Following Wang Bi’Er’s lead, Tang Yi and the others passed through the narrow passage into a side hall. This hall wasn’t as spacious as the main one outside, but it was still incredibly impressive to them because it was so magnificent and opulent.
The walls of the entire side hall were covered in exquisite murals interwoven with countless intricate patterns, exuding a mysterious aura that made Tang Yi’s group gasp in amazement.
In the center of the hall stood a colossal statue over ten meters tall. The statue was neither quite a snake nor quite a dragon; it had wings and a single horn, giving it a very peculiar appearance.
Moreover, the statue emanated waves of a terrifying aura, as if it were not an inanimate object but a primordial beast, pulsing with the very essence of life.
"This is the Spirit Awakening Hall. It’s where the disciples of Dui Palace come to test their Spiritual Power, and it’s also the only place candidates are allowed to enter," Wang Bi’Er explained from the side.
"The Spirit Awakening Hall? For testing Spiritual Power? What a magical place."
Tang Piaomiao exclaimed in awe.
"Sister Bi’Er, now that we’re here, how do we test our Spiritual Power?" Tang Shu asked curiously.
"See that statue? Do you see the grooves on its leg? We just have to place our hands in those grooves, and the statue will give us the answer," said Wang Bi’Er.
"Well now, little one, how do you know so much? Seeing as you’re not in the uniform of a West Mansion Disciple, you must be a candidate as well, right? Have you been here before?"
Just as the group was staring intently at the statue, marveling at it, a voice suddenly rang out from behind them.
The group turned to see an imposing, white-bearded old man who had appeared behind them at some unknown moment.
"Sixth Grandmaster, long time no see!" Wang Bi’Er said, pleasantly surprised to see the white-bearded elder.
"Hm? Why do you call me that? Could you be..." The white-bearded elder looked at Wang Bi’Er for a few moments. She seemed familiar, but for a moment, he couldn’t quite place the young girl before him.
"It’s me. I’m Bi’Er," Wang Bi’Er said.
"Ah! You’re Bi’Er! You’ve grown so big! When I last saw you, you were only this tall, and now you’ve blossomed into a beautiful young lady," the white-bearded elder said in astonishment, using his hand to show how short she used to be.
"Oh, Sixth Grandmaster, that was so many years ago," Wang Bi’Er said, a little bashfully, seeming reluctant to have her childhood brought up in front of the others.
Just then, she remembered Tang Yi and the others, who had been standing off to the side. She quickly made the introductions. "This is one of the ten Hall Masters of Dui Palace, the sixth-ranked Hall Master, Murong Liu."
Then, she introduced her friends to Murong Liu. "These are my good friends. They’re also candidates in the current House Entrance Examination."
"My name is Tang Yi. A pleasure to meet you, Hall Master Murong."
"I’m Tang Piaomiao. Greetings, Hall Master Murong."
"My name is Tang Shu..."
Hearing Wang Bi’Er’s introduction, Tang Yi and the others understood that this white-bearded elder’s status was far from ordinary. They quickly clasped their hands in respect and introduced themselves one by one.
After the introductions were complete and everyone was acquainted, Murong Liu simply nodded without much of a reaction. After all, Tang Yi and the others were merely candidates and not yet worthy of his attention. The only one he truly regarded was Wang Bi’Er; her background was anything but ordinary.
"I was wondering why someone who wasn’t wearing a candidate’s uniform or a West Mansion Disciple’s uniform was here, and who was also so familiar with the Spirit Awakening Hall. So it was you, little one. What brings you here today? To test your Spiritual Power? Or did you come to see this old coot?" Murong Liu said to Wang Bi’Er with a smile.
"It’s not me, it’s my friends. They’ve just arrived at the West Mansion, so they came to get tested and experience the wonders of the Divine Will Hall. Besides, hehe, I didn’t expect to run into you here in the Spirit Awakening Hall, Sixth Grandmaster," Wang Bi’Er explained.
"Is that so? To be honest, I was just bored today and decided to drop by. I never expected to run into you, little one. Since you’re not here to see me and you’re not the one getting tested, I’ll leave you young folks to it."
As Murong Liu spoke, he smiled at Wang Bi’Er and was about to turn and leave, but her eyes suddenly darted as an idea struck her, and she stopped him.
"What is it? Is there something else, Bi’Er?" Murong Liu asked, puzzled.
"Sixth Grandmaster, I’d like to ask you for a favor," said Wang Bi’Er.
"Go on, ask away. As long as you’re not asking for these old bones of mine, I can agree to anything," Murong Liu joked, his tone filled with affection for her.
"Oh, please stop joking, Sixth Grandmaster. I’m being serious," Wang Bi’Er said urgently.
"Alright, alright. What is it? As long as it’s something I can do, I will certainly do it for my Bi’Er," Murong Liu said with a smile.
"Sixth Grandmaster, it’s like this... Can... can you help me open the Six Spirits Gate?" Seeing that Murong Liu was no longer joking, Wang Bi’Er hesitantly revealed her request.
"The Six Spirits Gate?"
Murong Liu glanced at Wang Bi’Er, then asked in confusion, "You’re just here for a Spiritual Power test. Why would you need to open the Six Spirits Gate? Besides, your friends aren’t yet West Mansion Disciples, are they? Only outstanding disciples of the West Mansion are qualified to open the Six Spirits Gate. Therefore, I cannot grant your request."
"Sixth Grandmaster~" Wang Bi’Er grabbed Murong Liu’s arm and wheedled, "They may not be disciples now, but they will be soon! I guarantee it on my honor. They will definitely enter the West Mansion, and they will become outstanding disciples."
"But..." Murong Liu started to say something, but Wang Bi’Er cut him off.
"Sixth Grandmaster, don’t worry about them getting into the West Mansion. Even if you don’t trust others, you trust me, don’t you? I wouldn’t lie to you," said Wang Bi’Er.
"This..." Murong Liu hesitated, glancing at Tang Yi and the others. After a moment of thought, he said, "It’s not that I don’t believe you, Bi’Er, but... there are five of them here. I can’t open the Six Spirits Gate five times..."
"Mm, I know you can’t open it five times, Sixth Grandmaster. I’m not asking you to. Just once is fine. Helping me open it once is enough." Wang Bi’Er held up a single finger and continued to shake Murong Liu’s arm, pleading, "Please?"
"This... For your sake, Bi’Er... alright, fine. I will open the Six Spirits Gate for you once." Murong Liu thought for a moment before finally relenting under Wang Bi’Er’s powerful charm offensive.
"Thank you, Sixth Grandmaster!" Wang Bi’Er was overjoyed and continued to shake Murong Liu’s arm excitedly.
"Alright, alright, stop shaking me! My arm is going to fall off if you keep this up," Murong Liu said, exasperated. "Now, Bi’Er, tell me. For whom do you want the Six Spirits Gate opened during their Spiritual Power test?"
Hearing this, Wang Bi’Er pulled over Tang Yi, who was standing nearby, still dumbfounded and unaware of what was going on. She then said to Murong Liu, "Him. It’s him. Sixth Grandmaster, please open the Six Spirits Gate for him."

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