Chapter 603 388: Satori
The student who voiced doubt had a face flush with shame after Zu Dengfeng's rebuke, causing him to involuntarily step back and blend into the crowd.
Xue Bailiu had already faintly guessed some truth and couldn't help but fall silent.
Next, Zu Dengfeng began to explain in detail the exam questions about the three ancient battlefields in front of all the students:
"The battlefield of the Lower Academy occurred during the 'Warlord Strife' before the Hong Dynasty was established six hundred years ago..."
"The battlefield of the Upper Academy was a martial arts world final showdown from one thousand three hundred years ago, called the 'Five Sects Alliance's Siege of Zijin Mountain'..."
"The battlefield of the Immortal Institute happened during the Three Kingdoms Period three thousand years ago, known as the 'Qiu Dragon Battle,' or the 'Nine Abyss Battle,' where the process..."
He explained the historical significance of these three battlefields.
Zu Dengfeng slowly said:
"Although these three battles were not large, the changes in the battlefield are very enlightening. If you are familiar with history, you can make clearer choices and preparations once you enter the battlefield. This test has demonstrated your shallow understanding of history, which is not acceptable at the Divine Martial Academy, especially since you will be heading to the battlefield in half a year."
The students slowly bowed their heads.
"However, among you, there were individual students who performed exceptionally well. I would like to name them for praise, and based on the test results, rewards will be given to the top three from each winning camp in the battlefield."
Zu Dengfeng finished speaking and said:
"Chen Ku, step forward."
"Yes."
Chen Ku stepped forward.
Zu Dengfeng looked at him with commendation and said, "You performed exceptionally well this time, relying on the 'Demon Image Rule Power' in the Demon Country camp on the battlefield, achieving the highest military fortune points. This is the reward for this test."
Beside him, a law enforcer from the academy brought over a red tray:
"This is the first prize reward from the ancient battlefield—'Enlightenment Tea'—which, after use, can induce a satori state, allowing for better enlightenment."
Chen Ku was overjoyed.
This was exactly what he needed most now.
He immediately received it respectfully:
"Thank you, academy!"
Subsequently, rewards were also given to the second and third place in the Demon Country camp, though their individual points were rather meager, totaling barely a few tens of thousands.
However, just because they chose the right camp, the Demon Country won, and they won along with it.
Someone cautiously glanced at Xue Bailiu and those who chose the wrong camp, having exerted their efforts in vain without any results.
Most students who chose the Tao Country and Immortal Country camps felt a sense of humiliation.
Yet, only Xue Bailiu maintained a calm expression.
Zu Dengfeng noticed this and inwardly praised him: "Unperturbed by victory or defeat, truly the third-ranked hero of the Dragon Abyss. This kind of general demeanor is rare even on the battlefield."
In his heart, he praised Xue Bailiu.
Looking at the other students showing dejected expressions, Zu Dengfeng said solemnly:
"This month's ancient battlefield test revealed many issues. You should have realized much content, so next, you must study the 'War History' course in the General Hall diligently, and... like the ancient battlefield test this time, we will continue to start battles regularly. I hope you all can achieve different results in the next test and wash away the shame of the past."
"Yes!" Hundreds of young talents roared like thunder simultaneously.
After the ancient battlefield test ended.
The academy gave all students a day's holiday.
Chen Ku gathered with the six from Yan Capital.
"Hey, Xiao has reached the third stage of Marrow Cleansing."
As soon as he left the General Hall, Chen Ku noticed the change in Xiao Tianzuo's Qi mechanism, especially the ethereal aura emitted from his brain marrow, strongly indicating completion of the third brain marrow cleansing.
Xiao Tianzuo smiled and said, "I broke through on the ancient battlefield, thanks to your 'Naughty Marrow Cleansing Technique,' otherwise, it would have taken at least another three months to complete the third cleansing."
"Breaking through on the battlefield requires great courage and perseverance." Chen Ku praised, "Xiao, you are truly extraordinary."
"Enough about me, Brother Chen, you truly excelled this time, topping everyone in the test." Xiao Tianzuo laughed, "You've even read history from three thousand years ago."
"Just a few miscellaneous books." Knowing his own limitations, Chen Ku didn't dwell on it.
