**Chapter 395: The Grand Competition Begins**
Once all the cultivators representing the Central Continent had made their entrance, the grand palace was discreetly packed away.
A seemingly young boy, appearing only thirteen or fourteen, casually waved his hand, and the palace transformed into a stream of light, landing gracefully in his palm.
This boy had delicate features and was clad in a form-fitting black outfit, exuding an air of maturity that didn’t quite match his youthful appearance.
Everyone couldn’t help but mumble quietly: “Is that palace his?”
“Who on earth is this kid? At such a young age, he possesses such a high-level flying magical treasure? Could he be a young master from some major family in the Central Continent, out for training?”
Someone from the crowd voiced their confusion.
Immediately, that person was hushed by their companion.
“Shh!”
The companion lowered their voice, their expression tense as they warned, “That’s Master DanYuan!”
Upon hearing “Master DanYuan,” the silenced individual’s eyes went wide with horror and regret. No more struggling, they instead sent their companion a grateful look, silently thanking them for the intervention.
Phew, good thing you stopped me from talking. Who knows how I would’ve met my end if I had said that out loud!
After witnessing this exchange, others in the vicinity fell silent, no longer daring to gossip about the boy in black who resembled a little kid.
Because he was no ordinary child, but rather a transformation-stage old-timer who had lived for over a hundred years!
Master DanYuan had a huge reputation in the cultivation realm. He never grew up and always looked like a thirteen-year-old boy.
Legend has it that in his youth, due to a mishap, he took a youth-preserving pill that locked him in that appearance, preventing him from growing any taller or older.
The best time to take that pill was when reaching the Yuan Ying Stage. Not only did it grant the user beauty and youth, but it also had a mystical power of rejuvenation. This particular feature was especially favored by female cultivators in the Yuan Ying Stage, who saw it as a holy relic to maintain their youth.
But if you took it during the Foundation Establishment Stage… well, the consequences were undesirable.
Unless you could break through to the legendary Harmonization Realm, the effects of the pill would follow you like a shadow for eternity, never to be fully resolved.
Thus, Master DanYuan was a classic example of what not to do—often recounted by elders to warn the curious youngsters against recklessly consuming pills.
Now, over the past years, Master DanYuan seemed to have mellowed out with age and focused on self-cultivation, no longer the irritable creature he once was. This had allowed the gossiping bystanders to remain unscathed.
After all, the perception capabilities of a transformation-stage cultivator were no joke; an ordinary cultivator couldn’t compare!
Even the quiet murmurs of the audience could be pinpointed if Master DanYuan decided to listen.
Once Master DanYuan stowed that flashy flying magical treasure, he confidently headed towards where the transformation-stage experts were congregating.
At this time, another transformation-stage master from the Central Continent had already taken the lead.
This individual was dressed in pristine white robes, flowing dramatically as if akin to a celestial being. His handsome and scholarly face exuded an air of elegance, appearing to be around thirty years old, moving with the grace of a literati.
“Ah, you must be Master YunYu! It’s an honor to meet you!”
Others in the crowd thought the white-robed man looked familiar, but they couldn’t quite place him, until the Wine Sword God took the initiative to greet him.
Other transformation-stage experts exchanged glances, uncertain.
Could it really be Master YunYu?
Since Master YunYu had married into the Xia family and dedicated himself to raising a family, he rarely made public appearances.
But here was the real deal!
In response to Wine Sword God’s enthusiastic greeting, Master YunYu smiled slightly, radiating a gentle and cultured aura, entirely devoid of any superiority characteristic of a transformation-stage master. His presence was so meek that one could easily mistake him for a common scholar, completely unaware he possessed the might to shake the heavens.
He cupped his hands and humbly said, “Senior Wine Sword God, you flatter me. Compared to all esteemed predecessors, I am just a junior.”
Compared to veterans like Master DanYuan, Wine Sword God, Yin-Yang Sword God, and Master Qin, Master YunYu was indeed on the younger side, like Master Youyue, both more recent additions to the transformation realm.
