Chapter 48 : Inner Gate Examination
48: Inner Gate Examination
A faint cold mist rose between Lu Yanran's palms and Fu Peibai's back.
Yun Ruoling had assumed the Peak Master was transferring internal energy to Fu Peibai, but the longer she watched, the more wrong it seemed.
The color had completely drained from Lu Yanran's face, leaving a sickly pallor. Her slender, elegant fingers were also turning white.
"Peak Master, you..."
Lu Yanran did not respond. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and her face showed traces of barely suppressed pain. Her thin shoulders trembled slightly. After continuing like this for a while, she finally withdrew her hands.
"I have absorbed the cold energy from within her body. Check her pulse again."
Yun Ruoling helped Fu Peibai lie down and checked her pulse again. It had stabilized. "Little Bai is out of danger now. But Peak Master, you already suffer from a cold affliction. Doing this only harms yourself."
Lu Yanran exhaled a breath of cold air, her expression returning to indifference. "It is nothing. Where did this cold energy in her body come from?"
Yun Ruoling looked at Fu Peibai, her face showing some hesitation.
"I already know her true identity. You do not need to hide it from me."
Yun Ruoling was slightly surprised. Meeting Lu Yanran's deep gaze, she sighed and spoke slowly. "She was determined to join the Heavenly Pole Sect to learn martial arts. She disguised herself as a man and took a secret medicine to conceal her identity, which generated this cold energy in her body."
"Later, when she cultivated internal energy, she stubbornly chose a yang-attributed technique that conflicted with her body. The two energies have been battling inside her for a long time. On the surface she seemed fine, but in truth she was exhausting her essence. Yet now she has completely recovered. Her energy fills her organs, and her meridians flow freely. Could it be because the Peak Master just drew out the cold energy from Little Bai's body?"
Lu Yanran shook her head. "No. Although I drew out the cold energy from her body, I could not eliminate its root."
"That is truly strange. But it is also a good thing. At least Little Bai no longer has to suffer the torment of alternating cold and heat. By the way, Peak Master, how did Little Bai end up like this today? And you..."
"It is a long story. Do not tell anyone about what happened tonight, including Fu Peibai."
Yun Ruoling was puzzled for a moment, but she nodded in agreement and left the cave.
The empty cave was now occupied by only Lu Yanran and Fu Peibai. Silence filled the space.
Lu Yanran gazed wordlessly at the person on the stone bed for a long time. Her eyes traced over the other's brows, eyes, and features. In the dim candlelight, Fu Peibai slept deeply, her peaceful face revealing traces of feminine softness.
So she is a woman?
As this thought crossed her mind, Lu Yanran reached out. Her fingertips touched Fu Peibai's cheek. The sensation was warm and soft. She abruptly withdrew her hand, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and carried Fu Peibai back to Cangqiong Peak.
In the quiet room, Lu Yanran laid Fu Peibai on the bed. In the silence of deep night, she placed her carefully on the mattress, covered her with a quilt, then closed the door and departed.
……
As dawn approached, Fu Peibai slowly woke. Her head throbbed painfully. Last night she had slept too deeply. She seemed to have had a nightmare about sinking into freezing, pitch-black lake water. After that, she could not remember anything else.
She sat up and shook her head hard. But suddenly she felt incredibly refreshed. In the pitch-black room, she could actually see the outlines of objects.
She looked at her own hands, then at the table, chairs, and benches in the room. Every outline was clearly visible.
How strange. She could see in the dark after just one night of sleep. Amazed, she climbed out of bed. Her entire body felt clear and light, as if she had shed half her weight. Strange, truly strange.
Not wanting to wake Xie Jingming, she pushed open the door with light steps and went to the bamboo grove where she usually practiced. She channeled her energy and struck out with her palm. A slender bamboo stalk some distance away trembled as if struck by an invisible but powerful force, its leaves rustling loudly.
She stared at her palm in disbelief. She could feel a strange, abundant energy growing in her dantian, as if it held an inexhaustible supply of internal power.
She regulated her breathing according to the cultivation technique and struck out again with another palm. The moment it made contact with the bamboo, the green stalk snapped in two with a crisp cracking sound, toppling to the side.
