Chapter 42: Chapter 39: Honors and Shortbread
“The lady also asked me to remind the young master, please make sure to attend, as this is a rare opportunity.”
With a respectful and gentle tone, Xuejian said, “If the young master doesn’t go, the lady said she would ground you for three months, take away all your painting paper, poetry and books, guqin, and also forbid you from entering the kitchen again.”
As she spoke, a strange feeling rose from the bottom of her heart, wondering how one could have such a broad range of hobbies—this young master was indeed a man of talent.
Moreover, such a precious opportunity, that people would scramble for outside, yet here she was, having to persuade this young master with great effort—it was indeed quite inconceivable…
“Isn’t this punishment too harsh?”
Li Hao was somewhat at a loss for words and asked, “Is this really a request, or a threat?”
Xuejian looked up, her lovely face displaying innocence as she blinked her eyes.
“Fine, fine, I understand,” Li Hao sighed.
Xuejian’s lips curled into a smile; the young master was definitely a character. She curtsied gracefully, said goodbye to Fifth Master, and then took her leave from Li Hao with great respect.
“You should listen to that girl Jianlan and go,” said Li Qingzheng indifferently after Xuejian had left.
“Is it for that Peerless Technique from Black and White Hall?” Li Hao inquired.
As one of the three sacred places in Qingzhou City, Black and White Hall was mentioned alongside Listening Rain Tower. Although Li Hao had heard from Second Master that the two were not on the same level, Black and White Hall had something of its own too, like that Peerless Technique it possessed.
“Exactly, that Peerless Technique is worth being included in the Seven Floors.”
Li Qingzheng said calmly, “Moreover, the teaching standard of Tan Palace Academy is not bad, and you should rein in your nature.”
“That’s the real purpose, isn’t it…” Li Hao muttered with a smirk.
Before long, the maid Qing Zhi bounced back with a skip in her step.
Seeing her empty-handed, Li Hao asked, “What about the flaky pastries?”
“Didn’t manage to get them.”
Qing Zhi bowed formally to Li Qingzheng before speaking to Li Hao, “I asked Ms. Wang next door, and Uncle Liu has gone to Tan Palace Academy to set up his stall at the fair there. They say it’s crowded with talents from all nineteen provinces, and the business is booming. Besides Uncle Liu, many other vendors from nearby streets have also gone there to set up their stalls.”
“Tsk…” Li Hao inhaled sharply and couldn’t help but smile wryly; it seemed he had no choice but to make a trip there.
Although his cooking skills had reached the Sixth Stage by now, Uncle Liu had been making that cottony fragrant flaky pastry for decades. He could make it himself, but it somehow lacked that indescribable flavor, not quite perfect.
On the other side, the old master watched Li Hao’s resigned expression and chuckled, twirling his beard.
“Young master, when I came back, Young Master Yuan Zhao was waiting for you on the Jiaoshi carriage outside. He said he’s waiting and you should get ready quickly to go to Tan Palace Academy together,” said Qing Zhi.
“Alright then.”
With things having come this far, Li Hao could only get moving, for the sake of the flaky pastries.
He asked Qing Zhi to get his outerwear ready, and headed out in casual attire.
“Grandfather, I’m taking a trip and won’t see you off,” Li Hao said to the old master.
“Go ahead, we’ll see how I defeat you when you return,” Li Qingzheng said with a laugh.
You better think it through well… Li Hao thought to himself with a secret chuckle, taking along with him Fu, and Qing Zhi as they stepped out.
Qing Zhi had entered the mansion three years ago. She was said to be the young lady of a small family that had fallen on hard times and ended up being sold into servitude, eventually making her way to the Divine General Mansion.
Li Hao had heard about her some calligraphy skills, which was why he had her brought to Mountain and River Courtyard.
Given the previous assassination attempt, Qing Zhi’s entry to the mansion went through layers of scrutiny and also a medicinal examination by Li Fu to confirm nothing was amiss before she was officially transferred to Mountain and River Courtyard.
Later, favored by Li Hao, she was gradually brought to his side to become a personal maidservant, becoming one of Li Hao’s more trusted individuals.
Outside the Mansion.
A squad of the Li Family’s private soldiers had already taken their positions, with five Yanbei hydra-lions, whose bodies were as large as elephants, harnessed in front and behind a huge carriage, exuding an air of grandeur.
