The gate beneath the central hall stood open, revealing a passage lit by lines of gold buried inside the stone.
Chao Lun Hui regarded it with the caution normally reserved for wild beasts, suspicious contracts and meals prepared by people who said the ingredients were a secret.
The mountain had already recognised Luo Yanhe as its surviving heir.
Apparently, that was not enough.
The inner formation was still gathering light around the entrance, preparing whatever judgement came next.
Luo Yanhe : “Master.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Hm?”
Luo Yanhe : “Do ancient formations enjoy attention?”
Shen Yan Ting examined the light flowing around the doorway.
Shen Yan Ting : “No.”
Luo Yanhe pointed towards the gate.
Luo Yanhe : “It has been glowing since it opened.”
Shen Yan Ting : “It is activating.”
Luo Yanhe : “It is showing off.”
Shen Yan Ting : “It is not.”
As though offended by the accusation, the formation brightened.
Golden runes swept across the arch and climbed the neighbouring pillars.
Luo Yanhe pointed at once.
Luo Yanhe : “See?”
Shen Yan Ting : “You pointed at a light.”
Luo Yanhe : “It reacted.”
Shen Yan Ting : “No.”
Luo Yanhe : “Why is Master defending the formation?”
Shen Yan Ting : “I am correcting you.”
Luo Yanhe : “That sounds exactly like defending it.”
Shen Yan Ting : “No.”
Luo Yanhe : “Yes.”
Behind them, Elder Mo cleared his throat.
The senior record keeper pretended to inspect the failed recording talisman from earlier, although Chao Lun Hui suspected he was hiding amusement.
The golden boundary spread from the gate and stopped at their feet.
A narrow path illuminated beneath Luo Yanhe and Shen Yan Ting.
When Elder Mo stepped forwards, a transparent barrier rose between him and the entrance.
Elder Mo placed two fingers against it.
The formation did not move.
Senior Record Keeper : “It will admit only the recognised heir.”
Shen Yan Ting took one step beside Luo Yanhe.
The barrier opened around him without resistance.
The record keeper’s expression tightened.
Senior Record Keeper : “And Elder Shen.”
Elder Mo looked from the formation to Shen Yan Ting.
Elder Mo : “The ruins continue to include you in matters connected to the Luo bloodline.”
Shen Yan Ting : “I noticed.”
Luo Yanhe : “Master sounds disappointed.”
Shen Yan Ting : “I am being observed.”
Luo Yanhe glanced towards the two men behind the barrier.
Luo Yanhe : “This disciple is also being observed.”
Shen Yan Ting : “You are accustomed to it.”
That was unfortunately true.
Luo Yanhe’s reputation ensured that even standing quietly could become suspicious if enough elders were present.
The gate’s light gathered above them.
『BLOODLINE ACCEPTED 』
『INHERITANCE ACCESS CONFIRMED 』
Chao Lun Hui waited.
The next message appeared with unnecessary calm.
『OWNERSHIP NOT GRANTED 』
Luo Yanhe : “That clarification felt personal.”
Shen Yan Ting : “It was addressed to you.”
Luo Yanhe : “Master could pretend otherwise.”
Shen Yan Ting : “No.”
The golden lines inside the passage shifted, forming a circular seal beneath their feet.
『INHERITANCE REMAINS UNCLAIMED 』
『FINAL QUALIFICATION REQUIRED 』
Luo Yanhe folded his arms.
Luo Yanhe : “Did this disciple accidentally pass an examination and fail another one at the same time?”
Shen Yan Ting considered the question.
Shen Yan Ting : “Perhaps.”
Luo Yanhe : “Nobody informed this disciple there would be an examination.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Life rarely announces them.”
Luo Yanhe covered his forehead.
Luo Yanhe : “Master keeps giving philosophical answers when this disciple needs practical ones.”
Shen Yan Ting : “It is still an answer.”
Luo Yanhe : “A very troublesome one.”
Four separate symbols emerged around the circular seal.
Each carried a different spiritual pressure.
One felt cold and distant.
Another pressed against the body like a drawn blade.
The third settled heavily over the chest.
The last remained quiet, which made Chao Lun Hui distrust it most.
The Inheritance announced their meaning.
『TRIALS: MEMORY, STRENGTH, HEART, FATE 』
Luo Yanhe stared at the words.
Luo Yanhe : “Master, please tell this disciple this is not another ancient ancestor trying to test someone’s mental stability.”
Shen Yan Ting : “It probably is.”
Luo Yanhe sighed.
Luo Yanhe : “Ancient ancestors truly had too much free time.”
Shen Yan Ting : “They built an entire hidden mountain.”
Luo Yanhe : “That supports this disciple’s argument.”
A second ring of light surrounded the first.
The symbols rotated once, then settled into fixed positions.
Luo Yanhe : “Master.”
Shen Yan Ting : “What?”
Luo Yanhe : “What if these ruins expect this disciple to restore the Luo Clan?”
Shen Yan Ting looked towards the dark passage beyond the gate.
Shen Yan Ting : “What will you do if they do?”
Luo Yanhe’s answer came immediately.
