Dashing Student

As one of the top three Immortal Gates in Yan State, Yuantian Sect's thousand-year heritage is unfathomably profound.

Countless legendary figures have emerged within the sect, each an unparalleled prodigy of their time.

The stone tablet in the Scripture Pavilion is engraved with the names of outstanding disciples of past generations, each name behind which lies a legend.

Those legendary genius disciples were indeed able to endure the time it takes for an incense stick to burn in the Cold Pond.

Some extraordinary talents could even grit their teeth and persist for an entire hour, showcasing their resilience and exceptional aptitude.

But one thing is evident, they were merely enduring within the Cold Pond, whereas no one had ever been as crazy as Chen Nan, actively guiding Xuanbing Cold Qi to refine himself!

This behavior is akin to dancing on a knife's edge, one slight misstep could sever his meridians, leaving him a cripple!

"This kid... does he truly dare to be so bold?"

"Refining the body with the cold, what a mad idea!"

"Interesting, truly interesting..."

Over a dozen terrifying Soul Powers simultaneously descended upon the Cold Pond, each one contained a suffocating pressure.

Chen Nan felt his whole body stiffen, as if confined by invisible shackles.

The Soul Powers swept over his every inch as if they were tangible, probing each bone, even permeating into his blood.

Cold sweat instantly drenched his back, that feeling of being completely seen through was like being stripped naked and exposed in front of a crowd.

Even more terrifying was the realization that if the owners of these Soul Powers willed it, he would be obliterated in an instant!

"This kind of pressure... at least Golden Core Stage strength, possibly even a Nascent Soul Stage monster!"

Chen Nan's heartbeat was rapid as beads of sweat rolled off his forehead, a newfound desire for strength igniting within him.

In this Cultivation World of survival of the fittest, only by becoming strong can you control your own destiny!

Liu Yan's apricot-yellow robe fluttered gently in the wind as he stood with hands behind his back at the front of the group, his voice clear as a spring: "Today's test will pause here, those who passed, follow me, the second round will take place tomorrow."

Over seventy disciples who passed the examination followed closely behind, albeit with disheveled clothes and pale faces, yet their eyes sparkled with excitement.

They passed through the winding mountain path, with exotic plants on both sides emitting a faint Spiritual Energy, occasionally spotting rare Spiritual Medicine swaying in the breeze.

Suddenly, the view opened up—

An expansive bamboo sea undulating in the wind, a verdant wave reaching the sky.

Countless bamboo stalks stood tall as swords, the newborn leaves glimmering like jade, while the old bamboo settled into a deep verdant green.

Sunlight filtering through the bamboo leaves created dappled shadows on the ground, sparkling like fragmented gold.

A gentle breeze swept over, producing a whispery sound from the bamboo sea, at times like raindrops tapping on windows, at times like a lover's murmur.

Bamboo joints clicked crisply, echoing with the distant sound of a mountain stream, composing a natural symphony.

The air was filled with the unique fragrance of bamboo leaves mixed with the earth's aroma, invigorating one's spirit.

Occasionally a bamboo leaf would whirl down, lightly landing on the disciples' shoulders.

"What a blessed haven!" Chen Nan took a deep breath, feeling the True Qi within him flow more smoothly.

"You may choose your own bamboo house to stay in. I will come to guide you for the second round of the examination tomorrow morning." Liu Yan's face was expressionless, but a glint flashed in his eyes.

He lifted his right hand slightly, a spiritual light flickered, and a number appeared in front of each bamboo house: "Remember, Yuantian Sect forbids disciples from private fighting, violators will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled!"

Before the words had even settled, a cloud mist rose beneath his feet, causing him to vanish like a phantom, leaving only a few falling bamboo leaves spiraling gently in the air.

The disciples each selected a bamboo house to settle in, beginning to regulate their breath and recover.

Despite passing the first test, each one was in a sorry state, their True Qi nearly exhausted, necessitating immediate recovery.

Chen Nan entered bamboo house number twenty-three, discovering the interior much more spacious than he had imagined.

The bamboo bed was laid with a clean mat, a corner held an incense burner, wisps of smoke rising and emitting a calming aroma.

In front of the window was a small bamboo desk adorned with the four treasures of the study and several classical books.

He sat cross-legged, feeling the changes within his body.

After the refinement by Xuanbing Cold Qi, his muscles and bones became more resilient, his meridians slightly widened.

"With the current strength of my body, I could punch through steel even without activating True Qi!" He clenched his fists, the knuckles cracking sharply.

Outside, the afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

Chen Nan's thoughts drifted: "If I encounter that man who forcibly took the village girl again..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, recalling the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator he met upon first entering the small world.

"I should be able to crush him!"

Bang!

Suddenly, a fierce killing intent sliced through the air, the bamboo door blew apart, splinters flying.

Chen Nan's pupils contracted, his True Qi instantly circulated to its peak, fists clenched tight, ready for battle.

"Chen, didn't expect us to meet here, did you?" An icy voice came forth.

A young man in a white brocade robe stood with his hands behind his back, the robe embroidered with intricate silver cloud patterns shimmering coldly in the sunlight.

A Purple Jade Token hung from his waist, inscribed with the words 'Tianyuan', signifying his extraordinary status.

His visage was sinister, narrow eyes slightly squinting, lips curled in a mocking smile.

He toyed with a jade thumb ring in his right hand, his left wrist bore a still-healing scar.

"It's you?" Chen Nan's heart skipped a beat. This was precisely the cultivator he encountered who forcibly took the village girl when he first entered the Kunlun Mountain Small World!

Zhao Kai leisurely stroked the scar on his left wrist, eyes gleaming coldly: "I am Zhao Kai, the Great Elder's closed-door disciple of Yuantian Sect."

With every word he spoke, his aura grew stronger, the pressure of a late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator materializing, making the air in the bamboo house turn oppressive.

"Surprised?" Zhao Kai stepped forward slowly, his boots creaking on the bamboo floor: "Did you think you could just walk away after injuring me that day?"

He suddenly let out a sinister grin, his right hand sweeping send out a fierce Sword Qi, cleaving a nearby bamboo chair in two: "Now, it's time to settle our score!"

Chen Nan's expression turned grave, clearly sensing that Zhao Kai's strength far exceeded what it was before.

It seemed that during their last confrontation, Zhao Kai must have encountered some issue; otherwise, with his current level of cultivation, Chen Nan wouldn't have stood a chance back then.

"You sabotaged my plans and injured my wrist..." Zhao Kai's voice grew colder, the temperature inside the bamboo house seemingly dropping with it: "Do you think I would swallow this grudge?"