As the Common Bones continued to recede, the area in front of the mountain gate gradually quieted down.
After more than ten Yellow Bones were successively tested, the atmosphere on the field gradually turned tense.
Although the Yellow Bones were of a Low Grade, they already possessed the qualifications to enter the sect. At this moment, they were all led to one side of the mountain path, escorted by yellow-robed Disciples to a side hall to await the second trial.
On the other side, the very small number of Mystic Bones were arranged separately, and each time one appeared, it caused a stir of whispers.
Suddenly, a spiritual light glowed again in front of the Bone-Testing Compass, and a pair of boy and girl slowly stepped forward.
The girl's skin was as white as snow, and her eyes were clear. As soon as she appeared, she attracted the attention of many people. She was Dong Xiang.
She quietly walked to the compass and placed her hand on it without hesitation.
— Boom!
An dazzling emerald-gold spiritual light suddenly flashed on the compass, and a powerful Spiritual Pressure erupted. The surrounding yellow-robed Disciples instantly stepped back, and even the few Inner Sect representatives in the distance changed their expressions.
The Bone-Testing Disciple was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed loudly:
“Second-Grade Earth Bone!!!”
The whole place was in an uproar!
Earth Bone — it was unknown how many years it had been since one appeared. It was a spiritual bone with both talent and potential close to the peak.
Qi Guanzhi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded repeatedly:
“Good, good, good… Worthy of the Illusion Immortal Sect’s Opportunity today.”
He waved his sleeve and said directly:
“This child’s talent is extraordinary. There’s no need for her to participate in the subsequent trials. She will directly enter the Outer Sect.”
As his voice fell, the representatives of the four peaks indeed exploded like a powder keg.
Zhao Chongyun was the first to step forward, smiling broadly:
“This Junior Sister has clear eyes and fire in her bones. My Six Paths Peak is very skilled in physical techniques, most suitable for a spiritual bone like yours to cultivate. Why don't you come to my peak?”
Lin Jingyu snorted coldly:
“If the spiritual bone is too pure, it is instead most prone to Qi Deviation. If your ‘Six Paths Primordial Chaos’ is not used correctly, it might destroy her foundation.”
“My Emotion Severing Peak’s Mind-Cultivation Technique specializes in the art of Primordial Spirit purity, ensuring her Divine Soul and bone are both clear, which is most suitable.”
Hu Jingxing’s brows furrowed, and he interrupted coldly:
“Broken Sword Peak doesn’t speak empty words; we emphasize practical strength. If an Earth Bone is immersed in pure cultivation, wouldn’t it be a pity? Come to my peak, and I will teach her to prove the Dao with strength. It’s not an extravagant hope for her to enter the Third Realm within a hundred years.”
He Xiuyuan was still gentle and elegant, shaking his folding fan and smiling:
“Why are you all arguing? She hasn’t even spoken yet. Junior Sister, please choose for yourself, and don’t be deceived by a few empty words.”
A commotion arose again in the field.
Qi Guanzhi frowned slightly and spoke in a deep voice:
“This girl has extremely high talent, and it is natural for the various peaks to contend for her. Since that is the case, let her decide where she goes.”
As soon as the words fell, Dong Xiang was slightly stunned, her eyes wandering between the few people, unsure how to choose.
At this moment, a familiar yet faintly tired voice came —
“Xiang'er.”
Dong Xiang looked up; it was the old Daoist from Six Yuan Sect.
His expression was calm, and his gaze was profound:
“Your talent is extremely high. The path of cultivation must consider your root nature and direction.”
“Among these four peaks, the one most suitable for you should be — Guiyun Peak.”
Dong Xiang nodded obediently: “Yes, Grandpa.”
Then she lightly curtsied to He Xiuyuan:
“Disciple… wishes to enter Guiyun Peak.”
He Xiuyuan immediately laughed heartily, closing his folding fan, his demeanor as warm as spring:
“Good eye, good eye — Junior Sister, this is the most correct choice you’ve ever made.”
All four showed some disappointment, Lin Jingyu pouted without speaking, Hu Jingxing flicked his sleeve, and Zhao Chongyun sighed.
