In the cultivation room.
Xia Wuji had seven Yuan Crystals in total.
With a thought, his mental power spread outward, and all seven Yuan Crystals floated before him.
Immediately afterward, Xia Wuji's Sword Essence transformed into streaks of tiny sword qi. Combined with his mental power, it left wisps of marks across the surfaces of the Yuan Crystals.
He was outlining talismanic patterns.
Talismanic patterns were the foundation of talismans and formations.
Yuan Crystals were one of the energy sources for formations.
Xia Wuji only outlined some simple talismanic patterns on the surfaces of the seven Yuan Crystals, then arranged them around him in different positions.
As his mental power spread outward, the talismanic patterns on the Yuan Crystals gradually emitted faint radiance. The radiance connected together, forming the simplest possible formation.
It could not even be counted as a first-tier formation.
After all, formations required a large amount of materials. Yuan Crystals alone were far from enough.
For now, Xia Wuji could only make do with it.
The energy within the seven Yuan Crystals would be easier for him to refine and absorb. Aside from that, it could also actively gather the primordial qi of heaven and earth around him to a certain extent.
After setting up this simple formation, Xia Wuji took out the first-tier peak-grade Spirit Intent Pills given to him by Lin Piaoxue.
There were five Spirit Intent Pills in the bottle.
He took out one and swallowed it, then circulated his cultivation art, refining the pill's energy while absorbing the energy provided by the simple formation!
Elsewhere.
"Ahhh!"
The Twelfth Prince, Chu Jue, raged furiously, nearly tearing apart an entire luxurious estate.
He vented his anger without restraint, but no matter what he did, the fury in his heart refused to settle.
A group of aristocratic scions stood nearby, not daring to speak. They did not even dare breathe too heavily, afraid of being caught in Chu Jue's wrath.
Just then.
The Sixth Prince, Chu Yang, arrived.
Only then did Chu Jue quiet down. He hurried over to Chu Yang and said, "Sixth Brother, I can't swallow this humiliation. I can't swallow it!"
Chu Yang snorted coldly. "Since you've lost face, then go and reclaim your dignity yourself!"
A glint flashed through Chu Jue's eyes. "Sixth Brother, I understand. I'll go settle the score with Xia Wuji right now!"
"Idiot!" Chu Yang shouted angrily. "Lin Piaoxue is openly protecting him now, and he came first in two consecutive examinations. Do you think the higher-ups of Cangxing Dao Academy haven't noticed him? If you attack him directly at a time like this, you'll bring a mountain of trouble upon yourself."
Chu Jue's face was filled with distress. "Sixth Brother, then tell me... what should I do..."
Chu Yang snorted coldly. "Every year, people are injured or killed in Cangxing Dao Academy's practical examination."
"So what if Xia Wuji's temperament and comprehension are monstrous? In the end, he's only a little martial artist at the Sea of Qi Realm. When the practical examination comes, find an opportunity and kill him directly!"
Chu Jue froze for a moment, then his face lit up with wild joy. "Sixth Brother, I understand."
Chu Yang said, "Keep a low profile for the next few days. Don't cause trouble, and don't disturb me. I'm preparing to enter seclusion and strive to break through another level, reaching the eighth layer of the Primal Energy Realm!"
"In the first and second examinations, I became the overlooked second-place finisher both times. So in this third practical examination, I must take first place!"
Two days later.
In the cultivation room of the Huang family estate.
The seven Yuan Crystals Xia Wuji had used to set up the simple formation had all lost their luster, becoming seven ordinary stones covered in cracks.
As for the first-tier peak-grade Spirit Intent Pills Lin Piaoxue had given him, he had consumed three.
Just as he had expected, his cultivation had already broken through to the tenth layer of the Sea of Qi Realm, but he was still some distance from advancing to the Primal Energy Realm.
Xia Wuji had no intention of continuing to consume the remaining two Spirit Intent Pills.
After all, in half a day, he would have to participate in the third round of Cangxing Dao Academy's examination.
With a thought, Xia Wuji took out the first-tier low-grade spirit sword.
Then he took out the Jinghong Sword, which was at the quasi-spirit-sword level.
"With the current state of my Sword Seed, absorbing the edge of a first-tier low-grade spirit sword is actually meaningless. It would only be worthwhile if it were a second-tier spirit sword."
