When Duan Litang and Su Xueli arrived at the foot of Lingxian Peak, they saw an open square paved with smooth white jade, which shone with warm light under the morning sun. Tall stone pillars stood around, and strange patterns were carved on the pillars, which seemed to tell the long history of Lingxian Academy. At this time, many boys and girls who came to take the entrance test had already gathered in the square. They whispered to each other, and their eyes were full of tension and expectation.
Su Xueli brought Duan Litang and other participants to the center of the square, where an old man in a gray robe was standing and waiting. The old man had white hair and a gaunt face, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle, revealing an aura of majesty without anger. Next to him was an ancient stone table, on which were neatly stacked a pile of jade slips and some glowing tokens, which were the Lingxian Tokens.
"This is Elder Lin, the deacon elder of Lingxian Academy." Su Xueli introduced to Duan Litang softly. Duan Litang hurried forward and bowed respectfully to Elder Lin. Elder Lin nodded slightly, his eyes lingered on Duan Litang for a moment, and a hint of subtle curiosity flashed in his eyes.
"The entrance test for Lingxian Academy this time is divided into a literary test, a martial test, and a psychological test. Only those who pass the three tests can obtain the Lingxian Order and become an outer disciple of my Lingxian Academy." Elder Lin's voice was powerful and reverberated in the square. "The literary test is to test your understanding of the ancient runes. The ancient runes are mysterious symbols that existed when the world was first created, and they contain powerful power and mysteries." As he spoke, he gently waved his sleeves, and the jade slips on the stone table flew up and floated in front of everyone. "The jade slips in front of you are engraved with different ancient runes. Within the time of an incense stick, identify the meaning of as many runes as possible. The one who answers the most correctly wins."
Duan Litang reached out to take a jade slip. It felt cool in his hand. He probed his spiritual consciousness into it, and saw complex runes emerging in his sea of ??consciousness. Some of these runes were like winding snakes, and some were like burning flames. They were in various shapes and mysterious. Duan Litang was looking at it carefully, and suddenly, his eyes fixed on a rune. The rune was in the shape of a twisted "卍", which was very similar to a pattern embroidered on his swaddling clothes. His heart moved, and vague memories of his childhood came to his mind. At that time, he was still ignorant and often stared at the patterns on the swaddling clothes. Although the old temple keeper had never explained it, he had an inexplicable sense of intimacy with these patterns.
As time went by, the atmosphere in the square became more tense. The other boys and girls who took part in the test either frowned in thought or muttered something. Duan Litang took a deep breath, concentrated his mind, and tried to recall every detail on the swaddling clothes. He found that many runes had subtle connections with the patterns on the swaddling clothes. Through these connections, he gradually interpreted the meaning of many runes.
An incense stick of time passed in a flash, and Elder Lin waved his sleeves again, and the jade slips returned to the stone table. "Okay, now start answering." He said. Everyone stepped forward one by one and told Elder Lin the meaning of the runes they identified. Duan Litang stood aside, listening to the answers of others silently, and his heart became more and more certain. When it was his turn, he stepped forward steadily and spoke clearly about his interpretation of the runes. Elder Lin's face gradually became surprised. He looked at Duan Litang with admiration in his eyes: "Young man, you can identify so many runes, and interpret them accurately, which is rare." Su Xueli stood aside, and a trace of shock flashed in her eyes. She also studied the ancient runes, but she didn't expect Duan Litang to perform so well.
After the civil exam, everyone took a short break before the martial exam. The martial exam was held on the martial arts stage on one side of the square. The stage was made of solid bluestone and surrounded by protective arrays to prevent the aftermath of the battle from injuring others. Elder Lin walked onto the stage and announced loudly: "The martial arts exam will test your combat abilities. You will be divided into pairs and practice sparring. The winner will advance to the next round."
