At the same time.
Within Falling Cloud Valley.
A massive Mystic Mirror hovered in the sky, reflecting scenes from outside the valley with crystal clarity.
Below the Mystic Mirror stood several cultivators from the Falling Cloud Sect, all intently watching the images displayed, their expressions varied.
After seeing Lin Zhen leave in anger, an elder in a blue robe with a golden cloud pattern embroidered on his chest frowned and couldn't help but speak: "Elder Yin, the child is clearly in danger. Shouldn't we send someone to escort him? He traveled a long way to participate in the assessment. If he truly dies here, wouldn't it be our Falling Cloud Sect's fault?"
"Elder Mo, you're mistaken. He chose this path himself; what does it have to do with our Falling Cloud Valley?"
At this moment, a tall and slender middle-aged male cultivator among the group shook his head and said coldly, "This child becomes despondent and gives up easily at the slightest setback. Abandoning a hard-won opportunity for such a trivial matter shows his impulsive nature. He will achieve nothing in the future and is unworthy of being our sect's disciple.
I previously suggested delaying the entrance test by a few days to weed out those with weak wills in advance, to avoid wasting time. It seems the effect is quite good."
The middle-aged male cultivator was named Yin Qingyuan, the elder in charge of recruiting disciples at the Dao Entry Pavilion.
Hearing this, Elder Mo's face darkened, and he retorted angrily: "Isn't that absurd! According to the sect's rules, new disciples are tested first for their Spiritual Root aptitude and then for their mental state. If Wang Luchuan can't pass the second test, I will never agree to accept him into the sect!"
Yin Qingyuan's face turned unpleasant after being rebuked, and just as he was about to say something, a clear and melodious voice interrupted him.
"The two elders merely have different perspectives, both for the benefit of the sect. There's no need for such pointless arguments."
The speaker was a beautiful Foundation Establishment female cultivator among the group, with delicate features and wearing a light blue dress that accentuated her graceful figure and slender waist.
Her words instantly silenced the two Golden Elixir Realm elders, who both fell silent.
Her identity was special; she was Bai Xirou, the daughter of the Falling Cloud Sect's leader.
Seeing the situation calm down, Bai Xirou smiled faintly and continued: "After all, the young man came here as a mortal seeking the Dao. Since we've encountered him, we can't just watch him die halfway. I'll leave the matters here to the elders. I'll go save him once. As for whether he lives or dies afterward, it will depend on his own fate."
With that, Bai Xirou gracefully flew towards the outside of the valley.
***
Not long after.
In another part of Azure Mist Mountain.
Lin Zhen walked aimlessly through the dense forest, his youthful face full of confusion and frustration, muttering to himself:
"Why does Yingying prefer to choose a scoundrel over me? What am I not doing well enough? I can change. We were so close to passing the entrance test and becoming disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect together. Why treat me like this..."
The next moment, he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, but managed to steady himself just in time to avoid a faceplant.
The sudden mishap startled Lin Zhen, and he instinctively turned his head to see that he had tripped over a half-buried stone.
The fist-sized stone was shallowly buried and had been kicked out of the soil by him. Strangely, in the newly exposed pit lay a black ring.
It was as if there was a call from the void, urging him to pick up the ring.
When he touched the ring, nothing unusual happened, but he felt a vague sense of calm, as if everything was meant to be.
Lin Zhen rubbed his eyes and examined the ring closely.
The ring appeared ordinary, its material unknown, with no embellishments on the surface. The outside was smooth and rounded, while the inside was engraved with incomprehensible patterns.
A mere glance made Lin Zhen dizzy, prompting him to quickly avert his gaze.
Almost instinctively, he placed the ring on his right index finger and prepared to continue on his way.
Unlike before, when he was in a group, he was now alone, and any wild beast could easily take his life. To return home safely, he needed to leave the dangerous forest before nightfall.
Suddenly.
The previously silent forest rustled, and three sinister figures emerged from the trees, blocking his path.
Seeing them, Lin Zhen's heart skipped a beat, and he cautiously took two steps back, demanding: "What do you want?"
He recognized these people as Wang Luchuan's henchmen. Their pursuit could only mean trouble.
"Heh, our young master said this place is remote and feared you might accidentally die here, so he sent us to escort you."
The leading henchman sneered, his malicious intent undisguised: "Brat, I advise you not to resist. Let us give you a quick death, or you'll wish you were dead."
Lin Zhen's expression changed: "I have no grudge against you. Why pursue me to the end?"
"Bah, brat, you're at death's door, yet you still talk so much."
The henchman spat, then waved his hand, "Get him!"
As his words fell, the three henchmen drew their blades and charged at Lin Zhen.
Though they were ordinary mortals, each was skilled in martial arts. Lin Zhen was no match and could only turn and flee.
"Am I destined to die here?"
The footsteps behind him grew closer, and despair filled Lin Zhen's face.
Just then, a loud shout exploded in his ear: "Brother, don't worry, I'm here to help!"
A figure leaped out like a leopard, delivering a whip-like kick that sent the leading henchman sprawling.
Then, with a flash, his palms glowed faintly as he struck the chests of the other two henchmen like hammers. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The once-arrogant pursuers were subdued in an instant, lying on the ground, barely alive.
After dealing with the henchmen, the newcomer dusted off his hands, grinned, and said warmly: "Alright, Brother Lin, it's over."
Lin Zhen was stunned, looking at his savior in confusion.
"May I ask, who are you?"
The man had an unremarkable appearance, build, and attire, with no distinguishing features. Lin Zhen couldn't recall ever meeting him.
Qi Yuan didn't mind, smiling as he said: "My name is Qi Da, a rogue cultivator here for the Falling Cloud Valley entrance test. I saw you being bullied by that little fatty and couldn't stand it, so I decided to save you."
Lin Zhen felt a warmth in his heart and said gratefully: "Thank you, Brother Qi, for saving my life. Lin Zhen will never forget it."
He clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Qi Yuan.
He had faced certain death, and if not for Qi Yuan's timely arrival, he would have been a cold corpse.
This debt of gratitude was immense.
Qi Yuan waved his hand: "It was nothing, Brother Lin, don't worry about it."
Meanwhile, a graceful figure hidden in the shadows sighed in relief and then quietly left.
Noticing this, Qi Yuan withdrew his spiritual sense, a smile playing on his lips.
At least Falling Cloud Valley wasn't entirely heartless.
But the girl had arrived a step too late. If he hadn't been there in time, she would have only been able to collect Lin Zhen's body.
Of course, he wasn't worried about being seen through by a mere late Foundation Establishment cultivator.
When he acted, he deliberately restrained his power to the second level of Qi Refining, appearing as if he only knew how to gather true energy in his fists and feet, perfectly fitting his rogue cultivator persona.
According to Falling Cloud Valley's rules, they generally only recruited mortals under eighteen.
But there was an exception for rogue cultivators with some cultivation, allowing for an age extension.
For the first level of Qi Refining, the age limit was extended to twenty, and for the second level, it was under twenty-two.
Qi Yuan was currently twenty-one, and with his second-level Qi Refining cultivation, he fit the criteria perfectly.
During the mission, the system had him break through to the second level of Qi Refining, likely for this reason.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan