After leaving Qixingdun, we walked along the ice and snow mountain road under Yexing to an altitude of about 1,500 feet. The temperature only warmed up slightly. Only when we waited 1,000 feet, we completely walked out of the ice and snow range.

The three of them went down the mountain overnight, and most of the journeys were steep cliffs, so they walked hard. Therefore, when they approached the sect, there were still three or four hundred feet left, the sky was already bright.

A bright orange-red lighted up from the east first, as if on the edge of the sky, the flames burned in the deep blue. Not long afterwards, another brilliant fireball slowly rose from the top of the East Mountain.

Xu Yan stayed on an observation deck. Seeing the sunrise in Chuchen shining with charming brilliance, he couldn't help but recall what Zhao Bailian had said to him when he first climbed this mountain. However, compared to that time, after more than three months of changes in the Lotus Sect, it has been reborn from the desperate situation that was on the verge of extinction. Although it is far from being a comeback, it is no longer a fish that can be slaughtered.

Huh ~

Xu Yan exhaled a turbid breath and looked into the mountains in the distance.

In my mind, I continued to think that the Lotus Sect has been established for more than 300 years. It can be said that the three years he had been worshipping in the sect to practice was the most dangerous period in the history of the entire sect. If the sect was defeated again in the previous spring hunt, the consequences would inevitably be unimaginable. It is even very likely that this Sword Sect, which has been passed down for more than 300 years and has left countless glorious years, will collapse in the long river of time and completely disappear.

Fortunately, through his master's endurance over the past decade, his strategist in the selection competition, and his own emergence, the master and disciple finally saved the fate of the sect. No matter how he looked at it, Xu Yan felt that he was being manipulated, but for him personally, all this was about to end.

"Little Junior Brother, what's wrong with you?" Seeing Xu Yan's obviously tender face, she revealed an extremely vicissitudes of expression under the rising sun. Chen Qinghe, who was standing behind him, hesitated for a moment before asking.

When Xu Yan heard the voice, he immediately put the thoughts away from his mind, then smiled faintly and said, "Oh, nothing, I just suddenly felt that time passed quickly."

When Chen Qinghe heard this answer, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, but then he smiled and continued to ask, "Why does the younger brother feel this kind of emotion?"

Xu Yan hesitated for a moment before speaking in a calm tone: "I always feel that I have not been here for a long time, but in fact, it has been a long time since I was in a trance. Haven't the elder brother been in the sect for many years? After we go down the mountain, we probably have to pack our bags and leave the sect."

After hearing Xu Yan say this, Chen Qinghe suddenly realized that indescribably, after this month's practice, June is approaching, and the year is half over. If they have to delay some trips on the way north, such as going home to visit relatives, then the time is no longer particularly sufficient.

Since leaving the family and entering the mountain gate, Chen Qinghe has never gone down the mountain to return home, which means he has achieved true practice. Although the sect has not made any requests in this regard and is not allowed to return home, as the road of cultivation becomes deeper and deeper, Chen Qinghe has gradually realized that not only him, but most of the disciples in the sect who are like him, will only take home as a matter of returning home more and less. After all, no matter how good the world is, how can one day compare to the fact that he can soar in the world?

Chen Qinghe sighed and replied quietly, "I began to feel this way after hearing what the younger brother said. Oh, I came to the sect much earlier than the younger brother. However, when I entered the sect, I was almost the same age as you now. The master often told me that the earlier the practice, the better. It is best to start practicing from childhood. In the past, I didn't care about it, and thought that everything in the world could be hardworking to make up for my shortcomings. Now it seems that, especially after witnessing the younger brother's practice process, I have to believe in this statement. As expected, the talent I was born with is irreparable."

Although Chen Qinghe said these words with a smile, Xu Yan could truly feel the depressedness in his words. However, people cannot do anything else to do about this passing time except to reminisce about it. After all, time cannot be reversed.

