***
"In short, the current you have no need to understand its essence; you only need to cultivate step by step."
I understand, I understand, this is something only big shots need to understand.
"Yes, I understand."
"Did you go to the school today to report your realm?"
"I did."
Zhang Yunlu repeated the content she had asked Yu Ming to Xu Xing.
The fact that the Foundation Establishment methods the school taught students did not mention the Creation Dao Foundation was within Xu Xing's expectations, but this 'Disposable Foundation Establishment Treasure Essence' was quite interesting.
As a necessity for casting a Heaven-made Foundation, rare treasures of heaven and earth were difficult to obtain, yet the current cultivation world was filled with talented people, even managing to mass-produce this.
Even if the effect was a bit worse than a true rare treasure of heaven and earth, it was still quite remarkable.
"I will go find that 'Basic Extraction Method' to take a look at later."
Xu Xing was naturally very interested in the techniques created by the Sheng Huang Abyss, but he did not directly ask for it from Zhang Yunlu.
Since the school had not made it public, there were certainly some restrictions on these students who obtained the 'Basic Extraction Method,' such as not being allowed to pass it on to others.
It might be a small matter for him, but it was different for Zhang Yunlu.
He raised his hand and tapped, just like with the 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique' last time, and a glimmer of spiritual light sank into the center of Zhang Yunlu's brows.
"Your total amount of spiritual power can only be considered average, so I will pass to you a 'Nine Qi Extraction Method,' but as for which of the two extraction methods is more suitable, you can judge for yourself in subsequent attempts if needed."
Having had the previous experience, the time she spent in a daze became much shorter.
After closing her eyes and reading through it seriously once, Zhang Yunlu stood up and gave a solemn salute.
"I thank the senior."
She was very clear in her heart that the two of them had only met by chance.
Although Xu Xing’s realm was very high and he was an incredibly powerful big shot, who had stipulated that a big shot must help a small cultivator?
If she took all of this for granted, it would be far too ungrateful.
The big shot's realm was too high, so she could not repay him for the time being, but she could still manage to offer a word of thanks.
"You are welcome."
These two siblings truly shared the same temperament; when Zhang Xiu left last night, he had also thanked him very solemnly.
Over the long years, he had helped many people.
Most people were grateful at the beginning, but later they gradually became accustomed to it, slowly even feeling it was only natural, and in the end, they even demanded more.
If he did not give it, those people would even harbor resentment in their hearts.
But there were also some people who could strictly adhere to their original intentions from beginning to end, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and understanding reason.
Therefore, even until now, he still liked to grant opportunities to some juniors.
As for how the Zhang siblings would eventually turn out?
Xu Xing would not go and look, but he hoped it would be the latter.
Before leaving, Zhang Yunlu asked one last question.
"After the trial last night, I seem to be a bit abnormal. Not only do I feel at peace while holding a sword, but when I look at others, I always subconsciously glance toward their vital points."
And Xu Xing's answer was.
"It will be fine after you adapt for a period of time."
Zhang Yunlu's state was a stage that every sword cultivator would experience.
Sword cultivators were extremely good at slaughter, so any kind of sword cultivator required fighting and blood to sharpen the edge of their blades!
With Zhang Yunlu in this current state participating in tomorrow's combat test, would it be a fierce confrontation between equals, or an all-out one-sided massacre from beginning to end?
............
After returning that afternoon, Zhang Yunlu found the book she used to like the most, intending to relax her mind first.
However, after flipping through several pages of the book, her heart still could not settle down, and her mind was filled with the sword moves of the 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.'
A few minutes later, she closed the book and ran to the rooftop while carrying her sword.
Coincidentally, a young couple was also on the rooftop, and both of them were dazed upon seeing Zhang Yunlu.
Zhang Yunlu also froze for a moment.
It was mainly because she had seen these two before; they were from the same school as her.
Although they were not in the same class, the classrooms of the two classes were adjacent, and they would usually run into each other.
This was extremely awkward.
"...Sorry for the interruption."
