: The First "Entry Standard"!

2024-09-16 Author: Gu Zhenren

: The First "Entry Standard"!

Lava Immortal Palace.

Dong... dong... dong...

The bell echoed across the square in front of the main hall.

Over thirty cultivators sat behind desks, their expressions grim.

Some frowned deeply, others had faces as dark as water, and a few trembled physically and mentally upon hearing the bell.

This was because new information was transmitted directly into their minds: The first round of the Palace Examination has ended. All cultivators must cease answering immediately. Those who violate this rule will be disqualified from the subsequent exams.

Reluctantly, with bitter expressions, the cultivators put down the jade slips in their hands.

"I'm finished!"

"I haven't finished answering!"

"Why did the time pass so quickly?!"

"I answered as much as I could. Even though I knew some were wrong, answering is better than leaving it blank, right? Shouldn't I get some points for effort?"

Their thoughts were similar, each silently praying they would pass this round smoothly.

The position of Palace Master of the Lava Immortal Palace was at stake. Having infiltrated the palace, these individuals were all outstanding talents, naturally harboring ambitious desires. No one wanted to be eliminated in the very first round.

More information arrived, instructing them to wait a moment while the papers were graded. The results would be available shortly.

Taking this opportunity, the cultivators in the square quickly began discussing amongst themselves, comparing answers to the various questions.

Zhu Xuanji, however, was lost in thought alone.

At that moment, Shu Zhongjun approached him. "Lord Zhu," he said with a smile. "What do you think? The frequent mentions of the 'Mirror Platform Spirit Channeling Art' and the 'Demonic Blood Tendon Technique' in the jade slip, along with the 'Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art', likely form a set, don't they? Are they the three supreme methods, the treasured legacy of the Lava Immortal Palace?"

This was exactly what Zhu Xuanji had been pondering. He looked up and replied frankly, "I was just contemplating the fragments about these two techniques in the exam questions. I believe they do seem complementary."

"However, to confirm it, we would need to seek out someone like City Lord Meng Kui for divination."

Shu Zhongjun nodded. "I wonder if Lord Zhu would be willing to sell the Demonic Scripture you possess?"

This was Shu Zhongjun's real purpose.

During the Golden Core free-for-all, a Demonic Scripture had appeared. Although it was later revealed to be a fake, it still contained about thirty percent authenticity. After all, Ning Zhuo had genuinely released parts of the 'Demonic Blood Tendon Technique' to gain people's trust.

Any Golden Core cultivator who had gotten their hands on the scripture during the chaos knew at least the first few layers of the 'Demonic Blood Tendon Technique'.

But Shu Zhongjun had not participated at that time.

Although he wanted to, he belonged to the Complete Book Pavilion, a famously neutral faction in the world that could not casually involve itself in local conflicts.

Therefore, Shu Zhongjun knew nothing about the 'Demonic Blood Tendon Technique'.

His request to purchase it from Zhu Xuanji was immediately refused.

Before the first round of the Palace Exam, Zhu Xuanji might have been tempted by Shu Zhongjun's high offer to sell the parts he knew.

But now, having just completed the first written exam using the jade slips, and having used knowledge from the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique to answer questions, he was even more convinced of its value. During this critical period of the examination, he would never sell it!

Shu Zhongjun sighed and could only bid Zhu Xuanji farewell, going off to seek other potential sources like the Zheng or Zhou families.

Watching Shu Zhongjun leave, Zhu Xuanji's gaze was deep and thoughtful.

On the current ranking list, Shu Zhongjun held second place, making him Zhu Xuanji's greatest competitor.

Elsewhere.

"Elder Brother, how did you do?" Zheng Shuang gou asked Zheng Dan lian with concern.

Zheng Dan lian snorted, suppressing his frustration.

During the exam, he had almost drawn his sickle to chop the desk to pieces!

Zheng Dan lian: "The Three Ancestors aren't much. They should have transmitted the Three Supreme Methods before holding the Palace Examination."

Zhou Nong ying interjected, "We just discussed this. It's likely the beast tide assault forced the exam to be moved up significantly. The original plan probably included the transmission of the methods."

Ning Jiu fan added, "Or perhaps, on the path of entering the palace via soul projection, the Three Supreme Methods would have been available later."

Zheng Shuang gou shook his head wryly. "It's fine, it's fine. We're all in the same boat. The rankings probably won't change too much."

Almost all the cultivators shared similar thoughts.

Except for Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo.

Zhou Zeshen approached Ning Zhuo and asked about his experience with the exam.

Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly. "This time, I'm afraid I've done poorly. I might have missed a lifetime's opportunity!"

Zhou Zeshen immediately felt relieved and comforted him, "Everyone is in the same situation, Brother Ning. Don't worry too much."

But Ning Zhuo shook his head. "How can us Qi Refinement cultivators compare to those Golden Core seniors? Their knowledge and perspective are far broader. Even without knowing the Three Supreme Methods, they can use their own understanding to answer the questions as best they can."

"For you and me, it's different."

Zhou Zeshen nodded with a bitter sigh. "I was thinking the exact same thing, Brother Ning Zhuo."

