Ning Zhuo set down the jade slip of the learning academy notes, his brows furrowed as he muttered, “This won’t do!”

“My comprehension of array formations is not as good as Eldest Brother’s, and probably not as good as Shen Xi’s either.”

“In talisman crafting, I am not as good as Qing Chi, and there are certainly plenty of talented peers who have left me far behind.”

“It’s quite shameful to admit, but my Ning family’s specialty is talisman crafting, yet I can’t even figure out anything from these two demonic talismans.”

“If I don’t find some other methods, my cultivation will always lag.”

“Moreover, all three of my cultivation techniques are closely related to mechanism arts, and my mother also instructed me to major in mechanism arts. Mechanism arts are a collection of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, so I must learn all of them!”

“My comprehension is not good. With this learning speed, how can I learn the Hundred Arts of Cultivation? It’ll take forever!”

Just as he thought of this, a flying letter, following Ning Zhuo’s aura, flew to the outside of the bluestone cave abode.

Ning Zhuo sensed the flying letter, immediately controlled his token, opened the cave abode’s door slightly, and let the letter in.

The flying letter darted through the cave abode, finally landing in Ning Zhuo’s hand.

Ning Zhuo first inspected it, finding nothing suspicious, then extended his spiritual sense into it.

“As expected, it’s Wen Ruan Yu’s letter.” The spiritual energy aura on the flying letter already revealed the sender’s identity.

In his second letter, Wen Ruan Yu mentioned that his reporting period was much longer than he expected. According to the current trend, he would be under house arrest for some more time.

Through various whispers and rumors, Wen Ruan Yu was confident that various factions within the Wanxiang Sect were actively trying to intervene in Baizhi Xiancheng:

Before, it was just a few major forces, but now many minor forces were also seizing the opportunity to squeeze in.

The reason was that among the previous major forces, the weaker ones had actively brought in some smaller forces as helpers. As a result, the news leaked out.

Wen Ruan Yu warned Ning Zhuo in code: his existence was not far from being exposed. Although Wen Ruan Yu tried his best to conceal it, the secrecy was almost at its limit.

Wen Ruan Yu again urged Ning Zhuo to prepare more, and he also proactively found a way out for Ning Zhuo: “Although I am forced to stay indoors, I have contacted some old acquaintances and learned much about the true recent situation within the sect.”

Wen Ruan Yu did not elaborate much here, stating that it was inconvenient to discuss these matters in a letter. He merely advised Ning Zhuo not to casually get involved in the internal conflicts of the Wanxiang Sect.

Especially the Old Four Peaks.

Regarding anything involving Zilei Peak within the Old Four Peaks, even more extreme caution was required!

Wen Ruan Yu’s reminder was consistent with Ning Zhuo’s previous observations.

Ning Zhuo was much more stable than he had thought.

“It’s a pity I can’t send a flying letter to Wen Ruan Yu; I can only let him worry for a while.”

Wen Ruan Yu could send flying letters to Ning Zhuo because he had channels and old acquaintances, allowing him to keep it secret for a time.

If Ning Zhuo were to send a flying letter to him, it would be equivalent to actively exposing himself and giving himself away.

At the end of the flying letter, Wen Ruan Yu mentioned: “Within the Wanxiang Sect, the number of Confucian cultivators is moderate, but they have always been closely united, making friends through literature and frequent exchanges.”

“During this Feiyun Minor Test, many cultivators among the Confucian scholars are selecting younger generations, hoping to inject new blood into the Confucian circle.”

“Young friend Ning, although you primarily cultivate other techniques and cannot concurrently cultivate Confucian methods, I have already made arrangements. You can use this minor test to join the Confucian group. For a short period, they will offer you some protection.”

“Of course, they won’t appear personally; they will merely offer you subtle care from the shadows.”

Ning Zhuo understood the concerns of these Confucian cultivators.

Both he and Wen Ruan Yu would become the eye of the storm in the sect’s internal struggle, and various major and minor forces would contend and vie around them.

If they got too close too soon, these Confucian cultivators would also be drawn into the turmoil.

As a group, Confucian cultivators usually observe the situation. The ones leading the charge are often not their kind.

But Ning Zhuo was already quite satisfied!

Wen Ruan Yu could be trusted!

He was indeed one of their own!

From Wen Ruan Yu’s arrangements and the Confucian cultivators’ reactions, this group was not large within the Wanxiang Sect. If they truly had a powerful backer, the Confucian group would have long since started vying for Ning Zhuo.

The interests of Baizhi Xiancheng were truly immense!

The Confucian cultivators’ own cultivation methods already limited them; they could not completely switch to cultivating the Wanxiang Jing, so most of them were dual cultivators.

Confucian cultivators inherently had their own pursuits, or rather, their Dao path already had related limitations. From this perspective, it was also difficult for them to enter the core circle of the Wanxiang Sect.

Even so, the Confucian group was still willing to protect Ning Zhuo and use the Xingyun Minor Test to look after him. This method was quite ingenious.

Because this was precisely the rule of the Wanxiang Sect.

Using rules for selfish motives was also a tendency for Confucian cultivators when handling affairs—effortless and safe.

