2: The Ultimate Cauldron

Li Xiuwu, who was buried in his studies, was stunned when he heard the system's voice.

He calculated the time; it was about time for the preliminary exam results to come out.

During evening self-study, he asked his headteacher for a few days off. On the way home, his hands felt itchy; whenever he saw a straight tree branch, he wanted to pick it up and brandish it a couple of times.

Considering the safety of the flowers and plants in the green belt, he restrained himself.

The next day, after finishing breakfast, Li Xiuwu took the bus to the Beijing Film Academy and saw his name on the announced list.

He went to register and re-recorded his exam number.

The exam was in two days; the content was basically the same as the preliminary exam, but with the addition of a talent showcase.

Regarding the talent, he considered what he should prepare.

"Sword techniques should work too, right?" He thought of the system reward he had just received.

For the talent showcase, props had to be self-provided; he needed to prepare a sword.

In the park, Li Xiuwu held the sword in his hand and found a deserted corner.

The sword unsheathed, he stroked the blade with his fingers. A realization dawned in his heart, as if he were a sword immortal who had been immersed in sword techniques for many years.

Whoosh!

A flash of sword light streaked across. Li Xiuwu moved, the long sword in his hand drawing a silver arc like a bolt of silk.

His footwork was nimble, his body moving with the sword like a swimming dragon.

At first, he was still clumsy, but gradually, his movements became skilled, and his sword techniques became more agile and elegant.

"System, this is the Immortal-grade Sword Manual you rewarded? That's it?" Li Xiuwu sheathed his sword and questioned the system in his mind.

[The movements must be fast, the posture must be cool. If the host cannot unleash the power of an Immortal-grade sword technique, please look for the reason within yourself.]

Li Xiuwu's mouth twitched.

"Young man, your sword techniques aren't bad. Have you been practicing since you were a child?" An old man walked over while taking a stroll.

"I've practiced for over a decade." He nodded in admission.

"Rare, truly rare." The old man's gaze was filled with appreciation.

Although the sword techniques didn't have the power of an immortal sword, dealing with three to five people was no problem. Understanding the strength of his sword techniques, he felt confident.

During these two days of leave, he went to buy several newspapers. By browsing through them, he learned about the football lottery information of this era.

"System, I don't ask you to assist me in becoming an Immortal Emperor; just give me a few accurate football lottery predictions."

The system made no sound.

He put away the newspapers, got on a bus, and wandered around the Workers' Stadium, observing the surrounding shops to see where there were surveillance cameras.

For two days, he wandered around this city, admiring the style of this era.

Based on memories that suddenly surged up, he bought several football lottery tickets.

For the re-examination, Li Xiuwu arrived at the entrance of the Beijing Film Academy.

"Number 233, Li Xiuwu, go to Room 4 and wait. Don't wander off. The exam starts in half an hour; if you miss it, you'll be disqualified."

"Thank you, Senior," Li Xiuwu thanked him.

"Calling me Senior before you've even been admitted? Not bad. We at the Beijing Film Academy need thick-skinned people like you. Keep it up." He encouraged Li Xiuwu.

Li Xiuwu was utterly speechless.

He arrived at Room 4.

"Number 233, you're in a group with them. Don't run off."

[Top-tier Cauldron detected. System prompt: Getting close to them can speed up cultivation. It is recommended that the host befriend them for future dual cultivation.]

He sized up the people in the same group, his gaze lingering on the top-tier cauldron the system had pointed out.

How is she here too, and in the same group?

The others were also sizing up Li Xiuwu, instinctively looking at the sword in his hand.

One boy had hostility in his eyes; Li Xiuwu gave him an extra glance.

Li Xiuwu saw his gaze was directed at the girl in the group.

Good grief, it's the first meeting, she has absolutely nothing to do with you, and yet you're already jealous over nothing.

Li Xiuwu ignored him and looked at the other candidates.

A person carrying a large tape recorder on their shoulder caught Li Xiuwu's attention.

Is that Wen Zhang? Did he also apply for the Beijing Film Academy this year?

Half an hour later, the exam began.

Li Xiuwu's group walked into the examination hall.

The teachers had changed. The nameplate of the teacher sitting in the middle said Chen Yi, and the other two were Xu Yan and Xu Xiaodan.

"I am candidate number 171, Tang Yan. The talent I will perform is dance."

Li Xiuwu watched Tang Yan's performance. He couldn't say the dancing was particularly good, but with a young body and a slender figure, her movements were certainly not unpleasant to look at.

"Alright, next." Xu Xiaodan was still just as quick; she called a halt after less than a minute of dancing.

"Hello, teachers. I am candidate number 233, Li Xiuwu. The talent I will perform is sword techniques."

Li Xiuwu cupped his fists, then unsheathed his long sword. He performed the Carefree Sword Technique; his movement was vigorous and agile, and his swordplay was elegant.

Sword light flashed on the stage, arcs of silver drawing elegant curves.

When the sword technique ended, he returned the sword to its scabbard with a stylish motion, just like a swordsman from the martial world.

"Ahem, not bad. You may sit down. Next," Xu Xiaodan said, a smile on her face.

Everyone woke up as if from a dream, looking at the youth in the center.

Tang Yan's eyes shimmered as she fixed her gaze on Li Xiuwu.

So handsome, and his sword techniques are so beautiful. His name is Li Xiuwu, right? Such a classical name.

Li Xiuwu looked back and felt several hostile gazes.

He didn't care, sitting on the ground with the long sword resting across his knees.

The exam continued, and the other students in the group were still performing, but Li Xiuwu could feel the teachers' gazes drifting toward him from time to time.

"Alright, you all may leave." Xu Xiaodan dismissed the group.

"Hello, my name is Tang Yan." Tang Yan stood prettily in front of Li Xiuwu.

"Li Xiuwu." He felt even more hostile gazes.

"What's your exam number for the Central Academy of Drama? Can we be in the same group?" Unable to find a topic, she tried to ask about the Central Academy of Drama exams.

"I only applied for the Beijing Film Academy," Li Xiuwu said.

"Ah? Why didn't you apply for the Central Academy of Drama? What if you don't get into the Beijing Film Academy?" Tang Yan looked at Li Xiuwu in surprise.

As the two of them walked out of the academy together, a luxury car happened to stop at the entrance.

[Two Supreme Cauldrons detected. System prompt: Getting close to them can greatly speed up cultivation. It is recommended that the host befriend them for future dual cultivation.]

"It's them." Li Xiuwu saw the mother and daughter.

The young girl's face was full of excitement as she followed her mother, taking in her surroundings. She saw Li Xiuwu and Tang Yan, her gaze lingering for a moment on the sword in Li Xiuwu's hand, before she walked into the campus.

"So beautiful," Tang Yan said, looking at the backs of the mother and daughter; it was unclear whether she meant the mother or the daughter.

"I'm leaving now," Li Xiuwu said his goodbye.

"Goodbye," Tang Yan waved regretfully.

...

March 1st, Beijing Sports Lottery Management Center.

The security guard at the door looked warily at Li Xiuwu, who was wearing a baseball cap and a mask, leaving only his eyes visible.

Until he took out the lottery ticket.

A huge check for ten million was held in front of his chest. Interviews and photos followed.

After deducting the twenty percent personal income tax, he looked at the long string of numbers resting in his bank account.

"System, what the hell are you good for? Getting rich still depends on me."

[...]

Coming out of the bank, he looked left and right and walked toward the bus stop.

Taking the bus is so inconvenient.

The bus he used to take every day suddenly felt very noisy today.

Is this what it feels like to be rich?

But it's not enough. Thinking of the upcoming World Cup, he had to be well-prepared.