The next day.

At Chen Hour, Qin Yuan came to call Ling Luo on time: “Get up quickly!”

Ling Luo had just finished washing her face. She wiped it with a handkerchief and opened the door.

Qin Yuan took her to the refectory for breakfast, saying on the way, “The test results will be announced at the Three Trials Palace later. You’ll be selected, but it’s a pity you can’t go because of your punishment.”

Ling Luo was indifferent about this. She was certain Yun Shouxi would have arrangements, but noticing Qin Yuan’s empty earlobes from the corner of her eye, she asked, “How was your martial arts test yesterday?”

Usually, after finishing her martial arts test, Qin Yuan would come to find her and return to the dormitory together, but yesterday Qin Yuan hadn’t come.

“Ah, don’t mention it. I was quite confident yesterday, but didn’t expect to face the Young Lady,” Qin Yuan said with a helpless expression. “She’s too formidable. I couldn’t last even one move against her. I’m afraid there’s no hope for me to enter the inner sect this year.”

Ling Luo pointed to her ear, “Why aren’t you wearing your earrings today?”

“They broke during yesterday’s match.” Qin Yuan couldn’t help but touch her empty earlobe, sighing, “It’s all because my skills are insufficient. I must work harder this year!”

You’re quite optimistic.

Ling Luo didn’t say anything and went with her to the evening refectory for breakfast. During the meal, she heard many outer sect disciples complaining about how ruthlessly Mu Ya had fought yesterday, not giving them any chance.

After eating, the two parted, one going to the Three Trials Palace, the other to the medicinal chamber.

Just as Ling Luo arrived at the main entrance of the medicinal chamber, she saw a majestic black tiger beast standing at the door looking at her, with several senior brothers and sisters respectfully waiting beside it.

When the spiritual tiger saw Ling Luo, it nodded slightly to her and let out a low roar.

The medicinal chamber’s Senior Sister gave Ling Luo a meaningful look, gesturing for her to bow to the spiritual tiger, while her hand at her side secretly made the number three.

Ling Luo pretended to suddenly understand, lowered her head, and bowed: “This disciple pays respects to the spiritual tiger.”

The spiritual tiger was the highest representative of shape-shifting techniques.

Using powerful spiritual cultivation, it transformed formless spiritual energy into a physical form, endowing it with strength and divine consciousness, giving it substance, thus making it truly exist.

Strength and talent were both indispensable.

The Third Sect Master, Yun Shouxi, was undeniably the genius and the strongest of East Island Tianji.

In all of Tianji, there was only this one spiritual tiger.

Even those who weren’t Tianji disciples knew that this spiritual tiger belonged to Yun Shouxi.

For all Tianji disciples, seeing the spiritual tiger was like seeing the Third Sect Master.

The spiritual tiger walked toward Ling Luo, its long black tail sweeping past her feet.

Accompanying the spiritual tiger was a senior brother from the Disciplinary Hall. He said to Ling Luo, “Little Junior Sister, please come with us to the Three Trials Palace. The cheating matter you mentioned last time has been investigated by Hall Master Fan today.”

Ling Luo feigned confusion and asked, “What is the result?”

The Disciplinary Hall senior brother smiled and said, “Junior Sister will know when she reaches the Three Trials Palace.”

The group, including the tiger, departed from the medicinal chamber toward the Three Trials Palace.

On the way, they encountered some outer or inner sect disciples, all of whom looked at the spiritual tiger in surprise. As they passed by, each disciple respectfully bowed and said, “Paying respects to the spiritual tiger,” while curiously wondering about the situation of Ling Luo who was walking beside the spiritual tiger.

This was quite a grand scene.

It was exactly the kind of thing Yun Shouxi would do.

Back then, when announcing the new disciples at the Three Trials Palace, Yun Shouxi had the spiritual tiger walk toward him under the admiring gazes of hundreds of disciples, making quite a show.

But Ling Luo now saw through it all.

Yun Shouxi simply liked using such means to make her infatuated with him. Moreover, with his status and position as the Third Sect Master, he could offer many temptations to a small disciple.

He wanted Ling Luo to become infatuated with him as well, gaining self-satisfaction from mutual affection.

Seeing this grand display, Ling Luo knew that the cheating matter was settled, and the matter of becoming a personal disciple was also certain.

Over a hundred disciples had already gathered in the Three Trials Palace. The spiritual tiger led the way through the main gate, causing surprise among all the disciples, who said in unison, “Disciples pay respects to the spiritual tiger.”

