I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 133 The Two Saints of Cloud and Thunder
Xue Xiang favored Murong Yu because he knew that Murong Yu came from a family with a strong academic background and must have real talent to show.

But to outsiders, it wasn't like that at all.

Everyone was wondering if it was because Murong Yu had given away the ancient stalactite that the Lord of Mingde Cave had shown him such favor.

If things continue like this, wouldn't Murong Yu be able to dominate the competition?

Everyone secretly assessed whether they should also increase their investment.

Just then, a burst of light flashed in the sky.

The next moment, Feng Nuancheng shouted, "Someone has broken the formation! Seniors, be careful!"

Su Jianmo activated the array plate, causing the concealment array to disperse.

Outside the protective formation, the aftershocks of the attacks crashed into the formation, causing its light to dissipate.

The protective formation here was designed to an extremely high standard, and almost everyone contributed their efforts.

It was enough to defend against a large-scale attack, but the aftershocks of this attack, which came from nowhere, made the great formation teeter on the brink of collapse, which made everyone tremble with fear.

"It's Old Demon Zhong!"

A figure suddenly appeared, none other than Zhongli Mei, the Nascent Soul Demon who had once ridden the Azure Dragon and fought against the crowd.

At that time, Xue Xiang used his famous essay "On Teachers" to demonstrate his supernatural ability to subdue a dragon with a single hand, which finally subdued Zhongli Mei and forced Zhongli Mei to remove the Gu stake that imprisoned the Azure Dragon.

Since then, Zhongli Mei has never come again, but unexpectedly, he has come again today.

He was in such a terrible state, surrounded and attacked by two Nascent Soul cultivators, his white robes stained with blood, and he was left with only the ability to defend himself.

"Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, do you remember the promise you made back then?"

Zhongli Mei cried out in pain, panting heavily.

His robes were torn, and blood seeped through the fabric. The bloodstains behind him looked even more gruesome in the sunlight.

"What promise?"

Xue Xiang pondered silently, but couldn't remember.

Suddenly, the underwater waves surged, and the Azure Dragon roared angrily as it attacked.

Xue Xiang remembered that he had promised Zhongli Mei to remove the Gu worm from Qinglong's body, so he owed Zhongli Mei a favor.

He just said it casually, but judging from Zhongli Mei's attitude, he clearly took it seriously.

"Old monster Zhong, you dare to compete with the two saints of Yunlei and me for treasure? You deserve to die."

With a sharp shout, two streaks of light pierced the sky and penetrated the clouds, rushing towards Zhongli Mei with overwhelming force.

The rainbow light had barely arrived when the shockwave blasted onto the protective array, scattering the array's light once again.

The next instant, two figures appeared.

A man accompanied Xuan Ting, dressed in a long black robe with the hem fluttering in the wind, exuding a strong aura of lightning.

Her long hair stood on end like tangled threads, and her eyes flashed with a cold light that made people afraid to look directly at her.

A person wearing a fiery red long dress, the hem of which danced in the wind like a flame flying in the air.

Flames surrounded her, as if nothing could touch her aura.

This woman has sharp, piercing eyes and an aloof, unapproachable demeanor. Her eyes are like burning flames, intense and oppressive.

The two Nascent Soul cultivators coldly stared at the people inside the protective formation, their auras pressing down like mountains, and the surrounding space seemed to be distorted by their auras.

"The Two Saints of Cloud and Thunder, heavens! I've long heard they went to the unknown land, how come they're still here?"

"Senior, be careful. Lei Ze and Ling Yun, one wields lightning and the other controls fire, their divine skills are profound, and they are famous rogue cultivators in the Divine Kingdom."

"It is rumored that these two are extremely aloof and difficult to get along with."

"........."

Xue Xiang thought to himself that this was troublesome. He knew his own situation and knew he had no strength to compete with a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Who are you?"

Lei Ze shouted sharply, and with a sudden wave of his hand, the sky darkened abruptly. A bolt of lightning struck down, like a whip, lashing the protective array and causing it to shake violently.

While frantically stuffing pills into his mouth, Zhongli Mei pointed at Xue Xiang and said loudly, "This is the master of Mingde Dongxuan and the owner of Wenxu Blessed Land. He has been kind enough to guide and mentor me."

Gentlemen, I have already given you the item, yet you still relentlessly pursue it.

