Chapter 7: Youthful Spirit, The Commencement of the Artistry Contest

A smile tugged at the corner of the young girl’s mouth, only to vanish as quickly as a breeze brushing past a lotus bud.

Chen Ling let out a long, weary breath, thinking to herself that even if Ling-jie failed this time, her top score in the literary examination would at least be something to show for her mother.

No sooner had this thought crossed her mind than she secretly chided herself.

She had seen with her own eyes how diligently Ling-jie had studied these past few days.

With the efficacy of the Four-Clear Spirit-Nourishing Soup, combined with Ling-jie’s own hard work, she would surely ascend to immortality in one go and leave those gossiping tongues with nothing to say!

Chen Ling suppressed her restless thoughts, holding onto a sliver of hope that she might hear a Chen family name from the Immortal Elder’s lips.

But until the immortal scroll was closed and the Immortal Elder at the head of the dais lazily raised his eyes to drop the line, "Those unrelated, descend the mountain at once," she did not hear the name she had hoped for.

Though she had guessed as much, she could not help but feel a sense of loss.

Chen Yong, however, was quite composed about the result. Before descending the mountain, he did not forget to pat Jiang Youling on the shoulder.

"You’ve done well, niece! Do your best in the exam; your uncle will be waiting for your good news at the foot of the mountain, haha!"

Chen Ling also pushed down the disappointment in her heart and gave careful instructions.

"Do not take the second stage, the martial examination, lightly. Although there are immortals watching, the martial exam is perilous; every year there are those who are injured or lose their lives. You must prioritize your safety; do not act recklessly, remember that!"

"Mother, set your heart at ease. Youling understands."

After those who had failed the literary exam descended, the Immortal Elder announced that the martial examination would begin in half an hour.

Jiang Youling was just preparing to find a place to rest for a moment when a sword-bearing youth walked up to her, blocking her path.

"You are the top scorer of the literary exam, Jiang Youling?"

The youth looked at her, his gaze filled with curiosity, appraisal, and a faint trace of hostility.

Jiang Youling studied the youth. Seeing his noble features and the way he stood with his sword slung across his back, possessing a rugged, spirited air, she could not help but praise him in her heart.

What a spirited youth!

She could not help but smile and recite, "Passing through Luoyang in a single robe, untainted by the madness of old. Swinging my sword three thousand miles, a solitary light breaks the great wilderness. Young hero, what a magnificent spirit!"

Xu Ke’s face flushed red, and his speech became stuttered.

"W-what spirit or whatever? You’re a strange one! I asked you a question, and you start reciting poetry instead! So... so cheesy!"

Jiang Youling laughed. "My apologies. I saw your exceptional bearing and bold spirit, and I couldn't help but compose a verse. Do not take offense, pray, do not take offense!"

Xu Ke feigned displeasure and glared at her, though the tiny bit of hostility he felt over losing the top spot had long since vanished, replaced by the joy of being complimented.

He gave a light cough. "In consideration of your sweet talk, I won't hold it against you. My name is Xu Ke. Shall we get to know each other?"

"Jiang Youling."

Jiang Youling bowed with cupped hands.

"You took the top spot in the literary exam, but the martial exam is a different story. I’ve been learning swordsmanship since I was three, and when I was ten, I even shot a swan goose!" Xu Ke said proudly.

"Youling is not skilled in swordsmanship; I only know some meager fist techniques. I concede defeat in advance."

Xu Ke was satisfied and turned to comfort her.

"It’s no matter if you aren't skilled with a sword. This martial exam, while testing agility and endurance, isn't necessarily decided by brute force alone. You needn't worry too much."

Jiang Youling suppressed a laugh. "Yes, Young Master Xu is right. I will certainly do my best."

Xu Ke had come with his hand on his sword, but when he left, his eyes were smiling, and he left behind one final remark.

"I’ve decided to make you my friend. If I have energy to spare during the martial exam, it wouldn't be impossible for me to block a move or two for you."

*Clang—*

A long, resonant bell chime rang out from the mountain forest, startling countless birds into flight.

