Chen Xu returned to Yunjiang City at the fourth quarter of the hour of You, just before sunset.

He held the little mouse to his chest, with a semblance of a Dao's resonance lingering in his heart and spirit.

The so-called Dao is just like the evening breeze at this moment, the green trees by the roadside, the sunset in the sky, and the hustle and bustle of the mortal world.

[Cultivation: Meridian Passage Realm Late Stage 13%]

Innate Qi quietly circulated, naturally enhancing his cultivation, with cultivation being omnipresent.

He recalled the analysis of the spiritual materials he had seen earlier: [Life-Reflected Fiend, gathered from the extreme passions of the world, whether love, hate, friendship, birth, aging, sickness, or death, condensed into forty-nine layers, and cooked with Rootless Water, Unrestrained Wind, and Heart's Desire Fire.

It can yield a Shadow of the Soul.

Hide it within one's shadow, and when merged, it can double one's strength. When separated, this soul shadow can fly a thousand miles and be driven at will.

Within a hundred miles, the soul shadow's strength can reach ninety percent of one's own, two hundred miles eighty percent... and so on.

In times of crisis, unbinding the Life-Reflected Fiend can save one's life once.]

The effect of this item is indeed both strange and peculiar, making one inevitably feel amazed.

His family's two mouse demons paid a tremendous price to bring him a Life Substitution Pearl, yet they didn't know he had already slain the Ghost King, obtaining a Life-Reflected Fiend.

The effects of the two seem similar, yet it is the two mouse demon friends who suffer.

On his way, Chen Xu was both comprehending the Dao and pondering that strand of Life-Reflected Fiend.

At this moment, he suddenly thought, since it is said that the Life-Reflected Fiend can gather the extreme passions of the world, whether love, hate, friendship, birth, aging, sickness, or death.

Then could this item also gather the Disease Fiend from the little mouse and Master Jiu, absorbing it and allowing the two mice to recover quickly?

After pondering and investigating for a long time, until he returned to the city, listening to the various lively sounds on the streets of the Prefecture City, Chen Xu finally concluded:

Indeed, it can!

However, this gathering requires matching strength with Chen Xu's. For instance, Master Jiu's strength is unfathomable—

Although Chen Xu does not know his exact level of cultivation, at this moment, through Divine Thought Sensing and comparison, he vaguely understood that he cannot save Master Jiu now.

As for the little mouse, its strength is not strong.

But its bloodline is special, and since it has swallowed Master Jiu in its belly, although Chen Xu can absorb the Disease Fiend from it, it is not a task that can be accomplished overnight.

Even so, he ultimately found a clue and direction to save the two mice.

Truly, it's like "the mountains and rivers seem to have no end, yet beyond the bright willows and flowers, another village appears!"

Chen Xu gently exhaled, and as he looked at the streets around him, his state of mind differed from before.

There were pedestrians and vendors bargaining on the roadside, as well as couples arguing and children making noise.

Occasionally, there were idle people eagerly discussing strange events in the town: "Do you know old Scar Xiao at the northern street intersection? He's recently gotten married."

"What's so special about getting married? Is it worth mentioning?"

"What if the wife he married isn't actually a person, but a fish he caught from the river?"

"What, a fish? Nonsense, how can a person and a fish be together?"

"What if the fish transformed into a beautiful woman? Such a lovely and beautiful woman, and she even helps him sell fish at the stall.

Tsk tsk tsk, if you saw her, you'd understand why he married a fish..."

The strange tales of the marketplace, sure enough, are incredibly unusual.

Chen Xu found it amusing, carrying the small Ah Shi in his arms, walked down this stretch of road, turned a few corners, and finally saw the Gaosheng Inn.

With the inn in sight, Chen Xu suddenly felt a bit guilty.

He thought to himself: I wonder if Master Wu has discovered that I quietly left the inn?

If discovered—

Well, at most, I'll just receive a scolding.

After all, whether I stick my neck out or shrink back, it's all the same.

Chen Xu immediately adjusted his expression to appear calm and composed, then strode into the inn.

