“This junior has a younger sister who has already obtained a jade token for exemption-based admission to the academy. I dare to ask—could my sister also be allowed to enter the inner court to cultivate?”

Bai Yuntian’s hand paused as he stroked his beard.

“Oh? And what kind of spiritual root does your sister possess? What is her cultivation level?”

Xiao Che quickly sifted through the meager memories of the original owner.

“She has a fire-and-wood dual-attribute, high-grade mutated spiritual root… Qi Refinement Layer Three.”

Xiao Che sighed inwardly.

The girl had inherited fire from their father and wood from their mother—combined, they even mutated. Unfortunately, the family lacked a suitable technique, and her cultivation speed was as slow as a snail’s. A pure waste of talent.

Hearing this, Bai Yuntian pondered for a moment, stroking his beard.

“Fire and wood generate each other… indeed excellent aptitude for alchemy and medicine.”

He looked at Xiao Che, his expression serious.

“It is not that this old man wishes to refuse. Such a spiritual root would be a pity not to enter the Alchemy Court. Its inheritance suits her far better.”

Xiao Che nodded, without pressing the matter.

“This junior understands. Then we’ll follow my sister’s own wishes.”

“Good.”

The smile on Bai Yuntian’s face deepened. He was clearly satisfied with the answer.

With a flick of his sleeve, a purple-gold jade token flew toward Xiao Che.

It was similar in style to the white jade exemption token, except that the reverse side was carved with an ancient, simple character: “Heaven.”

“You will not need to participate in the remaining assessments.”

“In seven days, when the academy opens its gates, bring this token and come directly to the Tianshu Court to find this old man.”

Xiao Che accepted the jade token solemnly. It felt warm and smooth in his hand.

“Many thanks, Master Bai. This junior will arrive as scheduled.”

He clasped his fists in thanks, said no more, and turned to leave.

Inside, he was already bursting with joy.

Not bad at all. A Tianshu Court entry pass in hand—and a bonus professional development guide for his sister? This was a massive win, buy one get one free!

Yet his face revealed nothing, remaining as cold and composed as ever.

Under countless gazes filled with envy, heat, and even jealousy, he walked straight toward the edge of the crowd.

The crowd silently parted, forming a clear path.

White robes fluttered. His posture was tall and straight, sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, the sharp lines of his profile bathed in clear daylight—handsome beyond the mortal realm.

Several young female cultivators standing nearby had their eyes light up instantly, stars practically sparkling within them.

“I declare it—starting today, he is my Dao Heart!”

“Wasn’t your Dao Heart Senior Brother Zhao?”

“That was last month’s Dao Heart!”

“I can’t take it anymore—I’m going to exchange communication talismans with him!”

“Stop right there! Didn’t you feel that icy aura of his? You’ll freeze to death if you go over!”

“I’d freeze willingly—hey, don’t pull me!”

The fragmented chatter faded behind him.

Xiao Che’s steps remained steady. As soon as he descended from the platform, several figures moved as if to approach.

The blue-dressed girl from Shuiyue Sect, with eyes like flowing water, smiled and nodded to him. The steady youth from the Stonecliff Family also cupped his fists in greeting.

Xiao Che didn’t slow down. He merely returned a brief salute to each side and passed through the automatically parting crowd, his figure quickly disappearing at the far end of the plaza.

…

On the way back.

Xiao Che was still riding that green wooden kite.

He leaned back comfortably, one leg crossed over the other, a nameless wild grass stem between his lips. At last, he could no longer suppress the upward curve of his mouth.

This trip had been worth it.

Originally, he had only planned to save the exemption slot for his sister and come himself just to go through the motions.

Who would’ve thought—not only had he entered the inner court directly, he had also secured a chance for Qing’er to head straight toward the Tianshu Court.

This wasn’t an assessment at all. It was treasure hunting.

The Hongmeng Heavenly Tome could deduce cultivation techniques… so for Qing’er’s mutated fire-wood spiritual root, could he also create a custom-made one?

When he flew over a stretch of barren hills—

Just as he was savoring the moment, his mind wandering freely, his heart suddenly jolted.

A chilling sense of danger surged without warning.