Qin Yuan was slightly surprised to see Ling Luo walking beside the spiritual tiger, and upon seeing the senior brother from the Disciplinary Hall behind her, her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Ling Luo had gotten into trouble again?

The thirty-two folding palace doors were open. On the dozens of steps, Yu Xiu and Mu Ya stood behind Hall Master Fan.

And the spiritual tiger was walking up to the platform.

Ling Luo noticed Yue Liangze standing at the bottom of the steps, but as she followed the spiritual tiger past him, she neither stopped nor looked back.

As if she hadn’t seen him at all.

But Yue Liangze’s gaze followed her upward.

Those below were astonished to see Ling Luo following the spiritual tiger up.

Qin Yuan was so shocked that she raised her hand to cover her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Mu Ya frowned as she watched Ling Luo coming up, and asked Yu Xiu in a low voice, “What’s going on with this person?”

Yu Xiu said, “It’s Master’s wish.”

Mu Ya was slightly stunned upon hearing this.

Ling Luo reached the inner palace door and stood behind the spiritual tiger, eyes downcast, appearing very obedient.

Hall Master Fan still sat cross-legged on his velvet carpet, his plump face squeezing his eyes into thin slits like cracks. Overall, his expression was cheerful.

He waved his hand, and the people from the Disciplinary Hall brought Hong Mao, Xiu Man, and several others forward.

They knelt at the foot of the platform, calling out with faces full of remorse, “Disciples acknowledge their mistakes, and beg for the Hall Master’s mercy!”

But Hall Master Fan’s voice was loud and clear: “As inner sect senior brothers, not only did you fail to prevent your junior brother from cheating, but you also assisted him and profited from it. This was deliberate wrongdoing.”

Hong Mao repented, “Disciples acknowledge their mistakes!”

“Please have mercy, Hall Master!”

Hall Master Fan enumerated their crimes, and the disciples below gradually came to understand.

Most people despised the act of cheating.

Moreover, Hall Master Fan was famously strict, the number one guardian of sect rules. Once he exposed such crimes, there was no salvation.

Hall Master Fan said, “According to sect rules, they shall be stripped of their sect attire, have their network imprints erased, and for inner sect disciples, their techniques will be disabled. All will be expelled from the sect.”

“Hall Master!”

“Have mercy, Hall Master! Give this disciple one more chance!”

“This disciple acknowledges his mistakes!”

No matter how Hong Mao and the others repented and begged for mercy, Hall Master Fan ignored them, letting the Disciplinary Hall people drag them away.

Hall Master Fan looked toward the disciples below and proclaimed loudly, “All disciples should take warning from this. Do not harbor any hope of luck. If discovered afterward, the punishment will be even more severe.”

Everyone responded in unison, “Disciples will remember the teaching.”

Most people believed that Xiu Man and the inner sect senior brothers had been caught cheating by Hall Master Fan, and thus sighed in sympathy.

Only Yue Liangze looked up at Ling Luo on the platform.

His expression was calm, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

“The written and martial arts tests for admission have concluded. Now, the list of disciples entering the inner sect will be announced,” Hall Master Fan extended his hand, and Yu Xiu handed him a scroll. “Tianzhou Sect selected disciples—Fei Kai, Zhu Yuan, Tan Yiyi…”

The selected list was categorized by the three sects, with Hall Master Fan reading the Tianyun Sect last.

“Tianyun Sect selected disciples, Yuan Chengyu, Fan Yu, Zhao Zhixiu… Qin Yuan—”

Eh?

I’m included?

Did I get in?

Qin Yuan looked up at Hall Master Fan with delight, her heart pounding rapidly.

Yesterday, because of Mu Ya, many disciples had been eliminated, causing everyone to perform poorly. Qin Yuan had thought she had no chance for the inner sect qualification this year.

“Congratulations, Qin Yuan,” the disciples below were already quietly congratulating and consoling each other.

Qin Yuan nodded in thanks, unable to hide the joy in her eyes.

After Hall Master Fan had read all the names, some people consoled each other, “Don’t worry, don’t worry, the personal disciples haven’t been announced yet. Maybe your name is on that list!”

“Xu Shen’s written test was in the top thirty, but his name wasn’t called. Perhaps he’s been selected by one of the Hall Masters.”

Ling Luo hadn’t heard her name, nor had she heard Yue Liangze’s, which she found somewhat surprising.

Could it be that Yue Liangze had been chosen as a personal disciple by some Hall Master?

“Among you, there are those with outstanding achievements who have been accepted as personal disciples by various Hall Masters,” Hall Master Fan beckoned, and Yu Xiu handed him another scroll. “Xu Shen, second in the written test, seventh in the martial arts test, will enter under the Sixth Hall Master.”

