The three cultivators were stepping up the stone stairs soaked by the morning dew.
The oldest was merely a youth.
The young cultivator did not conceal the aura of Foundation Establishment Peak; his face bore a bluish tint. Though his hair was tied up, a few strands were loose.
As he walked, the numerous bamboo slips in the Poetry Tube hanging at his waist collided, making sounds.
The young Confucian cultivator named Bai Jiyun led the trio, pausing slowly to gaze into the distance.
He saw that the distant peaks cradled half of the golden sun, dyeing the sea of clouds into a splendid scene like molten gold and spilled jade, exclaimed sincerely, "Even if today’s trial fails, witnessing such beauty again makes it all worthwhile."
Bai Jiyun, with a lazy and carefree disposition, enjoyed traveling, appreciating scenery, and was widely renowned for his literary talent.
The two cultivators behind Bai Jiyun caught up.
The young Confucian cultivator Liu Fushu said, "Brother Bai, you are modest. You’re the face of Foundation Establishment Confucian cultivators in our Flying Cloud Country. If you fail, none of us stand a chance."
Liu Fushu was as thin and tall as a bamboo pole; the cuffs of his washed blue shirt were frayed. His right index finger was calloused, and there was a faint ink stain at the side of his neck.
Though his cultivation level was only at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, Bai Jiyun had long been aware of his fame.
Liu Fushu, despite his poor family background, showed considerable talent in cultivating the Confucianism Skill, especially skilled in calligraphy.
Yet this trial set in Dianmo Peak of Flying Cloud was a written test. If Bai Jiyun was careless, he might lose to Liu Fushu.
Liu Fushu wasn’t flattering Bai Jiyun but genuinely admired him.
He was significantly younger than Bai Jiyun and had heard from his mentors about Bai Jiyun’s talents from the beginning of his cultivation. Periodically, Bai Jiyun’s poems and lyrics would circulate within the circles of Literary Cultivators.
It could be said that Bai Jiyun was Liu Fushu’s idol.
"Brother Bai, such beautiful scenery deserves a poem to truly reflect your talents! I, your younger brother, eagerly await." The third person in the scene spoke up.
He was but a child.
His cultivation level was only in the Qi Refinement Realm. His cheeks were still plump from baby fat, dressed in a pale-yellow short coat, his eyes dark and glossy like lacquer.
His name was Kong Ran, a contemporary prodigy of Flying Cloud Country, indeed only ten years old, not an old cultivator using some techniques to maintain youth.
Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu treated Kong Ran as an equal; firstly, because his family was prominent, being the son of the Prime Minister of Flying Cloud Country, and secondly, because he possessed innate talent—a significant advantage that Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu did not have.
Bai Jiyun first smiled at Kong Ran, then shook his head, "I must save my Literary Energy for today’s Flying Cloud trial. I can only blame myself for lacking talent, thus failing to capture such beauty."
Kong Ran’s small face turned serious, a bit worried, "Mr. Chu Xuangu—is he truly so strict?"
Bai Jiyun nodded, "I had the fortune of meeting Mr. Chu Xuangu at several literary gatherings. He is rigid and impartial, meticulous. Though our conversations were brief, they made me sweat."
Bai Jiyun’s disposition and Chu Xuangu’s differed significantly, clearly making them incompatible.
Liu Fushu, however, with a tone of admiration, looked towards the summit, "To meet Mr. Chu Xuangu in person today is indeed an honor!"
"Mr. Chu once wrote the ’Ritual Movement Great Unity Chapter,’ amidst the sea of clouds, forged a hundred-mile cloud wall, warding off ferocious demons and monsters for years."
"Unfortunately, after resigning from office in Flying Cloud Country, he went into seclusion in the Myriad Images Sect."
The summit of Dianmo Peak was shrouded in bluish-gray morning mist.
The three cultivators all ascended the peak, and saw a middle-aged cultivator sitting cross-legged, before him was a stone table, diligently practicing calligraphy with a Magic Treasure Level brush.
The three exchanged glances, softened their steps, remained silent, and stood quietly before the middle-aged cultivator.
Until the middle-aged cultivator set down the brush, only did the three softly pay their respects and introduce themselves.
The middle-aged cultivator was indeed Chu Xuangu. Dressed in a white robe with wide sleeves, his eyebrows like suspended needles, cheekbones like inkstones, his fingers calloused, his sitting posture was impeccably proper.
