Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Jiang Ding thought silently for a long time.

”Has the Qiyu Sect been defeated?”

He asked.

Only in this way would they give up the place they had managed for who knows how many years, allowing the puppets of the black-robed people’s power to rule the entire Yue Country.

”I don’t know. In the past three hundred years, no descendants of the royal family have emerged with top-notch Spiritual Roots, and the highest in cultivation are only those who have reached the late stage of practicing Qi. I only know that the war between Xuetu Hall and Qiyu Sect has been going on for more than ten years.”

”They might already be at a disadvantage.”

There was a trace of confusion in Chen Xi’s phoenix eyes, a worry about the road ahead.

”Do you have any plans to head to Chu Country?”

Jiang Ding asked again.

Chu Country, being the only mortal country bordering the three sides of the mountainous Yue Country, and under the rule estimation of the Qiyu Sect, should also have another Cultivation Sect. If not unexpectedly, it should be the Xuetu Hall that is currently at war with them.

Given the ruthlessness of the royal descendants and their weak sense of morality, they should have no psychological barriers to joining the Demon Sect.

”Unless it is absolutely necessary, Xi er will not go. It’s better to live freely as a mortal.”

Chen Xi shook her head: ”The Xuetu Hall is ruled by the three major Yuanlao Clans—Hua Xue Yu’s, Zhang’s of Du Jiang, and Bai Gui Liu’s. Only the three major Yuanlao Clans are able to occupy all of the resources of Chu Country and advance to Golden Pill.

”Below them are thirty-six Foundation Building Clans, each belonging to one of the three branches Hua Xue, Du Jiang, and Bai Gui. They provide the three major Yuanlao Clans with souls, zombies, blood of living beings, various furnace cauldrons, Elixirs, and Spiritual Material, and when necessary, they must also become materials for their superiors.”

”The three major Clans are eternal and unchanging, and of the thirty-six Clans, the capable rise and the mediocre fall.”

”Those who are not part of the three major Clans or the thirty-six clans, even if they have great talent, have difficulty advancing to foundation building.”

”Unless there is a very small chance of being favored by the direct descendants of the three major families, to become their servant.”

Chen Xi showed a hint of pride.

”If it’s just practicing Qi, Xi er believes she can advance to Xiantian by the age of thirty, possessing the fighting strength of the middle stage of Qi practicing. By sixty, becoming a Master is also something I could hope for; there’s no need to be someone else’s servant and not be master of my own life and death.”

This silenced Jiang Ding.

He was still thinking that if the Qiyu Sect was defeated, there was another alternative.

But looking at it now, Xuetu Hall seemed to be a huge pit within a big pit, giving one to a dog without even granting a chance at a Golden Pill.

As for foundation building, to forge a Supreme Immortal Base is an inevitable event.

”Loose Cultivator?”

Jiang Ding didn’t hide his intention to probe for information, which was also his purpose in saving her.

”Not very feasible.”

Chen Xi, highly professional, likewise didn’t ask about origins or purposes. After contemplating, she answered: ”Previously, Yue Country was dominated solely by Qiyu Sect, with few foundation building powers, most of which were Cultivation Families established by the branches and leaves of its disciples. Chen’s family had such ideas before but were not successful.”

”It’s said that there might be some neutral powers in the borderlands of Qi and Chu Countries, but they are very chaotic and dangerous, with no order.”

”Oh, right.”

Chen Xi remembered something, and reminded him, ”It’s best for Brother Ding not to break through to Xiantian. Qiyu Sect isn’t too fond of Xiantian Martial Artists; it’s said that reaching Xiantian in martial arts can affect a person’s Spiritual Root aptitude, which is why people like Li Qingyun and Wu Makong are all at Internal Qi Perfection without exception.”

”Thank you, Your Highness.”

Jiang Ding had nothing more to ask, refused her invitation to stay, and turned to leave.

Returning to the waterside to cultivate for several hours, and after replenishing Inner Energy for the array flags, he packed up the blue-golden tree and disappeared.

Tomorrow was the day school started.

...

