Chapter 88: Special Exam (End)
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[Name: Black Rock]
[Race: Nine Nether Clan]
[Strength: Golden Elixir]
[Features: A special creature evolved from the Nine Nether Black Rock; indestructible.]
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Judging from his appearance alone, the Black Rock King who appeared in front of Su Chen at this time was nothing special. The pitch-black rock body and the height of about two meters were not outstanding features for a Nine Nether evil creature. If it weren't for the terrifying aura emanating from it, Su Chen might even think that it was just an ordinary rock monster in the wild.
But when Su Chen activated the Green Lotus Pupil and looked at the other party seriously, the image of the Black Rock King in his eyes immediately changed. Its originally ordinary rock body transformed into a special rock body covered with mysterious patterns. Although Su Chen couldn't tell what these patterns represented, he could sense a strong sense of crisis from them. They were strong, so strong that it was hard to describe in words.
This was the second Golden Elixir Stage expert he encountered after Yu Tianqi. Although the power system of the Nine Nether Clan was very different from that of human cultivators, from a certain perspective, the Black Rock King at this time could also be regarded as a Golden Elixir Stage physical cultivator among humans. In essence, the two were similar.
As for the characteristics of a Golden Elixir Stage physical cultivator, Su Chen was not particularly clear. After all, he had never formally fought with a Golden Elixir Stage cultivator. The only channels to obtain information were the school and the network within the Immortal Alliance. But no matter which it was, Su Chen could only obtain some fragmented information, making it difficult to know the full picture.
Therefore, the Black Rock King at this moment was like a fog to Su Chen, full of secrets. But even without definitive knowledge, Su Chen still wanted to give it a try. After all, he sought to understand whether his sword intent could pose a threat to Golden Elixir Stage cultivators. Thinking this way, Su Chen looked towards the Black Rock King with eyes full of fighting spirit.
This situation was very similar to what had happened between Su Chen and the Gold-Eating Ant-Man just before. But now it was a two-level reversal, and he was in the position of challenger: confronting a powerful enemy that he had almost no chance of defeating at the moment. But just like the Gold-Eating Ant-Man, even though he knew he was no match for Su Chen, he still tried his best to throw that punch.
Even though Su Chen knew that he was no match for the Black Rock King at this moment, he still wanted to swing the sword at it. This sword did not kill the Black Rock King but symbolized a significant result in Su Chen's mind. If he didn't even dare to draw his sword... then how could he reach the end of the sword path?
With that thought, Su Chen made a charging move. Moreover, the twelve green lotuses in his eyes began to rotate continuously, using all the remaining power of the Green Lotus to strengthen all the pupil techniques of the Green Lotus Pupil: 'Strong Vision,' 'Perspective,' 'Copy,' 'Green Lotus Mark.'
The result of enhancing these four pupil techniques was that Su Chen no longer saw any flaws in the Black Rock King's body. Only a special lotus mark, the size of a fingernail, appeared on the body of the Black Rock King. Although the mark was small and the color very light, it did exist.
One sword; he only had one chance to strike. Su Chen understood his situation and began to adjust his state constantly, trying his best to mobilize the powerful sword intent in his body. When the Black Rock King in mid-air saw this scene, he not only did not stop it, but his eyes were full of disdain. In the face of absolute strength, all the bells and whistles... are meaningless.
The Black Rock King fell from the sky and walked slowly toward Su Chen without any precautions. As he walked, he said calmly, "Even if you are only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, with your power as a sword grandmaster, I may have to be a little wary of you. But it's a pity that you are just a small Qi Gathering Stage cultivator after all. If you were placed in our Nine Nether Clan, you would be nothing more than a piece of trash that couldn't even complete one life evolution."
"I don't know what gave you the courage to face me, but I must remind you... when facing a strong person, even if you just stand there, it is a humiliation to me. Kneel!"
Boom!
Following the Black Rock King's roar, Su Chen immediately felt a terrifying pressure touching down like a mountain on his head. In a trance, Su Chen seemed to see a huge black mountain slowly falling from above him. No, this was not an illusion!
Su Chen raised his head and saw a giant black mountain a hundred meters high that had appeared above him at some point. The person who summoned this massive mountain was the Black Rock King standing in front of him.
