Chapter 139: Choice, Who to Save?

He muttered a sentence, and Wuling shook his head again: "Fist like a fierce tiger, body like a spiritual monkey, palm like a violent bear, just now when soaring it was like a bird..."

"It's amazing that he can actually combine the forms of several fierce beasts together; although it still looks a bit unfamiliar, after more practice he will surely be able to switch smoothly and unleash unimaginable power."

"Not bad, not bad."

Seeing Fang Xu rush forward and smash the head of one of the three humanoid puppets, with the other two quickly about to be dismantled by him, Wuling realized his worry was unnecessary.

This kid's strength is too great, especially his tiger-like fist technique and bear-like palm technique; his power is extremely terrifying!

Between a punch and a palm strike, the armor on the humanoid mechanized puppets cannot possibly block it.

The three humanoid mechanized puppets were quickly wrecked by Fang Xu's attacks.

"Not bad!"

"Do you still remember that ruthless person who, in the first stage, single-handedly knocked down more than ten Ji Province martial artists who were blocking the road and collecting tolls?"

After the seven people received the items, they all simultaneously cupped their hands toward Kuang Qing and then returned downstairs.

His steps paused slightly; Fang Xu glanced in the direction the sound came from, but saw only lush, verdant forest.

"Shh! Keep your voices down, haven't you heard that the number one inner sect disciple of our Yu State Ascension Society is also a female disciple who looks frail and delicate?"

"Yuan Bo……"

"I don't know." Fang Xu shook his head.

Everyone's gazes in the place all turned toward him at once.

"When are you planning to apply for promotion to inner sect disciple?" Yun Wan suddenly spoke.

"……"

But Hua Xiao Rui gives off a strange feeling; as to exactly what is strange about it, he can't put it into words.

Although these tasks all offer contribution points, they are pitifully few.

He roughly knows Fang Xu's strength; although his realm is only Martial Disciple Eighth Level, he should be able to complete the promotion task.

Jiang Feng's gaze swept toward Fang Xu in the crowd.

"Your reward: 20,000 contribution points, ten sixth-grade Blood Qi Pills, ten sixth-grade Primordial Yuan Pills, and three days of contemplation time in the Cliffside Earth Palace."

After wandering for a long time he finally found the path to the Rear Mountain; Fang Xu was about to go when two disciples dressed in black-and-white long robes blocked his way.

Kuang Qing said nothing, respectfully stepping to the side.

The Cliffside Earth Palace is the place where the Cliffside Heavenly Scripture is located.

Jiang Feng gave a slight nod, turned to look at Kuang Qing and said, "From now on it's up to you," then left the hall.

"From now on, all of you will follow the Transmission Elder in outer sect cultivation."

"Elder Jiang, may I ask when a disciple can go challenge the Ascension Platform?"

"Kuang Qing, this first place, I will personally award him." Jiang Feng, standing nearby, suddenly smiled and spoke.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the more than three thousand disciples on the square, originally ashen, instantly showed an undisguisable excitement.

At this point, all the martial artists participating in the examination have obviously finished.

Upon hearing those words, Fang Xu was instantly dazed!

Saying that, he then led Fang Xu away from the twelfth level of the Stone Pagoda, appearing on the square before the pagoda.

Upon hearing those words, Fang Xu furrowed his brows tightly.

Buying back a few hundred then immediately reselling for five thousand or even over ten thousand—this is too black-hearted!

"Kid, don't think the Ascension Society is too dark; after all, the cost the sect spends to cultivate you far exceeds your imagination."

"Fang Xu, I plan to apply for promotion to inner sect disciple after the Year-end Festival." On the snowy white mountain path, Yun Wan softly spoke.

As for the third stage, he himself was on the twelfth level; as for whether he went up to the thirteenth and fourteenth levels at the top, I don't know.

"Effective immediately, you are outer sect disciples of my Ascension Society; while enjoying the society's protection, you can also access all resources available to outer sect disciples, provided you have enough contribution points."

"The points have not reached thirteen thousand two hundred percent……"

"I heard from my distant cousin's husband's brother that it seems they will give many contribution points!"

Seven days have passed since the entrance examination; after a heavy snowfall, everything in sight is covered in silver white.

