CHAPTER 4 : Xuanjian Sect Examination

"Lianhua."

Bai Lianhua put down her chopsticks and turned to look at Xu Er who was looking at her while supporting her chin with both palms. She looked back at Xue Er questioningly.

Because Ji Xue Er did not make a sound, Bai Lianhua continued eating. Ji Xue Er finally just took a deep breath, then leaned her body forward to get closer to Bai Lianhua.

"Do you know? Soon there will be a promotion test for the disciples." Ji Xue Er whispered.

"Promotion test?" Bai Lianhua's eyebrows asked in confusion.

Ji Xue Er nodded her head excitedly, her eyes sparkling and began to explain to Bai Lianhua, "Every five years, the sect will hold a test consisting of four levels."

This time Bai Lianhua looked at Ji Xue Er seriously. She was interested in Ji Xue Er's explanation.

"Each level of challenge is free to be followed by Xuanjian disciples who feel they have the ability. The first level is the qi refining test. The purpose of this test is to test the disciple's ability in controlling qi and also the purity of their qi."

Ji Xue Er's explanation became more interesting. The girl paused for a moment to take a bite of the dumpling she had been holding.

"The qi refining test, at least the participants are from first to fifth year students. This is my third qi refining test and I hope to successfully advance this year."

Bai Lianhua choked. If Ji Xue Er who had been here for five years had always failed the first level test, would she be able to take it?

"Yo–you've failed twice?" Bai Lianhua asked in disbelief.

Ji Xue Er nodded weakly. "That's why I've always been bullied by big brother Jing Yi, all because my cultivation progress is the slowest among my peers."

She took a deep breath. It was obvious that the girl was starting to give up. "Maybe it's true that I don't have the talent to be a cultivator. I'm here because I want to prove to my father that I can be as great as my big brother."

It turned out that Ji Xue Er was also looked down on like her just because they were both born as women.

"Enough, enough." Ji Xue Er waved her hand and continued to tell the story, "The second level test is the sword formation test. Then the third is the honor duel test and the last is the Xuanshan sword forest challenge."

"This fourth stage, even brother Jing Yi has not been able to pass. Only two sect elders can complete this forest challenge." Ji Xue Er ended her explanation.

"Two sect elders? Isn't the founder of this sect only Mo Tian's master?" Bai Lianhua asked, not understanding.

Ji Xue Er shrugged her shoulders and said that she had only heard a few stories that the Xuanjian Sect was not founded by Mo Tian alone. However, no one knew who the second elder was. It was also rumored that the second elder had already retired from the martial world.

Bai Lianhua actually didn't care who the founder of this sect was. She only wanted to become stronger, to be able to find her father. Without thinking twice, she finished hiler food and pulled Ji Xue Er to meet Jing Yi, but they couldn't find her anywhere.

There was one place they hadn't visited yet, which was the residence of the Xuanjian grandmaster—Mo Tian's house. Mo Tian's residence was unusual, as it was located across the Lian Gu Valley ravine. Only cultivators of Jing Yi's level were capable of flying across the ravine.

Anxiously, Bai Lianhua waited with Ji Xue Er at the edge of Lian Gu Valley. They stood there pacing back and forth for quite a while. Until finally they saw several people flying across the ravine.

Bai Lianhua placed her right hand on her left chest and lowered her head. "Greetings, Master, Sister Jing Yi."

Seeing the girl's attitude slowly starting to change, Mo Tian smiled. The three people who were with him earlier also said goodbye and were escorted by Jing Yi.

Bai Lianhua's eyes followed the three people until they disappeared behind the bamboo forest that separated the academy from Lian Gu Valley. Seeing Bai Lianhua's curious gaze, Mo Tian turned his attention away.

"What are you guys doing here?" the old man asked as he stroked his long, graying beard.

Their master's question made Bai Lianhua realize his purpose for being here. "Actually, we were looking for Brother Jing Yi. But … since we happened to meet the Grand Master in person, we'll just ask Master."

Mo Tian looked at Bai Lianhua questioningly.