Luo Yanhe : “No.”
Shen Yan Ting turned his gaze back to him.
Shen Yan Ting : “No?”
Luo Yanhe : “Absolutely no.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Why?”
Luo Yanhe sighed with the weariness of someone already carrying responsibilities he had not requested.
Luo Yanhe : “This disciple can barely organise his own life.”
Shen Yan Ting : “That is accurate.”
Luo Yanhe placed a hand over his heart.
Luo Yanhe : “Master.”
Shen Yan Ting : “What?”
Luo Yanhe : “Supportive people normally disagree.”
Shen Yan Ting : “I value honesty.”
Chao Lun Hui studied him for several seconds.
Luo Yanhe : “This disciple suddenly understands why Master has very few friends.”
Shen Yan Ting did not appear offended.
That probably proved the point.
The joke faded as Chao Lun Hui looked beyond the gate.
Broken halls stretched down the mountain behind them.
No voices came from the abandoned courtyards.
No disciples waited for their heir.
The inheritance had survived, but the people who created It had not.
It had waited through eighty-six impossible years and perhaps much longer than the surviving records admitted.
The ruins had recognised Luo Yanhe, not Chao Lun Hui.
Entering the trials would not make the inheritance his.
It would not give him the right to claim another man’s family.
Yet walking away would leave the dead clan waiting again.
Chao Lun Hui could not accept that either.
He did not know who Luo Yanhe had truly been before the novel turned him into a villain.
He only knew that he was now carrying the man’s name, body and unfinished responsibilities.
Until he understood why, he would not abandon them.
Luo Yanhe : “This disciple will take the trials.”
Shen Yan Ting’s expression did not change.
Shen Yan Ting : “You decided quickly.”
Luo Yanhe : “Not quickly.
Reluctantly.”
Shen Yan Ting : “That is still a decision.”
Behind the barrier, Elder Mo’s posture eased.
Elder Mo : “The Luo inheritance may finally have someone willing to answer it.”
The senior record keeper remained guarded.
Senior Record Keeper : “Willingness does not establish moral fitness.”
Luo Yanhe looked back at him.
Luo Yanhe : “That appears to be why the inheritance has prepared four examinations.”
The man paused, perhaps expecting anger or mockery.
Senior Record Keeper : “Correct.”
Chao Lun Hui nodded.
The caution was unpleasant, but it was not baseless.
The mountain’s recognition had not erased Luo Yanhe’s forbidden-technique incident or the people who still feared what he could become.
The formation pulsed beneath his feet.
『QUALIFICATION CANDIDATE CONFIRMED 』
Luo Yanhe : “Candidate?”
Shen Yan Ting : “You have not passed.”
Luo Yanhe : “Master is very committed to preventing confidence.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Excessive confidence causes mistakes.”
Luo Yanhe : “So does excessive honesty.”
Shen Yan Ting : “No.”
The symbol representing Memory rose above the other three.
Its light spread through the passage and formed a second circle around Luo Yanhe.
『FIRST TRIAL: MEMORY 』
Luo Yanhe : “Of course.”
Shen Yan Ting : “What?”
Luo Yanhe : “Ancient inheritances mention memories only when they intend to traumatise someone.”
Shen Yan Ting : “That is likely.”
Luo Yanhe slowly turned towards him.
Luo Yanhe : “Master agreed immediately.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Your conclusion was reasonable.”
Luo Yanhe : “This disciple’s life is about to become significantly worse.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Probably.”
Luo Yanhe : “Master could provide encouragement.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Remain calm.”
Luo Yanhe : “That sounded more like an instruction.”
Shen Yan Ting : “It was.”
The Memory symbol expanded.
Golden strands rose from the floor and wound around Chao Lun Hui’s wrists without touching his skin.
A second set moved towards Shen Yan Ting.
Luo Yanhe : “Why is Master included?”
Shen Yan Ting studied the strands around his own arm.
Shen Yan Ting : “The formation allowed me to enter.”
Luo Yanhe : “That is not an explanation.”
Shen Yan Ting : “The formation has not provided one.”
Luo Yanhe glanced upwards.
Luo Yanhe : “Ancient communication remains terrible.”
The answer arrived at once.
『WITNESS ACCEPTED 』
Shen Yan Ting : “It heard you.”
Luo Yanhe : “It heard the complaint and ignored the question.
This disciple’s argument remains correct.”
The light intensified until the gate, the ruins and the observers beyond the barrier began to disappear.
Shen Yan Ting stepped closer before the formation could separate them.
His movement was controlled, but immediate.
Luo Yanhe : “Master.”
Shen Yan Ting : “Stay near me.”
Luo Yanhe : “This disciple was planning to.”
The final message appeared between them.
『TRIAL OF MEMORY COMMENCING 』
The golden formation closed.
Whatever the inheritance intended to show them waited beyond the light.
The chapter has now been updated to the latest revised version.
I truly appreciate everyone who waited and continued supporting this story while I worked on improving it.
I hope this updated version gives you a smoother and more enjoyable reading experience.
Thank you for staying with me.
Happy reading!