Duan Litang's opponent was a tall young man named Zhao Hu. Zhao Hu had a broad back and bulging muscles, and he looked very strong. He looked at Duan Litang with disdain in his eyes: "With your small body, you still want to pass the martial arts exam? Don't let me beat you to tears." Duan Litang ignored his provocation and just quietly stretched his muscles and adjusted his state.
Following Elder Lin's order, the battle began. Zhao Hu took the lead. He shouted loudly and rushed towards Duan Litang like a tiger. His right fist, with a whirring sound, hit Duan Litang's face. Duan Litang dodged Zhao Hu's attack easily. Zhao Hu's attack missed, and his attack became more and more fierce. He kept punching and kicking, and his moves were fierce and powerful. Duan Litang, with his flexible body, shuttled freely in Zhao Hu's attack, looking for opportunities to counterattack.
While the two were fighting fiercely, a different kind of battle was also going on on the other side of the martial arts arena. Tang Xiaotang, the lively and lovely Eldar girl, was fighting fiercely with her opponent. Tang Xiaotang was agile, like a happy little deer, jumping and shuttling on the battlefield. The Spirit Butterfly Arrow in her hand flashed with colorful light, and every time it was shot, it brought a mysterious power. However, just as she was about to launch a powerful attack, she accidentally let go of the cloth bag on her waist, and a string of Eldar candied haws rolled out.
"Oh, my candied haws!" Tang Xiaotang exclaimed, her eyes full of anxiety. She didn't care about the fight, and quickly bent down to pick up the candied haws. Seeing this, her opponent thought there was an opportunity and immediately launched an attack. Tang Xiaotang dodged the attack while shouting: "Stupid, take my Psylocke Arrows!" As she said that, she casually shot a few Psylocke Arrows. The Psylocke Arrows drew a beautiful arc in the air and flew towards the opponent. The opponent hurriedly resisted, but found that the power contained in the Psylocke Arrows was very strange, which caused his spiritual power to be temporarily disordered.
"Hmph, I'll let you look down on me." Tang Xiaotang picked up the candied haws, shook it proudly, and then joined the battle again. She ate the candied haws while dealing with her opponent, and occasionally shouted a few witty remarks, which made the audience around her laugh.
Meanwhile, the battle on Duan Litang's side also entered a white-hot stage. Although Zhao Hu's attack was fierce, Duan Litang gradually gained the upper hand with his initial mastery of the power of the light wings. He saw the right moment, and a pair of blood-colored light wings suddenly appeared behind him. With a wave of the light wings, a powerful force pushed Zhao Hu back several steps. Zhao Hu's face changed drastically, and his eyes were full of fear: "What kind of power is this?" Duan Litang did not give him a chance to breathe, and rushed towards him again, punching him in the chest with a heavy punch. Zhao Hu groaned, fell to the ground, and lost his ability to fight.
"Duan Litang wins!" Elder Lin announced. Duan Litang put away his light wings and walked down the martial arts stage. His eyes inadvertently swept over Tang Xiaotang, who was eating a candied haws and making faces at his opponent. Tang Xiaotang also noticed Duan Litang's gaze. She smiled and waved at Duan Litang, shouting: "Hey, the guy who defeated the red flame leopard, you are so awesome!" Duan Litang nodded slightly, with a smile on his face.
After the martial arts exam, only a few people passed. Duan Litang and Tang Xiaotang both advanced successfully. Next, it was the most critical psychological exam. The psychological exam was held in a mysterious valley in Lingxian Peak. The valley was filled with a layer of light mist, giving people a mysterious feeling. Led by Elder Lin, everyone walked into the valley. As soon as he stepped in, Duan Litang felt an invisible pressure coming towards him, as if a pair of eyes were watching them in the dark.
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"The test of the heart tests your Tao heart and will. After entering the valley, you will fall into an illusion, in which will appear the most fearful and entangled scenes in your heart. Only by sticking to your original heart and not being confused by the illusion can you pass the test." Elder Lin's voice echoed in the valley with a hint of mystery.
