Martial Cultivator

Cultivators often have lifespans far exceeding that of ordinary people. If they did not provoke trouble and focused on their cultivation, they could live for a very long time.

In reality, a considerable number of cultivators had no interest in meddling in worldly affairs. They cultivated peacefully every day, seeking to comprehend the Great Dao.

Life and death, indeed, held great terror.

The young cultivators were like the newly risen morning sun, possessing boundless potential for the future. No one wanted to wither away before fully blooming. Therefore, when facing life and death, many people’s deep-seated fears would surface.

Whispered conversations among the young cultivators ensued, with some expressing worries on their faces. ”If there’s a real possibility of an accident happening, I don’t want to lose my life in there...”

Someone said, ”Since it’s something acknowledged by the elders of various families, it doesn’t necessarily mean that something will happen. We shouldn’t be overly concerned.”

”But... but... what if something does happen?”

A female cultivator’s face turned pale, worried to the extreme over such a possibility.

They were all proud children of heaven in their respective sects and did not wish to take unnecessary risks.

”What’s there to fear? The demons and our human race are mortal enemies. Perhaps one day, we’ll engage in a great war again. Familiarizing ourselves in advance is beneficial and harmless.”

A young cultivator had a solemn expression as he expressed agreement with this viewpoint.

However, his words did not receive approval from anyone. In the eyes of the foreign cultivators, as long as the demons did not launch a large-scale invasion southward to annihilate the human race, they would hardly involve themselves. There were many things to do in the world, so why spend time on this?

The young cultivators on the pavilion spoke a lot, but Wei Xu paid no attention. After announcing the start of the Myriad Willow Convention, he left the platform.

Subsequently, officials from the Great Liang Dynasty led the young participants of the literary exam to the designated location to begin the test.

Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao and asked, ”Do you think this reform is targeting you?”

Chen Chao frowned and replied, ”How could I think that way? I haven’t reached the level where so many prominent figures are targeting me. It’s just a bit too coincidental.”

”You killed demons in Tianqing County for two years. Logically speaking, this reform is most suitable for you.”

Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao. The reform of the martial exam determined rankings based on the number of demons killed. This was indeed a good thing for Chen Chao because he had a lot of experience in killing demons and was quite skilled at it.

Chen Chao sighed, ”But there won’t just be demons inside, there will also be many people.”

He had already caused many storms in the world and he did not know how many young people wanted to humiliate him in the martial exam. Even though the martial exam’s format changed, their intentions would not change.

Xie Nandu smiled and said, ”Since they won’t die, is there any problem with treating them as demons?”

Chen Chao replied, ”Although it makes sense, it’s still very troublesome.”

Xie Nandu did not say much anymore because the sound of a bell rang in the distance, asking the cultivators participating in the literary exam to gather.

Chen Chao accompanied her as they walked down the pavilion and arrived at the lakeside, where several tables had already been set up.

The preliminary examination of the literary exam seemed quite ordinary and simple, it actually turned out to be just answering questions by the lakeside.

Chen Chao was stopped at a distance and Xie Nandu silently headed towards the lakeside.

Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder.

Chen Chao turned around, and sure enough, it was Zhu Xia.

This saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace looked at Chen Chao with a smiling face and said, ”So, is this reform just as you wished?”

Chen Chao smiled bitterly and said, ”I didn’t feel that this is a good thing. It’s possible that people might die.”

It was said that one could leave by crushing the bamboo token, but whether it was really the case remained uncertain.

Zhu Xia encouraged him, ”Don’t lose heart, I believe in you. You’ll definitely achieve good results.”

Chen Chao looked towards the lakeside in the distance. The first batch of cultivators participating in the literary exam had already started answering questions and the lakeside became quiet.

Further away, some cultivators began to slowly leave.

For the literary exam, there were not many cultivators who were interested in it to begin with. Even if they wanted to watch, there would only be exciting scenes would be on the day when the top scorer was determined.

”You have to win.”

Zhu Xia’s eyes were filled with radiance. When she looked at Chen Chao, it seemed as if there were boundless brilliance.

Chen Chao rarely felt such emotions and thought to himself: is this the so-called anticipation?

”If you win, forget about honey dates, even other food will be free too, right?” ”Actually, whether it’s free or not isn’t the main issue, the important thing is not having to wait in line. You know, there are many delicious things in your Divine Capital, but it’s really annoying to wait in line!”

