Volcanic Age

The examinations for the Lotus Pavilion began.

The test was split into two sections: one testing intelligence and one testing martial prowess.

In the case of intelligence, it wasn't that difficult, which wasn't surprising given that it was a test aimed at young children below fifteen. No one expected some sort of great intelligence from them. The important factor in the test was the martial prowess section.

Murmurs and whispers filled the training ground.

"Ugh, my stomach hurts."

"Hmph, they're all not worth that much."

The top of the training ground of the Lotus Pavilion was filled with fourth-generation members ranging from as young as six to seven to as old as twelve. There were around a hundred of them in total, all of them young martial artists ready to take the test.

As they were on the younger side, they were noisy and their responses varied. Some looked on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by nerves. Others stood motionless, while a few surveyed their surroundings warily.

Zhou Xuchuan positioned himself in a corner, hoping to avoid drawing attention as he waited for his turn. However, his presence didn't go unnoticed, and he ended up getting unwanted attention.

"I don't remember seeing him before."

"Isn't he a little too old to take the test?"

As a result of the rock climbing training sessions and his abundant internal qi, he had grown up quite a lot. Despite being ten, he looked to be around fourteen. Due to this, people around him whispered about whether he was really eligible to take the Lotus Pavilion's examination.

"Why do you care? He won't make it anyway." Someone snorted with clear intentions of mockery. "I already investigated those who might become my competitors. Considering how I don't know him, I'm sure he's nothing special."

The Lotus Pavilion allowed for reapplications as long as a person was in the right age group.

Since fifteen was considered the age of adulthood in the Central Plains, joining the Lotus Pavilion at the age of fourteen also came with its own set of benefits.

Not to mention the reputation that came along with it, they would also be able to receive more advanced training. It didn't matter if that period was only a year; the benefits were substantial.

As such, there were many who prepared for the tests to join the Lotus Pavilion every year, devoting significant effort.

Although the tests were different every year, they involved sparring with others a lot of the time, so the disciples went to great lengths to research their peers to improve their chances of success.

In any case, their scope of investigation barely contained anything about an individual named Zhou Xuchuan. One reason behind that was that Zhou Xuchuan didn't interact with others much, but the main reason was that he only started receiving attention a little while ago.

"Wait," someone said, recognizing his face. "That face, I've seen it before… Ah, that's right. He's the disciple of the Gentle Smiling Swordsman."

Not long ago, many people, including members of the sect, had visited Liu Zhengmu to congratulate him on his breakthrough. It seemed that this specific disciple had a relationship with one of the visitors.

Murmurs ensued among the children when they heard the title "Gentle Smiling Swordsman."

"Hmph!" A haughty-looking child scoffed loudly. "His master's reputation is great, but I've never heard anything remarkable about his disciple!"

'Hm, okay. I'll let that slide.'

Zhou Xuchuan had initially considered confronting him if he badmouthed his master, but as the comment turned out more like a compliment, he chose to let it pass without much concern.

"It's better to warm up than waste time worrying about someone like him."

"You're right. Let's go."

The chatty duo left.

"Hm, they obviously won't make it. Looks like I'll be able to enter easily without using all my strength."

Zhou Xuchuan smiled in relief.

*

Exactly one hour later, the fourth-generation members of the sect found themselves in despair during the exam.

"No, I'm done for!"

Screams could be heard everywhere. Even those who mocked Zhou Xuchuan before the start of the exam looked distressed.

"How are we supposed to win against that?"

Some of the children lamented, losing their will to fight before the battle even began.

"I knew that genius would come out one day…"

"But who would've known that it was today of all days!"

A child next to him cried out in resentment before walking away with drooping shoulders.

"Next!"

The juror called out to the next person waiting for the exam. However, most of them turned around powerlessly.

"Huh."

Zhou Xuchuan looked toward the testing ground, his eyes widening in surprise. Standing confidently in front of the jury stood a beautiful young girl.

Luo Xiaoyue!

He recognized her instantly. She was one of the fourth-generation members of the sect, and was nine years old, making her one year younger than him. She was also rather famous within the sect.

Zhou Xuchuan started recalling information about her. This was because she left a deep impression on him in his previous life.

It's the Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix of all people!

Luo Xiaoyue, the Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix.

She was the grand disciple of the Iron Blood Plum Sword, an expert of the Absolute Realm, and the only woman among the current five high elders.

She had extraordinary connections, yet she herself couldn't be underestimated.

Although her talent wasn't great enough to cause an uproar in a whole era, she still displayed extraordinary talent from a young age.

Her talent, efforts, and the backing of her grand master who was one of the Five High Elders basically guaranteed her success in the future.

That was what happened in Zhou Xuchuan's previous life. She grew powerful at a frightening rate and joined the ranks of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, and later, had earned enough acknowledgement to have the word "Phoenix" in her title, which was reserved for the most powerful younger cultivators of the Orthodox Faction.

However, as the saying went, "A beauty dies young."

At the beginning of the Era of War and Chaos, Luo Xiaoyue had managed to become a heroine due to her great achievements, but ended up dying before she turned thirty.