Before Dong Xiang left, she turned to look at Lu Li, who had not yet been tested, and said seriously:
“Little Brother Lu Li, don’t go to other peaks either. It would be best if you came to Guiyun Peak with me.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Li merely bowed his head, his tone calm and respectful:
“Young Miss Dong Xiang, please rest assured. The Immortal has bestowed a great favor, and I will naturally do my best.”
After he finished speaking, he gently raised his eyes to look at the glorious and dazzling direction of Guiyun Peak.
It was just that — only an Earth Bone could choose a peak to enter; a Yellow Bone could only “do their best.”
After Dong Xiang left the stone platform, the aftershocks had not dissipated, and the Disciples in the field were still whispering.
A Second-Grade Earth Bone was rare even in the Illusion Immortal Sect’s thousand years of recruitment. Now, being fiercely contended for by the four peaks, with Qi Guanzhi personally deciding the qualifications, how could it not cause a stir?
And the boy in coarse clothes behind her also stepped onto the stone platform.
The boy’s coarse clothes were ragged, his figure as thin as a chick, his skin somewhat pale, and a pair of eyes hidden in the shadows. He walked to the Bone-Testing Compass neither humble nor arrogant.
The yellow-robed Disciple was about to urge him when a Outer Sect trial participant suddenly whispered:
“He came with the Earth Bone girl.”
Although the voice was soft, it instantly spread through the crowd.
“It’s that child who came with Dong Xiang! That Earth Bone girl even affectionately called him ‘Little Brother’!”
“Could it be a pair of spiritual bone prodigies?”
“No way, that kid looks too… ordinary. His clothes are also ragged, and he looks emaciated… But to be able to come with an Earth Bone, could he really be special?”
For a moment, many people held their breath, vaguely feeling a hint of anticipation.
The yellow-robed Disciple’s brow twitched slightly, but he said nothing, quietly watching him act.
Lu Li raised his hand and placed his palm on the compass, his fingertips slightly cool.
Spiritual Qi entered the bone.
The next moment, a faint yellow light appeared on the compass, only flashing for a moment before dimming and extinguishing, like the last spark on a candle.
“— Fourth-Grade Yellow Bone.”
The voice was flat.
There was no exclamation, no spiritual light soaring to the sky, no praise from Qi Guanzhi, and no representative Disciple stepping forward.
Silence.
The air seemed to heavy for a beat.
A moment later, a soft sigh came from the crowd.
“Alas… a Yellow Bone.”
“Appeared with an Earth Bone, but turned out to be just a Low Grade spiritual bone…”
“After all, he just used connections.”
The yellow-robed Disciple was expressionless, raising a hand to point to the mountain path in the distance:
“Go stand over there. Yellow Bone Disciples line up, prepare for the second trial.”
Lu Li nodded, saying nothing, quietly withdrawing his hand and turning to leave the stone platform.
His back was very straight, his steps steady, as if he hadn’t heard anything anyone said, and his gaze didn’t linger on anyone.
But his fist slowly tightened in his sleeve.
Dong Xiang, standing on the high platform, was stunned for a moment. Her eyes darted around, looking at the figure gradually moving away, and she asked in confusion:
“Why did he go there? Isn’t he my… Why can’t he come to Guiyun Peak?”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it clearly entered He Xiuyuan’s ears.
He Xiuyuan smiled and shook his head, his tone gentle but with a hint of distance:
“Junior Sister, that child is merely a Fourth-Grade Yellow Bone, barely qualified to enter the sect.”
“His Aptitude is inferior. Without a miraculous Opportunity, he will not surpass the First Realm in this life. Our Guiyun Peak emphasizes clear Divine Soul and spiritual Aptitude. He cannot enter.”
“Moreover, those who don’t pass the second trial… mostly won’t survive.”
Dong Xiang’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting him to speak so directly.
She blinked, looking at the gradually blurring figure down the mountain path, and a strange feeling quietly arose in her heart.