In the inn's lobby, many people were having their evening meal, and upon seeing Chen Xu, the formerly noisy sounds suddenly quieted down.

Wang Mochuan and Xu Wenyuan, among others, were present, and Xu Wenyuan exclaimed joyfully, "Brother Chen, are you healed?"

Chen Xu nodded to everyone, saying, "Yes, please enjoy your meal, gentlemen."

Then he stepped up to the second floor of the inn, returning to his room.

As he pushed the door, he already sensed something was amiss. His heart skipped a beat, and he swiftly pushed the door open, then the two people inside simultaneously turned their gaze towards him.

Hey, who else could the two inside be but Wu Zhengze and Feng Yuanbai?

Chen Xu felt the intense gaze of the two pairs of eyes on him, suddenly feeling the air around him heavy and the pressure immense.

Unconsciously, he straightened his posture, took a step forward into the room, and shut the door behind him.

Bang!

As the door closed, Chen Xu quickly cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Master, and Brother Feng."

"Alas," sighed Wu Zhengze, shaking his head, "you!"

He said nothing more, yet it seemed as if he had guessed everything, with countless words expressed in that single sigh.

Chen Xu only felt that his master's attitude was a bit off, and then heard Wu Zhengze say, "The great fire at Pufeng Mountain, we have already been made aware. Did you... summon Great Scholar Ji Weizi to assist you in fighting?"

So that's how it is!

No wonder Wu Zhengze had a knowing expression, he indeed guessed everything, and yet nothing at all.

For a moment, Chen Xu did not know how to respond, but his strange expression made Wu Zhengze even more certain of his guess.

Wu Zhengze continued, "Though you may have won the favor of a great scholar, summoning heroic spirits has its limits, and the road of cultivation is long; some favors should be saved for critical moments.

However, one cannot say this life-and-death crisis wasn't critical.

In any case, it's good that the matter is resolved, to avoid being constrained in the future."

What else could Chen Xu do?

He could only manage a slight smile, a smile that unexpectedly had a touch of youthful shyness.

One cannot possibly tell the Master that without summoning the spirit of a Great Scholar, I single-handedly leveled Pufeng Mountain, right?

If I were to say that, it's hard to imagine how the Master would react.

Wu Zhengze continued: "Come, take a seat. Now that the matter of Pufeng Mountain is resolved, Feng Mingfu has some new information to share with you."

What new information?

After Chen Xu sat down, Feng Yuanbai said, "Xu, the provincial exam this year has been moved up to July."

That statement was indeed startling.

Chen Xu immediately blurted out: "Doesn't this mean that at most two more months, and then it's time for the provincial exam?"

It is now April 21st, and having just over two months to prepare for the provincial exam is something that would astonish anyone.

Feng Yuanbai said, "There have been some special circumstances lately. First, the metropolitan exam has been moved up to early February next year.

Second, with the increasing threat of demons and spirits everywhere, the Imperial Court intends to increase the number of Scholars and Advanced Scholars to address the chaos."

Wu Zhengze said, "While the preparation time has been shortened, the number of available spots has increased. This situation is difficult to say whether it's advantageous or disadvantageous."

"I believe it's disadvantageous," Feng Yuanbai replied, "While the number of spots has increased, I predict there's a sixty to seventy percent chance that this provincial exam will test on the Demon Suppression Strategy."

Chen Xu gathered the Little Mouse Demon in his hand and involuntarily shrank his palm into his sleeve.

While he had been calm and composed in his life-and-death confrontation with the Ghost King Xie Huaizheng, at this moment, he suddenly felt the Little Demon in his palm was heavy.

But at the same time, a force like a burning fire increasingly occupied his heart and spirit.

If the storm is fierce, then break through this wind and waves and scatter all dark clouds!

In Chen Xu's chest, his Heart Fire seemed to be burning. He remained silent, only listening to Feng Yuanbai continue:

"If it was only about literature and classics, Xu would have no problem at all. Even speaking of essay writing, Xu's essays are quite brilliant.

