Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improved Spirit Rice

Chapter 59 Titled Cultivator!

Zhao Cheng'an stood in front of the bronze mirror, straightened his robe, and after confirming that there were no wrinkles at the hem, pushed open the door and walked out of the waterside pavilion.

Everyone had already gathered in the courtyard.

Chen Heng changed into a moon-white kendo uniform, with a blue ribbon tied around her waist, outlining her slender figure. She carried a sheathed longsword in her hand, her eyebrows were sharp and her eyes were bright, and her face was radiant and full of energy.

Even in the Floating Scale Cave Heaven, where geniuses abound, her sharp and outstanding temperament stood out and attracted attention.

Zhao Cheng'an walked to her side, and the two nodded slightly in greeting.

His aura was calm and restrained, and he had adjusted himself to his best state, with a relaxed expression on his face.

In contrast, Sun Fuli and Xu Baiheng seemed much more awkward.

Xiang Yunyuan was the last to arrive.

His face was flushed with excitement, but his eyes were bloodshot, giving the impression of excessive internal heat.

Shen Yanshan's gaze swept over the group of people. When his eyes landed on Xiang Yunyuan, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he ultimately said nothing.

"Now that everyone has arrived, let's prepare to depart," Shen Yanshan said gently to the group.

The group left the waterside pavilion and headed towards the examination hall.

On the way, they ran into Lu Huaishuang.

Besides Gu Qingfan, Lu Huaishuang was followed by more than a dozen students from the Qingling Region Imperial Academy. Among them were many with profound auras, having already reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Lu Huaishuang waved her folding fan and greeted Shen Yanshan with a smile, her words exuding confidence: "Good morning, senior brother. It seems you're doing very well here too. I'm relieved. I wish you all the best."

Several people came to the examination hall together.

This place is called the Asking Platform, and it is an extremely large white jade square.

In the center of the square stands a magnificent ninety-nine-story tower that pierces the clouds. On the front of the tower stand three huge stone tablets, each gleaming with a different luster: gold, silver, and bronze.

Shen Yanshan stopped and pointed to the three stone tablets, explaining to everyone, "These three stone tablets represent the Gold List, Silver List, and Bronze List, respectively."

"In the upcoming assessments, if you can make it onto the bronze list, you'll have a chance to be selected by a formal lineage of second-rate or higher. If you make it onto the silver list, you'll have a chance to enter a first-rate lineage."

"And if one can have their name engraved on the Golden List, there is even a chance to enter the legendary Golden Core lineage. This is what the cultivation world often refers to as being on the list."

After hearing this, everyone felt an immense pressure pressing down on their shoulders.

Sun Fuli swallowed hard and asked in a low voice.

"Master, what should we do if our grades don't make it onto the list?"

Shen Yanshan sighed, "Then your future paths will depend on others."

"The cultivation world has its cruel side. The resources that the Dao Court invests in you are not entirely free. If you cannot enter a second-rate or higher lineage, you will be sold to those third-rate lineages or immortal cultivation families to repay the Dao Court's investment."

Shen Yanshan turned his head and looked at Zhao Chengan and Chen Heng.

"Both of you are at least at the mid-stage of Qi Refining. If you perform normally, you are almost guaranteed to enter the Bronze Ranking. However, I hope you can have higher aspirations."

On the other side, Lu Huaishuang's smile also faded, and her expression became very serious.

He looked at Gu Qingfan beside him and said, "Qingfan, over the years I have cultivated many students who have entered first-class Dao lineages, but none of them have been able to enter the Golden Core Dao lineage. That is really too difficult."

"I had thought I would never have a chance in this lifetime, but I saw hope in you."

"You must strive for advancement and not waste your talent."

Gu Qingfan nodded slowly, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

"I will follow my Master's teachings."

Lu Huaishuang smiled again and patted Gu Qingfan's shoulder heavily.

……

……

Beside a pavilion on the edge of the Asking Platform.

Luo Qingyi was surrounded by shimmering moonlight as she stood with a female elder from her family.

The female elder looked at her and said earnestly, "Qingyi, although the Haiyue Palace to which our Luo family belongs is a first-class power, such a lineage still cannot bring out your full potential."

"You must find a way to enter the Golden Core Dao lineage in order to fully display your talents and fulfill the mission of revitalizing the family."

"Over the years, the family has made many preparations for you. We've arranged for you to participate in the extermination of demonic beasts to gain practical experience, or published articles for you in the Daoist journal of Haiyue Palace to build momentum. But that's not enough."

"Only by winning first place in this major test will you have absolute confidence in opening the door to the Golden Elixir lineage."

