Shen Lanmao’s fist slammed into his face. Yuan Ziqiu’s handsome, chiseled features quickly bruised and swelled—his looks ruined!

“Bastard! You snuck in! I was here first!” Shen Lanmao raged, pointing an accusing finger at Yuan Ziqiu.

This is a story about three people, yet you want to exclude me!

No, I won’t allow it!

After a brief moment of stunned confusion, Yuan Ziqiu quickly regained his composure. He lifted his head and smiled at the furious Shen Lanmao, whose face was twisted with jealous rage.

“……” Shen Lanmao.

Shen Lanmao was instantly struck by a chill running down his spine at that smile, goosebumps instantly rising all over him.

“You…” Shen Lanmao’s gaze faltered slightly, weakening his resolve, but he quickly rallied his spirit. Yuan Ziqiu was clearly in the wrong! What right did he have to lash out at him? Why should I back down? Fear my ass!

With this thought, Shen Lanmao’s rage and arrogance flared up again. He lunged at him, snarling, “You’re despicable! Shameless, vile, inhuman…”

A torrent of unrelenting curses poured from his mouth like an unstoppable flood.

Yuan Ziqiu, the target of the tirade, remained utterly composed, his expression unflappable. He even had the leisure to reach up and touch his bruised cheek, stinging from the earlier blow. It hurt… he thought. Shen Lanmao really hit hard!

As he pondered, a smile crept across his face. “Ouch—” The movement tugged at his wound, making him wince in pain.

“…” Beside him sat Liu Baijian, already in a state of enlightenment.

Seeing this, Liu Baijian’s mouth twitched. What’s the point? Why court disaster?

As if sensing his gaze, Yuan Ziqiu lifted his head and glanced at him. His eyes brimmed with amusement as he mouthed silently, “I took that punch for you.”

At those words, Liu Baijian’s expression darkened instantly. He gave him a cold sneer. “Took it for me? You clearly deserved it!”

Shen Lanmao, who had been berating Yuan Ziqiu, abruptly stopped. His eyes burned with betrayed fury as he stared at Liu Baijian and Yuan Ziqiu, his trembling finger pointing at them. “You… you…”

Hearing this, Liu Baijian lifted his head, his gaze fixed on Shen Lanmao. “?”

“You two were flirting right in front of me! Do you even see me anymore?!” Shen Lanmao screamed, overcome with grief and fury.

“…” Liu Baijian.

You’re all sick. Every single one of you is sick!

Liu Baijian looked at Shen Lanmao and Yuan Ziqiu beside him with sincere eyes, saying from the bottom of his heart, “Good boy, you can’t stop taking your medicine.”

“Hahahahahaha!” Before the Spirit Mirror, Daojun Qianshu—with his coldly beautiful face—laughed heartily without expression. Yes, a hearty laugh… without expression.

Even his laughter was utterly flat, devoid of any emotional fluctuation—a sexually indifferent, awkward chuckle that instantly deflated anyone hearing it…

Daojuns Leshan and Mingshui stood beside him, their faces truly expressionless and cold. Listening to this laugh that shattered the heavens with its awkwardness, they desperately wanted to punch someone.

“This is killing me!” Daojun Qianshu, still wearing that coldly beautiful face, continued to laugh awkwardly, slamming the table as he spoke.

“…” Daojun Leshan.

“…” Daojun Mingshui.

Please, just shut up and stop laughing! Keep it up, and you’ll become the joke yourself!

Others laugh for money, but your laughter will cost you your life!

“These three kids are so amusing!” Daojun Qianshu remarked, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. “That non-human kid is truly endearing.”

Daojun Qianshu happily announced, “Starting today, I like him too!”

“…” Daojun Leshan.

“…” Daojun Mingshui.

Please just shut up already! Don’t go stirring up more trouble—don’t you think things are chaotic enough already?!

Daojun Leshan and Ming Shui exchanged a glance. What met their eyes were each other’s exhausted, weary expressions. Sigh! Junior Brother Qianshu’s temperament is truly troublesome! If not for his good looks, profound cultivation, and formidable combat strength, he’d have been crushed long ago. No wonder the Sect Leader wouldn’t let him descend the mountain— no matter how formidable his combat prowess, it couldn’t compensate for his sharp tongue!

