"Little Tenth, you have the talent of a top scholar!" Under the old willow tree, Scholar Zhu praised.
As the county examination drew near, Chen Shi began preparing for it, coming to him for studies every single day.
Scholar Zhu also held nothing back, explaining The Analects, the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, and The Doctrine of the Mean through and through. Chen Shi memorized them attentively, feeling immensely grateful in his heart as he said, "If I manage to place high in the imperial exams in the future, I will surely set up a spirit tablet for you, Teacher, and offer sacrifices to you every day."
Scholar Zhu was also very happy, saying, "I am passing all my learning on to you, and the examination hall is the battlefield where you will shine brilliantly! You will surely place high!"
"It is also thanks to Teacher's brilliant guidance!"
"Ah, it is mostly because you have a discerning mind, intelligence, and perseverance!"
Man and ghost flattered each other, both quite satisfied.
Chen Shi returned home and continued copying the Water-Fire Tempering Art. The copybook he used as a model was snatched by Grandpa from the True King's Tomb; the book was ancient, and the paper had already aged. He had already finished copying one volume and given it to Prince Xiao, and this volume was copied for Granny Sha.
The method for cultivating into a Corpse-Liberated Immortal recorded in the Water-Fire Tempering Art was extremely peculiar. It required one to die once first—either by drowning, burning, or being killed by a weapon. No matter the manner of death, after burial, one's body would remain uncorrupted and undecayed for seven hundred years.
When the seven hundred years were up, the corpse would begin to decay. At this time, the marvelous