IRBTCI CH3

r“Haha, what a pleasant surprise.” Bai Lu couldn’t help kissing the jade token. Although he had joined the exam halfway, it now felt like clearing a game level—truly exciting.

Liang Manggu was also overjoyed. “We passed? We can join Xuan Shan Immortal Sect?!”

He reached for the jade token as well, wanting to imitate Bai Lu and kiss it.

But to his surprise, the token actually let out a voice: “Ugh!!”

Startled, Liang Manggu flung it away.

“A spirit!” The girl caught it deftly with one hand and glared at the token. She continued, “Not only that—you two were the first to finish.”

Just as Liang Manggu had suspected, the real test was more subtle.

The girl thought back—earlier, the examiners had much discussion, but eventually agreed on their results.

The hidden third trial tested character. The goal was to bring out the trial token that had turned into a companion.

In truth, the boat was never going to sink. But in critical moments, few people could keep their wits, especially ordinary people with no cultivation experience.

Although their method was unorthodox, they had indeed brought their “companion” out…

“Top three!” Liang Manggu was so thrilled he was speechless. All that effort had finally paid off.

Bai Lu also showed a genuine smile.

Seeing their joy, the girl raised her brows and repeated a few critiques from the examiners: “Though your methods were crude, and you even seemed to deliberately mess with the trial, your hearts were in the right place. It’s been recorded. Once you enter Xuan Shan Immortal Sect, be sure to cultivate yourselves properly.”

Bai Lu and Liang Manggu exchanged a glance and began murmuring to each other.

“She must be talking about you. You kicked it three times…”

“Come on, you were the one giving instructions. And I just realized—you brought up the whole trading money for it thing just to mess with it, didn’t you?”

“I did not…”

…

The trial token suddenly screamed, “She means both of you!! You’re both terrible! Terrible!!”

All three trials were over. Out of thousands who sought the Dao, only a dozen had passed.

The girl led them onto the golden jade platform. From outside, they’d only glimpsed the curved eaves and swordlight. Now, standing at the gates of the sect, the sight of Xuan Shan’s interior was even more awe-inspiring.

The mountains coiled like dragons. Seven colossal peaks towered into the sky, their waists wrapped in clouds and mist.

Xuan Shan Immortal Sect got its name from the Xuan Shan mountain range. Rich in minerals, dense with spiritual energy, and alive with earthfire, it nourished the seven great peaks—now the seven main branches of the sect.

Liang Manggu looked upon it and sighed—truly a rare and blessed place.

The examiners from earlier were now gone.

The girl began introducing: “These are the seven peaks of Xuan Shan—Tianshu, Tiānxuán, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang—each devoted to a particular art: talismans, alchemy, formations, artifact crafting, law enforcement, scriptures, and spirit beasts.

“There are also side branches—like food cultivators, sound cultivators, body cultivators—on other peaks.”

“Once you’ve joined the sect, you’ll be chosen by one of the peaks. After that, you’ll formally take a master and go through the apprenticeship ceremony on a set day.”

“But the top three may choose among the peak lords who also show interest in them. Bai Lu, Liang Manggu, Meng Caiqing—you three may take a month to decide.”

Although most candidates had researched Xuan Shan in advance, the girl still explained everything as per custom. Finally, she said, “Now I will take you to meet the elders who served as examiners today. Then I’ll show you to your quarters.”

She glanced at Bai Lu, who looked like he had something to say.

“…And also to dinner.”

Bai Lu breathed a sigh of relief.

He had come to the famed Xuan Shan Immortal Sect for the food and lodging, after all!

As for choosing a mentor… he’d wait and see.

“Senior, today… will we meet Peak Lord Dianmei, the Sword Sovereign Huo Xuexiang?” asked Meng Caiqing, the third-ranked candidate, nervously.

All inner sect disciples lived on the main peaks, but those with great cultivation could open their own caves or even form new branches, as Xuan Shan spanned a vast range of mountains.

“Recruiting disciples is a major affair,” the girl explained. “Every selection round, the elders take turns as examiners. Why? Do you wish to join the Sword Sovereign?”

Meng Caiqing’s eyes lit up with determination. “It would be a lifetime honor to study under the Sword Sovereign. I heard he was the youngest cultivator to achieve the ‘Starscale Phenomenon,’ and established Dianmei Peak less than a century after entering the sect.

“Years ago, his swordlight illuminated the heavens and shocked all twelve continents. Yet he humbly claimed he did not know swordsmanship, making sword cultivators everywhere feel ashamed. It’s said the plum blossoms on his peak responded to his sword intent, and even the leaves and branches formed sword formations. All who enter the peak gain insight into the sword.”