"I have no choice but to ask you to come and see my esteemed elder."

When they first met, even though Xue Xiang used his master's words to forcefully control the Azure Dragon, Zhongli Mei remained defiant and eventually left in a huff.

At this moment, he addressed him as "elder" repeatedly, elevating the status of the Lord of Mingde Cave to an extremely high level, as if the two were very close.

"Young friend Su, release the great formation."

Xue Xiang said loudly.

He longed to hide under the covers and tremble.

But now is not the time to back down. If we back down, our public image will collapse.

Pretending to be an expert and enjoying huge profits naturally comes with top-level risks.

He also realized that the protective formation couldn't stop Lei Ze and Ling Yun, two Nascent Soul stage monsters.

If these two really go all out, the protective formation will collapse sooner or later.

Rather than waiting for their public image to collapse, they might as well take a gamble.

"Senior, be careful, these two saints Lei Yun are no ordinary people."

"Yes, with the great formation, we can still manage, but if we let it go, I'm afraid we'll be in great danger."

"........."

Everyone tried to dissuade him.

Xue Xiang calmly waved his hand, "Gentlemen, once the great formation is activated, you may go on your own. I do indeed owe young friend Zhong a favor for saving Qinglong."

Now is the time to repay.

Upon hearing this, the Azure Dragon cried out incessantly on the sea, stirring up waves more than ten feet high.

"I am willing to fight alongside my seniors against the enemy."

Murong Yu said with a sigh.

Guangde gently tugged at his sleeve, and Murong Yu said loudly, "Senior is right. To sacrifice oneself for righteousness is all there is to it. What do I have to fear?"

“The two saints Lei Yun are not indiscriminate killers. If they dare to act recklessly, we can join forces with Zhongli Mei and our senior, and we may not necessarily lose to them.”

"........."

None of them wanted to openly admit to being cowards, and the more Xue Xiang urged them to flee, the more they felt embarrassed.

Helpless, Su Jianmo had no choice but to manipulate the array plate and unleash the great array.

With a flash of light, the great formation was activated, and a fierce wind blew in. Instead of feeling refreshed, the crowd felt even more oppressed.

Lei Ze and Ling Yun were also taken aback.

When Zhongli Mei revealed his identity as the "Master of Mingde Dongxuan," the two men's murderous intent subsided.

After all, those who can inherit the Wenxu Blessed Land are all veteran powerhouses. Apart from a very few who inherit their fathers' businesses, they are basically all Nascent Soul powerhouses.

When you find yourself in an unknown place and encounter a powerful enemy, no matter how fierce they are, you must deal with them with caution.

At this moment, Xue Xiang took the initiative to release the great formation, and the two of them were on high alert.

"What do you mean, fellow Daoist?"

Lei Ze stared at Xue Xiang, unable to discern Xue Xiang's true nature.

Xue Xiang said, "I owe Young Friend Zhong a favor. Since you two young friends have caused him trouble, I will take on this trouble on his behalf."

"Your Excellency is the master of Wenxu Blessed Land. Do you intend to use Wenxu Blessed Land to make things difficult for the two of us?"

Ling Yun said coldly, her long dress billowing as flames flashed.

"You flatter me. I haven't fought with anyone for many years."

Xue Xiang said, "How about this, my two young friends are free to attack me. If I cannot withstand your attack, you may do as you see fit."

"If I were to accept your attacks, would you two please do me the honor and leave?"

Xue Xiang had no other choice but to resort to the old trick of capturing the dragon.

"What a big mouth."

Razer was furious.

Since he entered the Nascent Soul stage, no one has ever dared to be so arrogant in front of him.

Ling Yun's eyes flashed. "Old Monster Zhong's act of stealing the treasure is the first crime, destroying my great formation is the second crime, and causing the two of us to go on a long expedition is the third crime."

Three charges against you? You can withstand three moves from the two of us.

The prerequisite is that you must release the forbidden formation of Wenxu Blessed Land; we have no interest in confronting the forbidden formation of Wenxu Blessed Land head-on.

Of course, if you feel it's unfair, you can choose to have someone else help you; we don't mind.

Ling Yun's last sentence was purely to test Xue Xiang's abilities.

If he really needs to ask for help, it proves that this Master of Mingde Dongxuan doesn't have much skill, so he's not worth worrying about.

