Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 105 Reviewing the Generals Upon Leaving the Pass
Even after successfully breaking through the third tribulation, Fang Shu still did not emerge from seclusion and show his face.

With several dozen days still to go before the imperial examinations, this is a good opportunity for him to further solidify and strengthen his cultivation, and even to be promoted.

After all, to enter the Immortal Sect ahead of time, it's not enough to just advance to the Three Tribulations Immortal; one must have the highest level of cultivation and magical power!

Also.

After talking with the master of the Du family, Fang Shu was quite interested in the matter of the master of the Du family cultivating "divine consciousness" ahead of time.

Fortunately, he currently has half a portion of soul-nourishing elixir, a large amount of spirit stones, and a considerable amount of meat-based medicinal herbs, which are excellent aids for him to continue his vigorous advancement.

So Fang Shu immediately threw himself back into rigorous cultivation.

One day, two days, ten days... thirty days!

His body's vital energy and blood circulate constantly in the quiet room.

In this situation, if someone were to stand outside the well and look down, they would certainly not be able to see the bottom of the well, but would feel that this quiet room had truly turned into a well.

But what it contained inside was not water, but mercury, which was constantly swirling and emitting a terrifying aura.

Unfortunately, although Fang Shu solidified his cultivation and advanced his Three Tribulations cultivation by 20-30% within a few dozen days, the "divine sense" he desired was nowhere to be found.

The light in his mind was faint and fleeting, but it could not burst forth as the "bright vision" recorded in the book. He also could not sense the corresponding three souls and seven spirits.

Fang Shu simply felt that with his own cultivation, his mental capacity, memory, concentration and so on had improved considerably, and the qi and blood in his body had become more and more abundant, like lead and mercury.

Such a frustrating and fruitless search inevitably caused him some distress.

But he suppressed this feeling of distress.

What one seeks but cannot find is a common occurrence in spiritual practice.

It should be understood that spiritual practice does not necessarily yield results simply because one invests time and energy.

As immortals, the more one is in such a state, the more one must guard against arrogance and impatience, and remain calm and composed.

Until this day.

Second Uncle Yu Le sent a letter from outside the quiet room, mentioning that the Master of the Duguan Hall was summoning many inner disciples for a meeting, and had specifically asked him about it, but had not issued an order to summon them.

Fang Shu immediately realized that there were only a few days left until the so-called spring imperial examination.

That day, he packed up all the items in the meditation room and tidied up his own home. He then jumped out of the well, ending what was the longest single seclusion in history.

When he left the meditation room, the spiritual light inside dissipated, and the rough rock wall at the bottom of the well suddenly became like a bronze mirror, faintly reflecting human figures.

Such a scene was clearly caused by Fang Shu's powerful qi and blood, which eroded the wall, polishing it smooth and coating it with a layer of lead and mercury.

There is an ancient saying that one can sit quietly in a cave and have one's shadow etched into the stone wall.

Fang Shu's current retreat is quite similar in nature.

…………

The Solitary Gu Pavilion, the inner courtyard council hall.

Many disciples had arrived early.

Many of these disciples were already over eighteen years old and had left the dojo to serve as apprentices elsewhere. Now that the dojo master had summoned them all back, it was clear that he wanted to discuss something important.

As for what kind of important matter it was, the disciples present all had some idea:
"It seems our institution really needs to get involved in this year's imperial examinations!"

"Only those under the age of eighteen are eligible to enter the Spring Examination. Once successful, they can ascend the mountain ahead of time. It is rumored that the success rate in Qi Refining is almost 50%, which is truly enviable!"

A group of disciples from the Dugu Sect kept clicking their tongues, and their eyes kept glancing at a figure standing at the front of the crowd.

The figure was agile and exuded confidence; it was a woman, Qin Min.

Aside from Qin Min, everyone else also turned their attention to another person—Du Yu'er.

Some of the older disciples were talking about it: "Junior Sister Qin Min has already passed the third tribulation and possesses spiritual roots, so she will definitely go up the mountain ahead of time. I just wonder how Junior Sister Yu'er is doing..." According to what everyone was saying, Du Yu'er, who is usually gentle and unassuming, is also a strong candidate for the imperial examination.

While everyone was discussing, the owner of the private residence remained calm and composed, sitting upright in his armchair.

She kept her eyes slightly closed, occasionally sipping her tea, remaining noncommittal to the words of her disciples.

Only when another person walked in from outside the hall did the owner slightly lift his eyelids and glance at the newcomer with a droopy look.

Fang Shu walked lightly into the hall.

After bowing to the owner of the private residence in front of everyone, he tried to blend into the crowd.

However, his arrival not only attracted the attention of the sect leader, but also the attention of more than half of the disciples in the hall. All eyes in the crowd turned to him.

Because Qin Min, who had been facing away from everyone and resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened her eyes, turned her head and stared intently at him, revealing a scrutinizing and appraising posture.

Aside from Qin Min, Du Yu'er also glanced at Fang Shu, a smile appearing on her lips, and nodded in acknowledgment.

The two men's obvious posture attracted the attention of others.

One of the disciples muttered, "Could this person be the one who killed the Three Tribulation Immortal in our sect?"

"I wonder if this person has broken through the third tribulation. Will our institution be able to send three people to participate in the spring examination today?"

Faced with the scrutiny of the crowd, Fang Shu remained calm. He glanced back at Du Yu'er, then found Li Hou'er, walked over to him, and stood beside him.

His action caused Li Hou'er, a first-level immortal who was standing on the edge of the crowd, to blush instantly and even puff out his chest.

This guy was incredibly charismatic, his face practically screaming, "This is my brother!"

The hall erupted in noise once more.

At this moment, the owner of the inn finally opened his eyes fully and said, "The time has come, and everyone has arrived. It's time to get down to business."

"Yes, Master," the people in the hall replied in unison.

The owner of the guesthouse stood up and spoke with a smile:
"It's nothing major. As you all said, the imperial examinations are about to begin. Our institution has had a good harvest of talent this year, and some people are able to go to the examinations. So today, I'm giving a special selection to show my appreciation and encouragement."

After a few words, the owner of the inn shouted:
"Qin Min, you are a disciple of our academy who has refined essence. You are now a third-stage Human Immortal. Would you be willing to go to the imperial examination in spring to bring glory to our family?"

Qin Min calmly took half a step forward, cupped her hands, and said, "This disciple is willing."

After selecting one person, the owner of the Du family did not look at his granddaughter Du Yu'er, but stared straight at Fang Shu.

A look of deep satisfaction appeared on her face, and she spoke again:

"Fang Shu, you are also a disciple of our academy specializing in refining essence. Are you willing?"

Fang Shu also took half a step forward, cupped his hands in agreement, and said, "This disciple is willing."

Upon hearing their voices, the owner of the inn immediately beamed with joy and happily said:

“Excellent! It is truly our sect’s good fortune that two people can come up the mountain and join the sect in a year.”

For some reason, the old woman still didn't mention her granddaughter.

Immediately, following the usual practice, Master Du instructed Qin Min and Fang Shu to demonstrate the Three Tribulations of Qi and Blood to the disciples and discuss their tribulation-crossing experiences in order to inspire their morale and facilitate learning among them.

But at this moment, both Fang Shu and Qin Min looked up. They didn't look at the surrounding disciples, but at each other.

Qin Min's eyes were filled with scrutiny, and her face revealed a condescending attitude.

Before she could speak, Fang Shu, standing in the hall, smiled at her and spoke first:

"Junior Sister Qin Min, do you want to test my strength again?"

(End of this chapter)