Others had also heard of the Sword Sovereign’s fame. Even in the talent-rich Xuan Shan, he was exceptional.

“‘When all mountains tremble in the cold, the little plum relies on no blade, yet wields snow madly.’”

The girl softly recited a line from a poem known across the land, sending a ripple through everyone’s hearts. Then she added, “Uncle Huo has never taken a disciple.”

“The Sword Sovereign surely seeks extraordinary talent—I only hope for a chance,” Meng Caiqing said anxiously, still clinging to hope.

“No,” the girl said calmly. “Most cultivators seek ascension. But ten years ago, the Sword Sovereign vowed to sever the path to ascension. He no longer cultivates heart law—his sword remains only for this world.”

“…Do you still wish to study under him?”

…

The golden hall was buzzing like a marketplace.

“Told you we should’ve drawn lots this year! But no, Elder Xu insisted on a formal vote…”

“Hey, that one’s perfect for alchemy—I picked them first!”

“Nonsense! Come to Yaoguang Peak—we raise spirit beasts! Your explosives hall wants to pick people?”

“At least we didn’t blow up a furnace today! You guys feed pigs every day—”

“I’ve told you a hundred times, those aren’t pigs—they’re Bingfeng!”

“I’ll punch you!”

“Enough, all of you! I just want a good-looking, smart disciple…”

…

The door knocker rang gently. Silence fell.

The girl led the prospective disciples in, bowed, and said, “Sect Master, elders, the new disciples have arrived.”

Bai Lu followed suit, mimicking everyone’s gestures as best he could. While doing so, he peeked up—seven or eight solemn-looking cultivators sat before them.

Only one person, in the back right corner, caught his eye: a white-clad man with his eyes covered, sitting quietly and seemingly indifferent to the proceedings, holding something in his hands.

Bai Lu was still curious when the man slightly lifted his head in his direction. Though his eyes were covered, Bai Lu suddenly felt like he was being watched…

The sensation vanished almost instantly. Was it just his imagination?

Bai Lu kept his head down, doing his best to imitate the others. After all, among the robed and dignified cultivators, he alone stood out—dressed in fuzzy pajamas, with tousled hair. He really didn’t blend in.

“No need for formalities,” said a silver-haired elder in the center, raising his hand in greeting. The disciples below stirred with excitement—this had to be Bo Luan, the legendary Sect Master of Xuan Shan, who had not only served as an examiner but was personally addressing them!

Sect Master Bo Luan offered a few words of encouragement, reviewed the key points of the exam, and said, “Well done, Hǔzi.”

Ning Yanhu’s mouth twitched at hearing “Hǔzi” again. Turning to the other elders, she asked stiffly, “Do the masters have any instructions?”

“We’ve all had a long day—let them go rest for now,” one of the peak lords said, rubbing his eyes casually.

Liang Manggu thought to himself: Truly a great sect—so many geniuses, no wonder the elders were so indifferent. They probably didn’t care much for small fry like him.

Still, having placed in the top three, he figured he had a decent shot at becoming a true disciple.

Just then, Meng Caiqing—who ranked third—spoke up: “Senior, I’ve made my decision.”

Ning Yanhu looked at her determined expression and remembered how she had been silent since mentioning the Sword Sovereign. She asked cautiously, “Don’t tell me you still want to join Dianmei Peak?”

Meng Caiqing said firmly, “No!”

“…Oh.”

“I wish to become the Sect Master’s disciple—if I may be so fortunate.”

“Oh??” Ning Yanhu nodded instantly, a bit too eagerly. “Of course you may! The Sect Master already said that the top three may choose him freely. Consider it settled.”

From somewhere, she pulled out a booklet and directly marked it down. “Congratulations, junior sister, you’re now part of Cangyun Terrace.”

The Sect Master didn’t maintain a peak of his own—he resided in Cangyun Terrace.

Seeing the third-ranked disciple make her choice, several peak lords winced—such a good seedling, snatched away in seconds. If only Hǔzi hadn’t been so quick! They hadn’t even gotten to say, “Would you like to learn more about our peak?”

Looking at Bai Lu and Liang Manggu, Ning Yanhu asked, “You two still want to think it over?”

Liang Manggu nodded. “I’ll think some more—”

Bai Lu was about to say the same when he noticed the white-robed man from earlier stand up. The man held a faded piece of silk in his hands, revealing it was a scroll of calligraphy or painting.

