Chapter 10

At such a scene, Director Chen hurried out to mediate, placing his hand firmly on Liu Wu’s shoulder. With the overwhelming power of the Foundation Establishment stage at its pinnacle, he completely subdued him, preventing any rash action. Yet his expression remained calm and gentle as he spoke softly to Li Yunxian, “Student Li, please do not be angry.”

“The reason we conduct tests publicly and set up an examiner’s panel is precisely to prevent any injustice. Reasonable questioning is permitted.”

“All matters at the Academy are evidence-based; we ensure no innocent person is wronged, nor any guilty party overlooked.”

As he spoke, Director Chen patted Liu Wu’s shoulder again. “Even though he is Director Liu’s nephew, he remains in custody.”

“Now, could you tell us the reason for your sudden advancement in cultivation within such a short time?”

There was a strong tone of goodwill in Director Chen’s words.

Li Yunxian glanced at Liu Wu’s dark expression and recalled that two days ago, when the Liu family came to withdraw Liu Chen from the school, Liu Chen himself was absent.

Director Chen’s public statement carried the weight of a promise, lending it credibility.

“It was fate,” Li Yunxian replied, sheathing his spirit sword. “While in my room, a void suddenly appeared before my eyes.”

“A palm-sized blood-colored bone fell out of it. It looked like a key ingredient for a medicinal bath formula, so I tried it.”

Li Yunxian described the incident truthfully, though he implied the formula came with the blood bone as if they appeared together.

Director Chen inquired about the nature of the void and the appearance of the blood-colored bone.

Upon hearing Li Yunxian’s answers, Director Chen’s face showed a contemplative expression.

This void sounded remarkably like the interstellar teleportation portals he had heard about at the Academy headquarters.

As for the blood-colored bone, that was no mystery. It was simply a common spiritual material known as ‘Blood Bone.’

Director Chen speculated it might be the misfortune of some poor soul in the star system who accidentally teleported the coordinates wrong and sent it right to Li Yunxian.

Indeed, quite the stroke of fate.

Chen did not believe Liu Wu’s claim that Li Yunxian was set up by the Hunters.

The reason was simple.

Li Yunxian’s swordsmanship was too convincing!

With this skill, killing Hunters and using the achievements to exchange resources at the Special Management Bureau was far more promising than becoming a Hunter himself.

Moreover, all Director Chen wanted was a plausible explanation from Li Yunxian to quell all doubts.

He had no intention to pry into each person’s karmic bonds and fate.

Just as he was about to nod in approval and put the matter to rest, other cultivators present caught onto the mention of the medicinal bath formula.

Considering that Li Yunxian was an ordinary person just days ago and had now opened twenty-eight meridian points, excitement bubbled up.

Unable to contain their eagerness, someone asked Li Yunxian enthusiastically, “What does the medicinal bath formula look like? Show me!”

Once one person spoke up, the rest could no longer suppress their curiosity.

A medicinal bath formula that could help an ordinary person enter the realm of cultivators was the very thing they longed for.

Even Liu Wu, a powerful figure in Jin City, had only one young family member capable of cultivation—Liu Chen.

This formula instantly gave countless people hope.

Though aware they might be scolded, they could not resist trying to obtain it.

The crowd began to stir chaotically.

Director Chen frowned, about to act to suppress these greedy displays.

At that moment, Li Yunxian casually turned toward the crowd and said, “The medicinal bath formula? Sure. I actually already gave it to my classmates.”

“That blood-colored bone is used to deeply activate flesh and blood. Since I don’t know where to find it, I replaced it with ten-year-old Bilu wood,” he explained. This was also a method used by wealthy mortal women in the cultivation world to beautify and nourish their skin. “You can substitute it back if needed.”

Then, generously, Li Yunxian asked the stunned crowd, “Do you want me to recite it now? If you’re ready, I’ll just say it aloud.”

Everyone present was speechless.

Whether those wanting to cause a scene, those bewildered by the atmosphere, or those urging calm, all looked as if they doubted their own ears.

What? He’s giving it away just like that?

Is this for real?

Director Chen never expected Li Yunxian to handle it this way. Regaining his composure, he looked at Li Yunxian with a complicated expression. “...Isn’t that risky?”

He offered this advice tactfully.

Li Yunxian was indifferent. “What’s the problem? It’s not mine anyway.”

In the cultivation world, basic medicinal formulas were distributed to everyone. The alchemist who first developed it had chosen to make it public, benefiting countless mortals.

There was no reason for him to hoard it selfishly, denying his own world’s people access.

Director Chen was stumped by Li Yunxian’s straightforward response and, under the resentful gazes around him, chose to remain silent.

...Whoever in the star system sent this formula as a gift, Chen could only sigh.

Anyway, he had done his duty to counsel.

As for Li Yunxian...

Everyone knows ignorance is no crime.

The boy was kindly sharing the formula without charging a cent. What a fine child—how could anyone blame him?

So, after Li Yunxian finished reciting the formula, everyone either saved it on their phone’s notes or recorded it.

Ignoring Liu Wu’s scowl, the scene was peaceful and harmonious.

Director Chen cheerfully raised his hand and announced, “I hereby declare that Student Li Yunxian’s integrity score stands without dispute.”

