C45

In the blink of an eye, it was already April, and the academy had already been in session for more than half a month. The Imperial Court was unable to graduate because of the myriad of subjects that they had to learn. Whether it was classical Chinese or classical Chinese, or articles written by sages of the past, or military strategies, or maps of the land, or even the number of officials or even the contents of the classes, they all had to learn everything.

Even someone like Zhuge Yan, who had been known as a prodigy since childhood, found it difficult to handle such a heavy workload. He was also less cynical than usual. Duanmu Ye and Lin Qingyu's situation was even worse than Zhuge Yan's. Not only did the two of them have to complete their daily lessons, they also had to learn military and medical skills from their own masters.

In addition, the three of them were young and young. They all had high spirits and refused to admit defeat. With Lu Que as an example in front of them, even though they had outstanding talents, they did not dare to show any signs of fatigue with their own cultivation. Time was so tight that everyone wanted to break one person into two.

As for Lu Que's condition, it was much better than the three of them. Aside from the first few days of classes, he spent most of his time in the library of the academy's library, because he discovered that there was still a huge gap between the books that the teachers of the academy read and his teacher, Baili Jia, and his father, Lu Chun.

The teachers of the academy saw that Lu Que did not attend classes for more than a few days, but they did not see him after that. Although the imperial students had the privilege of not attending classes, they had never seen anyone like Lu Que who did not come and reported the matter to the head of the class, Luo Canglan. However, after knowing the reason, they could only shake their heads and smile bitterly.

The current teachers of the academy were basically of the same generation as Lu Chun and Baili Jia, so they naturally knew what kind of talents these two were. Especially after the Duke of Wei had perfected "On the Marquis of Ping", he was praised as the man who had achieved great success in gathering the troops of the ancient and modern era. The emperor even bestowed the "On the Marquis of Ping" with the title of "Da Gan Military Code".

Lu Que had been taught by Baili Jia for almost ten years, and Lu Chun was their father, Lu Qu, to fill in the gaps. There weren't many people who could teach Lu Que, so they just let him be.

That morning, the students of the academy finished their breakfast. They all gathered at the square in front of the National Pillar Peak, because today was the day of the competition for the position of chief. After finding out that this year's Mountain Sea Painting Competition had opened, the notoriety of the Mountain Sea Painting Sect had shocked quite a few people. This also resulted in the number of students who registered this year to be a lot fewer than the previous years.

Other than those who were extremely confident in themselves and who did not believe in their own abilities, most of the students chose to protect themselves. Although the position of the head was tempting, there was only one, and it was more important to keep their lives.

Whether it was the emperor or his courtiers, they all attached great importance to this matter. The emperor had even sent out three imperial ministers of the human realm to act as supervisors in the competition.

Compared to the previous years, there were many older students competing for the top seat. This year, there were many more new students competing for the top seat. After finding out that the Emperor had sent out three people to pay tribute to him, people like Zhuge Yan, Bai Qingguang, Shen Li Xing, and the others were all forced to register their names. After all, being able to train in the Illusory Heart Array for a bit would be greatly beneficial for future cultivation.

At this moment, dozens of students wearing dark hunting suits stood in front of all the other students. These people were the students participating in the competition for the top seat.

"My three brothers, why are you all looking so bitter? Weren't you all trying to persuade me to participate in the main competition? Why is it now that it's your turn, this is the expression?" Standing in the middle of the crowd, waiting for the teacher to arrive, Lu Que looked at the three of them and smiled happily.

"How can that be the same? I was forced to come here by a teacher, it's not for some chief." Duanmu Ye scratched his head in distress. Originally, Lei Xuanji did not agree with him participating in the competition for the lead representative position. However, after hearing that the Emperor had sent out his most powerful fighters, he changed his attitude and forced him to announce his name.

"Me too." Lin Qingyu could not help but ask, "How long are you going to take this time to get into the Mountain Sea Painting? I'm sure you won't be able to keep up with me once you're out of here."

