I want to tread the heavens

The moment the courtyard gate was closed, it was as if the prying eyes and noisy discussions from the outside world were completely shut out. Sunlight slanted in through the hole in the roof, cutting dazzling spots of light on the dusty ground, and the dust motes danced quietly in the beams of light.

Ling Xiao leaned against the door, standing quietly for a long time before slowly exhaling a breath of pent-up frustration. His tense shoulders and neck gradually relaxed, but his heart was still beating a little fast—not from exhaustion, but because of the two things in his arms: the heavy spirit stone bag and the warm, smooth letter of recommendation wrapped in bright yellow brocade.

Fa Cai walked to the broken earthenware basin in the corner, lowered its head to drink water, and the sound of swallowing was particularly clear in the quiet courtyard. After drinking its fill, it walked to Ling Xiao's side, touched the back of his hand with its wet, icy nose, and looked at him with clear amber eyes.

"Got it. That's good." Its thoughts were calm and certain.

"Yes, I got it." Ling Xiao crouched down and patted its dusty head. He could feel the warm, solid skull beneath its fur, and its restrained intelligence. "Thanks to you."

If it weren't for Fa Cai's extraordinary perception and early warning, they would never have been able to locate the ancient battlefield depression so quickly, let alone seize the initiative before the evil cultivators launched their corpse puppet attack. Fa Cai's almost instinctive aversion to demonic energy and his precise ability to pinpoint its location were key to the mission's success.

He untied his spirit stone pouch, and with a clatter, fifty low-grade spirit stones spilled onto the broken wooden table with a missing leg. The white stones shone brightly, radiating a soft, pure spiritual light that instantly illuminated the dim room. This was the first time Ling Xiao had truly possessed a "stake" of wealth since arriving on the Qingxuan Continent. Fifty low-grade spirit stones were enough for him to live a comfortable life in Luo Xing City for a while, to buy some basic pills and talismans, and even to rent a safer, more comfortable room.

But he didn't look at the spirit stones much; instead, he carefully picked up the bright yellow letter of recommendation. The brocade was cool to the touch, carrying a faint, sandalwood-like scent. He gently untied the golden silk tassel and unfolded it.

Inside was a palm-sized, finger-thick cyan jade slip. The jade was warm and translucent, far superior to the crude goods found at Bianhuangdu. On the front of the slip, the emblem of Luoxing City and the ancient seal script words "Direct Recommendation for the Ascension Conference" were engraved with spiritual light. The back contained his basic information—name, age, cultivation level, and a unique number subtly linked to his aura. Penetrating the slip with his divine sense, he found detailed instructions on the reporting date, location, and procedures, as well as some important notes. Finally, a small note stated: "This certificate represents the City Lord's approval; the holder has passed the initial screening and can directly enter the formal selection process presided over by the three major immortal sects."

"Formal selection..." Ling Xiao murmured. This meant that he had skipped the initial chaotic and brutal preliminary selection process and directly obtained a ticket to a higher stage. It saved not only time and energy, but also avoided countless unpredictable risks and potential underhanded tactics.

But is that enough?

He recalled what Steward Su Mo had said, the tiny, rice-grain-sized protrusion at the end of the cyan jade slip, and the quiet, mysterious Heavenly Mystery Pavilion tower.

"I've secured the direct recommendation qualification, but the 'Guest Elder Assessment' at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion..." Ling Xiao carefully put away the jade slip, his gaze drifting towards the center of Luo Xing City outside the window. "Now, it's time to go take a look."

He didn't set off immediately. First, he took out ten spirit stones and carefully put them into a hidden pouch close to his body for emergencies. He put the remaining forty stones back into his leather bag and hid them in what he considered the most secretive wall compartment in the house, making sure they were well concealed. Then he fetched water and thoroughly washed himself and Fa Cai again, changing into the relatively clean clothes Zhou Tong had given him (although the material was ordinary, at least there were no bloodstains or holes), and rewrapped the broken knife with clean strips of cloth.

Finally, he took out the cyan jade slip Su Mo had given him, his fingertips tracing the almost imperceptible protrusion at the end. After a moment's hesitation, he decided not to crush it. It hadn't reached the point of being "completely unsolvable." He decided to go directly to the Tianji Pavilion branch.

"Fa Cai, you'll have to guard the house this time." Ling Xiao looked seriously at the gray wolf at his feet. A place like the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was probably not suitable for bringing a spirit beast, and it would easily attract unnecessary attention.

Fa Cai let out a low growl of dissatisfaction, his silver-gray eyes fixed on him. "You go. It's dangerous. I can smell something very 'deep' there."

"I know. But this is an 'evaluation,' not a fight. Bringing you along would be inconvenient." Ling Xiao patted its head. "Keep an eye on the house and the spirit stones. If anything goes wrong, you know what to do."