"The martial examination begins now. Candidates must retrieve a pot of monkey wine from the Cloud-Mist Mountain opposite within one hour. Unless necessary, do not harm the monkeys. Doing so will count as passing the assessment."

The crowd was in an uproar, many wearing expressions of difficulty.

"One hour to climb between two mountains? The time is far too tight! And on top of that, we have to retrieve the monkey wine! And we can't hurt the monkeys—is this martial exam too difficult?"

"Since the Taixuan Sect claims to recruit disciples widely, why set up such impossible ladders? Are we commoners to have no path to immortality?"

"The monkeys on Cloud-Mist Mountain are not to be trifled with. They move in groups and are vengeful; even the hunters in the mountains don't like to provoke them easily."

"The peaks are steep, the monkeys are mischievous—it is too hard!"

"Silence—"

The Immortal Elder’s gaze swept over the crowd, his heart feeling a touch of helplessness.

When the Taixuan Sect selected disciples, besides the routine selection, there were also methods of hereditary succession and recommendations.

In recent years, there had been many who entered the immortal gate through recommendations, and the selection process had become stricter out of necessity.

"The martial trial begins. Everyone, show your abilities and take care of yourselves."

As the Immortal Elder’s voice fell, a stick of high-grade incense was lit before him.

This time, no one complained. Everyone summoned all their strength and charged toward the mountain.

Jiang Youling mingled with the crowd, occasionally being overtaken by those beside her, yet her expression remained unchanged.

The assessment time was one hour; she only needed to retrieve the monkey wine and return safely within that period.

Rapid movement leads to exhaustion; steady pacing lasts longer. This is what is meant by "haste makes waste."

If she exhausted her strength at the start of the assessment, she might gain a temporary advantage, but she would likely fail later when retrieving the wine or returning due to a lack of endurance.

Although her father had comforted her, saying it didn't matter if she didn't pass this time, Jiang Youling knew how difficult it had been to get this opportunity.

If she missed this chance, there might not be another.

Therefore, she would do her utmost, acting with caution and prudence to meet this trial.

Two quarters of an hour later, Jiang Youling began to climb Cloud-Mist Mountain. As she climbed, she avoided the crowds, searching for traces of the monkeys.

The *Records of Monkey Nature* stated that apes and monkeys mostly inhabited areas with lush forests and springs. By day, they foraged and played in the thickets; by night, they roosted in trees or caves to avoid danger. They had fixed territories and did not move easily.

Jiang Youling followed the lush forest springs and, sure enough, discovered the monkeys.

She saw three or five monkeys gathered together, playing, mothers carrying their young—a picture of leisure and contentment.

But before Jiang Youling could get close, the naturally sensitive monkeys seemed to sense something. They made restless, uneasy sounds and looked toward her direction.

Jiang Youling was startled and quickly hid behind a tree, but the monkeys would not let it go, scanning their surroundings with suspicious eyes.

Entangling with the monkeys would be a waste of time, and if she struck too hard and injured them, she would lose her qualification for the martial exam.

Jiang Youling had a flash of inspiration and puffed out her cheeks to make frog sounds, which made the monkeys laugh and cease their suspicion.

With the crisis averted, Jiang Youling relaxed. Once the monkeys lowered their guard, she crept forward, carefully climbing, and finally found an ape cave deep in the forest.

Jiang Youling did not rush into the cave; she threw a stone to test the path, and seeing that the cave was empty, she bowed her head and stepped inside.

Looking around, she indeed found two or three gourds on the stone wall.

These gourds contained the monkey wine.

Jiang Youling took one of the gourds, wrapped it in her outer garment, tied it to her waist, and quietly left the cave, hurrying down the mountain.

By now, half of the hour had passed.

But she had successfully retrieved the monkey wine; as long as the second half of the journey went smoothly, she could return safely.

Just then, the sound of apes erupted in the forest, the wind howled, and the sound of branches breaking and leaves rustling followed in quick succession.

The sounds of fleeing, screaming, and cursing were endless.

(End of chapter)