Since Li Hao and the other members of the third generation of the Li Family, aside from a few who had already inherited titles, had no official achievements to their names, there was no parasol fitted on the carriage. However, the carriage body adorned with carved dragons and painted phoenixes still radiated an aura of nobility, and when combined with the imposing, savage bodies of the five hydra-lions, their presence was nothing short of formidable.
Stepping into the carriage cabin, Li Hao saw two men and a woman who had been waiting inside; they were of a similar age to himself, specifically Li Yuanzhao, and the sibling pair, Li Yun.
Among the direct descendants of the third generation who had trained together in the martial training field, there were only the five of them, including the children of the Eighth Mistress.
However, the children of the Eighth Mistress had been spoiled by her since childhood, and their relationship with others was extremely estranged. They were not sociable, a trait that had been apparent from the past and had become even more obvious over time.
Nonetheless…
With the passage of time, many things had changed.
“Hao!”
Upon seeing Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao immediately called out with a smile and patted the seat beside him, inviting Li Hao to join him.
Now thirteen years old, his body had become even more rotund, making him look quite comical; his squinty eyes resembled two slits on a round steamed bun.
Both of Li Yuanzhao’s parents had passed away, and as an orphan among the third generation, he had been fostered in the courtyard of the Fourth Mistress since childhood. It was said that he was greatly favored by the Fourth Mistress, which explained his well-fed appearance.
At his enthusiastic call, the siblings looked over with slightly furrowed brows but did not greet Li Hao.
As they grew older and learned more at the martial training field or were influenced by certain other factors, these siblings gradually decreased their visits to the Mountain and River Courtyard. Since Li Hao turned eleven, they had not come at all.
When Li Hao accompanied the elder to go fishing, he would sometimes run into them, but it seemed that the siblings had lost the enthusiasm of the old days and started to avoid him.
Li Hao had taken the initiative to greet them several times, but after repeated occurrences, he realized what was happening. He said nothing about it, harboring no resentment or blame, and simply treated them as strangers from then on.
After all, as the years went by, not only the people around him changed, but so did he himself.
Five years had brought about many changes.
For his sake, the Fifth Master had left the ancestral hall, where he had been in seclusion for many years, and often visited the courtyard to play chess with him and relieve his boredom.
Whereas the courtyard, once bustling with people eager to hear stories, had gradually emptied, leaving only Li Yuanzhao, who remained as enthusiastic as ever about coming to the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Sometimes, when there were no stories to hear, he’d bring a small stool to sit next to Li Hao, watching him paint alone or chatting idly with the Fifth Master over a game of chess.
Moving on, the letter from the faraway Jian Pavilion, thousands of miles to the south, had not arrived for a long time.
The last time they received a letter was a year ago.
However, according to the agreement made in that letter, the young girl would have completed her training and descended the mountain by this time next year.
Thinking that he would see that “little tail” in another year, a tender smile couldn’t help but appear in Li Hao’s eyes as he moved over and took the half of the seat offered by Li Yuanzhao.
“Zhi Ning, why don’t you call out to Hao?”
Once Li Hao sat down, Li Yuanzhao looked at the unresponsive siblings beside him and called out to the sister.
The once neatly dressed and obedient Li Zhining had grown into a slender and delicate young girl, but her once cheerful and innocent eyes now carried a touch of calmness and determination.
She glanced at Li Hao, saw the casual and warm smile still on his face, furrowed her brow, but said nothing.
Beside her, Li Yun’s expression darkened, and he addressed the coachman up front, “Let’s set off, Ming!”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The carriage started moving slowly. Aside from some initial jerkiness, the ride became stable and smooth with no jolts whatsoever.
“Li Yuanzhao, although we have the invitations from Tan Palace Academy, my mother has said we should rely on our own abilities to enter the academy and not depend on the family for everything, lest outsiders mock us!”
Li Yun said sternly with a cold expression.
Chapter 43: Chapter 40 Prestige
“Of course.”
Li Yuanzhao frowned and said, “Do you think I can’t rely on myself, that I need others’ help? Why don’t we go back and spar again, since we haven’t determined a winner last time!”
Li Yun snorted coldly. In the past two years, his sparring with Li Yuanzhao had been almost equal, hard to determine a superior.
However, speaking of their ages, he was slightly at a disadvantage.
After all, the latter was a year younger than him.
When it came to bone measurement and the innate talent of their battle bodies, he was also at a disadvantage, his rank being Seventh Layer, while his sister and Li Yuanzhao were both Eighth Layer.
