At the same time.

Inside Falling Cloud Valley.

A massive magic mirror hovered in the sky, reflecting the scenes outside the valley in minute detail, clear and vivid.

Beneath the magic mirror stood several Falling Cloud Valley cultivators. At this moment, they were intently watching the images in the mirror, their expressions varied.

After seeing Lin Zhen leave in anger, an old man in a blue robe with a golden cloud pattern embroidered on his chest frowned and couldn’t help but speak up.

“Elder Yin, that child is clearly in danger. Shouldn’t we send someone to escort him?”

“He also traveled a great distance to participate in the assessment as a seeker of the Dao. If he truly dies here, wouldn’t that be our Falling Cloud Sect’s fault?”

“Elder Mo, your words miss the mark. This path was his own choice; what does it have to do with our Falling Cloud Valley!”

At that moment, a tall, thin, and dignified-looking middle-aged male cultivator among the group immediately shook his head and said coldly:

“This boy loses heart and collapses at the slightest setback, abandoning a hard-won opportunity to enter the Dao over a trivial matter. With such a fickle and impatient temperament, he will surely achieve little in the future. How is he worthy of becoming our sect’s disciple?”

“My earlier proposal to postpone the entrance test by a few days was precisely to weed out those with weak resolve in advance, to avoid wasting time. It seems now the effect is quite good.”

The middle-aged male cultivator was named Yin Qingyuan, an elder of the Dao Entry Pavilion specifically responsible for recruiting disciples.

Hearing this, Elder Mo’s expression darkened slightly as he retorted with displeasure:

“That junior named Wang Luchuan is your nephew, isn’t he? That child is ruthless and cruel at such a young age, fond of bullying others with his influence. Why recruit such a degenerate with an unrighteous heart?”

“Hmph!”

Upon hearing this, a trace of anger appeared on Yin Qingyuan’s face as he immediately refuted:

“Although our Falling Cloud Sect is not some evil demonic path, neither are we a charity hall.”

“The struggle for the Great Dao is inherently cruel and merciless. Victory makes kings; defeat makes outlaws. Only those with strong character and decisive killing intent are qualified to reach the end. When facing competitors, no method is excessive.”

“Moreover, Wang Luchuan possesses innate dual wood and water spiritual roots; he is a rare seedling of immortal potential. With such aptitude, joining even one of the Seven Great Holy Lands would be more than sufficient. If I hadn’t personally gone to persuade him with great effort, he might not have chosen to join our Falling Cloud Sect at all.”

“As for issues of temperament and heart, they can be properly guided after he enters the sect. That’s still better than nurturing certain mediocre individuals.”

Elder Mo was so angered his eyebrows shot up as he countered again:

“This is utterly unreasonable!”

“According to sect rules, for new disciples: first test spiritual root aptitude; second test temperament and willpower. If Wang Luchuan cannot pass the second test, I will absolutely not agree to accept him into the sect!”

After being rebutted, Yin Qingyuan’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant. Just as he was about to say something, he was interrupted by a clear and pleasant voice.

“The two elders merely hold different viewpoints; both are actually considering what’s best for the sect. Why engage in such pointless arguments?”

The speaker was a beautiful Foundation Building realm female cultivator among the group. Her features were picturesque and exquisite. She wore a light blue long dress that accentuated her graceful figure and slender waist like a willow.

The woman’s words instantly quieted the two Golden Core realm elders, each falling silent.

Her identity was special; she was Bai Xirou, daughter of the Falling Cloud Sect’s Sect Master.

Seeing the situation calm down, Bai Xirou smiled faintly and continued:

“That youth is after all an ordinary mortal who came specifically seeking the Dao. Since we’ve encountered this situation, we cannot simply watch him die on the road.”

“I’ll entrust matters here to you elders for now. I’ll go save him once. As for whether he lives or dies afterwards, that will depend entirely on his own fortune.”

With that said, Bai Xirou moved with light steps, swiftly flying toward the valley entrance.

……

Not long after.

Another location in Canglan Mountain.

Lin Zhen walked through the dense forest in a daze, his slightly immature face full of confusion and dejection as he muttered to himself.

“Why? Why would Yingying choose a scumbag over me? What did I do wrong? I can change.”

“We could have soon passed the entrance test together and become disciples of Falling Cloud Sect… Why treat me like this…”

The next moment, his foot caught on something, and he nearly fell flat on his face. Fortunately, he steadied himself in time to avoid eating dirt.

The sudden mishap jolted Lin Zhen awake. He instinctively turned his head to look and found that what tripped him was a stone half-buried in the ground.

This fist-sized stone was buried rather shallowly and had already been kicked out of the soil by him. Strangely enough, lying in the newly exposed hole was a pitch-black ring.

For some reason, upon seeing the ring at that moment, Lin Zhen suddenly felt an inexplicable stirring.

It was as if there was a call from fate itself, urging him forward to pick up the ring.

When he touched it, no strange phenomena occurred. He just felt an indistinct sense of peace settle within him—as if everything was meant to be this way.

