Chapter 36 - Not Quite What Was Expected

Examinees followed the instructions, forming two neat lines, one for males and another for females.

No one was jockeying for position or cutting in line at this moment.

The two stone lions at the mountain gate watched intently as if guarding the entrance.

Following Teacher Sun, the examinees climbed the stone steps winding through the mountains, flanked by towering trees. Although the path was arduous, no one felt weary; on the contrary, everyone became more invigorated as they walked.

The mountain, the forest, and even the air seemed to possess a mystical power that could optimize one's condition.

After a walk of more than ten minutes, passing the Natural Pavilion and the Buxu Gallery, they arrived at a lake surrounded by mountains.

The waters here were a vibrant green, shimmering in the sunlight, and exceedingly beautiful to behold.

Schools of brightly colored koi swam in the lake, unafraid of approaching humans. Instead, they swam closer, popping their heads out of the water, mouths wide open, begging for food.

It was clear that these koi had become accustomed to being fed by the staff and students of Qingcheng Mountain's cultivation university.

Behind Su Mu, an experienced examinee whispered to his companion, "This is Yuecheng Lake, one of the famous sites within Qingcheng Mountain's cultivation university. It's said that Master Rongcheng, the leader of the Eight Immortals of Shu, chose this place for his reclusion."

His companion, a girl standing in the other line, nodded repeatedly, "Oh, then why isn't it called Rongcheng Lake?"

The boy was stumped: "…I have no idea!"

Su Mu pulled out his phone and searched for 'Master Rongcheng', only to discover that this figure was indeed a divine big shot—a teacher of the ancient Emperor Huangdi! Records of this great figure can be found in both "Liezi Tang Wen" and "Huangdi Neijing."

After putting away his phone, Su Mu glanced at Yuecheng Lake and then at the pavilions and mountain paths on the far shore.

Like the other examinees, he had a question: They were clearly meant to cross the lake, but there was no bridge over the water or boat in sight. How were they supposed to get across?

The gaze of the examinees involuntarily fell on Teacher Sun. Remembering his elegant arrival, controlling a flying sword with the wind, they couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement: Was Teacher Sun going to transport them across the lake on a flying sword?

Amidst the hopeful stares of the students, Teacher Sun, who had reached the lakeside, indeed summoned his flying sword.

Then, he stepped onto the flying sword and flew across the lake by himself.

Leaving a group of examinees utterly dumbfounded.

╭(⊙o⊙)╮╭(⊙o⊙)╮╭(⊙o⊙)╮

Moments later, someone instinctively pulled out their phone, considering asking for help on Moments: Haven't reached the examination site, and the guide teacher has left… What to do? It's quite urgent.

Another person's eyes lit up, "Based on my experience from reading thousands of novels, this must be a test for us. They want us to figure out how to cross the lake ourselves, to assess our insight and ability to respond to unexpected situations…"

As it turned out, he was overthinking it.

Suddenly, the calm surface of the lake began to ripple and surge.

A massive Azure Jiao loong emerged, startling the examinees into retreating, with some even turning to run.

At that moment, a gentle wave of spell energy washed over them, dispelling the fear in the hearts of the examinees.

Teacher Sun, already on the other side of the lake, called out, "Don't be afraid, this is our school's mascot, the little cutie. It has a gentle nature and won't bite. Look, it's greeting you. Better greet it back quickly. It will be the one to ferry you across the lake, and if you make it unhappy, you'll have to swim over yourselves."

The examinees finally relaxed. However, seeing the Azure Jiao's huge head and mouth, they couldn't help but quip internally, "You call this thing a little cutie? How is it little? How is it cute? Sure, it doesn't bite, but it could swallow a person whole, bones and all."

Of course, these thoughts were kept to themselves; they dared not voice them aloud.

Under Teacher Sun's direction, the examinees earnestly waved to the Azure Jiao in the lake.

A deep voice emanated from the Azure Jiao, "Hahaha, no need to be formal. If you're admitted to our university, don’t forget to bring me some spiritual pills and spiritual cuisine every so often. If you don't make it, then never mind."

This creature could actually talk!

No wonder it was the cultivation university's cherished mascot!

Amidst their surprise, the examinees promised that if they got into Qingcheng Mountain's cultivation university, they would surely share their food with Big Brother Azure Jiao.

Pleased by the examinees' flattery, the Azure Jiao let out bellows of laughter and positioned its huge body to form a bridge, with its head on the opposite bank and its tail on the side where the examinees stood, saying, "Come on up, cross the lake over me."

Everyone carefully stepped onto the Azure Jiao's body to cross the lake.

In reality, the Azure Jiao had transformed into a very steady bridge, and as long as no one ran or jumped on it, they wouldn't fall into the lake.

No one wanted to take that risk... their hearts weren't that big yet.

After crossing the lake, the examinees expressed their gratitude to the Azure Jiao.

Suddenly, the Azure Jiao asked, "Did any of you see a white snake at the foot of the mountain on your way here?"

The examinees were taken aback by the question; all they had seen were birds and no white snake.

The Azure Jiao sighed, sounding a bit melancholic.

But it quickly perked up again and said, "If any of you are admitted to our university and choose to major in divination, remember to ask your teacher for me when I will have the chance to be with that white snake."

Only then did the examinees understand that the Azure Jiao had taken a fancy to the white snake at the foot of the mountain and wanted to... not with a person, but with a snake, fall in love!

Although no one knew whether they would be admitted to Qingcheng Mountain's cultivation university or if they would choose the divination major, they all agreed to the Azure Jiao's request.

Bidding farewell to the Azure Jiao in the lake, they continued to follow Teacher Sun up the mountain.

After a while, someone suddenly said, "That white snake the Azure Jiao mentioned, could it be Bai Suzhen1? Isn't there a song about Bai Suzhen under Qingcheng Mountain?"

Once this was mentioned, the examinees burst into a flurry of speculation.

"No way? The Azure Jiao wants to date Bai Suzhen, but what about Xu Xian?"

"With such a big difference in size, how can they date?"

"If different species can fall in love, why should size matter?"

"If the White Snake is Bai Suzhen, does that mean the Azure Jiao is actually Xiao Qing? Holy moly, Xiao Qing is actually male? Shocking!"

"Quiet!" Teacher Sun turned his head and glared at the few noisy individuals, frightening them into immediately closing their mouths.

The examinees didn't dare continue their gossip.

Teacher Sun led the examinees to a building, which upon closer inspection by Su Mu, turned out to be a cable car station. It appeared they were to take the cable car up the mountain.

This was a disappointment to the examinees.

They had thought that during this examination, they would get to experience flying with sword controlling, riding cranes, and soaring through the clouds on spiritual beasts...

They never expected that, just like tourists, they would ascend the mountain in a cable car.

What a letdown!

Footnote:

Bai Suzhen(白素贞): Bai Suzhen is the female protagonist of the traditional Chinese folk love legend "The Legend of the White Snake." Born on Mount Qingcheng in Sichuan Province, she is a white snake who has cultivated for a thousand years and has sworn a sisterhood with a green snake named Xiao Qing. Later, she meets Xu Xian at the Broken Bridge near West Lake, where they fall in love at first sight and eventually marry.