Chapter 706: Confucian Cultivator Small Trial

Ning Zhuo put down the classroom note jade slip, frowned, and whispered in his mouth: "This won't do—"

"My comprehension in array arts is not as good as the boss’s, and I’m afraid it’s not as good as Shen Xi’s."

"I’m not as good as Qing Chi in talisman making, and there must be plenty of geniuses of the same age who have thrown me behind."

"To be honest, it’s quite shameful. My Ning family is good at talisman making, but I can't even study these two demonic talismans."

"If I don't find some means, no matter how I cultivate, I will be left behind."

"And my three cultivation arts are closely linked to mechanism arts, and mother also entrusted me to mainly practice mechanism arts. Mechanism arts are a collection of the hundred arts of cultivation, so I have to learn all the hundred arts of cultivation!"

"My comprehension is not good, how can I learn the hundred arts of cultivation with this learning speed? When will I learn it?"

Just as he thought of this, a flying letter followed Ning Zhuo’s aura and flew outside the bluestone cave dwelling.

Ning Zhuo sensed the flying letter, immediately controlled the token, opened the cave door a crack, and let the flying letter in.

The flying letter shuttled through the cave dwelling and finally fell into Ning Zhuo’s hands.

Ning Zhuo first checked it, found no tricks, and then probed his spiritual sense.

"Sure enough, it’s Wen Ruanyu’s letter." The magic power aura on the flying letter had already revealed the sender’s identity.

Wen Ruanyu mentioned in the second letter that the time for his reporting was much longer than he expected. According to the current trend, he still had to be under house arrest for a period of time.

Through various signs, Wen Ruanyu could be sure that all forces within the Myriad Phenomena Sect were actively wanting to intervene in the White Paper Immortal City:

Previously, it was just a few big forces, now many small forces were also squeezing in.

The reason was that among the previous big forces, the weaker ones took the initiative to cite some small forces as helpers. In this way, the news leaked out.

Wen Ruanyu used code words to warn Ning Zhuo: his existence was not far from being exposed. Although Wen Ruanyu tried his best to hide it, this confidentiality work was almost at its limit.

Wen Ruanyu again let Ning Zhuo prepare more, and he also took the initiative to find a way out for Ning Zhuo: "Although I am forced to stay indoors, I have also contacted some old friends and learned about the real current situation within the sect."

Wen Ruanyu didn't elaborate on this, it was very inconvenient to say these things in the letter, he just advised Ning Zhuo not to randomly intervene in the internal strife of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

Especially the old four peaks.

Those involving the Purple Thunder Peak in the old four peaks must be treated with extreme caution!

Wen Ruanyu’s reminder was consistent with Ning Zhuo’s previous insight.

Ning Zhuo was much more steady than he thought.

"It’s a pity I can't send a flying letter to Wen Ruanyu, I can only let him worry for a while."

Wen Ruanyu could send a flying letter to Ning Zhuo because he had channels, old friends, and could hide it for a while.

If Ning Zhuo sent a flying letter to him, it would be equivalent to actively exposing himself.

Wen Ruanyu mentioned at the end of the flying letter: "In the Myriad Phenomena Sect, the number of Confucian cultivators is not many or few, but they are always united and close, communicating with literature, and communicating frequently."

"This Flying Cloud Small Trial, many Confucian cultivators are selecting juniors, wanting to absorb new blood for the Confucian circle."

"Little Friend Ning, although you have practiced other cultivation arts and cannot concurrently practice Confucian methods. But I have already greeted them, you can use this small trial to join the Confucian group. For a short time, they will give you a certain amount of protection."

"Of course, they won't come forward personally, just take care of you in secret."

Ning Zhuo understood the concerns of these Confucian cultivators.

He and Wen Ruanyu would both become the center of the vortex of the sect’s internal strife, and all sizes of forces would compete and play games around them.

If they got too close in advance, these Confucian cultivators would also be involved in the storm.

As a Confucian group, they usually observe the situation. The crowd that charges forward is usually not this type of person.

But Ning Zhuo was already quite satisfied!

Wen Ruanyu is reliable!

Indeed one of his own!

From Wen Ruanyu’s arrangement and the reaction of the Confucian cultivators, this group was not big in the Myriad Phenomena Sect. If there was a big backer, the Confucian group would have started competing for Ning Zhuo long ago.

The benefits of the White Paper Immortal City are really great!

The Confucian cultivators’ own cultivation arts are limited, so they cannot completely change to practice the "Myriad Phenomena Scripture," so most of them are concurrent practice.

Confucian cultivators themselves have their own pursuits, or the path has related limitations. From this point, it is also difficult to walk into the core layer of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

Even so, the Confucian group is still willing to protect Ning Zhuo and use the Flying Cloud Small Trial to take care of Ning Zhuo. This method is very clever.

