Chapter 70: Red Mountain

Kyrian walked slowly through the stone square. His eyes wandered over the sea of youths in a trance.

With every step he took toward the stage, he noticed that some had already lost their strength and collapsed to the ground, breathing with difficulty.

While others remained standing, their foreheads furrowed. He was the only one completely awake, his blue eyes reflecting a clarity that set him apart from the rest.

On the stage, the elder gave a faint smile upon seeing Kyrian approach.

“Congratulations, young one. You are the first to pass.”

“Tell me, how did you do it?” The elder’s voice came heavy, yet clear.

Kyrian only shrugged, indifferent. And answered without hesitation.

“Probably… because of my eyes.”

The elder narrowed his eyes, examining him more closely.

“Hm… interesting.”

Kyrian then looked around at everyone and at Yanyu in the center of the crowd. He frowned slightly.

“What exactly does this mirror do?”

“It places the mind in situations created from each one’s heart. Dreams, illusions, desires, and fear.”

“There is no use in having talent if one does not have the will required to overcome it. The mirror simply reveals those who do not have enough determination to step onto the true path of cultivation.”

As they spoke, another youth began to regain consciousness. Kyrian glanced, curious.

Many had already collapsed, crying or fainting, unable to withstand the pressure.

But some resisted. Two minutes later, it was the crown prince who opened his eyes. He took a deep breath, his ugly expression adjusting to the scene.

When he realized the situation, his eyes quickly lifted to the stage. And there he saw Kyrian, already awake and calm, as he conversed with the elder.

’So… not only did he resist, but he passed before me… and by the way he is so calm, it was much faster…’ the thought passed through the prince’s mind.

But instead of envy, what arose was conviction. His choice to approach Kyrian and help him had been correct. Without hesitation, he too stepped onto the stage when he was called.

Kyrian followed him from the corner of his eye. The prince maintained his usual calm posture. But Kyrian noticed the faint glimmer of respect in his eyes.

Minutes later, after a few more climbed the stage, a new figure stirred. Mu Yanyu slowly opened her eyes. A small tear slid down her face. But she wiped it away firmly.

As she lifted her head, her steps showed a new determination. She climbed onto the stage, standing by Kyrian’s side. Without saying a word. He looked at her for an instant and simply nodded.

She gave a small smile.

And so it continued. Youth after youth awoke. But with every minute that passed, many others were eliminated.

Some collapsed without strength. Others remained trapped in illusions, unable to free themselves. In the end, after fifteen minutes, all who were still in a trance were removed. Those who had awakened before that, remaining on their feet, were considered approved.

On the stage, ten rows of ten people each were formed. Kyrian was naturally the first of the first row.

The elder stepped forward and announced.

“All of you have passed the preliminary test. Now, it will be the true exam.”

Saying this, he brought his fingers to his lips and blew a sharp, piercing whistle.

The sound cut through the air, and, almost immediately, a chorus of howls echoed from the skies. Kyrian raised his face and saw shadows descending at high speed.

Five enormous flying beasts broke through the clouds, their wide wings beating, covered in gleaming yellow feathers. Their bodies were long, and each one bore two powerful curved horns upon its head.

The impact of their landing on the square made the wind whip through everyone’s hair. Some stepped back instinctively.

Kyrian narrowed his eyes. Curious.

“What are these creatures?”

“They are Golden-Horned Winged Beasts. Raised and tamed by the Verdant Sword Sect. They will take you to the exam,” the elder explained.

Kyrian advanced without hesitation. He approached the first bird, his eyes fixed on the horns. He extended his hand and touched one of them, only to satisfy his curiosity.

“Careful!” The elder was about to warn, but stopped. The beast did not react. It simply accepted the touch, its wings folded in silence.

Kyrian gave a faint smile and climbed onto the beast’s back. Soon, Yanyu left her row and followed Kyrian, sitting by his side. The elder noticed but did not mind.

One by one, the youths boarded the five beasts. The crown prince also climbed on, maintaining his calm and distant posture.

When everyone was ready, Elder Li Yuan leapt onto the same beast where Kyrian was. With another whistle, the five birds flapped their wings and took flight.

The air was violently cut through. Many youths screamed or clung to the feathers with all their strength. Kyrian, however, revealed a faint smile.

The cold wind against his face was invigorating. It reminded him of when he had left for the tournament mounted on Shadow. That sensation was truly good.

’Could I have one of these beasts in the future?’ Kyrian wondered, thinking that perhaps, if he stood out enough, the sect might grant him a flying beast.

At his side, Yanyu held firmly onto his arm, her body trembling as she tried to stabilize herself. She clutched his left arm tightly, breathing deeply.

For her, it was safer to hold onto Kyrian than onto the bird’s feathers. Kyrian noticed but did not push her away. He simply waited for her to calm down.

When that happened, she truly relaxed a little. But she did not let go of his arm at all. Kyrian sighed, accepting the situation.

The small fox, in his lap, remained in a deep sleep, indifferent to the world around it. It had already been about fourteen days since it had fallen asleep. Kyrian already bore a slightly worried look, wondering if something had gone wrong. But he decided to wait longer.

“How was the test for you?” Kyrian asked Yanyu.

“Hard… but I passed.” She replied briefly, averting her eyes.

Kyrian, noticing, did not press further.

While some conversed among themselves, the crown prince raised his voice. And asked the elder.

“How and where exactly will the exam be?”

“You will know the details when you arrive there. But as for the place, there is no problem in telling you. The first stage will be held around Red Mountain.”

The name fell heavy in the air. But none of the youths needed to know it.

“Red Mountain?” Yanyu murmured.

The prince, seeing everyone looking at him in doubt, leaned slightly toward her and explained.

“It is an ancient volcano. It has been inactive for thousands of years, but the entire forest around it has become a forest full of fire-attribute spirit beasts.”

“It is a dangerous place within the domain of the Verdant Sword Sect, especially for us with low cultivation.”

Kyrian absorbed the information in silence. Then something occurred to him.

“Elder Li… is there any reward for first place in this exam?”

Heads turned at once, many surprised at the boldness of the question. Some frowned, while others were more attentive than ever.

Li Yuan briefly looked at Kyrian. A small smile appeared on his lips.

’The boy has the ambition required…’

“Yes, the first place will receive two hundred low-grade spirit stones, ten medium-grade stones, ten Qi Gathering pills, and will be able to choose a technique on the second floor of the sect’s Technique Pavilion.”

“This is the basic reward. But, in a few years, depending on the evaluation of the elders and the sect master, the prize may be greater.”

Kyrian’s eyes shone upon hearing the number of stones.

’So that’s it… I need first place. Resources. As long as I have them, there will be growth. As long as I have strength and talent, the sect will provide everything I need.’

Kyrian clenched his fists lightly, his determination to be first and demonstrate his talent growing in great strides.

He thought that, no matter where he was, if he had enough strength and talent, the path would open on its own.

His decision engraved itself firmly in his mind. He was eager for the tests.

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