Han, Lu Qingmo, and Bai Tian huddled together, whispering about how to leverage this chance for the best reward—something Han needed most or that’d push him furthest. While others still slogged through the trials, Han was already plotting his post-game feast.


    People trickled out of Black Mountain—mostly flops who couldn’t cut it. Those who passed rarely bailed early; even if they doubted the bonus round, they’d give it a shot. It didn’t tank their prior scores—they were already in the clear.


    Then Jiang Yanyao stepped out, bonus round in the bag, no doubt. A faint, infectious smile played on her lips—until she spotted Han. That fast? Back with her Suzhen crew, an elder murmured a full recap of the trial’s highlights. Hearing Han’s run, her eyes sparkled, and she nodded. “Interesting. Looks like we underestimated this Black Cloud prodigy.”


    “He’s exceptional,” the elder agreed, then pivoted. “But, Yanyao, you’re not out of the running here.” Suzhen’s saintesses were special—disciples, elders, even the top brass treated them like gold. A newbie saintess got gentle nods from Yellow Spring Earth-Shattering masters. They weren’t just prodigies; they were living relics, future palace lords.


    Jiang Yanyao shook her head, lips parting softly. “No chance. He’s tight with the Yun family, born and bred in Black Cloud. That talent, paired with his roots? He’s the Mountain God’s favorite, hands down.” She glanced at Han again. “This guy’s got something.”


    Sharp as a tack, she’d pieced it together. Still, no bitterness—no sulking or grudge against Han. A Mountain God trial? Small potatoes. If it weren’t in Tianzhou, she wouldn’t have bothered showing up.


    Han caught her look, flashed a grin and a nod. She mirrored it. Lu Qingmo clocked the exchange, traced her gaze, then pulled back. “Making nice with Suzhen Palace? Solid move.”


    “Huh?”


    “Just saying, it’s a good start—let it roll,” Lu Qingmo said. “Few factions cross Suzhen. Best rep in the game, hands down.” Han got it—who’d beef with an all-female crew? Unless it was another lady-only outfit… Plus, Suzhen didn’t bar non-saintess disciples from marrying out. Saintesses? Off-limits, but every one was a knockout—talent, strength, and fairy-like beauty. Admirers—er, suitors—piled up, usually big shots. Enemies? Slim pickings. Mess with Suzhen, and maybe your dad—or your sect boss—once had a sweet crush on a saintess.


    Jiang Yanyao’s exit kicked off a wave—others followed, some steady, some giddy, some glum. All got the same debrief: Han, the unstoppable force. One-man cavalry charge! Cui Yaozhi and crew were floored—figured Han’s humble roots held him back, not catapulted him this far. World’s big—always someone better out there. Can’t sleep on the heroes.


    Bai Ruoyue and the Taibai gang emerged too. Beyond her, the others scraped by decently, buoyed by local perks and big-faction ties like the Cui clan—Origin Divine Pool slots were theirs, as Tianhe had promised. Yun Yuannan’s early tip to Han paid dividends. Big Sis Bai Ruoyue? A beast—right under Han, as long as he kept her in check.


    She strutted out, head high, transmitting smugly, “Bet you can’t guess what I scored!”


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    “Tianhe Venerable promised you a custom request, right?” Han shot back.


    “Eh? How’d you know, little bro?”


    Han just smirked. No secrets from the Great Zhuge.


    “‘Cause he got the same deal,” Lu Qingmo cut in, ever the auntie who’d watched him grow.


    “Oh, right,” Bai Ruoyue conceded.


    The trickle turned flood—Black Mountain’s edge buzzed again, eyes darting to Han, jaws dropping. He soaked it in, unfazed. Can’t help it—handsome guys get stares. You’ve all been there.


    When the last straggler emerged, Tianhe’s laugh rang out. “What a show! You lot—prodigies from every corner—lived up to the hype. Talent for days.”