Fu Peibai was dumbfounded. Horror filled her heart. Her body felt completely unfamiliar to her. She knew her own martial arts level and the extent of her internal energy. How could it have changed so drastically overnight? This was far too bizarre.
This suddenly acquired power, she did not know whether it was a blessing or a curse.
She walked back to her room in a daze and sat in the darkness until dawn broke.
Xie Jingming slowly woke up, also feeling dizzy. Seeing Fu Peibai sitting lost in thought by the bed, he asked with concern, "A-A-Pei, what is wrong?"
Fu Peibai came back to her senses and forced a smile. "Nothing. Hurry up and get ready."
Xie Jingming perked up and hurriedly got out of bed to dress. Then he and Fu Peibai headed to the dining hall.
As soon as they entered the dining hall, they ran into Wei Xiao. Wei Xiao was holding a food tray. A flash of surprise crossed his face when he saw Fu Peibai, but he quickly adjusted his expression and greeted them with a smile.
While Fu Peibai was queuing for food, she felt two strange gazes upon her. She turned and saw Mo Qingyuan staring at her from not far away, his face filled with terror. He Cong's expression also changed, though he quickly composed himself.
Being stared at by Mo Qingyuan gave her chills. She felt as if he were looking at a ghost. She turned back, too lazy to investigate further.
"B-Brother He, Fu, Fu Peibai isn't he..."
"Shut up!"
Mo Qingyuan sheepishly fell silent and walked to the side, still shaken.
……
The Heavenly Pole Sect's annual inner disciple examination was held at the training grounds on Cangqiong Peak. All outer disciples could participate. The Sect Master and four Peak Masters would watch the entire event. The matches would run from morning until sunset. The rules were similar to the entrance examination. The top ranked could directly enter the Sect Master's tutelage. The top fifty could choose their peak.
Additionally, if the Sect Master or any Peak Master took a fancy to a particular disciple, they could directly take them under their wing. Of the twelve hundred outer disciples, usually only about two hundred could advance to become inner disciples. The competition was extremely fierce.
Today's sun was particularly harsh, hanging high in the sky. The entire training grounds had no shade whatsoever. Most of the disciples stood under the blazing sun, and before long their backs were soaked with sweat.
On the viewing platform above, the Sect Master, Peak Masters, and elders were shielded by large parasols held by servants. Maids fanned them, and tea and refreshments were served. They sat at their ease.
The training grounds were divided into ten small fighting platforms of equal size. There were no groups assigned, so disciples from different halls might end up competing against each other.
Fu Peibai, Xie Jingming, and Wei Xiao stood shoulder to shoulder at one side of the grounds. The examination had already been going on for two hours, but they still had not been called. The bright sun beat down on them, making them all break out in a thin layer of sweat. Xie Jingming had the worst of it.
His expression was extremely nervous. His hand kept clutching his trouser leg, and his eyes could not stop darting around the grounds.
Fu Peibai was nervous too, but she did not show it on her face. She even comforted Xie Jingming. "Don't be nervous, Jingming. Just treat it like a regular practice spar."
"N-no, I can't calm down."
Wei Xiao patted his shoulder. "Hey, it's fine. If you don't pass this time, just wait until next year."
"I, I want to pass the examination t-together with A-Pei, and then, continue, continue to stay together."
Fu Peibai smiled. "I've been in the sect for less than three months. How could I pass the examination so easily? I'd say among the three of us, only Senior Brother Wei has that kind of strength. He will surely advance to inner disciple."
Wei Xiao waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, no, I'm not that good either. Don't underestimate these people. Every one of them is hiding their true abilities. They deliberately conceal their real skills on ordinary days. After all, as long as they remain in the outer sect, everyone else is a competitor. Hidden dragons lie low, waiting only for today."
As he spoke, he pointed to the nearest fighting platform. "See that man on the left? Don't let his skinny frame fool you. His movements look soft and weak, but watch carefully. Every time he makes contact with his opponent, his power suddenly surges. He unleashes his strength at the very last moment, often catching his opponents off guard."
