Outside the illusion formation.

“Is that even allowed?”

“The old man can barely stand, half his body practically in the grave already, and that kid has the nerve to make him carry him up the mountain. Is that something a human would do?”

“Holy crap, he’s almost at the fiftieth step. It seems like it’s actually working!”

“This is just shameless. Does this count as cheating?”

…

The Falling Cloud Valley disciples watching the scene of Qi Yuan passing the third trial in the illusion were all dumbfounded, their jaws practically hitting the floor.

On Path-Knocking Mountain, they saw an old man trembling as he leaned on a walking stick, carrying a strong young man on his back, panting heavily as he climbed toward the summit. Each step up the stairs seemed like a tremendous effort.

What was even more infuriating was that while the old man was sweating profusely from exhaustion, the young man was leisurely munching on spirit fruits while directing the old man to keep climbing higher, showing not a shred of respect for the elderly.

“Old man, you need to put in more effort. It’s been almost half an hour, and we’re only halfway there. If you keep dawdling like this, I’ll have no choice but to deduct your spirit stones.”

“You should think of it this way: this mountain only has a hundred steps. Each step you climb earns you one spirit stone. Doesn’t that give you more motivation?”

The old man had been too exhausted to even speak, but when he heard “one step equals one spirit stone,” his spirits instantly soared. His body stopped trembling, his legs regained strength, and his speed suddenly increased dramatically.

Watching Qi Yuan nearly reach the mountaintop, many Falling Cloud Valley disciples finally snapped out of their shock and began glancing subtly in Yin Qingyuan’s direction.

After all, this Dao Initiation Pavilion Elder had previously declared with great confidence that the third trial had no loopholes and left no room for cutting corners…

Noticing the gazes from those around him, Yin Qingyuan’s face twitched, his expression growing increasingly unpleasant as he said in a low voice:

“All characters within the illusion formation trials are manifestations of the Formation Spirit senior’s power, forming the core part of the grand formation. Therefore, the restrictions on Path-Knocking Mountain do not affect the old man.”

“And Big Qi exploited this point by having a character within the formation carry him up the mountain. This allowed him to pass off fish eyes for pearls, evading the formation’s suppression and ascending to the summit while the restrictions were inactive.”

Hearing this, another wave of astonished gasps swept through the crowd.

“So that’s how it is. Now I understand completely.”

“Heavens, how did he discover such a hidden loophole?”

Yin Qingyuan snorted coldly. “I originally thought that although this Big Qi had inferior aptitude, his character was decent enough that he might barely be worth cultivating. Little did I know he’s just a crafty slacker.”

At this moment, Bai Xirou, who had been silent until now, slightly furrowed her delicate brows and shook her head.

“In my opinion, wisdom is also a form of strength. Although Big Qi did not demonstrate Dao-heart perseverance in the third trial, his ability to quickly discover a flaw in the formation is still admirable.”

“Moreover, this illusion formation belongs to Falling Cloud Valley. If someone finds a loophole, it’s our own problem. How can we blame others for it?”

“According to the rules, ascending more than thirty steps means passing the final trial’s assessment. Big Qi has now far exceeded that standard, so of course he qualifies to become a Falling Cloud Valley disciple.”

Her words left the Falling Cloud Valley crowd speechless and unable to refute.

Clearly, according to the previously announced rules, Big Qi had successfully completed the entrance examination.

Even if the Falling Cloud Valley Sect Master were here, he couldn’t deny this fact. Otherwise, if word got out, not only would it become a joke, but they’d also gain a reputation for going back on their word and being petty-minded. They might as well forget about operating in the cultivation world after that.

Bringing such a peculiar disciple into the valley… who knows if it will be a blessing or a curse…

Bai Xirou thought silently to herself.

…

Illusion Realm.

Summit of Path-Knocking Mountain.

“You… young friend… I… I’ve already… carried you… up here… The spirit… stones… where are they?”

The old man panted heavily as he set Qi Yuan down on the ground. He was completely exhausted, unable even to form a complete sentence.

