Chapter 88: Mu Zhi’an’s Golden Finger
Led by Lan Mulian, the chosen candidates rode upon clouds imbued with immortal energy, heading towards their destination: the Two Polarities Sect.
Mu Zhi’an glanced down at the fluffy white cloud beneath his feet. Standing before him was Lan Mulian.
She wore a beautiful white dress embroidered with clouds, her long, flowing hair held back by a simple white ribbon, accentuating her delicate features. Though her attire was modest, the ample curves beneath her dress hinted at a woman of considerable substance.
She seed to sense his gaze, turning to look at him, a faint smile on her lips. “Is sothing the matter?”
Core Formation cultivators, they’re so perceptive. He quickly averted his gaze, trying to appear nonchalant. “Senior Sister, is this cloud… sothing you can summon because you’re at Core Formation, or is it a special technique?”
“Core Formation allows you to fly with a sword, but not to ride on a cloud. There’s no technique that can do that.”
She paused, then added, “It’s my magic treasure.”
As expected of a wealthy cultivator… He continued, “Are those clouds behind us also your magic treasures?”
Behind them, there were nearly ten similar clouds, each carrying three or four candidates.
“They’re all part of the sa magic treasure,” she explained patiently.
He nodded, impressed.
“Have you told anyone else about your Inborn Celestial Vessel?” she asked suddenly.
He shook his head. “Only you, Senior Sister. I don’t trust anyone else.”
She nodded, pleased. “Your constitution is dangerous. Even after joining the sect, keep it a secret. It could attract unwanted attention.”
She’s saying that if I reveal my ability, I might be targeted by the female cultivators, even the elders?
Wait, isn’t that a good thing?
If they know about my ability, wouldn’t I be living a life of luxury, surrounded by beautiful won, supported by wealthy cultivators?
Those thoughts were tempting, but he wasn’t a fool. He nodded, his voice sincere. “Thank you for the warning, Senior Sister.”
His constitution was unique. Being targeted by one or two won was fine, but too many would be overwhelming.
He wanted an easy life, to be pampered and supported.
But he didn’t want to spend his days recovering from exhaustion.
Senior Sister is so kind. Even though she knows about my ability, she’s still treating the sa way. She’s different from those greedy people.
They all desire , but she’s different. She truly cares about .
Well… if she’s interested in my ability, I wouldn’t mind sacrificing myself…
She turned to Bai Ruoxi. “Junior Sister Bai, you can report to the sect with later.”
Bai Ruoxi nodded, then looked at Lan Mulian, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “Senior Sister, may I participate in the entrance exams?”
“I’d like to participate as well,” Wei ngrou added.
She wasn’t comfortable leaving Mu Zhi’an alone. She had been by his side for years, and she had assud she would accompany him to the exams, but Core Formation cultivators were exempt.
“It would be pointless for Core Formation cultivators to participate. And it would be unfair to the others,” Lan Mulian replied, her rejection gentle but firm. “You should both report to the sect with .”
Mu Zhi’an smiled. “Don’t worry. I just want to experience the exams. If it’s too difficult, I’ll withdraw.”
Wei ngrou frowned, studying him intently.
She didn’t understand why he insisted on participating. He could simply skip the exams and report directly to the sect.
What was his purpose?
Was he just trying to… toy with Ye Yu and Gongsun Cheng?
Unlikely.
He was a pragmatist. He wouldn’t waste his ti and effort on such trivial matters.
Bai Ruoxi also hesitated, wanting to speak, but she ultimately chose to respect his decision.
“One more question, Senior Sister. There will be observers during the exams, right?” Mu Zhi’an asked.
She nodded. “Each area will be monitored by elders.”
“Then I’m relieved,” he said, smiling.
She looked at him, her gaze curious. “What are you planning?”
“I have many enemies. I’m worried they might try to kill during the exams. That’s why I wanted to confirm that there would be observers,” he replied, his voice a ntal whisper.
“Will you be observing my area, Senior Sister? Could you help if I’m in danger?”
She rolled her eyes. “If you withdraw from the exams, soone will escort you out.”
She paused, then continued, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. “The Mu family might be invincible in Tianxuan City, but here… their influence won’t protect you. Don’t make too many enemies. The sect master won’t intervene in… minor disputes between disciples.”
“Making friends… it will benefit you in the long run.”
