Chapter 9 Breaking the Stalemate

A few moments later, Zhang Sheng finally raised his head and asked, "Isn't there one more internal review within the Sect? What's the standard this time?"

Sun Yu said, "The internal review only looks at the unified exam results. I heard that this year's standard fluctuates by five points. Within five points there's room for maneuver, but beyond that, it's impartiality without exception."

Zhang Sheng said, "So you mean, as long as Yuan'er scores five more points than the fourth place, he will secure a spot."

"Essentially, yes."

Zhang Sheng tapped the armrest lightly, the regulations, the background of all the examinees, and Wei Yuan's characteristics and strengths all flowing through his mind. His thoughts lingered on Wei Yuan's Luck for a moment, but he shook his head.

In this world today, Luck is as common as hairs on a bull. Those descendants of noble families almost all possess some Luck. Otherwise, how could they be so fortunate in their births, rather than Wei Yuan? Even if they had no Luck themselves, being born into a noble family, naturally someone would acquire the Luck of others to add to theirs.

Therefore, people have long said that being born is the foremost kind of Luck.

After contemplating for a moment, Zhang Sheng made his decision and said slowly, "Yuan'er is my direct disciple. For three whole years, I gave up cultivating the Dao and wandering the world to teach only him! He should have no rival in the Literary Test. Given Yuan'er's foundation and Luck, the Dao Test should be a piece of cake too. The key point will be the martial test."

Zhang Sheng took a piece of paper, wrote down a verse swiftly, and handed it to Sun Yu, saying, "Brother, please pass this to Yuan'er."

Sun Yu took it and exclaimed in surprise, "Southern Vermilion Bird Unspecified Technique? Is this the Luck Secret Technique from the Sky Blue Hall?"

Zhang Sheng replied, "Every one of those high-born youths has Luck by their side. How could it be that they do not have secret techniques for Luck? Our Sky Blue Hall's Luck Secret Technique may not compare to the 'Leaving Chapter' from Four Saints Academy, nor to the 'Forget the Flowing Years' from the Bao Family, but those two are not focused on Taichu Palace this year. Against those other five families, it should be enough."

Before participating in the unified exam, examinees are strictly prohibited from private cultivation, in order to avoid contaminating their foundation. But the great noble families have their ways around this. The secret technique for Luck is one such method. It can extract one's own Luck to enhance oneself, transforming it into various Divine Skills, and does not count as cultivation. Although the effects aren't as powerful without cultivation, having a secret technique in the martial test or not is the difference between a Cultivator and a Mortal.

Who else is Zhang Sheng, if not someone who could see at a glance the tactics that the great noble families would use in the martial test, and immediately compensate for Wei Yuan's fatal shortfall.

Holding the Southern Vermilion Bird Unspecified Technique, Sun Yu said slowly, "When I first joined the Sect, I was often bullied and insulted by the Gate Valve's Descendants. Unfortunately, I was too timid to retort on the spot. Now looking back, I have many regrets. This time, I will take on this responsibility with my junior brother! Just because they can do it, why can't we?"

Zhang Sheng said, "I'll leave Yuan'er in your hands, brother. I need to go into seclusion now to recover my Dao Power before the martial test ends."

Sun Yu was shocked, "How can that be! Li Quan Powder is potent, and after taking it, one must seclude themselves for a full three days! If the seclusion is not thorough, it might even damage the Dao Foundation!"

Zhang Sheng spoke indifferently, "Those people, whatever they take a fancy to, they believe rightfully belongs to them. If Yuan'er manages to break through, we are merely reclaiming what is ours, but those people will only perceive it as Yuan'er snatching food from their plate. Given their nature, would they let it go at that? Thus, after Yuan'er finishes the tests, he will most likely need to have a proper 'discussion' with them. Such matters should naturally be dealt with by me, his teacher."

Inside the dormitory, Wei Yuan had already set the regulations to one side and sat at the desk, recalling all that he had learned from the beginning.

After Li Zhi left, three or four groups of people came knocking at the door, all with similar overtures, and these people were, without exception, far inferior to Li Zhi in presence and grace. Wei Yuan naturally refused them all.

