Demons and monsters wreak havoc: gain one new confidante every day.

early morning.

On the buds of the elm tree in the courtyard, glistening dewdrops still clung.

Whew!

Suddenly, a long wisp of white smoke came out of Shen You's nose as he stood in a stomp under the tree.

Shen You trembled violently, and a white ape phantom flashed past his body. He slowly stood up and immediately felt water droplets falling from the top of his head.

"Is it raining?"

Shen You looked up and muttered something, only to see the elm tree above her trembling incessantly, while the blue sky above was clear and cloudless, as clear as a mirror.

"That's strange..."

Shen You shook her head, focusing her attention on the panel in front of her, feeling a sense of joy.

He practiced swordsmanship for the first half of last night, and then simply sat down in the "White Ape Stance" for the second half. He didn't sleep all night, and his skills have greatly improved.

【Shen You】

[Pharmacy Apprentice (Ma Yi)]

[Realm: First Rank (Martial Artist)]

【Root bone: 103】

[Talent: Successor of the Pig Slaughterer]

[Technique:]

White Ape Stance (Minor Success 87/500)

Tongbei Quan (Minor Success 39/500)

Tiger-Slaying Saber Technique (Mastery 23/1000)

"My White Ape Stance has increased by several dozen points again. Now, every time I practice this stance, I can feel that light and agile feeling more and more, as if a white ape has become one with me!"

"But this is an even bigger surprise..."

Shen You's gaze fell on the "Tiger-Slaying Saber Technique".

"The 'Tiger-Subduing Saber Technique' has transformed into the 'Tiger-Slaying Saber Technique'!"

The cultivation technique has undergone a transformation!

It symbolizes that he has forged his own path in martial arts.

"Because I have the title of 'Successor of Pig Slaughtering,' I incorporated Aunt Dou's decades of pig slaughtering experience into the 'Tiger-Taming Knife Technique,' making the 'Tiger-Taming Knife Technique' not only perfected overnight but also multiplied in power, thus forming the 'Tiger-Slaying Knife Technique'!"

Shen You crossed her arms smugly.

"While the older woman's experience and guidance were equally invaluable, wasn't it also due to my exceptional talent and superior comprehension?"

"That's so true to me!"

After a brief moment of smugness, Shen You turned her gaze to the distance, and her expression gradually calmed down.

"The day has finally come... Mai's exam!"

"After today, I will be able to enter the inner courtyard!"

"And after that, it will be time for me to settle accounts with Wang Long and Huang Yaoshi!"

Thinking of Wang Long and Huang Yaoshi, Shen You felt a heavy pressure in her heart once again.

"I still need to become stronger!"

He clenched his fist and strode out of the courtyard.

"Kid!"

Aunt Dou came in from outside carrying a bowl of noodles. She was pleased to see Shen You.

"I cooked you some noodles, eat first!"

"No need!"

Shen You waved her hand and left without looking back.

"Keep the noodles warm for me. I'll come back to eat this bowl of noodles after I've gone to work as a courtesan!"

Aunt Dou looked surprised, then laughed in exasperation.

"You brat, have a bowl of noodles, I'll treat you to a farewell drink!"

She was about to take the noodles back to warm them up when she saw Shen You walk back with a strange expression.

"What's wrong with you now?" Aunt Dou snorted.

Shen You clutched her stomach, her face contorted in pain. "Auntie, I was going to leave, but I realized I'm really hungry!"

He really wanted to leave in style, leaving behind only a dashing silhouette. But halfway there, he realized that he hadn't eaten a single grain of rice since last night, and his stomach was growling loudly.

"You rascal!" Aunt Dou chuckled and scolded, shoving the noodles into Shen You's hands. "Eat up!"

"Okay, thank you, Auntie!" Shen You immediately picked up her bowl and chopsticks and began to eat heartily.

Seeing Shen You eating noodles so happily, Aunt Dou's eyes softened.

"Kid!" she suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Shen You looked up.

"We absolutely cannot lose today's martial arts exam..." Aunt Dou said in a deep voice!

