The Jin Se Place was a mountain range brimming with spiritual energy that stretched on for thousands of miles without end.

The Nuan Yan Pavilion took up the entire mountain range with a total of twenty-seven houses. Guan Nan Heavenly Venerable and his disciples were one of the branches of the third house.

Every house had numerous branches under it. The third house actually had few branches, the reason being that the first three houses were familial branches. Every member of these families was either born with exceptional cultivation talent, or elite disciples recruited from outside. They leaned heavily towards quality over quantity.

Anyone in the cultivation world who said they were from one of the first three houses of the Nuan Yan Pavilion would be held in high regard.

This was also the reason the original male lead, Xi Zihe's acceptance into the third Nuan Yan Pavilion house as a disciple of Guan Nan Heavenly Venerable was questioned.

Xi Zihe's third-rate spiritual root brought shame to the first seven houses, who were all single element spiritual roots. Not only was it shameful to accept him, it tarnished the rest of their reputations.

The first seven houses were the gathering place for the elite. As such, they occupied the best positions within the Jin Se Place, collectively referred to as the Inner Perimeter.

The house responsible for the Exam this time was the third house, which made many disciples very excited because this meant they had the good fortune of entering the Nuan Yan Pavilion's Inner Perimeter.

This also caused cave residences to become extremely popular. Since they were already here at the Nuan Yan Pavilion, it was only natural for them to experience the cave residences here.

Cave residences were different from later built houses.

The spiritual energy inside a cave residence was obviously more abundant and pure. Any cultivator looking to improve their cultivation would choose to live in a cave residence.

Because many students came for the Exam and there was a limited amount of cave residences, several disciples were placed in each one.

Chi Muyao and Yi Qianxi weren't interested in cave residences and chose to stay in a house. Unbelievably, they each got a room of their own.

Chi Muyao went into his room, which was so clean he didn't need to do anything. As expected of the Nuan Yan Pavilion.

He put away things he often used in the room and said to Yi Qianxi, "Shijie, why don't you bring the clothes you want to perfume over?"

"But they're so new. Do you really need to perfume them?" Yi Qianxi asked, sitting grumpily in the chair.

"Bring them over, okay? The other sects always complain that we smell. Let's not be the butt of their jokes."

Yi Qianxi rolled her eyes hard at that.

Their Yu Chong School was always treated with disdain no matter what. Even the scent of spirit beasts on their body would be mocked.

Chi Muyao had somewhat changed the reputation of the Yu Chong School after being there for two years, but the more deep-rooted prejudices would require more time to change.

Yi Qianxi took out the clothes from her Qiankun bag and gave them to Chi Muyao. Then she instructed him, "Lock all the doors and windows in the room. Don't let a pervert sneak in."

“En. Okay.”

What they didn't know was that the 'pervert' in question, Xi Huai, had already entered Chi Muyao's room long ago. In fact, he was currently sitting on the other chair across the table from Yi Qianxi, listening to the two of them talk.

Xi Huai's Myriad Treasure Bell had all sorts of rare treasures. Right now, he was using an artefact that concealed his presence and spiritual power when on his person.

He came in fifteen minutes ago, following the Nuan Yan Pavilion disciple delivering books and immediately taking a seat.

Without making a sound or moving at all, he sat invisibly in his seat and regarded these two martial siblings, waiting for them to let something slip.

Yi Qianxi returned to her own room to rest after staying for a while.

Chi Muyao closed the windows after Yi Qianxi left. He even walked around the room just to be sure. Still not at ease, he put sealing talismans on the insides of the door and windows.

Xi Huai always trailed behind Chi Muyao as he circled around the room.

He watched with crossed arms as Chi Muyao sealed the doors and windows. Although he approved of Chi Muyao's skills, he also felt like Chi Muyao was underestimating him. If he really wanted to come in, what would a couple of sealing talismans really do?

Chi Muyao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after doing all this. He walked deeper into the room while untying the sash around his waist.

Was he going to strip?

Xi Huai was suddenly hit by a moment of conflict. Should he look or not?

If he looked and this wasn't A-Jiu, wouldn't he be betraying A-Jiu?

And if he wasn't going to look then...what was he doing here? Guarding the door for Chi Muyao??

Yet Xi Huai quickly reached a conclusion after thinking on it.

He had observed all those who fitted the criteria back at the Mitian Tongyin Array. Upon further consideration, his list of potential suspects had narrowed down to one person alone: Chi Muyao, who resembled A-Jiu the most.

He was in Chi Muyao's room now because he wanted to see how Chi Muyao did it. How did he so thoroughly hide all the traces?

Fortunately, Chi Muyao only took off his jacket and draped it on a stand.

Then he spread Yi Qianxi's clothes on another stand.

Next, he took out a fragrant incense burner from his Qiankun bag. Opening the top with a twist of his fingers, he lit the incense inside before closing it again.

