The Test

Ignoring the so-called test, Bai Yang cupped his hands toward the masked young woman blocking his way and said, "Bai Yang, Protector Master of the Chen Dynasty, has come to pay a visit. Sorry for the trouble, miss—could you announce me?"

"Protector Master of the Chen Dynasty?" The woman looked astonished, her beautiful eyes fixed on Bai Yang with a strange expression.

She had never even heard of a Chen Dynasty. She figured Bai Yang had simply made up a title to sneak inside. She'd seen plenty of people like him lately, and she wasn't falling for it...

Bai Yang was speechless. So she thought he was a fraud? He immediately took out the imperial decree and the official seal of the Protector Master of the Chen Dynasty that Chen Yongxin had given him. "That's right. Sorry for the trouble, miss. Could you announce me?"

"Um... I'm afraid I can't." The woman stared at Bai Yang in surprise. So he really was who he claimed to be. The imperial decree and official seal bore the aura of a dynasty; they couldn't be faked. Even so, she refused to announce his arrival or let him in.

"Why?" Now it was Bai Yang's turn to be speechless. I've shown you proof, and you're still not letting me through?

The woman thought for a moment, then said politely, "I'm afraid you've misunderstood, young master. Tian Yin Sect has closed its doors to visitors for the time being. Well... even princes of an imperial dynasty have to pass the test to enter."

The meaning was clear: whatever his identity, he had to follow the rules. Never mind some obscure dynasty's Protector Master—even a prince of an imperial dynasty wouldn't be allowed in without taking the test.

There was no way around that.

But Bai