Because this is the rule of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

Using rules to carry out selfish desires is also the tendency of Confucian cultivators when dealing with affairs—effort-saving and safe.

"The Confucian group is neither high nor low, the position is awkward, and it cannot be a suitable entry point for me to join the Myriad Phenomena Sect."

"But since it was recommended and arranged by Wen Ruanyu, I should go!"

"In the short term, getting their protection is beneficial to me."

"And among the thousand families of cultivation, the Confucian family is also the best at learning! Perhaps I can find a method to accelerate the learning of the hundred arts of cultivation from it."

The four arts of a gentleman, zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, are almost the standard of Confucian cultivators.

That is to say, as a Confucian cultivator, one must at least master four arts, and the more profound the better. This does not count the traditional four arts of alchemy, artifact, array, and talisman.

Confucian cultivators learn so much, far exceeding ordinary schools, one reason is that the Confucian family has research results in learning.

Many Confucian arts are specifically designed for learning.

The next day.

Dianmo Peak.

The black rock wall is full of natural ink marks, black pines stand, the mountain fog is moist, and the path folds like a green jade belt.

Three cultivators are stepping on the dew-soaked stone steps and walking upward.

The oldest is only a youth.

The youth cultivator did not cover the aura of the peak of Foundation Establishment, with blue-black colors under his eyes, although he tied his hair, he leaked a few broken hairs.

Walking, the bamboo sticks in the poem tube hanging at his waist collided, making a sound.

The youth Confucian cultivator is named Bai Jiyun, walking at the forefront of the three, at this time slowly stopping to look into the distance.

The distant peak held half a round of golden sun, dyeing the sea of clouds into a magnificent scene like molten gold and splashed jade, and he couldn't help but praise sincerely: "If it weren't for the small trial today, being able

Bai Jiyun had a lazy and leisurely temperament, loved to travel, enjoyed beautiful scenery, and his literary reputation was widespread.

The two cultivators walking behind Bai Jiyun caught up.

The young Confucian cultivator Liu Fushu said: "Brother Bai is too modest. You are the face of the Foundation Establishment Confucian cultivators in our Flying Cloud Kingdom. If you fail, none of us can succeed."

Liu Fushu was thin and tall like a bamboo pole, and the cuffs of his washed-out blue robe were frayed. His right index finger had calluses, and there was a faint spot of ink on the side of his neck. He only had mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, but Bai Jiyun had long known his name.

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

Yet, this Flying Cloud Small Trial set in the Pointed Ink Peak was a written examination. If he were careless, he could very likely lose to Liu Fushu.

Liu Fushu was not flattering Bai Jiyun, but praising him from the heart.

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

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

"Brother Bai, for such beautiful scenery, shouldn't you create a poem to match your talent! This younger brother is all ears." The third person in the group spoke at this moment.

He was actually a young boy.

His cultivation was only at the Qi Refining stage, the baby fat on his cheeks had not yet faded, he wore an apricot-yellow short jacket, and his pupils were as black and bright as lacquer.

He was called Kong Ran, a famous child prodigy of the contemporary Flying Cloud Kingdom, truly only ten years old, not an old cultivator using age-preserving methods.

Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu both treated Kong Ran as an equal, firstly because Kong Ran's family background was outstanding—he was the son of the Prime Minister of the Flying Cloud Kingdom—and secondly, because he possessed 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 save my literary energy to cope with today's Flying Cloud Small Trial. I can only blame my own lack of talent for failing to live up to the beautiful scenery before us."

Kong Ran's small face was serious, and he couldn't help but feel a bit worried: "Is Mr. Chu Xuangui really that strict?"

Bai Jiyun nodded: "I have had the honor of meeting Mr. Chu Xuangui at several literary gatherings. He is rigid, fair, and meticulous. Although we only had a few brief conversations, they all made me break out in a cold sweat."

Bai Jiyun's temperament was clearly different from Chu Xuangui's; it was obvious they were not a good match.

Liu Fushu, however, looked toward the mountain peak with a tone of worship: "It is truly an honor to be able to pay a personal visit to Mr. Chu Xuangui today!"

"Mr. Chu once wrote the 'Rites of Great Harmony', and amidst the sea of clouds, he forged a hundred-mile cloud wall to resist fierce demons and monsters for many years."

"It is a pity that after resigning from his post in the Flying Cloud Kingdom, he has been living in seclusion at the Myriad Phenomena Sect."

The top of Pointed Ink Peak was shrouded in blue-gray morning mist.

The three cultivators climbed to the peak together and saw a middle-aged cultivator sitting cross-legged. In front of him was a stone table, and he was holding a magic treasure-level brush, meticulously practicing his calligraphy.

The three cultivators looked at each other, lightened their footsteps, remained silent, and walked to the front of the middle-aged cultivator to stand still.

