Chapter 90: Examiner

Audience?

This word is used with arrogance, yet every Immortal Seedling across the lands resents it—Liu Cong especially.

It was but an instant.

All bowed their heads in unison, yet Chen Zhao and the other remained raising their cups as if drinking, standing out like a crane among chickens.

Even Lengzi knows propriety—how could they be so disgraceful?

Liu Cong silently shook his head; if the examiner was in a bad mood, his bribe might well backfire.

He tugged gently at Chen Zhao's robe, about to warn him.

Suddenly, sandalwood incense filled his nose; gathering courage, he lifted his gaze—and his heartbeat slowed half a beat.

Before him stood a woman with rainbow-short hair, her face slightly chubby, her figure balanced and graceful; rather than delicate beauty, "plump vitality" better described her.

A flower just before blooming, a woman just before ripening.

Coincidentally, the woman walked straight toward him; her beautiful eyes curved into a smile, making him unexpectedly nervous.

Clearly, she held a favorable impression of him—joining the sect was now all but certain!

Others turned to look as well, their gazes tinged with regret and envy; under the atmosphere, Liu Cong's lips trembled.

"Examiner Lady..."

Before the words left his mouth.

The beautiful woman vanished instantly, appearing out of thin air beside Chen Zhao!

The maiden's crimson lips moved slightly, as if whispering a secret.

In moments, she suddenly smiled brightly and chirped:

"Zhao... why are you drinking again at the same old place?"

Her eyes brimmed with tender affection; stunned, everyone turned to look—and saw even the accompanying Elder was utterly shocked.

Who exactly is Chen Zhao?

Regardless, she was clearly the Examiner's consort—absolutely not to be offended; those quick-witted turned to Liu Cong and quietly snickered.

Only Lengzi remained unmoved, lost in thought.

Chen Zhao knew his identity was exposed; he activated a spell and restored his true form.

At that very moment.

From the crowd, a streak of black light suddenly flashed, striking his face from afar!

It seemed some hidden totem—when he searched again, it was gone.

Chen Zhao's eyes darted swiftly; he merely said:

"Today you're selecting disciples—how could I not come?"

Xin Tong gave him a withering look.

That fool—if he truly wanted to watch her, why would he appear as a disguise?

He must have some scheme again.

Her cheeks puffed slightly; she silently noted this for later, and would humor her beloved for now.

But Liu Chen didn't care for these twists; his gaze sharpened, his aura no longer restrained—the crushing pressure of Foundation Establishment erupted outward:

"Too slow."

"Those wishing to join the sect: register your names, test your Spirit Roots."

Since the Heavenly Tribulation, only Elders are qualified to select disciples.

All Immortal Seedlings immediately prostrated themselves, stunned—Liu Cong especially.

He had sat and drank with this person—how had he sensed nothing?

Especially Chen Zhao, who had offered the wine.

He had assumed she was merely the Immortal's consort; now he saw—her status was no lesser than his!

Thinking of his earlier deceitful words, Liu Cong's face turned ashen; by the time he shuffled to the eight-legged table, his back was drenched in sweat.

Before he could write his name, a bell suddenly rang beside his ear.

Om!

The sound was soft, yet it shook his spiritual sense violently; Liu Cong felt his mind slashed by swords and axes, his vision darkened, and he collapsed.

Instantly down!

"Nineteen years old, Three Spirit Roots, Qi Refining sixth layer."

"Last among those tested by the Soul-Shaking Bell—Registered Disciple. If he breaks through to Qi Refining eighth layer by age twenty-one, he may enter the Outer Disciple ranks."

Chen Zhao had quietly resumed his true form; hearing Xin Tong's words, he shook his head with a faint smile.

Now that Spirit Qi is reviving, Qi Refining mid-stage cultivators are everywhere; combined with weak Mental Power, his entry into the sect is barely acceptable.

This youth likely focused obsessively on beast taming—putting the cart before the horse.

"Esteemed Elder, I have..."

"Keep your Spirit Stones. Such back-alley tricks pollute our pure Dao hearts."

At Liu Chen's shout, Liu Cong turned pale with fear; his Storage Bag slipped from his hand.

