Chapter 7

After landing, an elderly man in white led Zhai Laoer, Chen Laosan, and the group of women along a stone path, with a few henchmen and porters carrying their luggage following behind.

"This year's entrance examination has indeed started earlier than usual," the elderly guide confirmed in response to Zhai Laoer's inquiry. "The reason for the early start has not been disclosed by the sect. However, the entrance examination, which was originally scheduled for three days later, has been moved up. Summoners from the inner, outer, and branch sects have already gathered. The formal start will be at noon today."

The reason for the early start was naturally beyond the scope of what they could know. Fortunately, they had been urged by Qingling's leader to arrive just in time, and the women all felt fortunate.

It seemed that entering the Swordsmanship Sect was a great honor. Wu Zhe observed the women's reactions and noted that the girls around him were very excited and nervous.

"I am aware of your fall from the Martial Realm," the guide said, looking at Chen Laosan with surprise. "But Qingling's leader has been very supportive of you. How is it that after a year, you, who have good talent, are only a three-star martial artist? Why have you recovered so slowly?"

"Shameful. I had some family matters that disturbed my mind, and I couldn't seem to get back on track," Chen Laosan replied with a bow. "If it weren't for the leader's help, I might still be stuck at two stars."

Wu Zhe understood. It was likely that Chen Laosan's fiancée had run off with someone else, leading to a conflict that damaged his cultivation, and the heart demon made it difficult for him to recover.

The guide said seriously, "If the heart demon is not removed, the Martial Realm will be constrained."

Chen Laosan nodded. "Thank you for the advice. I have been trying... but there's always something on my mind..."

Zhai Laoer also frowned.

Wu Zhe was a bit surprised. It seemed that Zhai Laoer and Chen Laosan had a better relationship than he had imagined, as Zhai Laoer was actually concerned about Chen Laosan's Martial Realm.

The guide, knowing that the heart demon was hard to overcome, nodded and said no more.

The journey felt like a郊游 (suburban outing). The green mountains and clear waters were full of natural charm, and the path was easy to walk, with gravel paving the way.

Wu Zhe paid attention to the various plants and animals along the way, which were almost identical to those on Earth. It seemed that the main difference between the two worlds was the existence of mystic energy, which explained why the human race was no different.

After less than an hour, they turned a corner, and the view suddenly opened up.

In the valley, a vast green meadow was already filled with nearly ten thousand people.

It had the atmosphere of a sports event, with groups of about a hundred people each gathered, dressed differently. Each group had a flag with the name of their local outer or branch sect.

Qingling, being one of the lowest-tier branch sects, was situated on the outskirts.

Wu Zhe, as a candidate from the lowest-tier branch sect, was among the girls.

At the pre-prepared Qingling flag, Wu Zhe and the other girls were seated, curiously looking around.

The guide also sat down not far from Wu Zhe.

Wu Zhe watched as the attendants began to set out fruit on the rest tables and looked around. Suddenly, an idea came to her.

Just as Zhai Laoer and Chen Laosan had sat down, Wu Zhe stood up and walked to Chen Laosan's side.

"Old Chen," Wu Zhe began, with a slightly off tone.

Chen Laosan and Zhai Laoer were taken aback.

"You kept me locked up for two days without water or food," Wu Zhe said calmly. "I demand compensation for my mental distress."

If it weren't for the public setting, Wu Zhe wouldn't have dared to extort them.

Chen Laosan and Zhai Laoer didn't understand what "mental distress" meant, but they grasped the general idea and their faces darkened.

After a moment, Chen Laosan said heavily, "You want me to compensate you? Do you think I'll listen to you?"

Wu Zhe smiled and pointed to the nearby branch sects. "Do you believe I won't lose face and run out shouting that you tried to assault me and then locked me up for two days without water or food?"

Chen Laosan sneered. "Do you think they'll believe you?"

"Of course not, but some people will deliberately spread rumors. Especially since you have a bad temper and have offended many people, they won't care if it's true or not and will be happy to defame you. Besides, now that your cultivation has fallen and is hard to recover, it's a good opportunity for them." Wu Zhe shrugged. "I think money is just an external thing, but reputation within the sect is more important. You should compensate me for my loss."