"We will join forces to take your blow on behalf of our senior."

Murong Yu said loudly, "Gentlemen, our senior has treated us very well. This is the time for us to repay him."

“What my young friend Murong says is absolutely right.”

Ni Quanwen said loudly, "If we join forces, we may not be unable to withstand a single move. Those who are unwilling to participate, please step back for now."

At that moment, even if someone was unwilling, they wouldn't dare to speak up.

With their plans finalized, the group quickly formed the Eight Directions Wind and Rain Formation under Ni Quanwen's guidance.

Everyone activated their spiritual power, and under the control of the array runes manipulated by Ni Quanwen, the scattered spiritual power was gathered together like weaving a spiritual fabric, forming a huge spiritual power net.

The beam of light rapidly changed, quickly transforming into a hexagonal shape, with interwoven rays forming a powerful protective shield.

Mysterious runes shimmered outside the protective shield, flowing along the array walls and carrying a vast power.

"If you are from Canglan Academy, you will know that this Eight Directions Wind and Rain Formation is one of the academy's most treasured formations. It is known for its rapid formation gathering and its powerful defensive capabilities. Brother Lei, would you like me to lend you a hand?"

Ling Yun said in a low voice.

Lei Ze smiled nonchalantly, his skin as hard as a demon king's, crackling with lightning.

He stood proudly in the air, his gaze sharp as a sword, fixed intently on the protective formation.

Lightning surged behind him, and a terrifying power capable of cleaving everything in two filled the air.

Raize raised his hands slightly and waved them gently. Instantly, the lightning in the sky gathered into a giant dragon, which coiled around him.

His eyes were tightly closed, and with each breath he took, it was like a storm, gathering an irresistible aura.

Suddenly, Lei Ze opened his eyes and a bright-looking baby sat up on his head, pushing forward with both hands!
The power of thunder erupted instantly, and a black hole suddenly appeared in front of him. In an instant, it seemed as if all the lightning in the world was sucked into the black hole, and lightning and thunder roared in the void.

"Ten Directions Thunderous Radiance!"

Suddenly, a golden light burst forth from the black hole, instantly transforming into a terrifying pillar of lightning that hurtled towards the great formation.

The sea was stirred up by this force, with waves rolling and splashing up hundreds of feet high.

Dark clouds filled the sky, and thunder roared, as if everything in the world had been distorted by this attack.

The distant mountains also trembled violently at this moment, the mountains shook, and boulders flew everywhere.

boom!
A massive shockwave struck everyone's chests like a heavy hammer.

Lightning flashed everywhere, the light was dazzling, and the thunder exploded into countless ribbons of light, which intertwined and lingered on the protective array of light from all directions of wind and rain, crackling and popping.

The next instant, the entire protective array was torn apart like paper, the array light scattered, and the violent shockwave plunged the area into chaos.

Thunder rumbled incessantly in the air, and the crowd was sent flying backward like kites with broken strings, spitting out blood.

"The Nascent Soul's features are clear; this is the mid-stage Nascent Soul."

"Is this the terrifying power of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?" "It's terrifying."

"........."

As soon as everyone stood still, they began to murmur amongst themselves, their faces pale.

Even those who were optimistic about the Lord of Mingde Cave couldn't help but feel apprehensive at this moment.

"I only used eighty percent of my power. If I were to use my full strength, how many of you juniors would survive?"

Lei Ze's long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, dancing in the wind, with the power of thunder flowing through its tips, as if the Thunder King had descended to earth.

"Now it's my turn. Brother Lei, please go easy on me; that's already a small gift for you. My Blazing Flame, Lord of Mingde Cave, would you like to experience it for yourself, or continue to let these shrimp soldiers and crab generals take the hits?"

Ling Yun had a handsome face, yet he uttered words as cold as ice.

"I come."

Zhongli Mei stood in the wind, his body swaying, blood constantly spilling from the corner of his mouth, staining his tattered white robe red.

He hadn't had this experience in a long time.

An indescribable feeling lingered in my heart, and a warm current rippled through my nose and eyes.

He was convinced that the promise made by the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan that day was merely a pretext.

He never expected that when he asked the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan to fulfill his promise today, the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan accepted it without any hesitation.

He never expected that in just over a year...

These once scattered Core Formation experts have now united into an impenetrable wall.