"Right on, today's a holiday, Brother's breakthrough, you taking the top spot, ranking first in the Immortal Institute test, it's a perfect opportunity..." Helan Qing rubbed his fingers, "How can we not spend a day enjoying in Yan Capital?"
"Brother Chen, what do you think?" Xiao Tianzuo looked at Chen Ku.
He knew Chen Ku's daily life was quite routine, even a bit dull; during the day, he comprehended the Iron Tree while attending various halls for martial arts elective classes, and even when he returned home at night, he seemed busy, tempering his physique.
Chen Ku smiled and said, "Let's rest for today, a balance of work and leisure. Helan is right, let's have some fun in Yan Capital."
Everyone was delighted by this.
So, the seven of them spent their day off enjoying a good time in Yan Capital, this being Chen Ku's first time in Yan Capital fully devoted to leisure without other concerns.
After playing till they were exhausted, they went to the Cloud Sea Pavilion, where they first gathered, to eat.
Listening to the little newspaper boys below continuing to yell about the news and extras:
[Extra! General Xiang Kunlun leads his troops, three days ago, from Yuan Country's Jiuxiao Cave, reclaiming Yun County from Elder Bixiao's ten thousand Qi Cultivators, marking the first reclaimed territory after Yuan Lu's southward invasion of half a year!]
Xiang Kunlun.
Chen Ku and the others exchanged glances, wasn't he the one called the 'Five-clawed Golden Dragon' fierce man?
And they could all sense a kind of frustration from this court newspaper.
After half a year, they finally reclaimed one city from Yuan Country, showing the ferocity of the Yuan Country invasion and the powerful methods of Qi Cultivator armies.
"In half a year, we'll have to personally face these Yuan thieves." Xiao Tianzuo clenched his fist.
The newspaper boys were still shouting other extras:
[Extra! Dan Yuan Building in Yan Capital newly opened, grand opening promotion, all Fifth Grade or lower pills at 30% off, all Seventh Grade or lower pills at 10% off for half a month.]
Some people downstairs discussing the newly opened influence in Yan Capital:
"It's said the owner of Dan Yuan Building has a very mysterious identity, always wearing a mask and a conical hat."
"I heard before Dan Yuan Building opened, the Lingdan Hall in our Yan Capital put a bounty on the owner's head on the black market, but... it seems a few killers have already lost, even a Ninth Realm First Layer 'Golden Ranked Killer' met his downfall."
"Tsk, deep background indeed, uninhibited even by Ninth Realm, quite the considerable influence in Yan Capital."
Chen Ku continued to hear these messages while dining with the six from Yan Capital.
No need to elaborate.
Dan Yuan Building was the influence he had his incarnation Tang Xuan manage, responsible for opening up the pill market between Qiu Dragon Mansion and Yan Capital, continuing to earn for him.
A relatively relaxed day thus came to an end.
The next day, all students returned to the mountain for regular military training in the Divine Martial Hall and martial arts studies between the various halls.
Chen Ku arrived at the Destruction Hall early.
While others hadn't yet come, he was there alone, gazing at the Iron Tree before him, activating the Green Dragon Transformation, and retrieved the reward he got from the ancient battlefield exam.
A piece of Enlightenment Tea that could induce a satori state.
Gently opening his mouth, he placed the tea leaf into his mouth.
At the instant he held the Enlightenment Tea in his mouth, his comprehension, already at the supreme talent level, seemed to be elevated forcibly.
When looking at the Iron Tree before him, it appeared entirely different.
As if the Iron Tree before wasn't the same thing he'd seen before, all other things vanished from sight, even the noises of slowly entering Destruction Hall students disappeared from his ears.
In his eyes, there was only the Iron Tree before him.
The Iron Tree even ceased being an Iron Tree, just a mere illusion.
Its essence...
Was a Yin Yang Fish.
"Junior Brother Chen!"
A student passed by Chen Ku, instinctively greeting him, only to find Chen Ku didn't respond.
Gradually, all other students arrived in Destruction Hall.
Xue Bailiu came last, and upon arrival, noticed something amiss about Chen Ku. Seeing other curious students crowding towards Chen Ku, he said solemnly:
"Everyone, do not disturb him, Junior Brother Chen is in a state of satori."