Yun Yuannan’s words lingered like a subtle nudge before he led his clan’s disciples away.


    “The identity of a Black Cloud Town native…”


    Lost in thought, Han and his group returned to the martial school.


    “By making this choice, Junior Brother and I cost you all a shot at Jade Capital,” Bai Ruoyue said, turning to Shen Long and the others.


    “I promise I’ll find a way to make it up to you down the line.”


    “Come on, Senior Sister, don’t talk like that,” Zhang Yuan replied earnestly.


    “Zuo Tianzheng’s up to something shady. Turning him down was the right call.”


    “Besides, with him picking talent from all of Black Cloud Town, aside from you and Junior Brother, who’s guaranteed to catch his eye?”


    The town was brimming with young disciples from every faction. There was no way Zhang Yuantao and the rest could all stand out.


    “Zuo Tianzheng’s got his sights set on Black Mountain,” Bai Ruoyue mused.


    “That rule he mentioned—those he picks have to obey him, follow his orders—it rubs me the wrong way.”


    “I didn’t talk it over with Junior Brother beforehand, but we ended up on the same page. We said no.”


    “Are you saying, Senior Sister, that those he chooses might get sent into Black Mountain?” Shen Yu asked.


    “It’s possible.”


    Shen Yu muttered under her breath, “With that guy’s wild reputation, who’d want to take orders from him? Who knows what crazy demands he’d make?”


    Her words made Shen Long shudder.


    “Exactly! If we’d joined his stupid selection and my little sister got picked, she’d have to listen to him?”


    “Good thing you shot him down, Junior Brother.”


    Zuo Tianzheng’s lifestyle wasn’t exactly a secret.


    She was his only sister, after all.


    As the group chatted, Han stayed quiet, mulling things over.


    Bai Ruoyue gave him a playful punch. “What’s with you, Junior Brother? Why so silent?”


    Han shook his head. “I’m thinking about what Master Yun said to me.”


    “When I went to the Water Yuan Festival, Ao Xuanwei told me the mountain god would soon issue a trial. As a Black Cloud native, I’d be eligible to take part.”


    “Master Yun’s comment, plus Zuo Tianzheng’s sudden proposal—I think they’re connected.”


    “This Black Cloud identity might bring us some perks in the future, tied to the mountain god.”


    “Zuo Tianzheng’s move today? It’s probably a play to muscle in on a benefit originally meant for Black Cloud’s own talents, under the guise of ‘selecting talent.’”


    “He’s up to no good,” Bai Ruoyue said, bristling.


    “Not entirely,” Han countered. “He swore to it, so when he heads back to Jade Capital, he’ll likely take a few people with him. He won’t go back on that.”


    “As long as their disciples get into the Emperor’s Academy, most factions will be thrilled—maybe even delighted.”


    Going to Jade Capital for Great Qi’s training versus reaping rewards from the mountain god? Which was better depended on the person.


    Han shook his head. “But whether you actually make it to Jade Capital with him is a roll of the dice. It’s all up to his say-so.”


    “If he claims someone’s disobedient afterward, stripping their spot would be a breeze.”


    “So, will he start targeting us now?”


    “Just play it safe and stay sharp.”


    That night, when Han brought it up, Lu Qingmo shared the same view—Zuo Tianzheng’s real aim was still Black Mountain.


    “You made the right call staying out of this.”


    “With Zuo Tianzheng’s help once he’s back in Jade Capital, plus the decent talent of those he picks, getting into the Emperor’s Academy shouldn’t be an issue.”


    Even so, Lu Qingmo shook her head.


    “But the Emperor’s Academy isn’t the place for you.”


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    “Four hundred years ago, it was hailed across Great Qi as a cradle of powerhouses. Now? It’s a shadow of its former self.”


    “There, networking and sucking up to the elite outweigh actual cultivation or martial training. Discipline’s lax, students live extravagantly, and the best talents among the nobles’ kids get sent to major sects. The academy’s just the runner-up destination.”


    “You’d be wasting your time there.”


    Han considered this. “If the academy’s really like that, it might actually appeal to Tenglong Martial School and the others even more.”


    Lu Qingmo paused, then chuckled. “You’ve got a point.”


    Big-name sects might offer prestige, but they’re strict. Without a solid background, your treatment matches your strength and talent—no more, no less.


    The academy’s loose rules, though? That’s a ladder easier to climb, with perks more useful to their factions.


    “No need to worry about the future,” Lu Qingmo reassured him.


    “When Bai Tian emerges from seclusion, he’ll be at True Blood realm. Even if he decides to leave Black Cloud, he’ll make sure your senior brothers and sisters are set up nicely.”


    “Wherever they end up, it’ll beat tagging along with Zuo Tianzheng to Jade Capital.”


    “As for you…”


    “Let’s wait and see.”


    Han sulked. Why’s it always ‘wait and see’ for me?


    Off to train!


    Under the moonlight, as Han walked away, Lu Qingmo’s mind raced.


    She’d considered taking Han back to Xuandu Temple, having him join the sect, but doubts held her back.


    Han was too much of an enigma—his luck was uncanny, and he kept spontaneously unlocking Taoist arts and talents.


    Either he was some reincarnated legend, or someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.


    She worried that bringing him to Xuandu might disrupt a grand plan from his “past life” or throw off a hidden mastermind’s design, derailing his path.


