After a morning of discussion, the people in Jixue finally agreed that the spring trial would be divided into three parts: theoretical test, outdoor experience, and secret realm trial. They then began to prepare for the trial content in full swing.
Needless to say, the first part was proposed by Tu Nian, so naturally she was responsible for arranging it.
This move, euphemistically conceived as a way to acclimate the new students to the challenges of the grand competition, was in reality merely a way to allow the pain of the compulsory nine-year education system to flourish in a new realm. Exam-oriented education, of course, was the ultimate way to temper a child's character.
The second part, as Jin Nanfeng had suggested, dealt with the bandits in Tianmu Ridge. Since Tianmu Ridge wasn't far from Bihai, and Bihai was also undergoing its spring trials, it was better to contact them in advance and support each other rather than have an awkward encounter without a word.
Besides, Bi Hai and Ji Xue had just had that misunderstanding. Although Bi Hai was in the wrong, Tu Nian had also dealt a blow to Bi Hai. The relationship between the two families was currently in a state of limbo. This trial was better than letting the awkward situation continue.
As it concerns the future dealings between the two families, the negotiation will be handed over to Nie Yanchen. Of course, this does not mean that Jixue has to suffer in silence and put his warm face in someone else's cold butt.
According to Tu Nian's speculation, the murder of the sect's disciples was a matter of great importance, but the other party only sent elders but not the sect leader. This showed that there was definitely a disagreement between Xue Shiqian and Jie Wenchang on this matter, and there was room for both sides to compromise.
As for the third part, it was the trial in the secret realm of spirit beasts that Tu Nian gathered a bunch of people and deceived Nie Yanchen into setting.
Actually, it wasn't entirely a lie. The rules of the Snow Spirit Beast Secret Realm were indeed easier in the past, allowing someone with a high level of skill like Xu Ziqiao to pass without much effort. While this resulted in a high pass rate, it also reversed the purpose of the trial.
Therefore, this year, Jixue unanimously agreed that before the secret realm was opened, the sect leaders would first set up some traps and obstacles in the secret realm, such as some restrictive and besieging magical instruments, easily mistaken spiritual plants and medicinal herbs, and many talismans and formations.
In this way, the tradition of snow accumulation in previous years is preserved while the quality of new disciples is guaranteed, killing two birds with one stone.
This idea was reasonable, but it only existed among Nie Yanchen, Jin Nanfeng, and a group of other people who were unaware of the situation. The group that Tu Nian had recruited was well aware that this stone was also aimed at a third bird, which was the matchmaker plan they had prepared for Jin Nanfeng and Yu Wenyi.
In short, the preparations for the spring trials were both easy and difficult. Everyone found time outside of the teaching schedule to make arrangements, and finally finished most of the work within half a month.
Tu Nian's test papers were mostly finished; Nie Yanchen's diplomatic work went smoothly, and he negotiated with Bi Hai. The two families agreed to start the spring trial together in one month, and the outdoor field would be set at Tianmu Ridge.
The only problem lies in the secret realm of spiritual beasts that Chu Qiurong and others are responsible for. Since the secret realm is really large, the coverage rate of the mechanism and the difficulty of the setting need to be adjusted at any time, so they are still working overtime.
After supervising the morning classes that day, Tu Nian brought Bo Qiu to the back mountain for inspection. Before they reached the entrance of the secret realm, they saw Chu Qiurong directing several weapon cultivators to transport magic weapons into the secret realm. He looked half-dead, as if he was about to be buried.
Bo Qiu leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I haven't seen your senior brother for half a month. He looks much more haggard. Ask him if he has gone to the Land of Love and Happiness."
"Go." Tu Nian pushed his face away and said, "Brother has been very busy these days, so it's understandable that he's not in a good state. Don't talk nonsense in the past, or I'll tear your mouth off."
After she finished speaking, she walked towards Chu Qiurong. Bo Qiu followed with a chuckle and teased her, "Oh, so fierce."
"Is the preparation for the secret realm going smoothly?"
It was obvious that Chu Qiurong was in a bad mood. Tu Nian had clearly walked in with a swagger, but he hadn't seen her until she spoke. Then, a deep sense of grievance appeared on his face, which was devoid of any brilliance. "Junior sister, you are finally here—"
When Chu Qiurong saw Tu Nian, it was as if she had found an outlet for her emotions. She wanted to hug Tu Nian's shoulders on the spot, but when she reached out her hand, she felt a tough texture. She looked up and saw that Bo Qiu had half of his body blocking Tu Nian, and what she felt was the other's solid pectoral muscles.
Chu Qiurong sobered up immediately and quickly pulled her hand back as if she had been burned. "What are you doing?"
Understanding his thoughts, Bo Qiu didn't explain, but simply chuckled, "The written exam that Anian is in charge of isn't finished yet, so time is precious."
This smile was terrifying to Chu Qiurong. He froze and took a half step back, looking stiffly at Tu Nian, completely ignoring the fact that Bo Qiu didn't exist. "The talisman array is set up, and now we just need the magic weapon. However, the cultivation of several weapon cultivators in the sect is a bit low, and magic weapons are prone to attracting spirit beasts. We have to pay attention to safety issues when setting it up, so the progress is inevitably slow."
Therefore, as long as the arrangement of the secret realm continued, he had to stay by the secret realm and watch. It was so tiring that he hadn't slept well in many days.
"It's so hard to set up, why are you the only one here, brother?"
Pulling the jealous person back, Tu Nian frowned and asked, "Where are Third Senior Brother and Xiao Song?"
"Everyone's busy." Chu Qiurong sighed. "With the Spring Trial coming up, the sect needs money again. Senior Brother and San'er have gone to the Demon Tribe to raise money by offering bounties. Master is also in need of help with Bi Hai. Song Chengming finished supervising the placement of the talismans in the secret realm a few days ago, and he and Shi Yan went to help Master."
"Dawdling?"
Tu Nian asked doubtfully, "Didn't Bi Hai say they've confirmed that I wasn't the one who did it? Why are there still other questions?"
About seven or eight days ago, Bi Hai secretly investigated the whole misunderstanding through Yan Yu.
Although we still don't know who did this, we can be sure that the other party is not alone, and their strength is in the late Jindan stage or above. In this way, they have nothing to do with Tu Nian in all aspects, which indirectly clears Tu Nian's suspicion.
"It's not about the artifact yet."
When Bi Hai was mentioned, Chu Qiurong's face was filled with disdain. "He failed to throw dirty water, and now he wants to reconcile with us under the pretext of training. I have never seen anyone so calculating."
"Brother, calm down. Having more friends is always better than having more enemies. Besides, it's not Sect Master Xue who wants to throw dirty water on you."
Tu Nian advised him but felt amused in his heart.
Ever since she told her three senior brothers about the past events between Jixue, Yuqing and Bihai, they have been extremely contemptuous of these two sects.
Not to mention Chu Qiurong who was superficial, and Xu Ziqiao who almost came to the door with a sword, even Jin Nanfeng, who usually didn't like to show his expression, clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with the two sects. Even the matter of him and Nie Yanchen visiting Bi Hai was pushed to Song Chengming.
All I can say is that it will be extremely difficult for this blue sea to maintain a good relationship with the snow in the future.
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