After hesitating for a moment, Xu Yan smiled and replied, "You don't have to be too sad, you are actually very outstanding. After all, not everyone who starts practicing at the age of sixteen can break through to the middle three level before the age of thirty. Besides, aren't you only twenty-four now? You have reached the late stage of the fourth floor now, and before the age of thirty, there is great hope that you will be close to the upper three level."

When Chen Qinghe heard this, he said with a smile and laughter: "Young brother, you respect me so much. You know how much you have in your heart. As long as I can practice to six floors in this life, I can fly on the sword like my master and others, and I will be content with it."

Xu Yan didn't say much about Chen Qinghe's answer. After all, everyone can see different scenery in their own fantasy world, and the scenery they want to see is also different. Naturally, he cannot forcibly instill his experience into him.

Therefore, after being silent for a long time, Xu Yan could only smile at him and replied, "Actually, senior brother can set the goal farther away", and then took them down the mountain.

...

When they returned to the sect, it was almost the same time as Si. Chen Qinghe and Gu Xueqing said goodbye to Xu Yan in front of Liuyun Courtyard, and then returned to their own sect.

Xu Yan walked into her yard and surprisingly saw what the cardinal was busy in the courtyard at the moment. This was a rare scene. After all, the latter usually appeared on time except for three meals a day. Most of the time, she was always in the dragon's head but not the tail, and it was almost difficult to see her.

Seeing her very focused look, Xu Yan smiled and said, "Sister Hong, I'm back, what are you doing?"

The cardinal heard a sudden voice coming from behind her. She was concentrating on doing her own things. She was shocked. Then she hid the objects in her hand in a hurry. Her face turned slightly red, but soon shedding this expression and said stiffly: "What are you asking, you care about so much!"

When Xu Yan saw her face turned slightly red, she immediately turned into anger and smiled bitterly. Fortunately, he didn't know about her bad temper on the first day, so he wouldn't care about it. However, he was even more curious about what she was doing. Of course, since the other party was unwilling to tell him, he would not dare to ask too much, so that he would not be able to get rid of her again when she got it. That would be a loss.

Seeing Xu Yan smiled bitterly and fell into silence, the cardinal seemed to realize that she was indeed a little angry. After hesitating for a moment, her tone became softer, and she directly changed the topic and said, "There is tea on the table, which was soaked just now."

When Xu Yan heard this, his sad face immediately turned into a smile, and replied, "Okay", then picked up the only teacup on the stone table, poured himself two cups of tea and poured it into his stomach.

Today is very close to the summer season. Therefore, even if it has not reached noon, the temperature in the weather has long been so hot. After drinking two cups of tea in a row, Xu Yan felt the dryness in his mouth and relieved a lot.

Seeing Xu Yan drinking tea like a cow drink, and using the cup she had drunk before, the cardinal looked complicated, but she didn't care too much, but just sighed slightly in her heart, and she continued to say to him: "Your master said that you will go to his other courtyard after you come back, saying that there is something important to you to explain to you."

Hearing the Cardinal say this, he had probably guessed the direction in his heart, so he could only nod and replied calmly: "Well, I understand, then I'll go there now."

...

From returning to the courtyard, Xu Yan only spent a cup of tea, and then went to Zhao Bailian's Ruoshui Villa without stopping.

However, when Xu Yan entered the other yard, he was shocked to find that the yard was obviously a little different from before, that is, the pavilion called Guanlan Pavilion, which was built in the courtyard, has now completely disappeared.

With suspicion in his heart, Xu Yan did not hesitate too much and entered Zhao Bailian's living room directly. However, before he could speak, his master's voice came from the study room, and the latter only heard the latter saying: "Come to the study room directly. There is something on hand for the master. You can come in and have a cup of tea first."

About a quarter of an hour later.

Zhao Bailian, who was writing something, stopped the movement in her hand. He looked up at Xu Yan who was sitting next to her quietly waiting, and asked with a smile on his face, "What have you gained after this month of practice?"

When Xu Yan heard the question, he replied truthfully: "I just improved my cultivation level a little, but I have no other gains."