She had grown up in Six Yuan Sect since childhood. Her Grandpa doted on her, her fellow Disciples respected her, and everything she asked for was granted.
She had never experienced this kind of boundary, “You and he are not the same kind of people.”
Dong Xiang suddenly looked up at He Xiuyuan, who was standing beside her.
This Inner Sect Prodigy of Guiyun Peak had an elegant demeanor, white robes like snow, a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a gentle smile. Every movement carried an indescribable calm and nobility.
When he spoke, the surrounding Disciples all bowed their heads to listen; when he turned, even the mountain wind seemed to blow a little softer.
His appearance was like jade, his demeanor like an Immortal.
Her eyes couldn't help but show a trace of longing and fascination.
This was a true superior in the Immortal Sect.
But today, that elegant Senior Brother He, that Prodigy in the eyes of all Disciples, personally told her:
“In the future, have less to do with those kinds of people. They are destined not to be like us.”
And right there on the mountain path —
The figure of the young man in coarse clothes had already entered the ranks of the Yellow Bone Disciples.
He was wearing a short coarse cloth shirt, faded from washing, with a tear already appearing at the shoulder.
His figure was excessively thin, with faint blue veins floating on his neck, like a wild grass that would fall over with a gust of wind.
In the crowd, he was as unremarkable as a stone.
He never looked up, never looked back, just stood lowly in the shadow at the very end of the line, as if he belonged there.
Dong Xiang suddenly froze.
Everything in front of her seemed to be pulled away —
Senior Brother He was like a glazed Immortal, like a star in the sky;
Lu Li, however, was like a small, thin wild sparrow in the mountain forest, scattered by a gust of wind.
For the first time, she realized that this was the true gap between her and him.
Was it cultivation? Was it origin? Was it Aptitude? Or… fate?
She didn't understand, only felt a slight tightness in a part of her heart, indescribable.
A “pulling sensation” that she couldn't articulate quietly split open in her childish consciousness.
She wanted to call him — to call “Little Brother Lu Li” as usual, and ask him to come to Guiyun Peak too;
But she suddenly realized, what would others think? What would Senior Brother He think?
She lowered her head, feeling a hint of shame for some reason.
She slowly approached He Xiuyuan, timidly tugging at his sleeve, and whispered:
“Senior Brother He is right… He’s not my little brother at all, just a servant of mine.”
As these words left her mouth, her heart suddenly felt a little sour, for reasons unknown.
He Xiuyuan smiled and nodded, gently reaching out to stroke her hair.
“That’s right.”
Below the high platform, Liu Yuanzi had remained silent.
He looked at his granddaughter, standing obediently beside He Xiuyuan, and a look of satisfaction finally appeared in his eyes.
“Befriending the Prodigy of Guiyun Peak, this is your foundation for future standing.”
“As for Lu Li…”
He lowered his head to look at the other side of the mountain path, at the silent young man in coarse clothes standing at the end of the crowd.
“He’s just a loyal dog I brought along casually.”
“If he’s useful, keep him; if not, kill him.”
Over there, Lu Li stood in the ranks of the Yellow Bone Disciples, quietly looking at the stone steps ahead, without looking back.
He knew what was happening behind him, knew Dong Xiang had looked at him, knew she had asked, “Why did he go there?”
He also heard He Xiuyuan’s reply.
And he heard her say it herself:
“He’s just a servant of mine.”
Lu Li’s eyes didn’t tremble, nor was there a ripple in his heart. Only the mystic bone hidden in his embrace, pressed against his chest, was slowly warming up.
As if in response.
He had originally thought Dong Xiang was innocent and different from others.
But on this day, he learned for the first time:
In this Immortal Sect, “Aptitude” is destiny.
If you are an Earth Bone, they contend for you, respect you, and pave the way for you;
If you are a Yellow Bone, they mock you, belittle you, and send you to gamble with life and death.
And he was just a “servant.”
He lowered his head, a barely perceptible curve on his lips.
Softly:
“I will go to Guiyun Peak.”
“But not because you told me to.”
“It’s because — I want to show you all that a Yellow Bone can also kill their way to the top of the mountain.”