Finally—

Daojun Leshan spoke with an icy expression, “Do you remember why we came here today?”

“The sect disciples’ selection assessment?” Daojun Mingshui replied.

Daojun Leshan shot him a death glare. Why did you hesitate!?

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Before the mountain gate, on the steps.

The dawn glow was beautiful, but it was a crematorium.

Yuan Ziqiu, Liu Baijian, and Shen Lanmao sat in that order from left to right on the highest step, none uttering a word.

An almost eerie silence hung in the air, suffocatingly awkward. 

“…” Liu Baijian.

Even someone as strong-willed and composed as Liu Baijian was beginning to crack. Especially when he realized he was sandwiched between Yuan Ziqiu and Shen Lanmao like the frosting in a sandwich cookie—a position that felt… indescribably awkward.

What the hell is going on here!?

Who am I? Where do I come from? What am I even doing here!?

These two had him questioning his very existence. So why had he come to the Wendao Sect in the first place?

He glanced left at Yuan Ziqiu, his face bruised and disfigured yet grinning broadly, then right at Shen Lanmao, seething with anger. “…”

After a long, long while.

This can’t go on!

Liu Baijian felt utterly innocent—he hadn’t done anything—yet somehow found himself trapped in this hellish battlefield. But he knew he had to do something, or he truly would end up in a crematorium!

First, deal with one of them!

Resolved and decisive, Liu Baijian turned his head to the left. He addressed Yuan Ziqiu beside him with utter coldness: “I don’t know what you’re trying to get from me, but it’s impossible.”

“The only one who can help you is yourself,” Liu Baijian said in a harsh tone. “Don’t try to find validation from others. You’ll only be disappointed.”

Yuan Ziqiu listened, his face still wearing a cheerful smile, though his words contradicted his expression. “You really are cold-hearted,” he remarked to Liu Baijian. “But you’re mistaken. I don’t seek recognition from you. I don’t need anyone’s approval. What I want is…”

“What is it?” Shen Lanmao, seated to Liu Baijian’s right, leaned in at some point and interjected.

Hearing this, Yuan Ziqiu glanced up at him, his gaze cold. Yet in the next second, his smile returned as he said cheerfully, “A secret.”

“……” Shen Lanmao.

Damn it!

This bastard! Yuan Ziqiu has it in for me! He’s doing this on purpose, targeting me!

Seeing Shen Lanmao on the verge of exploding, Liu Baijian’s eyelid twitched. Without hesitation, he grabbed Shen Lanmao’s shoulder and snapped, “Don’t fall for it!”

“??????”

Shen Lanmao, poised to detonate, froze at this abrupt, nonsensical statement. He paused, lifting his head to stare questioningly at Liu Baijian.

Time to put his acting skills to the test!

Liu Baijian fixed his gaze on Shen Lanmao, who was waiting for his response. His expression turned serious as he declared, “Yuan Zhiqiu did this on purpose. He deliberately provoked you, trying to make you lose your temper so he could lure you into lashing out at him…”

Hearing this, Shen Lanmao’s expression shifted instantly.

Seeing the shift in his expression, Liu Baijian knew he’d taken the bait. He gave him a knowing look and said, “So you absolutely mustn’t fall for it!”

Shen Lanmao instantly understood his meaning. His voice deepened as he declared, “I get it now! He did it on purpose! That despicable, shameless, treacherous bastard!”

“Hmph! That bastard Yuan Ziqiu is definitely jealous of me. I knew he’d been jealous for ages! Back when he was in the city, he resented my popularity over his. That’s why he’s trying to frame me, provoke me, attack me, and make me lose my temper—so he can get me to strike him. Then he’ll tarnish my reputation among the Daojuns of the Wendao Sect, turning them against me and ensuring I’m rejected!”

Reasoned and logical, this was an undeniable truth!

Shen Lanmao believed it. He felt supremely clever for having promptly exposed Yuan Ziqiu’s plot!

“I won’t fall for it!” he snapped, turning to Yuan Ziqiu with a cold glare. “Your schemes are doomed to fail. They’ll never succeed!”

Hearing this, Yuan Ziqiu…

Yuan Ziqiu fixed him with a piercing stare before letting out a derisive snort. He then turned his gaze to Liu Baijian beside him, his eyes laden with meaning.

Liu Baijian…

Yuan Ziqiu’s gaze seemed to ask: Doesn’t deceiving a fool make your conscience ache?

