Leaving Seclusion, Mustering Champions

Even after successfully breaking through the third tribulation, Fang Shu still did not emerge from seclusion and show his face.

With several dozen days still to go before the Spring Examination, this is a perfect opportunity for him to further solidify and strengthen his cultivation, and even to be promoted.

After all, to enter the Immortal Sect ahead of time, it's not enough to simply advance to the Third Immortal cultivator level; one must have the highest possible cultivation and Law Power!

Also.

After talking with the Lone Pavilion Master, Fang Shu was quite interested in the matter of the Lone Pavilion Master cultivating "Divine Sense" ahead of time.

Fortunately, he currently possesses half a portion of spirit medicine, a large quantity of Spirit Stone, and numerous Flesh Lingzhi Treasure Medicine, which will greatly aid him in his continued vigorous advancement.

So Fang Shu immediately threw himself back into rigorous cultivation.

One day, two days, ten days... thirty days!

His vital Qi and Blood and blood circulated constantly in the quiet room.

In this situation, if someone were to stand outside the well and look down, they would certainly not be able to see the bottom of the well, but would feel that this quiet room had truly transformed into a well.

But what it contained inside was not water, but mercury, which was constantly swirling and emitting a terrifying aura.

Unfortunately, although Fang Shu solidified his cultivation completely within a few dozen days and even advanced his Three Bandit Cultivator by two or three percent, the "Divine Sense" he desired was nowhere to be found.

The light in his mind was faint and fleeting, but it could not burst forth as the "bright vision" recorded in the book. He also could not sense the corresponding three souls and seven spirits.

Fang Shu simply felt that with his own cultivation, his mental capacity, memory, concentration, and so on had all improved considerably, and the Qi and Blood in his body had become increasingly rich and thick, like lead and mercury.

Such a frustrating and fruitless search inevitably left him feeling somewhat depressed.

But he suppressed this feeling of distress.

What one seeks but cannot find is a common occurrence in spiritual practice.

It should be understood that spiritual practice does not necessarily yield results simply because one invests time and energy.

As Immortal cultivator, the more one is in such a situation, the more one must guard against arrogance and impatience, and remain calm and composed.

Until this day.

Second Uncle Yu Le sent a letter from outside the quiet room, mentioning that the Lone Pavilion Master was summoning many inner disciples for a meeting, and that he had specifically asked him about it, but had not yet issued an order to summon them.

Spring Examination Fang Shu realized that there were only a few days left until the so-called imperial examination.

That day, he packed up all the items in the meditation room and tidied up his own home. Then he jumped out of the well, ending what was the longest single seclusion in history.

When he left the meditation room, the spiritual light inside dissipated, and the originally rough rock wall at the bottom of the well actually became like a bronze mirror, faintly reflecting human figures.

Such a scene was clearly the Fang Shu of Fang Shu's powerful Qi and Blood and Qi and Blood eroding the wall, polishing it smooth, and coating it with a layer of lead and mercury.

There is an ancient saying that one can sit quietly in a cave and have one's shadow etched into the stone wall.

Fang Shu's current retreat is quite similar in purpose.

The Solitary Gu Hall, the Inner Court Council Hall.

Many disciples had arrived early.

Many of these disciples were already over eighteen years old and had left the dojo to serve as apprentices elsewhere. Now that the Lone Pavilion Master summoned them all back, it was clear that he wanted to discuss something important.

As for what kind of important matter it was, the disciples present all had some idea of what it was:

"It seems our institution will really have to get involved in this year's Spring Examination!"

"Only those under the age of eighteen are eligible to enter the Spring Examination. Success allows them to ascend the mountain ahead of time. Rumor has it that the success rate in Qi Refining Qi is almost 50%, truly enviable!"

A group of disciples from the Solitary Gu Hall kept clicking their tongues in disapproval, their eyes frequently glancing at a figure standing at the very front of the crowd.

The figure was agile and exuded a confident and poised aura; it was a woman, none other than Qin Min.