Smoke spiraled out from the opening atop the incense burner, emitting a light, not overly gaudy scent.

After setting that up, Chi Muyao busied himself about the room in the rest of his clothes.

First he made the bed for himself, then he released Qiuqiu from his spirit pet pouch and let it play by itself in the room.

Then he took out what looked like a wooden stick with a ball shaped object secured to one end. The ball seemed to be filled with cotton wool.

He used this little hammer to massage his back. Then he sat down and used it to massage his knees.

Xi Huai found this move of Chi Muyao's very strange. Why was he hitting himself?

And using such a strange instrument at that.

Chi Muyao sat at the table and poured himself a cup of tea which he set aside. Then he reached over and flipped through the books the Nuan Yan Pavilion disciple had brought.

Xi Huai watched patiently close by as Chi Muyao read his books.

Chi Muyao was really, really patient. He sat in his chair reading while using that strange hammer on his back, occasionally taking a sip of tea or changing to another book. Four hours passed like this.

Xi Huai felt like this was a huge waste of time. He could've beaten Song Weiyue up twice already.

Finally, Chi Muyao finished reading his books and stood up.

Xi Huai actually breathed a sigh of relief at this. Finally, something new was going to happen.

Chi Muyao pulled open the screen and arranged the wooden barrel before leaning over to study the eye of the spring. No water came out when he injected spiritual energy which greatly puzzled him. But when he leaned in closer, the water suddenly gushed out and sprayed him in the face.

He haggardly wiped his face using his hand and tugged at his completely soaked clothes with a look that was equal parts resignation and befuddlement.

Xi Huai almost laughed out loud at that.

As expected, Chi Muyao was wearing ordinary clothes instead of enchanted vestments, shown by how they actually got wet when exposed to water.

However, Xi Huai's smile soon faded as he saw Chi Muyao take off his shirt and toss it to one side.

Chi Muyao's body was slender, made even more obvious now that his clothes were off.

Chi Muyao's shoulders were thin, with beautiful right angle curves. His back and waist were streamlined and sparsely muscled, but not to a sickly degree.

Xi Huai watched Chi Muyao remove the crown securing his hair, sending a head of ink-like silk spilling onto his shoulders and back. He even shook his hair out alluringly a few times.

The sharp contrast between scattered hair on nude shoulders was day and night.

The slender nape of his neck was faintly visible between the strands of his hair. Tied around his perfect swan-like neck was the red ribbon Xi Huai had secured there, adding a subtle hint of seduction that made Xi Huai subconsciously swallow dryly.

He seemed to be coated with honey, for none could look away from such a delicious sight.

Chi Muyao reached in to test the temperature of the water. The steam rising from the wooden tub swirled like mist about his person, enhancing his already overwhelming beauty with an ephemeral twist.

Xi Huai looked at Chi Muyao's side profile, his gaze coming to rest on his nose.

He kissed the tip of A-Jiu's nose before. Was it...as round and luscious as this?

Xi Huai finally came back to his senses by the time Chi Muyao sat by the tub and untied his belt. He subconsciously looked away.

In Xi Huai's mind, if this wasn't A-Jiu, then A-Jiu would definitely be mad that he looked at someone else once he found out.

He didn't glance back at Chi Muyao until he heard the sounds of splashing water.

Now that Chi Muyao was in the tub, Qiuqiu also flew over to take a bath with him. Qiuqiu splashed up quite a ruckus in the water, but Chi Muyao didn't mind. He even poured more water over its head.

Xi Huai stepped out to the outer room to wait. After all, there weren't any features he could distinguish when Chi Muyao was taking a bath.

Yet Chi Muyao didn't come out no matter how long he waited. He even heard Chi Muyao's voice, "En—"

He seemed quite comfortable in there.

Not long after, "Blub-blurb-burp..."

Xi Huai shot to his feet. Heading in, he saw that Chi Muyao had indeed fallen asleep in the tub. He was now completely submerged underwater with bubbles coming to the surface.

Xi Huai frantically lunged for Chi Muyao's chin and lifted Chi Muyao partially out.

Chi Muyao also gradually came around at this time. He stared at the empty room in bewilderment before reseating himself properly.

Xi Huai also retreated outside to wait for Chi Muyao.

In the water, Chi Muyao secretly made hand seals underwater and used the power the Colourless Yunni Deer had bestowed upon him to take a sneak peak at the room. He quickly relaxed his hand and pretended nothing had happened.

As he got out of the tub, he willed the water on his body to evaporate before using the Control Object Technique to drape new clothes over his shoulders.

Then he ran out from behind the screen with bare legs to the cover offered by the canopy around the bed. Picking up his Qiankun bag, he quickly took out new pants and put them on.