Duan Litang took a deep breath and walked into the depths of the valley. As soon as he entered, he felt that the scene in front of him changed instantly. He found himself back in the dilapidated temple, and the old temple priest was sitting on the futon, looking at him seriously.
"Litang, the path of cultivation is full of hardships. You have mediocre aptitude, so why bother to endure that pain? Just give up. Isn't it good to live your life here in peace?" The old temple keeper's voice was low and gentle.
Duan Litang felt a pain in his heart. He looked at the old temple keeper and said firmly: "Old temple keeper, I must find out my life experience. I want to know who I am." As he spoke, he tightly grasped the blood-red pendant on his chest.
The old temple keeper shook his head and continued, "What does it matter what your background is? What good would it do if you knew it? It would only bring you endless trouble."
"No, I don't mind the trouble. I can't live in obscurity like this. I want to find the answer." Duan Litang's eyes flashed with determination.
At this moment, an icy spike suddenly flew out of the darkness, splitting the illusion in front of him. Duan Litang looked closely and saw Ling Xian'er standing in front of him. Ling Xian'er was wearing a white dress, like an ice fairy descending to the earth. Her face was beautiful, but she exuded a cold aura that kept people away from her. In her hand, she held a crystal clear ice sword, and the sword exuded a biting coldness.
"Only the weak are trapped in the past and obsessed with the mystery of their life experience. If you are really capable, you should look forward and create your own future." Ling Xian'er's voice was as cold as ice and snow in the mountains.
Duan Litang looked at Ling Xian'er, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. He knew that Ling Xian'er was right, but to him, exploring his origins was an obsession that he could not let go of.
"I understand what you mean, but exploring my origins is also my motivation to move forward. I won't give up." Duan Litang said firmly.
Ling Xian'er frowned slightly, with a strange light flashing in her eyes: "I hope you can do what you say." After saying that, she turned and left, her figure gradually disappearing in the mist.
Duan Litang looked at the direction where Ling Xian'er left, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. He took a deep breath and continued to walk towards the depths of the valley. Along the way, he encountered various illusions, fierce attacks from monsters, and temptations from mysterious people, but he always stuck to his heart and remained unmoved.
Finally, Duan Litang walked out of the valley. At this time, some people who passed the psychological test had gathered outside the valley. Su Xueli came up to him, her eyes full of concern: "Are you okay?" Duan Litang shook his head: "I'm fine." He searched the crowd, but did not see Tang Xiaotang and Ling Xian'er.
"Tang Xiaotang and Ling Xian'er haven't come out yet?" Duan Litang asked. Su Xueli nodded: "Well, the test of the heart test is different for everyone. They may still be struggling in the illusion."
After a while, Tang Xiaotang came out of the valley, skipping and jumping, with a smile on her face, as if what she had just experienced was not a severe test, but an interesting game.
"Haha, I'm out! That illusion is quite interesting." Tang Xiaotang said with a smile. Everyone gathered around her curiously and asked her what she encountered in the illusion. Tang Xiaotang blinked her eyes and said mysteriously: "In the illusion, I saw a lot of delicious food and friends from the spirit tribe. However, I knew it was fake, so I came out quickly." Everyone couldn't help laughing after hearing this.
After a long time, Ling Xian'er slowly walked out of the valley. Her face was slightly pale, and it was obvious that she had experienced a fierce struggle in the illusion. Her eyes, however, showed a more determined light. She glanced at Duan Litang, nodded slightly, then walked aside and stood quietly.
Elder Lin looked at the people who had passed the mental test and a gratified smile appeared on his face: "Congratulations, you have passed the entrance test of Lingxian Academy. Now, you can receive the Lingxian Order and become outer disciples of my Lingxian Academy." As he said that, he picked up the Lingxian Order on the table and distributed it to everyone one by one.
Duan Litang took the Lingxian Token and felt a warm sensation in his hand. He looked at the token in his hand and felt a lot of emotions in his heart. From today on, he officially became a member of Lingxian Academy, and he was one step closer to his goal of finding out his origins.