But you lack understanding of worldly affairs, never having confronted the havoc of demons, ghosts, and evil spirits everywhere.

Thus, even if your literary talent and theories are excellent, when faced with essays on matters like Demon Suppression or Ghost Suppression, I'm afraid you'd be at a loss for what to do.

This is not your fault alone; in fact, before most Scholars pass the provincial exam, they do not encounter these matters.

Firstly, such calamities were not so common in the past; secondly, read-ers in the stage before passing the exam are focused on foundational learning, and understanding current events too deeply might affect their temperament, hindering comprehension of the classics.

Moreover, once ordinary people have passed the provincial exam, they usually spend three to five years sinking deeper into their studies. With more time, naturally, they learn enough of everything."

Feng Yuanbai analyzed sincerely for a moment and asked Chen Xu, "Will you still take the provincial exam this year?"

Chen Xu replied without hesitation, "I will definitely take it."

Honestly, theoretically, he should not be in a rush within a year or two.

But earlier, Mr. Zhou had said, time waits for no one, and he should obtain his degree as soon as he could if he could.

Feng Yuanbai had in fact said similar things earlier, and now when he asked again, it was just to see Chen Xu's determination.

After Chen Xu answered, Feng Yuanbai then smiled and said:

"Since you're participating in this year's provincial exam, I suggest you don't return home this time.

If you're worried about your parents at home, you can send a message back with Master Wu.

You need to stay in the Prefecture City where you can learn and exchange ideas with the talents among your peers at the Prefecture City Academy. In your free time, you can also look at documents and read about worldly affairs with me.

Of course, if you stay at my house directly, even better.

Whether you want to visit the academy or not, I can serve as half a master to you."

Having said that, Feng Yuanbai smiled and looked at Wu Zhengze.

Wu Zhengze immediately gave a snort; this old guy was waiting here for me.

The two had argued about whether Chen Xu should stay in the Prefecture City or return home. Although Wu Zhengze hadn't won then, he hadn't lost either.

But this time, not to mention that Feng Yuanbai wanted to persuade Chen Xu to stay, Wu Zhengze himself could only pinch his nose and said:

"Xu, I am also of this opinion.

A man should aim for great ambitions wherever he is. There's nothing urgent at home calling you back; you might as well focus and continue until you make a name for yourself.

By then, bringing back the plaque of an Advanced Scholar, that is what it means to return home in glory!

As for your family, with me looking after them, you can rest assured."

After speaking, Wu Zhengze, who had initially felt a little stuffy, suddenly revealed a smile on his face.

He twisted his short mustache, glancing at Feng Yuanbai.

He laughed again and said, "Xu, in a few days, I'll leave a homing pigeon with you.

You can correspond with me often, whether you have any difficulties or miss your family while away, you can send the pigeon to communicate with me.

Remember, do not be rash and brave by yourself.

Your Master will be waiting for your good news to come back."

Finished speaking and laughing heartily, compared to Feng Yuanbai, who dared only lightly smile, Master Wu bore no such constraints.

What can Chen Xu do?

All he could do was agree.

After finishing the main topic, Chen Xu thought about his Spirit Wine and promptly said, "Master, Brother Feng, I happen to have some good wine here; it should be brought out to share a cup with you two."

He got up and fetched the wine from the chest by the bed, actually retrieving a jar of Flowing Clouds Wine brewed with the Bright Heart Gourd from the Fire and Smoke Kitchen.

Moments later, the room was filled with the intoxicating aroma of the wine.

With three parts intoxication, Wu Zhengze's voice had a carefree and unrestrained tone that was usually absent.

"Xu, how can there be good wine without a good poem? Since we're about to part, do you have a poem to gift your Master?"

Feng Yuanbai said, "Instructor Wu, we haven't parted yet today, why the rush?"

"But we have good wine today; parting early or late, it will eventually come. So why not ask now?"

Amid the intoxication, a faint indescribable melancholy.

Chen Xu's voice rang out: "Master, thanks for your teaching; your student has a poem."

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