Time slipped quietly past like a white horse flashing through a gap, and an hour vanished in the blink of an eye.
Within Cloudmist Valley, the once-numerous Heavenly Prodigies were rapidly dwindling, as though being swallowed by an invisible force.
"I wonder who will take first place in this Heart-Mind Illusion test?"
Someone in the crowd murmured, their voice filled with anticipation and curiosity about the contest.
"I heard from a friend in the Misty Sect that anyone who ranks in the top ten in any round can become a Personal Disciple directly!
"And the better everyone else performs, the better the treatment they'll receive after entering the sect..."
Just then, a skinny, shifty-looking man suddenly chimed in.
His voice carried a hint of pride and boastfulness, as though he himself were a disciple of the Misty Sect.
Hearing his words, those around him immediately joined in with a chorus of agreement.
"That's right! I heard every intake of new disciples is a perfect chance for a fish to leap through the dragon gate!
"Those with outstanding results can enter the inner ranks directly and enjoy better resources and training, while those with poor results,
"can only start as Servant Disciples, and they have to pass the annual assessment before they can advance any further."
"These Heavenly Prodigies all have some reputation outside, yet once they come to the Misty Sect, they can only start as servants. It really makes you marvel at how fickle the world is!"
Those around them who had been straining their ears to listen could not help looking deeply moved!
Just then, a Rogue Cultivator lowered his voice and said:
"Even a mere servant is far beyond low-level Rogue Cultivators like us, with no sect or powerful backer."
Another Rogue Cultivator agreed:
"You're absolutely right, Brother Lin. And above the servants, there are Outer Disciples, Registered Disciples, Inner Disciples, Personal Disciples, True Disciples, the sect sequence, and the highest-ranking Saint Sons and Saint Daughters!"
"They're all lofty figures, people we can gaze up at but never hope to reach..."
The faces of those around them shone with longing for those higher-ranking disciples.
The Illusion Realm Test continued within Cloudmist Valley...
"Hah! You worthless trash, you still have the nerve to come collect resources!
"Rather than waste them, hand them over to your older clan brother. Maybe, for the sake of our shared blood, I'll even offer you some protection."
Someone blocked Lin Hai's path and jeered.
Immediately, another person chimed in:
"Exactly, exactly! Do you really think you're still the most talented person in the clan?
"Now you're nothing but utterly useless trash!"
In the scene before him, the Lin Family's younger members took turns mocking him without mercy, as though ridiculing him had become their greatest pleasure.
The scene abruptly changed. A kindly-looking woman held her son's hand, her eyes brimming with love and hope as she spoke softly:
"My son, I believe you can show your talent again and reclaim everything that belongs to you.
"Your father no longer cares for either of us. These resources are all I could find for you, the very most I could manage."
As she spoke, the woman carefully took a Heaven-Earth Bag from inside her robes, as though it held treasures beyond measure.
She thrust the Heaven-Earth Bag into her son's arms without hesitation, seemingly afraid he would refuse.
Lin Hai watched the scene before him in silence, a thousand emotions stirring in his heart.
These scenes surfaced clearly in his mind, as though they had happened only yesterday.
He silently swore to himself:
I will never repeat my mistakes! I must enter the Misty Sect and keep growing stronger. The day I return to the Lin Family will be the day I wash away my humiliation!
Within the valley, Lin Hai, who had been on the verge of collapsing, suddenly seemed to gain a new strength, and his body steadied once more.
An Elder above stroked his beard and smiled at the sight:
"This lad is promising. His potential is immense!"
Several other Elders voiced their agreement:
"Yes, this child is truly gifted."
"That brother and sister to the northwest have quite good talent too."
"And those boys and girls over there have remarkably firm resolve. They're worth nurturing."
While everyone was discussing the candidates, a female Elder with a cold expression suddenly raised a finger and pointed straight toward Ming Hao and his companions.
Her face remained expressionless as she said icily:
"I wonder which power that young master belongs to. His temperament and talent both rank above average.