"Xuanjian's promotion exam." Bai Lianhua answered without further ado. "Master, I would like to ask for your permission to take the promotion exam."

How surprised Mo Tian was to hear Bai Lianhua's answer. He did not expect that a girl who had only been studying at Xuanjian for a year would already volunteer to take the exam.

"Are you sure?" Ji Xue Er asked, no less surprised than their master.

Mo Tian's gaze at Bai Lianhua was the same as Ji Xue Er's. They looked like they couldn't believe what the girl said. No student who had only been studying here for a year dared to take the promotion exam.

"Please allow me to take the exam, Master." This time, there was a serious emphasis in Bai Lianhua's tone.

"Alright. But, you must not force yourself. Be aware of your own limits!" Mo Tian said firmly.

The two girls cheered happily. It turned out that their efforts in waiting were not in vain. Bai Lianhua was allowed to take the exam.

*

First exam: Qi Refining

The day of the exam arrived, and Bai Lianhua, Xiao Rui, and Ji Xue Er were already getting ready. Several pairs of eyes glanced at Bai Lianhua with sarcasm and disdain. This girl was considered too arrogant because she was praised too often by Jing Yi and also the Grand Master.

The grouping selection stage had begun and the three of them were placed in one group. However, if one of them failed, then all of them were declared to have failed.

"Xue Er, you have to be enthusiastic!" Xiao Rui encouraged his classmate, then turned to Bai Lianhua. "You were in Lian Gu Valley yesterday?"

Bai Lianhua nodded as she continued to practice in preparation for the exam.

"That means you met the Lianxin sect elder? Elder Li Haoran."

This time Bai Lianhua was forced to stop her practice, she looked at Xiao Rui. "You mean yesterday I saw with the teacher—"

"Lotus Group!"

Before Bai Lianhua could continue, her words had to be cut off because it was already their group's turn. This girl was forced to put aside her curiosity. Bai Lianhua's focus now was to pass this first stage of the promotion test.

The three of them passed through the magic barrier that teleported them into a cave. There were already several groups waiting there. Xiao Rui chose a spot in the corner of the cave. He thought that it could stabilize Ji Xue Er's concentration.

Inside the spacious cave that was only lit by dim torches, the qi filtering formation had been activated. The energy stones began to emit a golden light that glowed softly and spread throughout the cave. Slowly forming a large circle in the shape of a sword symbol and accompanied by a continuous flow of energy that rotated.

Bai Lianhua sat cross-legged flanked by Xiao Rui and Ji Xue Er. In front of each participant was an energy stone that was still not functioning. The stones would glow when there was an energy resonance from the participant. The color and quality of the golden light on the energy stone determined the level of stability of each participant's qi.

"The test begins!" Master Qin Yue's voice echoed in every corner of the cave.

All participants began to take a meditation position and closed their eyes, including Bai Lianhua. She began to regulate her breathing and felt her heartbeat become faster than usual. This girl began to draw qi from her dantian point.

The Sky Refining Cave suddenly became silent. Only the breath of each participant could be heard. They began to focus on this first challenge.

Bai Lianhua's qi flow flowed rapidly, for a moment she felt instability. However, this girl did not waver, she formed formations with her fingers in front of her chest then channeled the qi energy to the meridian points. Slowly the energy stone in front of Bai Lianhua began to glow a golden light although it was still faint.

As she tried to channel more qi into the stone, Bai Lianhua felt that Ji Xue Er was a little restless.

"Xue Er, are you okay?" Bai Lianhua whispered without opening his eyes or reducing his focus.

Ji Xue Er whispered back, "I-it seems like my qi flow is starting to get messed up."

Hearing the two girls whispering to each other, Xiao Rui realized what the problem was. He silently moved his fingers to form a formation, then channeled qi to Ji Xue Er. The energy stone in front of the girl began to glow.

Ji Xue Er's concentration returned. Finally, the three of them managed to emit a golden light, although it was not very bright. However, if they could maintain it until the end of the exam, then they would be declared to have passed.

As time was running out, several examinees began to fall one by one from the purification formation. Bai Lianhua hoped that his two friends would be able to hold on until the end.