Seeing this scene, Su Chen's pupils shrank instantly, and a lot of sweat broke out on his forehead. This was not only due to the terrifying pressure exerted on him by the Black Rock King but also because of the extreme oppression brought by the mountain slowly descending from above.
At this moment, Su Chen finally understood the power of the Golden Elixir. The meaning represented by these three light words... was too heavy. It was so heavy that Su Chen had to summon all his strength even while just standing.
"Puff!"
Under the pressure of the Black Rock King's terrifying aura, Su Chen, who had managed to hold on for a few seconds, suddenly vomited blood. His pupils filled with blood and tears as the bones all over his body kept making crackling sounds.
Ding!
Su Chen suddenly stuck his sword into the ground and used both hands to support the hilt, trying his best not to be overwhelmed by the terrifying pressure. Seeing that Su Chen still wanted to stand even at this point, the Black Rock King's eyes became even colder.
"I told you to... kneel."
Boom!
In an instant, Su Chen felt the pressure on him intensifying. This terrifying weight shattered the magic sword that was supporting him.
Bang!
Without the magic sword's support, Su Chen's body staggered instantly. He fell to the ground abruptly. Looking at Su Chen, who finally couldn't hold on any longer, the Black Rock King revealed a satisfied expression on his face.
But this expression did not last long, as Su Chen, who was supposed to be lying on the ground, actually crawled up again and stood before him with difficulty.
"You..."
Looking at Su Chen, who stood up again, the Black Rock King was finally shocked. Because he felt that Su Chen's body had already reached its limit. There was hardly a single intact bone in his body, and it could fall apart at any time. His eyes had completely lost their vision due to excessive use of pupil techniques.
But even so, and despite that, Su Chen stood up. How could he stand up? Why should he stand up again? The Black Rock King looked at Su Chen's completely blind eyes and the blood on his cheeks and fell silent. Because of its vision, it quickly saw what force supported Su Chen to stand up again.
If guessed correctly, this human cultivator's eyes had some special effect that could copy other people's magic. He could stand up again because he had copied the Battle-Hardened Body of the Gold-Eating Ant-Man, even at the cost of his blindness. Even if he could only last for a few seconds, just these few seconds were enough to be proud of.
After all, let alone the Qi Gathering Stage, even the Foundation Establishment Stage would find it difficult to achieve this step in front of it. Su Chen paid such a huge price, so he didn't just want to stand there.
Snap...
Su Chen dragged his heavy body and slowly walked towards the Black Rock King according to his feelings. Although he was only ten steps away from the Black Rock King, these ten steps became the longest distance he had ever walked in his life.
At that moment, he felt as though he were carrying a mountain on his back and had to put all his strength into every step. With each step, he felt his life draining away.
Su Chen didn't know why he insisted on doing this. It was just a fake exam. It was evident that the person he faced was just a figure who had once appeared in history. But for some reason, he just didn't want to kneel. He didn't want to leave in such a frustrating way.
"Even if the Golden Elixir is as powerful as the sea, I will still draw my sword and test its sharpness!"
With great effort, Su Chen finally walked in front of the Black Rock King. However, due to the excessive use of the Green Lotus Pupil, his eyes could no longer see anything. But relying on his limited sense of hearing, he still sensed the presence of the Black Rock King before him.
At this distance, he should be able to draw his sword, right? Amid the silence of the Black Rock King, Su Chen suddenly laughed. The next second, he used all his remaining spiritual energy to stimulate his sword intent.
The shadow of a dragon, covered in wounds, suddenly appeared in front of the Black Rock King. Looking at the phantom of the dragon, King Black Rock's expression was very cold. Even in the dragon's heyday, he could kill it with a slap. But for some reason, when faced with this wounded dragon, he felt a vague sense of palpitations.
This didn't mean that the dragon could harm him. Instead, it was something revealed in the dragon's eyes that made him feel a little uneasy. It was a determination — the determination to give it a try even when he knew it was impossible.
As the Black Rock King remained silent, Su Chen slowly raised his right hand and swung it towards him with difficulty, using his fist instead of a sword. This punch was not only slow but also devoid of power. Not to mention an evil monster like the Black Rock King in the Golden Elixir Stage; even against ordinary evil creatures, Su Chen's punch couldn't hurt them at all.