“Master BaiYu is too humble! Who doesn’t remember you as the prodigy who dominated the world back in the day?”
Upon hearing Master YunYu’s self-deprecating remarks, Master Qin couldn’t help but chuckle.
Even the usually aloof Master Youyue couldn’t help but nod at Master YunYu, offering a greeting. “Brother Xia, it’s been a long time; hope you’re well.”
Master YunYu’s smile widened, and his eyes flickered with nostalgia. “Master Bai, it’s been ages since we parted at the Myriad Path Divine Tower; who would’ve thought we’d reunite all these years later?”
Back then, Master Youyue was just a little Foundation Establishment cultivator, and she had entered the Myriad Path Divine Tower with Master BaiYu!
Who would have thought that the once-dominant genius would now be a tender father?
Yet, Master Youyue could clearly feel that Master YunYu’s cultivation had only deepened over the years, and she was afraid to underestimate him.
What a true genius! I wonder how he trains.
Meanwhile, watching Master Youyue excitedly chat with Master YunYu while ignoring her presence made Master Linghua fume, her expression dark enough to brew a storm.
Seeing this, Master Qin chuckled. “Master YunYu, are you here for your daughter?”
Master YunYu smiled helplessly, a hint of affection in his gaze. “Partly, yes—it is indeed for my little girl.”
And partly because he wanted to see what that “junior brother Yun” was like.
All the masters were exchanging pleasantries in this friendly atmosphere when suddenly Yun Zhonghe felt an ominous chill creeping up his back.
What’s going on? Did I catch a cold? Why am I shivering for no reason?
At this moment, he noticed Master Qin inviting the transformation-stage experts to the Xuantian Peak. Cultivators from five continents would soon be arranged to observe the competition.
The Tianjian Sect’s sizable group was also gearing up to follow the instructions to their respective viewing zones, while Song Ziwei and the others were bidding farewell to Yun Zhonghe and cheering him on.
“Brother Yun, give it your all! We’ll throw you a victory feast afterward!”
“Go go go!”
Xiao Yang and Xiao Yue were especially enthusiastic, waving their arms vigorously to root for Yun Zhonghe.
“Uh… go get ’em,” Luo Qing’s voice was soft as a whisper but filled with sincerity as she shyly waved her hand before blushing and hurrying to join the Tianjian Sect’s entourage.
As representatives from the five continents began filing out, the lucky scattered cultivators who gained entry were also being escorted orderly to various viewing areas.
The Baiyu Square slowly began to open up, yet the crowd’s excitement and anticipation remained undiminished.
However, Yun Zhonghe remained oblivious to the petite golden figure weaving through the throngs, frantically searching for someone.
This gold-clad little figure was followed closely by a lithe brown-haired fox beauty, wielding a sharp sword as if ready for battle.
Miss Hu Chou tagged along behind Hu Shang, dutifully fulfilling her role as the unpaid intern for spirit stones.
“Your Highness… can you please slow down!”
Miss Hu Chou was panting, desperately trying to keep up.
There were just too many people!
The Western Continent brought about eight hundred people, and the Southern Continent matched that. The Central Continent was even more chaotic, with nearly a thousand representatives!
Plus, there were about a thousand random cultivators granted access by the Xuantian Sect.
Seriously, it was a packed house!
Hu Shang had sent a message to Yun Zhonghe via a sound-transmitting jade talisman, but it seemed he was a bit too busy to notice.
Her adorable fox ears drooped in disappointment, for she couldn’t find the person she had been longing for.
Little Fox: 【Ah He, I’ve arrived at the Xuantian Sect! Where are you? I want to find you.】
Little Fox: 【Waaah, Ah He, there are so many people! I can’t find you anywhere QAQ】
Little Fox: 【I miss you…】
Looking at her master’s dejected face made Miss Hu Chou feel helpless as she sighed, “Your Highness, Young Master Yun is currently busy preparing for the competition. It’s only natural that he hasn’t had time to respond. Let’s just follow the arrangements and head to the viewing area. After the competition, we can gather again.”
