Xue Chengsong chuckled wryly, "It’s more than that. Every time he appears, it coincides with a major event. The most severe incident was a massacre at an elite gathering on an island owned by the Eagle Alliance. Over a hundred people, including descendants of wealthy families and aristocrats, were killed, prompting the Martial Saint to investigate, which shows how serious it was."
"Impressive!" Cui Mingcong exclaimed.
Xue Chengsong continued, "The key issue this time is that it’s not just the Demon Worship Sect involved, but also the Demon Purgatory. Last time we went, the demon creatures from multiple levels of the Demon Purgatory intervened, which is unusual, so we’re still investigating."
Feng Wenhao asked, "What does the Huang Meng Sect stand for anyway? What do Huang and Meng represent?"
Xue Chengsong hesitated, "Well... currently, it’s all speculation without a consensus."
Zhou Leng glanced at Feng Wenhao and said, "Speaking of the demon creatures from multiple levels of the Demon Purgatory, I saw in the Martial Arts City news that besides the Ice Crystal Demon Lion, an Ice Snow Warlock appeared last time."
"The Ice Snow Warlock belongs to the twelfth level of the Hanging Moon Mountain Range in the Demon Purgatory. Unlike the other Demon Purgatory lords, the lord of the Hanging Moon Mountain Range, the Pale Queen, is... let’s say, more reclusive, rarely participating in external battles."
"Even the Hanging Moon Mountain Range got involved, and with Tong Tianxia appearing, it can’t be a small matter."
Feng Wenhao asked, "So what should we do? Are we not going to the Shuizhou Demon City? Zhou Leng also mentioned that the monthly exam might change."
"Oh?" Cao Jiajia and Cui Mingcong looked at Zhou Leng.
Xue Chengsong smiled, "Zhou Leng is indeed well-informed."
Zhou Leng said, "Actually, there’s nothing much to hide. It’s just that the joint exam of the Eight Cities and Eighteen Schools, Mountains and Rivers, Rivers and Lakes is very likely to be held in the Shuizhou Demon City."
"Huh? We won’t run into the Demon, will we?" Feng Wenhao asked.
"For such a large-scale joint exam, the Seventh Division will surely be dispatched to protect us, making it even safer."
Cao Jiajia said, "Zhou Leng, if it’s indeed the Eighteen Schools Joint Exam, we at Ruda can only count on you."
"I’m ranked 503; there are many above me. The first place isn’t at our Martial Arts Hall, it’s at your main campus of Ruda." Zhou Leng replied.
Cao Jiajia shook her head and said, "Ji Changnian is indeed ranked high, but he’s a bit arrogant, and his practical experience isn’t particularly strong. I’m in the same class as him, and to put it this way, he has talent but lacks your tenacity."
"For example, you once duped Xue Chengsong for medical expenses... uh no, I mean, fought bodyguards head-on, took on a Demon Wolf one-on-one. Ji Changnian couldn’t do those things."
As Cao Jiajia spoke, everyone laughed.
Cao Jiajia added, "We have someone in our class named Xu Qingjin, do you know her?"
"I overheard her mentioning your name in a conversation with someone else, so I noted it down. Are you friends?"
"Childhood friends," Feng Wenhao said quickly.
Zhou Leng looked at Feng Wenhao, then turned to the others and asked, "What are your thoughts on this joint exam? Xue Chengsong, you should know more."
Xue Chengsong smiled, "The Eighteen Schools Joint Exam is second only to the Hundred School Joint Exam in scale, so it’s very important."
"If I have to say something, starting today, even if you have to sell your belongings, you should accumulate as many Pills as possible, use them, and strive for a good ranking in this Eighteen Schools Joint Exam."
Feng Wenhao asked, "Are the rankings rewards for the Eighteen Schools Joint Exam that high?" Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍
Xue Chengsong shook his head, "The rewards for the Eighteen Schools Joint Exam are indeed high, but the underlying intricacies are what many people don’t know. I only understood it after an Innate Powerhouse mentioned it."
Everyone in the room widened their eyes.
