The air on Book Immortal Peak was fresh and crisp, the pine waves along the mountain path akin to a sea, enveloped in mist.

Walking on the mountain path of Book Immortal Peak, with each step it seemed as if one could hear the mysterious sound of Buddhist chants arising.

Miss Lu, with vermillion lips and rosy complexion, wore a white dress with gold trimmings, a golden crown adorned with Liusu on her forehead, making her look noble and unattainable.

She walked ahead with ease, leaving behind a lingering fragrance that seemed to carry an elegant scent of ink. Unfortunately, this elegant fairy known for her gentleness remained silent in the presence of You Su.

You Su couldn’t be bothered to chat, remembering the last time when he defeated Shi Yan, it was Miss Lu who came out to obstruct him. So he simply followed closely behind the fairy, not saying a word.

Soon, Miss Lu brought him to their destination, a small academy with an elegant layout, with the three graceful characters "Bamboo Shadow Residence" prominently written above the entrance.

A dense bamboo forest surrounded Bamboo Shadow Residence, with the bamboo leaves rustling in the breeze. Whenever the sunlight pierced through the sparsely dense leaves, the mottled shadows danced on the ground, adding a sense of mystery and tranquility to the academy, hence the name Bamboo Shadow Residence.

What made it even more renowned was not its serene environment, but the fact that it was the celebrated villa where Miss Lu conducted her studies and teachings.

Miss Lu held a managerial position at Book Immortal Peak, a level higher than Gu Yao, who was an outer sect manager, and her status was second only to the minor elders. Her beauty coupled with her scholarly talents made her classes more sought-after than those of some minor elders. Especially she insisted that teaching should focus on quality rather than quantity, thus making the students she selected feel extremely proud; many disciples of the Profound Sky Sect boasted about having visited Bamboo Shadow Residence.

At this moment, she stopped at the entrance of Bamboo Shadow Residence, turned around quietly, her jade face stern:

"Did you deliberately create a stir to force Book Immortal Peak to let you ascend the mountain?" Miss Lu asked simply and directly.

You Su furrowed his brows slightly, sensing great malice from Miss Lu towards him, or rather, towards Lotus Peak.

"I, You Su, had no such intention. If possible, I would rather they not know I’m here for an examination."

The noble female cultivator clearly did not believe him. "Regardless, your goal has been achieved. Actually, today all elders and managers of Book Immortal Peak are busy compiling a new law together, and no one has time to proctor an examination. If someone else came for the examination, they would probably just state it plainly, but it is you. To prevent some from thinking that Book Immortal Peak cannot tolerate people, I have still taken the time to come out. I hope you will not waste my time."

"May I ask Miss Lu... is there some old grudge between Book Immortal Peak and Lotus Peak?"

You Su didn’t understand why, if Book Immortal Peak really had no time, she would still force herself to act as his examiner.

"Are you asking on purpose?" Miss Lu’s voice was icy.

"I dare not."

Miss Lu stared at You Su for a few moments, then deftly turned around, her voice cold, "Come in."

She could tell You Su was truly unaware of the past events, but she neither wanted to waste words explaining to him.

Since she was a child, she had admired Book Immortal Peak, but at the age of ten, this most majestic peak of the Profound Sky Sect was severed in two by a single sword from that woman. Coincidentally, that rough woman was favored by the then Sect Leader Yo Jing, who made her the Thirteenth Elder of the Profound Sky Sect against all odds.

Yo Jing paid a great price to appease Book Immortal Peak and beautified the act of barbarically severing half of the mountain into a proactive gift to a new star of Sword Dao, turning it into a celebrated tale. Thus, the truth of this matter was known only to some experienced elders and certain disciples of Book Immortal Peak.

As someone who experienced it firsthand, Miss Lu naturally looked unkindly on Lotus Sword Venerable, and her dislike extended to the entire Lotus Peak. Even though the Tenth Elder had hinted to her that Yo Jing’s true intention wasn’t to recruit the Thirteenth Elder, but to restrain the excessive dominance of Book Immortal Peak.

"Sit."

Miss Lu sat cross-legged in the seat of honor, her white skirt forming an elegant circle on the wooden floor.

You Su did as he was told, waiting patiently for the examination to begin.

"Did you write ’Ailin’s Story’?" Miss Lu suddenly inquired.

In the way of books, her main focus was essay writing. Everyone was asking her opinion on this piece of writing, and her only reason for refusing to comment was because the author was from Lotus Peak.

You Su honestly shook his head, "I did not write it, it was authored by a mortal book guest surnamed Zhou."

Miss Lu was first surprised, then frowned, "If it is not your work, why deceive the world with a stolen name?"

"It was never my intention. If possible, I hope Book Immortal Peak recognizes Mr. Zhou Dunyi, as I am only his bearer of words." You Su was very earnest.

Miss Lu did not expect such sincerity from You Su, causing even her desire to continue questioning him harshly to dissipate.

She was the best in essays, and of course, she had knowledge of both immortal and mortal essayists, yet she could not recall any famous name named Zhou Dunyi.

Perhaps he was some disillusioned wandering book guest, poured out his feelings, overheard by this blind man.

"If this essay is not your work, what gives you the confidence to participate in the scholarly examination? Let me make it clear, the scholarly examination is no child’s play. Failures are announced publicly, and if the score is too low, one will be seen as intentionally disrupting the order of Book Immortal Peak and face punishment." Miss Lu gazed into You Su’s eyes and added, "The standards of the examination will not be lowered just because you are blind."

You Su was not at all intimidated, calm and composed. In the past three days, he had been studying the content related to the examination in addition to his cultivation. He had an excellent memory to begin with, and coupled with the influence of fragments of memories from childhood, he was fully confident in himself.