"Okay, follow me, I'll take you to the residence of the outer disciples." Su Xueli said. Everyone followed Su Xueli and walked towards the interior of Lingxian Academy. Along the way, Duan Litang looked at the surrounding scenery, his heart full of curiosity. In Lingxian Academy, pavilions and towers were scattered in an orderly manner, and the flowers, plants and trees were lush and green. From time to time, disciples flew through the sky on swords, leaving behind brilliant lights.
Arriving at the residence of the outer disciples, it was a neatly arranged courtyard, each with its own room and training ground. After Su Xueli arranged everything for everyone, she said to Duan Litang: "You should have a good rest first, I will take you to get familiar with the environment of the academy tomorrow." Duan Litang nodded: "Okay, thank you, Miss Su."
At night, Duan Litang lay on the bed in his room, but he couldn't fall asleep. He held the Lingxian Order in his hand, and everything that happened today kept appearing in his mind. The interpretation of the ancient runes in the literary test, the fierce battle in the martial arts test, the various illusions in the psychological test, and the figures of the three heroines. He knew that his life had changed completely, and in this Lingxian Academy, more challenges and opportunities would be waiting for him. He looked at the bright moon outside the window and secretly vowed to practice hard in this Lingxian Academy, explore his life experience, and live up to the expectations of the old temple priest.
The next morning, the sun shone in every corner of Lingxian Academy. Duan Litang got up early, washed up, and went to the yard to practice. He tried to summon the blood-colored light wings behind him again. After yesterday's battle, he had a deeper understanding of the power of the light wings. As his mind moved, a pair of blood-colored light wings slowly emerged from behind him. The runes on the light wings flashed and exuded a powerful aura.
Just as Duan Litang was immersed in his training, Su Xueli came to his courtyard. She looked at the light wings behind Duan Litang with surprise in her eyes: "The power of this light wing seems to have become stronger again." Duan Litang put away the light wings and said with a smile: "Well, after yesterday's battle, I feel that I have become more proficient in controlling it."
"Okay, follow me. I'll take you to get familiar with the environment of the academy." Su Xueli said. Duan Litang nodded and followed Su Xueli out of the courtyard. Along the way, Su Xueli introduced the various areas of the academy to Duan Litang. They first came to the Sutra Library, which was a tall building that housed countless martial arts secrets and precious books. "The martial arts secrets here can only be borrowed by disciples who have reached a certain level of strength and contribution. You must work hard to practice and strive to enter and choose a martial arts that suits you as soon as possible." Su Xueli said.
Then, they came to the alchemy room and the weapon refining room. The alchemy room was filled with a strong medicinal fragrance. From time to time, disciples came in and out, holding the refined pills in their hands. In the weapon refining room, there were clanging sounds, and the disciples were refining various magic weapons. "Alchemy and weapon refining are also important parts of cultivation. If you are interested, you can also learn." Su Xueli said.
Finally, they came to the martial arts arena. There were many disciples practicing martial arts in the martial arts arena, and the shouts of killing were deafening. "This is where the disciples practice martial arts every day. You can come here often in the future." Su Xueli said. Duan Litang looked at the disciples in the martial arts arena, and his heart was full of fighting spirit. He secretly made up his mind to practice hard here and improve his strength.
In the following days, Duan Litang began his study and practice life in Lingxian Academy. He got up early every day, practiced the power of light wings, and learned various martial arts. In class, he listened carefully and tried to absorb knowledge. In the communication with other disciples, he also met some like-minded friends. And the relationship with the three heroines Su Xueli, Tang Xiaotang, and Ling Xianer is also constantly developing. Together, they searched for clues about the ancient runes and life experiences in the Sutra Pavilion, exchanged martial arts together in the martial arts field, and helped each other when facing difficulties. In this Lingxian Academy, Duan Litang's legendary story is slowly unfolding.
