Time flowed like a stream; in the blink of an eye, several days had passed.
The long-quiet Tianmu Mountain Range now stirred like a slumbering primordial beast awakening. Deep, thunderous rumbles echoed from its lofty peaks, accompanied by a tide of overwhelming energy that swept across the sky like a vast, unstoppable wave.
"Phew… it's finally starting."
Xiao Yan exhaled softly, a mix of awe and anticipation in his heart as he gazed at the magnificent sight in the distance. Beside him, a man from the Titled Palace stood calmly, eyes fixed ahead, his expression utterly tranquil.
Having spent the past few days together, Xiao Yan had come to understand this man—and by extension, the Titled Palace—a bit more. The legends Xin Lan once told him were all true: the Titled Palace really did have multiple Dou Saints, and it truly housed a formidable Magical Beast.
Now, watching this man face such a majestic scene with calm indifference, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel the gap between them.
But rather than discouraging him, the realization of that distance ignited a fire within Xiao Yan. He believed—no, he knew—that one day, he too would reach such heights.
"Boom!"
As that thought took root in his mind, a chaotic chorus of footsteps and booming shouts suddenly erupted. An enormous crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, flooding into the mountain range with frenzied momentum.
"Senior Brother Xiao, it's started—let's go."
Zhang Yang took the lead, and with him present, Xiao Yan didn't need to probe ahead cautiously. The two set off into the mountains, heading directly toward the Tianshan Platform halfway up the range.
The entire Tianmu Mountain Range had been seized by the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe, who established checkpoints along the mountainside. Only those who passed the trials were allowed to ascend to the summit.
Moving swiftly along a steep stone staircase, the two figures became nothing but fleeting shadows as they ascended. Upon reaching the stone platform midway up the mountain, they found only a handful of people already there.
With eyes closed in meditation, they waited in silence. Eventually, a man appeared, swept his gaze over the group, and blandly announced the commencement of the trial.
Xiao Yan regarded the checkpoint with a calm expression—he wasn't in any rush. He preferred to let others take the lead and gauge the challenge. Zhang Yang beside him was even more composed.
And yet, Zhang Yang occasionally glanced around, as if searching for something—or someone. But the skies remained empty, and nothing appeared.
Zhang Yang frowned deeply, puzzled by the strange feeling gnawing at him.
Meanwhile, high above in the sky, within a pocket of spatial distortion…
"Brother Xiao Yan…"
A beautiful figure gazed longingly down toward the mountainside where Xiao Yan stood. Her voice was tender, brimming with joy, yet tinged with helplessness. She couldn't pierce the space that separated them and instead turned toward the silver-haired man beside her, visibly frustrated.
"Teacher, why won't you let me go to him?"
The young woman was none other than Xiao Xun'er. After receiving Zhang Yang's message a few days ago, she had left the Gu Realm immediately. Their agreed-upon meeting had long since passed, and she couldn't understand why Xiao Yan hadn't come to find her.
The moment she heard news of him, she had rushed out without hesitation.
In the five years since then, Xiao Xun'er had reached the level of Dou Saint. However, much to her teacher's dismay, she had only just broken through to Three-Star Dou Saint, despite the immense resources at her disposal.
Her pace was so painfully slow that Chen Xiaoming, her teacher, couldn't help but wonder if the pills he painstakingly refined had been fed to a dog.
"Those pills could have pushed a pig to the peak of Dou Saint," he muttered.
And now, Xiao Xun'er had run off recklessly to chase after Xiao Yan again. It was no surprise that Chen Xiaoming was thoroughly exasperated.
A mere Three-Star Dou Saint, carrying such high-grade pills? She was a walking treasure trove. Many forces had their eyes on her.
Even the Soul Clan had been spotted lurking nearby.
Hun Tiandi, always striving to break through to Dou God, would undoubtedly covet such potent elixirs.
They had clashed briefly before—testing each other from afar. But once Hun Tiandi sensed Chen Xiaoming's power, he withdrew. Still, Chen Xiaoming knew that hadn't been the end of it.
Over the past five years, two disciples from the Titled Palace had gone missing while out training—along with their pills and corpses.
"Humph. I told you to focus on your cultivation, but all you ever think about is love. Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?!"
Chen Xiaoming snapped, his voice cold. Being a teacher was exhausting. Looking at Xiao Xun'er, he couldn't bring himself to strike her. But letting her do as she pleased would likely get her killed.
Now, he finally understood why others loved taking protagonists as disciples. Damn it, if you're the protagonist, you've got plot armor! No matter how recklessly you act, you survive—and come out stronger.
That kind of ease! All a master had to do was show up now and then to posture and rake in some clout.
But him? He had to worry constantly that his disciple might get murdered!
Sigh. Too damn exhausting. If only the heroine had plot armor too…
Chen Xiaoming's irritation mounted. He looked again at Xiao Xun'er, still trying to guilt-trip him with her puppy-dog eyes, then glanced down at Xiao Yan.
A glint flashed in his eye, and a faint spatial ripple surged from his body, shooting down toward the platform below—straight at Zhang Yang.
"Take a pill. Teach Xiao Yan how the world really works!"
Zhang Yang, who had been patiently waiting for Xiao Xun'er's arrival (and a generous reward for doing so), froze.
A booming voice echoed through his mind.
His eyes widened as he looked up at the empty sky above.
That voice—it was unmistakable.
It was the Palace Master!
Not only had the senior sister arrived, but even the Palace Master himself was watching!
Zhang Yang hadn't expected to receive such a critical mission under these circumstances. His expression quickly turned solemn.
Though he couldn't see them, he was certain they were nearby, observing quietly.
He, Zhang Yang, had to present his most radiant, confident, and glorious self!
"Huh? You okay?"
Noticing a subtle ripple in the air beside him, Xiao Yan turned to find that Zhang Yang no longer looked like his usual scheming, shifty self. In fact, he seemed like an entirely different person—his eyes gleaming with sharp resolve, an intangible aura rising from within.
That invisible pressure gradually filled the entire platform, drawing the attention of everyone present.
From Feng Qing'er of Wind Lightning Pavilion, to Tang Ying of Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion, and Wang Chen of Yellow Springs Pavilion, all three looked visibly annoyed.
Someone was unleashing their aura here?
What—did they have a death wish?
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Zhang Yang stepped forward, sweeping his gaze across the crowd with a look that seemed to say: I own this mountain.
In that moment, he embodied the very essence of his name: Zhang the Flamboyant.
His gaze swept over the three elite disciples, finally settling on Xiao Yan. Gone was the bootlicking attitude—replaced by a blazing will to fight, though tinged with a trace of guilt.
Xiao Yan… I didn't want to do this to you. But I've been ordered to.
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