"Bai Jiyun, Liu Fushu, Kong Ran." Chu Xuangu’s stern expression eased slightly, "It is not yet time for the trial, yet you arrived first. Good, rising early at the sound of the rooster shows sincerity in learning."
He offered a compliment, instantly delightful to the three cultivators.
"You all wait quietly." Chu Xuangu instructed, then fell silent again, took another sheet of paper and continued practicing calligraphy.
Bai Jiyun could only stand quietly where he was, wishing to move but knowing Chu Xuangu’s temperament well, he had to endure.
Liu Fushu gazed intently at Chu Xuangu, though unable to discern clearly, he studied the subtleties of calligraphy from Chu Xuangu’s arm and wrist movements, momentarily absorbed in it.
Kong Ran, only ten years old, wished to sit and rest but seeing Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu like that, he suppressed his playful instincts.
Time passed gradually, and more cultivators began ascending the mountain, reaching the summit.
Like Bai Jiyun and the others, they first paid respects then stood patiently.
Many cultivators grew increasingly anxious.
Fortune smiled as the trial’s commencement approached.
Kong Ran had long grown impatient, sending multiple Divine Sense Transmissions to Bai Jiyun and Liu Fushu.
Liu Fushu was already absorbed in Chu Xuangu’s calligraphy.
Although Bai Jiyun was also impatient, he reassured Kong Ran: perhaps this is a subtle test by Mr. Chu Xuangu regarding our temperaments.
Hearing this, Kong Ran’s heart shivered, firmly commanding himself not to move.
Everyone was speculating, unaware that Chu Xuangu’s mood was somewhat agitated too.
"Why hasn’t Ning Zhuo arrived yet? Time is running out."
In the Confucian circles of the Myriad Images Sect, Chu Xuangu was considered one of the pillars. But his pillar status wasn’t due to his Golden Core Level cultivation but because of his calligraphy skills.
Wen Ruanyu was also a pillar. His painting skills were widely praised among Confucian cultivators. Even Wen Ruanyu’s self-portraits possessed the combat power of his true self, a feat most Confucian cultivators couldn’t achieve.
Therefore, though Wen Ruanyu cultivated for years in White Paper Immortal City, it did not affect his stature in Confucian circles.
This time, Wen Ruanyu returned for duty, having long sent Flying Messages notifying the Confucian circle.
Hence, Wen Ruanyu previously instructed Ning Zhuo to give him time to understand the Myriad Images Sect’s inner workings.
Although Confucian cultivators in the Myriad Images Sect didn’t occupy high positions, their status was not low, belong to the most united middle level. Their numerous literary gatherings allowed them to make friends through literature and exchange information.
Thus, they had a deep understanding of the overall situation within the Myriad Images Sect.
Wen Ruanyu’s detention while reporting for duty triggered caution and concern among Confucian practitioners.
Each of them acted on their own, covertly working for Wen Ruanyu.
Wen Ruanyu’s request to take care of Ning Zhuo was also deeply valued by them.
This was well-known for them, knowing how significant the interests represented by White Paper Immortal City were. Treasures like ghost spirits and chilling materials, commonplace in the Netherworld, were rare and scarce in the Mortal World.
Moreover, the Yin Tide Black Swamp’s unique geographical environment could entirely be seen as a gigantic Ghost Gate Pass that could be developed annually without needing massive resources to maintain its opening!
If the place wasn’t situated between Flying Cloud Country and North Wind Country, any region in a country’s heartland would have long lost its autonomy.
The Confucian cultivator circle certainly had aspirations for these interests!
The mere presence of Wen Ruanyu placed them at a tremendous advantage.
Additionally, Wen Ruanyu’s high regard for Meng Yaoyin was well known. Now Meng Yaoyin’s son was joining Myriad Images Sect; Confucian cultivators valued Ning Zhuo due to Wen Ruanyu.
They were unaware that Ning Zhuo’s status in White Paper Immortal City was even higher than Wen Ruanyu’s.
They opted to leverage the Flying Cloud trial to elevate Ning Zhuo’s status.
"Let this lucky young man become famous ahead of time, make a public appearance. Merely this alone will deter many with malicious intentions."
Confucian cultivators discussed and came to this idea.
Therefore, Chu Xuangu, who hadn’t organized the Flying Cloud trial for years, intentionally held one this year.
"If Ning Zhuo does not arrive... I’ll have to hold a second trial."