And the one who created all of this was none other than the self-proclaimed Old Man of Mingde Dongxuan.

"By you?"

Ling Yun chuckled softly, "During your escape, did you manage to withstand even a single move?"

"Take action."

Zhongli Mei clenched his teeth, and before he could finish speaking, his body trembled violently again, and he could barely stand.

Blood spurted from his mouth again, staining his entire body red.

"Your death is not a pity, but I would not stoop to taking advantage of someone in distress."

Ling Yun smiled coldly and turned to look at Xue Xiang, "Master of Mingde Cave Profound Realm, what do you have to say?"

Xue Xiangdao said, "Let me do it."

Didn't we say three moves? There are two moves left.

In my humble opinion, there's no need for that. Both of you should come at me together.

"Be bold!"

Lei Ze was furious.

Ling Yun was so angry that she trembled with rage, pointing at Xue Xiang and saying, "You're courting death."

Xue Xiang grabbed with his large hand, and eleven Wenxu Pearls flew from within the Wenxu Platform. With another thought, he released the restrictions on the Wenxu Platform.

A flash of light and shadow, and the great array in front of the cave was activated. A gust of wind swept over him, and his clothes fluttered in the wind.

Xue Xiang sat down cross-legged and said gently, "I haven't fought with anyone for many years, and I don't want to commit any more killings."

My two young friends, please go ahead and do your best.

"Only one condition: regardless of whether this old man can handle it, let's simply wipe the slate clean of any grudges between you two and young friend Zhong."

"According to your!"

Lei Ze felt a secret admiration for him.

"What a spirit!"

Ling Yun said loudly, "After all these years, you are still the first opponent I don't dislike."

Be careful, my blazing fire, once unleashed, will incinerate all metal.

Brother Lei's Profound Thunder Method is the extraction of the true essence of thunder.

"With our combined strength, a blaze of lightning and fire would force even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator to temporarily retreat."

"Thank you both for your advice. Now, make your move."

Xue Xiang said calmly.

With his will, the eleven Wenxu Pearls transformed into golden literary energy, floating within the Wenxu Blessed Land.

Lei Ze stood in the air, his figure as tall and straight as a mountain, his eyes flashing with lightning-like light.

His hands were raised high, and purple lightning crackled in his palms.

The clouds in the sky suddenly changed, and darkness surged, like a huge monster spewing out rampant thunder.

A deep roar came from Lei Ze's throat. He slammed his palms together, and the lightning in the sky instantly gathered into a giant dragon, which rushed towards Xue Xiang with the power to tear everything apart.

The dragon contained boundless destructive power; the air was ignited, and thunder roared across the heavens and the earth.

Almost at the same moment, Ling Yun also made his move.

Her skirt billowed like flames, and the firelight swirled around her, making her figure appear as majestic as a fire god.

With a slight flick of her right hand, the flames at her fingertips quickly coalesced into a blazing pillar of fire, seemingly distorting even the air itself.

The pillar of fire tilted down, like magma erupting, transforming into countless raging dragons that shot towards Xue Xiang.

The thunder dragon and the fire dragon, like two raging torrents, swept in together, emitting a deafening roar.

In the air, the thunder dragon and the fire dragon intertwined to form a dazzling brilliance, creating a power that could destroy everything. It seemed that all life became insignificant under this attack.

"senior!"

"Watch out, senior!"

"........."

Countless people cried out in anguish.

Only those who have personally experienced Razer's terrifying attacks know the extent of its destructive power.

However, Razer claimed that he only used 80% of his power at the time.

Right now, they are clearly doing everything they can to deal with the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

Moreover, it was compounded by an attack from another Nascent Soul cultivator.

With both fire and lightning attacks, its power is even greater.

This is beyond what formations can defend against; individual martial prowess is utterly ineffective against this devastating attack.

Xue Xiang sat as still as a pine tree, seemingly oblivious to the approaching thunder and fire dragons.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as deep as an ancient well. He spoke softly, his gentle voice echoing in the air, carrying a timeless power, "Of all the flowers and plants on land and in the water, there are many that are lovely..."

As the first line was recited, golden literary energy condensed in the air, transforming into wisps of gentle airflow that swirled around him, forming walls of light that firmly blocked the thunder dragon that was the first to pounce.

Almost instantly, the wall of light collapsed.