Chen Laosan and Zhai Laoer were stunned for a moment, hardly believing that such insightful words could come from a girl.

"Haha, you really scare me," Chen Laosan laughed, not angry. "How much do you want me to compensate you?"

Zhai Laoer, seeing his anger rising, quickly warned, "Old Three, you can't hurt people recklessly in the sect's territory."

How could a fourteen-year-old girl be so impolite? The guide also looked over.

The other women were almost frightened to death. A kind-hearted girl nearby finally reacted, jumping up and frantically waving at Wu Zhe.

Wu Zhe, however, said, "Chen Laosan, how much valuable stuff do you have on you? I want to know."

Chen Laosan laughed. "Then take a look."

He pulled a money bag from his waist and threw it on the nearby wooden table. The bag was open, revealing several gold and silver ingots.

"Do you want these gold and silver as compensation? Then take them," Chen Laosan said, smiling without a trace of anger.

"Fine, I'll take them all," Wu Zhe said, making a bold demand.

Indeed! A country girl, greedy for gold and silver. Chen Laosan secretly gathered mystic energy, ready to strike the girl's hand as soon as she reached for the money.

The guide frowned but did not intervene.

Zhai Laoer's face was also very grim, glaring at Wu Zhe for her lack of manners.

But no one expected Wu Zhe to say she wanted the money bag but stand still.

She simply said to the gold and silver on the table, "Come here, come quickly. You belong to me, so come over."

She didn't even stretch out her hand, just spoke empty words, and the gold and silver on the table didn't move at all.

Chen Laosan and Zhai Laoer were stunned, and even the guide nearby was taken aback.

"Come, come quickly. You belong to me, so you should come over," Wu Zhe said, extending her finger and beckoning in the air but not reaching for the money.

Everyone around her was dumbfounded.

Wu Zhe repeated this a few times, then shook her head and said to Chen Laosan, "I have a request for you."

"What is it?" Chen Laosan asked suspiciously. "Do you want me to hand you the money myself?"

Wu Zhe shook her head and pointed to the distance. "Help me throw them all away."

Chen Laosan was surprised. "What did you say?"

Wu Zhe said calmly, "I don't want them anymore. Let them go."

"..." Chen Laosan sat in silence for a moment before slowly asking, "Why?"

"Zhai Laoer once refused a bet and destroyed it himself, and I have never cared about things that shouldn't belong to me. And you..." Wu Zhe spoke slowly and patiently. "Why can't you understand?"

Chen Laosan's face tightened, and he felt a sudden realization.

The onlookers, Zhai Laoer, and the guide, all had a flash of insight in their eyes.

"I have sixteen words of truth, listen carefully..." Wu Zhe said slowly. "What belongs to me, should come but doesn't. What leaves, let it go. Let it go."

"!!!!!!!!" Chen Laosan pondered the words, suddenly startled, and stood up.

Wu Zhe smiled slightly, said nothing, and turned to sit down.

"..." Chen Laosan stood still for a long time.

The next moment, Chen Laosan suddenly grabbed the money bag and silver and threw it far away.

After discarding the items, Chen Laosan suddenly broke out in a heavy sweat!

The sweat was refreshing!

"Ha ha ha ha ha! That's right, that's right! A fourteen-year-old girl understands, why couldn't I see it before!" Chen Laosan slapped his forehead and laughed loudly, not caring that people from nearby branch sects were looking at him. He shouted, "What belongs to me! Should come but doesn't! What leaves, let it go! Let it go! Let it go!"

Zhai Laoer and the guide clearly sensed that Chen Laosan's aura suddenly soared, and his strength, which had been at the fifth star level, was rapidly recovering.

He had reached the fourth star realm! The fifth star martial artist realm was within reach!

The fourteen-year-old girl's few words had shattered Chen Laosan's heart demon, allowing him to restart his martial path and regain his former strength!

The guide was deeply moved.

Zhai Laoer stood up resolutely.

He walked to Wu Zhe, straightened his clothes, and made a deep bow. "My brother's heart demon is gone, and his martial path is open again. This rebirth is entirely due to your words. On behalf of the Qingling Three Heroes, I thank you..."