for a moment. He thought it would be no problem for him to get first place, but all the marks were full marks?
He drew a picture of Qin Yan and handed it in, but he didn’t get beaten to death?
Fu Changling was a little bewildered, but Shangguan Mingyan and Chen Zhu beside him were delighted. Shangguan Mingyan excitedly said, "Brother Chen, I knew you would take first place!"
Fu Changling smiled awkwardly. It would be embarrassing if he, an old cucumber, painted green to look young and didn't get first place.
After getting their rankings and receiving the pre-exam slips from Yunyu, Yunyu explained the rules to them in detail: "You will each be on a team at that time. Start collecting spiritual herbs and finally count the number of spiritual herbs at the exit. The areas where you can move are all on this sketch. Lines will be drawn at that time, so just don't cross them. There are many spiritual beasts in the forbidden area of Lingshan. The area you are in is full of low-level spiritual beasts. If you accidentally enter other places, you can't predict what you will encounter. At that time, it will not be a question of whether you can pass the exam, but your life." Yunyu deliberately lowered his voice and pretended to be terrifying. "I'm afraid it's in danger!"
Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan nodded repeatedly.
After a few days, everyone's injuries had mostly healed, and it was time for the third round of the assessment. Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan arrived at the entrance to the Lingshan Forbidden Land at about the same time. This time, the place was much quieter, with almost no one around. Xie Yuqing and Qin Yan stood on a higher ground while Yun Yang led the disciples in handing out signal flares and identity jade pendants to each of the twenty people. Yun Yu, standing on a higher ground, shouted, "Once you enter, you must not compete for other people's spiritual herbs or harm others. If you are in danger, fire a signal flare and we will rush to your rescue. The gathering of spiritual herbs will take a day and a night. Tomorrow morning, you must wait at the exit. Otherwise, you will be considered to have forfeited."
After finishing speaking, Yun Yu turned around and bowed to Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing, saying, "Brother, sister, you can open the barrier now."
Qin Yan murmured a response, then pulled out half of the iron seal from his sleeve. Xie Yuqing took out the corresponding half. The two iron seals were placed together, and the spiritual powers of Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing intertwined. Fu Changling watched from afar and heard Shangguan Mingyan sigh beside him, "Senior Brother Qin and Senior Sister Xie, they are truly made for each other. I heard that they cultivate the same mental method. Will they become Taoist companions in the future?"
"Won't."
Fu Changling blurted out. Shangguan Mingyan was a little confused and turned to look at Fu Changling: "How did you know?"
Fu Changling pursed his lips. He felt a little annoyed, but he couldn't say it. He could only mutter, "This is not something we should discuss."
"You're right." Shangguan Mingyan nodded, and he looked at Xie Yuqing and Qin Yan again. The Lingshan barrier opened with a rumbling sound. The moment the barrier opened, spiritual energy was blown in by the wind, and all the cultivators present couldn't help but close their eyes.
Such a blessed land is the favorite place of all monks.
"Come in."
Yun Yu shouted loudly, and everyone rushed into Lingshan. Shangguan Mingyan also trotted in.
Fu Changling was holding a sword. He raised his head and saw Qin Yan standing on a high place, watching them quietly.
Xie Yuqing stood beside him, and beneath his feet were layers of rocks descending, containing many disciples of the Hongmeng Heavenly Palace.
He suddenly felt that Qin Yan was very far away from him, so far that he could not see his face or hear his voice.
But it doesn't matter.
Fu Changling smiled, withdrew his gaze, and walked into the mountains.
He could walk any distance, and if he couldn't walk anymore, he could still crawl.
As long as Qin Yan is still waiting for him.
But what he didn't realize was that at that moment, he never thought about it.
What if he didn't wait?
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