Xi Huai didn't use any spiritual energy, so all he saw was Chi Muyao running.

Under the cover of the robes, he could only see two bare calves peeking out. They were porcelain and very slender.

Chi Muyao walked over to the bronze mirror after putting his clothes on. Then he began to pull at the red ribbon around his neck.

He seemed to be testing various ways to remove it to no avail. Sighing, he returned to bed and laid down to rest.

Xi Huai observed everything from the side. What just happened was basically the only useful scene he saw today.

If Chi Muyao was A-Jiu, he should've absorbed enough spiritual energy to open Xi Huai's Myriad Treasure Bell, meaning he could control this ribbon as well.

But Chi Muyao couldn't untie it.

Xi Huai took a deep breath before silently using an artefact that could instantly teleport to leave Chi Muyao's room.

Not long after Xi Huai left, Chi Muyao's eyes reopened. He checked there was no one else in the room again before breathing a sigh of relief and getting up.

Thank goodness he didn't take off the ribbon while taking a bath or else he would've definitely been exposed.

He had suddenly become aware that he wasn't alone in the room when Xi Huai helped him up.

Actually, he had been too panicked to drain the bathwater before acting out that whole scene.

Now that he remembered, Chi Muyao got out of bed and went to drain the bathwater. Then he tidied up the room and the clothes he changed out of.

After doing all that, Chi Muyao took a seat by the window and pondered.

When did Xi Huai come in?

What had he done?

It seemed like...he hadn't done anything...?

The following day was the official start of the Exam.

After entering the third house, disciples could choose between attending classes at the academy if their literary skills weren't up to the mark, or finding seniors to educate them on spells if that was their weaker side. Actually, there were a variety of seniors available to teach all sorts of subjects like battle tactics or spells, stationed in specific places.

Since Chi Muyao and Yi Qianxi were from the Yu Chong School, the only class they could really attend was the literary one.

The Exam was as difficult as any tribulation for people from the Yu Chong School.

They could read and recognise characters just fine, but anything more intensive than that was out of the question.

They were even worse at spells or participating in mock battles.

And other subjects like artefact and pill refinement were also off the table.

Catching spirit beasts was pretty much all they could do and that wasn't even on the test.

Chi Muyao sat up straight with his knees crossed and a book before him.

In novels, the protagonists always choose a spot by the window, either at the very front or the very back. Taking this into consideration, Chi Muyao chose to sit in a very inconspicuous spot in the fourth most rear row.

Yi Qianxi sat beside him, sighing ever so often into her book. Her frustration at this moment was almost visible.

A while later, Xi Huai's group came in. Xi Huai immediately chose a spot adjacent to Chi Muyao. He was so tall that it was still obvious after he sat down. There was almost no space to accommodate his long legs, so he sat with his knees up in a very unruly manner.

Chi Muyao's back immediately straightened.

Song Weiyue and Zong Sichen sat in the row behind them. Zong Sichen always had a scholarly air about him, so he was very successful in blending into this renowned righteous sect classroom. In fact, his posture was even more correct than some of the Nuan Yan Pavilion disciples.

Song Weiyue on the other hand went cross-eyed two seconds after flipping open the book. He cursed under his breath, "The fuck they write here...why are the words so small?"

Xi Huai tossed him a dictionary. "This book isn't suitable for your level. Why don't you work on becoming literate first."

Song Weiyue was very unhappy as he took the dictionary. "I'm literate! It's just that these words are too small..."

Not long after, Yu Yanshu also took a seat in the classroom. Very close to them actually.

Chi Muyao was somewhat puzzled. Did a disciple like Yu Yanshu need to listen in on a class meant for Foundation Building stage disciples?

But he quickly gleaned the answer after looking around the classroom again. Guan Nan Heavenly Venerable had probably sent Yu Yanshu to keep an eye on these 'problematic guests'. They were here at Yu Yanshu's request, after all. It only made sense that he would watch them.

Chi Muyao was waiting for the class to start when even more disciples streamed in moments later.

Chi Muyao almost did a double take when Xi Zihe, Han Qingyuan and Ming Shaoluo all walked into the classroom.

Was this some sort of major event??

But it wasn't in the original novel??

Ming Shaoluo originally intended to go learn how to fight, but she didn't since there wasn't anything worth learning. Since the disciples who came were all at different skill levels, only the most basic things were being taught. It would basically be a waste of time.

Since she saw Xi Zihe and Han Qingyuan coming to the classroom, she tagged along.

Yet after coming in, she actually saw Xi Huai and that supposed number one beauty of the three realms, Chi Muyao.

So the current situation was basically as follows: She threw a spoiled temper tantrum in the Mitian Tongyin Array, which caused Xi Zihe and Han Qingyuan to grow even closer in the face of danger. Xi Zihe only felt helpless every time he ran into her.