“Chang Fei, third in the written test, ninth in the martial arts test, will enter under the Fourth Hall Master.”

The crowd looked at the two with envious gazes.

“Song Yuanyuan, fifth in the written test, fourth in the martial arts test, will enter under the Seventh Hall Master.”

After these words, the gazes directed at Song Yuanyuan contained not only envy but also a trace of sympathy and barely suppressed laughter.

The Seventh Hall Master, wasn’t that Hall Master Fan on the platform?

Who could endure Hall Master Fan’s meticulous nature?

This brother’s days ahead would probably be difficult!

Song Yuanyuan had a small round face, looking plump and fair, quite matching with Hall Master Fan. He had been half-asleep, but suddenly hearing this, he was so shocked that his eyes widened and his mouth gaped open. A curse reached his lips but was swallowed back due to the gazes turning toward him.

Cultivating beside Hall Master Fan?

He would rather not have this opportunity to be a personal disciple!

“The last one,” Hall Master Fan looked at the characters on the scroll, his expression unchanged as he said, “Ling Luo, first in the written test, did not participate in the martial arts test, will enter under the Third Sect Master.”

“Wow—”

“Hiss! The Third Sect Master?!”

“Heavens! First in the written test, didn’t participate in the martial arts test?”

“Ling Luo, is that the Ling Luo from Tianyun Sect?”

“Didn’t participate in the martial arts test, is that for real?”

“Is this allowed? Is this allowed? Is this allowed?”

Because the news was so shocking, the disciples below couldn’t hold back their discussions.

Compared to the envy and teasing directed at the first three, the attitude toward Ling Luo was one of shock doubt, and even some dissatisfaction.

Although being first in the written test was impressive, why didn’t she need to participate in the martial arts test? How could she become the Third Sect Master’s disciple without any scores?

Not just any Hall Master, but the Third Sect Master!

One of the three beauties of Tianji!

The Third Breath True Lord!

The supreme master of East Island Tianji and even the entire great immortal sect!

After this, everyone no longer paid attention to what Hall Master Fan was saying about encouraging those who weren’t selected to continue working hard. Their focus was all on the young woman beside the spiritual tiger.

But Ling Luo was puzzled.

Why wasn’t Yue Liangze mentioned?

Wasn’t he in the top thirty of the written test?

After Hall Master Fan announced the dismissal, Ling Luo finally raised her head to look at Yue Liangze below, but he lowered his head and didn’t notice.

Yu Xiu approached Ling Luo and said gently, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see Master at Qingshi Quarter.”

Before Ling Luo could answer, she heard Mu Ya say, “Wait.”

She turned to look. Mu Ya was blocking the way ahead, raising an eyebrow and saying, “Since it’s the Third Sect Master’s selection, there must be something exceptional about her. But without martial arts test scores, it’s hard to convince everyone.”

Yu Xiu said, “Since you know this is Master’s choice, why are you like this?”

“Senior Brother Yu, merely being first in the written test is not uncommon in the inner sect. There are at least hundreds who have been first in both the written and martial arts tests, yet they didn’t all become the Third Sect Master’s disciples,” Mu Ya said unhurriedly. “If she enters under the Third Sect Master with such qualifications, what will other disciples think? The Third Sect Master is one of the elders I respect most. I can’t let him be implicated by this person, causing other disciples to gossip.”

Hall Master Fan hadn’t gone far and stopped when the two began arguing, watching with a cheerful expression.

Both he and Yu Xiu had seen Ling Luo split the crowd with one sword that day, a sword move that could be called perfect—the control of spiritual power, force, and sword incantation was absolutely flawless.

Just with that one sword move, both knew that Ling Luo would have no pressure in the martial arts test.

Even if Yun Shouxi suddenly took her as a disciple, apart from surprise, they wouldn’t feel it was inappropriate or undeserving.

Yu Xiu would never question his master’s decision.

Hall Master Fan felt that Ling Luo was a promising talent, and perhaps Yun Shouxi was bored and simply wanted to raise another disciple.

Faced with Mu Ya’s persistent entanglement, Yu Xiu was quite troubled. He asked, “What do you want?”

“It’s very simple, let her participate in the martial arts test,” Mu Ya looked at Ling Luo with some provocation and arrogance. “The rules will be the same as yesterday. If she can last five moves under my hand, she wins.”

Yu Xiu pressed his lips and said, “What you did yesterday was already excessive.”