Therefore, faced with this punch, the Black Rock King didn't even think of dodging. He merely watched as Su Chen's blood-stained fist fell to his chest.
Bang!
Su Chen's punch landed on the Black Rock King, leaving only a trickle of blood on his chest. The Black Rock King was not hurt at all. But Su Chen seemed not to care about this, because the purpose of this sword was not to harm the Black Rock King.
What he sought was merely a result in his heart. Su Chen raised his head and looked at the Black Rock King before him, a smile appearing with difficulty on his pale face. "May I ask if this sword is sharp?"
King Black Rock looked at Su Chen, who was blind and exhausted. Finally, he spoke. "You don't know your limitations; how ridiculous... so ridiculous!"
As soon as the words fell, the black mountain that floated above their heads crashed down heavily, completely drowning both of them...
On the playground, Su Chen took off the holographic helmet from his head and let out a long sigh. He looked down at his right hand as if contemplating the last sword he had delivered to the Black Rock King. However, in reality, his sword strike was just as the Black Rock King said — an act beyond his ability that could not change the outcome at all.
But to Su Chen, that sword symbolized many things. Compared to the gap between the Qi Gathering Stage and the Golden Elixir Stage, Su Chen felt that the gap between himself and the end of the sword path was even bigger. He had not even dared to use his sword against the Black Rock King, who was in the Golden Elixir Stage.
How could he reach the end of the sword path? All living things are mayflies; what do all living things truly want? Since he, a mere mayfly, had thought of seeing the end of the sword, he must take that crucial step first.
As for whether he had overestimated his abilities or whether he could hold on until that day, it didn't matter anymore. He needed the courage to take this step more than the result. It was after that sword strike that Su Chen got the answer he wanted...
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[Due to your understanding of the way of the sword, your Dragon Sword Intent has undergone some changes.]
[Dragon Sword Intent: Dao entry-level 1/1,000,000]
[Effect: Enter the Dao with the sword, condense the true meaning of the dragon, and turn into a dragon when encountering wind and rain. It can accumulate momentum to form an abyss, and the sword will emerge as a dragon.]
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That's right; the Dragon Transformation Sword Intent originally could not be upgraded. After Su Chen swung that decisive sword, he was finally able to continue improving. However, the amount of experience points required for this upgrade was so great that even Su Chen could hardly estimate it.
One million experience points... Since he got the cultivation of immortality game, he had never even reached 100,000 experience points, let alone gaining a million. But a difficult road ahead and not seeing the road ahead are two different things.
While it would be a very difficult task for him to elevate his Dragon Transformation Sword Intent to the Dao entry level in a short time, he had taken a crucial step after all... right? Thinking of this, there was no longer any confusion in Su Chen's eyes. After all, at this moment, he could already vaguely see some of the scenery on the other side.
As he finished his exam, the joint exam of the three schools also came to an end. Even now, there are still some students left in the examination room. But it didn't matter anymore, as they were all a group of individuals who chose to flee the ruins of Yushan.
After crossing the playground, Su Chen came to the rest area of the gymnasium. But just as he was about to push open the door of the gymnasium, a group of students ran out excitedly and surrounded him.
"Wow, Boss, you are so awesome! You dared to fight against a Golden Elixir evil creature in the Qi Gathering Stage! Not to mention Jiangcheng, there are not many people in the entire Immortal Alliance who would dare to do this!"
"Yes, yes! That last scene left me dumbfounded. If it were me, I would have knelt at the very beginning. There wouldn't have been so many things that happened later!"
"Brother, please give me your contact information. I have a cousin who just got admitted to Qinghe Taoist Academy, one of the four major academies, this year. With your performance, you can choose any of the four academies. If you're unsure where to go, I think Qinghe Taoist Academy is quite suitable for you."
"And if you want to know more about Qinghe Taoist Academy, I can also give you my cousin's contact information."
"Look, this is a photo of my cousin. I guarantee there is no trace of Photoshop. It is authentic."
As he spoke, the No. 2 High School student eagerly placed his phone in front of Su Chen, showing a photo of a beautiful woman. You know what? This beauty's looks are impressive.
