Chapter 707

When Ning Zhuo arrived at the top of Pointed Ink Peak, Chu Xuangui finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But he did not rush to start the trial; instead, he filled the blank spaces on the rice paper in front of him with ink.

After finishing this sheet, he slowly raised his head, faced the dozens of cultivators at the peak, and solemnly announced: "The time has arrived. The trial begins."

He pointed at the sky, and his magic power condensed into the test question—using the technique of talisman making to write the "Book of Enlightenment for Children".

Once this question was posed, the cultivators in the field could not help but look at each other.

It was too strange!

This style of questioning was vastly different from previous years!

The content of the test was quite bizarre; it actually required using the brushwork of talisman making to write a Confucian classic.

The "Book of Enlightenment for Children" was not profound; on the contrary, its content was very shallow. The so-called "enlightenment children" referred to children just starting their education; it was a book for the introductory education of children.

It was an introductory book for calligraphy fonts, mainly involving four of the five major fonts: Clerical Script, Regular Script, Running Script, and Cursive Script. As for Seal Script, it was deliberately excluded because it was too difficult.

The five major fonts, which were the main content of calligraphy, were aimed at various Confucian works.

Talisman making emphasized magic, the details of every stroke and pause of the talisman brush, the use of talisman paper and ink, and the cultivator's degree of understanding of magic.

Stroke style?

It had never been examined; as long as the talisman could take effect, it was considered a success.

"Why use the brushwork of talisman making to write Confucian works?"

"What exactly does Mr. Chu Xuangui want to examine?"

"What is the font of talisman making? I have been cultivating for decades and have never thought about this question."

These were two unrelated things. The cultivators were unable to understand the reason why Chu Xuangui wanted to link them together.

Bai Jiyun was a representative figure among the contemporary Foundation Establishment Confucian cultivators of the Flying Cloud Kingdom. He loved to travel to all corners of the land and enjoy beautiful scenery, so he could be considered well-informed.

He was also puzzled at this moment: "According to rumors, when the Ancestor of Writing created characters, the standard he referenced was talismans, thus creating the Seal Script. But the 'Book of Enlightenment for Children' specifically excludes Seal Script."

Liu Fushu, who worshipped Chu Xuangui, thought to himself: "Mr. Chu's move must have a deep meaning; it's just that I am dull-witted and cannot fathom it for the moment."

Chu Xuangui scanned the crowd, taking in the expressions of confusion on everyone's faces.

This situation was within his expectations.

It was normal not to be able to figure it out.

The real purpose of Chu Xuangui designing this strange question was to support Ning Zhuo.

Without waiting for everyone to think, Chu Xuangui took a brush from his sleeve.

He channeled a stream of magic power to make the brush float into the air, specifically to show it to everyone.

"The winner of this Flying Cloud Small Trial will receive this 'Brush of Understanding'."

Ning Zhuo raised his eyebrows slightly: "Magic treasure level?"

He felt quite surprised, not expecting such a heavy reward in a mere Flying Cloud Small Trial.

The cultivators beside him were in an uproar, falling into even more intense discussion.

"My god! Did I see that right? Is it really the Brush of Understanding?!"

"What's going on with this small trial today? Why would Mr. Chu offer such a reward?"

"It's not easy to create a Brush of Understanding; just obtaining the main material for the handle, River-Luo Jade, requires enduring a lightning tribulation."

"That's not all. This brush is at the magic treasure level, which means it must have passed at least three tribulations."

"The main material is generally River-Luo Jade; passing the lightning tribulation means passing the heavenly tribulation. But the earthly tribulation and human tribulation must also be passed. Otherwise, it would be impossible to achieve such a level!"

Ning Zhuo remained silent.

Hearing the cultivators' discussion, he immediately understood that he had still underestimated the importance of this brush.

Bai Jiyun narrowed his eyes, already realizing: "This Flying Cloud Small Trial is unusual. Being able to bring out a Brush of Understanding, I fear those Golden Core seniors will regret it deeply once they hear about it."

There were many Flying Cloud Small Trials, and for a long time, the Confucian cultivation group had a weak presence in the Myriad Phenomena Sect, and the rewards had never been this significant.

"It is conceivable that once this trial is over, this small trial will be spread wildly inside and outside the Myriad Phenomena Sect."

Liu Fushu was the most excited.

He stared tightly at the Brush of Understanding in mid-air, clenched his fists, his breathing became heavy, and bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes: "According to rumors, the number of Brushes of Understanding is limited."

"Because when a cultivator uses this kind of precious brush to copy, they can grasp the deep meaning of the author from the works and copybooks. Over time, as it accumulates, it can improve one's realm in a certain aspect!"

"This kind of precious brush can be called a treasure for cultivation. The one in front of us is not at the magic tool level, but at the magic treasure level. For most cultivators, it can almost be used for a lifetime!"

"It is precisely because this kind of magic treasure can increase one's realm and quickly cultivate experts that it goes against the harmony of heaven."