Bai Lu’s eyes widened slightly, like a startled cat.

Before transmigrating, Bai Lu had attended the latest World Witchcraft Forum held in Huaxia. The event gathered practitioners from countless traditions—ceremonial magic, folk magic, and everything in between. There were descendants of ancient shamans, Hermeticists who valued alchemy, and, naturally, many Chinese witches who emphasized the power of ancestors.

Somehow—perhaps because he had an Eastern-sounding name—an item meant for a Chinese practitioner had been delivered to his room by mistake.

Bai Lu hadn’t understood the silk scroll and had intended to return it to its rightful owner the next day. But before that could happen, he had suddenly transmigrated. His memories of the event were hazy and confused—he couldn’t recall the details clearly. He had never thought to link the silk scroll to his transmigration. Besides, it hadn’t come with him when he arrived in this new world.

Now, seeing an identical scroll in that white-clad man’s hands—how could Bai Lu not be excited?

He had always suspected that during the forum, some magician’s tool or magical formation had malfunctioned and accidentally brought him here.

Maybe… this was his only clue.

“I…” Bai Lu’s mind spun rapidly as he asked, “Does that examiner’s peak accept disciples?”

He was grateful he hadn’t given up halfway—otherwise, he might have missed this crucial lead. Now that he had made it into Xuan Shan, with free food and lodging, maybe he could get closer to the truth.

But for some reason, his question made the room fall silent.

Ning Yanhu’s mouth fell slightly open as she turned to look at him.

Even the solemn examiners nearly broke composure.

Though the man in white had his eyes covered, it felt like he knew Bai Lu was speaking to him. He turned his head directly toward them again, and once more, Bai Lu felt that strange sense of being watched.

He had no idea which peak this man belonged to. “Uh… is that allowed?”

Another heavy silence.

“Bai Lu,” said Sect Master Bo Luan gently, glancing toward the man in white, “do you know who this is? This is the Sword Sovereign of Juntian.”

Huo Xuexiang’s self-imposed blindness after being injured while slaying evil was well known in the cultivation world. His identity should’ve been obvious—but then again, how could one expect a mere mortal who just passed the entrance exam to have heard of him?

Otherwise… why would he ask if the Sword Sovereign’s peak was accepting disciples?

Dianmei Peak only had one person!

Bai Lu suddenly realized—ah, that’s the one! The peak lord who supposedly gave up on ascending to immortality. In the cultivation world, that was like a soldier who didn’t want promotion or a scientist who didn’t want a Nobel Prize.

But honestly… Bai Lu really wasn’t interested in ascension.

Ascension meant going to another world—but he already came from another world!

So he nodded decisively and lied without hesitation: “Of course I know! I admire him deeply!”

Bo Luan sneaked a glance at his junior brother, who remained motionless. He paused, then said, “Think about it for a few more days—we’ll need to discuss this as well. Yanhu, take them to be settled.”

Normally, as a courtesy to the top three, the peak lords would give personal introductions and allow disciples to make an informed choice. But today, two of them were already off-script.

After a while, Ning Yanhu came to her senses. “Uh… Right. Everyone follow me. Let’s go eat.”

As soon as the disciples left, the hall erupted into an even louder uproar than before.

“Well, that’s a first. What was that kid thinking?”

“He placed first, and I thought his temperament was just right for our Tianji branch.”

“No matter what—our junior brother won’t be alone anymore! A bloodline should be passed on.”

“But seriously… what was he thinking?”

Only Huo Xuexiang remained silent, as detached as ever.

“Quiet, all of you,” said Bo Luan, forming a spell with his fingers. Mist spread across the air, forming a screen that showed Bai Lu walking behind Ning Yanhu.

After dropping that bombshell, the first-place candidate looked utterly relaxed.

…

Outside, Ning Yanhu led the group out of the hall, but she kept glancing at Bai Lu.

Once…

Twice…

A third time.

Bai Lu: “?”

Even Liang Manggu looked dazed. “Brother Bai… you’re really something else.”

Bai Lu said easily, “What? I picked the Sword Sovereign. He’s so young! The rest of them are old men.”

That had to count for something. Here, they called masters Shizun (respected master), and sword cultivators were called Jianzun (Sword Sovereign). Liang Manggu had even addressed him as Zun-xiong earlier.

Wait a minute—if I can use magic, does that make me a Mozun? (Demon Sovereign?)

Bai Lu was full of self-confidence. With his Huaxia-style name, he was starting to feel quite legit.

