Chapter 86

In the early morning, Mu Wansu sat at her desk, meticulously applying her makeup in front of the bronze mirror. A beautiful woman would never let others see her disheveled side. Fire.

Mu Wansu was undoubtedly extremely beautiful, mature, and alluring, like a plump peach, evoking endless imagination.

When Wang Lin came to pay his respects, Mu Wansu had already finished her makeup, and her exquisite face was even more radiant and captivating.

"What's so urgent that you have to report it so early in the morning?" she asked, slightly surprised.

"It's about Lin Xun," Wang Lin did not hide anything, recounting everything he had seen and learned last night.

While speaking, he did not notice the shadow of gloom that appeared on Mu Wansu's originally radiant face.

When Wang Lin mentioned that he had helped Lin Xun deal with several leaders of the Green Bamboo Gang, Mu Wansu could no longer hold back and interrupted, "Who told you to help him?"

Her voice was cold, carrying a tone of questioning.

Wang Lin was silent for a moment and then said, "Miss Wansu, a few days ago, you instructed me to keep an eye on all of Lin Xun's activities. Last night, I found out that Jin Yuxiang, a Linggang Realm expert, had already stepped forward before me. Do you know what he did?"

Mu Wansu frowned, impatiently saying, "Just get to the point."

Mentioning Lin Xun, her temper inexplicably became extremely bad, and she lost her usual composure and elegance.

"Jin Yuxiang, as a Linggang Realm expert, was willing to act as Lin Xun's gatekeeper, and even his son, Gu Liang, was called to help."

Wang Lin sighed, "At first, I didn't understand, but later I realized that the key lies with Lin Xun."

Mu Wansu was confused, her eyebrows furrowing even more, and she asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Seeing that Mu Wansu had clearly lost her patience, Wang Lin no longer beat around the bush and said straightforwardly, "To be honest, Lin Xun doesn't just have one Flame Spirit Blade. He must have a significant connection with that mysterious Spirit Engraver."

Mu Wansu was instantly alarmed, "How did you figure that out?"

She was indeed very concerned about the "mysterious Spirit Engraver," and now all the major merchants in Donglin City were searching for this person.

Because everyone knew that if they could control this "mysterious Spirit Engraver," it would bring them immeasurable wealth in the future.

Don't look at the Stone Tripod Hall, which is a major and powerful family in the empire, but Mu Wansu was suddenly startled, "Lin Xun is only a True Wu Fifth Level cultivator, how could he possibly kill a Linggang Realm expert?"

Wang Lin nodded, "I also find it absurd, but later I realized that this might be related to the mysterious Spirit Engraver behind Lin Xun. The one who can forge the Flame Spirit Blade must be extraordinary."

This explanation made sense, and even Mu Wansu couldn't help but be swayed.

However, neither of them realized that they had misunderstood the situation.

But this was understandable, as Xia Zhi had always seemed insignificant, being too young and rarely showing himself, so no one paid attention to him. Moreover, no one believed that a True Wu Realm cultivator like Lin Xun could forge a Flame Spirit Blade, so they subconsciously assumed that there must be a powerful figure behind Lin Xun.

This series of misunderstandings led to many deviations.

In such a situation, even if Wang Lin's information clearly stated that Lin Xun and Xia Zhi had invaded the Black Tiger Gang's stronghold, Wang Lin still ignored Xia Zhi and attributed everything to the "mysterious Spirit Engraver" behind Lin Xun.

Because only this explanation seemed reasonable.

Mu Wansu's heart was in turmoil. Reason told her that everything Wang Lin said was true, but thinking of Lin Xun's hateful face, she felt suffocated. Did she really have to lower herself to this cunning and despicable little boy?

"By the way, you helped Lin Xun last night," Mu Wansu suddenly asked.

One sentence made Wang Lin realize that Mu Wansu's attitude had changed, and he quickly nodded, "It wasn't really helping, just making up for past mistakes."

"Did that boy appreciate it?" Mu Wansu continued to ask.

Wang Lin deliberated for a moment and said, "At least he didn't show any signs of rejection or refusal."

Mu Wansu nodded, her clear eyes filled with contemplation, "Lin Xun came to Donglin City to participate in the Prefecture Examination. After the examination, you should invite him to meet me."

Wang Lin hesitated, "Miss Wansu, I think you should go see him yourself."