Luo Qingyi nodded, her voice cool and clear:

"I will."

The three seemingly ordinary words, spoken by her, carried a powerful confidence, as if they were a matter of course, as if it were the natural order of things.

……

……

Unlike the groups of students around him who encouraged each other.

Ning Zixu, known as the Sword Master of Xuanjiao, stood alone in a corner of the square, holding a black heavy sword.

This was because his classmates and teachers had all died in the disaster created by the demonic cultivator, leaving him the only one left in the entire school.

At this moment, Ning Zixu stared intently at the stone tablet that was shimmering with golden light.

Only by performing well enough in the grand examination can one enter a better lineage. Only by entering a better lineage can one become stronger. Only by becoming stronger can one cleanse the world of demonic cultivators and offer sacrifices to one's deceased fellow disciples and teachers.

The other side of the square.

Qi Lianshan's appearance was not particularly outstanding; one could even describe it as plain and unremarkable. However, many of the female cultivators around him looked at him with undisguised admiration.

One of the female cultivators, dressed in a pink dress, approached with a smile: "Senior Brother Qi, this year's assessment specifically included content related to runes. With your level of expertise in runes, passing the assessment should be a piece of cake, right?"

Qilian Mountain shook his head and said in a very gentle tone:

"The path to enlightenment is boundless. I've only gotten a head start because of my family background; it's nothing special."

"Moreover, since this test was personally set by the True Lord, it must have some profound meaning. I dare not speak carelessly, and you need not underestimate yourselves; just do your best."

……

……

On a pavilion not far from the Asking Platform.

A young monk dressed in red was sweating profusely as he adjusted the equipment.

This is a tower-shaped ritual implement, about half a person's height, called the Spirit Testing Tower.

It can not only measure a cultivator's cultivation level with great accuracy, but also measure the purity of spiritual energy, the foundation of cultivation techniques, the aptitude of spiritual roots, and so on. It is a key tool for the first test.

The young cultivator was named You Ruofeng. He had the cultivation level of the late stage of Qi Refining and came from the Taiwei Sect, a second-rate sect.

After the debugging was completed, You Ruofeng straightened up, a hint of complaint on his face.

There were clearly two proctors for the entire assessment, but the other one never showed up, even though the assessment was about to begin. He had to do all the preparatory work all by himself, working himself to the bone.

Just then, another person in charge finally arrived late.

The newcomer had a mature appearance, wore a blue Taoist robe, and had a gentle smile on his face.

"Why are you only arriving now...?"

You Ruofeng looked displeased and was about to complain.

His gaze suddenly swept over the green vine embroidery on the edge of the other person's Taoist robe, and he recognized that it was the exclusive clothing of Changqing Taoist Academy.

The different schools of thought were clearly divided into different classes, and You Ruofeng's tone softened somewhat.

"So you're a fellow Daoist from Changqing Daoist Academy."

The experienced monk bowed apologetically.

"I am truly sorry, I was delayed by some trivial matters."

As he spoke, he took out a small bag of spiritual tea from his sleeve and handed it over as an apology.

You Ruofeng subconsciously reached out to take it.

Just then, his gaze fell on a jade Dao badge worn on the chest of the old cultivator.

The emblem was shaped like an open book page, with three stars gleaming with a bluish light engraved on it.

As You Ruofeng's gaze met the Dao emblem, a radiance flowed from it, bursting upwards. Then, above the blue-robed cultivator's head, it transformed into three ancient, simple gray characters.

—Ming Wenshi.

"Title Cultivator!"

You Ruofeng felt as if he had received a hot potato, not a cup of spiritual tea. His nonchalant expression froze instantly, and he almost jumped up from the ground.

"Title Cultivator!"

"Damn it, he's actually a titled cultivator!"

"Why would such a high-ranking figure do this dirty and tiring work of proctoring exams? Damn it, I actually spoke rudely to a titled cultivator just now, what should I do? Should I atone with my death?!"

You Ruofeng screamed inwardly, and his expression immediately changed drastically, becoming full of fawning smiles.

His lips moved like a machine gun, spewing out:

"No, that's not fair! Your time is so precious; it should be used to advance the great cause of spiritual civilization. It's already an honor for me to be able to assist you and handle these trivial matters."

"How could I possibly accept your things? This...this..."

Seeing that the experienced cultivator did not show any blame on his face, You Ruofeng breathed a long sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

He asked, his voice trembling.

"I still don't know how to address this fellow Daoist?"

The experienced cultivator smiled gently and introduced himself.

"My name is Lin Tan."