Leaving the City

"Chuyi? Fifteenth Day?" Old Yin's expression twisted oddly, then he looked at Zhu Ping'an with growing approval.

This young man really suited his temperament!

To avoid trouble from Yan Shubing, Zhu Ping'an handed her the Blood Enhancement Pill right after leaving the Martial Artist Association.

Hearing her syrupy calls of "Ping'an Ge," his skin crawled, but for the sake of his long-term plan, he soothed her with a gentle tone.

In the days that followed, Zhu Ping'an's life was packed full.

During the day, he studied at school to boost his Qi and Blood; after class, he rushed to the Martial Artist Association to seek guidance from Old Yin and Old Yang, practicing the Immortal Devil Sword Technique and the Nine Mountain Divine Sword.

Though Old Yin and Old Yang hadn't agreed to take him as a disciple, they poured everything into teaching Zhu Ping'an, holding nothing back. Under their tutelage, his strength soared.

Time flew in this busy rhythm. Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, leaving only two days until the College Entrance Examination.

"Nine Mountain Divine Sword, Second Form: One Sword Shakes Mountains!"

Zhu Ping'an gripped the Chuyi Sword and slashed down. The long blade turned into a flash of cold light, cutting forward with the force to split mountains and shake peaks.

"Hehe! Well struck!" Old Yin cackled, raising a hand to condense half a Taiji Diagram and block the blow.

In the past, Zhu Ping'an's sword couldn't budge that half-diagram at all, but this time was different. He entered a strange state.

In his eyes, the half Taiji Diagram became a towering mountain, and his sword hacked down upon it.

A clean cut appeared in the half-diagram, taking several breaths to slowly close. A lock of Old Yin's already sparse hair drifted down from his forehead.

"Good lad! No wonder that sword's spirit sought you out on its own—you're a true genius of the sword!" Old Yin nodded in satisfaction.

Zhu Ping'an wiped the sweat from his brow, unable to hide the surprise on his face.

The Nine Mountain Divine Sword had nine forms; each added the strength of another mountain, and each required vast Qi and Blood to sustain. With his current Qi and Blood Value, unleashing the second form was his limit.

"Two days left. Go to the mission hall, take a quest, and head outside the city," Old Yin said calmly.

"Outside the city?" Zhu Ping'an was startled.

"Mm. You've trained the Nine Mountain Sword Technique to the second form, but no matter how much you practice, it's still just theory. The College Entrance Examination tests more than who has the best martial skills or the strongest Qi and Blood—it tests a martial artist's comprehensive combat ability. Every year, there are geniuses who overcome their seniors."

"You only have two days, and outside the city is the fastest place to sharpen a martial artist's real combat skills. Aren't you not afraid of death?" Old Yin grinned.

"Yes, Master Yin!" Zhu Ping'an nodded in agreement.

"I told you, don't call me master. I'm not your master. Get lost, get lost!" Old Yin waved him off impatiently.

"Alright, Master Yin. Goodbye, Master Yin!"

"Hmph, brat." Old Yin snorted, but a faint smile crept onto his face as he turned away.

Zhu Ping'an arrived at the mission hall. He dutifully scanned the tasks suited for First-Rank Martial Artists, finally settling on one to hunt Fire Cicada Snakes.

The Fire Cicada Snake was a First-Tier Mutant Beast with a Fire Attribute. Its gall was a great tonic for martial artists who cultivated Fire Attribute techniques.

Thus, the gall was highly sought after by Fire Attribute martial artists.

According to the mission description, one Fire Cicada Snake gall was worth five thousand yuan, and he needed at least four to return and complete the quest.

That meant Zhu Ping'an had to hunt at least four Fire Cicada Snakes outside the city.

Since it was his first mission, the Martial Artist Association thoughtfully gave him a copy of the Wilderness Survival Guide.

It listed all the taboos and preparations needed for leaving the city.

Opening it, the first rule stated: Martial Artists below the Third Rank are advised not to go out alone, or they risk life-threatening danger.

Zhu Ping'an rubbed his nose, then tossed the Wilderness Survival Guide into the trash.

This book was too terrifying—just flipping it open told him his life was in danger. He couldn't read any more.

Gotta say, someone with plot armor really could be reckless.

Soon, Zhu Ping'an reached the gates of Green City. Inside the city, life was peaceful and serene, but once outside, it was a horrific apocalypse teeming with demons and monsters, where human lives were as cheap as weeds.

The peace inside the city existed because the martial artists guarding it bore the burden.

High walls surrounded Green City. As Zhu Ping'an approached the exit, a soldier stopped him.

"Civilians are strictly forbidden from leaving the city."

The soldier's face was cold and sharp, carrying a killing intent—clearly, he'd seen blood.

Civilians leaving the city would only serve as snacks for demons and mutant beasts, so every city banned it.

"Brother, I'm not a civilian." Saying this, Zhu Ping'an picked up a stone and crushed it into gravel right in front of the soldier.

The soldier blinked in surprise, then his expression turned respectful.

"A martial artist this young? You're this year's examinee, right? Sorry, I have to report this!"

The Human Race's high command valued martial artists greatly, especially young ones who broke through to the First Rank before the College Entrance Examination. They had boundless potential, and every loss was a huge blow.

After the soldier reported it, a middle-aged man with a thick, bushy beard soon walked out.

"The exam is in two days, and you want to leave the city now?" Whiskers stared at Zhu Ping'an in surprise.

"Yeah, for a mission." Zhu Ping'an nodded.

"You young folks sure know how to stir up trouble..." Whiskers rubbed his head in exasperation, then let out a resigned laugh. "Oh well, you'll have to face the world outside sooner or later. Might as well let you get a taste early. Just don't wet your pants when you see it!"

"You there—what was your name again... oh right, Leng Tianjiao, you come along too."

Whiskers waved toward the rear, then explained to Zhu Ping'an.

"This little girl is just like you, also a College Entrance Examination student."

Toward these gifted youths who had already become martial artists, Whiskers displayed exceptional patience.

A girl in an ice-blue long dress stepped forward. Her beautiful face was like a block of ice that had never thawed in ten thousand years, clearly written with the four big words: Keep Away.

Zhu Ping'an swept a glance at her, then withdrew his gaze. The girl, for her part, never once looked at Zhu Ping'an, treating him as if he were air.

"Let me introduce myself first. I am one of the commanders of Green City's garrison. My name is Gu Xuan. You can call me Commander Gu or Brother Gu."

Whiskers spoke casually, then his expression turned extremely serious.

"You want to go outside the city to train yourselves—I understand. But I have one request. The two of you must not leave my side beyond a ten-meter radius once we're outside the city. Understood?"

Can't find the book by title? Try searching by the author—maybe it just changed names!