The day of the final exam had finally arrived, and the air was electric with anticipation. Long Xiwang's group had gathered at the designated rendezvous point, a rustic inn that seemed to hum with the collective nervous energy of its occupants. As he scanned the room, his eyes searched for a glimpse of Leng Rushuang, but she was nowhere to be found. He recalled her parting words, a mixture of envy and frustration simmering in his chest. Why did life have to be so easy for the wealthy and privileged?
The burly man, flanked by the enigmatic cold woman, strode into the room, his booming voice cutting through the chatter. "Alright, everyone! Let's get moving! We've got a long journey ahead of us, and the final exam awaits!" The woman's gaze swept the room, her eyes lingering on Long Xiwang with a hint of disdain before she turned to enter the train. Her very presence seemed to command respect, her noble bearing and piercing aura leaving no doubt as to her status.
As the examinees boarded the train, the atmosphere grew thick with tension. Some pored over Skill scrolls, desperate to glean last-minute insights, while others cultivated, their faces set in fierce concentration. Ye Xiao, meanwhile, was engrossed in mastering a stealth technique, his fingers dancing through intricate patterns in the air. Long Xiwang, on the other hand, found himself fixated on the mysterious ring, its secrets tantalizingly out of reach. He wore it, feeling its strange energy coursing through his veins, but his attempts to unlock its secrets were met with failure.
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Behind him, a bald monk and a short-haired scholar engaged in a heated discussion. "How do these trains work, anyway?" the monk asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. The scholar sighed, his frustration evident. "Honestly, did they shave your brain when they shaved your hair? We can't fly until we reach Soul Refinement, and even then, only those with immense qi can manage it. Trains were created for transportation between cities, using spirit stones to propel them forward." The monk nodded thoughtfully, his eyes wide with wonder.
As the train rumbled on, Long Xiwang's thoughts turned to the exam, his heart racing with anticipation. He glanced at Ye Xiao, who was grinning from ear to ear, having successfully mastered the technique. Long Xiwang's own doubts and fears threatened to overwhelm him, but he pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand.
Finally, the train halted, and the burly man yelled, "We're here! Everyone out!" The cold woman emerged from her meditation, her movements fluid and graceful, followed by the examinees, who stretched and yawned, their faces set with determination. Before them lay a vast forest, its trees towering above like giants, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. A long-bearded man floated aloofly in the air, radiating an aura of ancient wisdom.
"The final exam will now commence," he declared, his voice resonating through the forest, sending shivers down their spines. "The sect will usher in a new generation of cultivators from among you. Those with the strength to seize this opportunity, to defy fate and wish to carve their paths in the Heavens, step forward. Your journey begins now!!!"