Letting Loose

"A little to the left, put some strength into it. Yes, yes, right there. That feels good~"

In a lavishly furnished pavilion, Ying Ming Hao lay in Qing Yun's arms with a blissful expression. His eyes were half closed as he enjoyed a special kind of massage!

Half an hour earlier, Qing Yun, Qing Ying, and the others had all been teleported out. They had lasted nearly seven hours in the illusion realm, displaying truly monstrous talent.

They had even caused quite a stir. Various factions scrambled to recruit them, and countless outstanding young men approached to court their favor, only to be coldly rejected!

Instead, Ming Hao had dragged them over to toil like oxen and horses, waiting on him in perfect comfort and leaving the other Heavenly Prodigies burning with envy and resentment!

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the sky above the square, where scenes from Cloudmist Valley were constantly being projected.

In the vast valley, scarcely any figures remained visible. Only a few dozen people were still struggling to hold on.

"Look! The Great Frost Dynasty's eldest prince seems close to giving out!"

Someone suddenly shouted, causing a stir among those nearby.

"Yes, look how his face is as white as paper, and his aura is growing more and more unstable. I'm afraid he won't last much longer."

Someone else agreed.

Everyone's attention quickly shifted to the Great Frost Dynasty's eldest prince. His body swayed as though he might collapse at any moment.

"Look over there. The princes and princesses of the Great Zhou Empire, the Duan Dynasty, the Great Lie Dynasty, and the others all look strained too. They've clearly reached their limits."

Someone continued.

Everyone turned toward the princes and princesses of the other dynasties. Their brows were knitted tightly, their faces filled with pain; they were clearly struggling as well.

"The Heavenly Prodigies of the Demon Race, the Devil Race, the Dragon Race, and the Academy disciples aren't having an easy time either!"

Someone sighed.

Everyone chimed in, one after another, making the scene lively indeed!

Yet in stark contrast to the clamor below, the powerful figures above Cloudmist Valley remained silent, and the atmosphere grew somewhat tense.

They quietly watched what was happening in the valley, each hoping that their own junior would overpower all rivals and take first place in this test of character.

As for the various factions, rogue cultivators, lineages, and Misty Sect examiners observing nearby,

seeing those powerful figures above lost in their own thoughts and saying nothing, they were even less willing to speak carelessly, lest they incur their displeasure.

Time ticked by during the long wait, and another full half hour passed.

By then, only three Heavenly Prodigies remained in the vast Cloudmist Valley: a man, a woman, and a member of the Demon Race.

In a secluded corner of the square, Luo Bai stood with hatred and jealousy written across his face.

His fists were clenched so tightly that they were almost bleeding.

He muttered to himself:

"Damn it! This should have been my moment to shine!

I should have been basking in everyone's expectant gaze, enjoying the glory of being the moon surrounded by stars, and claiming the throne of first place!

Why have I been reduced to a spectator instead?!"

Luo Bai's heart was filled with resentment and unwillingness to accept his fate. He felt he had been treated with immense unfairness.

Just then, the ring on a finger of his left hand suddenly emitted a barely perceptible glimmer.

A faint voice followed from within the ring:

"My disciple, do not become fixated on appearances. This is merely the first trial; it proves nothing.

There are still two trials ahead. Those will be your true chance to display your abilities.

I believe you will surely show your strength and rise above the rest..."

Yet Luo Bai seemed not to have taken his master's words to heart. His attention had been entirely drawn to what was happening on the field.

"Look! Look! Someone's coming out!"

A burst of startled cries suddenly rose from the crowd.

A dazzling light flared from the formation, and then a tall woman appeared before everyone's eyes.

"It's Fairy Luo Shuihan!"

Someone recognized the woman and could not help crying out.

Luo Shuihan wore a white, glasslike gown, as pristine as a snowflake and shimmering with a faint glow.

She was tall and slender, her long, shapely legs so white they seemed to shine as they appeared and disappeared beneath her skirt. A pair of ice-white Crystal High Heels made her legs look even longer and straighter-a breathtaking sight.

The beauty was like jade, her skin like congealed cream; a thousand charms and tender graces hid between her brows and eyes. She was like a fairy from the heavens, untouched by mortal dust!