Fang Xu nodded; the rewards the Ascension Society took out are extremely likely to be urgently needed by these new disciples.

Fang Xu nodded and, following what the two said, headed toward the Rear Mountain.

"Below, I will call out names; those named come up to receive the award!"

An ordinary third-grade martial technique, if taken out, would be enough to create a family that dominates a province; yet in the Ascension Society it's worth only a hundred contribution points—this is too much of a pitfall!

"The Ascension Society's buyback price is naturally a hundred contribution points, but if you want to exchange for an ordinary third-grade martial technique from within the sect, you actually need five thousand contribution points."

"Alright, everyone pay attention!"

Including the points he earned in the first stage, Yun Wan believes Fang Xu will surely secure first place in this examination.

On the other side, Fang Xu and the other disciples who passed the examination are currently standing in a magnificent hall.

After Kuang Qing finished speaking, he directly waved his hand, ordering the inner sect disciples to drive the over three thousand people in the venue into the Stone Pagoda.

Kuang Qing strode up to him, cupped his hands slightly, then turned to face the crowd and spoke in a low voice:

Before the bamboo grove, when Fang Xu arrived, Jiang Feng in white robes was obviously already waiting there for a long time; seeing Fang Xu, he furrowed his brows: "How could you be so late?"

The Ascension Society obviously has masters proficient in formation arts; their identity tokens are engraved with a certain complex formation, which besides recording each person's identity information can also store contribution points.

"The Rear Mountain Forbidden Area—no one may approach!"

"Everyone, get ready."

"I believe some of you have heard that the Ascension Society each year rewards outstanding performers among the examination disciples; this year is naturally no exception."

"I don't know; anyway it's not me—I just barely scraped through."

"Want to see the Executive Elder? Do you have a token?" One of them frowned and asked.

"First place, Huangzhou's Fang Xu."

When Kuang Qing finished speaking, a group of inner sect disciples immediately came forward holding trays.

Fang Xu shook his head, having no idea why Jiang Feng had come to find him in the middle of the night.

As soon as Kuang Qing's words fell, many people's faces lit up with joy, and they rushed toward the right exit.

A smile appeared on Fang Xu's face, and under everyone's gaze, he slowly stepped onto the high platform.

Go ahead, I'll prepare for these few days; when the time comes, I'll have someone notify you. Bring that old ape to become able.

By the way, Fang Xu, did you go to the eleventh level? I didn't see you on the tenth level.

These things are nothing more than cultivation methods, secret techniques, martial skills, and some medicinal pills and weapons.

When he reached the mountainside, Fang Xu faintly heard a faint guqin melody, melancholy and lingering, intermittent, with what seemed like a woman's sigh woven in.

The two of them walked together, and the old ape, in order to save him, fought a great battle with the Lü family patriarch Lü Shengren and the Tuoba family patriarch Tuoba Xiong, nearly exhausting all of their qi and blood.

As for your master, if you want to save him yourself, you have only to challenge the Ascension Platform." Saying this, Jiang Feng gave a light smile: "Changqing protects his own; in this matter, I naturally cannot interfere directly.

Fang Xu pursed his lips and said nothing.

On the tray lay the rewards these few had earned, along with their identity tokens.

After being led into the main hall, no one came to tell them what to do next, so these martial artists gathered in small groups and began chatting.

Jiang Feng and Xu Changqing share a deep bond; it would be impossible for him, as a newcomer disciple, to slight Xu Changqing's face.

Seeing her hard-to-contain joy, Fang Xu estimated that she had likely passed two levels.

On the high platform, Jiang Feng, dressed in white robes with silver hair, led a group of elders and stewards of the Ascension Immortal Society slowly forward.

Even a broken map costs five contribution points, while an ordinary three-star martial technique costs only over a hundred points—how dark!

"Do you know why I summoned you?" Jiang Feng asked.

"No rush; with your current cultivation, attempting the Ascension Platform, you might not even clear the first level. Wait until you reach Martial Master before we talk."

"I heard you have a master outside the mountains, and because you offended Changqing's registered disciple, you were imprisoned—is that true?"

I am currently an eighth-stage Martial Disciple, and breaking through to Martial Master will still take some time.