In truth, after hearing Li Zhi's words, Wei Yuan had come to understand his predicament. Li Zhi's speech sounded pleasant, but Wei Yuan, although not particularly adept at military strategy, was well-versed in Tang History, and naturally knew that once integrated into the military system, one lost control over their life. When ordered to charge, you had to charge, and when sent to die, you had to die. Being a Vanguard Commander sounded prestigious, but when two armies clashed, if he wasn't cannon fodder, then who was?

The martial test required no deliberation; it was all about adapting on the spot, taking down one opponent after another if possible. Thus, Wei Yuan was silently reciting "Tang History", recalling Zhang Sheng's explanations when he taught it.

In the blink of an eye, the sky darkened, and the room door silently opened. Wei Yuan, feeling something, turned to look back.

Sun Yu stood at the door, feeling somewhat surprised: This child has such keen Spiritual Sense!

Wei Yuan recognized Sun Yu and knew he was a close friend of his teacher. He quickly rose to pay his respects. Sun Yu then handed over a piece of paper, saying, "This is a technique your master has given you. Memorize it first, and if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me. I can stay for a little longer."

Wei Yuan took the technique and saw "Southern Vermilion Bird Unspecified Technique" written at the top, followed by a few hundred words of instruction. This was part of an entire secret technique, designed for use by those who had not yet begun cultivation, making it quite simple. Wei Yuan understood it almost completely after one read-through, and any points of confusion were clarified after asking Sun Yu. He comprehended the whole thing in no time.

After seeing that Wei Yuan had grasped the technique, Sun Yu offered a few more pieces of advice on employing the Luck Secret Technique and then left as silently as he had arrived.

As soon as Sun Yu left, Wei Yuan began to cultivate.

The Southern Vermilion Bird Unspecified Technique, a secret of the Sky Blue Hall, is valued for its balanced effects without apparent weaknesses. When the secret technique was activated, Wei Yuan felt an invisible force within him stirred, turning into a gentle warmth that spread throughout his body. Soon after, the room appeared brighter to him, and his body surged with additional strength. He grasped his desk and lifted it; the desk, weighing several hundred tael, was effortlessly raised.

After putting the desk down, Wei Yuan took one step and moved from one side of the room to the other. After trying a few more shifting movements, he stopped the secret technique.

All Luck Secret Techniques draw on the Power of Luck within oneself as the source of their Divine Skills, and it was clearly stated in the technique that one should not use it for extended periods. Hence, after trying it out, Wei Yuan ceased the secret technique. But afterward, he felt that the invisible substance within his body had not diminished at all.

Wei Yuan sat cross-legged, closely examining the sensations he had just experienced. With the Southern Vermilion Bird Unspecified Technique, he found a comprehensive enhancement of his physical functions, with strength and speed increased by about double. Wei Yuan had been stronger than average since childhood, and with the boost from this secret technique, his capabilities were even more formidable.

At that moment, Wei Yuan stopped reciting history and focused all his attention on comprehending the Southern Vermilion Bird Unspecified Technique. He was very aware that this technique was the key to the martial test.

In Immortal Mountain, there was no distinction between day and night. As the mountain colors shifted from light to dark, it was already the next morning.

Wei Yuan and the other examinees were called early to the square and given breakfast. The so-called breakfast was just a cup of clear water, but after drinking it, they felt refreshed, and any sleepiness or hunger instantly vanished.

Soon, a group of cultivators led the examinees out of the dormitory to a square. At the end of the square stood a large hall with twenty jade-colored mats inside. Next to each mat were two incense burners, emitting plumes of soft smoke.

An elder Daoist came out from within the hall, holding a stack of white papers. With a flick of his robe, each examinee had a white paper in hand. Upon receiving the paper, a cultivation technique emerged.

The elder Daoist spoke gravely, "This is the technique for the examination. Read it thoroughly, and when you hear your number, enter the hall and run the technique on the designated mat. This technique can stimulate your Life Grid talent and is essential for the Dao Test. Be sure not to be distracted. When you hear the bell, you must immediately stop the technique and leave the hall. Did you all understand?"

"Understood!" The examinees answered in unison.

The elder Daoist nodded, drawing out his intonation, and declared loudly, "The Dao Test begins!" His voice resonated like the call of a crane, soaring high into the clouds.