“The Confucian group is neither high nor low, in an awkward position, and cannot serve as a suitable entry point for me to join the Wanxiang Sect.”

“But since it’s recommended and arranged by Wen Ruan Yu, I should go!”

“For a short time, gaining their protection will be beneficial to me.”

“Moreover, among the Thousand Families of Cultivation, the Confucian school is the most adept at learning! Perhaps I can find a way to accelerate my learning of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation from them.”

The Four Arts of a Gentleman—qin, qi, shu, hua—were almost standard for Confucian cultivators.

That is to say, as a Confucian cultivator, one must master at least four skills, and the more profound, the better. This did not even include the traditional Four Great Arts: alchemy, artifacts, arrays, and talismans.

Confucian cultivators learned so much, far exceeding ordinary sects, and one reason for this was that the Confucian school had significant research achievements in the matter of learning.

Many Confucian techniques were specifically designed for learning.

The next day.

Dianmo Peak.

The black rock walls were covered with natural ink marks, black pines stood tall, the mountain mist was damp, and the winding path was like a jade ribbon.

Three cultivators were ascending the stone steps, wet with morning dew.

The eldest of them was merely a young man.

The young cultivator did not conceal his Foundation Establishment peak cultivation aura; his eyes had a bluish-black tint, and although his hair was tied, a few strands escaped.

As he walked, the many bamboo slips in the poetry tube hanging from his waist clinked together, making a sound.

The young Confucian cultivator, Bai Jiyun, walked at the forefront of the three, pausing slowly to gaze into the distance.

He saw the distant peak cradling a half-golden sun, dyeing the sea of clouds into a magnificent scene like molten gold spilled on jade, and could not help but exclaim in admiration: “Even if the minor test fails today, to see such a beautiful sight again is well worth the trip.”

Bai Jiyun had a leisurely and carefree nature, loved to travel and admire beautiful scenery, and had a widespread literary reputation.

The two cultivators walking behind Bai Jiyun caught up.

The young Confucian cultivator Liu Fushu said, “Brother Bai is humble. You are the face of Foundation Establishment Confucian cultivators in our Feiyun Kingdom. If you fail, none of us can succeed.”

Liu Fushu was tall and thin like a bamboo pole, the cuffs of his washed-out blue robe frayed. His right index finger had a callus, and there was a faint ink stain on the side of his neck. He was only at the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage, but Bai Jiyun already knew his name.

Although Liu Fushu came from a poor family, he had great talent in cultivating Confucian arts, especially calligraphy.

Coincidentally, this Feiyun Minor Test set in Dianmo Peak was a written examination. If Bai Jiyun was careless, he might very well lose to Liu Fushu.

Liu Fushu was not flattering Bai Jiyun but praising him from the bottom of his heart.

He was much younger than Bai Jiyun, and after he began cultivating, he repeatedly heard of Bai Jiyun’s talent from his teachers. Every so often, news would spread in the circle of literary cultivators about where Bai Jiyun had created new poetry.

It could be said that Bai Jiyun was Liu Fushu’s idol.

“Brother Bai, for such a beautiful scene, shouldn’t you compose a poem to match your talent! This junior is all ears.” The third person in the group spoke at this moment.

He was a child.

His cultivation was only at the Qi Condensation stage, his chubby cheeks still showing baby fat, wearing an apricot-yellow short jacket, his eyes as black and bright as lacquered dots.

His name was Kong Ran, a famous child prodigy of the current generation in Feiyun Kingdom, truly only ten years old, not an old cultivator using means to preserve his youthful appearance.

Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu treated Kong Ran as an equal, firstly because of Kong Ran’s outstanding family background—he was the son of the Feiyun Kingdom’s prime minister—and secondly because of his innate talent, a huge advantage that neither Bai Jiyun nor Liu Fushu possessed.

Bai Jiyun first smiled at Kong Ran, then shook his head: “I must conserve my literary qi to cope with today’s Feiyun Minor Test. I can only blame my own insufficient talent for failing to live up to this beautiful scenery.”

Kong Ran’s small face was serious, and he couldn’t help but feel a little worried: “Is Master Chu Xuangui really that strict?”

Bai Jiyun nodded: “I was fortunate enough to meet Master Chu Xuangui at several literary gatherings. He is rigid, fair, and meticulous. Although we only had a few brief conversations, they made my back break out in a cold sweat.”

Bai Jiyun’s temperament and Chu Xuangui’s were distinctly different, clearly indicating a low compatibility.

Liu Fushu, however, looked towards the mountain peak with an adoring tone: “It is truly an honor to personally meet Master Chu Xuangui today!”

“Master Chu once wrote the ‘Liyun Datong Pian,’ and in the sea of clouds, he built a hundred-li cloud wall, defending against fierce demons for many years.”

“Unfortunately, after resigning from his post in Feiyun Kingdom, he cultivated in seclusion in the Wanxiang Sect.”

The peak of Dianmo Peak was shrouded in grayish-blue morning mist.