Mu Wansu was taken aback, then understood Wang Lin's meaning, and felt a wave of frustration and suffocation. After a long while, she took a deep breath and said, "Fine, I'll go see him myself."

She felt a bit bitter, ultimately having to lower herself to that little brat.

But soon, Mu Wansu regained her spirit and thought to herself, "If that little brat thinks he's won, he's underestimating me, Mu Wansu."

Three days later.

When Lin Xun had thoroughly repaired his severely damaged courtyard, Xia Zhi, who had been in a state of cultivation, also woke up.

The first words she said upon opening her eyes were, "I'm hungry."

Even so, Lin Xun was extremely delighted, and the last bit of worry in his heart disappeared. He rushed into the kitchen, using all his skills to prepare a series of delicious and hearty dishes for Xia Zhi.

During the meal, Lin Xun noticed that Xia Zhi, after waking up, seemed to have undergone a subtle change, emitting a faint and elusive aura that was hard to fathom.

"Your strength has increased," Lin Xun couldn't help but ask.

"Yep," Xia Zhi said while eating, "This battle has been quite beneficial for my cultivation. If I face someone like Lü Laohu again, it shouldn't be as troublesome as last time."

Lin Xun drew a sharp breath. This progress was not just "quite beneficial," it was astonishing.

"What about you?" Xia Zhi asked casually.

Lin Xun immediately fell silent, finding it hard to speak. After a bloody battle, he had only gained a deeper understanding of the Six-Character Blade Technique, which was nothing compared to Xia Zhi.

Fortunately, Xia Zhi was more interested in eating than in questioning, so she didn't press further.

Lin Xun secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Since you're awake, I'm not worried anymore. I might go to Donglin Academy later. The Prefecture Examination will take place in six days, and registration has already started. The registration location is at Donglin Academy."

Xia Zhi nodded and said, "Remember to bring some books for me to read. Not those ridiculous supernatural novels where the protagonists just fight and kill. They're boring."

Lin Xun smiled and agreed.

Donglin Academy.

The usually quiet academy had become extremely lively these past two days, with crowds of people and carriages everywhere.

Some students wearing dark blue school uniforms were acting as attendants, helping to guide visitors around the academy.

These two days were the registration period for the Prefecture Examination, an annual event in Donglin City.

Passing the Prefecture Examination would earn the recognition of the empire, not only bringing a substantial financial reward but also the opportunity to participate in the Provincial Examination.

Moreover, passing the Prefecture Examination would give one the chance to be noticed by other clan forces, potentially leading to a meteoric rise and access to numerous cultivation resources.

Therefore, although everyone knew that the examination content was simple, no one dared to underestimate this method of talent selection by the empire.

Imagine, the cultivators who pass the examination are all under the age of fifteen and already have cultivation, possessing potential that ordinary people cannot match. They are destined to grow into true experts in the future.

If their talent is exceptional, their cultivation prospects are limitless.

It's like a group of promising young talents in the cultivation world. They may seem unremarkable now, but they are destined for greatness in the future.

So when the annual Prefecture Examination is about to begin, the entire Donglin City focuses on this event, eager to see which lucky ones will pass the examination.

At the same time, this is also an opportunity for the major forces in Donglin City to recruit and absorb talent, and no one wants to miss it.

When Lin Xun arrived at Donglin Academy, he saw a bustling scene, with a sea of people, like a market.

Some of the young candidates even brought their entire families to accompany them for registration, making Lin Xun feel a deep sense of parental love.

Indeed, in the entire Ziyao Empire, the status and privileges of cultivators are far beyond what ordinary people can achieve.

But just becoming a cultivator is not enough. If one can become a cultivator recognized by the empire, that is truly a source of pride and glory.

The empire's strategy of selecting talent through Prefecture, Provincial, Provincial, and National Examinations is indeed far-sighted and wise.

Because the annual examinations provide the empire with a large number of pillars of talent, infusing it with fresh blood, making the empire increasingly powerful.

Lin Xun didn't think so deeply, but he knew that this talent selection system was not simple.

He was also quite eager to see how far he could go in these examinations, from the Prefecture Examination to the Provincial Examination, and even the National Examination.

PS: The aftereffects of yesterday's burst appeared, and I feel exhausted. I'll update once today and resume normal updates tomorrow.