    The crowd hushed, awaiting the next bit. “You geniuses know how you did. Sad to say, a big chunk didn’t make it.” With a wave, light seals rained down, landing precisely on the passers’ hands. All seven Taibai folks scored one. “Passers get a token. Flash it in Black Mountain, and the ancestor green-lights you for the Origin Divine Pool—baptism time. You’ve got half an hour to recharge.”


    The trials had taken a toll, after all. Han glanced around—passers were a pitiful sliver of the total. Even big dogs like Suzhen and Cui had flops. Devils? Wild cards. Comprehension? A crapshoot. Combat? Risky business. Unless you were a freak, perfection wasn’t guaranteed.


    “I’ve already hit the pool,” Shen Yu whispered. “Should I trade this slot to Suzhen Palace?” Not a gift—a deal. Normally, that’d be a no-go; Black Cloud’s rare blessings were the Mountain God’s hometown perk—not for outsiders. But Shen Yu was special. Yun Duo had told her post-dip to snag another slot and fleece the foreigners. Rules bent for her.


    “It’s yours—your call,” Bai Tian said.


    She scampered to Jiang Yanyao, pitching her plan. Suzhen’s washouts perked up. Jiang Yanyao mulled it, spoke, and Shen Yu trotted back, dazed. “What’s up?” Shen Long pressed.


    “Big Sis Jiang asked if I’d join Suzhen Palace,” Shen Yu said. “She’d vouch for me as an inner disciple. If I sign up, I still get the promised goods, plus this slot nets me rewards and sect contribution points.”


    “Points matter there,” Lu Qingmo explained. “Trade ‘em for rare loot—huge merits might even score top-tier skills.” A bit of a carrot-on-a-stick—saving-the-sect-level deeds for ultimate prizes—but the value was real.


    The kicker? Joining Suzhen Palace, saintess-approved. Han’s crew swapped stunned looks. Good deal? Insanely good. A top-tier tradition!


    Shen Long was already vibrating. Bai Tian mused, “Didn’t expect the saintess to throw out an offer like that.”


    Han grinned, shaking his head. “Fish Sis earned it. She’s sixteen and a half, Muscle-Tendon Mastery. That talent? She’d pass Suzhen’s regular tests easy. Pool baptism, prior perks—she’s a goldmine. Jiang Yanyao’s not losing out.”


    “Spot on,” Lu Qingmo agreed. Sixteen-plus, Muscle-Tendon peak, Organ Refinement by seventeen—public pool boost, secret Spirit Liquid edge. Shen Yu’s future was bright. That potential could crack most traditions’ doors. Early blessings hit different.


    “And Fish Sis isn’t getting shorted,” Han added. Suzhen entry, saintess-backed? Jackpot. Trading the slot still paid off—double win. Plus, Suzhen was the spot for women cultivators. Well, maybe Tianmu Sect rivaled it, but… yeah, that place.


    Shen Long’s hype cooled, turning wistful. “My little sis is that good now?”


    “Little Fish is a star!” Bai Ruoyue crowed, proud as ever.


    “What do you think?” Bai Tian asked gently. “It’s a prime gig.”


    Suzhen Palace, saintess’s pet? Even if the Dong family sniffed out her past, they’d think twice. Jiang Yanyao strolled over, smiling warmly, doubling down. “Master Bai, Young Master Zhou—Shen Yu’s got talent and luck. Since she’s trading the slot, why not make her my sect sister? I swear on my saintess title: she won’t miss a single reward.”


    She glanced at Lu Qingmo, grinning. “Overseer Lu’s my master’s pal—how could I stiff Shen Yu?” That tie? She’d live cushy—nobody crossed the saintess there.


    Shen Yu pondered, then asked, “Where’s Suzhen Palace?”


    “Tiangui County.”


    “Can I come back here if I join?”


    “Anytime,” Jiang Yanyao said. “Request a home visit from the stewards. Hit Bone Forging, and you can apply to oversee Tianyue County.”


    Bai Tian cut in, pulling Shen Long and Shen Yu aside for a quiet chat. When they returned, Shen Yu beamed. “I’m in!”