Xue Chengsong said, "The Eighteen Schools Joint Exam is a signal, a signal for talent selection. Otherwise, why would a mere monthly exam stir the Eight Cities and Eighteen Schools?"
"This joint exam, the rewards are secondary. It could very likely become a hard standard for some special training camps."
"For instance, some training camps initially only admit the Top Ten, but to recruit broader talent, they also need to select from ordinary Martial Arts Academies."
"However, there are over a hundred ordinary Martial Arts Academies, like finding a needle in a haystack. What can they do?"
"Monthly exam results are not substantial, so the joint exam results become the most crucial assessment standard."
"I see." Everyone suddenly understood.
"Joint exam results can not only impress the selection officers of training camps, but also catch the eye of major forces."
"For example, the Innate Powerhouse who narrated this event performed outstandingly in the Top Ten Joint Exam, and their ’Mountain Charging Fist’ caught the attention of the Grandmaster who created it, making them a disciple of the Grandmaster."
Everyone showed envious expressions.
"Such opportunities may not mean much to Yunhua Jinjing students, but for everyone below, even for students of the Top Ten Martial Arts, it is extremely important."
"Now, not many are aware of this information. As the joint exam approaches, you will see many once calm top students become fiercely competitive."
"They do this not for pride or ranking, but to catch the ’eye of power’."
Cao Jiajia said, "Understanding the complexities of the world is a form of knowledge. Without your explanation, it might take us a long time to see through it."
Xue Chengsong pointed at Zhou Leng and said, "With Zhou Leng’s current performance, he’s probably already caught the eye of the Martial Arts Hall instructors or even the Hall Master. They’re just cautious about rushing things, preferring to observe further. You can ask Zhou Leng if he’s received any benefits lately."
The other three looked at Zhou Leng.
Zhou Leng thought of Instructor Deng Zhijue’s care over these days, and the occasional mentions of Hall Master Wang Boxiong.
Zhou Leng nodded lightly.
"I was wondering why you’ve been progressing so quickly lately. Seems like you’ve had some private tutoring," Feng Wenhao said.
Xue Chengsong said, "That’s why this joint exam is crucial for Zhou Leng. Zhou Leng needs to at least secure a spot in the top thirty to not disappoint the Martial Arts Hall. If he can get into the top ten, well, there’s no doubt he’ll catch the eye of power."
Feng Wenhao asked, "Will other forces also try to recruit him?"
Xue Chengsong stretched out his hand and counted on his fingers.
"Martial Arts Hall, Martial Arts Academy, Military Academy, Demon City Army, Pioneer Company, Martial Clan, Aristocrats, Major Families, Martial Mansion, and even the Demon Worship Sect will secretly recruit."
"Of course, this joint exam is a bit small in scale. At least the scale of the Hundred School Joint Exam is needed to attract the attention of major forces."
"The Eighteen Schools’ joint exam results are unlikely to be on the major forces’ ’seed list,’ but will be watched by their respective local forces."
"So, you’ve got to fight for it in the coming days."
"Moreover, suppose some bigwig decides on the spot to offer rewards like ’Concentration Incense’ or an ’Embracing Essence Pill,’ that would be pure bliss."
"Embracing Essence Pill..."
The four people’s hearts raced. Consuming this Pill can compress True Qi, elevating True Qi to a higher level.
Their strength would surge tremendously.
Usually, only Innate Powerhouses are eligible to exchange War Merits for it, and it’s unavailable for purchase.
"Additionally, there’s a unique pattern about the Ten Realms and Demon City that I wonder if you’ve heard of."
The four stared at Xue Chengsong.
Xue Chengsong said, "Whenever various races are mobilized on a large scale, or large-scale battles occur, it inevitably triggers the cosmic energy or Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi from the Ten Realms and Demon City. When these forces disperse, they inevitably form various treasures."
"I’ve heard about it before, but I wasn’t certain," Zhou Leng said.
"An Innate Powerhouse said it personally. Upon thinking, one can understand; the overlapping and colliding worlds release immeasurable energy. Such vast cosmic energy, leaking a fraction, could already be a great bounty for us."
The four fell into contemplation.