When the other students around saw this, they immediately regarded the No. 2 High School student in shock. Good job, buddy; you know how to play "selling your sister for fame," right? If you do it on the first day, don't blame us for doing it on the fifteenth!
You have a cousin; don't we have one? Even if they don't have a cousin, they still have cousins! If that doesn't work, they can have biological sisters!
The two high school students seemed to have opened Pandora's box, causing the surrounding students to take out their mobile phones and look for girls of the right age in their families. This led to Su Chen feeling a bit overwhelmed for a moment.
No, no, what are you doing? Are you holding a blind date meeting for him?
Fortunately, the commotion did not last long because a shocking heat wave suddenly emanated from the gymnasium, forcing everyone around Su Chen to retreat.
"Get out of here!!!"
"Wow! Classmate Lu, you are crazy! You are using Phoenix Fire here. Are you trying to burn us to death?"
Under Lu Xiaoye's powerful attack, the students who had originally surrounded Su Chen took several steps back. Lu Xiaoye seized the opportunity, immediately ran to Su Chen, and grabbed his hand, wanting to pull him right out of the gym.
But before Lu Xiaoye could take further action, more than a dozen teachers from various schools and seven or eight investigators from the Taoist Academy approached.
The leader was Su Chen's homeroom teacher, Chen Fugui. Chen Fugui looked at Lu Xiaoye, who was protecting Su Chen behind her like a hen protecting her chicks and did not allow anyone else to get close.
He couldn't help but smile and said, "Su Chen, Xiao Ye, the two of you come with me. I have something important to tell you."
Hearing this, Lu Xiaoye felt like she had found a life-saving straw, hurriedly pulling Su Chen toward Chen Fugui. The other students around expressed regretful looks. What a pity. What a pity.
They were just about to sell the female cultivators in their families. Don't think that all students in Taoist schools are oblivious to the world outside and focus solely on practicing. Many were born into families of cultivators. Both their vision and approach to things were completely different from those of ordinary students.
The reason why many families send their children to Taoist schools instead of letting them practice within the family is to allow them to make more friends with the brightest students in school and expand their family network. Su Chen's performance undoubtedly made him the best person for them to befriend.
He could comprehend the sword intent during the Qi Gathering period. Why wouldn't they want to be friends with him sooner? Do they have to wait until he grows up before they can curry favor with him? Just wait and see if he will even look at them!
Although they missed this opportunity to connect with Su Chen, it didn't matter; Lu Xiaoye was just Su Chen's classmate, not his wife. As long as they were not married, they still had a chance!
Thinking of this, some male classmates with ulterior motives began to ask their family elders if there were any outstanding-looking single female cultivators from the same clan.
Rather than being friends with Su Chen, they would rather be his relatives!
At the same time, in a staff office of No. 3 High School, Chen Fugui and Li Youquan looked at Su Chen and Lu Xiaoye, who were sitting opposite them, exchanging glances and laughing happily.
No matter what, they were both Su Chen and Lu Xiaoye's class teachers. These two had made them proud in this exam. As for the reason why they had asked these two to come, it was very simple: they wanted to inquire about their choices for the Taoist Academy in the future.
There was no need to talk about Lu Xiaoye; she had been able to be recommended to the Taoist Academy very early and could choose from any of the four major Taoist academies. After all, the title of Phoenix Tribulation Cultivator is not just talk.
As for Su Chen, after his performance in this joint entrance examination, he could select any of the four major academies in the Immortal Alliance and go to whichever one he wanted. After all, he was not only a peerless swordsman who had mastered the sword intent in the Qi Gathering Stage but also a courageous person who dared to use the sword against a Golden Elixir Stage cultivator in the Qi Gathering Stage. His Tao heart is extremely firm.
It is precisely because the two are so outstanding that Chen Fugui and Li Youquan are concerned they might give in to temptation and make a premature decision. You must know that it is not the Taoist Academy that chooses them, but they who choose the academy.
In the Immortal Alliance, there are not many people who can surpass the Taoist Academy, but these two individuals were capable of doing just that! If they don't work hard, wouldn't it be a waste of this good opportunity?
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(end of this chapter)