And instead of Xi Zihe saving the day in the Array this time, it was Xi Huai, Yu Yanshu and the others who stole the spotlight.

Additionally, Xi Huai, who used to hang off her every word, didn't even spare her a glance nowadays. He was busy chasing Chi Muyao around everywhere.

Bastard men...

They really are superficial and fickle things.

Yet Xi Zihe wouldn't like her even if appearances were taken out of the equation.

She was fuming mad.

The senior who was the lecturer was a Golden Core middle stage cultivator. Seeing that there weren't enough cultivators present to fill the classroom, he began a very traditional sermon, "The lower dantian is near the two rear meridians. It passes through the spinal veins and up to your navel."Another name for the navel is the brain palace. Every third swallow is quickly stored in the lower dantian, restoring balance to the interior and guiding energy into the two meridians." (1)Author Note 1: From 幻真先生服内元气诀 by 幻真先生 (Tang dynasty).

Chi Muyao listened diligently with the book in hand. Then he noticed something off and looked at Xi Huai, coincidentally locking gazes with him.

Xi Huai wasn't paying attention to the lesson at all. He held his chin in one hand and stared at Chi Muyao with a teasing look in his eyes.

Chi Muyao was unsettled by his gaze. He had the sudden thought that 'pervert' was a very apt word to describe someone like Xi Huai.

He didn't understand. Wasn't the show he had put on last night enough? Why did Xi Huai still have his eyes on him?

And he had left that paper note for Xi Huai too. Why hadn't he given up?

Chi Muyao could only continue to listen to the lecture with red ears. He didn't dare to move a muscle.

Yi Qianxi also noticed what was going on. She reached over to tug on Yu Yanshu's sleeve, gesturing in Chi Muyao's direction once she got his attention. She hoped he could intervene.

Yu Yanshu glanced at Xi Huai. He created a droplet of water and flicked it in his direction as a warning.

However, Xi Huai dodged, causing the water droplet to smack into Song Weiyue, who was sitting behind him. Song Weiyue was already in a bad mood because he couldn't read the book, and now his face had suddenly been splashed with water. Burning his book to a crisp, he tossed it at Yu Yanshu.

The lecturing cultivator looked at the two disciples who suddenly started fighting. He frowned and scolded them, "Go stand outside as punishment."

This was the first time that a good seed like Yu Yanshu had been thrown out of class, but he still took it rather gracefully and walked out without complaint.

Song Weiyu followed him out. He stood beside Yu Yanshu and seriously read the dictionary. He was completely unperturbed, like this had happened countless times before.

Yi Qianxi was so sorry that she caused Yu Yanshu to be punished that she didn't dare to make another move.

Chi Muyao also glanced out the door from time to time, but his head involuntarily turned in Xi Huai's direction.

Xi Huai was actually using the Control Object Technique to turn his face! He was forcing Chi Muyao to look at him instead of Yu Yanshu.

What was he supposed to see in Xi Huai's eyes?

How much of a degenerate he was?

He struggled to turn his face away and focus on his book, but then he noticed someone tugging on his sleeve.

Looking down, Chi Muyao discovered that his sleeve was floating by itself.

There was something called a Mandarin Sleeve in the cultivation world, often used by cultivation partners. It consisted of two small objects affixed to the sleeves which would gravitate in the direction of the other cultivation partner.

Their sleeves would appear to be connected together by an invisible line. A more accurate description would be two magnets constantly attracted to each other. When the two people were side by side, their sleeves would be linked, a symbol of their love.

Mandarin Sleeves were often used by cultivation partners as an artefact to prevent them from drifting apart when going out for a stroll about the market. Yet Xi Huai had used it on Chi Muyao.

He saw one corner of Xi Huai's sleeve and his own lift. Since they were sitting side by side, their sleeves gradually approached each other. From an outside perspective, it looked like they were sneakily trying to hold hands.

Chi Muyao frantically caught his sleeve, only to see the hem of his robes also drifting in that direction.

He could only hold those down as well. Yet moments later, he found his entire body accelerating towards Xi Huai. His trajectory sent tables flying and created an extremely loud ruckus.

Normal cultivation partners just used one pair of Mandarin Sleeves.

But Xi Huai was anything but ordinary. He used a thousand of these one-time-use artifacts to force Chi Muyao's entire person to stick to him.

The lecturing Golden Core stage cultivator looked up, only to be stunned by such a strange sight.

How was it decent for two people to snuggle so close together in public?

He immediately said, "You two scram as well."

As a villain, Xi Huai was happy to be scolded. He walked out with Chi Muyao in his arms.

And Chi Muyao could only walk out under everyone's eyes attached to Xi Huai like this. Because his entire body was attracted to Xi Huai's, he couldn't even peel himself off.

He despairingly closed his eyes, his face flushed to the point of dripping blood.