After leaving such a sentence, Zhang Yunlu quickly turned around and went downstairs, leaving the two of them looking at each other.
"Is she... Zhang Yunlu?"
The boy had served as a volunteer in a competition previously held by the school, so he had an impression of her.
"She’s even carrying a sword; she wouldn't have come up here to practice her sword, right?"
"Putting on an act."
That girl was somewhat dissatisfied.
"She doesn't work hard usually, and only knows to work hard when the combat test is about to happen."
"That's not necessarily the case; she didn't know there were people here when she came."
"How is that not the case!"
The girl's voice rose a few notches.
"I heard that many people in her class are unhappy with her, and they are even preparing to give her a lesson during tomorrow's combat test!"
Such a thing existed?
The boy was curious in his heart, but seeing that his girlfriend seemed to be somewhat angry, he did not dare to ask and immediately began to coax her.
Once her emotions had calmed down a bit, he then inquired about it indirectly.
Under a description that added oil and vinegar, the boy finally confirmed that such a thing did indeed exist, and there was even the instruction of a teacher involved.
To have actually offended even a teacher, it seemed that there would be some fun to watch in tomorrow's combat test.
The girl eventually discovered that something was wrong and complained: "Why do you keep inquiring about her matters? Is it..."
The boy hurriedly spoke to interrupt before she could flare up.
"Is this not just being curious about whether she will win tomorrow or not?"
"Her? Ha!"
The girl was disdainful.
"Senior Fang Lin in her class has been to the Starry Sky Battlefield; what does she have to fight him with?"
"Yes, yes, yes, how could he be compared to Fang Lin..."
The boy echoed with a few smiles, but in his heart, he was thinking.
Emm... her temper is a bit bad; should I change to a different one.
............
Early the next morning, the school was extraordinarily bustling.
One after another, streaks of light from fleeing cultivators with powerful auras flew into the school from various parts of the city.
These were all people who had come to watch the combat test.
The Third High School was the best high school in Xuanjian City, and the Principal was even the cultivator with the highest cultivation in the entire Xuanjian City, being the closest to the Void-Returning Realm.
Therefore, there were many people who came to show their support, all of whom were famous and powerful cultivators within the city.
Among them was Li Fengping.
As an inner sect disciple of the Sword Sect, he had been personally invited by the Principal to become one of the judges for today's combat test.
However, because the injuries on his face had not yet recovered, he was still wrapped in bandages.
Everyone also assumed he was practicing a special divine ability, so they did not ask further.
A massive arena floated above the playground, and the spectator seats were filled with lower-grade students and some family members of the senior students.
Zhang Yunlu sat in the classroom, looking out from the window.
From her perspective, she could just see the full view of the entire arena.
Banners fluttered around the arena, and there were dark marks on the blue-gray bricks and stones, appearing to be dried bloodstains.
Was she going to be fighting someone in that arena later?
The slaughter with the sword cultivator phantom in the trial last night surfaced in her mind.
After dying several dozen more times, she was already able to easily defeat a ninth-layer Qi Refinement sword cultivator who had mastered the 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique' at the perfection level.
Would there be even stronger people in the school?
The hand holding the scabbard tightened slightly, and a trace of expectation could not help but surface in her heart.
And her expression fell into the gaze of Fang Chi, who was in front of the lecture podium.
Ha!
Now you know how to be nervous.
With a cold laugh in his heart, Fang Chi looked toward the other side.
That was a tall and sturdy youth with a glimmer of spiritual light flashing in his eyes, only a single step away from Foundation Establishment!
He was Fang Lin!
The one with the highest realm in the entire class, and also the only student who had been to the Starry Sky Battlefield!
As for Zhang Yunlu, Fang Lin did not take her to heart at all.
Although he knew she was already at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, he was still completely indifferent.
This kind of cultivator who grew up within a school was like a sheep raised in a greenhouse—naive and fragile, and would collapse with just a little bit of pressure.
If Fang Chi were not his uncle, he would not even bother to take it seriously.