Following his victory over Mad Dog, Huang Di spent the early afternoon preparing to resume his training. It was two oâclock, and though he knew the road ahead would be arduous, the recent triumph had bolstered his confidence. As he strolled through the serene gardens of the Golden Heron Sect, his thoughts lingered on the duel and on the words spoken by the elder who had taught him the âlight stepsâ technique.
âTrue strength lies in the balance between body and mind,â he recalled, the wisdom of that phrase resonating deeply within him.
Upon reaching the sectâs central plaza, Huang Di came across the three sisters, Lu Yi, Lu Sai, and Lu Fi, who had supported him during the battle. After greeting him warmly and chatting briefly, they bid him farewell with cheerful smiles and made their way to the line for outer disciple registration.
Huang Di watched as roughly ten percent of the crowd moved toward the line for inner disciple candidates, himself among them. He tried to remain inconspicuous, but after his recent display, attracting attention was inevitable.
Soon, he found himself at the center of hushed conversations and curious glances. Murmurs of admiration, envy, and speculation filled the air. Still, Huang Di kept his focus sharp, unwilling to be distracted.
When his turn arrived, he gave his name and paid the fifty mid-grade spirit stones required for registration. A wave of relief washed over him, for he had won five hundred stones from his wagerâenough to fund his training for at least a year and ease any immediate financial burdens.
Three days passed.
On the morning of the third day, all registered participants gathered in the plaza, waiting anxiously. Elder Meng Lu appeared and declared that those registered for the inner disciple test were to follow him. While the rest headed toward the outer disciple evaluation, Meng Lu led a smaller group of determined aspirants toward their own destiny.
After two full days of travel, they arrived in the late afternoon at a vast open field already filled with people. A large crowd had gathered, composed of inner, outer, and even core disciples, all observing the newcomers with curious or hostile expressions.
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Those who had accompanied Meng Lu looked around in stunned silence, some beginning to fear that they were nothing more than fodder for the sectâs more seasoned disciples. But Huang Di clenched his fists, his resolve only grew stronger. He scanned the area intently, then his gaze fell upon a figure so dazzling she seemed divine.
She sat atop a six-tailed fox beast, her golden hair cascading down to her waist, and her smile, deadly in its beauty, seemed capable of stealing the breath from anyone who saw it. Her brows were tinted pink, and her lips were the color of fresh blood.
Her legs, exposed beneath her robes, were pale and smooth like twin jades. Her allure was striking, but Huang Di quickly realized she was no angel. Sheâs a temptress, a demoness in human form. Around her, disciples stood entranced, their faces slack with foolish smiles and dreamy eyes.
She laughed lightly, flaunting the insignia of a core disciple as she studied the arriving prey.
Huang Di instantly understood that if he didnât steel his mind, he too could fall victim to her spell. I must not let my guard down⦠And yet, he couldnât help but feel intrigued by the mysterious demoness. His instincts warned him to remain vigilant, especially when she cast a piercing glance in his direction, as if measuring him.
Before he could dwell further on the matter, another elder appeared, snapping him out of his thoughts. This one was younger and far more imposing than Meng Lu. He introduced himself as Su Taro, the Third Inner Elder, and declared that he would now take charge of the proceedings.
Meng Lu was visibly surprised by the sudden change and tried to protest, but a crushing, invisible pressure silenced him. Humiliated, he could only step aside, seething in frustration.
The original plan had been for a tournament to determine the top eight candidates, who would then be accepted as inner disciples. But that plan had been abruptly changed by a higher authority. This sudden shift left many participants visibly irritated, Ye Jue among them. He had made specific preparations for the original format, and though furious, he kept his composure, aware that he needed to adapt quickly.
Meanwhile, Huang Di studied the inner disciplesâ uniformsâgray robes adorned with silver insigniasâand allowed himself to imagine donning such attire. He knew, however, that to attain it, he would need to face the new trial with unyielding determination and skill.
Elder Su Taro began explaining the rules of the test, but Huang Diâs mind was already fixed on what lay ahead. Whatever challenges await, I will be ready.