"Brother, please." He really did not want to come, not to mention anything else. In the entire C-Seventh Courtyard, his cultivation realm was the lowest, and Duanmu Ye had already broken through the seventh chakra in his heart and reached the peak of the first grade blood chakra. Although Lin Qingyu had yet to open the hidden chakra in her heart, she had already broken through a blood chakra at the location of the liver's wood, reaching the second grade blood chakra.

He was the only one who had been standing on the spot since the new year. As for Lu Que, he was in no mood to compare himself to him. However, his and Lu Que's fate was the same. Without his knowledge, a letter from his grandfather, Zhuge Liuyun, had helped him register. Even if he didn't want to go, he had no choice.

"Brother?" What? Is our young master Zhuge afraid? " Just as Zhuge Yan finished speaking, a discordant voice rang out from behind them. A few people turned around and saw that it was Bai Qing Guang, who had been at loggerheads with Zhuge Yan all this time.

"I'm afraid?" He raised his chin and raised the corners of his eyebrows, looking as if he did not like the other party. "I'm afraid that some people may lack talent and overestimate their own abilities, but if something goes wrong, the Duke's Mansion which has been in existence for more than two hundred years will be reinstated as a son of the Emperor. Ahhh … this is really a great mistake on my part."

"Humph ~" Bai Ri Guang coldly snorted, "You should worry about yourself. Just take a few steps and you'll be out of breath. In that scroll of the Mountain Sea, there are mountains and forests within a thousand miles. Don't cry when that time comes."

"Hey!" Aren't you also spoiled since you were young? Did you bring a wet nurse with you this time? "

"What did you say?"

"Sigh, you can't even hear me at such a close distance. You probably won't even know that a giant tiger will arrive behind you in a while."

At this moment, three chimes sounded out, interrupting their argument. The figure of the first person, Luo Canglan, floated down from the peak of the National Pillar, followed closely by a dozen of the academy elders. When they saw the senior of the school appear, the originally noisy plaza instantly became deathly silent.

Luo Canglan looked around and nodded his head in satisfaction as he said, "Today is the day of our Phoenix Cry Academy's top competition. This year, there are a total of sixty-four students competing for the top spot.

Speaking up to here, Luo Canglan paused for a moment before opening his mouth again, "The rules for this time's chief competition is very simple. The first stage, you will have to survive in the mountains in the Mountain Sea Map for 15 days. As for the second stage, only students who have endured these fifteen days are qualified to know. "

As soon as the rules were said, the entire square was once again filled with a buzz.

"Heavens, 15 days?"

"That's right. This scroll has not been opened for more than a hundred years. Who knows what's going on inside."

"I heard that the last time it was opened, there were several packs of wolves wandering in the forest. One student was almost eaten by the wolves."

"What pack of wolves, they're clearly a pride of lions."

"Why did I hear it was a land dragon?"

"This is nothing. There's even an Earth Stage beast inside."

"There must be a lot of Mystic and Yellow Class beasts as well."

"Didn't you hear from the first seat that this is only the first stage and that the second stage is extremely difficult?"

Compared to the discussion of those people, the people that were participating in the competition for the position of chief were much calmer. Since they had already participated, they were prepared to participate.

"Be quiet." Lei Xuanji's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by every student. Once again, the square fell silent.

"The scholars participating in the Large Competition are only allowed to bring two weapons, a fire stone and a water bag. Bows and arrows are not allowed, and food is not allowed. Search the body now." Just as Lei Xuanbang's voice faded, the one hundred and twenty-eight guards of the academy began to search the bodies of every single student participating in the Large Competition one after another.

On the other hand, Lu Que and the rest didn't mind. Lu Que often used the Dragon-Strangling Spear and his carving knife. It was not considered a violation of the rules.

"Why did we have to take away the Broken Miasma Pill? There's so much miasma in the mountain, what if we get poisoned?" A student who had his medicine bottle pulled out from his bosom cried out involuntarily.

