Senior Brother, I Won

The Daoist canon is said to contain three thousand volumes. Ordinary immortal cultivating families wouldn't possess such a vast library, but the Kunlun Taiqing Sect naturally did.

So, over the next few days, Qiu Changtian lingered in the scripture repository's Daoist canon section, diligently studying theoretical knowledge. His level of effort was enough to frighten even a dedicated test-taker.

Since he wasn't trying to show off in front of Junior Sister Xu, the synchronization value for his Invincible Persona had been steadily declining, making him feel quite apprehensive.

This news even reached the ears of the Ziwei Sect Master. After a lecture one day, he casually remarked, advising him "not to get lost in such empty talk" and asking, "Do you want to end up like those fools at Yuqing Temple?" This left Qiu Changtian both amused and exasperated.

After the lecture concluded, Xu Yinglian found Qiu Changtian and asked:

"You're interested in the Daoist canon lately?"

"Something like that," Qiu Changtian replied casually, eager to get back to reading in the scripture repository. "What's up?"

"Since childhood, I've had few habits besides reading and playing the zither," Xu Yinglian said with reserved dignity. "There are three thousand volumes in the Daoist canon. While I wouldn't dare say I have them memorized, I have generally read through them a few times."

Although her expression was reserved and aloof, her eyes sparkled, as if she were practically begging him to ask her for guidance.

Qiu Changtian simply said "Oh," and hurried towards the scripture repository.

Xu Yinglian:?

She quickly and anxiously followed him, saying:

"If Senior Brother is unfamiliar with the Daoist canon, you can ask me! Wouldn't having someone help you grasp the main points be better than aimlessly reading?"

Qiu Changtian stopped. That's true, he thought, and was about to say, "Then I'll have to trouble Junior Sister," when the Kunlun Mirror suddenly intervened:

"Be careful! If you say something that doesn't align with your persona, the synchronization value for Mirror Flower Water Moon will drop significantly!"

Qiu Changtian quickly swallowed the words that were about to escape his lips. He then put on a dismissive expression, as if to say, You think so?

Xu Yinglian's blood pressure immediately surged. She said coldly:

"Or perhaps Senior Brother is afraid to admit that I know more about the Daoist canon than you do? How about this: Senior Brother, feel free to ask me anything. If I can't answer even one question, then I'll concede that Senior Brother has won. What do you say?"

Seeing her fighting spirit, Qiu Changtian sighed inwardly.

Why is this Junior Sister Xu so competitive?

Sigh, being her Senior Brother is truly exhausting.

Seeing that Qiu Changtian remained silent, Xu Yinglian let out a cold laugh:

"What, is Senior Brother perhaps scared?"

Qiu Changtian smiled faintly and asked:

"What scriptures are contained within the three divisions of the Daoist canon?"

"Heh, that's an easy question," Xu Yinglian replied without hesitation, smoothly answering, "The three divisions are 'Dong Yan Tong' (洞言通), meaning to understand the profound and reach the wondrous. They are categorized into three, hence 'San Dong' (三洞). The first is Dong Zhen (洞真), the second is Dong Xuan (洞玄), and the third is Dong Shen (洞神)."

"The Ba Su Zhen Jing (Eight Simplicities True Scripture) states: The Dao of the Supreme Being has three; the Dao of the True Being has seven; the Dao of the Middle Being has six; the Dao of the Lower Being has eight. A total of twenty-four scriptures, which are..."

She rattled off the twenty-four book titles as if reciting a grocery list, then arrogantly tilted her chin and asked, "Did I say that correctly, Senior Brother?"

"You are correct," Qiu Changtian nodded slightly and asked again, "Let me test you again. What are the differences between the three divisions?"

"What's so difficult about that?" Xu Yinglian smiled enchantingly, like a spring breeze caressing the face and a hundred flowers blooming:

"The Sutra of Ultimate Reality states: If a scripture contains all twelve categories and corresponds to the three divisions, it is called the Righteous Law. The Supreme Revelation signifies non-duality, the Profound Revelation is named for non-attachment, and the Divine Revelation is for its unfathomable application..."

They walked side-by-side, Qiu Changtian asking questions and Xu Yinglian answering. One would say, "Let me ask," or "Let me ask again," and the other would reply, "This is easy," or "What's difficult about that?" Before they knew it, they had arrived at the scripture repository and spent several hours inside.

Xu Yinglian had not lied; she was indeed very proficient in the Daoist canon.