The emotions that had just arisen in Chen Chao completely dissipated at this moment as he looked at the lively and animated girl in front of him. He did not expect her reason for wanting him to win to be so simple and ordinary.

She only wanted Chen Chao to become the champion in the martial exam so that she would not have to wait in line anymore. That way, she could eat all the food she wanted.

”A few days ago, I had some free time and discovered a few good shops, but you similarly have to queue in line. Chen Chao, it’s really troublesome like this.”

Zhu Xia did not perceive Chen Chao’s mood change at all.

Chen Chao looked at her and made a serious suggestion, ”Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t have so many things you wanted to eat?”

Zhu Xia pouted and shook her head, saying, ”No.”

Only after she arrived in the Divine Capital, did she realize there were so many delicious things in the world. She was just starting to enjoy it, asking her to give it up now, she was naturally unwilling.

Chen Chao sighed and said, ”Then I’ll do my best. Otherwise, I can only get up early every day to buy things for you.”

After saying that, he lifted his head to look towards the lakeside, but could not see the lake. It was because his line of sight was blocked by a figure.

A young man looked at Chen Chao and asked, ”Are you Chen Chao?”

Chen Chao had heard this question more than once in these past few days, so he simply shook his head and said, ”No.”

The young man furrowed his brows and said, ”You’re so timid that you don’t even dare to admit your own identity?”

Chen Chao looked at him as if he were looking at an idiot and said, ”Since you already know who I am, what did you ask for?”

The young man’s expression turned somewhat ugly upon hearing this, but he suppressed his anger and said, ”You must be feeling lucky about the Myriad Willow Convention’s martial exam reform, right?”

With Chen Chao stirring up so much commotion in the world, many people were fully aware of his relatively few experiences. They knew that he came from Tianqing County and made a living by killing demons in the past few years.

Moreover, Chen Chao had mentioned on many occasions that he excelled at killing demons and that he only knew how to kill demons.

”You don’t need to feel fortunate. Once the martial exam begins, I will be the first to find you and utterly defeat you. If you’re unlucky, perhaps I will kill you before you even crush that bamboo token.”

The young man sneered, ”If you’re scared, you still have time to withdraw now.”

Chen Chao smiled at the young man and said, ”I hope you’re lucky enough to not run into me. Otherwise, I will make you regret the words you said today.”

The young man was unfazed.

”Xi Qiuchen, get lost!”

Before he could speak, Zhu Xia who had been silent all along spoke up. This saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace looked at the young man with disgust in her eyes and said, ”Move aside, you’re in my way.”

Hearing this, a hint of ruthlessness flashed across Xi Qiuchen’s eyes, but he still smiled and said, ”I pay respects to Saintess.”

Xi Qiuchen was actually not bad-looking, but there was always a hint of sleaziness in his eyes, making it difficult to develop any favorable thoughts about him.

Zhu Xia was expressionless as she said, ”Hurry up and get lost, I don’t want to see you.”

Xi Qiuchen smiled and quickly stepped aside. But before he left, he did not forget to say, ”Chen Chao, remember what I said.”

Chen Chao could not be bothered to pay attention to him.

After Xi Qiuchen walked far away, Zhu Xia said, ”Chen Chao, if you encounter that person, beat him up mercilessly!”

Chen Chao was somewhat surprised by Zhu Xia’s reaction and asked, ”What’s wrong? It seems like you really dislike him.”

Zhu Xia nodded, not hiding her feelings at all. ”This person cultivates the Dual Cultivation technique, which involves absorbing Yin and nourishing Yang. Originally, it’s not considered a malicious technique. But in normal dual cultivation, it is a mutual cultivation between men and women, and the cultivation speed is slower. However, in order to accelerate his cultivation, this person captured many ordinary women as cauldrons for cultivation, completely disregarding the women’s lives. It’s truly disgusting.”

Xi Qiuchen’s reputation among foreign cultivators was far from good. Many female cultivators from small sects had fallen victim to his actions. But due to his large sect and secretive operations, most incidents were left unresolved.

”If that’s the case, then he truly needs to be dealt with. It would be best to prevent him from ever practicing dual cultivation again.”

Chen Chao looked into the distance, where Xi Qiuchen’s figure was gradually disappearing from sight.

Chen Chao was somewhat surprised and asked, ”Why would such a person come in front of me and threaten me? If I were him, I would definitely hide in the shadows and strike when I’m at my weakest.”

This was the experience gained from killing demons.

Zhu Xia narrowed her eyes and smiled. ”If he were that clever, how could it show how formidable you are?”