"Time's up!" Master Qin Yue's voice echoed again.

Bai Lianhua opened his eyes, Xiao Rui smiled in relief, and Ji Xue Er was stunned because she couldn't believe she could proceed to the second level of the exam.

"We-we made it?" asked Ji Xue Er, not believing that luck would be on her side this time.

Xiao Rui patted Ji Xue Er and Bai Lianhua's shoulders. "Good job!"

They went back through the magic gate in the opposite direction from where they entered. Out of dozens of groups, only these were left. This meant that out of the hundreds of participants, only sixty people were able to pass the first stage.

"Congratulations to the participants who passed. You may rest in the huts provided by the academy." One of the academy teachers stood in front of them and congratulated them.

Bai Lianhua just realized that they were already in front of the Xuanjian academy. To be precise, in a large arena surrounded by five stone pillars. In each of these pillars, there was a sacred sword that would be released once the barrier formation was activated. This place, besides being a guard gate, was also a test arena.

A thin mist began to cover the Xuanshan cliff. It turned out that they had been in the Sky Refining Cave all day. Bai Lianhua thought they had only been there for a short time.

Each group was asked to return to the hut that had been provided. This time, Master Zhang was their invigilator. The man was one of the youngest Xuanjian sword experts in his time.

Bai Lianhua's adrenaline seemed to be pumping because of the enthusiasm after successfully passing the first test. Seeing the spark of enthusiasm mixed with impatience in Bai Lianhua, Xiao Rui warned him not to be careless.

"Consider the three of us just lucky. Although I passed the first stage that time ... but, I failed the third stage." Xiao Rui explained to Bai Lianhua.

"That's right! At that time, Xiao Rui was even injured and fainted for days. After that, he ran away from here." Ji Xue Er recalled the events at that time. "Even though the teachers and professors had high hopes for him because at the age of fifteen he had already reached the third stage."

Xiao Rui glared fiercely at Ji Xue Er. "Shut up!"

Ji Xue Er laughed. She knew very well that Xiao Rui ran away first, because he was afraid that his father who was an imperial general would come to scold him for failing the exam. Xiao Rui causes a stir throughout the academy and causes Jing Yi to be sent to look for him.

"Basically, you can't be careless. This second test really drains your qi because we have to stabilize and channel the qi into the sword while avoiding the punishing swords in the arena." Xiao Rui explained in more detail.

Both Bai Lianhua and Ji Xue Er seriously listened to Xiao Rui's words word for word.

"One more thing, teamwork is the key to success at this stage. Teacher Han Zhong is one of the teachers who has no mercy here and he is the person in charge of this second exam."

Bai Lianhua couldn't wait for tomorrow to arrive. After Xiao Rui and Ji Xue Er rested, she went out to the yard to practice for a while. Bai Lianhua's palm faced upwards, a thin sword with a silver glow appeared. The girl immediately held it and began to channel qi into the sword through her grip.

The girl began to move, occasionally she would draw her sword into the air. Bai Lianhua's movements were so flexible and graceful. Like a goddess dancing a sword dance under the full moon.

Second Test: Sword Formation

The sixty participants who advanced to the second stage had gathered in front of the Thousand Swords (Jian Chang) arena. Mo Tian and Jing Yi watched the exam from the high cliff on the west side of the arena.

"One by one the groups will enter the Thousand Swords arena, please each group leader take the lottery paper in the middle of the arena!"

Bai Lianhua asked Xiao Rui to be their leader. The young man stepped forward to the arena and took the lottery paper. It turned out that they were in the middle group. Bai Lianhua and Ji Xue Er breathed a sigh of relief because they were not the first.

As soon as the group of participants entered the arena, a blue glow appeared and formed a barrier dome. The swords that were previously stuck in the pillars began to come loose and fly in the air to attack the examinees in the arena.

"Look, look, Brother Xue Lingxiao is so great!" Ji Xue Er jumped up and down seeing the greatness of the first group.

Xue Lingxiao was a sixth-year student who was said to have been able to pass the third test despite failing the fourth stage. Bai Lianhua's corner of her eye caught a look of annoyance on Xiao Rui's face. The young man's hands clenched tightly.

