As Chu Bai’s figure disappeared around the street corner, the heavy, vermilion-lacquered gate cracked open again.
This time, however, it wasn’t his shrewish second aunt who emerged, but a middle-aged man in a silk robe with a handlebar mustache. It was Chu Bai’s second uncle, Chu Xianghai.
He first poked his head out to look around, and only after confirming his nephew was long gone did he let out a full sigh of relief.
It turned out he hadn’t gone to procure any goods at all; that was just an excuse to avoid visiting relatives.
"He’s gone?" Chu Xianghai asked, stating the obvious.
The Liu Clan matriarch was sitting at the table, pouring out the silver from the blue cloth bundle as if she were handling some priceless treasure.
Hearing her husband’s voice, she didn’t even look up as she said, "Gone. And he even put on a show about going to stay at an inn. I say he’s just putting on a brave front when he can’t afford it."
Chu Xianghai walked over to the table. Seeing the gleaming silver—over four taels of it—and the two boxes of exquisite pastries beside it, his face showed a mixture of surprise and an indescribable, complex emotion.
"That kid... he really came to pay back the debt? And he brought five hundred cents in interest?"
He picked up a piece of broken silver and weighed it in his palm. It felt substantial.
"Of course he did," the Liu Clan woman sneered, her tone dripping with envy. "I have no idea how Chu Xianglin’s family got so damn lucky to actually scrape the money together. If you ask me, they probably emptied their entire savings, all for that kid’s pipe dream of immortality."
Chu Xianghai put down the silver, his brow furrowed. "What did you two say at the gate just now? Did he mention staying here?"
With the registration finished today, he had naturally thought of this possibility.
"He didn’t mention it," said the Liu Clan woman, cracking melon seeds nonchalantly. "The Daoist School exam is tomorrow. It wouldn’t have been a problem for him to stay here for a few days. Sparing a side room doesn’t cost us anything."
"He didn’t mention it?"
Chu Xianghai’s expression changed. "This... Could it be that you were too harsh with your words? The inns are all busy now; the prices must have gone up quite a bit."
The Liu Clan woman was instantly displeased. She spat a melon seed husk onto the floor. "Chu Xianghai, don’t you play the good guy here. Who was it hiding behind the screen, too afraid to come out? Now that he’s gone, you’re acting all generous?"
"What if we let him stay and he fails the Daoist School exam and decides to mooch off us? Besides, people like them, once you get involved, they stick to you like a plaster you can’t peel off. It’s best that the debt is settled and we cut off all ties completely!"
"Me, harsh? If you really wanted to be nice to him, why didn’t you show your face?"
Rebuked by his wife, Chu Xianghai looked a bit embarrassed. He walked to the doorway and gazed at the empty street, hesitating for a moment.
’Should I go after him?’
’Call him back to stay for a few days? At least it would look good.’
But the moment he recalled the poverty of Chu Bai’s family, how they barely knew where their next meal was coming from, that sliver of hesitation in Chu Xianghai’s heart vanished.
"Forget it."
He heaved a long sigh, personally shut the gate, and slid the bolt into place.
’I was already being more than charitable by lending him those four taels of silver last time. Besides, the families are separate now. If we’re cutting ties, then so be it.’
Meanwhile, Chu Bai didn’t go to an inn. Instead, he went straight to the Zhang Mansion in the eastern part of the city.
Although he had just repaid his debt, he knew that at this critical juncture, it was better to pay his respects to his master and do some last-minute cramming than to stay at a crowded and conspicuous inn.
"Disciple pays his respects to Master."
In the quiet room, Chu Bai bowed respectfully.
Daoist Zhang set down his teacup, looking at the disciple before him, who was full of vigor with a reserved aura. He nodded in satisfaction. "Did the registration go smoothly?"
"Thanks to you, Master, everything went well. I enter the examination grounds tomorrow at 7:00 AM," Chu Bai replied.
"Good." Daoist Zhang stroked his beard and smiled. "Since the trivial matters are settled, let me see how much progress you’ve made with your Spirit Water Needle in the past month."
"Yes."
Without another word, Chu Bai turned to face the hard Iron Wood target in the corner of the study, which was specifically designed for testing Magic Techniques.
He didn’t deliberately gather his power; he simply pointed a finger.
SWISH!
Without even a ripple in the air, a nearly transparent Water Needle formed instantly at his fingertip, and in the next moment, it had already appeared on the target.