“You’re pretending, aren’t you?!” Ning Yanhu finally snapped. “Being good-looking isn’t a reason to give up ascension!”

“My Shizun doesn’t want to ascend either! That’s even cooler—more reason to admire him!” Bai Lu replied cheerfully. “Besides, are you saying your master has ascended?”

Ning Yanhu: “…………”

Inside the hall, Bo Luan’s face twitched. Hearing himself brought up like that…

This Bai Lu… what an aggressive mouth on him.

Bo Luan muttered aloud, so everyone could hear, “That sharp tongue… it does sound like a sword cultivator.”

No kidding. If he’d ascended, would he still be sitting here?

Although Bai Lu had technically addressed the Sect Master, everyone chuckled awkwardly—he wasn’t exactly wrong. The success rate of ascension wasn’t very high to begin with.

Bo Luan looked at Huo Xuexiang again and tentatively said, “Junior brother, you’ve been alone for so long. Perhaps this is fate? Why not accept a disciple and pass down your path?”

Even if your heart cultivation is incomplete, I can help fill in the gaps as Sect Master…

But Bo Luan wasn’t confident that Huo Xuexiang would be willing.

Huo Xuexiang seemed to consider it seriously. “Dianmei Peak does have the duty to pass on its teachings, even if it’s never done so. If Sect Master wishes me to teach…”

Bo Luan sighed inwardly. His junior brother had entered the sect late but was taught directly by their master before he ascended. Although immensely talented, he was eccentric and hard to read—just like his sudden vow not to pursue ascension.

Still, cultivation valued fate. One peak, one man—perhaps now was the right time. Taking in the top candidate wouldn’t be a disgrace.

Bo Luan said tactfully, “This may be a destined opportunity. If he catches your eye, why not form a bond as master and disciple?”

Huo Xuexiang thought of Bai Lu’s words. After a pause, he surprised everyone by saying: “Very well.”

Outside—

“That’s just ridiculous!” Ning Yanhu said, exasperated. Everyone knew how hard ascension was. Each realm trapped countless cultivators, but to give up from the start? That was something else.

Especially for someone like Bai Lu—freshly entered the immortal path, and top of the trial. How could he not dream of rising high?

Ning Yanhu also suspected that Bai Lu, despite his conviction, hadn’t known who the Sword Sovereign was until they mentioned him. Maybe he was just dazzled by the name and made a snap decision.

Bai Lu said nothing, but his expression made it clear—his mind was made up.

“Fine… You still have two days to reconsider anyway.” Ning Yanhu stopped arguing. Besides, with the Sword Sovereign’s temperament, there was no guarantee he’d accept a disciple.

Still—unbelievable. Was Bai Lu really that taken with Huo Xuexiang? Did he really just pick him for his looks?

Liang Manggu had been holding back the whole time. From the hall until now, he still hadn’t found the right words.

But Meng Caiqing suddenly spoke, her voice firm and ringing: “Respect!”

“Thank you,” Bai Lu replied politely. He thought this classmate had impressive lung power.

But for some reason, just now—there had been a fleeting, unnatural feeling.

Like… someone was watching him.

“Senior Ning, which peak are you from?” Liang Manggu asked, scratching his head. He and Bai Lu had gone through the trial together and wanted to lighten the mood.

“Don’t call me Senior Hu—it’s not funny,” Ning Yanhu replied coldly. “My surname is Ning. Ning Yanhu. My master is none other than Sect Master Bo Luan.”

So she was the Sect Master’s disciple!

Liang Manggu thought of Bai Lu asking earlier whether her master had ascended: “…”

Meng Caiqing, however, suddenly understood why Ning Yanhu had seemed so supportive when she chose Cangyun Terrace. That had been their senior sister welcoming her new junior! Her gaze toward Ning Yanhu instantly grew warmer.

“Alright, we’re all of the same generation now. No need to call each other ‘senior’ anymore,” Ning Yanhu said. “I’m simply the earliest of our generation to join the sect. So no matter which peak you end up in, you can all call me—”

Bai Lu, remembering the formalities of the cultivation world and the Eastern emphasis on seniority, had a flash of inspiration: “Sister Sovereign!”

Ning Yanhu: “…?”

Bai Lu: “Hu Sovereign?”

Ning Yanhu: “…………”

Liang Manggu sighed deeply. “I rack my brains for a witty line, and Brother Bai tosses them out effortlessly.”

Bai Lu: ?

Oops. Maybe that flash of inspiration missed the mark.