The three cultivators ascended to the peak together and saw a middle-aged cultivator sitting cross-legged, with a stone table in front of him, meticulously practicing calligraphy with a magic-grade brush.

The three cultivators exchanged glances, lightened their steps, and stood silently before the middle-aged cultivator.

It wasn’t until the middle-aged cultivator stopped his brush that the three of them quietly saluted and introduced themselves.

The middle-aged cultivator was Chu Xuangui. He wore a white robe with wide sleeves, his eyebrows like suspended needles, cheekbones like an inkstone, fingers calloused, and his sitting posture was impeccably upright and meticulous.

“Bai Jiyun, Liu Fushu, Kong Ran.” Chu Xuangui’s stern expression softened slightly. “It’s not yet time for the test to begin, and you are the first to arrive early. Good, rising at the crow of the rooster shows sincerity in seeking knowledge.”

He praised them, which instantly filled the three cultivators with joy.

“You may wait quietly,” Chu Xuangui commanded, then stopped speaking, took out a second piece of paper, and continued to wield his brush and practice calligraphy.

Bai Jiyun could only stand still in his original spot, wanting to move but knowing Chu Xuangui’s temperament, he could only endure the hardship.

Liu Fushu, on the other hand, gazed intently at Chu Xuangui. Although he couldn’t discern clearly, he could infer the mysteries of calligraphy from Chu Xuangui’s arm and wrist movements, becoming immersed in it for a time.

Kong Ran was only ten years old and had wanted to sit on the ground to rest, but seeing Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu in such a manner, he could only suppress his playful nature.

Time gradually passed, and cultivators successively ascended the mountain, arriving at the peak.

Like Bai Jiyun and the others, they first saluted, then stood still and waited.

Many cultivators gradually grew anxious.

Fortunately, the time for the test was drawing closer.

Kong Ran was already impatient, repeatedly transmitting spiritual messages to Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu.

Liu Fushu was already engrossed in Chu Xuangui’s calligraphy.

Bai Jiyun, though also impatient, still comforted Kong Ran: This might be a special arrangement by Master Chu Xuangui, an invisible test of our character.

Upon hearing this, Kong Ran’s heart tightened, and he forced himself not to move.

Everyone was speculating, but they didn’t know that Chu Xuangui’s mood was also a little anxious.

“Why hasn’t that Ning Zhuo arrived yet? Time is almost up.”

In the Wanxiang Sect’s Confucian circle, Chu Xuangui was one of the pillars. But he was recognized as a pillar not because of his Golden Core level cultivation, but because of his calligraphy skills.

Wen Ruan Yu was also a pillar. His painting skills were highly praised among Confucian cultivators. Just Wen Ruan Yu’s self-portrait alone possessed the combat power of the original, which was something most Confucian cultivators could not achieve.

Therefore, even though Wen Ruan Yu cultivated in Baizhi Xiancheng for many years, it did not affect his status in the Confucian circle.

When Wen Ruan Yu returned to report his duties this time, he had already sent flying letters in advance to inform the Confucian circle.

That’s why Wen Ruan Yu had previously instructed Ning Zhuo to give him some time to investigate the internal situation of the Wanxiang Sect.

Although the Confucian cultivators of the Wanxiang Sect did not hold high positions, their status was not low either, belonging to the most united group among the middle ranks. Their numerous literary gatherings usually allowed them to make friends through literature and exchange information.

Therefore, they had a deep understanding of the overall internal situation of the Wanxiang Sect.

The situation of Wen Ruan Yu being placed under house arrest after reporting his duties immediately triggered the Confucian circle’s vigilance and concern.

Each of them took action, secretly working on Wen Ruan Yu’s behalf.

Wen Ruan Yu’s request to take good care of Ning Zhuo was also taken very seriously by them.

Because they also knew very well how immense the interests represented by Baizhi Xiancheng were. Those ghostly and yin-cold spiritual materials were common in the underworld but rare and uncommon in the human world.

And the special geographical environment of the Yin Chao Hei Shi Zhao Di could be seen as a huge ghost gate that was continuously active, without needing massive resources to maintain its opening!

If this place hadn’t been located between Feiyun Kingdom and Beifeng Kingdom, but rather in the hinterland of any single country, it would have long lost its autonomy.

The Confucian circle was not without ideas about these interests!

Wen Ruan Yu’s existence already gave them a huge innate advantage.

And Wen Ruan Yu’s high regard for Meng Yaoyin was well-known. Now that Meng Yaoyin’s son was also joining the Wanxiang Sect, the Confucian cultivators all valued Ning Zhuo because of Wen Ruan Yu.

The Confucian cultivators were not yet aware that Ning Zhuo’s status in Baizhi Xiancheng was even higher than Wen Ruan Yu’s.

They chose to use the Feiyun Minor Test to elevate Ning Zhuo’s status.

“Let this lucky boy gain fame early and stand on the stage. This alone will make many ill-intentioned people hesitant.”

After discussions, the Confucian cultivators came up with this idea.

Therefore, Chu Xuangui, who had not organized a Feiyun Minor Test for many years, specifically held this one this year.

“If Ning Zhuo doesn’t arrive, I’ll have to hold a second one.”