Early in the morning, Mu Wansu was seated before a copper mirror on the dressing table as she meticulously applied her makeup. A beautiful woman would never allow her sloppy side to be seen by outsiders.

Mu Wansu was undoubtedly extremely beautiful, mature and enchanting, like a ripe honey peach that would make anyone’s imagination run wild.

When Wang Lin arrived to seek an audience, Mu Wansu had already completed her morning ritual with her pretty face now glowing beautifully.

She asked with a slightly surprised tone, “What’s so important that you had to come so early to report?”

“It’s related to Lin Xun.” Wang Lin did not hide anything and told her everything he had seen last night.

As he spoke, he did not notice Mu Wansu’s originally glowing face turn somewhat cloudy.

When Wang Lin came to the part where he helped Lin Xun take down several key figures of the Green Bamboo Gang, Mu Wansu could no longer stop herself and interjected, “Who told you to help him?!”

Her tone was cold and accusatory.

Wang Lin was silent for a moment before he answered, “Miss Wansu, you instructed me to keep track of Lin Xun’s activities a few days ago. I found out yesterday that Golden Jade Hall’s Gu Yuping had moved long before me. Do you know what he did?”

Mu Wansu frowned and impatiently said, “Spit it out.”

Any mention of Lin Xun made her mood turn extremely sour for some unknown reason, leaving no trace of her usual elegance and composure.

“Gu Yanping is a Spirit Dipper stage expert, but he willingly became a door guard for Lin Xun and even his son, Gu Liang, was dispatched as well.”

Wang Lin sighed and said, “I could not understand his intentions initially, but I subsequently realized that the key lay with Lin Xun.”

Mu Wansu was confused and her black brows furrowed even deeper, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Upon seeing that Mu Wansu had clearly lost her patience, Wang Lin stopped beating about the bush, “Lin Xun has more than one Flame Blade and I am certain he has some connection to the mysterious rune master.”

Mu Wansu’s heart trembled, “How do you know?”

She was indeed very concerned about the mysterious rune master. After all, Donglin City’s many merchant groups were all searching for this individual.

Everyone knew that if they could get their hands on the mysterious rune master, he would definitely bring them immeasurable wealth in the future.

Although Stone Cauldron Alms was a giant merchant group which could call itself a top-tier faction even in the empire, Mu Wansu could only depend on herself to expand the Stone Cauldron Alms branch in the remote Donglin City.

“I personally witnessed Lin Xun hand a Flame Blade to Gu Yanping yesterday. Moreover, Gu Yanping has already announced news about the blade this very morning, causing a substantial commotion. Miss Mu Wansu can easily verify this with a simple check.”

Mu Wansu became silent. Wang Lin had no reason to lie to her. However, she could not fathom how a youngster like Lin Xun had established such close relations with the mysterious rune master in less than a month since he left Feiyun Village and entered Donglin City.

This is far too inconceivable!

After a long while, Mu Wansu asked, “In other words, we can only find the mysterious rune master through Lin Xun?”

Wang Lin nodded, “It is exactly as you say.”

After a slight pause, he continued, “Miss Wansu might not know this yet but the boss of the slum district’s biggest gang, the Black Tiger Gang, was killed by Lin Xun last night.”

“Old Tiger Lu?” Mu Wansu was abruptly alarmed, “Lin Xun is only a True Martial fifth layer cultivator. How can he possibly kill a Spirit Dipper stage expert?”

Wang Lin nodded, “I initially found this absurd as well. But it subsequently occurred to me that it might be related to the mysterious rune master. An existence who can create the Flame Blade is definitely no ordinary person!”

Such an explanation made sense and even Mu Wansu could not help but waver.

The two, however, were still unaware that they were already going down the wrong track…

However, it wasn’t surprising for them to reach such a conclusion. Xia Zhi’s existence had always been overlooked because she was too young and very seldom showed herself. Moreover, no one would believe that a True Martial stage cultivator like Lin Xun could craft something like the Flame Blade. Hence, they could not help but surmise that there must be a master acting from the shadows.

This series of misunderstandings resulted in numerous deviations from the truth.

Under such circumstances, even if Wang Lin’s information clearly told him that only Lin Xun and Xia Zhi had attacked the Black Tiger Gang’s base, Wang Lin would still ignore Xia Zhi and attribute everything to the mysterious rune master behind Lin Xun.

Because, in his mind, this was the only logical explanation.

Mu Wansu’s heart churned. Her rationality told her that everything Wang Lin said was true. However, she felt a wave of depression when she thought of Lin Xun’s loathsome face.

Do I really have to lower my head to that devious and shameless brat?

Mu Wansu suddenly asked, “Right, didn’t you help Lin Xun last night?”

This single sentence told Wang Lin that Mu Wansu’s attitude had changed. He hurriedly nodded and said, “I wouldn’t really call it help. It’s more like trying to make amends.”

