No hope for eternal life

Xue Rang nodded slightly and said: "Let's wait and see. It's still a long way to go to talk about the true teachings now."

For a strong man of Xue Rang's level, things like foundation building and being the first in golden elixir cannot explain anything at all. Practicing in the ninth realm is just the beginning.

Only someone like Yang Wuque, who has emerged as the number one among countless Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, is truly qualified to be honored as a genius.

"Unfortunately, ever since Yang Wuque went astray and his cultivation was half-wasted, the Shinpu Kingdom has not been able to produce another figure like him." Xue Rang sighed secretly. As a core figure of the Shinpu Kingdom, he knew the real situation of Yang Wuque. He was indeed as the rumors outside had said, he had gone astray.

Sha Tongmo, who was standing by, saw that Xue Rang was not interested and thought it was a pity. He had always been interested in Yang Wuque's secret body-refining technique, but he did not dare to provoke Yang Wuque. Just now, when he saw Xue Rang asking about Mu Changsheng, he wanted to arouse Xue Rang's interest in the secret body-refining technique and then take action against Mu Changsheng. Unfortunately, Xue Rang did not show any interest, and his plan failed.

"There is a long time to come. There are more than just Xue Rang in the Kamikaze Kingdom who can afford to offend Yang Wuque." Sha Tongmo thought to himself. At his level, he did not lack patience.

After receiving the prize, Mu Xun immediately repaid the 2,300 medium-grade spirit stones he owed to Mu Changsheng. He had been thinking about this matter for a long time.

After a few more hours, all the competitions in the Jindan realm ended. At this point, the Nansha County Examination came to an end.

After the top 100 Jindan cultivators received their rewards, Shatongmo spoke a few words as usual, and then said: "Ten days from now, at noon, the twenty cultivators who will take part in the palace examination will gather at the City Lord's Mansion. At that time, the Duke of Qi will personally escort you to the capital."

Afterwards, all the candidates for the county examination were taken back by their respective county ladies.

Gao Xuan got another government ferry from somewhere and took Mu Changsheng and the other two back to the villa in Nansha City.

There were twenty-one people when we came, and only four were left when we returned. The atmosphere on the boat was particularly silent.

Perhaps to dispel the embarrassment, Gao Xuan took the initiative to say: "The three of you have performed very well and earned enough face for our Qihua County. When I return, I will definitely tell your families about this good news."

Gao Xuan was indeed very happy that Mu Changsheng and the other two had all made it into the top ten, because he had originally abandoned the ship and fled, which, although excusable, was also a big mistake. Now that Mu Changsheng and the other two had all advanced to the palace examination, he could be considered to have made a contribution, and thus his merits and demerits offset each other.

"Thank you, Your Excellency the County Lady." Mu Changsheng and the other two responded politely.

……

When they returned to the villa, as soon as the four of them stepped off the ferry, Gao Xuan said to Mu Changsheng and Mu Xun: "The two of you come with me to the county government to select treasures."

"Yes." Mu Changsheng's heart moved when he heard this. He was just about to ask when he could go to choose treasures. Now that Gao Xuan mentioned it on his own initiative, he felt relieved.

On the way, Mu Changsheng took the initiative to ask Gao Xuan: "My Lord, are there any soul-saving fruits in the county government's treasury?"

Gao Xuan pondered for a moment and said uncertainly: "Maybe, but I can't say for sure. After all, things that are priceless will not be kept in the treasury to collect dust. Generally, they will be used as soon as they are available."

"Is that so?" Mu Changsheng felt a little disappointed when he heard that. He had already prepared himself to not give up the spiritual fruit. However, without giving up the spiritual fruit, it would be almost impossible for him to break through to the peak of foundation building before the palace examination.

In the county government, this is where the county officials work, while Shatongmo’s County Governor’s Mansion is just his personal residence.

Following Gao Xuan all the way to the heavily guarded entrance of the county government treasury, Mu Changsheng saw Sha Tongmo, Xu Lingxi and Guiyang County's lord Lei Feng.

Xu Lingxi was obviously also here to select treasures. As for the top three in the Jindan realm county examination, there was no treasure to be selected as part of the county examination rewards for those three. Instead, they received a kind of elixir that could help them condense their Nascent Soul.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Shatongmo did not waste any time and directly opened the door of the county treasury and led everyone into the treasury.

After entering the treasury, he was filled with a dazzling array of items, including spiritual weapons, elixirs, spiritual medicines, talismans, and even secret techniques. Mu Changsheng was dazzled for a moment.

At the same time, Shatongmo said, "From now on, the three of you have one stick of incense to choose the treasures. After you choose, tell me and I will give them to you. Don't even think about stealing them."

Mu Changsheng and the other two nodded slightly to show that they understood. With their cultivation level, they still wanted to steal something in front of Sha Tongmo, which was undoubtedly seeking death.

Afterwards, Mu Changsheng and the other two began to walk around in the treasure house searching.

Each treasure was labeled with its name and grade. The highest-ranking ones included top-grade fourth-grade spiritual weapons and elixirs. As for those of higher grades, they were all extremely precious and were probably not kept in the treasury.

Although top-grade fourth-level spiritual tools and other items are already extremely precious, what Mu Changsheng really wants is the third-grade Sheling Fruit. After all, only what suits you is the best, so Mu Changsheng never stops looking for the Sheling Fruit.

Suddenly, Mu Changsheng saw a sign for Sheling Fruit at a corner of the treasure house. At the same time, Mu Xun also discovered the Sheling Fruit here.

But a problem also arises, there is only one Sheling Fruit!

Sha Tongmo seemed to have noticed the situation on Mu Changsheng's side, and said, "If two people like the same thing, the priority will be determined according to the ranking."

Shatongmo's meaning is very clear, Musun has the first choice.

Mu Changsheng didn't say much after hearing this, and immediately turned and left. He asked himself if there was any reason for Mu Xun to give up the only Sheling Fruit.

"Wait." Mu Xun suddenly stopped Mu Changsheng and said casually: "You should take this Soul-Sacrificing Fruit. After all, I have already reached the peak of foundation building. It would be a waste to eat another Soul-Sacrificing Fruit. This one will be more useful to you."

Mu Xun chose to give up the Sheling Fruit voluntarily. In addition to the reasons he mentioned, he also wanted to repay Mu Changsheng for lending him the spirit stone and voluntarily admitting defeat.

Mu Changsheng was silent for a moment. Although what Mu Xun said made some sense and he did need the Sheling Fruit more, if Mu Xun could take the Sheling Fruit, his cultivation would improve to some extent, which would be more beneficial for the upcoming palace examination. For this reason alone, it was enough for Mu Xun to choose the Sheling Fruit.

On the one hand, after using the Sheling Fruit, his cultivation would definitely be able to break through to the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage. On the other hand, if Mu Xun gave the Sheling Fruit to him, it might cause Mu Xun's ranking in the palace examination to drop. This made Mu Changsheng extremely hesitant as to whether he should accept the Sheling Fruit.