No, not at all.

Conscience? What conscience?

Liu Baijian instantly hardened his expression. I’m an emotionless Dao Cultivator.

Before the Spirit Mirror, Leshan, Mingshui, and Qianshu: “…”

Their moods turned slightly awkward.

They thought to themselves: We’re not fools… we’re not that easy to deceive.

Somehow, it felt like they’d been shot in the knee?

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

How delightful! How delightful!

Finally, through Liu Baijian’s efforts, Shen Lanmao had convinced himself to call a temporary truce, ceasing his confrontation with Yuan Ziqiu.

The three maintained a false peace until the time was up.

“One hour has passed!”

The Grand Disciple of the Wendao Sect reappeared. His face solemn, he swept his gaze across the crowd on the white jade plaza and declared in a deep voice, “First, congratulations to all who have successfully passed the first stage of the assessment. Seventy-three have advanced to the next round!”

At his words.

Everyone present, including Liu Baijian, lifted their heads, their gazes fixed on the senior disciple before them. Under their collective stare, he continued, “The second trial is a written examination!”

Then, with a flick of his sleeve toward the crowd on the White Jade Plaza, a wave of white mist rose. Everyone felt a sudden whiteness before their eyes, their vision blocked, unable to see anything.

But soon, the mist dissipated.

When they opened their eyes again, they saw that a table and a chair had appeared before them at some unknown moment, along with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones laid out on the table.

“You have half an hour to complete all questions on the paper. Answer truthfully,” the senior disciple declared, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “The Daojuns of our sect will personally review your papers.”

Hearing this, the assembled crowd couldn’t help but murmur in astonishment. “The Daojuns themselves will grade our papers?”

“Does that mean… I have a chance to catch a Daojun’s favor!?”

“Then I absolutely must do well on this exam!” 

“…”

Instantly, the group of youths who had been somewhat nervous moments before became wildly excited, filled with immense anticipation for this assessment.

After all, everyone harbors dreams. Everyone yearns for overnight success and instant ascension. To be chosen as a disciple by a Nascent Soul Realm Daojun would mean soaring to the heavens!

The senior disciple of the Wendao Sect observed their expressions, his own face impassive and unreadable. Yet inwardly, he sighed at how restless and impatient these youths were.

Amidst this crowd of excited, eager, and impatient youths, the Daoist disciple Liu Baijian stood out like a blue lotus emerging from mud, towering above the rest with his cold, unflinching expression and emotionless demeanor.

This drew an extra glance from the senior disciple of the Wendao Sect. He recalled that Liu Baijian had been the first to complete the initial trial earlier. Back then, he had worn the same expression—cold, unmoved, neither sad nor glad—and now, it remained unchanged.

To remain steadfast in one’s convictions, unshaken by external influences, was truly rare! The senior disciple of the Wendao Sect instantly felt a deep appreciation for him.

As for why he didn’t regard Yuan Ziqiu and Shen Lanmao with any greater esteem, that was purely because Yuan Ziqiu was an old acquaintance. Having participated in the Wendao Sect’s trials for four consecutive years, it was only natural for him to remain unresponsive and unmoved. The sect leader’s senior disciple recognized him well, so he showed no particular reaction.

As for Shen Lanmao…

That was purely because Shen Lanmao spent the entire time glaring viciously at Yuan Ziqiu to his left, his eyes like a wolf ready to devour someone.

The senior disciple of Wendao Sect did indeed give him an extra look, but it wasn’t admiration—it was puzzlement. He wondered silently if there was some grudge between him and Yuan Ziqiu.

“Please take your seats, everyone. Begin your answers!” the senior disciple of Wendao Sect announced loudly.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present picked up their pens and began answering the questions.

Liu Baijian started too. He looked down at his exam paper, and upon seeing the first question, his mouth twitched. What the hell!?

The first question on Liu Baijian’s paper read boldly: “Yuan Ziqiu or Shen Lanmao—which one do you prefer?”

“…” Liu Baijian.

In an instant, countless criticisms surged through his mind, but he forced them down.

He knew one thing for certain: the Daojuns of the Wendao Sect had witnessed the events at the White Jade Plaza. More than just witnessed… Perhaps they’d laughed while watching, even discussing the gossip?