The next instant—

A massive gray hand, blotting out the sky, suddenly thrust out from the dense forest below. Carrying terrifying pressure, it grabbed straight toward the wooden kite!

The kite let out a groan under the strain, on the verge of being crushed.

This is bad!

At the brink of life and death, Xiao Che no longer bothered to hide.

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as his aura erupted violently!

The spiritual power of Foundation Establishment Layer Seven, fully perfected, poured out without restraint. Scorching Pure Yang energy flooded into the Qingfeng Sword in his hand.

The blade rang out clearly, transforming into a blazing red-gold sword arc that shot upward against the sky, slashing decisively toward the giant hand!

“Break—!”

Sword and palm collided!

A piercing clash of metal exploded outward. Violent spiritual energy rippled in all directions, shredding the wooden kite into pieces.

The gray giant’s hand was cleaved open with a gash, its momentum faltering.

借助 the rebound force, Xiao Che was flung backward. He staggered several steps after landing before steadying himself. A sweetness rose in his throat, and a streak of crimson spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Tch—Golden Core Layer Four. Damn, that’s strong.

His sword hand remained steady as stone, eyes locked on the source of the attack.

From within the forest, a figure slowly emerged—black robes billowing, face grim and heavy.

…The Sun family’s old ancestor! That old dog really came in person.

Xiao Che’s pupils contracted. His grip on the sword tightened until his knuckles turned white.

Pure Yang spiritual energy surged within him like boiling water. Deep in his sea of consciousness, the Hongmeng Heavenly Tome quietly revolved, emitting a gentle purple glow.

Fine. The biggest life-or-death trial of this lifetime—so this is it.

The Sun family’s ancestor scanned Xiao Che like a venomous snake, his voice hoarse.

“Foundation Establishment Layer Seven… good. Very good. Xiao family brat, you hid yourself well.”

“Old bastard.”

Xiao Che wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. The sword tip angled toward the ground as he smiled faintly.

“A dignified Golden Core ancestor, lying in ambush to sneak attack a mere Foundation Establishment junior. Your Sun family really has no shame at all.”

Killing intent exploded in the old ancestor’s eyes.

“Foundation Establishment Layer Seven… supreme-grade fire spiritual root… Pure Yang Dao Body… Super Grade A… true disciple of the Tianshu Court!”

With each phrase he spoke, the killing intent in his gaze grew denser.

Xiao Che’s heart sank, his expression darkening.

This old thing didn’t act on impulse…

“You’ve been following me ever since the testing plaza?” Xiao Che asked grimly.

“Yes. Today, if I let you leave alive, my Sun family will surely perish by your hand.”

“So—”

He raised his palm!

“You must die!”

He spoke no more. His withered hand slammed down through the air.

Heaven and earth spiritual energy gathered wildly, forming a gray giant hand several times as solid as before. It blotted out the sky as it crashed down!

This time, its power far exceeded the previous strike. Even before the palm arrived, the ground below began to crack.

…He’s serious.

Xiao Che took a deep breath, banishing all stray thoughts.

His qi sea churned as he poured every last drop of spiritual power into the sword in his hands. The fully mastered Pure Yang Golden Flame Sword Art was pushed to its absolute limit!

Gripping the sword with both hands, he raised it high above his head.

Red-gold sword light surged around him, faintly condensing into the phantom of a colossal sword.

Pure Yang energy flowed across the sword shadow, carrying an upright, righteous aura that annihilated all evil.

“Then let’s—”

He stared at the descending shadow of death, enunciating each word.

“See how much weight a Golden Core ancestor like you really carries!”

Xiao Che clenched his teeth, muscles bulging as he swung with all his strength, slashing straight into the gray giant’s hand.

“Break—!”

Sword light exploded, cleaving upward against the heavens!

The red-gold sword shadow and the sky-covering palm collided violently in midair!

The Qingfeng Sword let out a shrill cry under the strain, its red-gold light flickering wildly.

Crack!

The sword shattered.

Xiao Che was struck as if by lightning. Blood sprayed violently from his mouth as he was hurled from the air, crashing heavily to the ground.

Pfft—boom!

A crushing defeat.