Chapter 712: Confucian Cultivator Trial

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

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

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

"Speaking of which, 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, how can I practice and still fall behind."

"And my three cultivation techniques are closely linked to mechanism arts, and mother also urged me to focus on mechanism arts. Mechanism arts are a collection of all cultivation arts, so I have to learn all cultivation arts!"

"My comprehension is not good; with this learning speed, how can I learn all cultivation arts? When will I learn it until the Year of the Monkey?"

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

Unlike 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 landed in Unlike Ning Zhuo's hand.

Unlike Ning Zhuo first checked it, didn't find any 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 identity of the sender.

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

Through various signs, Wen Ruanyu could be sure that various forces within the Wanxiang Sect were actively wanting to intervene in the White Paper Xiancheng:

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

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

Wen Ruanyu used secret language to warn Unlike 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 urged Unlike Ning Zhuo again to do more preparations, and he also actively found a way out for Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Although I am forced to stay indoors, I have also contacted some old friends and learned about many real situations within the sect."

Wen Ruanyu didn't elaborate here; it was very inconvenient to say these things in the letter. He just advised Unlike Ning Zhuo not to get involved in the internal strife of the Wanxiang Sect at will.

Especially the old four peaks.

Among the old four peaks, those involving the Purple Thunder Peak must be extremely cautious!

Wen Ruanyu's warning was consistent with Unlike Ning Zhuo's previous insight.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was much more stable than he thought.

"It's a pity I can't fly a letter to Wen Ruanyu; I can only let him worry for a while."

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

If Unlike Ning Zhuo sent a flying letter to him, it would be equivalent to actively exposing himself, a self-incriminating act.

Wen Ruanyu mentioned at the end of the letter: "Within the Wanxiang Sect, the number of Confucian cultivators is neither many nor few, but they are always united and close, making friends with literature and communicating frequently."

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

"Young Friend Ning, although you have focused on other cultivation techniques and cannot concurrently practice Confucian methods. But I have already greeted them, you can use this trial to join the group of Confucian cultivators. For a short time, they will give you some protection."

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

Unlike Ning Zhuo understood the concerns of these Confucian cultivators.

He and Wen Ruanyu would both become the center of the sect's internal strife, and various forces would compete and play games around them.

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

As a Confucian group, they would usually watch the situation. The people who took the lead in charging would usually not be this kind of people.

But Unlike Ning Zhuo was already quite satisfied!

Wen Ruanyu could be handled!

Indeed his own person!

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

The benefits of the White Paper Xiancheng were really huge!

The Confucian cultivators' own cultivation techniques were already limited, so they couldn't completely change to practice the "Wanxiang Sutra," so most of them were concurrent practitioners.

Confucian cultivators themselves had their own pursuits, or rather, the path had relevant limitations. From this point, it was also very difficult to walk into the core layer of the Wanxiang Sect.

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

Because this was the rule of the Wanxiang Sect.

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

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

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

"For a short time, obtaining their protection is beneficial to me."

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

The gentleman's four arts: zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, were almost the standard configuration 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 didn't count the traditional four arts: alchemy, weapon, array, and talisman.

Confucian cultivators learned so much, far exceeding ordinary schools, and one reason was that the Confucian family had research results in learning.

Many Confucian arts were specifically designed for learning.

The next day.

Dianmo Peak.

The black rock wall was full of natural ink marks, black pines stood, the mountain mist was moist, and the path folded like a green jade belt.

Three cultivators were stepping on the stone steps moistened by morning dew and walking upwards.

The oldest was only a young man.

The young cultivator didn't cover up the aura of the Foundation Establishment peak, his eyes had blue-black colors, and although his hair was tied, a few strands of broken hair leaked out.

While walking, the many bamboo sticks in the poetry tube hanging at his waist collided, making a sound.

The young Confucian cultivator was named Bai Jiyun, walking at the forefront of the three, at this moment slowly stopping to look into the distance.

He saw the distant peak holding half a round of golden sun, dyeing the sea of clouds into a magnificent scene like molten gold and splashing jade, and couldn't help but sigh from the heart: "If I fail the trial today, being able to see such beautiful scenery again is not a wasted trip."

Bai Jiyun's temperament was lazy and leisurely, fond of traveling, watching beautiful scenery, and his literary name was widely spread.