Therefore, his words were not targeted at Li Yuanzhao, but more at that other person, the one who had later made him understand reason and secretly fume with anger.
The thought of having been brutally beaten up by a good-for-nothing made him extremely angry, but fortunately, the incident was only known to the heavens, the earth, and between Li Hao and himself.
Over the years, seeing Li Hao would make his teeth itch with irritation. If it weren’t for the constant presence of the Second Elder and the Fifth Elder by Li Hao’s side, he wouldn’t let go of any chance to take revenge.
Seeing Li Yun shooting a cold glare at Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao, despite his youth, was not foolish, especially after years with Hao, hearing all sorts of extraordinary and marvelous stories, which included tales of ghosts and demons, as well as stories about the viciousness of human nature. Although he couldn’t fully understand them yet, he was still a bit more mature than his peers.
Because of this, he had understood Li Yun’s implication from the start and intentionally deflected the topic onto himself.
Seeing Li Yun only daring to make veiled criticisms, he couldn’t be bothered to argue seriously, to avoid making everyone uncomfortable, and smilingly said to Li Hao, “Hao, I heard that Xue’er will be back in a year.”
“Yeah.”
Li Hao’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“I heard from my master that one must reach the Divine Travel Realm to leave the Sword Cottage. Could it be that Xue’er will break through to the Divine Travel Realm by next year?” Li Yuanzhao asked curiously.
The Divine Travel Realm was the domain of Fourth Realm warriors who could delve into tiger’s dens to slay demons and dispel evil. In the borderlands, they could carve out a path of blood, taking on the role of military officers, ranking just below generals!
You should know, by next year, Bian Ruxue will only be fifteen years old.
Such progress, even among the top talents with Eighth Layer battle bodies, is considered outstanding.
Many of those celebrated figures across the world possess Eighth Layer battle bodies, which is just a starting point for the top talents, a limit set by bone measurement!
And what follows, the various opportunities, efforts, and natural comprehension abilities, will further widen this gap.
Off to the side, Li Yun perked up at the mention of “Xue’er,” his eyes instinctively glancing towards Li Hao.
The seed that had once sprouted in his young heart seemed to stir again.
However, upon thinking of the ‘Divine Travel Realm,’ the youth’s expression darkened again, weighed down by sadness. With his current understanding, he knew just how unreachable that distance was.
“That’s right.”
Li Hao nodded. One in the Divine Travel Realm could have the assurance of life whilst roaming the Jianghu.
He glanced at a shadow not far off, its expression complex. He felt amused and also thought the boy deserved a beating for still harboring thoughts of rivalry.
It had been too long since he’d been put in his place, daring to hold a grudge.
“To reach the Divine Travel Realm at fifteen is truly impressive. If she were to come to Tan Palace Academy, I bet the Palace Master would personally receive her and take her directly as a Direct Disciple of the Inner Palace,” Li Yuanzhao couldn’t help admiring aloud.
They were merely at Cycle Heaven Realm Perfection, still a bit away from the Soul Succession stage.
This time, they joined Tan Palace Academy with the intention of succeeding the souls of ancient and valiant figures of Tan Palace.
This was the instruction of their mother, for reasons unknown to them.
“Her master is the Sword Saint after all. It’s incomparable,” Li Hao said reassuringly.
In truth, these few were also geniuses. The only reason they hadn’t entered renowned mountains was due to an unspoken rule in the Li Family’s main branch: one could enter a renowned mountain, but only as a Direct Disciple of a master of the Sword Saint’s caliber.
Otherwise, they would practice in the family estate until reaching a certain level of cultivation and then join various major forces to stand out and showcase the majesty of the younger generation of the Li Family.
Such standards were only for the main branch. It was different for children of concubines—as soon as their foundations were firm, they would join various famous mountains and mentors and had already made a name for the Li Family in all kinds of forces.
Even with just the children of concubines, the True Dragon having not yet emerged, they had already become young leaders in various second and third-tier forces.
This also added great prestige to the Li Family’s reputation in the Jianghu, extending far beyond the military camps along the borders.
“Indeed,” Li Yuanzhao sighed. To be taught by a Sword Saint-level master, that was something to envy. At the very least, it called for a starting point with Eight Layer battle body talent, which was the minimum requirement.
At this time, the Jiao-lion led the way, and the enormous carriage, comparable to a house on wheels, traversed the streets of Qingzhou City, known to all that it belonged to the Divine General Mansion.
