Whoosh! A gust swept through, and the illusionary scene above Han’s head at Black Mountain’s edge vanished. He’d just flattened a Bone Forging beast, but now this? All eyes swung to Tianhe Venerable, who smiled and said, “Next up is the second half of the third trial—not beasts anymore, but people. To protect these promising youngsters, we’re keeping the rest off the airwaves.”


    Some held secret trump cards—killer moves not meant for public eyes—or hid personal mysteries that a full-on fight might expose. Leaking either was bad news. This crowd was a mixed bag; one slip could paint a target on your back, spark envy, or worse—get you hunted. The Yun family’s blackout was a shield for that.


    Fighting humans wasn’t like tangling with beasts. Beasts scared the weak, but to geniuses, they were dumb prey—easy pickings. Human foes demanded a whole different playbook; when push came to shove, pulling out all stops was par for the course.


    “Still,” Tianhe added, “anyone who’s made it this far has cleared the third trial. The human combat? Call it a bonus round.” His vibe was all warm and breezy. “I’ll check with each qualifier first—some tricks they’d rather we didn’t see, they can skip it.”


    The Yun family had this locked down tight—thoughtful, airtight, earning nods all around. No gripes here. The bonus round’s purpose was crystal clear. Some folks hit a hundred ‘cause the test maxes out there, not ‘cause that’s their limit. This was their shot to leapfrog the pack.


    The first three trials mattered, but snagging first? The bonus round was clutch. Without a clear gap, how’d the Mountain God divvy up the loot? Factions like the Cui clan loved it—practically cheering the Yun family’s effort. Without this, Han would’ve locked down first, no contest. His lead was monstrous—those devil antics alone crushed everyone. Only a straight-up strength slugfest gave their prodigies a prayer of catching him.


    But reality didn’t quite match their script…


    The Bone Forging beast’s corpse at Han’s feet dissolved—no blood, no bones, nada. He blinked, then got it. “Fake?”


    “Yup, all an illusion,” Tianhe’s voice rang out. A wisp of his soul materialized before Han, grinning. “Venerable,” Han greeted.


    “No need for formalities,” Tianhe waved it off. “Han, know you’re the first to clear all three trials?”


    “Me, first?” Han frowned. “No way—Suzhen Saintess and the others are beasts too.”


    “The devil trial,” Tianhe explained. “You smoked it while they were still duking it out.”


    “That tracks,” Han nodded. Moon God’s number-one fanboy, after all.


    “But they didn’t catch up later?”


    “Comprehension trial—you and the saintess clocked near-identical times, ahead of the rest. One step ahead, every step ahead. This third trial? Everything you’ve faced so far.”


    Han froze. I’m that good? He’d just aimed to pass—didn’t expect to accidentally snag first. Oops. He sighed inwardly. Guess a guy like him couldn’t dim his shine no matter where he went. The curse of being too awesome.


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    “So, Venerable, you popping in means a new test?” Han asked.


    “There were three trials, plus a bonus round—fighting a master in the illusion,” Tianhe said, shaking his head with a smile. “But you’re Black Cloud’s hometown prodigy, aced it all, and your strength…” His grin turned knowing. “We’ve got your number. No point in a bonus round. We’re family, after all.”


    Han caught the hint—Wolf Valley, probably Zuo Tianzheng too. The Yun family knew his chops. A bonus round for him? Redundant. “Family” said it all. This whole Mountain God gig was about blessing the homeland. Han’s stellar run had the god’s heart in the bag—outsiders couldn’t touch him. Another test would be overkill.


    Han smirked inside. Locked in first? Love a good inside track. No need to grind harder when the crown’s already his. He didn’t take it as a slight or flex some macho “no handouts, let me fight” nonsense. Work smart, not hard—why play stiff-necked? This perk? He’d earned it, step by sweaty step. No Black Cloud roots, no rep, no strength—no way he’d be here. Today was his hustle paying off.


    “Venerable, how’s my senior sister and the crew doing?”


    “Bai’s daughter’s killing it—second only to you among Black Cloud’s best. The ancestor won’t skimp on her rewards,” Tianhe said. “Your brothers are solid too. With the hometown boost and their tie to the Cui clan, snagging an Origin Divine Pool slot’s a lock.”


    “Thanks, Venerable.”


    “No thanks needed. Taibai’s crew stands out—facts are facts,” Tianhe replied. “The pool’s a standard perk for passers. Beyond that, anything you want? I can float a reasonable ask to the ancestor.”


    Straight to the point—Han liked that. But he knew not to get greedy—reasonable was the keyword. “Venerable, can I mull it over? This caught me off guard—no clue yet.”


    Back when he’d eyed the Sky-Mending Vine intel, the Yun family had already handed it over, no strings. “Sure,” Tianhe agreed easily. “Post-trial, soaking in the pool takes time—you’ve got plenty to think.”


    “So, I head out now?”


    “Hang on. Bailing too quick looks fishy.” Even a free pass shouldn’t scream “rigged.” Cutting the public feed protected secrets—and greased the wheels for a little… discretion.


    Han nodded. “Venerable, after this, do we hit the real Black Mountain?”


    “A few can; most use the pool outside,” Tianhe said, waving a hand. The illusion around Han thinned, letting him peek beyond. Only then did he realize he hadn’t gone far at all. Motionless, he scanned the others with mental senses.


    “First trial’s done,” Tianhe noted. “Either they passed the devils or they’re out—no in-between. Most are on the second trial now.” Han clocked the faces—outsiders outnumbered locals by a mile. Talent and resources just didn’t line up. Extra credit didn’t mean a free ride—some folks couldn’t hack it, bonus points or not.


    When the timing felt right, Tianhe gave the go-ahead. Han bid him farewell, turned, and strode out of Black Mountain.


    “Han’s heading out?”


    “He’s done! Trial’s over?”


    Stepping clear, he spotted Tianhe floating above—awkward, just said bye inside—and caught Bai Tian’s beaming grin. Han darted to Lu Qingmo first. “Mo, mission accomplished.”


    She smiled, nodding. “How’d the third trial’s bonus round go?”


    Ears perked around them, fishing for crumbs. Han grinned. “Couldn’t have gone better.” How could it not? Watched the others sweat while he chilled.


    “Good enough,” she said.


    “Mo, let’s swing by Master.” She didn’t ask why, just followed. At Bai Tian’s side, Han sent a hushed message. “Master, they won’t pick this up, right?”


    “With me here, relax,” Bai Tian assured.


    Han relayed his trial rundown—skipping the bonus round and all—to both via transmission. “Tianhe said I can make a reasonable ask. Any ideas?”


    Bai Tian mulled it over. “He said reasonable, so don’t aim too high—nothing even the Yun family’s hidden masters would balk at.”


    “Got it, Master.”


    “If you’re not desperate for anything, try asking the Mountain God about rare flames,” Lu Qingmo suggested.


    Han nodded—solid plan. Then—ding!—his eyes lit up. “Wait, I’ve got one! The Mysterious Vine Divine Armor came from Black Mountain’s demon clan. The god might know something. I’ve got the vine and that bead—could swing a defensive True Artifact!”


    Genius move, me! Big-brain moment secured.