The sounds were loud since early morning.
The celebration had not ended, and the clan test was about to begin.
He hadn't slept well that night—it had been a nightmare.
Even lying on his bed, he still couldn't believe he was alive.
> "Heavenly gods, bless us! We are your faithful children! This test is our offering to you!"
That was Zhang Yi's voice, cheerful among the crowd, smiling brightly as if nothing had happened.
Mo Xing looked at him for a long moment.
"Is this… really the same person?"
He realized this couldn't be a coincidence.
In his short life, he had never met anyone like him.
Zhang Yi seemed different today—calm, smiling, confident.
Mo Xing couldn't help but wonder: Which face will he show in the test?
A faint memory surfaced, something from before his father's death.
Zhang Yi's behavior reminded him of his father—too much, in fact.
"He reminds me of Father… laughing during the day, but turning into someone else at night. None of us could predict what he'd do."
His memories of his father were almost gone, only faint fragments remained.
His steps were steady as he walked through the village toward the test grounds.
His expression was calm, as usual, with just a trace of tension.
The sky was clear, the sound of rustling leaves flowing gently with the breeze.
A few steps ahead, Yue stood there.
Her elegant robes reflected her status as the daughter of one of the clan leaders.
When their eyes met, a hint of unease appeared on her face.
Perhaps what she had seen last night had truly scared her.
But Mo Xing didn't care.
It was nothing more than a passing glance before he walked away.
Even she wasn't acting like herself today.
In truth, most humans were like that—
They don't love you for your kindness or your deeds, but for a tiny piece of you they approve of.
And once that piece changes… they start avoiding you.
Mo Xing appeared just as everyone saw him: cold and unreadable.
His eyes were calm and steady, like a piece of unmoving ice—neither fear nor hesitation within them.
He wore a simple gray linen shirt, and over it, a long brown robe without decorations.
Only the old stitching on his shoulder reminded him of his weakness.
He reached the test ground.
It was filled with noise and restless energy.
A strange feeling crept up inside him, like a shiver.
> "Even the insects are noisy here…" he muttered under his breath.
The testing ground stood at the heart of the village, surrounded by tall stone pillars carved with rune patterns.
(These runes protected the area from leaking spiritual energy during combat.)
Men and women from every corner of the village had gathered to witness the event.
Most cheered for the well-known talents.
On the northern side, an elevated platform faced the arena directly—reserved for the clan elders.
No one important had arrived yet.
> "They're still not here? What a bother…"
But his words stopped suddenly.
Zhang Yi appeared beside him, wearing a wide grin.
It startled Mo Xing—he hadn't even sensed him approach, just like the night before.
Zhang Yi placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned closer.
> "Didn't I tell you to skip this test?" he whispered into his ear.
Mo Xing closed his eyes, trying to ignore him.
He thought Zhang Yi was once again trying to play with his mind.
> "Are you listening?"
He didn't answer. His face remained emotionless, but there was quiet anger hidden beneath.
And then, suddenly—Zhang Yi was gone.
Vanished, as if he had never been there.
Mo Xing froze.
He started to doubt if this was all part of another test, one that came before the real one.
> "Did the elders send him to mess with us?"
He exhaled slowly, whispering to himself:
> "Whatever it is, something strange will happen soon.
I have to stay sharp. The Moon Blossom Rune is still weak… I'll rely on my physical strength alone.
It won't be easy…"
Suddenly—
> "Not just difficult… impossible, Moon Blossom Rune user."
He turned quickly.
The voice came from nearby.
A pale face, crimson eyes full of cunning, and a mysterious smirk that never faded.
His black hair fell loosely over his forehead; his loose white shirt was open at the chest, revealing faint red markings across his skin—like living tattoos.
> "Still spying on others, are you?"
Mo Xing froze.
The man had heard his thoughts!
His ability allowed him to hear the inner voices of those whose minds were unstable—
but it only worked on people below level 2.
He was the first person born with rune markings already on his body.
Unlike others, whose runes only appeared around the age of five.
Name: Xiao Feng
Age: 20
Height: 1.75 m
Level: 4
First time participating in the clan test
The crowd's noise suddenly erupted.
> "I-It's Xiao Feng! Has he returned from his journey? Level 4—Heavens above!"
Jealousy filled the faces of the other participants.
> "Look at him! So full of himself!"
"I'll crush him this time!"
"Why is he even joining? He's already level 4!"
The murmurs spread through the crowd—some full of admiration, others dripping with envy.
The Dragon Spring Eye Rune was no ordinary rune.
At level 4, with four rune rings already formed on his arm, even the clan elders found it hard to believe.
> "How could someone his age reach such a level?"
"This year's result is already decided."
The Clan Test was about to begin.