Then he pointed to the other side. "And that one over there. He was an outer disciple at the Wind Blade Sect for a while before coming to the Heavenly Pole Sect specifically to learn the sword. Look at his form, light as the wind. He has completely mastered the Soft Cloud technique from the Wind Blade Sect."
Fu Peibai listened and nodded calmly. Although she did not know who she would face today or how strong they might be, she would give it her all. She would neither underestimate her opponents nor belittle herself. She would simply fight with everything she had.
But Xie Jingming did not have her composure. Hearing Wei Xiao say this, his confidence plummeted to rock bottom. He even started thinking about backing out. But before he could say anything, the steward was already calling out loudly, "Xie Jingming, prepare at platform three!"
His legs went soft, and he nearly collapsed. Fu Peibai caught him in time and encouraged him. "Don't be afraid, Jingming. Your martial arts are not bad. Just perform like you usually do. Do your best. Go."
Xie Jingming steadied himself. Seeing the trusting expression on Fu Peibai's face, some courage welled up in his heart. He lifted his leg and walked toward platform three.
Fu Peibai and Wei Xiao also made their way from the edge of the grounds to the side of platform three, ready to watch Xie Jingming's match.
Xie Jingming climbed onto the platform timidly. Standing across from him was a brawny man, a full size larger than the skinny Xie Jingming.
He looked helplessly at Fu Peibai below the platform. He saw her mouth silently, "You can do it."
He took a deep breath, drew his sword, and assumed a fighting stance.
The gong sounded, and the match officially began.
Fu Peibai fixed her eyes unblinkingly on the two fighting on the platform. Xie Jingming's advantage lay in his light, agile body. The tall, brawny man's advantage was his overwhelming strength. Each had their strengths, and for a moment neither could gain the upper hand.
The two remained locked in combat for a long time. The brawny man grew increasingly impatient, and his attacks became more vicious. Xie Jingming defended with great difficulty and was nearly on the verge of defeat.
Fu Peibai's heart also rose with the intensity of the match. It was as if she herself were the one fighting on that platform. Her mind kept flashing with ways to break down the opponent's moves, how to seize the opponent's weaknesses and turn defense into offense.
With a sharp ring, the two long swords clashed on the platform, emitting a harsh metallic screech. Xie Jingming was forced back by the man's strength, but he gritted his teeth and refused to accept defeat.
The man shouted and withdrew his sword, then slashed down at Xie Jingming again. The attack was swift and fierce. Xie Jingming could not withstand it. His sword blade snapped with a crack. Yet the man across from him did not pull back in time. If this sword stroke landed, Xie Jingming's shoulder would be mangled, perhaps even his life would be in danger. In that critical moment, a cry of alarm came from below the platform.
"Careful!"
At the same time as the voice rang out, a figure flipped onto the platform.
Fu Peibai drew the sword from her waist and blocked the man's sword. Her arms suddenly surged with strength, forcing the man back.
She glared at him with hostility and shouted, "He had already lost! Why did you not pull back your sword in time? This is merely an examination, meant to stop at first contact! Moreover, he is your junior fellow disciple, not your enemy!"
The man froze. Indeed, he had been caught up in the heat of battle and, blood rushing to his head, had forgotten to pull back. He originally felt some shame, but now being shouted at by a frail-looking young man in front of so many people, his pride was wounded. He replied rather rudely, "Swords have no eyes. Even in an examination, one should watch out for oneself. Besides, he didn't get hurt, did he? The head judge hasn't said anything. What gives you the right to jump in and run your mouth?"
Fu Peibai was not good at arguing with people, but she felt indignant on Xie Jingming's behalf. She could not swallow her anger.
"It's fine, A-A-Pei, I'm not hurt. It's my fault for not dodging," Xie Jingming tugged at Fu Peibai's hem, not wanting to cause more trouble.
Fu Peibai took a deep breath. Extreme irritation rose in her heart. Her blood boiled, and her body felt as if a wild beast were trying to burst forth. Her mind kept screaming for battle, battle.
Driven by this inexplicable impulse, she slowly raised her sword and pointed it at the man across from her. Her expression turned dark, and her eyes churned with thick hostility.
The tall, slender young man radiated a threatening aura that pressed down on everyone nearby.
"Pick up your sword. Fight me."