Liu Wu, under the pressure released by Director Chen, raised his hand again. “I do not accept this.”

“She provided no solid evidence, just empty accusations.”

“She even chose to bribe everyone, clearly harboring ulterior motives!” With that, Liu Wu scanned the crowd, signaling certain hidden accomplices to move.

They were to seize Li Yunxian with escape-prevention artifacts in broad daylight, shouting, “The truth is out! Run!”

This would confirm Li Yunxian’s alliance with the Hunters.

Combined with his previous statements, Li Yunxian would be utterly condemned.

However, Liu Wu discovered that those he had bribed were deliberately avoiding his gaze.

The cultivators bought off by Liu Wu were mercenaries for money.

They were at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining and figured forcibly taking away a beginner was no big deal.

Even upon learning Li Yunxian was only at the first level, their stance did not shift much.

Yet just now, Li Yunxian casually slashed off Liu Wu’s hair in a single sword stroke, instantly sobering their money-driven minds.

That sword really seemed capable of killing them!

So now, they thought, let whoever wants to do this dangerous job do it—definitely not us.

Reality isn’t like TV, where those working for money have loyalty.

Liu Wu’s mouth twitched, his hatred deepening.

As one of the only two Foundation Establishment cultivators in Jin City, these people dared to betray him!

All because of Li Yunxian!

Because of this fellow, he had no prestige in the city at all!

Li Yunxian looked at Liu Wu’s distorted expression and thought he truly was Liu Chen’s uncle—relentlessly malicious, just like him.

He glanced at the anxious candidates waiting behind and at the approaching cultural examination time, deciding not to continue the stalemate with Liu Wu.

The cultivators’ cultural test, like the college entrance exam, was conducted simultaneously with a unified paper. Missing the time meant waiting another year.

Seeing Director Chen frown, Li Yunxian spoke up, “Then, may I ask the examiner teachers, do you have a device to detect Hunters?”

“I accept the test,” Liu Wu sneered. “There’s no such thing.”

Director Chen pondered for a moment and gave a different answer, “The Special Management Bureau does have a similar device.”

This made other examiners look as if recalling something.

Director Chen looked at Li Yunxian. “That device is called the ‘Heart Inquiry.’ Anyone wishing to enter the Special Management Bureau to supervise all cultivators must pass its test.”

“Anyone with a guilty conscience—be it petty theft, harming others, or betraying their clan—will trigger an alert.”

Li Yunxian agreed without hesitation. “Very well.”

After answering, he looked at Liu Wu. “However, I request Examiner Liu to take the test alongside me.”

“I also want to ask whether your accusations against me are out of your examiner duties or a deliberate frame-up.”

Then he turned to Director Chen. “Chief Examiner, what punishments does the Academy impose on examiners who frame students?”

Director Chen was silent for several seconds before replying, “The Academy does not tolerate such misconduct. Such individuals are expelled and handed over to the Special Management Bureau for trial.”

Li Yunxian did not inquire about the trial’s outcome but looked back at Liu Wu with a smile in his eyes. “So, Examiner Liu, will you accept the test?”

He did not wait for an answer.

As a sword cultivator, he was straightforward, but having lived nearly ten thousand years, he understood scheming well enough.

This question directly put Liu Wu on the spot.

Whether Liu Wu accepted or refused, it was disadvantageous.

Seeing Liu Wu’s fluctuating expression, the cultivators originally wanting no part in this began to hiss.

Everyone knew the story between Liu Wu and Li Yunxian.

An elder Foundation Establishment stage man bullying an eighteen-year-old Qi Refining beginner was already despicable, not to mention Liu Wu accusing Li Yunxian of bribery with medicinal baths.

That’s how it was.

If you took gifts, then you must do the work—no objections.

They couldn’t defeat Liu Wu, but they could mock him.

Liu Wu, valuing face greatly, was silenced by the entire hall’s ridicule.

“Fine, the test it is!” Liu Wu slammed the table angrily.

With that settled, Director Chen immediately arranged for the Special Management Bureau to lend the device temporarily.

While waiting, Li Yunxian sat aside, watching other candidates undergo testing.

He noticed that although their cultivation levels were low—mostly at Qi Refining initial or first level—their talent was surprisingly good.

Most were above C grade, with several B grades.

Their spiritual roots were mostly triple or dual.

By Li Yunxian’s experience a few days ago, when he was still B- grade talent, such aptitude in the cultivation world meant future success in Golden Core or Nascent Soul stages.

They could be accepted as inner disciples in major sects.

Yet...

In this world, they could only be sent to ordinary or even city-level schools.

Was this a luxury?

Li Yunxian paused, then recalled the differences in population and the thin spiritual energy in this world.

Those with slightly lesser talent probably couldn’t cultivate at all here.

He wondered if the influx of cultivators after the medicinal bath’s appearance was a blessing or a curse for this world.

Lost in such thoughts, he came back to reality as the Special Management Bureau’s Heart Inquiry device arrived.

The operators, having understood the situation, looked at Li Yunxian and Liu Wu and asked, “Who goes first?”

Before Liu Wu could respond, Li Yunxian stood up.

“I will.”