"But this first-tier low-grade spirit sword awarded by Cangxing Dao Academy is far too ordinary. In some respects, it's even inferior to the Jinghong Sword I previously refined and forged."
"I might as well melt down this first-tier low-grade spirit sword and use it to forge a brand-new Jinghong Sword!"
At this thought.
Xia Wuji formed seals with both hands.
The Sky Burning Art!
Thanks to the Earth Core Fire Stone from before, a wisp of Earth Core Fire aura had fused into Xia Wuji's original beast fire, and it had already advanced into a first-tier low-grade spirit fire.
Under Xia Wuji's superb control of fire, the first-tier low-grade spirit fire displayed astonishing might. In only half an hour, it had completely melted down the first-tier low-grade spirit sword and purged all the unwanted impurities.
Next, he spent a short while melting down the Jinghong Sword, which was at the quasi-spirit-sword level.
Under the control of Xia Wuji's Sword Essence and mental power, the remaining materials fused together and slowly formed the shape of a sword.
Using his mental power, he left one talismanic pattern after another within the sword blank.
Then, with Sword Essence containing razor-sharp edge, he continuously tempered the sword blank.
Time trickled by. Two hours later, a brand-new spirit sword finally took shape!
The sword was slightly more than three chi long and three fingers wide. Its hilt was somewhat longer, and its surface was covered in wondrous patterns that gave it a unique beauty. An extremely fierce edge radiated from the blade.
"A first-tier mid-grade spirit sword." A fairly satisfied smile appeared on Xia Wuji's face.
Since he had forged this sword himself, he did not need to refine it further to wield it as easily as his own arm.
Xia Wuji put the sword away. Taking advantage of the time he had left, he immediately sat cross-legged and circulated his cultivation, recovering the essence, energy, and spirit he had expended forging the sword. Only after his condition was fully restored did he leave the cultivation room.
Huang Hu and Xu Lan arrived together, meeting Xia Wuji just as they came.
Huang Hu said, "Brother Xia, I was worried that you would become immersed in cultivation and forget the time, so I came to call you to the third examination."
Xia Wuji nodded. "Then let's set out."
"Mm-hmm."
On the way, Huang Hu sighed. "Brother Xia, Lanmei and I only barely passed the first two examinations. As for this third examination... to be honest, neither of us has any confidence anymore. We're just going to give it a try and gain some experience. Even if we fail, we won't have any regrets in the future."
"But you're different. Although you're still at the Sea of Qi Realm, I know a little about your battle prowess. Especially considering how outstandingly you performed in the first two examinations... your future is boundless."
"But you must be careful. Cangxing Dao Academy's practical examination has casualties every year. Those casualties come from the dangers within the examination, and they also come from the examinees themselves... You absolutely must not be careless. Keep your guard up against those people."
A glint flashed through Xia Wuji's eyes. "Brother Huang, don't become discouraged so quickly. Although this examination emphasizes strength, luck also plays a part."
Beside them, Xu Lan took a deep breath. "Big Brother Huang, we must give it everything we have and strive to enter Cangxing Dao Academy. Otherwise, our Xu family and your Huang family may never be able to find a foothold in the Great Chu Dynasty again."
A glint flashed through Xia Wuji's eyes. He naturally knew what Xu Lan was worried about.
Huang Hu and Xu Lan had grown too close to him!
If they could enter Cangxing Dao Academy, the Huang and Xu families would be safe and sound.
But if they failed.
The power of the Great Chu Imperial Family could easily reduce both families to ashes.
Huang Hu's mood grew even heavier, and he no longer had the heart to speak.
The three of them continued on in silence until they reached the plaza.
Above the plaza, a vortex was slowly turning. The inside of the vortex was pitch-black and unfathomably deep.
"What is that?" Xu Lan stared at the vortex, a thick sense of unease rising in her heart.
Huang Hu was puzzled as well. "Why do I feel as if there's a passageway inside this vortex?"
Xia Wuji also looked up at the vortex. Calmly, he said, "Brother Huang is right. This is indeed a passageway. It connects to a special space. Such spaces are also known as secret realms."
The moment they heard the words "secret realm," Huang Hu and Xu Lan began breathing more rapidly.
This was something that existed only in legends!
Xia Wuji continued, "If I'm not mistaken, the venue for the third practical examination is inside this secret realm!"
Before you continue