Your reward is ten thousand contribution points, twenty fifth-grade Blood Qi Pills, twenty fifth-grade Yuan-Nourishing Pills, and the opportunity to enter the Cliffside Underground Palace for a day of contemplation.

Just speaking of those martial arts manuals you referenced when creating your technique, placed outside, in such quantity, which clan could possibly produce these?

Everyone hurriedly stopped discussing and turned in unison to look at the high platform before the main hall.

Tenth place, Huangzhou Yunwan!

Next is third place, Jizhou Liang Zijing!

Senior Brother Fang!

After planting his feet firmly on the high platform, Jiang Feng clasped his hands behind his back, swept his gaze over the crowd, and said with a light smile: 'First, on behalf of the Ascension Immortal Association, I welcome your joining.'

Him? I recall now—he seemed to have looted many mechanism puppet cores from that group of Jizhou martial artists; could he possibly be first?

Fang Xu was no longer calm!

Could it be worth only a thousand?

Exactly, aside from having a good appearance, he feels like he can't even block a single punch of mine...

Below, seeing the second-place finisher, Huo Xiaorui from the northern wilderness Liangzhou, many people whispered among themselves.

Wuling smiled and extended a finger.

People can be released, but first listen to me finish. Interrupting Fang Xu's words, Jiang Feng said: 'I also heard Changqing say that the old ape following you doesn't have much time left?'

By his side, Yunwan and Lu Qingluo were also present; Fang Xu walked over, seeing the three of them with relaxed expressions, and smiled: 'Looks like you all gained quite a lot.'

At night, after Fang Xu returned to his lodgings and tidied up his bedding, he took the token Jiang Feng gave him and headed toward the rear mountain.

Kuang Qing said, slowly taking out a sheet of paper and glancing at it: 'The total number of participants who passed the third stage is four thousand one hundred twenty.'

Fang Xu, I find the martial technique you created this time quite interesting, and it still has great room for improvement; after you join the sect later, you can have this technique specially evaluated.

Martial Master?

Ten thousand? Fang Xu asked doubtfully.

Alright, everyone, come forward to receive your identity tokens and items.

Second place, Liangzhou Huoxiaorui!

After careful verification, these people disappeared one by one at the exit.

Everyone, be silent!

Halt!

What?!

Compared to inner disciples, outer disciples still have far too few resources available.

Me too.' Lu Qingluo said with a smile.

Yunwan rarely mischievously laughed: 'You guess.'

Fang Xu nodded: 'My master is Lu Zhiyuan, Elder...'

Two senior brothers, I have been ordered to meet Elder Jiang.' Fang Xu hastily clasped his hands.

Upon hearing his voice, all the martial artists in the plaza instantly looked over with tense expressions.

If the mission fails, one may not reapply within six months.

But this does not mean you will all become disciples of my Ascension Immortal Association.

Wuling shook his head.

Clearing the eleventh level yields as many as a hundred thousand points; if the twelfth level, at least over two hundred thousand points.

After hesitating a moment, he recalled the instructions of those two disciples, immediately suppressed his curiosity, and hurried straight ahead.

Hearing that name, Fang Xu was somewhat surprised, but after a moment's thought he understood.

No one can apply each month's beginning to the Transmission Elder for promotion to inner disciple; completing the promotion task allows one to become an inner disciple.

In this examination, only the top ten can receive rewards.

"What is your name?" Wu Ling asked.

I know you now possess the strength to defeat a martial master, but the Ascending Immortal Platform exerts extremely strong pressure on martial artists below that rank; without a star chart to support you, you simply cannot endure.

In the first-stage examination, many martial artists had teamed up to plunder others, and he wasn't sure whether anyone had earned more points than he.

Standing in the square, Fang Xu took a rough glance; the martial artists participating in the third-stage examination numbered nearly ten thousand, yet only about four thousand had walked out alive, suggesting the rest had perished within the stone pagoda.

"Contribution points? Those are necessities for the daily cultivation life of the Ascending Immortal Association; you say, who will be the first-place newcomer this time?"

I heard that the first place in this entrance examination will receive extra rewards!

This second place is actually such a petite woman; she looks like she has no ability at all?

It really seems so...

In the crowd, Long Long saw Fang Xu and shouted.