“Did the kid show any gratitude?” Mu Wansu continued her questioning.

Wang Lin poured himself a cup of tea and said, “At the very least, he didn’t reject or show resistance.”

Mu Wansu nodded as a thoughtful look surged in her clear eyes, “Lin Xun should have come to Donglin City to participate in the district examination. If that’s the case, invite him to meet me after the district exam is over.”

Wang Lin immediately hesitated, “Miss Wansu, I’m afraid that it’ll be better if you went…personally.”

Mu Wansu was taken aback but soon understood Wang Lin’s meaning, causing her to feel another wave of frustration and sullenness. After a long silence, she took a deep breath and said, “Alright, I will take the initiative and pay him a visit when the time comes!”

She felt agonized. So I ultimately have to bow my head to that punk…

However, Mu Wansu quickly regained her energy. If that little punk thinks that he has won because of this, he’s underestimating me too much!

……

Three days later.

When Lin Xun finally completed repairs on the badly damaged residence, Xia Zhi awoke from her meditative state.

The first thing she said when she opened her eyes was: “I’m starving!”

Despite this, Lin Xun was overjoyed and the final remaining worry in his heart vanished. He hastily dashed into the kitchen and unleashed all of his talents to cook Xia Zhi a sumptuous meal.

While eating, Lin Xun discovered that Xia Zhi seemed to have changed slightly after awakening. She now gave off an additional unfathomable aura of superiority.

Lin Xun could not help but ask, “Your power has grown?”

“Mm.” Xia Zhi continued to eat as she vaguely answered, “The battle was quite beneficial to my cultivation. If I have to face someone like Old Tiger Lu again, it will not be as troublesome as before.”

Lin Xun gasped. How is this only quite beneficial? It is a universally-shocking improvement!

Xia Zhi casually asked, “What about you?”

Lin Xun immediately shut his mouth, finding himself unwilling to answer. He had only deepened his comprehension of the Six Word Blade Art, and it was indeed hard to raise his head if he compared himself to Xia Zhi.

Fortunately, Xia Zhi was clearly more interested in her food than Lin Xun and did not pursue the question.

Lin Xun secretly breathed a sigh of relief, “Since you’re awake, I no longer have to worry. I will probably go to Donglin Academy soon. The district exam will take place in six days and registration has already started at Donglin Academy.”

Xia Zhi acknowledged this and said, “Remember to bring back some books. I don’t want any of those random strange novels where the protagonist only fights and kills. They are so boring.”

Lin Xun chuckled and promised her he would.

……

Donglin Academy.

The usually peaceful academy had become extremely busy for the past two days. There were pedestrians everywhere and the streets were filled with horse-drawn hansoms.

Some of the students in navy-blue uniforms acted as guides, helping to give directions in the academy.

The district exam registration period lasted for two days and it was the grandest annual event in Donglin City!

Anyone who passed the district exam would obtain recognition from the empire. The passer would not only be rewarded with a substantial sum of money but also receive the qualifications to participate in the prefectural exam.

In addition, those who passed the district exam might catch the eye of powerful factions; this was an opportunity which might help them soar into the sky and obtain numerous cultivation resources!

Hence, although everyone knew the contents of the exam were simple, no one dared to underestimate the empire’s method of selecting talent.

After all, the cultivators who passed the exam were at most fifteen. They possessed excellent cultivation potential and would definitely grow into true experts if nothing unexpected happened!

In fact, the more outstanding individuals would have unlimited cultivation prospects.

They were a group of seedlings with potential in the cultivation world. Although they were not remarkable now, they would definitely not be ordinary in the future.

Hence, when the yearly district exam began, it would draw the focus of the entire Donglin City. Everyone wanted to see which lucky souls would pass the exam.

At the same time, it was also a very attractive chance to recruit talent for the many Donglin City factions, and no one would willingly miss it.

When Lin Xun arrived at Donglin Academy, he found a bustling scenery sprawled before his eyes, a sea of people rushing here and there.

Some of the young registrants were even accompanied by their entire clan, a sight that deeply moved Lin Xun and made him feel for all the parents in the world.

The status and privileges of cultivators in the Ziyao Empire were indeed incomparable to the ordinary folk.

However, becoming a cultivator was still far from enough. Only cultivators who were acknowledged by the empire would bring glory and honor to themselves and their ancestors.

The district, prefecture, provincial and national exams were excellent tools to select talent. The person who came up with these exams was most certainly far-sighted and wise.

Every year of exams would give a huge batch of potential future pillars to the empire, replenishing new blood which would gradually strengthen the empire!

Of course, Lin Xun did not see so far, but he understood that it was no simple feat to create such talent selection methods.

He felt rather expectant as he wondered how far he could go.

The district exam? The prefectural exam? The provincial exam? Or maybe even…the national exam?