His arm was elbowed by Ji Xue Er. "Xiao Rui really wants to reach the fourth stage of this test, because whoever can reach the sword forest and can pull out one of the sacred swords there … then that sword will belong to that person," she whispered softly.

Given Xiao Rui's abilities, it was clear that he could not possibly defeat their senior.

"How could Xiao Rui defeat Brother Xue Lingxiao, you see he only plays around." Bai Lianhua retorted sarcastically.

Ji Xue Er laughed. Not long after, it was their turn to enter the thousand sword arena. The three of them took a deep breath. Some people were seen whispering while pointing at them. Some were sneering at Bai Lianhua's ambition, while others admired his courage.

Since the beginning of entering Xuanjian, Bai Lianhua had never stopped surprising. The Xuanjian sect's moves were conquered one by one as if it was easy. For some people, this made them envious, because they needed years while Bai Lianhua did not.

"The sword formation test is not just about technique! If you can't harmonize your energy, then you will be thrown out of the arena!" Master Han Zhong warned the three of them.

The barrier dome had been installed. Golden light enveloped the swords embedded in each pillar. Not long after, the objects began to attack the three of them as if without mercy.

Their positions were facing each other, but the movements of their hands and feet were so synchronized. Bai Lianhua, Xiao Rui and Ji Xue Er stepped their right feet forward and tilted their bodies to avoid the attack of the sacred sword.

Each of them made a movement like slashing into the air that formed a crescent moon arc while flowing qi into their attacks. The sacred swords were bounced away. The Xuanjian sect's Moon Splitting Move usually took two years to learn, but Bai Lianhua only needed three days.

They fiercely swung their swords against the swords in the thousand sword arena. Strangely, the swords seemed to have a mind and began to get used to their attacks. They even managed to trap Ji Xue Er in an illusion sword formation.

Bai Lianhua performed the Moon Splitting technique and released Ji Xue Er from the trap. The girl was caught off guard and almost got hit by the two illusion swords. Luckily, Xiao Rui quickly made three diagonal steps to trick the swords that were attacking him and immediately deflected the two illusion swords so that they did not hit Bai Lianhua.

"There must be an energy point controlling them." Ji Xue Er whispered breathlessly.

Xiao Rui and Bai Lianhua agreed. However, the only one who had the Heavenly Vision technique was Ji Xue Er. Whether or not Ji Xue Er could do it.

"Xue Er, can you find out where the qi point is?" Bai Lianhua asked as she continued to swing her sword to deflect the attacks.

Ji Xue Er hesitated for a moment. "I will try. You guys have to protect me. Hopefully I can do it."

Ji Xue Er spread her legs shoulder-width apart and straightened her back. She took a deep breath as she focused her mind. Ji Xue Er's hands were straight up with her palms facing the sky. Then she stretched both hands to the side, she rotated her wrists as she gathered natural energy.

She closed her eyes with her two left fingers behind her two right fingers. Ji Xue Er moved her fingers as if rubbing and flowing qi into her eyes. The girl looked around the arena.

It took a while before she shouted, "There are two points in the south and north. Attack together!"

Xiao Rui and Bai Lianhua jumped together and slashed at the source of qi energy that controlled the swords. They managed to knock it down. However, the barrier of the arena did not disappear.

Suddenly a figure in white with a golden mask appeared and attacked them. The figure was so powerful that it overwhelmed the three of them.

"Seven wind sword formation!" Xiao Rui shouted.

Ji Xue Er attacked from above. While Xiao Rui attacked her right and left sides to create an opening. Seeing an opening, Bai Lianhua adjusted her movements and stabbed straight into the opponent's center point.

The masked figure was pushed back. Although she did not manage to injure him, it was enough to make the arena barrier disappear.

"You passed!"

Their passing stunned everyone in the arena. They could not believe that Bai Lianhua's group could pass this second stage of the test. Even the three of them were shocked because they did not expect them to pass.

Ji Xue Er hugged Bai Lianhua.

***