"This felt like the legendary sudden stirring of the heart. According to Fate Arts Masters, it meant I had noticed that something was wrong, but it was never clear enough. That was why it kept nagging at me in secret, making me want to unravel it. As time passed, once I figured something out or encountered something that linked everything together, only then could I awaken as if from a dream. Forget it. I don't have time to think too much. What matters now is surviving the Azure Cloud Examination."
Li Qingxian calmed himself and diligently studied the Auspicious Fate Arts.
In merely a quarter-hour, Li Qingxian learned the Configuration Transformation Arts. After all, transforming fortune and misfortune was a Fate Arts Master's foundation. The Fate Measuring Sect had many scattered Auspicious Fate Arts, though none formed a complete system.
The two discussed matters quietly for a while longer and began their final preparations.
Li Qingxian began crafting Life-Replacement Wooden Children.
While Li Qingxian prepared, Shen Xiaoyi squatted down and chatted with Fangfang. The two laughed and talked together.
Everyone thought of Guan Zhou from before. He had lost his child, yet he could ordinarily hear children speaking—except he could not hear the crucial nursery rhyme.
Two quarter-hours after nightfall, everyone finished their preparations and formally headed toward the side gate.
The other examinees all looked over, most of them sighing softly.
That cry of "Night has fallen" had truly frightened too many people. Even now, many teams hesitated, still discussing what to do.
Many scattered teams regrouped into new ones.
Li Qingxian held Fangfang's left hand, while Shen Xiaoyi held her right.
The two had agreed that if singing began, Fangfang would tug Shen Xiaoyi's hand or hem of clothing as a warning.
When they reached the side gate,