Chapter 281: A Scholar

Yu Ke picked up the jade tablet out of curiosity.

The characters on it slowly appeared.

【Xie Wanwan requests to add you as a Jade Token friend!】

【Do you agree?】

Yu Ke stared at the text, feeling as if he had been transported back to the "Qiuqiu" era.

This ancestor of the Divine Thunder Sect had designed this far too ahead of its time.

How far had they taken this?!

The message jade token had been this way since the Divine Thunder Sect's founding; countless disciples had grown accustomed to it.

He did not hesitate!

Xie Wanwan was his greatest creditor.

【Accept request.】

A simple "chat box" appeared, but no messages flashed.

Busy?

Yu Ke resumed cultivation until all internal changes stabilized, allowing him to effortlessly control several complete Great Heavenly Circles.

The countless acupoints within the human body, like treasure mountains, now flowed with unobstructed meridians, connecting the acupoint halls and major points.

What a magnificent sight.

A grin spread across Yu Ke's face.

Finally, he was no longer a rootless floating weed!

In this hyper-mystical world, he now had a true foundation.

This foundation!

From start to finish, it had always been himself.

The path of cultivation is long; even at the peak of the Second Ladder, one remains merely among mortals in today's cultivation world.

Now is truly the great age of cultivation!

Most outer-disciples of the Divine Thunder Sect with over five years' cultivation linger at this realm; only after Foundation Establishment can one truly knock on the door of cultivation and step into a broader world.

Foundation Establishment!

It is not merely a leap in cultivation base, but a transformation of identity and mindset.

Only those who achieve Foundation Establishment may call themselves true cultivators.

Only then can one cultivate Dao arts—even divine techniques!

This is the true distinction between immortal and mortal.

Yu Ke withdrew his spiritual sense from inner observation, and instantly, an indescribable stench slammed into his nostrils.

"So stinky!"

His belly churned violently, like thunder rolling.

"I'm hungry!"

This time had drained most of his physical strength; at his current realm, he still could not achieve Grain Grain Bigu.

After two rounds of acupoint and meridian repair, his senses had become extraordinarily sharp; every surrounding scent escaped his perception.

He felt as if he had fallen into a foul-smelling sewer.

He had stunk himself out!

He glanced down—and froze.

His arms and thighs were covered in dry, cracked dead skin and sticky black sludge.

The dead skin crumbled at the lightest touch, revealing skin beneath that was even paler.

"Snake shedding its skin!"

He had no time to ponder further—his body reeked too badly.

Yu Ke rushed to the dormitory bathroom, yanked off his clothes, and tossed them aside.

He began washing.

Crisp, cold water poured down from above, bringing refreshing coolness.

At his feet pooled a murky sludge—residual medicinal dregs, stagnant blood, and dead skin—gradually dissolving as the water washed them away.

His body was now clean; he dried his damp hair and stepped out, naked.

Bathed!

He felt utterly light, an unprecedented sense of ease and freshness flooding every inch of him, as if a pure qi flowed gently from the crown of his head, filling him with serenity.

Only the word "thrilling" could describe this overwhelming exhilaration.

After the purification of the Great Heavenly Circle, Yu Ke's spiritual energy now flowed freely without deliberate guidance, automatically circulating and nourishing every fiber of flesh and bone, subtly strengthening his physique.

This was the true charm of cultivation—the further one progressed, the faster the advancement, as if all of heaven and earth aided his growth.

Yet!

In this great age of cultivation, Yu Ke knew his current achievements were negligible.

He must take one step at a time, but today he deserved to reward himself.

Eat something good!

He wouldn't cook for himself today.

The spirit stones borrowed from Zhou Liang, if used frugally, would last three months.

He recounted the spirit stones in his storage pouch again.

Each one was a top-tier "hero."

Fortunately, the former owner hadn't been insane enough to sell the storage pouch—otherwise, where would he have kept these spirit stones? He wouldn't trust them anywhere else.

They were all "babies."

Yu Ke's current strategy was to solidify his position during the next three months of outer-disciple trials.

The information revealed by the previous "feast."

This year's examination was of unprecedented scale and difficulty, among the harshest in the sect's thousands of years of history.

Previous examinations were mere formalities.

Like checking water meters, inner-disciple seniors gathered outer-disciples, went through the motions, and passed them with a wave of the hand.

Worse still!

You didn't even need to show up—just shout "here."

Now, everything was different!

Those who failed the exam or performed poorly would face immediate expulsion from the sect—an unprecedented punishment.

With his cultivation fully restored, Yu Ke now had the basic foundation for the outer-disciple exam in three months.

Given how strict this exam was, it was highly likely they'd test combat ability!