“What use are those lacking in skill to the inner sect?” Mu Ya said disdainfully. “Moreover, as the Third Sect Master’s disciple, is it difficult to last five moves under my hand?”

Yu Xiu was unwilling to agree and was about to refuse when he saw Ling Luo step forward, smiling and cupping her hands to Mu Ya, saying, “In that case, I request Senior Sister’s guidance.”

Mu Ya looked her up and down, somewhat surprised by Ling Luo’s initiative, but ultimately self-confident, not feeling anything inappropriate.

She snorted and turned to request permission from Hall Master Fan behind her, “Hall Master.”

Hall Master Fan said with a smile, “Since both parties are willing to compete, why not?”

Their dispute had already been seen by the hundreds of disciples below. Now, seeing Mu Ya and Ling Luo come down and mark out the boundaries of the combat arena, they immediately became excited.

Yue Liangze, who had walked halfway, discovered this matter and couldn’t help but stop, turning to look back.

He and Ling Luo were separated by the bustling crowd.

“The Young Lady wants to compete with Ling Luo!”

“I heard it’s to let Ling Luo make up for her martial arts test score?”

“The Young Lady was so ruthless to us yesterday. I want to see how Ling Luo will handle it!”

“I have mixed feelings. I don’t know whether to hope Ling Luo avenges me or to watch the Young Lady humiliate a personal disciple.”

“…”

Qin Yuan watched from the sidelines, somewhat anxious and worried.

Will Ling Luo be alright?

If she were to be severely thrashed by the Young Lady here in front of hundreds of disciples from the three sects—it’s unimaginable!

While Qin Yuan was extremely nervous, she saw Ling Luo call out to her, “Qin Yuan, lend me your sword for a moment.”

“Ah? Oh, yes, yes!” Qin Yuan immediately handed over her sword, whispering, “Good luck!”

Ling Luo drew the sword and turned to look at Mu Ya across from her.

The young woman stood proudly, with the same arrogance and superiority as in Ling Luo’s memory, unchanged.

Looking at her, Ling Luo felt like laughing.

She had thought her first interaction with Mu Ya had changed, but unexpectedly, Mu Ya had delivered herself to her doorstep.

Mu Ya held her sword and said, “Three moves. You just need to last three moves.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister,” Ling Luo responded, neither servile nor overbearing.

Mu Ya nodded and said arrogantly, “I’ll give you half a move first.”

“Senior Sister,” Ling Luo raised her sword, pointing at her with a smile, “If something gets damaged during the match, how should the compensation be calculated?”

The watching outer sect disciples couldn’t help but gasp, grabbing Qin Yuan’s hand and shaking it frantically, saying, “Is she crazy to dare provoke the Young Lady like this? Didn’t you tell her how ruthless the Young Lady was yesterday?”

Qin Yuan said wistfully, “I did tell her.”

These words successfully angered Mu Ya. From a young age, she had been of noble status, beloved by the three sects of East Island Tianji, and blessed with intelligence. No one had dared to provoke her like this.

“Enough talk! If you dare not compete, then early…” Mu Ya’s words were only half-spoken when she saw Ling Luo slash a sword at her. Though the speed wasn’t fast, the sword wind was sharp.

Mu Ya dodged to the side; half a move had passed. She inwardly sneered, and twirled her sword to counterattack, showing no mercy.

But Ling Luo’s next sword move was unexpectedly faster than hers. The two had drawn closer in their previous sword exchange, and now the blade passed almost brushing against her cheek, slicing off the pendant by Mu Ya’s ear as it struck upward.

The gold ornament fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

In the next moment, the two swords clashed, with the sound of the sword ringing. Mu Ya was greatly alarmed and looked at Ling Luo in shock.

She had been careless!

Just as she was about to concentrate and respond seriously, Ling Luo’s spiritual power erupted at that moment, her sword pressing down, forcing Mu Ya back.

Mu Ya was caught off guard, her figure retreating awkwardly to the edge, with one foot stepping outside the line.

Glancing at the gold pendant earring that had fallen to the ground, she was about to raise her sword to teach Ling Luo a lesson when she heard a slight cracking sound.

Mu Ya’s body froze.

Across from her, Ling Luo had already sheathed her sword and was slightly bowing, saying, “Senior Sister, thank you for your leniency.”

Mu Ya held the sword hilt with an ugly expression. With the cracking sound, half of the long sword broke off and fell to the ground.

After a moment of silence, Qin Yuan excitedly applauded, followed by more and more people clapping and cheering.

Great revenge!

Worthy of being chosen as the Third Sect Master’s disciple!

Completely convinced!