They all want to change my future.

Chapter 13 The Great Zhou Dynasty and the Sects Govern the World Together

They've only been gone for half a day.

Suddenly you're telling me you're going to take the Dragon Gate Exam?

"Young Master," Ji Baizhi looked up at Li Zhi, "you're not joking, are you?"

Li Zhi walked to the chair opposite her and sat down, asking in return, "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Ji Baizhi stared at Li Zhi for a long time, trying to find a flaw in his face.

No.

His handsome face showed only indifference and casualness, no, there was also a hint of mischief.

Ji Baizhi realized what she was doing.

Staring at a man for so long.

Oh no, Ji Baizhi guessed that Li Zhi was about to say something embarrassing.

"Of course I believe in you, young master." Ji Baizhi quickly looked away, somewhat flustered, picked up the teapot on the table, and began to pour tea to cover up her embarrassment.

The water murmured, white steam rose in wisps, and Li Zhi sighed.

"Looks like I'm not good-looking enough; you'll get tired of me after just one look."

Ji Baizhi froze for a moment while pouring tea, but quickly regained her composure. Having prepared herself mentally, she was able to act as if nothing had happened.

So she picked up where she left off and offered him her own tea as a farewell gift.

"What kind of cooperation is this, young master?"

Li Zhi shook her head at the abrupt change of topic, but still picked up the teacup she had just filled and blew on it.

"The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect gave me an identity, an identity to come to the capital to participate in the Dragon Gate Trial."

As he spoke, Li Zhi took out the paper from his pocket and handed it to Ji Baizhi.

Ji Baizhi took the paper, read it, and then fell into thought.

Then, she frowned: "I still don't understand why you want to participate in the Dragon Gate Trial."

Li Zhi took a sip of tea, then slowly said, "Of course it's because of your method."

"Young Master, did you tell them?" Ji Baizhi asked, somewhat displeased and reproachful.

But she dared not look at Li Zhi.

"She didn't say." Li Zhi shook his head: "She guessed it, probably from hearing Miss Lin relay it."

"Is that even possible?" Ji Baizhi asked, somewhat incredulous.

"That saintess is a clever person," Li Zhi said. "And a clever woman, just like you."

Ji Baizhi blushed again, turned to look at Li Zhi, her eyes glistening with tears: "Young Master, you're talking nonsense again."

"I'm not talking nonsense." Li Zhi looked down at his shadow. "That Miss Lin was just a little slow; she didn't figure it out."

Ji Baizhi pursed her lips and remained silent.

But her gaze softened.

"Young Master, could you please refrain from mentioning that method again?" Ji Baizhi suggested softly.

"No way." Li Zhi refused directly: "I think we need to explain it more so you can get used to it. Otherwise, when it's actually implemented, how will you be able to stand it?"

Ji Baizhi sighed, as if she had breathed a sigh of relief, or as if she had resigned herself to her fate.

"Don't worry." Li Zhi gave his target: "I won't say anything when you're no longer embarrassed to talk about this."

This isn't a goal; it's clearly someone deliberately trying to make a fool of themselves.

When you see something that isn't funny.

Thinking about all this, Ji Baizhi raised her hand, tidied the stray red hair at her temples, and a faint resentment appeared on her face again.

"Let's get back to business." Li Zhi put down his teacup, the bottom of which made a crisp "ding" sound as it touched the table. "Tell me exactly how the Dragon Gate Trial is conducted."

"Young master, how much do you know about the Dragon Gate Examination?" Ji Baizhi poured herself some tea.

"Not much. Miss Lin just said that the winner can enter the Hall of Ten Thousand Laws to select a visualization diagram."

"That does fit the sect's explanation."

Ji Baizhi picked up the teacup, took a sip, then put it down, her fingertips gently tracing the rim as if she were organizing her thoughts.

"Let's talk about the timing first," Ji Baizhi said slowly. "According to tradition, the Dragon Gate Examination will be held a month from now, after the start of spring."

"So it's already late winter." Li Zhi was paying attention to the time.

"That's right, yesterday's snow should have been the last snowfall in the capital." Ji Baizhi looked out the window, where the sunlight was just right.

"I've arrived at just the right time." Li Zhi shook his head and looked at Ji Baizhi: "Continue."

"Yes," Ji Baizhi nodded, "The content of the competition is that those below the fourth realm who have not yet condensed their divine sense are still cultivators and must go up on stage to fight."

"Go on stage?"

"Yes, the Dragon Gate Trial is meant to symbolize the fish leaping over the Dragon Gate." Ji Baizhi said calmly, "There are many fish in the stream, but one must surpass the others to have a chance to leap over the Dragon Gate."

"Does this mean there are limited spots available?"

"Yes." Ji Baizhi nodded. "Last year's arena competition selected the top one hundred."

"So many as a hundred?"

"When my father was on the throne, only the top ten were selected," Ji Baizhi said, her tone calm but her words clear.

Li Zhi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized the reason: "The Empress Dowager?"

"Young Master is indeed intelligent." Ji Baizhi nodded, then sighed again: "The powerful families and clans have withered away in those ten years. The vacant positions and the remaining resources need to be filled by new people."

"It seems that this wicked empress did do a good thing after all," Li Zhi said. "If the old guard doesn't leave, it will be very difficult for the new to rise to prominence."

Ji Baizhi fell silent and looked out the window.

Li Zhi continued his analysis, seemingly unconcerned:

"You said that cultivation requires resources. The transition from the third to the fourth realm requires a visualization diagram. This diagram is the foundation of a sect. However, the imperial court has a palace. In this light, the Empress Dowager is right to expand the number of people who have passed the Dragon Gate Trial and strengthen the imperial court. It seems that everything she has done is good for your Great Zhou."

"Young Master, that's not how you are," Ji Baizhi said softly to Li Zhi, but her words were like knives.

"The Great Zhou Dynasty and the sects jointly govern the world; this is the national policy."

Li Zhi remained silent for a moment, pondering, before posing a question: "Your Great Zhou Dynasty wasn't established solely because of its sects, was it?"

"That's right." Ji Baizhi nodded: "Without the help of the sect, the previous dynasty could not be overthrown."

Li Zhi could tell that Ji Baizhi didn't want to talk about this, and since he wasn't interested in history, he changed the subject: "Back to the Dragon Gate Trial, since it's a tournament, is there anything you can teach me?"

Li Zhi paused for a moment: "I'm quite interested in how to beat someone up."

"Young Master's question puts me in a difficult position." Ji Baizhi lowered her head to think. "The combat skills and techniques I have learned are not suitable for Young Master. Perhaps, Young Master, you should not participate."

Ji Baizhi, the reincarnation of a phoenix, naturally relies on the power of the phoenix for all her skills.

But how could Li Zhi give up? He'd just find someone else to learn from. He tapped his shadow with his foot: "Miss Lin, can you teach me what you've learned?"

Ji Baizhi was somewhat surprised. She looked at the ground and realized that Lin Yueyin hadn't left and was eavesdropping here.

After waiting for a while, Li Zhi's shadow did not react, and Lin Yueyin did not appear either.

Just as Ji Baizhi was feeling embarrassed for Li Zhi.

Li Zhi said nonchalantly, "It seems she was too embarrassed to come out because you were here."

What does this mean?

Ji Baizhi pointed to herself. Was she telling me to leave, to leave her own boudoir so that the two of you could have a private chat?