In the classroom, the homeroom teacher Guo Kui was distributing the test papers and report cards from the last exam.

”Rank 17, Li Junhao, 835 points...”

Everyone looked towards Li Junhao, envying him, the guy’s score had gone up by a dozen points again, push a little harder and he might really get into the Cultivation Department at Qianling University.

”Old Li, I’m about to take off!”

Li Junhao’s face flushed with excitement. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, ”In actual combat, I scored 85 points, bro. That’s the advantage of hanging onto someone’s coattails for points!”

”I’ve decided, after today, I’m going to infiltrate the forums of Beidou University and Qingfeng University’s Affiliated High School. I’ll memorize the appearance of all the potential big shots so that when it comes to the actual combat exams, I’ll pounce on them as soon as I see them!”

Jiang Ding: ”...”

...

”In fourteenth place, Zhou Xiyuan, 844 points...”

...

”Third place!”

Guo Kui’s tone grew more spirited, seemingly invigorated.

”Jiang Ding, 1124 points. You have a chance at the No.12 University!”

”With three months left until the college entrance exam, if your family has any Elixirs, line them up. If not, I can introduce you to student loans with low interest rates provided by companies, or even grants.”

”As long as you can advance to Xiantian within these three months, even No.12 University isn’t out of the question!”

Guo Kui spoke with fervor, his entire demeanor more lively.

In his career, he may very well nurture two Golden Pill Monks with extended lifespans, blessing his descendants for generations.

”Thank you, Teacher,” said Jiang Ding, nodding his head and returning to his seat with his test paper.

This result was within his expectations.

He scored 131 points in actual combat, only behind Hua Bing, Gongsun Ling, and Ding Qi. His math had improved significantly, and he had made slight improvements in all other subjects, overall matching up to the score he had estimated beforehand.

As for the corporate loans, though advertised as low interest or grant-based, there were still many restrictions on future employment, essentially using one’s future as collateral.

He was not short on general resources right now, so there was no need for that.

The Spirit Sealing Box containing three Storage Bags had already been anonymously express delivered to Di Ting Appraisal Co. Ltd. They were professionals; he would have results within a few days.

The appraisal fee was costly, though, taking a ten percent cut.

”Damn it, a future Golden Pill!”

Sun Xiao and the others blurted out swear words. A Wu with such results was much more shocking to them than to others.

”When you advance to Golden Pill, remember to check if anyone’s messed with my grave. If they have, make sure you bury it back properly, filling the dirt in,” Li Junhao said sourly to his deskmate.

”No need, you’ll have to check your own grave. I won’t have the time,” Jiang Ding paused, then said.

The distribution of test papers finished, and overall, compared to midterms, everyone had improved to various extents.

”Everyone has made great progress, which shows that hard work does pay off,”

Guo Kui hushed the noisy classroom, bringing silence.

”But also realize that the actual combat test scores can be somewhat inflated. The real college entrance exam has over a million students entering the Tai Xu Fantasy Realm’s grand map. To score among the top hundred-plus, you must secure a top ranking among over a million Immortal Gate Students.”

On Lanying Planet of the Xianmen Sect, with a population of several billion, streams of students are continuously directed to various vocational and ordinary middle schools from junior high. In high school, essentially, an elite education system is enforced.

Regarding the vast Small Worlds of the Xianmen and the private domains of powerful beings, the Cultivators and Mortals within do not have citizen rights, are not recognized as Fairy Gate Citizens, and do not have the right to participate in the college entrance exam.

Even children of Golden Pill and Nascent Soul cannot participate in the college entrance exam or obtain citizenship unless they grow from infants to the eligible college exam age of sixteen within the Xianmen, receiving the education of Lanying Planet’s citizens.

”Understood,” said Jiang Ding, Hua Bing, and the others with solemn expressions, their previously slightly arrogant attitudes vanishing.

Indeed, to score at the top, one must perform at the top level in a battleground, and battles at No.7 and No.1 High Schools are indeed nothing compared to the true elite of the Immortal Gates.

”Remember, beware of arrogance and impatience.”

”Alright, let’s move on to our final exam’s ideological and moral essay...”