Shen You paused for a moment, then smiled brightly, "Of course!"

[Affinity value increased; Aunt Dou's current affinity value: 85 (+2)]

……

On the training ground of the outer academy, Wang Long stood with his hands on his sword.

His eyes were slightly closed, and he naturally exuded a fierce and tyrannical aura.

The apprentices who came to participate in today's examination saw Wang Long standing there aggressively and dared not approach him. They could only walk around him tremblingly.

"Those are the guards from the inner courtyard, why are they here?"

The apprentices in hemp clothing were terrified and whispered among themselves as they watched Wang Long's fierce figure.

"He seems to be Wang Hu's older brother; Wang Hu once boasted about him!"

"I heard Wang Hu was seriously injured by Shen You. Could it be that Wang Long came here today to cause trouble for Shen You?"

"Ha, serves him right! We're all dressed in hemp clothing, so why is Shen You considered a martial artist? He deserves to die!"

These men in hemp clothing weren't all training under Guard Xue; some were with other guards. They had only heard about Shen You's affairs, but now that they saw Wang Long looking like he was about to kill someone, they all showed gloating expressions.

"Why hasn't Shen You arrived yet?"

"You've offended the guards with broadswords, so just die already!"

"I can't wait to see rivers of blood!"

As more and more people gathered, they became increasingly excited.

No one expected that coming to take the Ma Yi examination so early in the morning would lead to such a spectacle. Many people were filled with anticipation; they might not pass the examination themselves, but Shen You was certain to die if he encountered Wang Long!

Seeing others suffer misfortune may be more satisfying than seeing yourself succeed.

"Shen You, come here and face your death!"

Amidst the intense anticipation of everyone, a figure arrived late.

Shen You had just stepped onto the training ground when she stopped abruptly.

Why are people looking at me like that?

Shen You was puzzled. She took two more steps forward and immediately saw a dark figure standing on the training ground.

In a daze, he seemed to see a black tiger lying on the open ground, slowly standing up, raising its head and roaring at him.

Shen You's face darkened, he gripped the broadsword at his waist tightly, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead, and he gritted his teeth, saying:

"Wang...Long!"

……

"Grandpa! We're so slow! If we don't leave soon, I'll be late!"

This is a courtyard filled with red leaves, planted with tallow trees, which exude a touch of demonic charm. The leaves are vibrant and fiery all year round, layer upon layer, dazzling and magnificent.

A young girl strode out of the house, dressed in red, with exquisite features, more beautiful than any of the red leaves in the courtyard.

She pouted, looking around the room with some impatience.

A gentle old man, dressed in a black robe, slowly walked out of the house. Upon seeing the girl, he shook his head helplessly.

"Xiugu, you're a grown woman now, when will you stop being so impulsive?"

"Who's being hasty?" the girl rolled her eyes, unconvinced. "It's Grandpa who's been dragging his feet! Today is my big day! After today, I can change out of my hemp clothes and put on a blue robe!"

She tugged at her sleeve, pouting, "This linen outfit is so ugly! I haven't wanted to wear it for ages!"

It turned out that she was wearing a linen garment under her red dress, but it was completely covered up, with only a corner of the linen garment showing at the cuff.

The old man smiled bitterly upon hearing this: "Hempen clothes and blue clothes are just titles. You don't focus on your daily cultivation, but you care about such trivial matters. You've really put the cart before the horse."

"I don't care! I'm going to pass Mai's exam today with flying colors!" The girl raised her head, her tone extremely proud.

"You, you..." The old man could only sigh.

An old man and a young man walked out of the Red Leaf Courtyard. Outside the courtyard, a kind-looking apprentice in hemp clothing was waiting.

"Han Shu, stop standing there like an idiot, let's go!" the girl said irritably to the apprentice in hemp clothing.

The old man walked over and said gently, "Young man, let's go. If you have the chance, you must do your best in today's examination."

"Yes, Elder Hong!" The honest-looking apprentice in hemp clothing bowed respectfully.