Magic Battle Test

"In any case, there is no need for you to understand its essence right now; just follow the cultivation steps as instructed."

Understood, understood. This is the kind of thing only big shots need to worry about.

"Mm, I understand."

"Did you go to school today to report your cultivation realm?"

"I did."

Zhang Yunlu repeated everything she had learned from Yu Ming to Xu Xing.

The Foundation Establishment method taught by the school made no mention of the Creation Dao Foundation, which was within Xu Xing's expectations. However, this "disposable treasure essence for Foundation Establishment" was quite interesting.

As a necessity for forging a Heaven-Forged Dao Foundation, natural treasures are rare. Yet, in the current cultivation world, where talents emerge in succession, they have even managed to mass-produce such things.

Even if the effects are inferior to genuine natural treasures, it is still quite remarkable.

"I will look for the Basic Refining Method later."

Xu Xing was naturally interested in a technique created by Saint Emperor Abyss, but he did not ask Zhang Yunlu for it directly. Since the school had not made it public, there must be certain restrictions on students who received the Basic Refining Method, such as a prohibition against sharing it with outsiders.

To him, this might be a trivial matter, but Zhang Yunlu was different.

He raised his hand and tapped the air. Just like with the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique from before, a glimmer of spiritual light sank into the center of Zhang Yunlu's brow.

"Your total spiritual power is only average. I am passing you the Nine Qi Refining Method, but as for which of the two refining methods is more suitable, you can judge for yourself through future experimentation."

Having experienced this before, the duration of her trance was much shorter. After closing her eyes and carefully reading through it once, Zhang Yunlu stood up and bowed solemnly.

"Many thanks, Senior."

She knew very well that the two of them were merely passing acquaintances.

Although Xu Xing's realm was incredibly high and he was a formidable big shot, who was to say that a big shot must help a minor cultivator?

If she took all of this for granted, she would be far too ungrateful.

The big shot's realm was too high for her to repay him for the time being, but offering thanks was something she could do.

"Think nothing of it."

These siblings truly shared the same temperament. When Zhang Xiu left last night, he had also thanked him very solemnly.

Over the long years, he had helped many people.

Most were filled with gratitude at first, but gradually became accustomed to it, eventually feeling it was their due. In the end, they would even demand more, and if he refused, they would harbor resentment.

But there were also some who could uphold their original intentions from beginning to end, knowing when to advance or retreat and understanding the nature of things.

That was why, even now, he still enjoyed bestowing opportunities upon the younger generation.

As for how the Zhang Siblings would turn out in the end?

Xu Xing would not look, but he hoped it would be the latter.

Before leaving, Zhang Yunlu asked one final question.

"Ever since the trial last night, I've felt a bit abnormal. Not only do I feel at ease when holding a sword, but whenever I look at others, I subconsciously find myself eyeing their vital points."

And Xu Xing's reply was:

"You will be fine once you adapt for a while."

Zhang Yunlu's state was a phase that every sword cultivator had to go through.

Sword cultivators are exceptionally skilled in slaughter; therefore, any type of sword cultivator requires battle and blood to sharpen their blade!

With Zhang Yunlu in this state, as she participated in tomorrow's combat test, would it be an evenly matched, intense confrontation, or a one-sided massacre from start to finish?

After returning that afternoon, Zhang Yunlu took out her favorite book, intending to relax her mind.

However, after flipping through several pages, her heart remained unsettled, and her mind was filled with the sword moves of the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.

A few minutes later, she closed the book, grabbed her sword, and ran to the rooftop.

Coincidentally, a young couple was also on the rooftop, and both were stunned when they saw Zhang Yunlu.

Zhang Yunlu was also taken aback.

Mainly because she recognized these two; they were from the same school.

Although they were not in the same class, the classrooms were adjacent, and they would often run into each other.

This was extremely awkward.

"...Excuse me."

Leaving behind those words, Zhang Yunlu quickly turned and headed downstairs, leaving the two of them staring at each other.

"Was that... Zhang Yunlu?" The boy had been a volunteer at a school competition, so he had an impression of her. "And she's carrying a sword. Don't tell me she came up here to practice?"

"Just putting on a show," the girl said with some dissatisfaction. "She doesn't work hard usually, only realizing she needs to practice when the combat test is almost here."

"That doesn't seem right. She didn't know anyone was here when she arrived."

"How is it not right!" The girl's voice rose a notch. "I heard that many people in her class are annoyed with her, and they're planning to teach her a lesson in tomorrow's combat test!"

Is that so?

The boy was curious, but seeing his girlfriend looking somewhat angry, he didn't dare ask further and immediately began to coax her.

Only after her emotions had calmed down a little did he start to probe indirectly.

After a description filled with embellishments, the boy finally confirmed that such a thing had indeed happened, and that it even had the teachers' tacit approval.

To think she had even offended the teachers; it seemed tomorrow's combat test would be quite a spectacle.

The girl eventually sensed something was wrong and complained, "Why do you keep asking about her? Is it because..."

The boy hurriedly interrupted before she could flare up.

"Isn't it just curiosity about whether she'll win tomorrow?"

"Her? Hah!" The girl scoffed with disdain. "Senior Fang Lin in her class has been to the Starry Sky Battlefield; what does she have to compete with him?"

"Yes, yes, how could she compare to Fang Lin..." The boy agreed with a smile, though he was thinking to himself.

Hmm... her temper is a bit bad; should I find someone else?

Early the next morning, the school was bustling with activity.

Streams of powerful aura in the form of escape lights flew into the school from all over the city; these were all people coming to watch the combat test.

Third Middle School was the best middle school in Mystic Sword City, and its principal was the highest-cultivation practitioner in the entire city, the one closest to the Void Return Realm.

Therefore, many people came to show their support, all of them famous and powerful practitioners within the city.

Among them was Li Fengping. As an inner sect disciple of the Sword Sect, he had been personally invited by the principal to be one of the judges for today's combat test.

However, because the injuries on his face had not yet healed, he remained wrapped in gauze. Everyone assumed he was cultivating a special divine ability, so they did not ask further.

A massive arena floated above the playground, with the spectator stands filled with lower-grade students and some family members of the seniors.

Zhang Yunlu sat in the classroom, looking out from the window. From her perspective, she could see the entire arena.

Banners fluttered around the arena, and the blue-gray bricks were marked with dark stains that looked like dried blood.

Was she going to fight someone on that stage later?

The memory of her battles against the sword cultivator phantom in last night's trial surfaced in her mind. After dying dozens of times, she could now easily defeat a Qi Refining ninth-layer sword cultivator who had mastered the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique to perfection.

Would there be anyone stronger in the school?

The hand gripping her scabbard tightened slightly, and a flicker of anticipation couldn't help but rise in her heart.

Her expression fell into the line of sight of Fang Chi, who was standing at the podium.

Heh!

So you know how to be nervous now.

Sneering inwardly, Fang Chi looked toward the other side, where a tall youth stood with spiritual light flickering in his eyes—he was only one step away from Foundation Establishment!

He was Fang Lin!

He had the highest cultivation in the entire class and was also the only student who had been to the Starry Sky Battlefield!

As for Zhang Yunlu, Fang Lin didn't take her seriously at all.

Although he knew she had reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining, he remained indifferent.

Practitioners who grew up in school were like sheep raised in a greenhouse—naive and fragile, prone to collapsing under the slightest pressure.

If Fang Chi weren't his uncle, he wouldn't even bother to take this seriously.