"I also do not think that Official Fang is dead . " Eunuch Wei whispered .

Emperor Lin Mubai frowned slightly but did not say anything else . He tapped his fingers on the arm rest before standing up .

"The location for the combat examination will be the Southern Mountain Village . I have discussed this with their king . The main aim is to share tactics and improve our ability to cooperate in battle!"

"I have sent an army of 100,000!"

"I have a few requests . One, do not disturb the residents . Two, do not engage in ma.s.s destruction . Three, do not kill without reason!"

Emperor Lin Mubai paused when he reached this point .

"Yes, your highness!" All of the 29 candidates at the bottom of the wall replied in unison .

"The rules of the examination are simple . The Southern Mountain Range is the location . You can set up camp in any of the four territories - Yan Ya region, s.h.i.+ Zun region, Thunderous Lion region, and the Icy Monkey Region . These are the four war zones . The results will be determined by your final strength and territories controlled .

"Do you understand?"

"Yes your highness!"

"Set off!"

"Woo . . . " A long drone could be heard . The 100,000 strong army turned in its spot as it marched into the distance .

On the walls of the city, the Ninth Prince watched as the army marched off into the distance . He sighed, "He still did not appear . This way, he has effectively missed the combat examinations . Even if he rushes back, it will not matter . Ping Yang, what do you . . . wait? Where is Ping Yang?"

The incident at the Intellectual Loft consumed the entire city . Everyone wanted to know what happened to Fang Zhengzhi?

Was he dead or alive?!

The discussions leaned towards 'death' after the start of the combat examinations .

The 100,000 strong army had already set off . This meant that Fang Zhengzhi had already missed the combat examinations . He did not have the token from the army and could not move any soldiers .

Without soldiers, how was he going to battle the other candidates?

How was he going to guard his territories?

Fang Zhengzhi was the top of the theory examination . By missing out on the combat examinations, he was effectively giving this golden opportunity away . Only a fool would do such a thing .

There was only one reason why Fang Zhengzhi would miss the combat examination .

Something bad happened to him .

Was he dead?

Obviously, Fang Zhengzhi had not died . On the contrary, he was living a good life now . He was in a orchard filled with fruits of all variety . . .

They were all sweet and juicy .

He even had a servant .

When he wanted to listen to music, Immortal Tune would appear in front of him . Guqin, drums, whatever Fang Zhengzhi wanted to listen to .

It was the life of the G.o.ds .

But . . .

He couldn't get out!

Fang Zhengzhi looked out across the vast orchard . There was an exquisite residence by the side of a creek . He was enjoying life, Immortal Tune playing music for him whilst he admired the scenery .

Today, Immortal Tune wore a green dress as she sat in the gra.s.s . She looked just like an immortal sprite .

"I really failed?"

"Yes, your name was not in the top 10, neither was it in the subsequent list . I think you didn't make the top 30 . According to the rules of the court examination, you failed!" Immortal Tune nodded .

"Okay then . . . your master said she would meet me in five days . Hasn't it been five days?" Fang Zhengzhi nodded and shook his leg as he raised it on the table .

"My master is rather busy these few days . Perhaps you could wait another couple of days?" Immortal Tune chuckled when she saw Fang Zhengzhi's uncouth action .

This was not because of Fang Zhengzhi's relations.h.i.+p with her master .

It was because she knew for a fact that Fang Zhengzhi had tied with Nangong Hao for joint first in the court theory examination .

No matter how uncouth he seemed, he was an educated man .

One's actions did not determine if one was elegant or educated . The heart was what differentiated the good from the bad .

"Busy?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Immortal Tune doubtfully .

"Yes . " Immortal Tune nodded solemnly .

"What is the name of your master?"

"You will know when you meet the master . "

"Oh I see . . . Wu Yuer, you old hag! Get out here! Do you expect me to put a red carpet out here for you? Or are you too old to show your face in public?" Fang Zhengzhi nodded, then yelled .

"b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l! Fang Zhengzhi, how dare you scold me?" A crisp voice rang out in the sky . Then, a figure in black appeared in front of Fang Zhengzhi .

She wore a black dress and leather shoes with golden embroidery . She had a black beaded hair and which glowed in the light .

Her skin was snow white and there was a red dot in the middle of her forehead . She was breathtakingly beautiful .

She was born with such great features .

"Master!" Immortal Tune fell to her knees when she saw Wu Yuer

Yuer .

"Mm, you can take your leave now . " Wu Yuer nodded to Immortal Tune .

"Yes master . " Immortal Tune left .

After watching Immortal Tune disappear into the distance, she turned back to look at Fang Zhengzhi . "How did you know I would be the one to bring you here?"

"I do not know many people . Furthermore, you are the only person who I know who will treat me so well . " Fang Zhengzhi glanced at Wu Yuer before putting his other leg on the table .

"Haha . . . you're quite smart . Tell me, why are you looking for me?" Wu Yuer smiled attractively .

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" Fang Zhengzhi asked .

"Oh, I guess you're right . I've been quite bored lately so I decided to find you for a chat . I heard that you failed the court examinations and are free at the moment . " Wu Yuer blinked as she mocked .

"I failed the court examinations?" Fang Zhengzhi did not believe that .

"Of course . Did you expect to top the examinations with your mediocre talent?" Wu Yuer asked scornfully .

"I am fine with not being first . But for me to fail . . . is unlikely . But since you said I failed, I must have failed . What an unlucky mouth you have!" Fang Zhengzhi replied equally scornfully .

"How dare you say that of me? Are you tired of living? I treat you so well and did not collect any money from you!" Wu Yuer feigned anger .