"The total number of Brushes of Understanding existing in the world has never been able to exceed ten thousand! Every Brush of Understanding created after that will generate disasters. Only by passing them can the treasure be successfully refined."

"And the difficulty of making each Brush of Understanding is getting higher and higher."

Liu Fushu was good at calligraphy and knew all the famous brushes in the world by heart. Among the thirty-six great spiritual bristles, there was a 'Myriad Wonders Brush of Understanding', ranked twenty-seventh.

The so-called thirty-six great spiritual bristles were the most famous precious brushes in the history of the cultivation world, and the lowest quality was at the spiritual treasure level!

All the Brushes of Understanding in the world were refined by imitating the Myriad Wonders Brush of Understanding. Although they were imitations, because they were rare in number, they had always been precious and scarce. As long as a Confucian scholar had the opportunity, they would pursue them with all their might!

Kong Ran's eyes were bright, his chest heaved, and his breathing became rapid: "A treasure, a good treasure indeed!"

"This trip, joining the Myriad Phenomena Sect was truly the right choice."

"Many people say I have an affinity with Confucianism and advise me to specialize in it. Now it seems this brush is waiting for me to arrive here; could this be the arrangement of fate?"

Although Kong Ran was very young, his thinking was very mature.

Even though he was hindered by his young age and had much less experience than others, he knew the political implications of the Brush of Understanding.

"Such a magic treasure is only used for daily cultivation, but its value far exceeds ordinary offensive magic treasures."

"In the entire Myriad Phenomena Sect, I'm afraid there is only this one."

"Whoever obtains it is undoubtedly the newcomer recognized by the Confucian cultivation circle of the Myriad Phenomena Sect as having a promising future!"

"If I obtain this brush, I can be considered a step ahead of others right from the start."

"No, more than a step? It's simply manifold, manifold!"

Chu Xuangui saw the changing expressions of the crowd, all of them attracted by the heavy treasure he had thrown out, and smiled in his heart.

Subsequently, he pointed like a sword, channeled his magic power, and condensed text passages in mid-air; they were eighty-eight "Yong" (Eternity) characters.

"Copy the 'Book of Enlightenment for Children' I have provided. The fastest one who meets the standard will be the winner."

"But as long as there is a single mistake in the process, it will be considered a failure, and you must start writing from the first character of that passage again."

After quickly finishing these rules, Chu Xuangui did not wait for questions and announced directly: "This Pointed Ink Peak Flying Cloud Small Trial officially begins!"

As soon as the words fell, Ning Zhuo took the lead, channeling his magic power to form characters out of thin air.

The cultivators saw this and were startled, immediately imitating him, scrambling to be first.

Everyone was almost at the same starting line, but after a dozen breaths, someone took the lead, and the degree of the lead increased rapidly.

It was Liu Fushu!

This young cultivator came from a poor background, had been practicing calligraphy hard, and was most skilled in this craft.

It was because of this prominent point that he had accumulated quite a bit of fame.

The first chapter of the "Book of Enlightenment for Children" was the "Song of the Eight Virtues of the Yong Character"; anyone who studies calligraphy must learn the "Yong" character.

The "Song of the Eight Virtues of the Yong Character" not only explained the essentials of writing the "Yong" character but also promoted the tenets of Confucianism.

A dot like the first stirrings of a benevolent heart, two horizontal strokes like the sword of righteousness leveling the frontiers, three vertical strokes like a ritual staff holding up the sky, four hooks like the blade of wisdom returning the edge. The "Book of Enlightenment for Children" was widely circulated in the cultivation world; almost all children studied this book when learning to write.

Liu Fushu was the first to finish writing the eighty-eight "Yong" characters, which was just a warm-up, very light and easy.

Seeing this, Chu Xuangui immediately extended his other finger, used his magic power to write in mid-air, and wrote a poem in Clerical Script.

The entire "Book of Enlightenment for Children", besides the eighty-eight "Yong" characters, consisted of Clerical Script poems, Regular Script poems, Running Script poems, and Cursive Script poems, with twenty-two poems of each type. Each poem was catchy, and the poems themselves were excellent copybooks for practicing calligraphy.

Now, the one Chu Xuangui wrote was exactly the third poem in the Clerical Script section.

It was: A silkworm head starts the blade to embrace the sea of mulberry,

A swallow cuts the cloud tail with deep-hidden rhyme.

Horizontal strokes open the stone gate to suppress dragons and elephants,

Bamboo and silk for a thousand years carry the chapters of the Dao.

Liu Fushu knew this poem by heart; he only took one look and buried his head in writing the poem.

He was about to forge ahead, but made a mistake on the third character; the brushwork no longer met the test standard.

He had to start over from the very beginning of the poem.

Soon, he made a mistake on the seventh character and had to start over again.

Then, he made a mistake on the fifth character.

Three consecutive mistakes actually made him linger on the first line of the poem, never passing it.