    Worse, if his secrets got out at the temple, they’d attract dangerous attention.


    Years ago, one peerless Taoist art of hers had stirred up a storm of schemes.


    Judging by Han’s past feats, he was worth far more than that.


    Her master had been in seclusion for eighteen years. Without a powerhouse to hold the line, her lineage lacked the clout to fend off every schemer in the sect.


    Yin God or True Blood might qualify someone as an elder, but they weren’t the real decision-makers at Xuandu.


    The temple’s overseer stood above it all, suppressing the world, but he didn’t count in this equation.


    Wherever there are people, there’s conflict.


    Then there was Bai Tian to consider.


    Han was his disciple. If Bai Tian wanted to take him away, it’d be his right.


    Following Bai Tian seemed like a solid option in Lu Qingmo’s eyes.


    True Blood in martial arts was no small feat—it could change a lot.


    Or maybe Han wouldn’t want to leave with either of them, having his own plans. Who could say?


    Still mulling it over, she decided to wait for Bai Tian to emerge and talk it out with him before deciding.


    Perhaps letting Han stay with Ruoyue might be better than leaving with her.


    After training, Han remembered something and jogged over. “Aunt Mo, those martial and Taoist skills Zuo Tianzheng said could test comprehension—what are they?”


    “He’s probably talking about the Spirit Heart Chapter from Great Qi’s Martial and Taoist Classics,” Lu Qingmo explained.


    “The Qi Martial Classic and Qi Taoist Classic were compiled by Emperor Taizu, who rallied cultivators from across the land. They’re encyclopedic.”


    “From basic martial arts and Taoist techniques to heavenly martial skills and cosmic arts, both classics cover it all. Of course, the advanced stuff’s locked tight in royal hands—ordinary folks rarely get a peek.”


    “The Spirit Heart Chapter includes two unique skills—low on power, but intricate. Their chants and methods are bizarre, full of twists and turns.”


    “When it was created, it was meant to test disciples’ comprehension—see how much they could grasp in limited time.”


    “It’s not foolproof for measuring aptitude, but it’s got some merit, so it’s widely used.”


    Han’s curiosity piqued. “Do you have the Spirit Heart Chapter, Aunt Mo? I want to give it a shot.”


    “Nope,” she said, shaking her head. “And even if I did, it’d be useless for you.”


    “Why not?”


    “You’re a Day Roaming cultivator. Your mind’s sharp, thoughts lightning-fast. The Spirit Heart Chapter wouldn’t challenge you.”


    “It’s for testing disciples, and you’re no disciple anymore.”


    Han was stumped. My fault, huh?


    “I’ve heard the Academy of Sages has something called the Spirit Resonance Chess Puzzle,” Lu Qingmo added. “Solving it measures comprehension far more accurately than the Spirit Heart Chapter.”


    “They say even sect leaders and grandmasters can’t fully crack it. Plus, working on it regularly can supposedly boost your aptitude.”


    Han’s jaw dropped. Boost aptitude—that elusive thing?


    I want it.


    “That’s probably one of the Academy of Sages’ treasures, right?”


    “One of their crown jewels.”


    But I wouldn’t dare ask for it.


    The next day, Zuo Tianzheng delivered on his word, issuing a selection plan and spreading it around.


    Though Tai Bai’s disciples weren’t joining in, they still got the full scoop.


    Zuo Tianzheng had gone public with it—even Black Cloud’s rogue cultivators could take part.


    Three days from now, by the Yun River’s edge, a genius showdown. Winners go to Jade Capital.


    The notice detailed the process and rules, even listing which young talents from Black Cloud’s factions were participating.


    The only catch? You had to be a Black Cloud native—no last-minute registrations allowed. Your family had to have settled here at least a generation back.


    The announcement sent shockwaves through Black Cloud. Countless eyes burned with envy, while others stomped in frustration over missing the cut.


    Even the big shots from the county seat coveted the chance.


    Families like the Yuan and Huang clans were regional heavyweights, their influence stretching beyond Tianyue County.


    They had connections up top, backers in the state capital.


    Normally, they sent disciples to various sects and built wide networks.


    They could thrive in Jade Capital just fine.


    But going with Zuo Tianzheng? That was a shot at catching the emperor’s eye—a level they’d rarely touched before.


    The royal families of the three kingdoms weren’t the world’s mightiest clans, but they were the most famous and powerful.


    Too bad Zuo Tianzheng was dead-set on Black Cloud natives. When the news spread, even hefty bribes from outsiders couldn’t sway him or tweak the rules.


    His reasoning was ironclad: the emperor tasked him with governing Black Cloud, not meddling elsewhere. He wouldn’t overstep.


    With the emperor’s name dropped, no one could argue. What were they supposed to say—“Ignore the emperor”?


    So, cultivators from beyond Black Cloud could only stew in jealous resentment.


    Why does every good thing land in Black Cloud’s lap?


    Is there no justice?


    But then they noticed something odd about the showdown lineup—no Tai Bai Martial School or Yun family.


    Word got around: both had turned down Zuo Tianzheng’s imperial reward, opting out of the selection. They weren’t leaving Black Cloud.


    That drew sneers from many. Passing up a golden opportunity like that?


    Sticking around here as small-time fighters instead of making a name in Jade Capital?


    Talk about short-sighted!


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