Martial Cultivator

Xi Qiuchen looked at Jiang Shuchan and said, "I don't know how you found out that the martial exam is going to be reformed this year, but even with the reforms, it won't be easy for you alone to kill him."

Xi Qiuchen fixed his gaze on Jiang Shuchan's graceful figure and continued, "I investigated him. Before entering the Divine Capital, he served as the warden in Tianqing County and killed many demons. Otherwise... he wouldn't have easily killed your friend like that."

He clicked his tongue and said, "It wasn't just him, but four qi refiners in total, two of them at the same cultivation realm, and he killed them just like that?"

Upon hearing Xi Qiuchen's words, several traces of frost appeared in Jiang Shuchan's eyes, but she remained silent.

Xi Qiuchen smiled and said, "Looks like Fairy Jiang wasn't that close to that friend of yours."

Jiang Shuchan asked calmly, "What do you want?"

Xi Qiuchen smiled and replied, "There are rumors that I, Xi Qiuchen, am a lecherous demon, but there are countless paths in the world, and that is simply my way of cultivation. Many people appear righteous on the surface, but who knows what they are truly like behind closed doors?"

"No need to beat around the bush."

Jiang Shuchan looked at him with no visible emotions in her eyes.

Xi Qiuchen chuckled and said, "I genuinely admire you, Fairy Jiang. That's why I want to do something for you. It's not blackmail, I simply hope that you can see my sincere heart. If I succeed in this matter, how about spending a day together at the lake?"

Jiang Shuchan furrowed her brows. She was somewhat surprised too. She had not expected Xi Qiuchen's request to be so straightforward.

She looked at Xi Qiuchen, her eyes wavering a little.

Xi Qiuchen smiled and said, "That uncivilized martial artist dared to attack immortal cultivators. As cultivators, it is our duty to take a stand in such matters."

"If you can really kill him, I may consider your request..."

Jiang Shuchan quickly made up her mind. She looked at the man in front of her and suddenly found him less detestable.

Xi Qiuchen smiled and said, "Whether or not I can kill that martial artist depends on your abilities, Fairy Jiang. I believe that since Fairy Jiang already knew about the martial exam reforms in advance, you'll probably have a way to neutralize the bamboo token too."

Jiang Shuchan did not speak, she just cast a glance around her rather silently.

……

……

The first day of the literary exam quickly came to an end.

A total of six preliminary exams were conducted today. Zhu Xia and Xie Nandu ranked first in their respective rounds. Apart from these two girls, the other top performers were all men. They appeared cultured and scholarly, resembling scholars rather than cultivators.

The Left Guard's news was transmitted extremely quickly. Chen Chao was in the courtyard in the academy when he soon received news from the Left Guard. It was delivered by Weng Quan. After handing over the message, this constable from the Left Guard wanted to say something but was promptly dismissed by Chen Chao.

Closing the courtyard gate, Chen Chao picked up a bag of honey dates and sat down on a chair in the courtyard. He opened the envelope, glanced through the contents, and handed the honey dates and letter to Xie Nandu.

"I read it. It seems that there are only a few women among the top ten in the six rounds. What's going on?" Chen Chao asked curiously as he spat out the date pit.

Xie Nandu set the letter aside and said calmly, "What's so strange about that?"

Among cultivators in the world, the number of men far exceeded the number of women by a large margin. This was especially true when it comes to the proportion of powerhouses. However, when it came to the literary exam, it fundamentally tested one's knowledge and learning. If we talk about studying, women's thoughts are generally more meticulous than men's, so this kind of situation should not occur.

Why did it seem like men were more skilled even in the literary exam?

Xie Nandu calmly said, "If one's talent is sufficient, no one would think of participating in the literary exam. The difference between the literary exam and the martial exam is significant. You saw with your own eyes the difference in attention they receive too. How can they be mentioned in the same breath?"

Cultivators who participated in the literary exam, except for Zhu Xia and Xie Nandu who were unable to achieve notable results in the martial exam due to their low cultivation realm, were selected by their sects to participate in the literary exam because their talent was too poor or their cultivation progress was too slow. Women naturally have physical differences compared to men, and those chosen for cultivation mostly had a decent aptitude and potential to go far in the path of cultivation. There naturally would not be many women selected for the literary exam due to their poor talent.

Xie Nandu smiled and said, "This world has always been unfair to women."

If one were to delve deeper into this issue, there would be many different views.

Chen Chao shook his head. "In my heart, they are actually the same."

Xie Nandu picked up a book and smiled as she said, "It's best if they are the same."

Chen Chao, feeling bored, said, "There are still more than ten days left for the literary exam. If someone ranks first in every round, wouldn't that be impressive?"

"Throughout the history of Myriad Willow Convention, there has never been anyone who ranked first in every round of the literary exam and became the overall winner."

Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao and said, "The literary exam may seem simple, but in reality, it covers a wide range of subjects, with each round focusing on different topics. How can anyone be good at everything? Since that's the case, how could someone rank first in every round?"

Chen Chao said, "But I don't think you'll have any problem ranking first next time."