The gazes of many outstanding young men locked onto Luo Shuihan's figure as though drawn by a magnet,

as if their souls had left them. They did not even blink, and drool spilled uncontrollably from the corners of their mouths...

The young members of the Luo Family seemed to catch fire with excitement. They quickly crowded around her, every face brimming with pride,

as though loudly declaring to everyone around them:

"Look! This is the proud daughter of our Luo Family!"

Luo Shuihan lifted her head slightly and stared at the two figures still remaining in the projection. Incredulous surprise shone in her eyes, and she did not look away for a long time.

Several attentive women from the Luo Family noticed something amiss. They exchanged glances, then softly consoled her:

"Miss, taking third place this time is already an excellent result. You've surpassed countless Heavenly Prodigies. Who knows how many people envy you?

Besides, first place doesn't necessarily mean someone truly possesses great strength. Perhaps it's only good luck. You needn't dwell too much on not taking first place..."

However, Luo Shuihan did not respond. She continued gazing quietly at the two people in the projection, seemingly immersed in her own thoughts.

Time ticked by. A few minutes later, the teleportation formation lit up again.

As the light gradually faded, a man appeared before everyone.

He stood tall and straight as a tree, his face handsome as polished jade. Elegant and imposing, he looked like an immortal descending into the world.

"It's Young Master Jun Mo!"

Someone exclaimed,

"A gentleman like Jun Mo, jade upon the country path!"

"Jun Mo~ Jun Mo~"

Wave after wave of young women's cries rang out, frenzied and lovestruck, loud enough to make people's ears throb.

Some women even brought out brushes and ink, openly hoping Young Master Jun Mo would give them his autograph, written directly on their clothes...

Only one last woman remained in the valley.

Suddenly, unrestrained laughter rang out above Cloudmist Valley. It came from an Elder of the Nine-Tails Clan.

She was a voluptuous woman, her entire being exuding a faintly elusive allure that made people turn to look despite themselves!

Smiling, she said,

"The woman currently in Cloudmist Valley is our Nine-Tails Clan's Young Clan Leader. It seems first place in this Illusion Realm Test is assured."

"The Nine-Tails Clan truly produces talents in abundance. This generation's Young Clan Leader is even more extraordinary!"

"The Nine-Tails Clan's illusion techniques are unrivaled under heaven..."

All manner of praise poured forth as though it cost nothing.

The sun sank in the west, its lingering rays gently caressing the earth as though bidding farewell to the day.

Only when the sun was almost below the horizon did a Misty Sect Elder loudly announce: "The first trial, the Heart-Mind Illusion test, has concluded successfully."

"First place, Su Mei."

"Second place, Jun Mo."

"Third place, Luo Shuihan."

"Once these top three pass all the tests, they may directly become Personal Disciples!"

"The second trial will begin tomorrow morning!"

With that, the Elder led the many Misty Sect disciples away, vanishing beyond the horizon!

The distant mountains loomed faintly in the night, tranquil and beautiful as an ink-wash painting.

The valley that had bustled all day still had not quieted down.

Bonfires burned everywhere. People gathered in groups of four or five, devouring meat, drinking wine by the bowl, and talking freely about life. What a merry time they had.

After all, by passing the first trial, they had already surpassed ninety percent of the Heavenly Prodigies who had come with them,

and even if they failed the next trial, they could still scrape by as Servant Disciples. Such a joyous occasion certainly deserved a celebration.

Ying Ming Hao and the others were strolling through a large, hastily erected night market. Food, drink, entertainment, prostitution, gambling-everything was available. After all, wherever there was demand, there would be supply.

In the middle of the group, Shui Furong of the Shui Family looked positively puffed up with anger, silently cursing,

This lecher! We specifically disguised ourselves before coming out, yet he still found us. We can't shake him off no matter what. I really want to stab him with a hundred, a thousand needles...

"Miss Shui, do you like these candied hawthorns?"

"Hmm? If you're not saying anything, you must not like them. Then I suppose I'll reluctantly have to eat them myself."

Shui Furong's little hand froze halfway through reaching out.

She immediately grabbed his waist in a furious huff and gave it a vicious twist!

"Do you want some lamb skewers... Ow~ Ow~"

"Owww, that hurts! Let go, quick! Otherwise, I won't be so polite!"

Ming Hao grimaced, baring his teeth.

"Nope~"