"It's an article, it's an article."

"Why are we talking about flowers and plants?"

"This won't do, how can we withstand such an attack?"

"........."

Before the murmurs of the crowd had subsided, the wall of light shattered completely.

Xue Xiang's later writings state, "Duke Wen of Jin alone loved chrysanthemums. Since the Wei and Zhou dynasties, people have greatly loved peonies."

I love the lotus for its purity, rising from the mud unsullied, washed clean by the clear ripples without becoming seductive…

The dragon's whiskers were almost licking Xue Xiang's robes when, just then, the golden literary energy inside the Wenxu Cave rippled out, transforming into a wall of light that firmly blocked the dragon from leaving the cave.

"Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, washed by clear ripples yet not becoming seductive! My God, what kind of words are these?"

"With just these two sentences, the nature of a gentleman is determined."

"........."

Just then, the gushing golden literary energy gathered into a pure white lotus flower.

The lotus stems and leaves stretch out like soft silk threads, unhurried and calm, as if welcoming the pure air of heaven and earth, standing proudly in the world with an inviolable power.

The light wall was breached once again by the thunder dragon, which then pounced on the lotus flower without hesitation.

"It is straight and hollow inside, without tendrils or branches, its fragrance spreads far and wide, and it stands tall and clean."

As Xue Xiang continued chanting, the lotus stems and leaves became increasingly lush, their slender branches spreading out as if possessing endless vitality.

Like serpents, they coiled around the Thunder Dragon's body, tighter and tighter, more and more firmly.

The Thunder Dragon's roar instantly weakened; its immense power could no longer break through the constraints manifested by this stream of spiritual energy.

“What a fine phrase, ‘Straight inside and out, without tendrils or branches, its fragrance grows stronger as it spreads, standing tall and pure,’ it defines the character of a gentleman.”

Murong Yu excitedly pointed at the suddenly changing celestial phenomena and exclaimed, "This is a celestial phenomenon, a work of literary and moral excellence!"

"The senior was truly a peerless Confucian scholar."

"........."

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Lei Ze and Ling Yun also changed color.

The two considered all sorts of possibilities, but they never imagined they would encounter a Confucian figure who was almost a sage.

They were both well-informed and knowledgeable. Although they did not follow the path of literary cultivation, they were fully aware of the level of Confucian power that Xue Xiang displayed.

"It can be admired from afar, but not touched."

As soon as this sentence was uttered, thin threads suddenly emerged from the lotus roots, supple yet resilient, gently unfurling like mysterious vines that rushed straight towards the fiery dragons.

The fiery dragons, entwined by the lotus roots, gradually lost their power; their flames were no longer blazing and even began to extinguish.

I say that the chrysanthemum is the flower of the recluse;

The peony is the flower of wealth and nobility.

The lotus is considered the noble flower.

Alas! The love of chrysanthemums was well-known to Duke Wen of Jin.

Who shares my love for the lotus?
The love for peonies is indeed widespread!

After Xue finished reciting, the lotus flower formed from the literary energy radiated a sacred glow.

Suddenly, an endless drizzle began to fall from the distant sky, trickling into the rivers.

The violent aura stirred up by lightning and flames suddenly subsided, and a fresh and gentle atmosphere seemed to permeate the air.

The surrounding sky gradually brightened, the white clouds dispersed, and sunlight shone through the clouds, falling on Xue Xiang and illuminating the strange lotus flower.

Everyone stared in disbelief, and Lei Ze and Ling Yun were also stunned on the spot.

After a long while, Ling Yun bowed to Xue Xiang and said, "Senior, with such cultivation, this junior is completely convinced of my defeat."

She was arrogant throughout her life and never submitted to anyone.

But just now, when the fire dragon was pulled by the lotus threads, her spiritual power was also bound by them.

If Xue Xiang were to harbor murderous intent, he could use the power of the fire dragon to drag her into the lotus flower and suffocate her.

Lei Ze said in a deep voice, "I am deeply honored to be defeated by Wen Sheng's moral character. I admire your noble character and integrity."

Our entanglement with Zhongli Mei is now severed.

If you summon us in the future, senior, simply send someone to Leihuo Mountain to deliver the message, and the two of us will surely come.

Having said that, the two transformed into rainbow light, covering ten miles in an instant.

(End of this chapter)