The others still undergoing trials, seeing this, abandoned all thoughts of bribery.

"What's wrong with being a Registered Disciple? Liu and I both started that way."

Chen Zhao crossed his legs, took a sip of Spirit Wine, and spoke lazily.

Those like Liu Cong, with decent family means, always think of retreat when danger arises—unless offered a future, how can you spur them to strive?

Of course.

He had no warmth toward this man at all—only wanted to push him hard, to find the black light.

Liu Cong clenched his fists tight, yet his mouth stammered:

"Many thanks for the senior's kind offer, I... I'd better seek somewhere else."

From beginning to end, there was no unusual phenomenon.

Chen Zhao inwardly sighed at the uselessness, and ordered him to stand aside.

Not long after.

The Immortal Seedlings withdrew one after another, leaving only three still struggling to hold on, while Lengzi's figure swayed and he tumbled off the platform.

"Ding Zhangzhen, age sixteen, dual Spirit Roots, eighth layer of Qi Refining."

This name! This talent!

This child's fate was truly extraordinary; he just didn't know whether that foolish appearance was an act or simply his nature.

Chen Zhao took a long look at him.

"Gazing at the Red Dust" activated silently; the pupils in his eyes were squeezed slowly downward, and a second golden pupil actually appeared!

His vision shifted in an instant, and he saw an ink-wash totem slowly manifest behind Ding Zhangzhen — a snake with a broken tail, with the two characters "Zhenwu" faintly visible on its forehead.

"Where do you come from, and where is your home?"

"I was originally a fisherman in Han City; both my parents have passed away."

Such a standard protagonist template?!

Chen Zhao's heart tightened — if a protagonist like this entered the sect, the sect's fortunes would immediately take a sharp turn for the worse, followed by a great enemy's invasion, and then he would sweep away all the opportunities and leave with a graceful flourish...

Behind him, only scorched earth would remain.

But if he found a pretext to turn him away at the gate, he'd seem like a villain, which truly wasn't proper.

How to make him give up on his own?

As he was pondering, a whistling wind suddenly came from behind.

"Friend Chen Zhao, he is my long-lost nephew; just assign him as a True Disciple under me."

A figure came riding a sword, holding a Whisk, thin as skin wrapped over bone, yet the aura on him was terrifyingly strong.

Chen Zhao recognized this person.

Hall Master of the Discipline Hall, Zhong Hedao.

But he had never heard that this man had any nephew!

Looking closely, within his wide sleeve there was also a broken-tailed snake, missing only the two characters "Zhenwu" compared to Ding Zhangzhen's.

With a Golden Core cultivator stepping in, the True Disciple status was no longer in question.

The crowd swarmed around the straw-cape youth, brazenly offering flattering words, while the youth shyly scratched his head and laughed with pure innocence.

Liu Cong stood dumbly in place, bumped and staggered by someone, but that person noticed nothing, and he noticed nothing either — he simply kept retreating.

"See, you just can't act properly — you had to gossip in front of someone's dao companion, sigh!"

Retreating to an empty spot, a pang of bitterness welled up in his nose.

Though his clan was not lacking in prospects, failing the exam was too embarrassing; if he couldn't make a name for himself, what face would he have to meet his elders back home?

"Friend, are you worried about how to enter the sect? Inherit my lineage, and I can guarantee your Foundation Establishment will be worry-free."

The visitor seemed to have waited long, appearing just at that moment in the dark alley beside him.

Liu Cong followed the sound and looked.

A Red Umbrella suddenly popped open, its pressure even stronger than Chen Zhao's group by quite a bit; Liu Cong's face darkened, and he instantly gripped the Protection Jade Pendant in his hand.

Liang Chenfeng gave a helpless smile:

"I treat you in good faith — why this, Young Master Liu?"

"Where is the good faith?"

Liu Cong was half-doubting, half-believing, but had already secretly activated the jade pendant, calling his father to rush to his aid from a thousand miles away.

But in the blink of an eye.

Liang Chenfeng had vanished without a trace, and in his hand was an extra Blood-Colored Pill!