Setting aside her martial arts skills, by the time she reached a marriageable age, she was considered the most beautiful person in the world.

She was one of the heroes that Zhou Xuchuan admired and wished to follow.

Haa, what bad luck. He sighed to himself.

His original plan was to breeze through the exam, confident that none of the other applicants posed a threat to him.

That was, aside from Luo Xiaoyue.

"Next!" The juror called.

"Urgh!"

While there were challengers, today was the last opportunity for some participants. They climbed up to the testing grounds and challenged Luo Xiaoyue so that their efforts until now weren't in vain.

Clang!

"Aagh!"

With each swing of her sword, Luo Xiaoyue effortlessly swept away challengers like leaves before a broom.

Some of the juries clicked their tongues in disappointment, shaking their heads. It seemed they had already decided that they didn't need to continue watching.

Luo Xiaoyue was the grand disciple of one of the Five High Elders, and naturally, received high-quality training and advanced martial arts training from a young age. Combined with her own talents, the outcome of the match was glaringly obvious.

The nervousness, hope and passion that the challengers showed before was all but gone, replaced with despair.

It wasn't that the challengers were weak. In fact, they were some of the strongest members of the fourth generation.

The Lotus Pavilion was the group of elites under the age of adulthood, in other words, a gathering of geniuses, so the level of the applicants was naturally high.

Facing such a formidable opponent, the other applicants realized that they were at a disadvantage.

They say a hero is born different. Zhou Xuchuan let out a hollow laugh, rising to his feet.

"Next!"

The jury looked around and raised his voice. However, no one stepped in readily.

"This year is done for… I still have next year, so…"

"She's still young. Why did it have to be this year?!"

Sighs of lament and despair echoed throughout. People believed that the exam for the Lotus Pavilion was going to end like this.

"There's still me."

However, someone totally unexpected appeared.

He's the Gentle Smiling Swordsman's disciple?

The juror recognized Zhou Xuchuan.

"That idiot!"

The boy who had dismissed Zhou Xuchuan earlier sneered, clearly mocking him. The outcome of the battle was obvious. There was no one here who could win against Luo Xiaoyue.

In reality, the important factor here was how long one could last, not if one could win.

Zhou Xuchuan wasn't even on the list of notable competitors for most people. This left many applicants baffled by his decision to step up.

"Does he want to be humiliated?"

"No, he's probably just naive. He wouldn't be so bold if he knew more about Luo Xiaoyue."

The crowd's whispers reached Zhou Xuchuan's ears.

"May we begin?" Zhou Xuchuan asked as he looked at one of the juries.

The juror nodded instead of responding.

"Please enlighten me," Luo Xiaoyue greeted politely. Despite being only nine years old, she had impeccable etiquette.

Zhou Xuchan responded with a nod. Bending his knees slightly, he got ready to spring into action at any moment.

He tightened his grip on his sword and looked straight ahead. There was no change in his expression.

Seeing that, Luo Xiaoyue looked at him curiously. "This is the first time someone looked at me so calmly."

"And what about you? Why are you so mature when you're only nine?" Zhou Xuchuan countered, finding her attitude amusing. Her etiquette was one thing, but seeing her talk to him so calmly like that was quite surprising.

Children, regardless of their gender, were usually simple and cheerful, but Luo Xiaoyue seemed to be an exception.

"The more I look at you, the more curious I become. You talk like a middle-aged man."

"Really?"

Hm, she thinks I'm younger than I actually am. How nice.

He didn't show it on the outside, but he was inwardly quite happy. After all, he was far from being middle-aged and considered himself a grandpa.

"I'll let you have the first move," Luo Xiaoyue boldly declared.

"Thanks," Zhou Xuchuan replied with a grin.

If possible, I need to pass the exam and enter the Lotus Pavilion without drawing too much attention.

Winning against Luo Xiaoyue would definitely cause a stir; he might even become famous outside the sect.

However, losing wasn't an option either, as it could jeopardize his chances of entering the pavilion.

That being the case, he had to win but also make them think that it wasn't because of an overwhelming difference in skill, but rather he had to squeeze out every last bit of his abilities to do so.

How can it go so wrong right from the beginning?

If it weren't for Luo Xiaoyue, he could have controlled his skill moderately among the other relatively ordinary-talented people and passed the exam without garnering much suspicion.

However, he just had to run into Luo Xiaoyue, the genius, giving him endless headaches.

He could wait a year and try again, but he didn't have the time for that.

"Then, here I go."

Zhou Xuchuan redirected the flow of internal qi into the Surging Spring Acupoint.

"I think it'll end in less than three moves," one of the jurors muttered.

The response from the other spectators wasn't all that different. Everyone thought that way.

However…

"Huup!"

Zhou Xuchuan took a deep breath. His body tensed up. His tender thigh muscles constricted and expanded in an instant.

He pushed off against the ground with his feet, propelling himself forward.

Pah!

Zhou Xuchan was right in front of Luo Xiaoyue in the blink of an eye.

Luo Xiaoyue's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected speed of her opponent.

"Whoa!"

The spectators were shocked as well. The jury, who had looked disinterested until that moment, perked up.