Qi Yuan patted the dust off his clothes and said with a grin:

“You’ve worked hard, old sir. You’re really in great shape for your age, still strong and vigorous! This junior admires you!”

The old man caught his breath and said through gritted teeth:

“Enough nonsense. Hand over the spirit stones.”

Qi Yuan looked utterly confused. “Spirit stones? What spirit stones?”

Seeing this, the old man sensed something was wrong and roared angrily:

“You said if I carried you up the mountain I’d get a reward of one hundred spirit stones! Are you trying to renege?”

Qi Yuan suddenly understood and put on a smiling face.

“Oh! So that’s what you’re talking about! Sorry about that—I was tricking you!”

“What?!”

The old man’s face instantly darkened completely. His lips trembled as he said, “You little thief! You… you dare make a fool of me?!”

Qi Yuan spread his hands.

“I’m an honest and straightforward person who distinguishes clearly between gratitude and grievance. I can’t stand being deceived. You tricked me once just now; of course, I have to trick you once to make it even. Otherwise, I’d stew over it later and feel like I got cheated—wouldn’t that be a total loss?”

Hearing this, the old man nearly spat blood.

“You little thief! I’m not finished with you!”

As he spoke, he raised his wooden cane and made as if to charge at Qi Yuan for a fight.

Just then, it seemed the old man couldn’t catch his breath properly. His legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground before transforming into a wisp of green smoke and disappearing.

The next moment, ripples suddenly appeared in the air above Path-Knocking Mountain. A youthful illusory figure coalesced from empty space, landing angrily in front of Qi Yuan while muttering curses:

“You little brat! This Formation Spirit has guarded this formation for over three thousand years and never seen someone as lacking in immortal virtue as you! This avatar of mine worked so hard carrying you up the mountain, and you won’t even give me one hundred spirit stones!”

“If not for rules forbidding it, I’d stab you with a knife right now. Get lost, get lost… Don’t ever come back again!”

Before Qi Yuan could react, he was pushed out of the illusion realm by a tremendous repulsive force.

The force was quite fierce, mixed with quite a bit of personal grudge.

Outside the illusion formation, facing strange looks from those around him, Qi Yuan innocently rubbed his nose, thinking to himself:

I reached all one hundred steps and even met the Formation Spirit. Does that mean I passed this trial?

Qi Yuan wasn’t too worried inside. The Formation Spirit within the illusion formation, though powerful, was at most around the mid-Soul Formation stage. Not three major realms above him, so it couldn’t possibly see through his true background.

To confirm, he quickly stepped forward, grabbed a Falling Cloud Valley disciple, and asked:

“Senior brother, I think I just encountered the Formation Spirit of the illusion formation. The Formation Spirit personally sent me out. Does that mean I passed the assessment?”

That disciple looked at him with a complicated expression.

“Brother, please don’t call me senior brother. You’re my senior brother. The Formation Spirit senior hasn’t manifested its true form for a thousand years, yet you actually provoked Him into personally sending you out. This junior admits defeat.”

Huh?

Qi Yuan was stunned. He thought everyone leaving the formation went through something similar.

Looking up, he realized aside from those unlucky ones eliminated in earlier trials, he was actually the first tester to complete the third trial.

Most testers were struggling bitterly around twenty-something steps, each step forward seeming immensely difficult, as if draining all their energy.

The fastest among them was actually an acquaintance. The Child of Destiny, Lin Zhen, had already passed the thirty-eighth step, advancing toward the fortieth. But judging by his strained appearance, reaching beyond the fortieth probably wouldn’t be easy.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhen’s rival, Wang Luchuan, had just passed the thirty-third step, placing second.

Right now, Wang Luchuan’s chubby face had turned purplish-red like liver, his fat flesh sagging downward. He probably wouldn’t reach the thirty-fifth step in this lifetime.

Watching those testers dripping with sweat, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but smile faintly. A sense of intellectual superiority welled up within him.