Chapter 180
Soon, Zhang Qing led Jian Yunlan and Li Fugui to Jade Hidden Hall—the venue for the second trial.
Despite its name, the hall resembled a lush valley, teeming with greenery. A gentle breeze carried the songs of spirit birds, and afternoon sunlight filtered through ancient trees, casting dappled light on the ground.
Encircling the hall were four towering peaks, each with a floating Jade Platform where the pavilion masters sat, gazing down at the nervous candidates below.
“Ten Thousand Spirits Sect is divided into four grand pavilions, aside from the Immortal Lord’s Spirit Peak,” Zhang Qing explained as they walked.
“First—the Pill Spirit Pavilion, responsible for alchemy, cultivating spiritual herbs, and healing.”
He gestured toward one direction while forming a hand seal. A paper crane fluttered from his fingers, flying straight to the Pill Spirit Pavilion Master.
“Li Fugui, as an earth-type Heavenly Spiritual Root, the Pill Spirit Pavilion Master is very interested in you. I’ve sent a recommendation via the crane.”
Sure enough, the moment Zhang Qing finished speaking, a portly middle-aged man on the platform turned toward them, offering a kind, approving smile.
The Pill Spirit Pavilion Master looked oddly similar to Li Fugui—round-faced and clad in loose apricot robes, his belt laden with pill bottles and herb jars. With his cheerful demeanor and gleaming golden eyes, he resembled a smiling Buddha.
Out of courtesy, both Li Fugui and Jian Yunlan bowed.
Zhang Qing nodded and continued:
“Second—the Jade Mist Pavilion, specializing in lightness skills, movement techniques, and swordsmanship.”
Following his direction, they saw a stunning but stern woman seated quietly on her platform.
Dressed in jade-green robes, her sleeves fluttering, she carried a slender azure sword on her back—its blade gleaming coldly. Even from afar, it was clearly a divine weapon.
“Third—the Bright Void Pavilion, focusing on mental cultivation and formations.”
The Bright Void Pavilion Master was a gaunt elder in gray-white monastic robes, holding prayer beads. His aura was serene, like a deep pool, and unlike the others, his eyes remained closed, as if meditating.
“Finally—the Sundering Blade Pavilion, dedicated to domineering, fierce saber techniques.”
On its platform sat a muscular woman, her black hair tied roughly, her crimson-and-black attire giving her the air of a warrior fresh from battle. A massive war saber hung at her waist—its blade still stained with blood.
Noticing their gazes, she grinned broadly at them.
Jian Yunlan and Li Fugui bowed again.
“Those are the four grand pavilions,” Zhang Qing concluded, exhaling in relief. His duty was done. “If any pavilion master takes a liking to you and accepts you as an inner or even personal disciple, you’re in.”
“Otherwise, if none want you, you’ll be relegated to menial labor as the lowest-tier disciples.”
“That’s all. I’ll leave you here—” He turned to leave.
But Li Fugui stopped him, scratching his head. “Senior Brother Zhang, what exactly is the second trial?”
At this, Zhang Qing simply smiled mysteriously and said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“…”
Jian Yunlan, Li Fugui, and the other candidates who had passed the first trial waited in Jade Hidden Hall for another half an hour.
During that time, more candidates trickled in—eventually numbering over a hundred. Most were young men and women, though a few middle-aged figures could also be seen.
Buzzing with excitement over passing the first trial but also nervous about the unknown, many whispered among themselves:
“What’s your spiritual root? I’m earth-wood-water triple-element—I want Pill Spirit Pavilion!”
“I’m aiming for Jade Mist Pavilion to learn swordsmanship from the pavilion master! They say her sword skills are second only to the Immortal Lord’s in the entire cultivation world!”
“Personally, I think Sundering Blade Pavilion is better. Saber techniques are the mark of a true hero…”
“Why are you all discussing this already? Shouldn’t we focus on passing the second trial first? If we’re not chosen, we’ll be stuck doing menial labor!”
“What even is the second trial? It changes every year. This time, I heard—”
Suddenly, a voice from one of the high platforms cut through the chatter.
Everyone fell silent at once.
The speaker was the Bright Void Pavilion Master—the gaunt elder in gray-white monastic robes.
Despite his frail appearance, his voice boomed like a great bell, resonating with power that sent ripples through the air. Just hearing it calmed the mind, sweeping away all distractions.