The two cultivators walking behind Bai Jiyun followed up.

The young Confucian cultivator Liu Fushu said: "Brother Bai is humble, you are the facade figure of the Foundation Establishment Confucian cultivators in my Flying Cloud Kingdom. If you fail, we have no success."

Liu Fushu

Although Liu Fushu came from a poor family, he had a great talent for Confucian cultivation techniques, especially calligraphy.

Yet, this Flying Cloud Trial set up in Pointed Ink Peak was a written examination. If he were 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 his cultivation, he repeatedly heard of Bai Jiyun's talent from his teachers. Every once in a while, 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, with such beautiful scenery, shouldn't you create a poem to match your talent? This younger brother is all ears." The third person in the field spoke up at this moment.

He was actually a young boy.

His cultivation was only at the Qi Condensation Stage, his cheeks still retaining their baby fat, wearing an apricot-yellow short jacket, his pupils as black and bright as lacquer.

He was called Kong Ran, a famous child prodigy of the contemporary Flying Cloud Kingdom; he was 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, being the son of the Flying Cloud Kingdom's Prime Minister, 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 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, inevitably feeling some worry: "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 significantly different from Chu Xuangui's; it was clear that they were not very compatible.

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', casting a hundred-mile cloud wall amidst the sea of clouds to resist fierce demons and monsters for many years."

"It's a pity that after resigning from his post in the Flying Cloud Kingdom, he went into seclusion at the Wanxiang Sect."

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

The three cultivators climbed to the summit together and saw a middle-aged cultivator sitting cross-legged, facing a stone table, holding a magic treasure-level brush, meticulously practicing 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 quietly.

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 like hanging needles, his cheekbones like an inkstone, his fingers calloused, and his sitting posture was incomparably upright and meticulous.

"Bai Jiyun, Liu Fushu, Kong Ran." Chu Xuangui's serious expression softened slightly, "It is not yet time for the trial, yet you are the first to arrive. Good, 'rising with the rooster' shows 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 where he was; he wanted to move about, but knowing Chu Xuangui's temperament well, he could only endure bitterly.

Liu Fushu looked at Chu Xuangui with burning eyes; although he could not identify it clearly, he could still try to fathom the mysteries of calligraphy from the movements of Chu Xuangui's arms and wrists, becoming immersed in it for a time.

Kong Ran was only ten years old and had the heart 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 passed gradually, and one after another, cultivators climbed the mountain step by step, arriving at the summit.

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

Many cultivators' moods gradually became restless.

Fortunately, the time for the trial to begin was drawing closer.

Kong Ran had long since lost patience and repeatedly sent spiritual sense transmissions to Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu.

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

Although Bai Jiyun was also impatient, he still pacified Kong Ran: this might be a special arrangement by Mr. Chu Xuangui, an invisible test of our character.

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

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

"Why hasn't that Unlike Ning Zhuo arrived yet? Time is almost up."

In the Confucian circle of the Wanxiang Sect, 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 calligraphic skill.

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

Therefore, although Wen Ruanyu had been cultivating in the White Paper Xiancheng 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 long since sent a flying letter in advance to notify the Confucian cultivation circle.

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

Although the Confucian cultivators of the Wanxiang 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 in their daily lives allowed them to make friends through literature while exchanging information with each other.

Therefore, they had a profound understanding of the overall inside story of the Wanxiang Sect.

Once the situation of Wen Ruanyu being placed under house arrest while reporting on his duties occurred, it triggered the vigilance and attention of the Confucian cultivation circle.

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

Wen Ruanyu's request to take good care of Unlike 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 Xiancheng were. Those treasure materials of ghosts and cold flows could be said to be everywhere in the underworld, but in the mortal world, they were rare and scarce.

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

If this place weren't located between the Flying Cloud Kingdom and the North Wind Kingdom, it would have long since lost its autonomy if it were in the hinterland of any kingdom.

It wasn't that the Confucian cultivation circle had no ideas about these interests!

Wen Ruanyu's existence already gave them a huge advantage from the start.

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

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

They chose to use the Flying Cloud Trial to raise Unlike Ning Zhuo's status.

"Let this lucky kid become famous in advance and stand on the stage. Just this point alone can make many people with ill intent hesitate."

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

Therefore, Chu Xuangui, who hadn't organized a Flying Cloud Trial for many years, held one specially this year.

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