Every question Qiu Changtian asked, she could often answer immediately, or after a few moments of quick thought at most.

After each answer, upon receiving Qiu Changtian's "You are correct," she would reveal a pure, joyful smile, and the gloominess between her brows would dissipate.

Observing her expression, Qiu Changtian knew that the cracks in her Dao Heart had been largely mended. He couldn't help but nod inwardly.

Junior Sister, Senior Brother has done so much for you. If you are troubled by inner demons later, you can't blame me.

"Let's stop here for today," Qiu Changtian closed the book.

Xu Yinglian's mouth felt a little dry, and she subconsciously pursed her lips, saying reluctantly, "Is that all? So, Senior Brother, have you already conceded defeat?"

Qiu Changtian didn't answer. He calmly stood up and smiled faintly.

Sorry, Junior Sister. Without the synchronization value, what does it matter if I concede defeat to you every day?

But the synchronization value for my Invincible Persona has already naturally dropped to 77%.

If you make me admit defeat in person, what if it drops below 60%?

Conceding to you is impossible. It's impossible in this lifetime.

Seeing that her Senior Brother remained silent, Xu Yinglian took it as tacit agreement and immediately beamed with joy:

"Senior Brother, I won this time."

"Let's head back to Golden Ridge," Qiu Changtian avoided the question.

"Mhm, mhm, I won."

The two of them left Yuxu Palace and took to the sky on their swords.

Seeing that Xu Yinglian's face was still smiling, Qiu Changtian sensed something was strange and casually said:

"The wind tonight is truly boisterous."

"I suppose it's celebrating Senior Brother losing to me," Xu Yinglian actually replied.

Qiu Changtian: ...

"How are the Junior Brothers and Sisters doing?" he changed the subject. "Are they getting used to living in the new Cave Mansion?"

"As long as they win a few more times, I believe they'll adapt to their cultivation life soon," Xu Yinglian said with a smile.

"Junior Sister, can you please stop bringing that up all the time?" Qiu Changtian asked helplessly.

"Sure, if you say it yourself, I won't mention it again," Xu Yinglian cheerfully declared, "Say: On the seventh day of the seventh month, in the Scripture Repository of Kunlun's Yuxu Palace, Qiu Changtian lost to Xu Yinglian in a Dao discussion."

"Hurry up, say it to me," she urged excitedly.

Qiu Changtian: ...

Junior Sister, you're really not cute at all.

Ignoring Xu Yinglian's hopeful gaze, Qiu Changtian refused to admit he had lost. They returned all the way to Jinling Cave Mansion, and then he left under his Junior Sister's huffing and puffing gaze.

Back in his Cave Mansion, Qiu Changtian said calmly:

"A Jing, I need to load a save!"

[Countdown to World Destruction: One thousand years.] [Please find the Sky Mending Stone as soon as possible.]

The Kunlun Mirror recited mechanically:

[Location 3: Penglai Yuqing Temple, Daoist Scripture Pavilion.] [Character Identity: Luo Yan.] [Mirror Flower Water Moon template overlay, initiating spacetime traversal.]

Luo Yan slightly raised his eyelids and saw himself standing in front of a bookshelf, lost in thought.

He quickly pulled a copy of the Yuqing Hidden Book from the shelf. His gaze swept over a passage, and the entire text instantly appeared in his mind.

Thanks to Qiu Changtian's Clear Dao Heart and diligent study, he had already memorized all twenty-four scripture books.

Through discussions with Xu Yinglian, he had also basically understood their meanings.

Next, he just needed to review the knowledge points, and then wait for the final exam!

Outside the Daoist Scripture Pavilion, Shi Liuli was pacing back and forth out of boredom, wondering how her Junior Brother was doing inside.

Sigh, if it were any other Senior Brother or Sister, they wouldn't be so concerned about a Junior Brother who hasn't even formally joined yet.

It can't be helped, this Fairy is just that responsible...

"Junior Sister Liuli!" a few passing Senior Sisters called out to her. "The market in Fanghu has a new batch of Beauty-Nourishing Pills. They say it's only available today, and they're selling really well, almost sold out. Do you want to come with us?"

"Limited edition?" Shi Liuli's eyes lit up. "And almost sold out?"

In that instant, all thoughts of being a responsible Senior Sister or her Junior Brother's exam vanished from her memory.

"Let's go, let's go, right now! Count me in!"