Zhao Bailian nodded and replied, "It's already very good. Judging from your condition, you should have spent some time on the Qixingdun to temper your body, right?"

Xu Yan knew that he could not hide it from Zhao Bailian, who had a high cultivation level of eight floors, so he replied frankly: "Well, I spent all the last five days practicing martial arts."

Zhao Bailian was not disgusted with his disciples not only practicing swordsmanship, but also practicing martial arts. When he learned about this situation, he did not express any objections. He even shared his heart virtue with Xu Yan after practicing swordsmanship. But to be nice, it is heart virtue, but in fact it is just his failed experience.

Zhao Bailian reminded: "You are not the first person to choose this path to Jianwu Fellowship, but there is no doubt that no one has ever succeeded before you, so this is destined to be a very bumpy and difficult road, or even an unfeasible dead end. Therefore, if one day you really have to make a choice, you will not force you to choose Jianwu, but you still hope that you will eventually choose Jianwu. Of course, if you can really open up a new path of practice and break through the number seven under Jianwu Fellowship, it would be great."

After hearing this, Xu Yan replied calmly: "Thank you for your reminder. If that day really comes, I will think carefully."

Zhao Bailian knew more or less about Xu Yan's character. Seeing that he answered this, she no longer continued to delve into this topic. Instead, she took out a piece of letter paper from her desk and handed it to his hand, saying, "This is the place to go to Yong'an City with you to participate in the Six Sect Competition. You can take a look first."

When Xu Yan heard this, he immediately took the letter and glanced at it briefly, but after reading it, he found that except for Chen Qinghe, Gu Xueqing, and Qiao Mu who came back alive with him during this spring hunt, the remaining five people were names he had never heard of.

Recognizing the puzzled gaze that Xu Yan cast, Zhao Bailian understood and explained: "These five people were selected by the master in this month. They were all under thirty years old, but they were not disciples in the sect, but some young elders. The six sect competitions organized by the dynasty are of great significance. I have told you some inside stories before. Therefore, the other five major sects will definitely select people under thirty and the most powerful to participate in the competition. Remember to be careful when fighting, but no matter what the final result will be, you just need to do your best."

While speaking, Zhao Bailian picked up a sealed letter from her desk and handed it to him again. Then she ordered: "You can help me collect this letter. After you arrive in Yong'an City and participate in the Six Sect Competition, you will take some time to go to the Holy Mountain in person, and then give it to my mentor for help. Remember, it must be after the competition."

After taking the envelope, Xu Yan frowned immediately, hesitated for a moment before asking: "Who is the master's mentor? And I may not be able to successfully meet him, right? Unless I can get a place to enter the Holy Mountain in the competition."

When Zhao Bailian heard this, she immediately smiled and said, "You can just hand it over to the gatekeeper in front of the Holy Mountain Gate. He will help you convey it. As for the quota to enter the Holy Mountain, it is not directly contested by the Six Sects. After all, the Holy Mountain is a holy mountain after all. Although it is inseparable from the dynasty, the two are independent of each other. Even if His Majesty himself enters the academy, he must honestly follow the rules in the academy."

Xu Yan didn't care about that, but just asked, "What does the master mean? Didn't he directly choose a few places in the competition and be admitted to Jianwu Academy?"

Zhao Bailian smiled and shook her head, and replied: "There is no such thing as introducing the lead. It is just the top ten in the competition. You can skip the first level you must enter the academy. However, if you want to actually enter the academy, you have to go through the next two levels. Therefore, those who can truly enter the academy must have certain personal comprehensive abilities."

When Xu Yan heard that he wanted to successfully enter the academy, he was so troublesome, and his face became a little ugly.

Seeing that he was like this, Zhao Bailian continued, "Do you think it's a bit unacceptable to the college's recruitment in such a tedious way?"

Xu Yan did not answer this, but his expression was enough to explain everything.

