Chapter 8

"Herbal Elixir?"

Zhang Xin wondered how there could be so many. He decided to open the packages one by one to check. Inside, he found nine bottles of Nourishing Spirit Elixir, four bottles of Essence Spirit Elixir, one bottle of Ascending Spirit Elixir, and one bottle of Profound Origin Elixir.

The bottles varied in size, and the number of pills inside each was different, but the quantity was indeed quite large. Especially the seven Ascending Spirit Elixirs, which were of astonishing value and commonly used by many official Spirit Masters.

Additionally, there were the Profound Origin Elixirs, which could mitigate the potency of the Ascending Spirit Elixirs, allowing ordinary people to take them. This was a rare item, even more expensive than the others.

Zhang Xin remained silent for a moment before raising his head and asking, "How much of this is borrowed?"

"About ninety percent? Don't worry, Brother Xin. I have many sisters in the Spirit Gathering Class, and they all come from good families with plenty of Spirit Elixirs. Especially the Nourishing Spirit Elixirs, which we no longer need."

Xie Ling'er tilted her head and explained without a care, "We can pay them back after becoming official Spirit Masters. These things are hard to come by outside the mountains, but once we become Spirit Masters, they are much easier to obtain."

Zhang Xin couldn't help but shake his head, but a warm feeling welled up in his heart. This girl had probably spent the whole afternoon borrowing these Spirit Elixirs for him.

After some deep thought, Zhang Xin put the four bottles of Essence Spirit Elixir and Ascending Spirit Elixir back.

He could keep the Nourishing Spirit Elixirs, as Xie Ling'er's current Spirit Energy cultivation level indeed no longer required them.

However, Xie Ling'er pouted and refused to take them back. Only after Zhang Xin stared at her for a long time did she reluctantly take the bottles, except for the Ascending Spirit Elixir.

"This kind of elixir, I don't need either. The Essence Spirit Elixirs are enough for me. I can use the Ascending Spirit Elixirs after I become a Spirit Master. I borrowed these from my best friend, and it would be embarrassing to return them. Besides, Brother Xin, you need them now."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Xin felt a bit puzzled. "Why must I use them?"

"Because Brother Xin's opponent in the final match is likely to be Mo Ting! That elder sister from the Mo Family."

Xie Ling'er pointed in the direction of Mo Gong's stretcher. "There, the beautiful girl next to Mo Gong. She is said to be the direct-line daughter of the Mo Family."

Zhang Xin looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw a tall and beautiful girl standing next to Mo Gong's stretcher. She was as beautiful as Xie Ling'er but had an icy demeanor.

"She is very powerful, even more so than Mo Gong! Six months ago, she already mastered the external release of Spirit Energy. A month ago, she sparred with another genius in our class and used five Spirit Techniques. One was Spirit Pressure, and another was Spirit Vision!"

Xie Ling'er then summarized, "Since Brother Xin has already mastered the simultaneous release of intent and energy, wouldn't it be a pity not to win the first place in the martial examination?"

Zhang Xin understood. Spirit Pressure and Spirit Vision were indeed the perfect counters to him. He could avoid the latter by not making eye contact, but Spirit Pressure was a different matter.

For someone with a weak divine soul and low Spirit Energy, this was the most difficult Spirit Technique to deal with. To counter this girl, he needed to increase his Spirit Energy to a level beyond that of an ordinary person in a short time.

After careful consideration, Zhang Xin still put the seven Ascending Spirit Elixirs in his pocket. He was not the type to have an inflated ego and ignore others' kindness. He knew that if he could win the martial examination, his chances of becoming an official disciple would increase significantly. Even if he didn't pass, he might still be specially recruited by the Sun Moon Profound Sect's Dharma Hall.

Moreover, the number of Ascending Spirit Elixirs was just right. They could be used until the seventh day, when the martial champion would be decided.

It was known that the use of Ascending Spirit Elixirs would be prohibited after the second round. However, before the second round, the examiners would not interfere, and it would not be considered a violation.

Seeing Zhang Xin obediently take the elixirs, Xie Ling'er's puffed-up face finally showed a smile. She then dragged Zhang Xin's hand and headed east toward the training ground. "Let's go to the dormitory. My classmate said that if we go too late, we won't get a good spot."

Zhang Xin's expression also turned serious, and he quickened his pace.

According to the rules of the martial examination, the selection for the loser group would take place over the next two days, while the winner group's matches would start two days later. After four consecutive matches over two days, the top 32 would be determined, and the final champion would be decided on the seventh day.

During these seven days, the 2,500 participants would stay in the adjacent dormitories. The loser group would share rooms, while the winner group would have individual rooms.

The dormitories were relatively spacious, but if they arrived too late, it would be difficult to find a satisfactory room.

As they walked, Zhang Xin noticed countless gazes from the surrounding people. Some were filled with admiration, envy, shock, or disbelief. Initially, he thought it was because of Xie Ling'er, but he soon realized that many were more focused on him.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Xin understood. It must have been the aftermath of his victory over Mo Gong. He smiled, thinking that his reputation as a 'Mad Saber' was growing.

※※※※

Zhang Xin had expected to attract attention, but he didn't realize the extent of the storm and wave his name and deeds had caused among the examination candidates.

"That's Zhang Xin?"

"That's the one who defeated Mo Gong?"

"This is like a fairy tale. Mo Gong can release Spirit Energy and has mastered three Spirit Techniques, yet he lost to him? He was the ninth in this year's Spirit Gathering Class."

"Clearly, he was the last one to climb the Spirit Ladder..."

"Intent and energy release before the age of twenty? Why him?"

"Hey, even if he can do that, I don't think he will pass the three entrance exams!"

In the crowd, Mo Ting was also watching Zhang Xin and Xie Ling'er's backs, her hand on her sword.

"You said he saw through the weakness of your Spirit Wall Shield with just one strike?"

Mo Gong was still lying on the stretcher, pale and weak. Although a Spirit Master had used the Great Revitalization Technique on him, he still hadn't fully recovered.

The loss of his vital energy was secondary; the main issue was the deep psychological impact of having his head cut off by a single strike.

However, Mo Gong was forcing himself to recall the details of that battle.

"Not just that! When I used the Spirit Light Slash, he dodged it in advance, as if he knew the direction before I cast the spell."

"Knew the direction in advance? That's like sensing the wind before the cicada moves, almost like intent preceding the action."

Mo Ting fell into deep thought. "He didn't just see through the weakness of your Spirit Wall Shield with the first strike; he sensed it while striking and then moved his body accordingly. Think about it, when he used the 'Autumn Wind Rises, White Clouds Fly' technique, did he use a shock force with the first strike?"

Mo Gong carefully recalled and then realized, "That's right! I see..."

"Such an opponent is truly interesting!"

Mo Ting's originally cold eyes now showed a fiery passion. "Someone who can almost achieve intent preceding the action before the age of twenty, I've never met such a person before. I really want to fight him."

"You will definitely win; his Spirit Energy is too weak!"

Mo Gong shook his head. "As long as you use the Spirit Pressure technique, even if he can achieve the tenth realm of unity with heaven and earth, he will surely lose."

Mo Ting remained noncommittal and looked at the girl standing next to Zhang Xin. She thought, "He will definitely lose, but if it's too easy, it won't be interesting."