"You've been poisoned. As long as you can still act, you must persevere. If you can't act, you must be eliminated. However, if you withdraw now, it isn't too late." This student called Fei Xiao was quite talented in the medical field. Although he couldn't compare with Lin Qingyu, but he could understand the logic of medicine with a little bit. He must have concocted this Broken Miasma Pill himself.

"I …" Fei Xiao mumbled, but under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he still didn't say the word "exit" out loud.

Most people knew the rules, so they didn't bring anything extra and were quickly searched. After these 128 academy guards had finished searching their bodies, they walked to a place not far away where they could place weapons racks in front of the students.

Other than bows and arrows, all eighteen types of weapons could be seen on the weapon rack. There were even some strange weapons. It was obvious that the academy was familiar with these students' preferences.

"Choose your own weapon." Luo Canglan said.

However, after waiting for a long time, no one came forward to pick out a weapon. Everyone was thinking about what they could use in such an environment.

Suddenly, Yun Xing thought of something. He picked up a long sword from the weapon rack, weighed it in his hand, and nodded with satisfaction. He was carrying a spear passed down in his family on his back, so he chose only one weapon. However, when he walked back to the team, he gave Lu Que a deep look.

Noticing that there was someone taking the lead, the other students who were participating in the Large Competition quickly went up to pick out their weapons. The folding fan that hadn't left him all year round was naturally also considered a weapon. Lin Qingyu chose a longsword and dagger, and Duanmu Huanghun chose a machete and a long whip. Duanmu Ye, who was the oldest in the forest, knew that a weapon that was too long in the mountain was not suitable. He also planned to use the long whip as a rope for some time.

When everyone had picked their weapons, many of them realized that Lu Que had not moved from the beginning to end. They were all looking at him in confusion. Seeing this, Lu Que smiled but did not say anything. Naturally, Zhuge Yan and the rest knew what was going on, so they did not warn Lu Que.

"Sister Tian Xiang, why isn't Brother Lu Que choosing a weapon? He'll be at a disadvantage if he does." Amongst the crowd, the little princess, Yu Qinglin, also had a puzzled expression as she asked her elder cousin, Yu Tianxiang.

"Your brother Lu Que already brought his weapon, but he's hiding it." Yu Tian Xiang smiled faintly.

"Hidden? Where did you hide it? " Yu Qinglin blinked her eyes curiously.

"What is Uncle's absolute art?" Yu Tian Xiang reminded with a smile.

"Of course it's the Twelve Longevity Spear Arts." At this point, Yu Qinglin seemed to understand something and nodded his head in understanding.

While they were talking, the students who were participating in the competition for the lead role had finished inspecting the water bag and firestone that had just been sent out, quietly waiting for the Mountain Sea Painting to open.

At this moment, three figures flew over from the distance. The one in the lead was a white-clothed woman. Looking at her face, she was around twenty or thirty years old.

Just when everyone was guessing the identities of these three people, under the shocked gazes of the students, the head of the academy, Luo Canglan, straightened his robes and quickly walked in front of the woman. He respectfully performed a disciple salute and said, "Disciple Luo Canglan greets teacher."

"Exempt." Luo Canglan, who had once been the Prime Minister of Da Gan and was now at the head of the family, bowed to her. However, the woman did not even move, as if all of this was natural and justified.

Unlike the crowd, Lu Que knew that this woman who looked to be in her twenties, was in fact close to a hundred years old. This person was the extraordinary woman of the generation that took first place when the Aroma Temple last opened the Mountain and Sea Painting Scroll a hundred years ago, and was now the head of the Imperial City's Guardian, Yun Shu.

"Old Ancestor." Yun Xing Si was also shocked when she saw the girl's appearance. She quickly walked up to her and bowed.

"It's Dou Si." Yun Shu looked at Yun Xing Si for a while, her eyes twinkling, "Your mind is in a mess. I hope that this trip to the mountains and seas will bring you some benefits. Step down."

"Yes." Yun Xing Si walked back to the party with a red face.

"Let's begin." Yun Shu looked at Luo Canglan and said.