Seeing this, Zhao Bailian smiled and explained, "To be honest, I thought so when I was a teacher back then, but later I could feel the good intentions of the college. After all, there are so many people who want to join the college in the entire Five Prefectures Continent? Therefore, they chose to use three levels to screen them layer by layer, in fact, just to ensure that the people who can enter the college are real elites. After all, there are thousands of apprentices in the world, but there are only one in the college. But you don't have to worry too much. The last two levels set up by the college have nothing to do with your own strength, but to test your personal character. With your character and cultivation, there should be no problem if you want to pass, but you don't know what the specific content is."

When Xu Yan heard this, he immediately asked curiously: "Hasn't the master experienced it once before?"

Zhao Bailian replied calmly: "The level of the academy is set differently every time. It's funny. The third level I encountered in my teacher back then was to write a poem."

After hearing this statement, Xu Yan was speechless in an instant.

Seeing that he had already put away his letter, Zhao Bailian finally said to him: "Okay, I'll tell you what my teacher should tell you. You should go back and pack your luggage first. I've notified you that at tomorrow, all those who go to participate in the competition will gather in the square. Remember to arrive on time and set off with them."

When Xu Yan heard this, he stopped talking. He just said no, and then he wanted to turn around and leave.

And just after he turned around, Zhao Bailian hesitated for a moment before continuing to say to him: "You...you remember to say goodbye to your sister Hong."

After hearing this, Xu Yan immediately stopped. He did not look back, but his tone was very certain: "I can do it."

...

Although Xu Yan has been practicing in the Lotus Sect for three and a half years, he actually doesn’t have many things outside his body, and there is nothing extra except for some ordinary clothes.

This is how practice is. The whole process is lonely and monotonous. Even this year, the days he spent in the yard were far less than those he spent outside. Therefore, after checking his room, he found that he didn't need to clean up at all.

Xu Yan sighed softly, then took out a wooden box placed on the bottom of his bed.

The wooden box was undoubtedly the Peiyuan Dan that he had placed in it before. Xu Yan looked at the porcelain bottle, and after hesitating for a moment, he took out another thing from his storage bag. Then, he sealed the thing with a porcelain bottle and put it back into the wooden box.

Time passes by rapidly.

After he came back from Zhao Bailian, the Cardinal disappeared again. Xu Yan had no choice but to sit in the patio bored and spend time. It was not until the dusk fell that the Cardinal appeared again in the kitchen to prepare supper.

While Xu Yan was eating, he was about to say a serious separation with the Lord Chin, but at this point he realized that he could not speak. Instead, when he saw that he was a little reluctant to speak, he said bluntly: "Since you are all adults, you must learn to be more flexible like a real man. Don't you just want to leave the Lotus Sect. What's the embarrassment to say?"

When Xu Yan heard this, he scratched his head awkwardly, but he was speechless. When he wanted to hand over his wooden box to her, the other party suddenly stood up again and left him with a sentence "What do you mean, I'll say it tomorrow" and left the kitchen.

Xu Yan undoubtedly could only sigh helplessly when he was about this.

...

The next morning.

After breakfast, Xu Yan said his final farewell to the Cardinal in the yard, but when he looked at the other party's very beautiful and clear eyes, he didn't know what he should say.

Seeing him like this, Cardinal couldn't help rolling his eyes, then handed him a storage bag and said, "I have prepared some dry food for you, and you will eat it on the way."

Seeing that Xu Yan was about to open and check, the dragon clown immediately said coldly: "Don't open it in advance before leaving the sect."

After hearing this, Xu Yan immediately stopped the movement at hand, nodded with a smile and agreed. Then, he also took out the wooden box that had been prepared long ago and handed it to the Chinquil and said, "This is the gift I gave to Sister Hong."

Seeing this, the cardinal did not feel pretentious or ruthless at all, and directly put it into its storage bag, and then said, "The time is almost over. You can set off quickly and don't let them wait for a long time."

When Xu Yan heard this, he could only nod and replied: "Okay, then I'll leave."
Chapter completed!