Xiao Xinran didn’t follow the signs to the Illusion Pavilion for the Examination, instead wandering alone for half a day and getting lost among the scattered buildings of the academy.
It was the season for returning to school, the holidays had just ended, and everywhere were Inner and Outer Sect disciples in robes of various colors, but there was no sign of that white-clad youth who moved as swiftly as the wind.
“When did Little Yun learn to fly? I must make him teach me someday!”
The unfamiliar and beautiful girl, who wasn’t wearing the Shenhua Uniform, drew quite a few curious glances—she was clearly a new student this year, a fresh-faced junior.
The red-clad girl had just escaped the constraints of her family, her mind filled with dreams of a world for just the two of them, her mood floating as high as the clouds, elated beyond measure.
At last, she found Yun Liu at a Peak Pavilion, busying himself with spirit material in his hands, preparing the Retrospective Pill Formula, equally surprised that someone would come here.
Though both wore the cloud robe, the youth’s Moon White Uniform emitted a faint glow, setting him apart—extremely rare, and no one could tell which peak he belonged to.
“What are you doing hiding here? I had to look everywhere for you, and you ignored me when I called you earlier. Why didn’t you keep our promise?”
Xiao Xinran pouted, her tone more like a spoiled complaint than a real interrogation.
Yun Liu thought for a moment. *She must be referring to that scene in the prologue where the three of them set out together. But he was no longer the female lead’s protector.*
*Having finished his bit part, he’d lain flat on the spot, not even bothering to finish the first volume’s plot before quickly resigning and quitting the Main Character Group.*
“This was then, and that is now. I don’t think I owe you any explanations, do I?”
Yun Liu smiled, gently reminding Xiao Xinran to recognize her own position—the engagement was already over, and they owed each other nothing.
*What your fiancé promised you has nothing to do with me, Yun.*
*As for the private feud between Huangmao and the female lead, he didn’t know what bug had occurred, nor did he care.*
*Now, Yun Liu was like an employee with his resignation in hand—impervious to both kindness and threats, pension already in pocket, who cared about the boss’s fate?*
*Making the most of this final celebration before leaving, he was truly letting himself go!*
“Even if… even if we’re no longer engaged, we’re still friends, right?”
Xiao Xinran tapped her toes, occasionally stealing glances up at him, her eyes pleading.
*The future haughty main heroine, so arrogant before the Protagonist, was as gentle as could be before Yun Liu.*
Yun Liu considered for a moment, then reluctantly nodded.
*Even if the deal didn’t work out, there was still some courtesy left. The female lead had at least helped him vent some anger, giving Huangmao a solid beating.*
“I’ll take you back to the Illusion Pavilion first. After you enroll, there’ll be plenty to do. If you delay any further, you might not even find your dorm before dark. There are a lot of rules here; you can’t just do as you please like at the foot of the mountain.”
“Mm!”
Xiao Xinran nodded obediently, following closely behind Yun Liu. Only when she was back by his side did her anxious heart finally settle down.
*Anything’s fine, as long as we’re not siblings. Once I crush Ji Shiyu, that little brat, I’ll rightfully reclaim my place as the fiancée!*
*The main heroine—ambitious and determined.*
Deep in the bamboo forest stood an ancient Book Pavilion, called the Illusion Pavilion. Inside were all the texts collected by the Shenhua Sect, covering all three thousand Great Daos, for disciples to peruse.
Such a test site was beyond Xiao Xinran’s expectations. At the entrance, a Proctor Disciple gave a brief introduction, reminding examinees to keep absolutely quiet inside the Illusion Pavilion, or bear the consequences.
The girl, full of confidence, stepped inside and was instantly transported to a separate, isolated space. Looking back, the entrance was nowhere to be seen.
Giant bookshelves were lined with countless tomes, fluttering pages swirling in the air, dazzling the eyes.
*Where’s the test paper?*
*Where’s the examiner?*
Xiao Xinran squinted, trying to make out the densely packed words on those scraps of pages, but soon felt dizzy and overwhelmed.
Outside the door, Yun Liu stroked his chin, his mind already turning with schemes.
