Cultivating Immortality from the Book of Life and Death

Chapter 407 The exam questions have been finalized. (Second update!)

"Is it a long-range [Teleportation Talisman]?"

Zheng Que pondered this in his heart, then shook his head slightly. It wasn't surprising that the disciples of the six major sects had such trump cards.

Now that Yu Rulan's storage bag is in hand, it's best to leave this place quickly, lest Dai Nanji send his fellow disciples to seek revenge...

With that thought in mind, Zheng Que abandoned his plan to continue testing his strength with ghosts and immediately set off for Qingrao Prefecture.

The journey was very smooth. After a little time, he passed the detection of the gate array again and returned to the city.

The city was still bustling with activity. Zheng Que mingled among the crowd, hurrying along while mentally reviewing his battle with Dai Nanji.

Although Dai Nanji was a disciple of a sect, his actual strength was much weaker than he had imagined.

The opponent was definitely not a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment cultivator, otherwise, with his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he wouldn't be able to match his early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation in terms of strength and speed.

Of course, due to his "law", his current strength and speed are definitely stronger than other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the same realm.

After all, he now has three "marriages," which have greatly enhanced his strength.

"This Dai Nanji doesn't have 'Law,' so the only thing he uses for Foundation Establishment is probably Foundation Establishment Pills..."

"However, he is still much stronger than the imperial court cultivators; he should be at the Earth-grade Foundation Establishment level."

"Also, his close-quarters combat skills are quite good!"

"If I didn't have the [Golden Cicada Armor] technique, even if I had won just now, I would definitely have been injured."

"Um……"

"It seems it's not that his close-quarters combat skills are good, but rather that my close-quarters fighting is terrible!"

"Furthermore, my practical experience is not as good as his."

"After I locked onto him with [Flowing Cloud Guidance], Dai Nanji knew he couldn't dodge my spells and talismans, so he immediately chose to fight me in close combat. My [Flowing Cloud Guidance] was essentially wasted..."

Thinking of this, Zheng Que nodded to himself.

When he fought Dai Nanji just now, the first kick he delivered left the mark of the [Flowing Cloud Guidance] technique on Dai Nanji's arm, which he used for defense.

His best course of action after that would have been to immediately use the [Phantom Escape Technique] to maintain distance from the opponent, while simultaneously attacking them with talismans and spells.

In this way, the opponent cannot evade his methods and can only passively defend throughout the entire process.

He could maintain an absolute advantage from beginning to end...

The opponent's defeat this time was entirely due to his Heavenly Grade Dao Foundation, which he had built with the inner core of the Soul Puppet over three hundred years!

While pondering, Zheng Que had already entered Xuanyuanfang.

During the day, Xuanyuanfang was bustling with people, almost all of whom were cultivators, along with many ghost servants. Amidst the intermingling of spiritual and yin energies, the hustle and bustle was tinged with a chilling atmosphere.

Zheng Que quickened his pace, intending to return to the Spirit Sea Cave, but at that moment, a cultivator dressed in the robes of a yamen runner, who was looking around in the crowd ahead, suddenly looked at him.

After recognizing Zheng Que, the cultivator dressed as a yamen runner visibly relaxed. He quickly stepped forward to greet Zheng Que and whispered, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, the Prefect invites you!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Li immediately came to his senses. Xiang Songnian had already returned to the prefectural city.

In a flash, Zheng Que replied, "Alright, thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist."

The constable nodded and said, "Of course, please come with me, Fellow Daoist Zheng."

The two then turned and left Xuanyuanfang, heading straight for Andingfang.

As always, Andingfang was quiet and serene. On both sides of the wide streets, lush branches peeked out from behind the high walls, intertwining like clouds and casting dappled shadows of tranquility. Tap, tap, tap…

Footsteps moved swiftly through the empty streets and alleys. Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the former yamen. With Zheng Que's current status, no one would stop him from entering or leaving this place.

The gatekeeper greeted them with a beaming smile.

After nodding in acknowledgment, he followed the yamen runner inside, turned past the screen wall, passed through the courtyard and into the corridor, and arrived at the same study as before.

The constable stopped at the door, respectfully clasped his hands, and reported, "Sir, Zheng Que has arrived."

Xiang Songnian's voice immediately came from inside: "You step back, Zheng Que come in."

The constable dared not delay, bowed to the closed door, and replied, "Yes!"

He bent over and left quickly. Zheng Que did not hesitate, quickly straightened his robe, and went forward to push open the door and go inside.

The furnishings in the room remained unchanged. Xiang Songnian sat upright behind his desk, quickly processing a stack of documents.

Upon seeing Zheng Que enter, he immediately put down what he was doing.

Zheng Que quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Magistrate!"

Xiang Songnian nodded slightly, then without further ado, said directly, "I have already registered you for the Immortal Examination."

"The questions for this immortal examination have been set."

"Three days from now, all candidates in the prefectural city who have registered for the immortal examination will depart with me..."

At this point, Xiang Songnian suddenly paused, his gaze towards Zheng Que becoming suspicious: "You've reached the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Zheng Que nodded and immediately replied, "Your Excellency, I just successfully completed my Foundation Establishment yesterday..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiang Songnian appeared in front of him instantly and placed his hand on his shoulder.

The next moment, a stream of condensed magical power emerged from his palm, instantly entering Zheng Que's body. After circulating rapidly through Zheng Que's limbs and bones, it was taken back by Xiang Songnian.

After confirming that Zheng Que had not built a foundation of human character or earth-grade character, Xiang Songnian visibly breathed a sigh of relief and said solemnly, "Heaven-grade foundation building!"

"However, your solo foundation building this time was far too risky!"

"A Heavenly-grade Foundation Establishment requires a High-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, and even with all the materials, there are still risks... You should wait for me to return to the prefectural city!"

Despite saying that, Xiang Songnian's gaze toward Zheng Que at this moment clearly became more appreciative.

The last time he met Zheng Que, the other party's cultivation level was only the eighth level of Qi Refining.

How many days has it been?

The opponent has actually advanced two realms in a row and has successfully established a Heavenly Foundation!
Such a prodigy, he had never seen another like him in the entire court!
It would be best if the other party came back with first place in this imperial examination!

At that time, one's own path...

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Zheng Que respectfully reply, "What you say is absolutely right, sir, but my 'law' is a bit special."

"The circumstances at that time perfectly matched my 'law'. Once I missed it, I might not know when I would be able to achieve the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment again."

"I am deeply grateful for your favor, sir, and am about to participate in the imperial examination for immortality. How could I not do my best?"

"Therefore, I had no choice but to take the risk at that time."

"Fortunately, thanks to your great fortune..."

(End of this chapter)