Not until the middle-aged cultivator stopped his brush did the three of them softly pay their respects and introduce themselves.

The middle-aged cultivator was indeed Chu Xuangui. He wore a white robe with wide sleeves, his eyebrows were like hanging needles, his cheekbones were like an inkstone, his five fingers had calluses, and his sitting posture was extremely upright and meticulous.

"Bai Jiyun, Liu Fushu, Kong Ran." Chu Xuangui's stern expression softened slightly. "It is not yet time for the trial, and you are the first to arrive. Good, only by rising at the crow of the rooster can one show a sincere heart for learning."

He offered a word of praise, which immediately made the three cultivators feel a surge of joy.

"You may wait quietly." After Chu Xuangui finished his instructions, he spoke no more, took a second sheet of paper, and continued to wield his brush to practice calligraphy.

Bai Jiyun could only stand quietly in place. He wanted to move around, but knowing Chu Xuangui's temperament, he could only endure it bitterly.

Liu Fushu looked at Chu Xuangui with burning eyes. Although he couldn't discern everything, he could still try to fathom the mysteries of calligraphy from the movements of Chu Xuangui's arms and wrists, and for a time, he was immersed in it.

Kong Ran was only ten years old and had the urge to sit on the ground to rest, but seeing the appearance of Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu, he could only suppress his playful nature.

Time gradually passed, and one after another, cultivators climbed the mountain and arrived at the peak.

Like Bai Jiyun and the others, they first paid their respects and then stood in place to wait quietly.

Many cultivators began to feel increasingly restless.

Fortunately, the time for the trial was drawing closer.

Kong Ran was already impatient and repeatedly sent spiritual sense messages to Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu.

Liu Fushu was already immersed in Chu Xuangui's calligraphy.

Although Bai Jiyun was also impatient, he still comforted Kong Ran: Perhaps this was a deliberate arrangement by Mr. Chu Xuangui, an invisible test of our character.

Hearing this, Kong Ran felt a chill in his heart and forced himself not to move around.

Everyone was speculating, not knowing that Chu Xuangui's mood was also somewhat restless.

"Why hasn't that Ning Zhuo arrived yet? The time is almost up."

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

Wen Ruanyu was also a pillar. His painting skills were widely acclaimed among Confucian cultivators. Just the fact that Wen Ruanyu's self-portrait had the combat power of his original body was something most Confucian cultivators could not achieve.

Therefore, although Wen Ruanyu had been practicing in the White Paper Immortal City for years, it did not affect his status in the Confucian cultivation circle.

Wen Ruanyu had returned to report on his duties this time and had sent a flying letter in advance to notify the Confucian cultivation circle.

That was why Wen Ruanyu had previously urged Ning Zhuo to give him some time to let him investigate the inside story of the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

Although the Confucian cultivators of the Myriad Phenomena Sect did not occupy high positions, their status was not low; they belonged to the most united group among the middle tier. The many literary gatherings they held daily allowed them to make friends through literature while exchanging information.

Therefore, they all had a profound understanding of the overall situation within the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

The situation where Wen Ruanyu was placed under house arrest upon reporting his duties immediately triggered the vigilance and attention of the Confucian cultivation circle.

Every one of them took action, running around in secret for Wen Ruanyu.

Wen Ruanyu's request to take good care of Ning Zhuo was also taken very seriously by them.

Because they were also very clear about how enormous the interests represented by the White Paper Immortal City were. Those ghost-like and cold-natured treasure materials could be said to be everywhere in the Underworld, but they were rare and uncommon in the world of the living.

And the special geographical environment of the Yin-Tide Black Wet Swamp could be completely viewed as a huge, permanently developed Ghost Gate Pass that didn't even require massive resources to maintain its opening!

If this place were not located between the Flying Cloud Kingdom and the North Wind Kingdom, but rather in the heartland of any one country, it would have long since lost its autonomy.

It was not that the Confucian cultivation circle had no ideas about these interests!

The existence of Wen Ruanyu already gave them a huge innate advantage.

And Wen Ruanyu's high regard for Meng Yaoyin was well known. Now that Meng Yaoyin's son was also joining the Myriad Phenomena Sect, the Confucian cultivators all valued Ning Zhuo because of Wen Ruanyu.

The Confucian cultivators did not yet know that Ning Zhuo's status in the White Paper Immortal City was even higher than Wen Ruanyu's.

They chose to use the Flying Cloud Small Trial to elevate Ning Zhuo's status.

"Let this lucky kid become famous in advance and stand on the stage. Just this point alone will make many ill-intentioned people hesitate."

After the Confucian cultivators discussed it, they arrived at this idea.

Therefore, Chu Xuangui, who had not organized a Flying Cloud Small Trial for many years, specially held this one this year.

"If Ning Zhuo doesn't arrive, I'll have to hold a second one."