Bystanders made way, pointing and whispering amongst themselves; one glance at the direction and they knew, the carriage most likely carried the true dragons of the Li Family headed for cultivation at Tan Palace Academy.
Those martial artists and sons and daughters of prestigious families from various states who had hurried over, when their carriages met the demon energy emitted by the Jiao-lion, became restless and uneasy, halting in place, some even bolted crazily towards the roadside in fear, unwilling to obstruct the path and unrestrainable even by the coachmen’s earnest tugging.
The dignity of the Divine General Mansion was fully displayed in this moment.
Before long, the carriage came to a stop, and Ming, the coachman, informed them in a gentle voice that they had arrived outside of Tan Palace Academy.
Tan Palace Academy was not far from the Divine General Mansion, practically neighbors.
As the carriage settled, Li Yuanzhao and the other two’s gazes slightly intensified.
Although they were also considered prodigies with extraordinary talents, they normally cultivated within the mansion and had never truly shown themselves in front of others, and given their youthful nature, a trace of nervousness was unavoidable at this moment.
Li Hao, however, didn’t feel much; once the carriage stopped, he rose leisurely and casually lifted the curtain of the carriage.
Light poured onto his face, and at the same time, a multitude of bustling and noisy sounds surged forward, flooding into the carriage as if lifting the curtain had uncovered an era of human flourishment!
When the three inside returned to their senses, they saw Li Hao standing gracefully at the carriage door amidst the cacophony, quietly surveying the surroundings with his usual faint smile, appearing completely at ease.
Li Zhining’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if a flicker of past memories surged forth, but she quickly regained her composure, and the corner that had been lifted was folded back down once more.
Only when the three of them got up and exited the carriage did they behold the bustling scene outside.
The vast square was packed with figures, shoulder to shoulder, the majority being energetic young men and women bearing swords, knives, and spears.
In the crowd, there were also well-dressed young men with attendants at their side, keeping all but the closest away.
And amidst the throng, the young women in rainbow garments and feathered dresses, with graceful maidens holding umbrellas to shield them from the blazing sun, stood out conspicuously, a striking presence.
Looking around, all one could see were densely packed young martial artists.
Yet at this moment, those standing on the carriage instantly became the focal point of everyone’s gaze.
After all, the Jiao-lion carriage from the Divine General Mansion was too eye-catching.
Dayu decreed that dragon-blooded beasts pulling carriages were to be used for imperial travel with nine at most, seven for princes, and five for marquises and fifth-rank officials. Scholars and renowned families were entitled to use three or two, respectively.
Commoners, the wealthy without official titles, could only use a single steed for their carriage, and it must not be of Jiao race with dragon blood.
Though Li Hao and the others lacked official titles, being the sons of a marquis, they too could enjoy the glory of their forebears.
“Is that the Divine General Mansion?”
“The Li Family of Qingzhou City, the millennium-old Divine General Mansion, truly magnificent!”
“That’s four slots gone; I heard Tan Palace Academy has a limited number of spots, how infuriating!”
“Hmph, I, Lin Yan, will definitely lead my Liuzhou branch of the Lin Family to rise in this generation, contending with heaven and earth!”
“They say there’s a waste in the Li Family this generation; I wonder if he came?”
A millennium of glory sparked envy and jealousy among the masses, and it stirred up even more ambition and eagerness in many young hearts amidst the noisy tumult.
Li Yun, along with Li Yuanzhao and Li Zhining, had tense expressions, appearing robust and calm on the surface, but their fingers were already sweating with revealed inner nervousness.
Facing gazes that seemed as if they could scorch a person, Li Yun lingered no longer, and with a cold expression, uttered, “Let’s go ahead.”
He then took his sister Li Zhining and jumped down from the carriage, entering the crowd boldly like a tiger through a forest, amidst Ming’s cautioning words for the young master to walk slowly and be careful.
The surrounding people unconsciously made way, not out of respect for the youth, but for the surname behind him.
“Hao, let’s go too,” Li Yuanzhao said, swallowing nervously to Li Hao.
Li Hao, however, tip-toed slightly and looked around, sniffing lightly, his eyes soon lit up as he said, “Let’s go!”
With that, he jumped down from the carriage, and the onlookers parted, none daring to block the path of the fine-dressed young man.
Li Yuanzhao hurriedly followed but grabbed Li Hao’s sleeve after a few steps, “Hao, aren’t we going the wrong way? The Tan Palace Academy is over there.”