Little Fox felt terrible, but there was nothing she could do.
With most guests now gathered, they were organized by the Xuantian Sect to head to different viewing areas, all equipped with large water screens that would broadcast the events live, allowing cultivators to see each detail of the competition.
Yet, just before the grand competition began, they decided to throw in a written test segment.
A written test?! This surprised a lot of people.
The so-called written test was essentially a paper exam focused on assessing the depth of thought and spiritual realm of the cultivators—sort of like politics and morality education. A perfect score was a hundred points.
At this moment, the actual competition format was still a mystery, and it remained uncertain how much the written test would influence the results.
But one thing was for sure—the higher the score, the better!
Moreover, the results would directly affect one’s image and reputation. If one did poorly, that could be quite embarrassing.
“You guys doing okay?”
Yun Zhonghe felt a bit nervous; mentioning a written test brought back some PTSD from his past life.
In his previous life, he was tormented by exams—if he hadn’t reincarnated early, he would still be facing the terrors of college entrance exams!
“Should be fine…”
Lin Zhongyu and Su Xiaoxiao appeared worried too; both had been too focused on cultivation, neglecting their studies. Facing this written test made them uneasy.
In contrast, Mu Jixue seemed particularly confident, hands on her hips, a carefree smile on her face. “What’s so hard about it~?”
Clearly, Master Youyue had drilled her on academics because she was looking as if she’d pass even blindfolded.
How nice.
With a mixture of envy and anxiety, Yun Zhonghe and his companions followed the arranged personnel to join the exam.
…
After the written test concluded.
Yun Zhonghe asked his teammates with concern, “How did everyone do? Did you find the questions difficult?”
Lin Zhongyu shook her head lightly, a faint smile of helplessness on her lips. “I didn’t do well at all—those questions were really tough. It’s totally my fault for not preparing properly. When faced with those questions, I didn’t even know how to answer a single one.”
Su Xiaoxiao appeared a bit more relaxed. “I think I did okay. The questions were definitely hard, but there were some topics we’ve covered in class. For the others I didn’t know, I just guessed a bit. Overall… not great but not terrible, I guess.”
Yun Zhonghe nodded, seeming like everyone had performed decently enough.
He found the written test challenging too, but like Su Xiaoxiao, he had listened attentively in almost every class, so he could answer quite a few questions.
As for the ones he didn’t know, he could only rely on intuition and filled in answers randomly, but at least he made sure to write something for each one.
However, just then, Mu Jixue puffed up proudly. “Difficult? I found it super easy! I absolutely aced it!”
Oh, oh~ No doubt it’s all on you, oh great one!
Mu Jixue straightened her back. “I finished in under fifteen minutes! Then I saw everyone else deep in thought, and I didn’t want to pressure them, so I checked my answers several times~”
“Honestly, those questions were so simple, it felt like they were just handing out points! Hahaha!”
Piece of cake! Piece of cake!
Yun Zhonghe, Lin Zhongyu, and Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but show admiration at Mu Jixue’s confident declarations.
So strong!
Before long, it was midday, and the long-awaited written test scores were finally announced.
Yun Zhonghe scored 100 points!
Su Xiaoxiao got 95 points!
Lin Zhongyu earned 90 points!
Mu Jixue… 0 points…
At that moment, not only was Mu Jixue shocked, but so were all those present.
Zero points?
Not a single point?!
She could hardly believe her eyes! She vividly remembered answering all the questions! And smoothly, at that!
Could she have gone wrong somewhere? Or was it the evaluators who made an error?
The disciple delivering the results bore a stern expression. “Yes, you indeed scored zero; you’re the only contestant to receive that score.”
Yun Zhonghe: “…”
Lin Zhongyu: “…”
Su Xiaoxiao: “…”
Mu Jixue: “…”
After this incident, Mu Jixue’s name became notorious in the sect.