Then Lin Zhen rubbed his eyes and lowered his head for a closer look.

The ring appeared very ordinary; it was unclear what material it was made from. The surface bore no adornments; its outer side was smooth and rounded, while its inner side was carved with many incomprehensible patterns.

Lin Zhen had only glanced at it briefly before immediately feeling dizzy and lightheaded. Frightened, he quickly shifted his gaze away and dared not look again.

As if guided by some unseen force—or perhaps sheer whimsy—he slipped this ring onto his right index finger before preparing to continue his journey homeward alone. Now solitary prey for any beast lurking nearby, he needed desperately to leave these dangerous woods before nightfall if safety awaited him elsewhere…

Suddenly…

…the previously silent forest rustled with movement! Then three ill-intentioned figures emerged from among the trees, blocking the path ahead!

Seeing who approached made his heart skip a beat! He alertly stepped back two paces while demanding sternly, “What do you want?”

He recognized these men—they were Wang Luchuan’s lackeys! Their pursuit now surely boded no good!

“Heh-heh… Our Young Master says these mountains are high and the forests dense—he fears you might accidentally die within them… He specially ordered us brothers to come see you off properly,” the leading lackey sneered without hiding his malice. “Little brat… better not resist! Just let me give you a quick, painless end… Otherwise, I guarantee you’ll wish for death but find none forthcoming!”

Lin Zhen paled. “I bear no grudge against any among you… Why must you pursue total annihilation?”

“Pah! Stinking kid talks too much even at death’s door!” The lackey spat, waving his hand dismissively. “All together now—kill him!”

As the words fell, the three lackeys simultaneously drew their blades, lunging toward Lin Zhen!

Though mere ordinary mortals, each was trained as a skilled martial artist—Lin Zhen stood no chance against them! He could only whirl around, fleeing desperately!

“Could it be… I’m fated to die here?”

Footsteps behind were growing ever closer—he was on the verge of being caught—despair filled his face completely…

Just then, a loud shout exploded beside his ear: “Brother, don’t panic! I’m here to help you!”

Then a figure shot out from the side like a leopard, delivering a whip-kick that sent the foremost pursuer sprawling!

Then the figure flashed again—both palms glowing faintly like iron hammers, smashing heavily onto the chests of the other two lackeys!

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Those who moments ago swaggered while pursuing now lay subdued, gasping feebly on the ground—clearly not long for the world…

Having dealt with these lackeys, the newcomer brushed the dust off his hands, grinning widely to reveal gleaming white teeth, speaking amiably: “Alright, Brother Lin, all safe now.”

Lin Zhen stared blankly, somewhat bewildered, looking at the person who saved him. “May I ask… who are you?”

The other party’s appearance was average build, average clothing, average everything—nothing memorable about his looks whatsoever. He couldn’t recall ever meeting him before anywhere…

Qi Yuan didn’t mind, smiling cheerfully. “I’m Big Qi, a wandering cultivator here to participate in the Falling Cloud Valley entrance test… I saw earlier how that little fatty bullied you arbitrarily. I couldn’t stand watching anymore—righteous indignation moved me to decide to come save your life.”

Hearing this, warmth filled Lin Zhen’s heart, gratitude overflowing on his face. “Thank you, Elder Brother Qi, for your saving grace! Lin Zhen will never forget!”

Saying this, he clasped his fists, bowing deeply toward Qi Yuan…

The situation faced earlier was certain death tenfold—if the other hadn’t arrived in time, he likely would already be a cold corpse lying there…

This debt of kindness was truly immense…

Qi Yuan waved his hand dismissively. “Merely a trivial effort. Brother Lin needn’t dwell on it…”

Meanwhile, hidden within the shadows, a graceful silhouette lightly sighed, then drifted away, departing…

Sensing this, Qi Yuan silently withdrew his spiritual sense, the corner of his mouth curling into a slight smile…

So they know to come rescue people after all—seems Falling Cloud Valley is not an entirely heartless place either…

But the girl arrived a step too late, though—if I hadn’t intervened promptly, she’d probably only be collecting the corpse left behind…

Of course, he didn’t worry about a mere Foundation Building late-stage cultivator seeing through his disguise either…

When he acted earlier, he deliberately controlled his strength to a level equivalent to the Qi Refining second layer, appearing unfamiliar with martial arts and merely gathering true qi into his fists and feet for combat, perfectly fitting a wandering cultivator persona…

According to Falling Cloud Valley rules, they generally only recruit mortals with a bone age under eighteen years old…

But an exception was made in one circumstance: targeting wandering cultivators possessing certain cultivation themselves, the age limit was appropriately relaxed…

For Qi Refining first layer, it was relaxed to twenty years old, while for the Qi Refining second layer, the age limit was under twenty-two years old…

Qi Yuan was currently twenty-one. Using a Qi Refining second layer cultivation to register met the conditions perfectly…

In the mission system, being told to break through to Qi Refining second layer first surely had a reason, too…