"Yes, Teacher." As he spoke, Luo Canglan took out a scroll made from some unknown material and threw it into the air. Dazzling rays of light instantly enveloped the students participating in the competition. By the time the rays dispersed, these people had already entered the painting.

When he opened his eyes again, he was already in the middle of the dense forest. All he could see were towering trees and the wild grass and flowers of the mountain. The sound of water roaring could be heard in his ears. He raised his head and saw a cloud of water vapor rise into the air not too far away from him. It should be a waterfall.

Lu Que looked around and didn't see anyone else, but he felt relieved when he thought about how the Mountain Sea Diagram had a radius of a thousand miles and how the others might have been dispersed to other places. Lu Que did not rashly head in the direction of the waterfall. It had been more than a hundred years since anyone had visited this forest. Who knew how many ferocious beasts were hidden here?

Furthermore, Lu Que knew that places with water sources were often dangerous because all the animals would be there to drink water. Naturally, this was also the best place for hunting ferocious beasts. Now, without Little White, the Imperial Spirit Beast, following him, he did not dare to be as rampant as he was in the Unreturned Mountain.

After carefully identifying the smell of the wind, Lu Que did not smell anything special. Only then did he relax a little and raise his head to look at the sun. He realized that the time in this small world was the same as outside and it was not even noon yet. He had to find a place to stay before nightfall, or the danger would follow as night fell.

Lu Que found the tallest tree in the vicinity and climbed up with nimble hands and feet. He had to see where he was before making a decision. The tree was much taller than the surrounding trees. Before Lu Que could reach the top of the tree, the forest was already out of his sight.

Standing on a tree branch and looking around, Lu Que found that he was now at the mountainside. Five miles to his right, there was a waterfall, and below it, there was a river valley that was formed by the impact of the waterfall.

Lu Que listened attentively for a while longer. Other than the chirping of the birds and the rustling of the leaves, there were no other sounds in the entire forest. He was delighted as this meant that there were no dangerous beasts around him during this period of time.

Lu Que descended from the tree and thought for a moment. He felt that he should first head to the waterfall. As long as there was a waterfall, there would be a cliff. As he thought of this, Lu Que picked up a relatively sturdy branch from the ground. He took out the spearhead in his robe and cut off the excess branch to make a simple Mountain Splitter. Then, he walked towards the waterfall.

Although it looked like they were only five miles away, Lu Que had been walking for nearly two hours. There had been no signs of human life for a long time, and many places were buried layer after layer by layer by the fallen leaves. No one knew exactly how deep this place was.

Before Lu Que could catch his breath, he heard the constant sounds of branches being broken from the top of the mountain. He was startled when he heard that the sound was still quite a distance away from him.

Lu Que had just climbed into the middle of the trees when he saw a two meter long black boar rushing down the mountain. This wild boar seems to be running for its life. " Lu Que saw the wild boar's panicked look and thought to himself.

He looked towards the back of the wild boar, and sure enough, a three meter long giant tiger was rapidly approaching the wild boar. Lu Que touched the spearhead in his arms. He was hesitating on whether he should attack. Although the wild boar and tiger in front of him were bigger than normal, to Lu Que who was used to seeing rare and unique beasts, they were nothing.

Just as Lu Que was hesitating, the tiger seemed to sense something and looked towards Lu Que's direction. Immediately, it sped up and chased after the wild boar. The wild boar in front saw that the tiger was getting closer and closer, and it let out a whimper before running even faster.

When Lu Que regained his senses and saw that the two of them had already run far away, he heaved a sigh of relief. This was the first time there were only him facing these beasts and he might not be afraid, but he was still a little nervous.

He turned around and looked behind him. Behind him, there was a waterfall that was three hundred meters high and several tens of meters wide flowing down, and it caused the pool below the mountain to rumble. On both sides of the waterfall, there were cliffs and cliffs, and there were also marks of water being washed away for a long time.

At this moment, Lu Que's eyes narrowed. He saw a cave on the cliff.