Eighth place, Ji Province's Yuwen Yi!

Yun Wan is tenth place!?

During the first stage, he gave Yun Wan and Lu Qing Luo each over ten thousand points; in the second stage, Yun Wan likely also gained many points, and adding the third stage where she cleared two layers of the stone tower, gaining over eighty thousand points at once, the total points definitely exceeded one hundred thousand.

Fang Xu also noticed Hua Xiao Rui.

"Fang Xu, do you have a chance to get first place this time?" In the crowd, Yun Wan looked toward Fang Xu and asked.

Impossible; during the second stage I personally saw him study for three days without grasping anything, and in the first stage he scavenged only ten or twenty thousand points, which is nothing.

"Replying to the senior, junior Fang Xu." Fang Xu clasped his hands.

Fang Xu gave a hehe smile, clasped his hands, and said: "Many thanks, senior; may I ask, junior, can I challenge the next layer again?"

Specific promotion matters will be explained personally by the Transmission Elder.

She roughly understood that Fang Xu's attempt to challenge was at least the eleventh layer, possibly even higher.

The inner sect disciple immediately brought over the tray.

"Not bad, didn't disappoint me." Jiang Feng gave a light smile and waved at the inner sect disciple behind him.

The Chief Elder this year has opened a net, deciding to give you all a chance to defy heaven and change fate.

Lao Yuan, I, although unable to save him, have a way to temporarily delay his lifespan by a year.

Everything will be fine once I clear the Ascending Immortal Platform and rescue him.

In order to perfect this martial technique, he spent all his time, even exceeding the limit by a quarter hour, and then requesting to challenge the next layer was indeed somewhat overreaching.

Just then, a booming voice sounded in the great hall, shaking everyone's ears with a buzz.

"Fang Xu..." Lu Qing Luo glanced at Fang Xu, seeming to want to say something, but when the words reached her lips she swallowed them back.

Has the tenth layer also been cleared?

Indeed, he looks as frail as a wisp, not much different from Chu Mu.

Huayang Mountain, Tianluan Peak.

During the second stage he had been wholeheartedly comprehending the technique, and hadn't noticed whether he had gained a large amount of points.

Hearing this, Fang Xu's heart leapt with joy, and he immediately asked: "May I ask, senior, how many contribution points does an ordinary third-rank martial technique worth in the Ascending Immortal Association?"

If they are some rare and powerful ones, being worth over ten thousand contribution points is normal." Wu Ling said with a smile.

The path of the rise of martial arts, Lu Zhiyuan gave me great help; a day as teacher, a lifetime as father, I cannot abandon him.

Long Long scratched his head and laughed: "Having cleared the ninth layer, I obtained over twenty thousand points."

Fang Xu and the four others also followed the crowd out of the square; after those who met the standard had left, Kuang Qing looked at the remaining people and said in an indifferent voice:

They knew that the next moment would be the time to decide their own fate.

Although she hadn't spoken it out, Fang Xu also roughly understood what she wanted to say.

According to the proportion... those whose points reach thirteen thousand two hundred percent, congratulations, you may exit from the passage on my right side.

Really? What rewards will there be?

You will later enter the first layer of the stone tower's arena to fight; the twenty who ultimately survive will still be able to become disciples of the Ascending Immortal Association.

With Kuang Qing's voice, a man and a woman walked forward from the crowd.

Can't it be done earlier? I now...

Next layer?" Wu Ling looked at him with a half-smile and said: "Junior, you already exceeded the limit by a quarter hour to challenge this layer; there's no remaining time."

Clearing the twelfth layer would earn him over two hundred thousand points; if he also cleared the thirteenth or fourteenth layer, he would gain even more points.

First of all, congratulations on successfully passing the three-stage examination.

Yun Wan also showed some difference at this moment; she then hurriedly went up to the platform and slightly bowed her hands to Kuang Qing.

"Wait aside for now." Kuang Qing said with a kind expression.

Fang Xu embarrassedly clasped his hands: "I got lost."

Fang Xu nodded to indicate understanding.

First place...

Although these two only had one day's observation opportunity, it was also quite rare; after all, all Ascending Immortal Association disciples wishing to enter the Cliffside Grotto Palace must spend one hundred thousand contribution points to stay ten days, which converts to this reward alone being worth ten thousand contribution points for the two of them.