"Now look at the six men and six women surrounding him. They're clearly his subordinates."
The talent and temperament of these six men and six women were clearly superior to that young master's. Even now, they remained as steady as Mount Tai, showing not the slightest wavering. They were plainly all of the highest caliber!
The Elders nodded in agreement at her words.
"What a pity that all twelve of them are that young master's subordinates.
"Look at that burly man. Though he's a little older, his talent probably ranks among the top three of the twelve."
The speaker was an equally burly Elder, covered in bulging muscles, who sighed with regret written across his face.
Just then, someone with a full head of long, fiery-red hair walked over.
She wore a close-fitting combat outfit over her voluptuous figure, her expression bold and unrestrained. The moment she spoke, her booming voice rang out:
"I think those two little girls beside him are quite promising. They should be twins, and they seem to have practiced some sort of combined combat technique together. There's a faint, subtle connection between them."
"I've taken a liking to those two girls. None of you are allowed to fight me for them later!" she shouted bluntly.
"That man built like an iron tower is the perfect choice to inherit my legacy!"
"That boy with skin as fair as mutton-fat jade is best suited to studying under me. Hehehe!"
"That woman whose expression is as cold as the waters of a frigid pool is perfectly suited to my cultivation method!"
"Hmph! That woman is also like an immortal maiden standing apart from the mortal world. She belongs under my tutelage."
"Then let our skills settle it, and let each of us show our Divine Abilities."
The Elders argued until their faces flushed, terrified that someone else would snatch up the disciples they had chosen!
Inside the illusion.
Ying Ming Hao paid no heed to the ravishing beauty before him. In his eyes, her seductive dancing was no more than passing clouds and drifting smoke.
He was squatting in a small corner, holding a twig from who knew where and idly drawing circles.
Since I'm here to gain experience, naturally I should keep a low profile.
Father and Mother said that, aside from Qing Yun and the other eleven accompanying me openly, those following in secret won't intervene unless it's a matter of life and death,
and Father won't send any more experts either. After all, only a trial like this has any meaning!
If I start as an Outer-Disciplinary Servant, life will be pure misery. Apparently, they have to do every dirty, exhausting job. I don't want to be an ox or horse at everyone's beck and call.
Only Inner Disciples and above have substantial authority and more freedom. More importantly, they get their own detached residences. Now that suits my current status.
Then I shouldn't shine too brightly later. I'll rein myself in a little and just start as an Inner Disciple. That way, I won't attract outside enemies so easily!
Hehehe, I'm so clever!
Squatting in the corner, Ming Hao let out a strange, cackling laugh like a night owl.
"My lord, come admire my dancing..."
The beauty on the stage kept casting flirtatious glances at him, her eyes like those of a fox that could steal a person's soul.
"Coming, coming! Wait for me, darling..."
Ming Hao tossed aside the twig in his hand, turned, and trotted over with a grin like a merry little deer.
"Little beauty, here I come!"
In the blink of an eye, another hour or more passed.
Ying Ming Hao finally came to at his leisure, a trace of reluctance lingering on his face, as though he had been unwilling to leave the illusion!
He stretched and looked around. Cloudmist Valley was much emptier now, though quite a few people were still holding on.
Qing Yun, Qing Ying, and the others beside him had yet to awaken. Judging by their expressions, they still seemed quite at ease!
A beam of formation light descended and transported him out of the valley.
The area was already packed with people who had finished their trials. Some looked proud, evidently having achieved good results, and were surrounded by flatterers.
Others wore faces full of regret. One glance was enough to tell they had failed.
Some showed neither joy nor sorrow and rested with their eyes closed.
"Congratulations on passing the first trial, fellow cultivator. I'm a disciple of the Misty Sect, assigned to record the results of this trial."
"Please cooperate with me, fellow cultivator."
A smiling disciple of the Misty Sect spoke gently, holding a Jade Slip.
Ming Hao cupped his hands slightly.
"Greetings, Senior Brother..."
Before you continue