Aside from Qin Min, everyone else also turned their attention to another person— Du Yu'er.

Some of the older disciples were talking about it. "Junior Sister Qin Min has already passed her third tribulation and possesses Spirit Root, so she will definitely go up the mountain ahead of time. I just wonder how Yu'er Sister Yu'er is doing..."

According to what people are saying, Du Yu'er, who is usually gentle and unassuming, is also a strong candidate for the Spring Examination.

While everyone was discussing, the Lone Pavilion Master remained calm and composed, sitting upright in his armchair.

She kept her eyes slightly closed, occasionally sipping her tea, remaining noncommittal to the words of her disciples.

Only when another person walked in from outside the hall did the Lone Pavilion Master slightly lift his eyelids and glance at the newcomer with a droopy look.

Fang Shu walked lightly into the hall.

After bowing respectfully to the Lone Pavilion Master in front of everyone, he tried to blend into the crowd.

However, his arrival not only attracted the attention of the Lone Pavilion Master, but also that of more than half of the disciples in the hall. All eyes in the crowd turned to him.

Because Qin Min, who had been facing away from everyone and resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened her eyes, turned her head and stared intently at him, revealing a scrutinizing and appraising posture.

Aside from Qin Min, Du Yu'er also glanced at Fang Shu, a smile appearing on her lips, and nodded in acknowledgment.

The two men's obvious posture attracted the attention of others.

One of the disciples muttered, "Could this person be the one who killed the Three Tribulation Immortal cultivator in our sect?"

"I wonder if this person has broken through the third tribulation yet. Will our institution be able to send three people to participate in the Spring Examination today?"

Despite the stares of the crowd, Fang Shu remained calm. He glanced back at Du Yu'er, then found Li Hou'er, walked over, and stood beside him.

His action caused Li Hou'er, a first-level Immortal cultivator was standing on the edge of the crowd, to blush instantly and even puff out his chest.

This guy was incredibly charismatic, his face practically screaming, "This is my brother!"

The hall erupted in noise once more.

At this moment, the Lone Pavilion Master finally opened his eyes fully and said, "The time has come, and everyone is here. It's time to get down to business."

"Yes, Master," everyone in the hall replied in unison.

The Lone Pavilion Master stood up and spoke with a smile:

"It's nothing major. As you all said, the Spring Examination are about to begin. Our institution has had a good harvest of talent this year, with some able to go to the Spring Examination. Therefore, I'm giving this special selection today to show my appreciation and encouragement."

After a few words, the Lone Pavilion Master shouted:

"Qin Min, you are a Refining Essence of our academy, now a Third Tribulation Human Immortal. Are you willing to represent our academy in the Spring Examination and bring glory to our family?"

Qin Min calmly took half a step forward, cupped her hands, and said, "This disciple is willing."

After selecting one person, the Lone Pavilion Master did not look at his granddaughter Du Yu'er, but instead stared straight at Fang Shu.

A look of deep satisfaction appeared on her face, and she spoke again:

"Fang Shu, you are also a disciple of this academy Refining Essence. Are you willing?"

Fang Shu also took half a step forward, cupped his hands in agreement, and said, "This disciple is willing."

Upon hearing their voices, the Lone Pavilion Master immediately beamed with joy and happily said:

"Excellent! It is truly fortunate for our sect that two people can come up the mountain and join our sect in a year."

For some reason, the old woman still didn't mention her granddaughter.

Following past practice, the Lone Pavilion Master instructed Qin Min and Fang Shu to demonstrate the Three Tribulations of Qi and Qi and Blood to the disciples and discuss their tribulation-crossing experiences, in order to inspire their morale and facilitate learning among them.

But at this moment, both Fang Shu and Qin Min raised their eyes. They didn't look at the surrounding disciples, but at each other.

Qin Min's eyes were filled with scrutiny, and her face revealed a condescending attitude.

Before she could speak, Fang Shu, standing in the hall, smiled at her and spoke first:

"Junior Sister Qin Min, would you like to test my strength again?"