There was no loud roar, only a soft sound like tearing silk.
The Iron Wood target, tough enough to withstand the sword and saber strikes of a Mortal, was instantly pierced by a tiny hole.
The Water Needle’s momentum didn’t stop there; it embedded itself deep into the blue brick wall behind the target, only slowly dissipating after penetrating three inches.
A sharp glint flashed in Daoist Zhang’s eyes, and he burst into laughter while stroking his beard. "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! You’ve truly become skilled! To master this intricate skill to such a degree in just over a month—I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you!"
He was well aware of the difficulty of this Magic Technique. To cast it instantly required an extremely high level of control over one’s Spiritual Power.
For Chu Bai to have reached this stage, he must have worked incredibly hard this past month.
After his laughter subsided, Daoist Zhang’s expression turned serious, and he gestured for Chu Bai to sit.
"Your Cultivation is sufficient, and your Magic Technique is accomplished. You have enough raw power. But the Daoist School selection is no trivial matter. There are a few key points I must remind you of."
Chu Bai immediately sat up straight, ready to listen with full attention.
"The Daoist School selection is divided into three passes."
Daoist Zhang held up three fingers. "The first pass is Qi Absorption. The examiners will set up a Spirit Gathering Array and have all candidates cultivate within it. This pass tests one’s innate aptitude and compatibility with their Cultivation Technique. You have a natural advantage here. As long as you proceed steadily, your speed of absorbing Spiritual Qi will certainly be among the best."
Chu Bai nodded.
With the boon of his Fate Chart, and having already become skilled with the Small Qi Gathering Technique, this pass was a freebie for him.
"The second pass is Spirit Control, which is basically a practical combat drill," Daoist Zhang continued. "The examiners will release puppets or set up obstacles and require the candidates to destroy them with Magic Techniques. This pass tests comprehension and combat potential. Your Spirit Water Needle has strong penetrative power, making it the perfect tool for this pass."
At this point, Daoist Zhang paused, his expression becoming exceptionally grave.
"As for the third pass... it is called ’Heart Inquiry’."
"Heart Inquiry?" Chu Bai’s heart skipped a beat.
"Correct. This is the most mysterious and also the most difficult pass," Daoist Zhang said in a low voice. "This pass doesn’t test Cultivation or Magic Techniques, only one’s Dao Heart and willpower. An Illusion Array will be deployed, designed to evoke the deepest fears, desires, or obsessions from the bottom of your heart."
"For this pass, I cannot offer you much guidance, because everyone’s Heart Demon is different."
Daoist Zhang looked deeply at Chu Bai. "Remember, during the Heart Inquiry Pass, no matter what you see or hear—even if it’s the tragic death of your loved ones or the moment of your own ascension to immortality—you must hold fast to your true self and not be moved by external things. Only with a heart as steady as a rock can you break through the illusion."
"Disciple will remember Master’s teachings!" Chu Bai promised solemnly.
After discussing the serious matters, Daoist Zhang picked up his teacup and asked casually, "By the way, where are you staying during the selection these next few days? Is it at your second uncle’s place in the city?"
Chu Bai gave a wry smile and shook his head. "My second uncle’s home... it’s not convenient. I was planning to find an inn to stay at for the time being."
Being as astute as he was, Daoist Zhang guessed most of the story just from hearing that. He snorted coldly, clearly disdainful of Chu Bai’s snobbish relatives.
"Inns are full of all sorts of people and are far too noisy. How could that be a suitable place for Pure Cultivation and exam preparation?"
Daoist Zhang waved his hand and said with an air of finality, "For these next few days, you will stay here at the mansion. The quiet room in the back courtyard is usually empty, so you can move right in. There is a Spirit Gathering Array here, and the Spiritual Qi is dense. Not only will it help you maintain your condition, but if you have any questions about the finer points of cultivation, I will be here to guide you."
"This..." Chu Bai was touched, a warm feeling spreading through his heart.
"’A gift from an elder should not be refused.’"
Chu Bai stood up and bowed deeply to Daoist Zhang. "Disciple obeys. I will etch this great kindness from Master into my very soul and will never fail to live up to your high hopes!"
"Alright, go and rest. Get plenty of sleep, and tomorrow morning, I will see you off to the examination grounds."
Watching Chu Bai’s departing figure, Daoist Zhang smiled faintly.
’This child has a resilient heart and knows to repay kindness. I’m afraid this Daoist School selection is about to give Anping County a very big surprise.’

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