In another corner.

Yang Chanyu approached Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong wore a conflicted expression.

Yang Chanyu couldn't help but worry. "Hey, how did you, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, do?"

"You're too young, and your cultivation is weak. Don't tell me you left too many blanks and get eliminated."

"If I'm the only one left to continue the exams, I'll have to increase my share of the profits by ten percent afterward!"

Sun Lingtong sneered and rolled his eyes dramatically at Yang Chanyu. "Woman, just you wait and see."

He quickly glanced at Ning Zhuo in the distance.

After obtaining the Three Supreme Methods, Ning Zhuo had shared them all with Sun Lingtong without reservation!

Ning Zhuo could answer the questions to the best of his ability, but Sun Lingtong could not.

Because he was acting under Ning Zhuo's name.

Therefore, for many questions, even though he knew the answers, he couldn't provide the correct responses.

Sun Lingtong had to consider the situation once the results were published.

Thus, throughout the entire exam, he had been extremely conflicted.

Maintaining this balance was incredibly difficult!

The cultivators' discussions were interrupted by a sudden influx of information.

"The rankings for the first round of the Palace Examination are as follows:"

"Entry Standard."

"Shu Zhongjun."

"Zhu Xuanji."

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

The name in first place was simply too, too, too glaring!

"Entry Standard?!" Everyone turned shocked, furious, hateful, and disdainful gazes towards Sun Lingtong.

Even though Sun Lingtong was bold, being the target of so much hatred made him involuntarily swallow hard.

Yang Chanyu snorted coldly, stepped forward to shield Sun Lingtong, and let out a mocking laugh. "Gentlemen, anyone who wishes to be expelled from the Lava Immortal Palace and disqualified from the exams, feel free to make a move!"

Fierce anger blazed in everyone's eyes.

"The Unempty Sect is something else!"

"To think they've infiltrated so deeply and know the Three Supreme Methods so well!!"

"If Sun Lingtong knew the Three Supreme Methods, why would he only practice his童子功 (Virgin Boy Art)?"

"This is blatant cheating! Outright cheating!"

"We toiled honestly on the exam, and this little thief dares to cheat so openly?!"

"Ah, I should have guessed. Sun Lingtong is only at Foundation Establishment, yet his soul entered the immortal palace. He took advantage of his high cultivation during the trials. It seems the Unempty Sect has discovered a major loophole in the Lava Immortal Palace!"

"Where is the Palace Spirit? Someone is cheating!!! Please punish them severely!"

The cultivators were furious.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit had been watching everything. Hearing this, it rolled its eyes, feeling utterly helpless.

Because it knew the truth.

It growled lowly, "The one you all should really be concerned about is Ning Zhuo! That little monster!!"

Seeing everyone kept in the dark, and seeing "Ning Zhuo" placed inconspicuously in the middle of the ranking list, filled the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit with a deep sense of powerlessness and a growing chill in its heart.

Sun Lingtong secretly breathed a huge sigh of relief.

He had successfully completed his task, ensuring the results weren't too outstanding and allowing Ning Zhuo to remain hidden.

Suddenly, Yang Chanyu hugged him.

This intimate gesture disgusted Sun Lingtong, who pushed her away with all his might.

"Yang Chanyu, what are you doing?!" Sun Lingtong yelled.

Yang Chanyu looked at him with intense, eager eyes. "Impressive, you little runt. You've really brought honor to our Unempty Sect."

"How did you do it?"

"Did you actually get the Three Supreme Methods, or did you cheat?"

"Tell me, quickly!"

Sun Lingtong shook his head. "Ugh, you're so annoying."

Watching Sun Lingtong from afar, Ning Zhuo also relaxed quietly, feeling quite pleased. "As expected of Boss!"

The name "Ning Zhuo" sat inconspicuously in the middle of the list.

New information arrived again.

"Combining the merit list and the examination rankings, the new comprehensive rankings are as follows:"

"Zhu Xuanji."

"Shu Zhongjun."

"Zheng Dan lian."

"Entry Standard."

"Ning Zhuo."

"Zhou Zeshen."

"How is this possible?!"

"I... I failed?"

"Damn it!"

The cultivators in the last ten places on the list reacted with shock; some cried out in anguish, others paled.

Ning Zhuo noticed that none of those eliminated were Golden Core cultivators. About half were trial disciples, the other half Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The knowledge and perspective of the Golden Core cultivators were indeed profound enough.

The questions on the jade slip exam were limited to the Qi Refinement stage, with a few touching upon Foundation Establishment. Therefore, even without knowing the Three Supreme Methods, the Golden Core cultivators could use their own knowledge to answer cleverly.

Furthermore, the reason no Golden Core cultivators were eliminated was also because their previous merits were substantial, placing them high on the initial rankings.

The eliminated trial disciples suffered from their lack of breadth of knowledge.

As for the Foundation Establishment cultivators who were eliminated, the reasons were likely twofold: they lacked sufficient merits, and their knowledge, while better than the trial disciples, was still inferior to the Golden Core cultivators and proved less effective in this context.

(End of )