“New Moon? Full Moon?” Elder Yin’s expression turned somewhat strange, and the way he looked at Zhu Ping’an became even more appreciative.
This young man truly suited his temperament.
To avoid Yan Shubing causing him trouble, after leaving the Martial Artist Association, Zhu Ping’an handed the Blood-Enhancing Pill to Yan Shubing.
Listening to Yan Shubing sweetly call him “Brother Ping’an,” he nearly got goosebumps all over, but for the sake of his future plans, he still comforted her in a gentle tone.
In the days that followed, Zhu Ping’an lived a very fulfilling life.
During the day, he stayed at school preparing for the College Entrance Examination and strengthening his Qi and Blood Value. After class, he rushed to the Martial Artist Association to seek guidance from Elder Yin and Elder Yang, practicing the Immortal-Demon Sword Art and the Nine Mountain Divine Sword.
Although Elder Yin and Elder Yang had not agreed to take him as a disciple, they taught him wholeheartedly, holding nothing back. Under their guidance, Zhu Ping’an’s strength advanced by leaps and bounds.
Time passed quickly in such a full schedule. Half a month seemed to vanish in the blink of an eye. Only two days remained before the College Entrance Examination.
“Second form of the Nine Mountain Divine Sword, One Sword Shaking the Mountain!”
Holding the New Moon sword, Zhu Ping’an slashed downward. The long sword in his hand transformed into a streak of cold light, cutting forward with the force to split mountains and shake peaks.
“Hehehe! Well struck!” Elder Yin let out a strange laugh and raised his hand, condensing half of a Taiji diagram to block the attack.
In the past, Zhu Ping’an’s sword could not shake that half Taiji diagram in the slightest. But this time was clearly different. Zhu Ping’an entered a strange state.
In his eyes, the half Taiji diagram transformed into a towering mountain. He fiercely slashed his sword at the mountain.
A neat cut appeared across the half Taiji diagram. Only after several breaths did it slowly close. A strand of the already sparse hair on Elder Yin’s forehead fell down.
“Good boy! No wonder the sword spirit of the Celestial Origin Sword chose you on its own. You truly are a genius in sword cultivation!” Elder Yin nodded in satisfaction.
Zhu Ping’an wiped the sweat from his forehead, unable to suppress the joy on his face.
The Nine Mountain Divine Sword had nine forms. Each additional form added the power of one more mountain. Every form required immense Qi and Blood Value to support it. With his current Qi and Blood Value, executing the second form was already his limit.
“There are still two days left. Go to the mission hall and take a mission to leave the city,” Elder Yin said calmly.
“Leave the city?” Zhu Ping’an was somewhat surprised.
“Yes. Your Nine Mountain Sword Technique has reached the second form, but no matter how much you practice, it is still only theory on paper. The College Entrance Examination does not test only whose martial techniques are more refined or whose Qi and Blood Value is stronger. It tests a Martial Artist’s overall real combat ability. Every year, there are geniuses who fight above their level.”
“You only have two days. Outside the city is the most suitable place to rapidly improve a Martial Artist’s real combat skills. Weren’t you fearless of death?” Elder Yin grinned. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“Yes, Master Yin!” Zhu Ping’an nodded.
“I said, don’t call me Master. I’m not your master. Get lost, get lost!” Elder Yin waved him off impatiently.
“Alright, Master Yin. Goodbye, Master Yin!”
“Hmph, brat.” Elder Yin snorted coldly, but there was a faint smile on his face as he turned away.
Zhu Ping’an arrived at the mission hall. Honestly and earnestly, he focused on missions suitable for a 1st stage Martial Artist. In the end, his gaze locked onto a mission to hunt Fire Cicada Snakes.
The Fire Cicada Snake was a Level 1 Ferocious Beast of the fire attribute. Its snake gallbladder was a great tonic for Martial Artists who cultivated fire-attribute techniques.
Therefore, Fire Cicada Snake gallbladders were highly sought after by fire-attribute Martial Artists.
According to the mission description, one Fire Cicada Snake gallbladder was worth 5,000 yuan, and at least four were required to complete the mission.
In other words, after accepting this mission, Zhu Ping’an would have to hunt at least four Fire Cicada Snakes outside the city.
Since it was his first time accepting a mission, the Martial Artist Association thoughtfully issued him a booklet titled “Wilderness Survival Guide Outside the City.”
It recorded various taboos and preparations required after leaving the city.
After opening it, the first warning stated that Martial Artists below the 3rd stage were not advised to leave the city alone, as it could easily lead to loss of life.
Zhu Ping’an touched his nose and then tossed the “Wilderness Survival Guide Outside the City” straight into the trash can.
This book was too terrifying. The moment he opened it, it told him his life was in danger. He could not keep reading it.
It had to be said that those protected by the plot were indeed willful.
Soon, Zhu Ping’an arrived at Qingcheng’s city gate. Inside Qingcheng, everything appeared peaceful and prosperous, as if time were tranquil. But once outside the city, it became a terrifying apocalyptic world filled with Demons and Ferocious Beasts, where human lives were as worthless as grass.
The reason the city remained peaceful was because the defending Martial Artists carried the burden forward.
“Civilians are strictly forbidden from leaving the city.”
The soldier’s face was cold and filled with killing intent. He was clearly someone who had seen blood.
If civilians left the city, they would merely become snacks for Demons and Ferocious Beasts. Therefore, in every city, civilians were prohibited from going out.
“Brother, I’m not a civilian.” As he spoke, Zhu Ping’an picked up a stone and crushed it into fragments in front of the soldier.
The soldier was startled, and his expression immediately became respectful.
“So young and already a Martial Artist? You’re a candidate for this year’s College Entrance Examination, aren’t you? Sorry, I need to report this upward!”
The upper echelons of the human race valued Martial Artists extremely highly, especially young Martial Artists who had broken through to the 1st stage before the College Entrance Examination. Their future was limitless. The death of even one would be a huge loss.
After the soldier reported it, a middle-aged man with a thick beard soon walked out.
“The College Entrance Examination is the day after tomorrow. And you want to leave the city now?” The bearded man looked at Zhu Ping’an in surprise.
“Yes. I’m taking on a mission.” Zhu Ping’an nodded.
“You young people really know how to stir things up…” The bearded man rubbed his forehead, then smiled. “Well, sooner or later you have to face the world outside the city. Better to open your eyes early. Just don’t get so scared that you wet your pants!”
“Hey, what’s your name again… oh right, Leng Tianjiao. You come along too.”
The bearded man waved toward the back and then explained to Zhu Ping’an, “This little girl is like you, also a candidate for the College Entrance Examination.”
Toward these talented youths who had already become Martial Artists, the bearded man showed great patience.
A girl in an ice-blue dress stepped forward. Her beautiful face was like eternal frost that would never melt, clearly radiating the words “keep away.”
Zhu Ping’an glanced at her once and then withdrew his gaze. The girl never looked at him at all, as if he were air.
“I’ll introduce myself first. I am one of the commanders of Qingcheng’s city defense army. My name is Gu Xuan. You can call me Commander Gu or Brother Gu.”
The bearded man spoke casually, then his expression became extremely serious.
“I understand that you want to leave the city to temper yourselves. But I also have one requirement. After leaving the city, neither of you may move more than 10 meters away from me. Do you understand?”