For the vast majority of people, the first trial of Qingyun Sect was particularly simple practically anyone with hands could manage it. It was just that Lin Nan, this special half-Monster, took a bit more time here.
Senior Sister announced Lin Nan’s human identity, instantly deflating the excitement of the crowd eager for entertainment, who then dispersed.
The two rested briefly under the shade of a tree. Shen Yuer’s legs dangled, and she looked rather gloomy.
“What’s wrong?” Lin Nan hugged her knees, gently resting her head on them. After asking, she stared blankly at the endless mountain range.
“Xiao Lin,” Shen Yuer hesitated for a long time before finally asking, “Where did you learn that breathing technique?”
Lin Nan was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected Shen Yuer to ask that. A breathing technique was the kind of thing that couldn’t be faked with excuses like “I was born knowing it.”
The breathing technique had actually been taught to her by a girl from her sixth life.
Jianxian Su Qinghe.
Back then, Su Qinghe was fully devoted to climbing Sword God Peak, but she didn’t want to leave Lin Nan behind, so she taught her this breathing method.
The technique wasn’t difficult; even those without cultivation talent could master it, at least enough to barely keep pace with Su Qinghe’s ascent.
Although in the end, Su Qinghe abandoned her but that was all in the past and no longer important.
After a moment of thought, Lin Nan pulled over a pair of unfortunate wine-selling couple outside Changjing City Gate and used them as a scapegoat. “There’s a couple outside Changjing City Gate who sell alcohol. They taught it to me.”
Shen Yuer gasped, “Hidden masters?”
Lin Nan recalled the two unscrupulous people and couldn’t help but laugh.
If a gold-toothed fat man who only knew how to take advantage and a shrewish woman who only knew how to curse and wield a cleaver counted as hidden masters…
She laughed and nodded, “Exactly. True masters.”
“Then when we meet the families later, I have to show off a little,” the little girl propped her chin up and seriously pondered the matter.
Thud—
Lin Nan tapped her on the head. “Focus on preparing for the second trial!”
What nonsense.
Crossing over the front mountain and passing through a carefully manicured bamboo garden, the two women finally arrived at the real main gate of Qingyun Sect.
On the main peak of Qingyun Sect, the dignified and solemn buildings piled upon the mountain peaks resembled “layers of overlapping ridges.” The calligraphy of “Qingyun Sect” was written in cursive script, casual and free-flowing. Yet for some reason, Lin Nan, with unfocused eyes, looked carefully.
From the brush strokes, she felt an unignorable sharpness.
It seemed… that another glance might pierce her through.
She hurriedly lowered her head, unwilling to look any further.
After a little while longer, those lined up behind began to enter the second trial one after another. The Senior Brother, whose face seemed permanently marked by debts, stood with his hands behind his back beneath the sect gate plaque.
“Qingyun Sect does not select disciples based on their origin, only two words matter: fate and heart.”
“Those with a connection to Qingyun Sect who have climbed the stone steps stand here. This second trial tests your Dao Heart.”
“There is a Questioning Dao Stone here. It can detect your Dao Heart. Those with a clear mind shall step forward to participate. If you lack confidence in your Dao Heart, or have reservations toward Qingyun Sect, please step back.”
“One more reminder: If your mind is unsettled, the stone’s questioning may shatter your Dao Heart. Should that happen, forget about joining Qingyun Sect; cultivating will likely have no place in your future.”
At these words, a wave of noise erupted among all the candidates at the gate.
But after the clamor died down, no one withdrew.
Those brave enough to appear here either came from influential families or were genuinely committed to seeking the Dao, so no one would give up the chance to join Qingyun Sect.
Even at the risk of breaking their Dao Heart.
“Very well,” the Senior Brother nodded, a trace of admiration finally appearing in his eyes. From within his sleeve, he pulled out a wooden hammer. “In that case, I shall question your Dao Hearts.”
The wooden hammer gently struck the Questioning Dao Stone. Immediately, a muffled sound like a deep drumbeat radiated like a web.
