Chapter 712 - 364: Your Junior Brother, Rest Assured Mom

"Lingwu Kingdom, Lingx Long." Lingx Long took the initiative to greet, "From now on, we’ll be practicing together."

"Qin Kingdom, Chu Ming."

Chu Ming glanced at Lingx Long, whose bright eyes and white teeth, skin like creamy jade, and graceful demeanor were rare, even if not stunningly beautiful.

Subtly surrounded by Primordial Qi, she had an added touch of elegance.

"I am twenty this year, how old are you?" Lingx Long asked again.

"Nineteen."

"I am one year older than you, and I passed the test before you, so I am your Senior Sister." Lingx Long smiled sweetly.

"..." Chu Ming remained silent.

Not far off, Vermilion Bird Universe watched coldly, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

At that moment, two figures appeared; they were the left and right Temple Teachers who monitored the previous test.

Upon seeing the pair, Vermilion Bird Universe slightly cupped his hands in salute.

"You have passed the three tests of the temple opening, from now on, you are Literary Scholars of Hanmo Confucius Temple."

The left Temple Teacher scanned the three people, pointing into the void, and golden light automatically emerged before them.

"Inside are the temple’s robes, identity documents, and the Magic Technique for cultivating the Literary Dao."

As the golden light dissipated, a piece of Storage Space Treasure was revealed.

"Thank you, Can Jue Temple Teacher, Can Quan Temple Teacher." Vermilion Bird Universe recognized them.

"Thank you, Can Jue Temple Teacher, Can Quan Temple Teacher." Lingx Long, who originally did not know them, now expressed gratitude.

Chu Ming followed suit, not exempted.

"The cultivation of the Literary Dao requires focused tranquility; our Hanmo Confucius Temple establishes its foundation on diligence."

The right Temple Teacher, Can Quan, said solemnly: "I know some of you have good talent and have practiced the Primordial Qi Technique early on, but I remind you."

"The Literary Dao is a branch of Primordial Qi, yet it is very different. Forget what you previously practiced as soon as possible."

Lingx Long lowered her eyelids, cupped her hands in salute: "Thank you, Can Quan Temple Teacher, for your guidance."

"Hmm," Can Quan Temple Teacher nodded lightly, maintaining a stern face, "Don’t think entering our Hanmo Confucius Temple allows for slack."

"The temple tests are held irregularly every month, failing three times results in expulsion."

Tests again?

Lingx Long’s brows shifted, pondering something unknown.

Vermilion Bird Universe seemed to know already, reacting indifferently.

"It’s about done, follow me inside to worship the Saint."

Chu Ming and the other two followed the Temple Teachers into a grand hall, where a nearly ten-meter-tall statue stood.

Behind the statue stood a middle-aged man with slightly white hair, expressionless.

"Lord Temple Priest." Can Jue and Can Quan cupped their hands in greeting.

Temple Priest Xuanyuan Huikong nodded lightly and looked at Chu Ming and the others one by one.

He noticeably paused longer on Chu Ming.

"Lord Temple Priest." Vermilion Bird Universe and the other two followed suit in greeting.

Chu Ming remained composed, his eyelids lowered.

"Seventh Realm Primordial Qi Warrior, Late Stage Divinity Opening Realm!"

This temple’s priest is indeed powerful.

"This statue is of our Celestial Veil Kingdom’s Saint, the Hanmo Saint," Xuanyuan Huikong withdrew his gaze, "The Literary Dao you will be practicing was created by Hanmo Saint with great wisdom..."

Xuanyuan Huikong and the two Temple Teachers spoke at length about Hanmo Saint’s deeds, the history of Hanmo Confucius Temple, and some initiation rituals, etc.

After half an hour, the three were finally considered Literary Scholars of Hanmo Confucius Temple.

During the ceremony, the two Temple Teachers conversed secretly.

"Can Jue Temple Teacher, do you think Lord Temple Priest will take them as students?"

"Vermilion Bird Universe has good talent, but his identity is tied to Vermilion Bird Marquis’ Mansion. Even if the Lord Temple Priest wants to take him, he cannot."

"Lingx Long is only twenty and has cultivated to the Third Realm of Primordial Qi; if she can abandon her original learnings, her future achievements won’t be poor."

"However, completely discarding a long-practiced Primordial Qi Technique is very difficult; avoiding its influence is almost impossible, and the Lord Temple Priest surely knows this."

"As for Qin Kingdom’s Chu Ming, his performance in the second test was astonishing but mediocre in the third, barely passing at the end; his talent may be good, but to what extent requires further assessment."

"Are you saying that the Lord Temple Priest isn’t interested in any of them?"

"Hehe, Lord Temple Priest is an Eighth Realm Powerhouse; his criteria are extremely high, even though the difficulties set during temple founding are far beyond ordinary initiation tests,

yet in the past twenty days, fifteen people have passed and joined our Hanmo Confucius Temple. Have you seen the Lord Temple Priest accept any as students?"

"Indeed..."

The truth aligned with their conversation; until the ceremony’s conclusion, the priest remained silent.

Just as the temple founding test was about to end that day, two figures suddenly entered one after the other: Xuanyuan Ye and Ji Wujiang.

Seeing who came, Can Jue and Can Quan immediately cupped their hands.

Xuanyuan Ye also cupped his hands, then assessed the three before the Holy Statue, finally resting his gaze on the white-clad Literary Scholar, Chu Ming.

The three were easy to distinguish: one was from Vermilion Bird Marquis’ Mansion, one from Lingwu Kingdom.

The remaining person was naturally Chu Ming from Qin Kingdom, the younger brother who cost him a bet defeat.

Upon seeing Xuanyuan Ye, Vermilion Bird Universe’s proud expression instantly subdued, revealing admiration.

He came to the Hanmo Confucius Temple due to admiration for Xuanyuan Ye.

Yet when he saw Xuanyuan Ye only slightly nod and then focus on the Qin Kingdom person he disregarded, his expression soured.

"Senior Brother Ye, it’s me." Vermilion Bird Universe softly spoke.

"Ah, Little Universe." Xuanyuan Ye finally looked away.

Only three words and a shifted gaze, Vermilion Bird Universe returned to an idolizing face.

Early Sixth Realm...

Chu Ming sensed the newcomer’s power.

But why did the grandmaster enter, too?

Moreover, it seems he’s brought in by this person of seemingly high status.

Xuanyuan Ye smiled at Vermilion Bird Universe then walked beside Temple Priest Xuanyuan Huikong, eyes moving.