Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Chen Yang brought himself to peak condition.
His cultivation at the fifth level of the Qi Refinement Realm grew ever more solid under the circulation of the Nine Revolutions Body Tempering Art. After four rounds of tempering, his body had become extraordinarily tough — a faint luminous flow shimmered beneath his skin, and every movement carried within it a startling degree of power.
Chen Yang saw no reason to rush into a fifth round of tempering.
The fifth tempering would demand enormous time and resources, and right now the most important thing was to pass the Outer Sect Disciple Advancement trials.
He had always been a careful, methodical person — one step at a time.
It was a character shaped by years of tilling the fields: grounded, steady, and sure.
Beyond his cultivation, Chen Yang had also used the clay bowl to duplicate a number of low-rank talismans.
Fireball Talismans, Vajra Talismans, Swift Movement Talismans — all the most basic talismans, yet they might prove useful in a critical moment.
He had always made a habit of thorough preparation. After all, the path of cultivation was fraught with peril, and every extra card up his sleeve meant one more measure of security.
From Xiaodouzi, Chen Yang had learned that the content of the Outer Sect Disciple Advancement trials changed every time.
Sometimes it tested the purity of one's Spiritual Energy; sometimes disciples were made to spar against each other; there had even been the absurd occasion of a stone-lifting contest to measure raw strength.
The reason was simple enough — the inner disciples who presided over the trials looked down on Menial Disciples and couldn't be bothered to put any real thought into designing the content.
Chen Yang had also considered entering the Inner Disciple Advancement trials directly.
With his cultivation at the fifth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, he did meet the registration requirements.
But after careful deliberation, he chose the safer route of the Outer Sect Disciple trials.
The path of cultivation was long — there was no need to rush. A steady, measured pace would carry him further in the end.
The day before the trials, Chen Yang made a special trip to Butterfly Valley to visit Liu Yiyi.
To his relief, Liu Yiyi was already able to get up and walk around.
This was largely thanks to Chen Yang, who had regularly gathered rare medicinal herbs and handed them to Xiaochunhua to brew into medicinal porridge for Liu Yiyi's recovery.
Those herbs had been carefully selected by Chen Yang — some had even been duplicated with the clay bowl, making them several times more potent than ordinary herbs.
"Brother Chen!"
When Liu Yiyi saw Chen Yang, a radiant smile bloomed across her face.
She gently took his hand, and the two strolled slowly through the medicine garden.
Her steps were still a little unsteady, but her color had improved greatly.
Sunlight fell across her pale face, casting a soft, gentle halo around her.
"Where's Xiaochunhua?" Chen Yang asked. That lively little girl was usually chattering away at Liu Yiyi's side.
Liu Yiyi smiled softly. "She's been running off to play these past few days — flitting about like a butterfly. Who knows where she's gotten to."
Her voice was gentle, tinged with fond indulgence.
Chen Yang nodded. "Just as well. Saves me from her pestering me all the time."
Liu Yiyi stifled a laugh. "I never thought Brother Chen would be afraid of something like that. Xiaochunhua is just that kind of person — a little spirited, but she means no harm. She only wants to be close to the hero who saved her."
Chen Yang rubbed his nose with a slightly awkward expression.
That little girl was far too forward — always hugging and clinging to him without a second thought. He genuinely didn't know how to handle her.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Has Li Baode come around causing trouble again?" Chen Yang asked with concern.
Liu Yiyi shook her head.
"No, it's been quiet. But what about you, Brother Chen — will tomorrow's trial be dangerous?"
"Don't worry," Chen Yang reassured her. "It's only the Outer Sect Disciple Advancement trials. There won't be any real danger."
He paused, then continued, "Once I become an Outer Sect Disciple, I'll be able to take on attendants. When that happens, you and Chunhua can move in with me. You won't have to work as laborers anymore, and you'll be completely free of Li Baode's harassment."
A flash of delight crossed Liu Yiyi's eyes, quickly followed by a teasing glint. "Both of us moving in together? Brother Chen, are you really hoping to have me and Xiaochunhua wait on you?" She blinked, a playful smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Very well then — the two of us will serve Brother Chen together and make sure he's pampered to his heart's content."
Chen Yang coughed twice, a faint flush rising to his face.
"Yiyi, when did you start making jokes like this? You sound just like Xiaochunhua today."
Liu Yiyi gave a soft laugh, then turned serious.
"Brother Chen, please be careful tomorrow. I'm worried Li Baode might try to trip you up from the shadows. If you find yourself in danger, just give up. We don't need a new place to live — we can be laborers for the rest of our lives. All I want is for you to come back safe."