Wu Ling slowly stepped down from the viewing platform, looking at Fang Xu and couldn't help but praise: "I really misjudged you, little guy; your understanding of the martial way surpasses my imagination."

"Senior Sister Yun is so amazing!" Long Long exclaimed excitedly.

Wu Ling again shook his head and laughed: "It's one hundred contribution points."

Fang Xu quickly took out the token that Jiang Feng had given him during the day.

Ninth place, Ji Province's Shentu Qu!

Contribution points definitely exist, after all, this thing is more practical compared to other things.

"Fang Xu senior brother, I knew first place would be you!" Long Long shouted excitedly!

Old Monkey definitely needs to be saved, and Master Lu Zhiyuan also needs to be saved.

"I said I'd give you a reward, now you can choose."

"What will the reward be for first place in this examination?" Long Long asked curiously.

We've come to the Ascension Immortal Society to take the entry examination, and it's already been some days since we last went back to see him.

Among them, the bodies of martial artists with only a thousand or two points have begun to tremble uncontrollably.

"It's definitely a cultivation method, heavenly materials and earthly treasures, etc.; I estimate there might also be some contribution points." Lu Qingluo replied first.

"You several people can each receive five thousand contribution points, ten fifth-grade Blood Qi Pills, ten fifth-grade Yuan Nourishing Pills, and the opportunity to enter the first ten levels of the Myriad Laws Stone Tower for one day."

Yun Wan smiled and nodded: "I got over eighty thousand points."

"Hmm, given your current realm, you should indeed go to the inner door."

Fang Xu heard this and felt a bit disappointed.

Furthermore, outer disciples also have to undertake odd jobs: helping the Divine Weapon Hall mine and smelt iron embryos, helping the Hall of Hundred Herbs gather medicinal herbs, tending the medicinal garden, and even sweeping the mountain gate—these are all tasks of outer disciples.

Kuang Qing called up all martial artists ranked from fourth to tenth place at once.

The two took a look, then stepped aside: "Follow this mountain path all the way; upon seeing a bamboo grove, that is the residence of the Executive Elder; do not rashly intrude elsewhere!"

After Fang Xu returned to his original position, Kuang Qing slowly opened his mouth:

Furthermore, although Wu Huan is dead, he had after all saved Xu Changqing; as a steward of the Ascension Immortal Society, Xu Changqing also finds it hard to go back on his original promise, and fortunately the master is only imprisoned, with no serious harm.

"Alright, come with me."

Fang Xu nodded and looked at Yun Wan: "How about you?"

After receiving their prizes, the two bowed to Kuang Qing and left the platform.

"Here's a piece of advice: don't waste the opportunity in your hand to enter the Cliffside Underground Palace; it's best to use it at the critical moment when you break through to Warrior Master."

"Seventh place…"

"In the Ascension Immortal Society, there are many ways to earn contribution points; later, the Transmission Elder will explain them to you in detail, and I won't waste any more time."

After Jiang Feng finished speaking, he slightly turned his head to look at the steward overseeing this examination, Kuang Qing.

Jiang Feng turned and glanced at him: "The Hall of Miscellaneous Affairs has a map of the Ascension Immortal Society's interior; it can be exchanged for just five contribution points."

Two inner disciples, slightly envious, came forward holding a tray to Liang Zijin and Hua Xiaorui.

"Fang Xu!" Yun Wan and Lu Qingluo were also very happy.

"If one can reach third grade or higher and donate it to the sect, some contribution points can be earned."

Upon mentioning the Old Monkey, Fang Xu felt a sudden surge of guilt.

Fang Xu shook his head, about to speak, when Kuang Qing's voice rang out from ahead of the square.

"Furthermore, I personally give you a reward." Jiang Feng said, handing over a jade tablet: "Take this token to the rear mountain at night to find me."

Fang Xu took the token, thought for a moment, then bowed to Jiang Feng: "Thank you, Elder Jiang."

"I… I'll wait a bit longer; I'll apply after I break through to Warrior Master." Fang Xu said.

"Alright, I'll wait for you in the inner door." Yun Wan smiled.

(End of chapter)