The candidates listened in reverence.
“All candidates, please line up before the spiritual plant ‘Forgetfulness,’” the Bright Void Pavilion Master announced.
Spiritual plant “Forgetfulness”?
Just as everyone was puzzling over this, a tiny sprout emerged from the ground at the center of Jade Hidden Hall—a delicate green seedling.
“The spiritual plant Forgetfulness,” the Sundering Blade Pavilion Master laughed heartily from her western platform, her saber vibrating at her waist. “Good. Straight to the point. I like it!”
While the candidates remained baffled, a female disciple in blue stepped forward to explain:
“Everyone, the second trial is simple—much like the first. You need only line up and stand before Forgetfulness one by one, awaiting the pavilion masters’ selections.”
But she offered no further details about the plant itself.
Still confused but unable to press further, the candidates obediently formed a line before the seedling.
The first to approach it was a girl in red. With striking features and a sharp aura, she carried a long spear adorned with red tassels on her back.
The moment she stood before the seedling, it erupted into frenzied growth!
Under everyone’s gaze, the slender yet unyielding stem shot skyward, its tip gleaming like a sword’s edge.
The pavilion masters’ reactions varied.
The previously intrigued Sundering Blade Pavilion Master suddenly lost interest, slumping back into her chair. The Bright Void and Pill Spirit Pavilion Masters remained neutral. But the Jade Mist Pavilion Master—silent until now—straightened, her gaze locking onto the girl.
“Would you join Jade Mist Pavilion?” she said coolly. “Your resolve is unyielding. You will achieve greatness.”
This was an offer to become an inner disciple.
The girl froze briefly before bowing deeply in elation. “Yes! Of course! Thank you, Pavilion Master!”
Envious glances followed her as a Jade Mist attendant led her away.
Once she left, Forgetfulness shrank back into a seedling. The next candidate—a middle-aged man in plain clothes with thick lips and a simple, honest face—stepped forward.
But the moment he stood before the plant—
The once-vibrant seedling withered instantly, crumbling into crimson ash in seconds!
The crowd gasped. The man paled, looking around frantically.
The four pavilion masters, however, all frowned in disgust.
The Sundering Blade Pavilion Master even drew her saber, pointing it at the man’s throat from afar, and roared, “You are wicked, dabbling in crooked methods, with dozens of innocent lives on your hands!”
The entire hall erupted in uproar.
The man’s face turned deathly pale. He spun around to flee but was immediately seized by Sundering Blade guards and dragged away.
Even as the doors closed behind him, his shrill protests echoed: “Those people deserved to die!” “So what if I slaughtered their families? Everyone loves wealth—”
The crowd shuddered.
No one had expected such a vicious criminal to be among them. Appearances truly were deceiving.
Jian Yunlan pondered silently: “So Forgetfulness reflects a person’s character and potential? No matter how well-hidden, it lays everything bare.”
The other candidates exchanged uneasy glances—some whispering, others avoiding eye contact—but soon, order was restored.
The trial continued.
After the brief commotion, the line moved forward again, each person stepping before the seedling to await judgment.
The procession was swift. Some rejoiced; others despaired.
One candidate’s plant surged wildly, its branches clawing at the sky like it craved power—the Sundering Blade Pavilion Master eagerly recruited them.
Another’s grew slow but steady, its roots coiling deep into the earth—the Bright Void Pavilion Master took them as a personal disciple on the spot.
Of course, there were also unlucky souls like the middle-aged man—their plants withering to ash, rejected by all pavilions and expelled outright.
A rare few were fought over by multiple pavilion masters. One girl, with a mutated lightning spiritual root, was claimed by both the Sundering Blade and Pill Spirit Pavilion Masters—she ultimately chose the former.
Soon, it was Li Fugui and Jian Yunlan’s turn.
Li Fugui went first. The seedling shot up like flames, its leaves scattering. While the candidates didn’t understand the meaning, the pavilion masters eyed him with interest.
But whether due to prior arrangements or not, the other three pavilion masters held back.
“Young friend, Pill Spirit Pavilion welcomes you,” the apricot-robed master said warmly.
Li Fugui accepted cheerfully.
After him, it was Jian Yunlan’s turn.
When Jian Yunlan stood before the seedling, the entire hall fell silent.