That’s easy for you to say. You’re a lone wolf yourself… He nodded obediently. “Thank you for the advice, Senior Sister. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Are you truly participating just to experience the exams?” she asked, her voice laced with doubt.
He thought for a mont, then replied vaguely, “Sothing like that.”
He’s definitely planning sothing… She wanted to press him further, but she held back, her pride preventing her from appearing too curious.
The answer would be revealed soon enough.
…
Two Polarities Sect.
Boundless Sea Peak.
Enormous shadows soared overhead, blotting out the sun, their wings beating the air.
Lan Mulian dropped Mu Zhi’an off, tossing him from the cloud into the Trial Forest at the foot of Boundless Sea Peak.
She did that on purpose. He rubbed his sore back, sighing.
It couldn’t be helped. He had been uncooperative recently, and he had deliberately teased her by refusing to reveal his reasons for participating. She was naturally seeking revenge.
She might appear cold and aloof, but she still had a playful side. He looked at the lush forest surrounding him.
According to Lan Mulian, the Two Polarities Sect had nine main peaks… or ten, technically, but the tenth peak was the sect master’s residence, rarely visited by disciples.
He looked up at the sky.
Candidates were descending from the clouds, scattered across the vast forest, a breathtaking sight.
It was like a cultivation version of a battle royale.
But instead of a desolate wasteland, the setting was a mystical, cloud-wreathed paradise.
All nine peaks were testing grounds. Passing the trial on any one of them was enough to qualify.
Each peak had a Trial Forest at its foot, filled with candidates. The objective was simple:
Reach the summit.
It sounded easy, but Foundation Establishnt cultivators couldn’t fly with swords. Reaching the summit with only their spiritual energy, it was nearly impossible for ordinary individuals.
Of course, those with exceptional talent… they might have a chance.
This simple requirent… it eliminated a large number of candidates.
“There will be more candidates arriving soon. I should leave this area…”
He watched the others descending from the sky, then turned and headed deeper into the forest.
He could simply withdraw, but he wasn’t ready to give up yet.
He still had to help Ye Qian and Ye Lingxuan.
Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dancing shadows on the ground.
The path ahead was shrouded in mist, the scenery hazy and indistinct.
He walked along the path, his senses alert.
Being chosen by the examiner had its advantages. They had entered the forest earlier, giving them more ti to familiarize themselves with the terrain.
It was unfair, but life was rarely fair.
And those chosen by the examiner were undoubtedly talented, deserving of special treatnt.
“Core Formation cultivators have it easy. Flying with swords saves so much ti.”
He had been walking for nearly half an hour, but he still hadn’t found an exit. The scenery seed unchanging.
If the forest at the foot of Boundless Sea Peak was this vast, how large was the entire sect?
He continued walking, lost in thought.
“Wait… is that a formation?”
After another half hour, he noticed sothing in the distance.
A thick mist hung in the air, and beyond it, he could see a towering tree, and beneath it… a faint, shimring formation, emanating an aura of ancient power.
“Senior Sister ntioned that each of the ten main peaks has a formation, a deadly array to protect the sect. Could this be, the outermost layer of the Trial Forest’s formation?”
He approached the formation cautiously, drawn to its power.
The formation glowed with a faint purple light, barely visible through the mist.
According to the books he had read, this was the formation core.
He studied it for a mont, then murmured, “This is strange, it’s not repelling .”
Normally, approaching a formation core was impossible, but he had not only found it easily, but he was also able to approach it without resistance.
He took a step forward, testing the formation.
Nothing happened.
Instead, as he entered the formation, a wave of information flooded his mind.
He could see the formation’s structure, its intricate workings, its secrets.
And within the formation, he sensed a familiar aura, cold and nacing.
It was like being watched by a giant serpent.
“The Demon Realm Empress?” he gasped, his breath catching in his throat.
She had appeared after he had defeated the black-robed man, offering him a deal, then departing without explanation.
He had wondered if she wasn’t worried about him… betraying her.
It seed she had placed a mark on him long ago.
And the aura within this formation, it was similar to the mark’s aura.
But even so, it didn’t explain why he could enter the formation so easily.
Unless…
This formation was created by a traitor within the Two Polarities Sect.
He had planned to investigate the traitor after joining the sect, but it seed he had stumbled upon them unexpectedly.
He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside.
It didn’t matter now. What mattered was… he had found the formation core, and he could enter it.
If he could control this formation… would the trial on Boundless Sea Peak even be a challenge?
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