Before Foundation Establishment, one cannot cultivate Dao arts; those who master techniques at this stage are rare as phoenix feathers, geniuses among geniuses, already spotted and recruited by inner-disciples long ago.

Martial arts remain the top priority for outer-disciples—this directly impacts the Third Ladder's Foundation Establishment.

The former owner specialized in swordplay; the Yu family's legacy was the sword scripture titled "Jun Tian Sword Art."

This was also why the former owner sold all his treasures but kept one magic sword.

Yu Ke, as a Yu family scion, had inherited the basic sword techniques of the "Jun Tian Sword Art."

At the Divine Thunder Sect, he primarily trained in "Da Yi Zhou Tian Sword," one of the sect's foundational sword methods.

The former owner endured great hardship and possessed such a foundation, making him among the elite among many noble families of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

But!

Yu Ke now only inherited past memories, like flipping through a book.

For example,

Mind: I know it!

Hands: You know it?

As for martial arts—if you must connect them—

Yu Ke could only pull out the "military boxing" he'd learned during summer vacation before school started.

Yu Ke's lip twitched.

He couldn't possibly perform "military boxing" during the outer-disciple exam.

He already imagined the awkward scene.

Unbearable. Absolutely unbearable!

The urgent task!

Was to choose a martial art to study and strengthen himself.

Remember!

As cultivation deepens, martial foundations will eventually transform into Dao arts—even divine techniques.

Cultivation base is like "health" and "mana"; martial arts are your skills.

Martial arts can become "techniques" and "divine arts" too!

Yu Ke rubbed his chin—what if he cultivated fist techniques?

In his fate-reincarnation, the thing he remembered most was Lu Chen's Empty Bright Fist.

He could obtain Lu Chen's martial cultivation and experience upon completing his simulation.

It's equivalent to having a natural advantage.

But upon reflection, suddenly switching to learn fist techniques seems inappropriate.

Or should he study sword techniques instead?

Or perhaps train both.

Two great mountains now stood before him.

First, the sect's examination in three months.

Second, the massive debt his predecessor had incurred during Foundation Establishment.

Matters have urgency!

The three-month deadline loomed; though his spirit stones were few, careful budgeting could carry him through to the outer sect trial.

From now on, each spirit stone must be split in two.

As for the debt, he could only take it one step at a time.

In two years, he'd compete in the outer sect grand contest and enter the inner sect.

He'd give it his all, building on his current peak of the second rung.

To be taken as a disciple by Yunxiao Immortal Lady? That was too distant to even dream of.

Yu Ke shook his head, straightened his clothes, and decided to eat first.

He looked around the outer sect dormitory.

The wealthy woman's suggestion to transfer the dorm lease could net him three thousand spirit stones—a windfall that would ease many hardships.

But!

He had his own calculations; no need to rush. It wasn't him who was in a hurry—perhaps the price would rise further.

"I'm truly hungry. First, feed the five viscera."

Yu Ke stepped over the threshold and entered the small courtyard.

He looked up at the sky—four blazing suns hung high again.

Pear blossoms bloomed fiercely, a tree full of white flowers like snow.

A light breeze stirred them, petals dancing like fine rain, blanketing the ground.

The tree's shadow stretched westward, swaying.

In the pond, reflections of blue sky and white clouds rippled.

Yu Ke lifted his eyes slightly.

It had been nine days since he arrived in this world, and every day had been clear.

At this moment!

The communication jade token at Yu Ke's waist trembled again.

Another message had arrived!

Yu Ke picked it up and read.

【Yu Senior Brother, hurry to Nan Yuan, Zuijiang Yue.】

【Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!】

Zuijiang Yue—this tavern was infamous throughout the outer sect!

In his memory, this place was far pricier than the last banquet hall he'd attended.

Its minimum spending was far beyond the reach of a pauper like Yu Ke, whose pockets jingled with emptiness.

Why would the little rich girl send him such a message?

While he puzzled over it!

Pear petals fluttered—the outer sect stirred.

The gate slowly opened.

A graceful woman stepped in, purple robes fluttering, still radiating charm.

The beautiful woman, Feng Ping!

Yu Ke's gaze involuntarily fixed on her, silently wondering why he kept running into her every time he stepped out.

This "coincidence" was far too frequent!

Besides, Feng Ping cared far too much for her son—she seemed to visit daily.

The outer sect grand contest was still two years away—why start tutoring now?

Recalling last night!

Under the moonlight, the phoenix on the pear tree had spread its wings, its extraordinary posture unforgettable.

A phoenix wanders among pear blossoms!

Whoever controlled such a divine bird was no ordinary person—and the faint hostility the woman had shown him made Yu Ke even more cautious.

Moving out of here might be a wise choice.

Feng Ping approached slowly, her gaze landing on Yu Ke for just an instant.

Her expression changed slightly.