As soon as this sound emerged, all who heard it felt drowsy and wanted to resist.
But this web was intricate and inescapable, seemingly separating each person’s spiritual consciousness from their body, forcing them to shed all falsehood and defenses, leaving only their true heart.
This was the Questioning Dao Stone, a treasure on par with the Jianyao Mirror. And it was being activated personally by Senior Brother. The difference in treasure and realm left no room for resistance.
Senior Brother, Senior Sister, and a group of Qingyun Sect disciples stood behind the stone. Senior Brother casually sent out a thread of True Qi, and Senior Sister summoned the Jianyao Mirror at the perfect moment.
After a ripple of light, one scene after another flickered within the sect gate.
A few disciples whispered quietly while watching the scenes inside.
“People always underestimate the trials of Qingyun Sect. That’s the biggest misunderstanding.”
“Exactly. If Qingyun Sect accepted every mule and donkey, we’d have long fallen out of the Righteous Six Sects.”
“They say there are two trials, but the first alone filters out a large number of unsuitable talents. The Jianyao Mirror tests the outer self, the Questioning Dao Stone tests the inner heart. It truly embodies the concept of ‘cultivating both inside and out.’”
“Senior Brother, Senior Sister, who do you think will pass the second trial?”
Senior Brother’s face grew serious. His gaze swept over Lin Nan and Shen Yuer. Without the first trial, he would have chosen Lin Nan without hesitation, but now…
A half-Monster from one generation it was hard for Senior Brother to believe she had a steadfast heart for seeking the Dao.
“Shen Yuer from the Shen Family is not bad. Duan Lang from Xiaoyao Sect should have no problem. And Huo Yuanyao’s swordsmanship is also quite good.”
“Senior Brother has named so many people, covering all my thoughts.”
Senior Sister smiled softly, “Let me add one more. I think Lin Nan is quite good.”
Hearing that name again, Senior Brother’s brow furrowed tighter. He shook his head. “Lin Nan won’t make it.”
As if expecting this answer, Senior Sister immediately said, “Since we have different opinions today, Senior Brother, why not bet on it?”
“Bet on what?”
“Whether Lin Nan can pass the second trial smoothly. I bet she can, and she’ll pass with flying colors.”
“Hmph, I accept. If I win, Senior Sister Qiao must put in a good word for me with Senior Uncle Jiansong. I have a few treasures that need his inspection.”
“All right, no problem.”
“What do you want if you win?”
“Nothing,” Senior Sister smiled brightly. “I won’t lose, so there’s nothing to bet.”
“By the way, how about this? If I win, the request must come from Junior Sister Lin Nan. Senior Brother, what do you say?”
Heh heh.
Senior Brother sneered coldly, then turned his gaze to the scenes unfolding inside the sect gate, saying no more.
“This is…”
“Where am I?”
Shen Yuer looked around in confusion, completely forgetting what had just happened.
She lowered her head and noticed a red thread wrapped around her wrist—when had it appeared?
A gentle knock came at the door, then a maid entered carrying a long tray.
She set down the tray and respectfully said, “Miss Fifth, Master and Madam are waiting. The three prospective suitors are also in the main hall.”
“Suiting?”
Shen Yuer suddenly remembered.
Today was her matchmaking day. The Shen Family had chosen three prospective suitors for her.
Following the maid, Shen Yuer approached the hall with complicated, unclear feelings and soon saw the three prospective suitors.
The first was short and a bit stout. The moment he saw Shen Yuer, his eyes lit up. Several chests of jewels and gold lay at his feet there was so much gold it could only be placed on the floor.
The second was a scholar holding a classic text. Upon seeing Shen Yuer, he immediately requested ink and brush and composed a poem on the spot.
As for the third…
Shen Yuer rubbed her eyes, doubting what she saw.
The third prospective suitor had white hair and emerald eyes, a gentle smile at the corner of his lips, quietly sitting in the chair watching her.
His face was fair and delicate, strikingly beautiful but no matter how beautiful, that was clearly a woman.
And yet… was this her prospective groom? Or rather, prospective bride???