Immortal Alliance’s Jiongli branch was in the heart of the Dragon Horse Lake. Unlike Argent Apex, the headquarters, where all buildings were put together into a cohesive construction, Jiongli branch was more like a large water fortress in the center of a lake.

The Jiongli branch’s main facilities were beneath the water, with the buildings above being relatively level. With this design, the Immortal Alliance’s architect evened out the wild and rough terrain of Jiongli and facilitated the Immortal Alliance branch’s many roles.

Jiongli branch’s south area was a public square, where the written examination would be held.

Argent Apex and Langde Immortal Institutes’ disciples were already here. Yesterday’s altercation resulted in Argent Apex’s disciples taking a hit. Their faces showed it. While Lange’s side hoped to crush them in the examination. The smell of battle was in the air.

There was still time until the written examination. These kids, none over eighteen, formed groups as they chatted, reviewed, or dulled pretest jitters.

Hu Jianghao wasn’t as bad as Ai Changyuan’s open disdain expressed, at least not school-wise. He wasn’t part of the anxious or reviewing ones. This Hu clansman used this time to assess his opponents.

“Where’s Wang Qi? Why don’t I see him?” He frowned.

Cultivating Grand Ripple Enigma and Celestial Entropy brought Wang Qi to the level of Ai Changyuan in his eyes.

Not far off, Ai Changyuan was playing with his apple while listening in.

Hu Jianghao had a great influence in the Langde Immortal Institute. His every question would soon have another disciple look into it on reflex. A Langde disciple ran over. “The Argent Apex Immortal Institute says he’s hurt from cultivating last night and can’t come.”

Hu Jianghao felt conflicted. [My greatest enemy skips the written examination over such a ridiculous reason?]

The written examination had a sixty percent weight in the final grade. Skipping it would give Wang Qi a poor grade even if he aced the martial examination; if one ignored his wounded state. Who knew how high he’d be scored?

Ai Changyuan frowned, having not expected this outcome.

[He couldn’t handle even two bites?]

[Or did he deviate in refining it?]

Bookworm Wang’s hiccup became known to all in moments. Everyone echoed Ai Changyuan’s doubts—what happened to him?

Hu Jianghao’s doubts were unrelated to Newton’s apple. He’d seen Wang Qi’s info and didn’t believe for a second that someone training in Grand Ripple Enigma could suffer a backlash from a couple of bites.

On the Argent Apex side, the disciples were frantic.

“The bastard is always so cocky, yet won’t show when it counts.”

“All bark and no bite.”

“Nothing but a poser.”

“Lay off the sarcasm. Without him, we won’t hold our heads high against those Langde punks.”

Liu Shu sighed seeing her schoolmates panicking. “Shulin, it seems we’ve stirred all of Argent Apex Immortal Institute into fighting. This will only get worse.”

Long Shulin said, “It’ll be fine. Wang Qi said something similar. Immortal Institute’s name is mere vanity and of no importance.”

Unlike the two’s views, the crouching Mao Zimiao at the edge of the square looked on with red eyes and huged her knees. She was ready to cry.

Listening in to all the chatter, she buried her head between her knees and sobbed. “It’s all my fault, nya…”

“As if! The fool brought it on himself for playing with fire.” Wu Shiqin looked annoyed. She eyed the gossipers around and the disciples hung their heads against the wild and burning gaze.

Mao Zimiao shook her head.

Wu Fan found the mood tense and changed the subject. “With how quirky Wang Qi is, you think his life would be in danger from cultivating?”

“It wouldn’t have happened if I looked after him…” Mao Zimiao wasn’t far from crying her heart out.

Wang Zhenqi consoled her. “There, there, Ah’Miao. You need to calm down and get ready for the examination.”

The time for the examination soon arrived. A Primordial Spirit cultivator flew over and threw his calculator. With a blue light, it linked to All-immortal Realm. It spun a few times in the air and bathed the earth in a light pillar, covering the entire square.

The written examination had begun.

Most Immortal Institute disciples were under the barrier, except those at the edge.

Mao Zimiao’s group was outside. Wu Shiqin said, “It’s started. Come on.”

The group walked over, with Mao Zimiao still lingering. The cat-eared girl gave a weak chuckle. “I need to get it together, nya. You go on ahead.”

Wu Shiqin pulled Wang Zhenqi before she paused, saying to her, “You better show up.”

“Mm.” Mao Zimiao nodded.

Mao Zimiao watched them go, now all alone. After half an hour, she slowly got up.

[I should join them.] The girl’s legs didn’t respond to her thoughts.

[It’s fine. Senior Sister Ai said Little Qi wasn’t in danger. If he knew I gave up the written examination for him, he’d mock me.]

[But, what can I do to turn it around…]

[No, I need to shape up! Just forget it… but it’s impossible.]

As she took slow steps toward the barrier, a force shoved her into the ground.

“Yo, Little Miao!” Ai Dinglan’s simple smile appeared in her eyes. “You really didn’t go in!”

Mao Zimiao was angry. “Senior Sister Ai…”

“Wang Qi isn’t really hurt and can join later.” Ai Dinglan threw her a letter. “Hi-hi-hi, here’s something good for you. Be good and join the examination once you read it.”

“What’s this?”

“Wang Qi knew you’d miss the examination from being all depressed. Which is why he made me deliver this to you to lift your spirits. He-he, a love letter! It’s gotta be!”

“Senior Sister, what are you saying?” The cat-eared girl blushed hard, though still very much curious about the letter. The girl held it in confusion. Judging by its thickness, it would take a whole day to write so much.

Mao Zimiao opened it to see a few problems along with another paper.

“Ah’Zimiao, all I’ll say is this: cool off with some  problem-solving.”

[Nya?] Mao Zimiao cocked her head and turned it around.

“Listen good, if your score is too far from mine, I’ll be holding onto your ears until you write down the whole of Five Cultivation and Three Imitation Cycles!”

“Nya! I’m joining now!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read