“I know,”
Li Hao responded without looking back: “But there is food ahead.”
Fame and status can wait, but food comes first indeed!
Chapter 44: Chapter 41: What It Takes to Walk the Jianghu Is…
The scent of cotton-like, fragrant crispiness wafted over, and Li Hao could smell it from far away, this was made by Uncle Liu himself.
Don’t be fooled by Uncle Liu’s status as a small vendor; his deep-fried fragrant crispies were incomparable. His ability to set up a stall on the busiest street outside the Divine General Mansion for many years was a clear testament to his skill.
As the aroma lingered on the edge of the square, Li Hao arrived with Li Yuanzhao, they saw that the number of young men and women here had noticeably decreased, all hurrying towards the entrance stairs to Tan Palace Academy, but there were still quite a few figures lingering in front of each stall, their attire and decorations clearly from other provinces.
It was a rare trip to Qingzhou, so it might as well include sampling the local cuisine.
Li Hao saw a long queue in front of Uncle Liu’s stall, mostly comprised of women, as well as some house servants in line to purchase for their masters.
Li Hao pulled Li Yuanzhao to the end of the long queue and started waiting.
“Hao, haven’t you had breakfast yet?”
Li Yuanzhao couldn’t help but ask.
Li Hao nodded.
“Wait here, I’ll go buy some for you.”
As soon as Li Yuanzhao finished speaking, he called out to the front, “Uncle Liu, prepare two breakfasts for us!”
His voice was loud and clear, drawing the gaze of many in line. Seeing the two dressed in exquisite and expensive attire, they instantly recognized the wealthy youths they were.
At Uncle Liu’s stall, Ms. Liu was busy collecting money and catering to customers. Hearing Li Yuanzhao’s shout, she looked up and realized that it was Li Hao, the young master, standing behind. She hurriedly responded with a smile and conveyed to the hard-working Liu:
“It’s Young Master Hao from the Divine General Mansion, quickly make him two portions.”
Old Liu was momentarily taken aback, glanced up in the midst of his busyness, and, upon seeing the young man at the end of the line, couldn’t help but smile broadly on his wrinkled face.
To them, small vendors and lowly servants, the powerful and aristocratic often looked down upon them with disdain and contempt.
But Young Master Hao treated them all the same, without any reservations. Three years ago, he even sat down on the ground at their stall, helping them shout and sell. That scene truly startled the couple, leaving them feeling very flattered and surprised. Since then, they had remembered this unique young master from a distinguished family.
“You little rascal…”
Li Hao originally wanted to stop Li Yuanzhao, as it was fine to wait. Seeing Ms. Liu smile at him, he reluctantly led Li Yuanzhao to the front of the stall and quietly waited on the other side.
Next to them, the house servants who were in line kept throwing furtive glances but dared not say anything.
However, the women who were standing in line themselves had their faces fall and shot hostile glares, with someone discontentedly saying:
“Why should he be able to cut in line? It’s not fair!”
“Exactly!”
“Boss, you’re being unfair!”
Hearing these criticisms, Li Yuanzhao started to get anxious, about to reveal their identities from the Divine General Mansion, but was stopped by Li Hao, who held him back.
With things having come to this point, Li Hao had no choice but to step in to resolve the issue. Though feeling a bit helpless inside, he smiled at the complaining girls and then took out a piece of gold from his bag, handing it to Uncle Liu’s stall with a gentle voice:
“Ladies, there’s no need to get upset. Here’s fairness for you, five times the price.”
Ms. Liu was taken aback and hurriedly tried to put the gold back in Li Hao’s hand: “Young Master Hao, we cannot accept this!”
“No need for change, consider it payment for future purchases as well,” Li Hao said with a smile, pushing back any refusal, his gentle gaze leaving no room for argument.
Being small vendors often involved dealing with Jianghu, so their observational skills were quite sharp. Ms. Liu immediately understood and stopped insisting.
Li Hao then said, “Please trouble Uncle Liu, make it five servings.”
“Oh, of course!” Uncle Liu quickly agreed.
His own wife didn’t hold back anymore, so he just went ahead and did it.
Seeing Li Hao behave so extravagantly, the other girls in line couldn’t suppress their anger. Even at five times the price, a single crispy treat was affordable to them, but they didn’t want to be seen as suckers.
Soon, Li Hao had gotten his hands on five portions of the cottony Crispy Sweets and casually handed a bag to Li Yuanzhao before making his way out of the crowd.
