Chapter Nineteen: Out of Reach

So soon? The elders leading the various sects were somewhat taken aback, but then they remembered that this trial was devised by the Seal Diagram Sect. It was likely their own disciples had been tipped off in advance, and with that thought, a sense of balance returned to their hearts.

The youth named Lin Suyue had a cold, stern expression and was tall and lean. This time, the requirement was that Qi Refining disciples could not be older than eighteen, yet he appeared rather mature for his age. After passing the trial, he kept his gaze fixed ahead and stepped straight into the Hall of Splendid Radiance.

The murmurs among the waiting youths had not yet died down when, from the northwest corner, another announcement rang out: "Jiang Yan of the Soaring Cloud Sect has passed the trial."

This time, the commotion was less intense, but it drew even greater attention from the Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators present. It was the red-clad youth who had just forcefully challenged the light barrier. In fact, as the Soaring Cloud Sect’s Zhu Xian had brought his disciples to Pill Cliff Sect some days ago, many had already heard that there were two exceptionally talented Qi Refining apprentices within the sect. Now, upon seeing him, they immediately put a name to the face.

Zhang Yu was sweating profusely. He finally understood why Elder Fei had been dissatisfied with the generally weak cultivation among those with the Water Spiritual Root—being left behind at this stage would be a great embarrassment.

The more anxious Zhang Yu became, the more muddled his thoughts grew, but amidst the confusion, a sly idea flashed through his mind: the next participant from Soaring Cloud Sect was that fellow named Shi, who, like himself, possessed the Wood Spiritual Root. Zhang Yu stole a glance and, sure enough, confirmed his suspicion.

What truly infuriated him was that Jiang Yan, after passing the trial, didn’t leave immediately but instead turned to his sect’s group and made a discreet hand gesture. Damn it, he’s actually daring to cheat openly and signal his companions!

Even the Pill Cliff Sect Foundation Establishment disciple who had just announced Zhang Yu’s success could not look on any longer. He said in a deep voice, “Do not disturb others. Proceed swiftly into the Hall of Splendid Radiance.”

Zhang Yu dared not look elsewhere. He pressed his hand against the light barrier, going through the motions, but his eyes never left Shi Qingxiang, watching his every move intently.

Shi Qingxiang seemed utterly unconcerned about the scrutiny of the crowd. Standing before the light barrier, signs of Wood-type true essence rippled from his body—one, two, three… What was he doing? Everyone could see he was layering his cultivation technique, stacking it rapidly in those few moments. No one could tell how many layers of Wood-type energy he had accumulated on his skin, and then, without hesitation, he lifted his foot and stepped easily through the barrier.

A voice followed immediately: “Shi Qingxiang of Soaring Cloud Sect has passed the trial.”

So fast!

Many present breathed a sigh of relief—so this was the key. The trial, it now seemed, was quite simple; it tested nothing more than the actual cultivation level of the Qi Refining apprentices and their command of their elemental true essence—perhaps with a measure of confidence and courage. Most, like Zhang Yu, after probing with an arm and discovering that there seemed to be another space beyond the barrier, dared not recklessly try with their whole body. But now, it was clear: these disciples of the major sects had learned only the most basic techniques before Foundation Establishment. No one expected that the Soaring Cloud Sect youth had mastered another martial skill, and the energy he had layered on himself was undoubtedly the “Azure Wood Art.”

Zhang Yu took a deep breath and, under Fei Chengji’s angry gaze, began channeling the “Azure Wood Art” through his entire body.

Now that Shi Qingxiang had broken the seal on this trial, the challenge was reduced to a contest of cultivation. At the sixth level of Qi Refining, Zhang Yu was not inferior to anyone else present.

Hongjian also exhaled in relief—it turned out to be nothing more than this.

She then realized that, at this rate, at least half of those present would pass, leaving behind only those with truly weak cultivation… such as Fang Zheng at the third level of Qi Refining. She had not expected that the younger brother she once favored might be eliminated in the very first round. Did the Nascent Souls not consider their age?

