Wan Huaishan looked at Nan Xunran, his eyes full of concern. He said gently, "All right, all right. Ran'er, hurry back. The trial is tomorrow, so don't tire yourself out."
Nan Xunran nodded slightly. "All right."
Outside the hall
Nan Xunran's expression was calm as he called, "Merak."
As his voice fell, the void shattered like a broken mirror.
A figure then emerged silently from the shattered space. "Master."
Nan Xunran said indifferently, "Kill He Chuan and Zhong Yun'er."
He would never leave himself the slightest source of future trouble.
"Yes." Merak accepted the order and withdrew.
His figure vanished in the blink of an eye, as though he had never appeared.
Sacred Hall
Everyone's gaze fell on Nan Xunran as he approached at a measured pace.
"Master." They all bowed in greeting.
Pei Zimo asked curiously, "Master! What happened to that brat?"
Nan Xunran said calmly, "He was stripped of his position as Dao Child and expelled from the Sacred Land."
"Hey! See that? That's how awesome Master is!" Pei Zimo cheered excitedly, calling out to Xu Tian.
Xu Tian had remained silent ever since Nan Xunran returned. At those words, he merely gave a soft "Mm."
"Don't be so stiff! Master is really good to his own people!" Pei Zimo said excitedly.
Nan Xunran stepped forward and patted Xu Tian on the head.
He was a little surprised. Why was Xu Tian like a child, only reaching his shoulder in height?
"He Chuan has been deposed, so you will continue to serve as the Seventh Dao Child. You'll come with me to tomorrow's trial," Nan Xunran said indifferently.
"All right." Xu Tian nodded.
Seeing him nod, Nan Xunran turned and walked into the inner hall.
Outside, Pei Zimo's voice was still loud. "See? Master is easy to get along with."
Pei Ziheng finally ran out of patience and smacked him on the head. "Stop talking! Don't disturb Master's rest!"
"Ow! All right, all right, I'll stop, I'll stop," Pei Zimo yelped. "Xu Tian, get some rest early too!"
Their voices gradually faded, and peace returned to the surroundings.
The day of the trial
Nan Xunran had just stepped out of the hall when he saw several people already waiting there.
He nodded slightly and said simply, "Let's go to the Wind and Cloud Hall."
The disciples of the Wind and Cloud Hall specialized in formations and were also responsible for transportation to the annual trial.
When they arrived at the Wind and Cloud Hall, all the other Dao Children had already gathered.
With all the Dao Children assembled, the pressure they unconsciously emitted was as heavy as something solid. The disciples could scarcely breathe, much less dare to speak loudly.
"So this year's trial is in the Chaos Tribulation Purgatory," a Wind and Cloud Hall disciple murmured.
"No wonder only Dao Children can take part in this trial."
"We'll get to see His Highness the Holy Son soon!" someone said, unable to contain their excitement, their voice rising slightly.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside.
"The Holy Son... His Highness the Holy Son is here!"
The disciples hurriedly bowed in respect and called out in unison, "Your Highness!"
"Mm," Nan Xunran responded indifferently.
The disciples rose, and when their eyes fell on Nan Xunran's aloof and handsome face, many of them froze, momentarily dazed.
Mu Fengzhi stepped forward steadily and said respectfully, "Master."
Lin Hongyu followed him forward and bowed. "Master."
Nan Xunran nodded slightly and looked at them calmly. "You've both broken through?"
Pride shone on Lin Hongyu's face as he puffed out his chest. "Of course! I've been cultivating in the small world with Brother Fengzhi this whole time until today!"
Mu Fengzhi nodded lightly in agreement.
Nan Xunran was just about to speak.
Shangguan Xieyue suddenly appeared like a ghost and called out loudly, "A-Xun!"
At her appearance, everyone's expression changed. They hurriedly moved aside, falling silent as cicadas in winter, terrified that one careless move would offend this troublesome ancestor.
Shangguan Xieyue held out a fair, delicate hand, an exquisite jade bottle resting in her palm.
"Here! The pills are ready. See? I keep my word!"
Nan Xunran responded indifferently and casually put the jade bottle into his storage bag.
Then he slowly spoke two words. "Let's go."
He strode toward the teleportation formation.
Behind him, Shangguan Xieyue hopped along like a little bird, while the Dao Children followed closely.
Seeing this, the disciple responsible for activating the formation dared not delay and hurried forward.
A flash of light suddenly flared, followed by a powerful surge of energy that spread through the air.
A pillar of light then shot into the sky, and in the blink of an eye, everyone vanished.
Entrance to the Chaos Tribulation Purgatory
The elders of the various sacred lands had arrived the day before and were now waiting for their disciples.
The elder sent by the Crimson Plume Sacred Land this time was Clear Wind High Person, Zhou Ren'an.
He wore a cyan robe, and his face was as gentle as jade. His presence was restrained, yet it gave others the sense that he was unfathomably deep.
"Brother Ren'an, I hear that person from the Nan Clan is also coming to take part in the trial?" an elder from another sacred land asked Zhou Ren'an.
Zhou Ren'an nodded slightly in response.
"Alas, it looks like first place will go to the Crimson Plume Sacred Land again this year!" the elder said, unable to hold back a long, regretful sigh.
"Why doesn't our sacred land have a heaven's chosen like that?" another elder couldn't help lamenting, his voice full of helplessness and envy.
As the elders talked, the disciples of the other sacred lands all arrived.
Hearing the elders' conversation, the crowd immediately erupted in an uproar.
"That person from the Nan Clan is coming?!" someone blurted out in astonishment.
"We're finished. I couldn't compete for first place, but I could at least fight for second. Now that he's coming, I might not even get third," someone said, looking dejected.
A female disciple's eyes lit up. "I hear he's extraordinarily handsome!"
A faint blush crept onto her face without her noticing.
A male disciple beside her immediately spoke up as well. "I really want to see just how powerful he is."
His eyes likewise sparkled with curiosity and anticipation.