Instantly, she masked it with a gentle smile and stepped closer, saying:

"Yu Young Master, are you leaving?"

Yu Ke snapped out of his thoughts and replied politely:

"Yes, I was just about to go out."

Before he finished speaking!

The sect's communication token at his waist vibrated again, sending a flurry of urgent messages.

【Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!】

【Yu Senior Brother, Zuijiang Yue—please come quickly.】

【Are you there?】

A string of messages followed one after another!

Yu Ke channeled spiritual power into the token to reply:

【I'm here!】

【Xie Sister, what's this about?】

Feng Ping watched as pure white spiritual power flowed from Yu Ke's hand, covering the token.

Her beautiful eyes widened slightly.

After sending the message, Yu Ke received no reply, leaving him puzzled.

He looked up and offered Feng Ping an apologetic smile.

In that instant, Feng Ping's eyes swiftly masked her shock, returning to calm, as if her earlier reaction had been an illusion.

"In that case, I won't disturb you, Yu Young Master."

"I've brought some food for my son."

Yu Ke's gaze naturally fell on the food box in her hand—plain-looking, yet faint spiritual energy shimmered across its surface, revealing its extraordinary value.

It was enough to make a man jealous.

He was drowning in debt; her son ate fish and meat every day.

Yu Ke's communication jade token vibrated again.

【It's complicated—hard to explain over text. I'll tell you in person, but the reward is generous.】

Yu Ke read the message, his heart stirred.

A complicated matter?

His first thought was some internal sect conflict.

Where there are people, there's strife.

But he dismissed the idea of a fight—sect rules strictly forbade it.

Yu Ke's eyes lit up at the words "generous reward."

But!

If even wealthy Xie Wanwan called it "generous," it couldn't be a small amount.

Immediately, another message arrived.

【There's a full table of delicious food and drink—better than what you cook yourself!】

【Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!】

Reading these two messages, Yu Ke recalled the two awkward times Xie Wanwan had caught him washing pots.

A reward—and free gourmet food!

Perfect!

He quickly replied:

【On my way!】

The reply came instantly:

【Wanwan, thank you, Senior Brother.】

【Thank you so much!】

Yu Ke noticed Xie Wanwan's tone in the jade token was utterly different from her usual demeanor—playful, charming.

Yu Ke tucked away the jade token, greeted Feng Ping, and left.

Open the door!

He set out in the direction of Zuijiang.

The southern courtyard among the outer disciples was the farthest place from here.

Yu Ke walked slowly, taking in the scenery along the way.

Now that his cultivation had recovered, he felt more confident and slowed down.

It wasn't just his steps that slowed—it was his heart too!

Inside the small courtyard.

After Yu Ke had left for a while.

Feng Ping stared blankly at Yu Ke's retreating figure.

Her eyes held disbelief!

In just three days, a person had changed completely.

Right before her eyes.

This was simply unbelievable!

Although Feng Ping's cultivation level couldn't fully discern a person's physical condition, her acute sensitivity, combined with years of experience, allowed her to detect even the subtlest changes.

She could be certain that Yu Ke was not using any magic treasure to conceal or alter his state. Then—

On the first day she saw Yu Ke, he appeared outwardly unharmed, but his breathing was heavy, his steps light and unsteady, his face pale, and his forehead slightly blackened—these minute details revealed his poor physical condition.

This was a sign of premature aging; he was likely to die soon.

On the second day she saw Yu Ke, his complexion changed: his pallor turned to a fair hue, with a trace of vitality returning.

His gaze grew more lively, and a refreshing, fragrant aura emanated from his entire body.

The signs of a serious illness just overcome.

Today, when she saw Yu Ke again!

Feng Ping felt even more astonished.

Yu Ke's face had grown even fairer, his complexion now radiant with a healthy flush; his eyebrows, neatly groomed, appeared open and spirited.

His eyes were as black as stars!

Though it was merely a delicate face, the more she looked, the more strikingly handsome he seemed, as if radiating some indescribable charm.

But that wasn't the most important thing.

Rather—

What shocked Feng Ping most was Yu Ke's steady breath and pure, crystal-clear spiritual power.

The clearer the spiritual energy, the more solid the foundation.

Such a condition!

She had only ever seen it among the direct descendants of the top families in the Great Zhou.

Those disciples were all prodigies among prodigies, possessing talents and strength worthy of awe.

How could it possibly appear among the outer disciples?

Feng Ping couldn't help doubting whether she had misread things; she turned her gaze once more toward the direction Yu Ke had gone, and toward the room he had left behind.

Reminding her that all of this was no dream.

A man changes beyond recognition in three days—he has been reborn!

Yi Fu Men, begging for monthly votes at the start of the month!

Kneeling in thanks!

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(End of Chapter)