She gripped his hand tightly, her eyes filled with worry.
Chen Yang gently stroked her hair.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful. For your sake — for both of your sakes — I'll come back safe."
His gaze was resolute, though inwardly he was quietly on guard.
Liu Yiyi's concern was not unfounded. A petty, vindictive man like Li Baode — the kind who nursed every grievance like an Angry God — was very likely to try something underhanded during the trials.
* * *
On the morning of the trials, Qingyun Peak's plaza was already alive with noise and commotion.
This was the place where Sect Master Ouyang Hua cultivated in seclusion — Menial Disciples rarely had occasion to come up here.
The plaza was paved with white jade, wreathed in drifting mist. Cranes glided across the sky from time to time, their calls clear and bright.
In the distance, the main hall stood in imposing grandeur, bronze bells hanging from its upturned eaves, chiming crisply in the breeze.
Xiaodouzi stood nervously at Chen Yang's side, wringing his hands without stop.
"Brother Chen, I'm so nervous. What do you think the trial will be this time? Please don't let it be sparring — fighting is the one thing I'm worst at."
Chen Yang swept his gaze around the plaza and spotted many familiar faces.
They were all Menial Disciples from the medicine garden, the pill hall, and the Artifact Pavilion — every one of them wearing an expression of anxious anticipation.
For them, this was a chance to change their fate. The one low-grade spirit stone registration fee was no small sum.
"Whatever it is, just do your best," Chen Yang said calmly.
His gaze drifted across the plaza and noted that a fair number of people had also gathered in the inner disciple trial area, though noticeably fewer than on the outer disciples' side.
The requirements for the Inner Disciple Advancement trials were higher, and the pass rate was lower.
Everyone was whispering among themselves, speculating about who the chief examiner would be this time.
By convention, the Outer Sect Disciple Advancement trials were presided over by inner disciples, with several Senior Brothers taking turns in charge.
To the inner disciples, it was little more than a formality — but to the Menial Disciples, it was a matter that could determine their entire fate.
Just then, two figures came streaking through the air from the distance at tremendous speed, the sound of splitting air trailing in their wake.
They were using the Flight Technique — a skill only inner disciples were permitted to learn — and their bearing was effortlessly graceful, drawing gasps of admiration from the Menial Disciples below.
The figures drew closer and closer, then landed lightly at the center of the Trial Platform.
When the crowd made out their faces, a collective sharp intake of breath ran through the crowd.
Chen Yang's pupils contracted sharply — the arrivals were none other than Li Yan!
One of Zhao Yanran's three cultivation partners!
Even more alarming was the man at his side: a long-haired man with a cold, sinister air — Zhao Yanran's other cultivation partner, Lin Yang!
Li Yan stood on the platform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below with icy sharpness.
He wore inner disciple robes, a sword at his waist, his entire bearing radiating a violent, oppressive energy.
When his eyes passed over Chen Yang, they seemed to pause for just a moment, and a barely perceptible cold smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
Lin Yang stood quietly to one side, his long hair drifting in the breeze, his expression one of languid amusement — as though none of what lay before him was worth his attention.
Yet his mere presence there exerted an invisible, suffocating pressure on everyone around him.
Li Yan spoke in a loud, clear voice that brooked no argument.
"Today's Outer Sect Disciple Advancement trials will be presided over by me, Li Yan."
He turned slightly and gestured toward Lin Yang at his side.
"This is Senior Brother Lin Yang, who has come today as an observer."
An immediate uproar broke out below the platform.
Everyone knew that Li Yan had always despised Menial Disciples — the slightest displeasure was enough to earn someone a beating or a tongue-lashing.
With Li Yan presiding over this trial, things were unlikely to go smoothly.
Lin Yang gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, still without a word, but the cold indifference in his eyes sent a chill through the crowd below.
Li Yan seemed quite pleased with the reaction from below. He sneered, "What's the matter? Are you all that surprised, you laborers?"
His gaze drifted — seemingly by chance — toward where Chen Yang stood. "Rest assured. I, Li Yan, have always been fair. I would never make things difficult for anyone."
The words sounded high-minded and proper, yet anyone could hear the threat lurking beneath them.
Xiaodouzi's face went pale, and he said in a trembling voice, "We're done for. Why does it have to be Senior Brother Li Yan presiding? This is terrible!"
Chen Yang's brow furrowed deeply, alarm bells ringing in his mind.
Li Yan had deliberately chosen to preside over this trial — it was clearly aimed at him.
On the platform, Li Yan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze cutting across the crowd below like a blade. The sunlight fell upon him, casting a long, dark shadow at his feet.