Chapter 52: Capital Verification!

Along the winding path, the disciple led them around the front to connect with the steps of the main hall.

"Xingchenzi, Senior Sister, aren't you excited?" Yufan asked as he walked, already daydreaming about becoming the chief disciple and wielding that exalted status.

"Of course, we're excited!" Xingchenzi quickly chimed in.

"The scenery here is exceptionally beautiful, just like the clouds caressing my cheeks," Xingchenzi said, gesturing with his hands as he walked.

"Hahaha... You really know how to flatter," Fang Yuwei said softly, her eyes blinking gently.

Up ahead, the disciple thought with mounting annoyance, *Tch, so much chatter, especially the one wearing those tattered robes and broken boots with holes all over them. What a chatterbox.*

The group continued forward slowly, step by step, toward their destination along the small path...

Birds sang and chirped, chirped and sang...

"We've arrived. Everyone, wait here while I go announce your presence," the guide said, slowly lowering his head and offering a respectful bow.

"Master! There are a few outsiders who wish to become disciples," he said, cupping his fists and bowing his head low.

"Haha! More people coming to apprentice? We're off to a great start this year! Who would have thought that Longwu Mountain's reputation as the number-one rip-off in the world hasn't scared people away? Let me figure out how to fleece this batch," the Master thought to himself, supporting his neck with one hand and smiling sinisterly.

"Ahem, ahem. Did you tell them the rules of Longwu Mountain?" the Master asked with a solemn expression.

"Well, this disciple did mention them," the guide stammered out.

"Good. Invite them in for a resource and talent check. Our Longwu Mountain does not take in trash," the Master commanded.

With that, the disciple invited them inside...

At the disciple's soft call, "You may enter," the three of them stepped into the archaic and solemn little hall.

The light inside the hall was gentle, and the air was suffused with a faint scent of sandalwood, which instantly calmed the mind and spirit.

Yufan raised his head to see a majestic master sitting within the hall, his gaze as sharp as if it could pierce the human heart. A sense of awe involuntarily rose in his chest, and he unconsciously lightened his footsteps.

Xingchenzi, on the other hand, looked around with unbridled curiosity, his fingers lightly brushing against a pillar carved with intricate totems while a bright light of excitement flickered in his eyes.

Fang Yuwei appeared much more composed. She stepped forward leisurely, her gentle gaze sweeping over every detail as if she were engaging in a silent dialogue with the ancient hall.

Her steps were light, and every movement exuded such elegance that it harmonized perfectly with the rustic surroundings.

The Master waved his hand, signaling the disciple to step forward, and said, "Are these the ones coming to apprentice? Why do they look so impoverished?"

"Master, we'll know once we check their assets and talents," the disciple muttered softly.

Hearing this, the Master’s lips curved into an amused smile. His gaze slowly wandered over the three of them, finally landing on Yufan’s slightly nervous yet resolute face, before swiftly sweeping past Xingchenzi’s curiosity and Fang Yuwei’s composure.

With a gentle flick of his sleeve, faint ripples stirred through the air within the hall, making the atmosphere feel noticeably heavier.

"Very well, let us proceed with the assessment," the Master's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

He slowly stood up, his tall and upright figure resembling an insurmountable mountain peak.

He turned and walked toward one side of the hall, where a seemingly ordinary stone tablet stood, emanating a faint spiritual glow.

"This is the Spirit-Testing Tablet. It can measure potential and discern character," the Master briefly introduced, gesturing for the three of them to step forward.

Yufan took a deep breath and took the lead, his heart a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

He gently pressed his palm against the stone tablet. In an instant, the surface of the tablet burst into a brilliant radiance, as if countless stars were revolving within it, ultimately converging into a dazzling beam of light that shot straight into the sky, startling everyone in the hall.

The Master’s eyes widened abruptly, as though the brightest star in the night sky had been instantly ignited, and his face was painted with sheer disbelief.

He strode forward rapidly, his fingers lightly touching the Spirit-Testing Tablet, feeling the lingering, majestic waves of spiritual energy pulsing from it—waves far surpassing any genius he had witnessed in recent years.

"What! At such a young age, he is already at the Heavenly Master realm... This... this is simply unheard of!" The Master's voice trembled slightly, carrying an uncontainable wave of excitement and shock.

Fang Yuwei and the disciple exchanged glances, their eyes filled with utter incredulity. The corners of Fang Yuwei’s mouth lifted into an involuntary smile; although she had anticipated that Yufan's talent was extraordinary, she had not expected it to cause such a massive commotion.

