The stone steps of Immortal Mountain wound like a dragon into the depths of the clouds. The crowd at the foot of the mountain had yet to recover from the Star Luo Empire delegation's arrival when the mist suddenly churned, and a slender figure descended the steps at an unhurried pace.
It was Feng Xiaotian, walking with a spring in his step and a faint smile on his lips. In his hand, he held a gleaming white Flute Bone that shimmered with a trace of immortal light—the token Immortal had given him.
His robes fluttered as he approached, lending him an air of someone untouched by the mortal world. Up close, the crowd saw that calling him radiant with confidence would be no exaggeration.
Feng Xiaotian looked toward the Star Luo Empire delegation. His voice was clear, neither servile nor overbearing:
"Teacher Immortal has been busy and hasn't received outside visitors lately. Only students who pass the Trait Entry assessment may go up the mountain to meet him."
He paused, his gaze passing over Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. His tone remained calm but left no room for argument. "You can try passing the Trait Entry assessment if you want to meet Teacher Immortal."
He turned the Flute Bone lightly in his hand and pointed it toward the mountain path behind him.
"Or you can go back the way you came."
At those words, it was as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over the Star Luo Empire honor guard, so imposing just moments before. Their banners still snapped in the wind, and their steeds were still magnificent, but their high-and-mighty air had been cut down by half.
Dai Weisi stepped forward, his black-and-gold brocade robe whipping in the wind. His face darkened, and the noble pride