In the wee hours, the sky was hazy over Xiushui City of Daning Country, as if a layer of blue mist shrouded the space above. A crescent moon hung on the edge of the sky, spreading a faint silver glow.

Just as dawn was about to break, Chu Xisheng followed an escort team composed of twelve horse-drawn carriages arriving at the front of the Si Tong Escort Agency.

At this moment, all the escort masters and porters in the escort team felt relieved, thoroughly relaxing their minds. They spoke and laughed loudly, creating a jubilant atmosphere.

Chu Xisheng joined in the laughter with his companions, but he declined the invitation to join them at the Baihua House for drinks.

No one took it to heart, and an older escort master laughed and slapped him on the shoulder, teasing, "Little Chu, could you be shy? That won't do, I've already promised those girls at Baihua House. This time, we must take you there; they're all waiting to have a taste of Mr. Chu's 'head soup.' With such a handsome face, I wonder who will be lucky today?"

Chu Xisheng blushed immediately and, clasping his hands in an apologetic gesture, said, "I really don't have the time, as today is the Inner Sect Martial Arts Examination at the Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall. I really can't get away. Next time I'm free, I'll be sure to have a good time with you, brothers."

Upon hearing "Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall," the escort masters all showed a look of realization.

The older escort master slapped his forehead and said, "Right, the examination! Little Chu, you are an Outer Disciple of Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall, how could I have forgotten? You'd better hurry over and not be late. This is a big day for you."

They then proceeded to hand over the escorted goods and settle their salaries. Chu Xisheng was delighted to find that the Demon Silver handed to him by the Deputy Leader was none less than six taels and two qian.

Chu Xisheng pocketed the silver and drew his luggage from the carriage—a paper umbrella and a spare single blade—and hurried towards the south of the city.

By then, the rising sun had already chased away the darkness, dyeing the edges of the clouds in a splendidly beautiful sunrise.

Threads of warm morning light fell from the sky, casting a golden hue over the entire Xiushui City.

However, Chu Xisheng felt a bit uncomfortable, his skin tingling and burning slightly under the exposure to the sun.

This pain, far exceeding that of recent days, caused Chu Xisheng to frown, beginning to worry about his body's status.

He concentrated and looked ahead, or more accurately, at a phantom screen in his field of vision.

The screen was located in the upper right corner of Chu Xisheng's field of vision and could be minimized or enlarged at will with a thought.

Character: Chu Xisheng

Reputation: None

Martial Arts: Chasing Wind Saber Technique (First Level)

Primordial Skill: Nourishing Essence Skill (First Level/Not Entered Grade)

Martial Arts Points: None

Talent: Fast Hand

Status: Six Yin Soul Revival Spell

Lifespan: 17 days

In the bottom right corner of this line of text was a grey icon labeled 'Martial Arts Treasure Vault.'

Three months ago, when Chu Xisheng first transmigrated into this world, this phantom screen appeared in his vision. At first, he thought it was a system and was very hopeful.

Chu Xisheng had read many web novels and knew that transmigrators with systems were bound to be extraordinary.

Becoming a god or an emperor seemed easy as pie, and even slaying gods and buddhas was child's play.

With a system "daddy," one was on the path to success.

However, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

Chu Xisheng researched for a long time but couldn't figure out what it was for.

Over three months, he tried various things: diligent practice, Qi Cultivation, wielding his saber, and even leveling up by slaying creatures, but nothing obviously affected the system panel.

Only in the Martial Arts column did the skills "Nourishing Essence Skill (First Level)" and "Chasing Wind Saber Technique (First Level)" appear, but these were the fruits of his own efforts.

It seemed that the character panel in the screen was merely a character panel.

This thing had only one use: to allow him to accurately judge his own status and lifespan.

Chu Xisheng only glanced at it for a moment before he felt the burning sensation inside and outside his body become even more pronounced as if he was about to be consumed by fire from within.

He chuckled wryly at the 'Six Yin Soul Revival Spell,' then opened up the paper umbrella he carried and continued towards Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall at a brisk pace.

Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall was only three streets away from Si Tong Escort Agency.

It sprawled over three thousand acres, spanning five whole streets, with tall, two-zhang-high green stone walls stretching for miles, resembling a small city. The broad southern gate, painted in vermilion and adorned with bronze, was inscribed with the bold and upright characters for 'Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall.'

At the entrance, two imposing stone lions sat squatting, each one a formidable zhang and two in height.

By the time Chu Xisheng arrived, the place was teeming with people.

Participants for the Inner Sect Martial Arts Examination and onlookers from all directions continued to pour into the academy. Inside was a green stone training ground as large as six football fields, where temporary wooden sheds and over thirty wooden platforms had been set up.

Below the platforms, the area pulsed with packed heads. Not only were there countless youths participating in the Inner Sect Martial Arts Examination, but there were also many citizens there to watch the excitement.

Chu Xisheng crossed the threshold and was looking around when someone gave his shoulder a hefty slap.

"Little Chu, you're back?" The tone was clear and cheerful, though slightly muffled.

Chu Xisheng's eyebrows slightly raised when he heard this familiar voice; turning his head back:

The one who slapped his shoulder was none other than Ye Zhiqiu, the instructor of the Eastern Courtyard of the martial arts academy. She wore a purple uniform, taller than the average woman, with crescent-shaped eyebrows and a clear, beautiful face. Likely due to martial training, her skin had a healthy wheat color.

She carried a heavy sword on her back in a languid manner, her bright eyes slightly sleepy, and while nibbling on a meat bun, she spoke, "Shouldn't your guard have returned to Xiushui yesterday? Why did you drag it out until now?"

Chu Xisheng was about to explain when he saw Ye Zhiqiu already heading towards a corner off to the side.

He got the hint, discretely following her to a deserted alleyway.