The disciple stared with eyes wide open, his mouth half-open as though he could swallow an egg, muttering to himself, *Is... is this really the seemingly mediocre boy I brought here?*

Xingchenzi stood off to the side, his gaze darting back and forth between Yufan, the Master, and the glowing Spirit-Testing Tablet, his eyes brimming with puzzlement and curiosity.

He scratched his head, his brow furrowed as if he were struggling to solve a complex puzzle.

Suddenly, as though drawn by some invisible force, he unconsciously moved his feet and began to walk slowly toward the stone tablet that emanated a faint spiritual light.

Xingchenzi slowly raised his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly as they touched the Spirit-Testing Tablet. At that moment, ripples actually stirred on the surface of the tablet, but compared to Yufan’s dazzling brilliance, this light was soft and restrained—much like the most inconspicuous star in the night sky, yet possessing its own unique rhythm.

"Haha... No cultivation base at all. Little brat, stop messing around," the Master said, shaking his head.

"Xingchenzi, come here," Fang Yuwei said gently.

"Coming~" Xingchenzi trotted over to Fang Yuwei's side.

Hearing the Master's words, a flash of disappointment crossed Xingchenzi's face, but it was quickly replaced by curiosity and an unyielding spirit. He ran over to Fang Yuwei and looked up at her with pleading eyes, those clear orbs seeming to conceal countless unresolved mysteries.

Seeing this, Fang Yuwei gently squatted down to meet Xingchenzi at eye level, and whispered softly, "Xingchenzi, everyone has their own unique radiance; there is no need to rush. Look, Yufan's light is dazzling, but your gentleness and restraint are also rare treasures in this world. Perhaps your power is simply waiting to bloom at a very special moment."

As she spoke, she gently patted Xingchenzi's shoulder. Her encouraging gaze was like the warm spring sun, filled with warmth and strength.

Xingchenzi looked up at Fang Yuwei, a new light shining in his eyes—a joy born of being understood and validated, alongside a yearning for the infinite possibilities of the future.

He nodded heavily, a firm smile gracing the corners of his mouth as if he were making a silent promise to himself.

Then, he tightly grasped Fang Yuwei's hand. The two stood side by side, casting their gazes together toward the Spirit-Testing Tablet, as though making a silent pact: no matter what lay ahead on the road, they would walk hand in hand, explore the unknown, and let their own radiance bloom.

The Master calculated inwardly, a profound smile curving the corners of his lips. He turned to instruct the disciple, "Take them to the Spell Sect and ensure they are properly settled. The Spell Sect is the most mysterious lineage within our sect; its spellcraft is ever-changing and infinitely powerful. Let them cultivate there with utmost focus and master the essence of the Spell Sect."

With that, the Master flicked his sleeve, and a pale blue light emerged from it, transforming into an exquisite talisman that drifted down to land gently in the disciple's hand. "This talisman will guarantee your safe journey. Once you arrive at the Spell Sect, hand this talisman to the Sect Master, and he will understand."

The disciple respectfully accepted the talisman. Though his heart was filled with curiosity and trepidation regarding the impending journey, it was primarily dominated by a resolute determination to execute the Master's commands.

The Master pondered internally, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as if he had already foreseen the future battle formations.

He walked slowly to the window, gazing out at the distant, mist-shrouded mountains, and murmured to himself, *This martial arts tournament of mine is a guaranteed win.*

Turning around, he once again fixed his gaze on the three figures about to embark on their journey, his eyes carrying both expectation and hidden meaning. "Take them to the Spell Sect and get them settled."

His words conveyed an unquestionable firmness, while a crafty smile quietly crept onto the corners of his mouth. *"Once they learn the essence of the Spell Sect, send them to the Assassination Sect for advanced training."*

He turned to face Yufan, Xingchenzi, and Fang Yuwei, assuming a solemn expression. "The three of you, please follow me."

Imagining the scene: Yufan, Xingchenzi, and Fang Yuwei practicing day and night within the Spell Sect, spellcraft bursting forth in brilliant radiance in their hands, every single spell imbued with their tireless efforts and yearning for power.

Within the Spell Sect, ancient trees reached toward the heavens, and stone walls dense with runes seemed to whisper secrets thousands of years old. Amidst such an environment, they gradually comprehended the mysteries of spellcraft and mastered the methods to manipulate the primal forces of heaven and earth.