"What you said might make sense," Xiang Rui said. "Should we ask Elder Yan Xiaoluo again?" Yang Luoya asked Kirin.
Kirin appeared from thin air. "What? You want to talk to him again? That's not possible right now. Those memory storage devices consume a lot of energy. I think you can use it again in three years."
"Three years? That's way too long..."
Song Ren raised his hand. "Um... may I interrupt?" he asked. "What is it?" Xiang Rui responded. "I've been here since you started talking, but... I still don't understand what you're discussing." "We're talking about the devil residing in the Cursed Land and the demi-god tree that appeared in the past," Yang Luoya explained.
"What? Could you repeat that? I didn't understand a single word," Song Ren replied, confused. Yang Luoya and Xiang Rui exchanged puzzled looks.
"What do you mean you don't understand? Hard to admit, but you're smarter than me. You could at least draw some conclusions from what we've said," Xiang Rui said.
"All I heard was the two of you babbling in a language I didn't even recognize," Song Ren replied, still baffled. "What...?" Yang Luoya glanced at Kirin. "I thought you two were playing some tongue twister game until you mentioned Yan Xiaoluo's name," Kirin said.
"So we can't give spoilers to characters inside the novel?" Xiang Rui muttered. "Maybe..."
"Anyway, I've said what I needed to. I have to leave for the port tomorrow," Xiang Rui said. Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside the door. "Yang Luo, are you speaking with someone?" It was Gao Jun. "Oh no..." Xiang Rui whispered. "Yang Luo, I'm coming in now," Gao Jun said. Song Ren quickly hoisted Xiang Rui like a sack of grain and slipped out the window.
"Master... What brings you here?" Yang Luoya asked, feigning innocence.
Gao Jun's eyes shifted to the open window behind Yang Luoya. "Yang Luo... Are you bringing strangers into the mountain again?"
The rules were strict. No one was allowed to enter Peak Mountain except direct disciples or the peak lord—unless under emergency circumstances or with the peak lord's permission.
"I was just talking to myself, Master... With Yang Wei in seclusion, I guess I'm just worried and... I might've been too loud," Yang Luoya said, scratching his cheek nervously.
Gao Jun sighed. "It was tough at first, but time flies. He'll come out before you know it." He placed a reassuring hand on Yang Luoya's shoulder. "Now go to sleep. It's already midnight."
"Yes, Master."
.
.
.
In the blink of an eye, over three years had passed.
"Another disciple selection, huh? Has it really been three years...? How are you doing, Yang Wei?" Yang Luoya gazed up at the sky as he walked toward the examination hall. "Watch your step, Yang Luo. Don't trip," Gao Jun said, walking ahead.
"Three years... Yang Wei must be nearly 17 now. How old am I again? 20? 21? Eh, doesn't matter," Yang Luoya murmured. "You didn't attend the previous exam, did you?" Gao Jun asked. "Forgive me, Master. I...",
"Don't worry about it. But you did miss something interesting. One disciple in particular caught my attention," Gao Jun said.
Yang Luoya quickened his pace to walk beside him, curiosity piqued. "He has a small frame, but managed to push back a charging horned bull with his bare hands. That's right—he's a strong omega."
There were no records of a strong omega in the original storyline's new disciple batch. This person could be a variable... or just another background character. As before, the arena was packed—crowded and buzzing with excitement. Yang Luoya took a seat in the same spot as three years ago. Wu Zhen and Bai Zhi sat beside him.
"You're on time today, Yang Luo," Wu Zhen teased. "Shut up."
"Senior Wu Zhen, please don't tease Senior Yang Luoya. He has every right to skip an event if he wants," Bai Zhi defended him.
The third exam progressed swiftly. It was now the semifinals. A young man with a small, delicate build stood tall, eyes locked on his opponent like a predator stalking prey. He held two thin swords.
"Whoa... Those swords look like they'd snap," Wu Zhen commented.
"Dual swords? That's new," Yang Luoya thought aloud.
The battle began. The young man launched himself at his opponent with astonishing speed, unleashing a barrage of relentless attacks. The opponent was forced back.
"This..." Yang Luoya murmured.
"What is it?" Wu Zhen and Bai Zhi asked, curious.
"His strength doesn't seem to come from raw power—but from his stamina. He moves constantly, draining his opponent's energy. But he doesn't even look winded. Either he's been taking stamina-enhancing medicine since childhood, or he was born with incredible endurance," Yang Luoya analyzed.
Eventually, the young man won, securing a spot in the finals. And just like before, he emerged victorious—without breaking a sweat.
"The winner is Jing Lei!" the judge declared.
Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.
"Next, the peak masters will decide who will take him as a direct disciple, right?" Bai Zhi asked.
"Yes. It's become tradition here," Yang Luoya confirmed.
But before Liu Yong could ask the peak masters for their decisions, Jing Lei stepped forward. "Sect Master, before we proceed, may I make a foolish request?" Jing Lei asked, hands clasped, eyes still sharp and steady. The crowd fell into a whispering hush.
"Speak," Liu Yong said.
"I wish to challenge one of the strongest senior brothers here—to prove my strength and understand my limits." Liu Yong looked toward the four peak masters. "What a brave and interesting young man," Shen Ming remarked, intrigued. "I don't mind. Sounds fun," Sun Guang added.
Liu Yong then turned toward where Yang Luoya, Wu Zhen, and Bai Zhi sat. "Looks like it's one of us," Yang Luoya muttered, beginning to rise—only to be stopped by Wu Zhen. "I'll go this time," he said with a smirk, leaping into the arena.
He greeted his opponent. "Wu Zhen from Dragon Peak."
"Jing Lei from the Jing Clan," the young man replied.
Both assumed their stances.
"...Begin!" Liu Yong declared.