Chapter 6: The Test

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Li Yao followed Steward Yang as they wound through the cluster of palaces, turning left and right so many times that his head nearly spun. The scenery here was almost indistinguishable; each palace differed only slightly from the next. Perhaps those familiar with the place could tell at a glance, but for an outsider, it was no less than wandering through a labyrinth.

Along the corridors, disciples occasionally appeared. Upon seeing Steward Yang, they would clasp their fists and offer respectful bows.

In the eyes of these ordinary disciples, Steward Yang carried great authority. Yet when dealing with them, he did not show the same kindness he displayed toward Li Yao; instead, he simply nodded calmly and continued forward with Li Yao in tow.

After passing through countless halls, they finally stopped before a certain palace.

The entire structure was black, built mostly from precious materials. The walls were carved with profound Daoist patterns. Although Li Yao had not yet embarked on the path of cultivation, he could still sense the terrifying energy emanating from those markings.

“Hum!”

The moment he stepped inside, the Heavenly Scripture trembled slightly. Simultaneously, the majestic essence within the hall slowly flowed into his body.

The essence here was incredibly dense. Upon entering, the Heavenly Scripture absorbed it at a dramatically accelerated rate—several times faster than outside.

This sudden change caught Li Yao off guard. Steward Yang, standing nearby, was naturally startled as well.

However, he was not entirely surprised. When he had previously assessed Li Yao’s aptitude, he sensed that, even without having cultivated, Li Yao’s body instinctively and slowly absorbed essence.

At the time, he had not paid it much heed; after all, Li Yao’s absorption speed was no faster than that of a cultivator just beginning to open the Sea of Suffering.

Steward Yang never imagined that Li Yao’s slow absorption was not due to inability but because the surrounding essence was insufficient.

Now, in a place where the essence was richer, Li Yao’s absorption speed surged instantly.

Pondering this, Steward Yang immediately realized he had underestimated Li Yao’s talent. He even felt a touch of regret—though he had been friendly with Li Yao, he now thought he ought to have shown more respect.

Such talent warranted even greater deference.

Before Steward Yang could fully regain his composure, a figure suddenly appeared in the hall, startling in its abruptness. No one noticed how he had arrived.

The figure was an elderly man. Though his face still appeared youthful, his hair was entirely gray, radiating a sense of twilight.

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Upon the old man’s arrival, Steward Yang’s expression shifted slightly, but he quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Elder Zhang.”

Li Yao, following suit, hurriedly bowed as well.

A gentle force lifted Li Yao back to his feet. Though the old man was aged and seemed near the end of his days, his eyes burned brightly with an intensity that unnerved Li Yao.

“Very well. Though not a special constitution, your innate aptitude is fully comparable, and you are naturally favored by Heaven and Earth. Even without cultivation, you resonate with the essence, which spontaneously enters your body, refining your form and strengthening your foundation.”

The elder’s voice brimmed with delight as he regarded Li Yao.

“From which Celestial Cave do you hail?”

Li Yao promptly replied, “I come from the Hengyang Celestial Cave. The Sacred Land has taken notice, and I am fortunate to cultivate here.”

Elder Zhang nodded, praising him.

“A rare pearl in the vast sea. We already have the Sacred Child, which is a great blessing. Though your talent does not match the Sacred Child’s, you are nonetheless an extraordinary prodigy. With diligent cultivation, ascending to the realm of great power will not be a problem.”

After a pause, Elder Zhang continued, “First, I will verify your identity. Once confirmed, I will take you to meet Supreme Elder Zhang.”

With that, an ancient mirror appeared in the hall. Li Yao looked upon it, noting the intricate Daoist patterns covering its surface.

Boom!

A brilliant divine power surged through the hall. Elder Zhang formed hand seals and channeled a torrent of sacred energy into the mirror.

The energy was pure and radiant, like a god of light descending to the mortal realm. As the mirror absorbed this power, it blazed with dazzling brilliance, filling the hall with radiant white light.

The floating mirror emitted a divine beam that pierced the void and shone upon Li Yao.

This artifact was specifically designed for investigation. It could thoroughly examine the human body. For instance, if someone had previously cultivated scriptures from other factions—even if their cultivation was destroyed—traces would still be detectable by this mirror.

The light from the mirror lingered on Li Yao for a moment. No abnormalities were found. Elder Zhang’s lips curled into a smile as he dismissed the mirror.

“With a talent like this, it’s certain other factions would be reluctant to use him as a spy,” Elder Zhang said with delight. No matter how powerful a faction was, they always held prodigies in great esteem.

“Very well. Since you have passed the test, I will now take you to meet Supreme Elder Zhang, who will assign your rank.”

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Within the Radiant Light Sacred Land, there were also various factions—a common ailment among great powers. The Ji family had factions, the Jiang family had factions, and naturally, so did the Radiant Light Sacred Land.

Elder Zhang belonged to one such faction. For a prodigy of Li Yao’s caliber, acquiring him was a matter of swift action—first come, first served.

Since Elder Zhang was stationed here today, he would not let such a talent slip away.

Steward Yang also wished to speak; he too had his own faction.

The reason he had brought Li Yao for testing immediately upon arrival was that the elder originally stationed at the Suspended Mirror Hall belonged to his faction. However, for unknown reasons, that elder was replaced by one from another faction.

“Enough. You may leave now,” Elder Zhang said, cutting off Steward Yang before he could speak, waving him away.

As the elder, he need not provide Steward Yang with any explanation. There was no need for equal dialogue. Moreover, since he was the one guarding the Suspended Mirror Hall today, his actions were entirely proper.

Li Yao sensed the tension between the two but kept silent, puzzled.

He remembered one thing clearly: he was still too weak. He was not a destined protagonist and could not recklessly provoke those beyond his means without any backing.

To him, such recklessness was not bravado but pure folly. Of course, he would not be meek either; if truly oppressed, he would rise to resist.

Steward Yang was a pragmatic man. He did not resist but simply left the hall.

The hierarchy within the cultivation world was harshly realistic. Though Steward Yang might be a renowned figure in a Fourth-Level Secret Realm, before an elder from a Dragon-Transformation Secret Realm, he had no standing.

Yet Steward Yang would not give up because of this. If he could not speak with you, then he would find someone stronger within his faction to do so.