Examination D-1

The young Xin brothers returned to the hot spring to relax and help their guts digest their breakfast quickly. Sect Leader Huo instructed a few senior disciples to go to the public library and get those lost books Hyunhei mentioned, for it was initially from the sect's private library. Shandian, the cat, was resting on the dry rocks beside the spring while he waited for his master. Hyunhei still can't believe he has a cute pet to accompany him forever.

"Hyun-hyun, stop staring too much at Shandian; it might melt. I'm cuter than him, so stare at me as much as you want." Jingyi jokingly uttered this at his brother. He was happy to see his brother smiling brightly after a long while. Hyunhei seemed serious and smiled sparingly, but he knew the emotions behind his beautiful, solemn face.

"Yi-gege, I realized now that Sect Leader Huo is older than Dad. He looks so young at his age."

"Hyun-hyun, you're still not informed about our family's curse, aren't you? The Xin Clan bears a curse that prevents the bearer's body from aging at a specific age. The most affected one will be the one with silver hair. In our generation, that's you. Shushu was affected by the curse at the age of sixteen. As for us, without the silver hair, we will bear this handsome face and body unto death. It may sound ridiculous, but all of it is the truth."

To Hyunhei, it sounded weird, but to bear this magical curse of looking young forever was a blessing. Even modern technology can't afford to find ways to prevent one's body from aging. He's thankful to have been transmigrated in this era where extraordinary things happen casually.

After the long chatter in the hot spring, they headed to Feng Huang's private library to kill time and prepare for tomorrow's exam. They got permission from their uncle to enter the library whenever they wanted and received some kind of spiritual mark that allowed them to intercept the invisible barrier at the entrance. When they reached the library, they saw some newcomers forcing their way in while the senior disciples prevented them from doing so.

"What's with the commotion?" Jingyi asked one of the senior disciples.

"Some of the newcomers wanted to enter the private library of the Feng Huang Sect, but they are prohibited unless they have permission from Sect Leader Huo to do such a thing. Even senior disciples like us can't enter the library casually without permission."

"You mean this?" Jingyi showed the spiritual mark on his left hand. It symbolizes the Feng Huang Sect, a fire phoenix gracefully spreading its mighty wings.

"That… that's actually the permission I'm referring to! But that has a deep crimson red hue compared to the ones given to us, which have an orange hue." The senior disciple called one of his colleagues to ask about the strange color difference.

"That color means that they've got special permission to enter the private library, and it's permanent! You must be the special students that Sect Leader Huo mentioned before."

"Yes, we are Sect Leader Huo's nephews." Hyunhei removed his veiled hat temporarily and shocked the senior disciples with his appearance. They already knew the answer to the questions in their minds, and so led them to the entrance of the private library.

The young Xin brothers helped the senior disciples hold back the stubborn newcomers and instructed them to return to their corresponding rooms. After a moment, they passed through the barrier without any struggle and casually proceeded to the bookshelves. The spiritual barrier also prevents anyone from peeking inside the library.

Hyunhei was so fascinated by the tidiness and orderliness of the sect's private library. His first target is the book about the spells. While searching for that book, he accidentally knocked some scrolls beside the bookshelf. While picking up the scrolls, he noticed a sheet of paper inserted into the scroll. He picked it up, and there was a hand-drawn figure of an immortal. To his eyes, the immortal seems to be a man but has a feminine figure. They have the same silver hair, yet the figure is faceless. The immortal was dressed in white, like the clouds that drift softly in the sky. He held a star in his right hand as if he admired it. A little inscription below the figure said Xuan, the Fallen Immortal.

He carefully folded the paper and hid it in his sleeve before rearranging the scrolls. They spent half the day reading books in the library. Jingyi yawned as they returned the books he had finished reading. Hyunhei would only want to leave the library because of his hungry elder brother. They asked a senior disciple beside the library's entrance about the kitchen's location so they could help them prepare the meals and sneak some food for later.

While the young Xin brothers were occupied with food hunting, the senior disciples were busy accommodating the incoming students. Based on the current census, there are already 419 aspiring students who have registered to take the Feng Huang Entrance Examination. Luckily, the sect's area can accommodate a total of 2,000 men. They reopened the slots for new disciples due to the news from Feng Huang Sect Elder Lao, the astrologer. He foresaw a disaster that would occur after 100 years. It will have a horrible outcome if the cultivators fail to prepare for it.

After filling Jingyi's stomach with delicious foods, Hyunhei suddenly realized that they had no idea about the examination they were taking tomorrow.

"Yi-gege, do you have any idea about tomorrow's exam?"

"Nope. Not a single bit. Even if we try to ask Shushu, he won't give us any hints. By the way, never let anyone see your face, even the sect elders, senior disciples, or outsiders. Wear your veiled hat when you want to stroll somewhere or use your face veil as a substitute indoors like you did when we showed your appearance to the senior disciples last time."

Hyunhei was initially confused but thankful to have a protective brother like Jingyi.

"Hyun-Hyun," Jingyi mentioned as he cupped his brother's pretty face with his hands, "don't let them see this beautiful face. You are my precious little brother, and I want to protect you. Father and our elder brothers will punish me if I fail. There are many kinds of people in this world, and no one shows their true colors in public. Do not trust anyone except me, uncle, and yourself, understood?" Hyunhei nodded, and Jingyi continued to amuse himself as he poked Hyunhei's chubby cheeks.