"Oh is that so? So I should thank you?"

"Of course . "

"I can thank you, but you must let me go first . "

"Never!"

"You really think that you can trap me using this pocket dimension?"

"Yes . "

"Okay, you win . This b.l.o.o.d.y place has trapped me . Let's just talk terms? What must I do for you to let me out . " Fang Zhengzhi had tried everything the past few days .

Axes, blades, swords .

He tried everything but to no avail .

Furthermore, the orchard was clearly a very complicated magical formation . It would be virtually impossible to navigate through it, much less navigate out of the pocket dimension .

In the World of the Sage, Fang Zhengzhi had used the Traceless Sword to escape . That was because the sword was controlling the World of the Sage . However, it would be useless in this pocket dimension .

"Terms? Sure . Stay here for a month and I'll let you out . " Wu Yuer smirked when she realized that Fang Zhengzhi was giving in .

"What about another one?"

"Another one . . . you can be my subordinate for a month . " Wu Yuer pretended to think

to think about it .

"Another one . "

"You can offer yourself to my "Shadow Sect" . You must swear to help when you're required!" Wu Yuer's expression was solemn .

"Offer? Are there any benefits?" Fang Zhengzhi glanced at Wu Yuer .

"Of course there are . Everyone who offers themselves can ask for three things from the Shadow Sect . The sect will do everything in its power to make it come true . " Wu Yuer said proudly .

"It sounds fair . "

"So you agree?"

"I have no reason to reject . "

"Okay then . From this moment on, you have offered yourself to the Shadow Sect . Tell me your terms . " Wu Yuer was rather excited even though she calmed herself down quickly .

"The first one, you have to kiss me!"

"Kiss you? Haha . . . go to h.e.l.l!" Wu Yuer chuckled, then chided .

"Why, are you going back on your word? I thought you were going to do your best to fulfill my wishes? Is there no trust between humans?"

"Is that really your first wish?"

"Is there a rule against it?"

"Nope!"

"Then come on, I'm ready . "

"A kiss for your offering . This is such a good deal!" Wu Yuer catwalked next to Fang Zhengzhi .

She was extremely attractive .

Fang Zhengzhi smiled at Wu Yuer, his lips protruding out as he waited for her to kiss them .

Wu Yuer blushed when she realized that Fang Zhengzhi had no intention of avoiding the kiss .

"Can . . . can I not kiss you on the lips?"

"How can that work? You must kiss me on the lips! How else can it be called a kiss?" Fang Zhengzhi shook his head vigorously .

"Ok ok . . . but when I kiss you, you . . . you can't move!" Wu Yuer took a deep breath and grit her teeth .

"I can't move when you kiss me? Is that even a kiss?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Wu Yuer scornfully . Then he motioned towards her .

"Fang Zhengzhi, you are going too far! I am the leader of the Shadow Sect! Even if you join us, you can't be rude to me!" Wu Yuer's expression changed .

Of course, there was something that she could not bring herself to say . Even though she looked very flirtatious . . .

This was her first kiss!

"Going back on your word again . What a waste of time . To think that you are the leader of the

leader of the Shadow Sect . If you don't keep your promises, can the Shadow Sect even be trusted?" Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched as he picked up a nut .

"You . . . Fang Zhengzhi, in order to prove our sincerity, I can tell you a piece of news!" Wu Yuer made up her mind .

"Tell me about it . "

"Do you know Yun Qingwu?"

"I've met her before but I'm not familiar with her . "

"What if I told you she was the leader of the demons?"

Fang Zhengzhi's expression changed . Yun Qingwu was the master of the demons? If news of this got out, all of the talents in the Great Xia Dynasty would go crazy .

"What does this have to do with me?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled despite his shock .

"Don't you want to know?"

"Regardless, you've already told me . " Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched .

"I knew that you were shameless . Forget it, I'll tell you the truth . It's no use even if you go out now . The combat examinations have begun . A 100,000 strong army is marching to the Southern Mountain Range . You will not be able to get the military token and you have no army . You will not pa.s.s the combat examinations . " Wu Yuer sighed .

"Then why are you trapping me here?" Fang Zhengzhi asked .

"I don't want you to go to your death . . . "

"Didn't you tell me that in the Northern Mountain Village . But, am I dead? No, I'm completely fine!" Fang Zhengzhi waved her off .

"What if I told you you don't stand a chance against Nangong Hao?" Wu Yuer's eyes glittered .

"Everyone has said that ever since I began the Dao Examinations . "

"This is different . I can confirm that Nangong Hao is already in the Supernatural State . He may even be at the pinnacle of it!" Wu Yuer a.s.serted .

"How do you know?"

"I saw it for myself . "

"You saw it?"

"Yes!" Wu Yuer nodded, then looked at the clouds in the sky, almost as if she was thinking of something .

Her expression slowly turned into one of shock .

After a moment of hesitation, Wu Yuer looked back at Fang Zhengzhi, "You've been on Yun Qingwu's boat before . You should know how st.u.r.dy it is?"

"Mm, more or less . " Fang Zhengzhi nodded . Yun Qingwu's boat was formed from magical formations . Everything about it was superior to even the best boats around .

"Nangong Hao used three blades . The first one destroyed the boat's Eight Diagrams and Five Elements Formation . The second one broke her 49 servant Sword Star Formation . The third one took Yun Qingwu's life . " Wu Yuer spoke, her eyes glimmering like interlocking sword lights .

"Yun Qingwu is dead?" Fang Zhengzhi was slightly shocked to hear this news .