Yet, for some reason, even knowing that Fang Zheng was in trouble from the start, Hongjian felt little regret. Three Nascent Souls had come in person—what was their purpose? Gathering all the major sects and orchestrating such a grand selection, whatever their aim, the situation was surely far more complicated than it seemed. It was not something simple and honest Fang Zheng could hope to handle. He was better off staying by her side, which put her at ease.

Lost in thought, Hongjian was jolted by Jian Hui’s voice from the front of the line: “Zhang Yu of Pill Cliff Sect has passed the trial.” Zhang Yu wiped the sweat from his brow and hurried toward the great doors of the Hall of Splendid Radiance, where Shi Qingxiang, who had passed before him, was already at the entrance.

At this time, several other voices rang out in succession—the first participants from Little Yingzhou and Immortal Gorge also passed the trial, unwilling to lag behind.

By now, Hongjian felt little of her earlier enthusiasm for the so-called Nascent Soul recruitment. She was only stirred by the thought that Shi Qingxiang was just ahead. Jiang Yan, Shi Qingxiang, and that boy from the Seal Diagram Sect were clearly today’s favorites. Would Shi Qingxiang, once inside the hall and facing the Nascent Souls, still honor the wager between the two of them? Any sensible person would know when to be flexible, yet given his past actions, Hongjian had an odd hunch that he just might. Unless she could find a chance to tell him in person that the bet was off.

The opportunity was right before her: Zhang Yu had already passed; she was next. If she could get through quickly, even if she missed him outside the hall, surely she wouldn’t be far from Shi Qingxiang once inside.

Hongjian took a deep breath, but then heard Fei Chengji’s voice, cold and stern: “Shen Yan, stop daydreaming—hurry up!”

“Ah, oh!” Shen Yan, the second Wood Spiritual Root disciple following behind Zhang Yu, hurried forward.

Truly overestimating myself, Hongjian thought wryly. The spot she occupied had originally belonged to Senior Sister Yao Zhen—it seemed Elder Fei was well aware of the truth.

Shen Yan had watched Zhang Yu’s passage carefully. He was already seventeen and had only just advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refining half a month ago. With the Nascent Souls limiting the age of candidates to under eighteen, this was a rare opportunity for him. Look at Zheng Jin from the Water Spiritual Root group—he hadn’t even gotten a chance to attempt the first trial.

Shen Yan channeled the “Azure Wood Art” with all his might. As Hongjian waited anxiously, he took half a quarter of an hour to pass through the light barrier.

Outside the great hall, Shi Qingxiang was already nowhere to be seen. In that short time, the Seal Diagram Sect had already reached their fourth participant, and in the other sects, most were only on their third. Because Shen Yan had taken so long, Fei Chengji’s face was nearly black with anger. The Nascent Souls in the Hall of Splendid Radiance would choose their favorites as fate allowed, but at the moment, the entire new generation of each major sect was competing openly on strength alone. For Pill Cliff Sect—a top-tier sect—this situation was deeply humiliating for Fei Chengji.

Hongjian silently gathered her Water-type true essence, preparing to step forward, when Fei Chengji called out, “Zhu Jingxian!” The youth behind Shen Yan stepped out in response, casting a quick glance at Hongjian.

Hongjian nearly lost her breath. She had been openly slighted by Fei Chengji. Only now did she realize that the elder had looked down on her ever since he’d snapped at Qu Changhe. This old man!

Hongjian was both indignant and resigned.

Senior Brother Zhu, who was also at the fifth level of Qi Refining, was quick-witted and passed the trial in about the same time as Shen Yan.

The Pill Cliff Sect’s pace was clearly lagging, but fortunately, the other sects’ progress had also slowed. At each barrier, there were now Qi Refining apprentices being stumped by the trial.

Fei Chengji looked at Hongjian with a blank expression and finally said coolly, “Fang Hongjian!”

By now, more than a quarter of an hour had passed since Shi Qingxiang had entered the hall, and many others had gone in between. There was no use in rushing. Hongjian sighed and stepped forward.

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