Liu Fushu was dumbfounded, simply unable to believe everything that was happening before his eyes!

"I, what is wrong with me?"

"Is this still me?"

"Am I too nervous?!"

Chu Xuangui took in this scene. Deep in his eyes, a sharp light flashed and vanished.

This was entirely within his expectations.

The "Book of Enlightenment for Children" was widely popularized; basically, as long as one had the conditions to attend school, one would practice it many times.

Liu Fushu was even more so. He was so skilled in calligraphy that he must have spent a lot of time on this aspect, consuming too much painstaking effort.

Every time he practiced the "Book of Enlightenment for Children", he would try his best to meet the requirements of every font and poem.

For him, he not only knew these poems by heart but could write them backward. Writing these characters was something he could do with his eyes closed.

It was completely ingrained in his bones, turning into an instinct.

But now, the requirement of the test question Chu Xuangui issued was to use the brushwork of talisman making to write the "Book of Enlightenment for Children".

For those who had practiced diligently, this was very difficult!

Liu Fushu had already practiced writing these poems into his bones. The stronger this instinct of his was, the greater the difficulty of resisting it now.

Especially since Chu Xuangui had shown the Brush of Understanding before the trial began.

This magic treasure-level reward was too significant, leading the Confucian cultivators to compete with all their might, fearing they would fall behind others.

Under these circumstances, Liu Fushu, who came from a poor family, would inevitably lose his balance of mind due to nervousness. This made it even easier for him to make mistakes.

Chu Xuangui scanned the crowd and secretly observed Ning Zhuo.

"Hmm, not bad."

Ning Zhuo's speed was good, ranking in the top five.

Wen Ruanyu had mentioned some information about Ning Zhuo to his fellow Confucian cultivators.

Therefore, Chu Xuangui knew that Ning Zhuo was more skilled in talisman making than in calligraphy. The latter did not know much about Confucian cultivators, and regarding the Brush of Understanding, he probably did not know its important meaning.

This would allow Ning Zhuo to maintain a calm state of mind.

Ning Zhuo needed to maintain a stable state of mind; only with such a performance could he avoid revealing flaws and allow the Confucian cultivators to elevate him to a higher level without suspicion.

If there were suspicion, not only would the Confucian cultivators be criticized, but more importantly, the plan to help Ning Zhuo would fail.

Therefore, the Confucian cultivators did not inform Ning Zhuo of their specific plan. Firstly, they were worried that Ning Zhuo was too young and afraid he wouldn't act well, so it was better to let him perform naturally. Secondly, communicating and plotting in advance was easy to leave evidence.

Once discovered by someone with ulterior motives, this evidence would plunge both the Confucian cultivators and Ning Zhuo into huge trouble.

Concerning the benefits of the White Paper Immortal City, many people would definitely investigate this matter.

The safest way for the Confucian cultivators was not to contact Ning Zhuo, not to communicate in advance, and to proceed directly with the Flying Cloud Small Trial.

This tested the Confucian cultivators' ability to control the situation.

And this was precisely one of the strengths of the Confucian cultivators!

Once again, starting over.

Liu Fushu scanned the circle and found that he had fallen far behind.

"No, no, no! How could this be? I should be the one far in the lead!" Liu Fushu became increasingly nervous, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins, and his expression was extremely stiff.

The top three rankings had been stable for a little while.

They were Bai Jiyun, Kong Ran, and Ning Zhuo.

"Ning Zhuo is in third place, trailing the top two, which is reasonable," Chu Xuangui thought to himself.

He knew something about Bai Jiyun, Kong Ran, and Liu Fushu.

Every Flying Cloud Assembly, various organizations and forces of the Myriad Phenomena Sect would actively recruit new blood from the outside. The Confucian cultivation group was no exception.

They had secretly invested a lot of time and energy into excellent newcomers.

Chu Xuangui was not anxious; everything was under his control.

The next moment, he wrote another poem in mid-air: The floating threads shrink with long meaning, the brush sweeps back the edge carrying the scent of dew.

Dry and moist generate each other like fine spring rain, the brush breaks the mountains and rivers to continue the magnificent chapter.

Liu Fushu was still writing the previous Clerical Script poem, but this one was a poem in Running Script.

Among the cultivators, many were slightly stunned.

According to the order, after Clerical Script came Regular Script, after Regular Script came Running Script, and finally Cursive Script poems.

Chu Xuangui, however, suddenly skipped Regular Script and went directly to the Running Script section.

"Good, it's reached the part I'm good at." Bai Jiyun's spirits lifted; the font he liked most was Running Script. At this time, he still did not understand the severity of the situation.

Sure enough, the next moment he made a mistake on the first character.

He was writing too smoothly and unconsciously slipped into the style of Running Script.

As a result, he had to redo it.

Error, error again, error again!

Bai Jiyun was like a replica of Liu Fushu before, making consecutive mistakes, and his ranking fell directly from the top spot.

"How could this be?" The dashing Bai Jiyun was now dumbfounded.