“So many, Hao, can you finish them all?”
Li Yuanzhao, holding the bag Li Hao had given him and after taking a bite, exclaimed, “This is really delicious; no wonder Hao likes it!”
Li Hao smiled and returned to the front of the carriage, where he saw Qing Zhi and Li Fu standing guard at the back of the carriage. He handed each of them a bag.
“Young master, haven’t you gone to the entrance stairway yet?” Li Fu, taking the breakfast, looked at Li Hao with some astonishment.
Li Hao replied, “I need to fill my stomach first, don’t I?”
Li Fu was speechless, but after following Li Hao for five or six years, he had come to understand the young master’s temperament and didn’t say much more. After all, they had an invitation.
Li Hao returned to the front of the carriage and glanced at Ming, who was sitting on the carriage seat. Although Ming was from Piaoxue Courtyard, he was quite courteous to Li Hao on normal days, so Li Hao handed him a portion as well.
“Thank you, Young Master Hao.”
Ming quickly took it with both hands, stood up, and expressed his gratitude.
Immediately, he showed the same curiosity as Li Fu and asked, “Young Master Hao, haven’t you… gone to the entrance stairway yet?”
“I’ll go after I finish eating,” Li Hao said.
Li Ming was slightly dumbfounded. Young Master Liu and Miss Zhi Ning were probably already inside the mountain gate by now, and here Young Master Hao was still loitering at the foot of the mountain. Indeed, just as the rumors said, he really was at ease…
After eating and drinking his fill, Li Hao, followed by the impatient Li Yuanzhao, pushed through the crowd to the entrance stairway.
It was called a stairway, but it was actually a long series of steps.
Reportedly, there were a thousand of them leading to the entrance of Tan Palace Academy.
This was also the first test of Tan Palace Academy.
Simply climbing a thousand steps wasn’t difficult, but on the other side of the steps next to the forest, there were figures leaping up and down—clearly, all manner of monkey demons.
Though they were demonic creatures, they were tamed by Tan Palace Academy.
The figures attempting the entrance stairway would, during the climb, be harassed and attacked by these monkey demons. If one couldn’t reach the peak within ten breaths while evading the attacks, they would be considered to have failed the first challenge.
This test was not easy by any means. Just climbing required the strength of someone in the sixth or seventh level of the Power Passage Realm, not to mention the need to dodge the sneak attacks of the monkey demons, which was a true test of observation and movement technique.
“Miss, this challenge seems quite difficult!”
In the crowd, a maid holding an umbrella said nervously to the white-clothed young lady beside her.
“It’s nothing difficult, just a minor first test that won’t defeat me,” the young lady said with calm assurance, her gaze sweeping through the crowd, “Compared to this challenge, there seem to be quite a few strong competitors among these people…”
With her outstanding insight, Si Xiaolan saw many from noble families as she looked around.
Among them, some had a higher status than the Si Family, while others were slightly inferior.
“Miss, those two over there seem to be young masters from the Divine General Mansion in Qingzhou,” the maid, standing on tiptoes and looking around, suddenly pointed to a place on the left.
Si Xiaolan looked up, recognized the sleeve pattern, and nodded slightly: “Correct.”
Just as she was taking note, the two men were also about to register for entry.
Si Xiaolan’s heart stirred, and she immediately stepped forward to register as well.
“What of the Divine General Mansion? I’ve heard that the Li Family are all True Dragons, but I want to see just how much I fall short.” Si Xiaolan thought to herself, her eyes shining with a glimmer of light, betraying a stubborn fighting spirit.
“Age, Place of Birth, Name.”
“Jizhou, the Si Family.”
In front of the registration staff, Si Xiaolan only gave her family name. The registration for the first challenge was rather casual, sure enough, upon hearing the name ‘Si Family,’ the staff member looked up at the young girl, then nodded and said:
“Go ahead, do you know the rules? No matter the method, just reach the summit within ten breaths.”
“Ten breaths? That’s too long.”
A young man in luxurious clothing said indifferently from the side.
Si Xiaolan glanced at him, recognizing him as the scion of a well-known family from another state, and her gaze grew even brighter.
“Miss, they are all nobility, should we wait for the next batch…” Next to her, a maidservant hesitated nervously, tugging at the young girl’s sleeve.
“What’s there to fear?”
