Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System

Chapter 501: Chapter 217: Immortal Cultivation Sect, One in Ten Thousand

Ever since becoming Guo Wei’s disciple, Chu Lingguang had imagined that one day, he would come to the Imperial City to take the Imperial Examination, and even participate in the Palace Examination to be personally selected by the Court, truly making a name for himself.

He just hadn’t expected that he would arrive in the Imperial City only three years after becoming Guo Wei’s disciple, and that he would even be able to train at the Imperial City Academy until the Imperial Examination began.

Led by Yu Wanshao, Chu Lingguang arrived at the Imperial City Post Station. Inside, a number of candidates who had placed in the top three of their respective regions had already gathered.

The Great Yuan Dynasty had over thirty Governor’s Mansions in total. With three spots per mansion, that meant around a hundred candidates would be training together at the Imperial City Academy.

At this time, there were about eighty candidates staying at the post station. The rest were expected to arrive within the next two days.

Chu Lingguang found the room prepared for the candidates from Qiling Prefecture. He saw two different bundles inside, and both beds were already made. A look of delight crossed his face; he knew that Yan Zhen and Ma Weibing had arrived in the Imperial City before him.

After putting down his luggage, he went to look for the two of them within the post station.

"Don’t hold back!"

"Come on, fight! What are you standing around for?"

"SWOOSH!"

"Wow, what powerful Sword Momentum!"

...

The post station was huge, responsible for receiving personnel from across the land who had come to the Imperial City on official business. It had several inner and outer courtyards and was full of hidden masters. As a newcomer, Chu Lingguang didn’t dare release his Spiritual Sense Fluctuation to investigate, for fear of disturbing some of the important figures present.

After searching for a while, a series of cheers came from the rear courtyard. Chu Lingguang followed the sound and saw that most of the candidates were gathered there. In the middle of the courtyard, two people were sparring.

One of them was Yan Zhen.

The other was, surprisingly, Tuoba Yunhong. He was enveloped by Yan Zhen’s Sword Momentum and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, had already taken twelve of Yan Zhen’s strikes.

Just as Chu Lingguang arrived, Yan Zhen unleashed his thirteenth strike.

In that instant, Chu Lingguang, who had personally experienced Yan Zhen’s Sword Momentum, felt an infinite amount of Sword Qi gathering. It seemed powerful enough to overturn the entire post station. Things like a six-layered Dharma Aspect, a Qi Power Gang Shield, or Soft Armor Protection—all would be obliterated by this single strike from Yan Zhen.

Meanwhile, Tuoba Yunhong, at the center of the storm, shot a crimson beam of sword light from his Treasure Sword. A powerful, unique fluctuation, like a layer of invisible, tightly woven Scale Armor, covered the three-foot space in front of him.

"BOOM!"

A loud explosion rang out. Yan Zhen stood motionless, long saber in hand, while Tuoba Yunhong slid backward some distance. His arms, clutching his Treasure Sword, trembled uncontrollably, and his face was completely flushed as he stared fixedly at Yan Zhen.

For a moment, everyone stared at the two of them in silence.

"Cough... Hmph."

In the end, Tuoba Yunhong disguised his cough with a cold snort. After putting away his Treasure Sword and glancing at Yan Zhen, he pushed his way through the crowd and left the rear courtyard.

Yan Zhen let out a long breath.

He had clearly gained the upper hand in this battle, even inflicting an internal injury on Tuoba Yunhong. However, the fact that it had taken thirteen full strikes to gain an advantage, even after he gave it his all and enveloped Tuoba Yunhong with his Sword Momentum, showed just how powerful his opponent was.

He was truly worthy of his reputation as the top candidate from the Southern Domain Trial Ground. Naturally, Tuoba Yunhong was also a regional Jie Yuan.

"Who won?"

"Obviously, Yan Zhen won."

"Keep your voice down. Tuoba Yunhong is no ordinary person. I heard he has people from Yuanchu Mountain backing him. We can’t afford to offend him."

"It was a close fight, they were evenly matched."

"They’re both top-tier prodigies."

"So that’s Sword Momentum... It’s too strong."

The crowd then began to disperse. Although everyone knew what had really happened, no one dared to openly say that Tuoba Yunhong had lost. They were all outstanding young talents, the top three candidates from their respective regions, about to enter the Imperial City Academy to train. Yet, when it came to Tuoba Yunhong and the mention of Yuanchu Mountain, their faces were filled with reverence and fear.

Even though they could see Yan Zhen’s skill was superior, they didn’t dare say openly that Tuoba Yunhong had lost.

No one even dared to approach Yan Zhen at this moment to offer him congratulations.

"Yan, your Sword Momentum seems to have gotten stronger. If those last few strikes had been aimed at me, there’s no way I could have taken them."

Of course, there was an exception.

That exception was Chu Lingguang.

Although he sensed the atmosphere was a bit strange, seeing Yan Zhen get the better of Tuoba Yunhong, he couldn’t help but offer his heartfelt praise.

"If it weren’t for your last few spear thrusts at the Martial Arts Examination, my Sword Momentum wouldn’t have improved so quickly," Yan Zhen said with a smile.

"Chu Lingguang, you’re finally here."

Ma Weibing walked out from the crowd.

The three of them were all from the Qiling Governor’s Mansion and were staying in the same room, which unofficially tied their fates together. If Tuoba Yunhong decided to target the other two because of Yan Zhen, they wouldn’t be able to avoid it.

"My friends and family were a bit too enthusiastic, which held me up," Chu Lingguang explained.

"It’s rare for us to be gathered together. Come on, let’s go have a few drinks. My treat," Yan Zhen said generously.

The post station offered free food, but there were also more delicious meals for sale that had to be purchased with silver taels. The three of them drank until they were completely smashed, feeling safe within the post station’s walls.

「The next day.」

A voice calling out startled Chu Lingguang awake.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar, and the person was right at his door. With a sweep of his Spiritual Sense, Chu Lingguang immediately identified the visitor, and his face filled with surprise. It was Xuanyuan Jinkang.

"Young Master Xuanyuan."

After changing his clothes, he went to the door.

"You should just call me by my name. My master is waiting for you outside the post station. He has something to say to you," Xuanyuan Jinkang said, and it was clear he was in a bad mood.

"Oh, Eunuch Liu."

Surprised, Chu Lingguang quickly straightened his clothes and went out with Xuanyuan Jinkang. On the way, he learned that Xuanyuan Jinkang had placed third in his regional examination and would be entering the Imperial City Academy to train alongside him. Apparently, he and Eunuch Liu had already been staying in the Imperial City for some time and had only just arrived at the post station to check in today.