*He remembered there was an Epic Questline in the Illusion Pavilion—one could obtain a deciphered Ancient Secret Manual, the Burning Silence Art, from the Librarian, but only those with Extreme Destiny could cultivate it. It was Xiao Xinran’s Exclusive Cultivation Method.*
*The Protagonist had stumbled upon it by chance, his luck carrying him step by step until the female lead’s heart was won.*
*Maybe I should get it and sell it to Ji Shiyu to woo her. Speaking of which, does she still have money? Maybe I can trick that Starry Sky Artifact out of her too!*
As Yun Liu pondered, a surge of spiritual energy rippled from the direction of the Mountain Gate.
**BOOM——!**
Brilliant spiritual light shot into the sky, its momentum shaking the entire academy.
*It’s the New Student Entrance Exam—could a Peerless Talent have appeared?*
When Ji Shiyu placed her hand on the table, the Jade token of the spiritual root used for testing exploded on the spot, unable to withstand the immense pressure of her Stellar Destiny.
The new students in line were stunned, and the Proctor Disciple collapsed to the ground in shock, unable to speak.
He had served in the Outer Sect for years, registering perhaps five or ten thousand disciples, but had never seen anything like this.
The Jade Token, made from spirit stones, was used to test the quality and attributes of a new student’s Spiritual Root, displaying different lusters. The purer the Spiritual Root, the brighter the stone would shine after spiritual energy was injected.
*Now this little girl had actually blown it up!?*
Several Sect Elders instantly appeared at the Mountain Gate, staring in amazement at the bewildered golden-haired girl.
The Jade Token sparkled with an unprecedented starlight, a sight never before seen—this meant her Spiritual Root was exceedingly rare, beyond the Source Spirit, outside the Five Elements.
“Top Grade Aptitude, without a doubt!”
“Colorless and formless, capable of all laws—what kind of Spiritual Root is this?”
“Could it be the legendary Formless Spiritual Root!?”
An experienced old antique took a deep breath—such a rare aptitude appeared only in legends, never witnessed in person.
*Heaven bless Shenhua!*
“Excuse me, may I go in now?”
Ji Shiyu crossed her arms, acting aloof.
*The Sect’s Spiritual Root test in East Pole Province was just too crude—she hadn’t even used any strength and the stone had already exploded.*
The Proctor Disciple swallowed hard and nodded stiffly.
After the written test came the martial trial. Yun Liu leaned against the edge of the training ground, watching that brat Zhu Dachang jump and dash about.
The quicker new students had already emerged from the Illusion Pavilion, holding wooden swords and dueling Sword Puppets. As long as they could grasp the basics of Qi Gathering and Spirit Guidance, using spiritual energy to strike the Wooden Man, and keep their spirit power gauge within the acceptable limit, they would pass—nothing difficult.
Before long, Ji Shiyu strutted over, shaking the Jade Token in her hand—the Examination admission ticket that recorded her results.
Ao Tian complained, “Times have changed. Only the Shenhua Sect still clings to such ancient traditions. Nowhere else has so many pointless rules. Other places are desperate for more disciples, take your tuition, toss you a low-level cultivation manual, and send you off to cultivate—just harvesting disciples to fill the Sect’s coffers.”
When Huangmao saw the white-robed youth, her eyes lit up, her nose tilting proudly, cheeks flushed, as if saying, “Go on, praise me!”
“Hmph, brat, did you see how amazing I am?”
Yun Liu yawned, unsurprised—*the Protagonist was the Protagonist, after all.*
*Even his own Heavenly Spiritual Root only made the Jade Token buzz and heat up.*
“Show some respect—call me Senior Brother.”
*The Sect has its rules; it’s not the same as outside.*
Recalling Ao Tian’s warning, Ji Shiyu bit her lip. *I’ll endure!*
“Yun… Senior Brother.”
“Mm. Shouldn’t you be taking the Examination? What do you want?”
Ji Shiyu put her hands on her hips. “I already passed, Top Grade! And what, I can’t come see you if I don’t have a reason? Are all you country folk so grateful for kindness?”
In the blink of an eye, Huangmao had cleared the Illusion Pavilion and broken the Outer Sect record again.
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