Si Xiaolan’s eyes sparkled brilliantly: “What counts in Jianghu is not one’s reputation, but true martial prowess!”
After speaking, she instructed her maidservant to wait obediently there and followed the others into the arena.
She wanted to compare herself in secret.
“Get ready.” Beside them, an elder who seemed deep in meditation lifted his eyelids and spoke lightly.
Everyone adjusted their breathing and loosened up their joints.
“Yuan Zhao, go for it.” Li Hao encouraged Li Yuanzhao with a smile.
The kid insisted on relying on his own abilities to overcome this challenge, and Li Hao could only let him be.
“Yes!”
Li Yuanzhao nodded firmly.
The others glanced at Li Hao, finding his words rather odd, but they didn’t think much of it.
At that moment, following the elder’s command, over ten people burst into action simultaneously!
Whoosh!
A fierce wind suddenly swept up from the side, and Li Yuanzhao’s figure shot out like a cannonball, taking the lead explosively, leaving a depressed mark where he stood.
In the blink of an eye, he stepped onto the hundredth stair, then with another stride, he surged ahead like a hurricane, rapidly reaching the summit!
In total, it took him merely three breaths.
Li Hao knew that for Yuan Zhao, who had achieved Cycle Heaven Realm Perfection, this did not count as exerting his full strength.
When Si Xiaolan saw Li Yuanzhao’s figure burst forth, her lovely eyes slightly contracted; she then also suddenly unleashed her power, transforming into a white light and chasing after him swiftly, but was quickly left behind.
Midway, a Demon Ape suddenly attacked, but she was well-prepared, nimbly dodging with a butterfly-like spin, and after a few leaping steps, she finally reached the peak.
She counted, seven breaths.
As she arrived, several others reached the summit almost at the same time.
After ten breaths, out of twelve people, only seven passed.
Those standing on the summit looked at the short and stout individual with complex expressions in their eyes, showing a hint of shock.
The speed at which Li Yuanzhao had exploded was terrifying, the mere wind generated by his movement had the force of a tiger’s roar.
Is this the prodigy of the Divine General Mansion? The gap is too great.
Si Xiaolan’s expression grew solemn as she sized up the little chubby boy, who appeared to be a year or two younger than herself, feeling an extremely uncomfortable sensation deep inside—a profound sense of defeat.
At this time, someone noticed that of the two from the Divine General Mansion, only one had reached the summit.
Some looked back in amazement to find a figure on the staircase, walking at a leisurely pace.
And the Demon Apes around him did not launch any attacks.
“Hao.”
Li Yuanzhao turned around and waved to greet him.
Soon, Li Hao also reached the summit, smiling at Li Yuanzhao.
“Does he also count as having passed?” someone asked in surprise and doubt.
“But didn’t the ten breaths pass a long time ago?”
The crowd was befuddled.
There was an elder on the summit too, in charge of verifying the candidates. Hearing their discussion, he said indifferently, “You’ve all passed, go to the second challenge. That’s where you might lose your life. If you want to quit, you can give up. After all, there are other noble families that will take disciples.”
The statement left everyone speechless and conveyed his confidence.
“Does he also count as having passed?” Si Xiaolan asked with a frown, pointing at Li Hao.
“Of course, he has an invitation,” the elder said calmly.
“An invitation?”
“Tan Palace Academy actually has invitations?”
All were wide-eyed and astonished, clearly learning of such a thing for the first time.
While everyone struggled, was there someone who simply took a boat? And this boat ticket was personally given by the Tan Palace Academy!
Li Hao gave a smile to the upright young lady in white, wanting to tease her a bit. He took out the invitation from his breast pocket, shook it, and then went straight on his way.
Si Xiaolan was stunned for a moment, recalling her earlier words that success in Jianghu depends on martial skills… Martial skills my foot, his success came from having powerful support! Annoyed at Li Hao’s showing off, she stomped her foot fiercely and then followed him, gritting her teeth.
Before long, they arrived at the second challenge.
Not far beyond the summit, there was a cliff, and chains were nailed below it, linking to the other side.
Each chain was widely spaced from the next, meaning one could only step on one chain at a time.
A chasm of ten thousand feet, traversed by walking on a lone chain?
Some faces went pale, and they began to have second thoughts.
Si Xiaolan’s eyes narrowed slightly and her palms sweat, but soon after, she cast a look at the two arrogantly imposing figures ahead.
Here, she couldn’t possibly still rely on an invitation, could she?
She sneered inwardly.