Chen Chao praised, ”I have to admit, that makes a lot of sense.”

……

……

An hour later, Xie Nandu that group of cultivators had finished the preliminary test.

Xie Nandu walked over to them.

Chen Chao handed her a bag of honey dates he had obtained from somewhere and then casually gave another bag to Zhu Xia, asking, ”How was it?”

Xie Nandu nodded and said, ”It was fine.”

Zhu Xia asked rather eagerly, ”Big Sister Xie, was it difficult?”

Xie Nandu shook her head and replied, ”Not difficult.”

It was only the preliminary test now, there was nothing much to say about the difficulty or anything else.

Zhu Xia nodded and said, ”Big Sister Xie, you have to work hard. Let’s meet at the end.”

Xie Nandu smiled and said, ”You have to pass the preliminary test first.”

Zhu Xia ate a few dates. With her naturally sweet mouth, she said, ”Since Big Sister Xie said it’s not difficult, then it must not be difficult.”

As she spoke, the sound of a bell rang out.

Zhu Xia stuffed the honey dates in her hand into Chen Chao’s arms and said with a smile, ”I’m off, Chen Chao!”

Chen Chao nodded and said, ”Good luck!”

Zhu Xia waved her hand and turned around as she went to the lakeside.

Watching that young girl’s lively figure, Chen Chao said, ”What do you think?”

Xie Nandu also glanced at Zhu Xia and said, ”The questions weren’t difficult to begin with. It’s certain that she will advance to the next round. However, whether she can meet me in the end is hard to say.”

After saying that, she pointed to the distance where the rankings for the first preliminary test were already posted. The top ten young cultivators on the list would advance to the second round of the competition, but that would be tomorrow.

Chen Chao and Xie Nandu went over there and stood not far away. After just a glance, Chen Chao smiled and said, ”Congratulations.”

Xie Nandu was ranked at the top of that list, she was first in the first preliminary test.

Sure enough, it was as Xie Nandu said, it was fine.

Just taking first place.

Chen Chao lamented, ”Some people are naturally suited for studying, some are naturally suited for cultivation, and some are naturally suited to be an official. But I feel like someone like you is naturally suited for anything.”

”I’m heading back.”

Xie Nandu opened her mouth.

Chen Chao asked, ”Not waiting for Zhu Xia?”

Xie Nandu shook her head and said, ”You can wait here. I want to go back and review the books. Based on the preliminary test, it seems that there were some changes in the content of the literary exam too.”

For this Myriad Willow Convention, the martial exam underwent a complete reform, while the literary exam appeared unchanged on the surface. But in reality, in terms of content, there had been significant changes. In previous years, the literary exam questions were mostly about cultivation methods found in the classics. Although some of them were cleverly designed, they still revolved around cultivation.

But this year’s Myriad Willow Convention had different content starting from the preliminary test. It actually included elements of strategy and touched on more content regarding demons.

Listening to her, Chen Chao felt a bit emotional and said, ”Doesn’t that mean it’s advantageous for you?”

Xie Nandu’s lifelong dream was to launch a northern expedition to reclaim everything for the human race. With this goal in mind, she naturally studied these matters more extensively. Now that the literary exam content aligned with her aspirations, even Heaven had no choice but to be amazed.

In reality, the literary and martial exams seemed to be quite favorable for this pair.

One excelled at killing demons, so the martial exam became killing demons. The other wanted to launch a northern expedition to fight demons, so the literary exam included more content on this.

Chen Chao smiled wryly and said, ”I’m afraid I’ve used up all my luck by now. When the day comes, someone might just chop off my head.”

Xie Nandu imitated Wei Xu’s tone and said, ”In that case, I would express my deep regret.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Chao could not help but laugh happily, feeling much lighter in mood.

Far away, Jiang Shuchan watched Chen Chao with an expressionless face. Clearly, she was aware of the martial exam reforms in advance; otherwise, she would not have said those words by the lakeside. Moreover, she might even have a way to kill Chen Chao during the martial exam without anyone noticing.

She looked confident, so she did not take any action for now.

What she needed to do at the moment was to be patient and wait for the day of the martial exam.

Then, she would enter that microcosm, find Chen Chao, and kill him.

She did not consider it a difficult task.

With this thought in mind, she turned around and headed towards the distance.

But soon, she saw someone she did not want to see.

Xi Qiuchen was waiting for her there and he went straight to the point, ”I can help you kill him, but you have to agree to one condition.”