Xie Nandu looked at him and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"I heard that there are many gambling houses in the Divine Capital, and Myriad Willow Convention has some betting options. I'm planning to wager my entire net worth on you to win."

Chen Chao was raring to go.

Xie Nandu said, "You shouldn't be lacking money at the moment."

"I don't lack money, but who would complain about having too much money?"

Chen Chao said. "If it weren't for the fact that I can't bet on myself, I would definitely throw some money on it."

Since arriving in the Divine Capital, Chen Chao had never been short of money. The Second Prince had previously given him a considerable amount of treasures, and after Chen Chao saved the Saintess Zhu Xia, the Second Prince gave him a generous sum of skygold currency. In addition to various items acquired in other parts of the Divine Capital, Chen Chao's wealth was quite substantial now.

Even if the Warden Office no longer provided him with the precious spirit medicines for body tempering, Chen Chao would not be lacking money to buy spirit medicines anymore.

However, if he wanted to pursue using the best spirit medicines each time he tempered his body, he might still be short on money.

Especially for some extremely rare and precious spirit medicines, he probably could not even buy them with skygold currency.

Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao and said, "If you're not afraid, you can bet on me tomorrow."

Hearing this, Chen Chao raised his eyebrows and said, "If I lose, you have to bear full responsibility."

Xie Nandu shook her head and said, "This makes no sense."

……

……

The second day of the literary exam was still held by the lakeside. However, this time Xie Nandu was not in the first session. The winner of the first session was someone familiar, the Old Pine Mountain cultivator with whom Chen Chao had a conflict in front of the South Street honey dates shop. At that time, Chen Chao felt that he lacked some arrogance compared to the other foreign cultivators. Now it seemed that his lack of arrogance was due to a lack of confidence.

Standing where the rankings were posted, he looked at his name at the top of the list and felt quite pleased with himself. Many cultivators next to him congratulated him. He returned each greeting, but halfway through, he noticed the youth in black not far away. Immediately, he became somewhat distracted. Disregarding etiquette, he hurriedly ran towards the distance.

Chen Chao watched this scene and was very puzzled too. "Am I that scary?"

Beside him, Zhu Xia smiled and said. "Maybe he's afraid of me."

She was wearing a blue dress today and was still very adorable. However, no matter how cute the Saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace was, she had no connection to cuteness in the eyes of that Old Pine Mountain cultivator.

Chen Chao smiled, waved his hand, and asked, "Can you get first place today?"

Zhu Xia pondered for a moment and replied seriously, "I should be able to."

Chen Chao was satisfied and said, "Then go ahead, answer the questions well!"

Zhu Xia smiled and left. Xie Nandu approached, looking at this scene as she asked, "Did you also bet on her victory?"

Last night, Chen Chao went to the largest gambling house in the Divine Capital and placed a bet. In addition to Xie Nandu, he also bet that Zhu Xia would get first place today while he was at it.

"I hope you both achieve good results. I am actively supporting you girls with my actions."

Chen Chao looked at the cultivators by the lakeside, feeling rather happy.

Soon, the sound of a bell rang, indicating the end of the examination. Xie Nandu was about to participate in the next session of the literary exam.

After waving to her, Chen Chao went straight to the place where the rankings were posted, waiting for the list.

After a moment, the person in charge of posting the list walked over with the list in hand.

Chen Chao was stunned, looking at the person holding the list, feeling surprised.

"Why is it you?!"

The person posting the list was none other than Weng Quan.

Weng Quan clasped his hands and smiled, "Deputy Commander, the Ministry of Rites said they were short-handed, so they asked me to come over. Otherwise, this subordinate would be patrolling by the lakeside right now. You have no idea how scorching the sun is today..."

Chen Chao waved his hand and frowned as he said, "Quickly post the list. Where did all this nonsense come from?"

Weng Quan nodded and hurriedly hung up the list. He pulled the string and the list unfolded. There was no surprise—the top spot was still Zhu Xia.

Chen Chao let out a sigh of relief.

Weng Quan walked over and lowered his voice, "Did Deputy Commander place a bet at the gambling house last night?"

Chen Chao furrowed his brows.

Weng Quan said in a low voice, "You must have bet on Miss Xie getting first place."

Chen Chao said impatiently, "Just get to the point."

"It won't be an easy win for Miss Xie in the next session. From yesterday's six preliminary exams, there are a total of three top performers in her upcoming session."

Weng Quan smiled bitterly, "Deputy Commander, it seems like you're going to lose today."

On the first day of the literary exam, there were six top performers. Apart from Xie Nandu and Zhu Xia, three of the remaining four were in the upcoming session. Adding Xie Nandu, that made four.

This session of the literary exam would undoubtedly be very dangerous.

Chen Chao exclaimed angrily, "What kind of rules does the Myriad Willow Convention have? Isn't there a principle of avoiding clashes between top performers?"

Weng Quan looked surprised, "Didn't the Deputy Commander inquire about this beforehand?"

Chen Chao replied irritably, "I'm not participating in this literary exam, why would I bother understanding it?!"