The mere thought of this possibility made Liu Baijian feel like he couldn’t control himself. He wanted to kill someone!

His hand gripping the brush tightened violently. With a sharp snap, he snapped the brush clean in two.

The crisp sound immediately caught the attention of the examiner—the senior disciple of the Wendao Sect presiding over the examination hall. His gaze shifted toward Liu Baijian. When he saw the broken brush in Liu’s hand, his expression froze.

“…” Liu Baijian realized he was being watched.

A sudden wave of panic washed over him. He’d been so overcome by emotion he’d completely lost control. He glanced around nervously. Thankfully, everyone else was engrossed in their exams and hadn’t noticed him. He let out a silent sigh of relief.

“Your pen is broken.”

A clear, resonant voice suddenly rang out before him.

Hearing that voice, “…” Liu Baijian.

He immediately thought, Oh no!

Though he hadn’t drawn the others’ attention, he had caught the eye of the very person he least wanted to be noticed by in the entire examination hall!

Liu Baijian took a deep breath internally, then lifted his head to meet the gaze of Qi Yang, the senior disciple of the Wendao Sect who had appeared beside his desk unnoticed. He offered a sincere smile and said earnestly, “I have strong hands. I just accidentally applied too much force earlier, which is why the pen snapped.”

Hearing this, Qi Yang didn’t doubt him. Instead, he offered a comforting look and said with understanding, “I understand.”

“…” Liu Baijian.

No, you don’t understand!

That expression of yours doesn’t look like you understand at all! You don’t believe a word I said—you’re just brushing me off!

Liu Baijian felt this wouldn’t do. He had to do something to make him believe his words. Then, inspiration struck Liu Baijian, and a brilliant idea flashed through his mind!

So, right in front of Qi Yang, Liu Baijian reached out and grabbed the corner of the exam desk. He flexed his hand and snapped it with a loud “Crack!”

He had literally snapped off a corner of the desk.

“…” Qi Yang.

Holding the piece he’d snapped off with sheer brute strength, Liu Baijian looked at Qi Yang with genuine sincerity and said earnestly, “See? I wasn’t lying. I really am incredibly strong.”

“…” Qi Yang.

Hearing this, Qi Yang’s gaze toward him instantly changed, filled with pity and sympathy. He even reached out and patted his shoulder, speaking to him in an incredibly gentle tone, “Yes, I understand. You are very strong. I believe you; I never doubted you. Don’t put pressure on yourself. Don’t overthink it. Just focus on your exam.”

With that, Qi Yang gently and patiently took the broken corner from his hand and placed it back onto the desk. A flash of white light flickered from his palm, and the corner Liu Baijian had snapped off was restored to its original state. Then, he picked up the two broken pieces of Liu Baijian’s pen lying on the desk and restored them to their original state.

Finally, he placed the pen back into Liu Baijian’s hand, patted his shoulder with his fingers, and offered comforting encouragement: “Don’t worry, just focus on your exam.”

After speaking, he even gave him an encouraging look before turning to leave.

He was truly gentle and considerate, treating others like a soothing spring breeze.

“……” Liu Baijian.

But why did Liu Baijian feel so strange about it!

Why was the look in his eyes so peculiar? It was as if… as if he were looking at some innocent, pitiful victim of persecution, filled with deep pity and sympathy, and… understanding? 

“?? ???” Liu Baijian.

What just happened!?

He was completely bewildered!

After consoling that poor, innocent youth who had been persecuted by the sect’s senior masters, Qi Yang, the senior disciple of the Wendao Sect, sighed inwardly as he turned to leave. Alas! This youth reminded him of himself back in the day.

The innocent youths seated in this examination hall knew nothing of the fact that each of their test papers was unique, each set of questions different. The examiners were none other than the Daojuns of the Wendao Sect, observing them in secret. They crafted distinct questions tailored to each individual’s character, testing their Dao-heart and innate talent.

And then…

The Daojuns of the Wendao Sect… possessed notoriously wicked dispositions. They took particular delight in tormenting these innocent, tender-hearted youths. Thus, the questions they posed… were often… well, indescribable. Clearly, they were deliberately cruel and malicious!

Back then, as one of the examinees, Qi Yang had endured precisely such an ordeal!

His state of mind at that time mirrored that of the boy now—filled with grief and rage, wishing he were dead!