Fa Cai stared at him for a few moments, then finally lowered his head and rubbed against his leg. "Be careful. Come back soon. We haven't eaten the meat yet."

Ling Xiao smiled. "Okay, I'll buy plenty of meat when we get back."

After settling Fa Cai in and conducting a final check of the hidden spirit stones and iron pieces, Ling Xiao took a deep breath, pushed open the courtyard gate, and went outside. The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, and the streets were still bustling. But this time, walking through them, Ling Xiao's mindset was subtly different. With a clear goal in mind, his steps were much more steady.

He returned to the quiet area where the Tianji Pavilion branch was located. The seven-story, dark gray tower remained silent in the sunlight, the stone beasts gazing silently at the sky. The main gate was tightly closed, as were the side doors. There was no one at the entrance; only the soft rustling of the wind through the bushes could be heard.

Ling Xiao straightened his robes, walked to the front door, raised his hand, and knocked on the bronze animal head ring on the door with a light but firm touch.

Boom, boom, boom.

Three muffled thuds echoed far and wide across the quiet street.

After waiting for about ten breaths, just as Ling Xiao thought no one was inside and was about to knock again, the heavy wooden door silently slid open a crack, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. The light inside was dim, and a flat, emotionless voice came from within: "What is it?"

"Ling Xiao, a rogue cultivator, has come to undergo the 'Guest Elder Assessment' at the invitation of Steward Su Mo," Ling Xiao said clearly, while taking out the cyan jade slip given to him by Su Mo and holding it in his palm.

There was a moment of silence inside the door. Then, the door slowly opened a little wider, revealing a young servant in a gray short jacket. His face was ordinary, but his eyes were exceptionally bright. He glanced at the jade slip in Ling Xiao's hand, then looked Ling Xiao up and down, before stepping aside. "Please come in. Steward Su has already given instructions. Follow me."

Ling Xiao stepped inside. The heavy wooden door behind him closed silently, completely shutting out the outside light and noise.

The tower's interior wasn't as opulent or eerie as one might have imagined. The first thing that caught the eye was an extremely tall and vast hall, leading straight up to the top. Above, exquisitely designed stained-glass skylights filtered the natural light, breaking it down into soft, hazy beams that illuminated the tiny, stardust-like specks of light slowly floating in the air. The floor was paved with a dark, mirror-like, exotic stone, reflecting the light and shadow above and the silhouettes of towering, massive bookshelves that lined the walls. These bookshelves weren't made of wood, but rather of some dark silver metal, densely packed with jade slips, scrolls, ancient leather books, and even some strange objects suspended in transparent crystals. The air was filled with the scents of old paper, ink, and cool sandalwood, along with an indescribable, calming fragrance.

It was extremely quiet. Only the faint sound of my own footsteps and the distant, tinkling sound like water droplets falling into a deep pool could be heard. The temperature was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold, yet it made me unconsciously slow my breathing.

The young servant led Ling Xiao silently up the spiraling, suspended stone steps along the edge of the hall. On the walls on either side of the stairs, there were occasional reliefs or murals depicting star maps, mountains and rivers, or abstract and profound patterns. Ling Xiao noticed that when the pendant on his chest passed over some of the murals, it emitted a faint, resonant warmth.

They went up to the fourth floor, where the servant stopped in front of a dark metal door that was unmarked and as smooth as a mirror. He pressed a button somewhere on the side of the door, a flash of light appeared, and the door slid open silently.

"Young Master Ling, please wait here for a moment. The evaluation elder will be here shortly." The servant bowed and withdrew.

The room was a small, quiet chamber, minimally furnished. There was only a jade-white stone table and two stone stools of the same material. The walls were bare, but the ceiling and floor were engraved with extremely complex, yet silently operating, array patterns, emanating a faint spiritual pressure. The atmosphere here was even more concentrated than outside, making one's mind involuntarily focus.

Ling Xiao sat down on the stone bench, placed the broken sword at his feet, and calmly observed his surroundings. He felt no tension, only an almost instinctive vigilance and scrutiny. He didn't know exactly what this "guest emissary assessment" would test, but since Su Mo said it was a "chance" after the preliminary selection, it couldn't be simple.

The wait was short. About half a cup of tea later, the other wall of the quiet room slid open silently, and three people entered.

The leader was an elderly man with white hair and beard, a gaunt face, dressed in a moon-white, wide-sleeved Taoist robe. He held a jet-black cane that was neither gold nor wood, and his gaze was gentle and peaceful, yet seemed to see right through people. Behind him to the left was a middle-aged man with a stern face, a long sword at his waist, and dressed in a dark blue, close-fitting outfit. His aura was sharp, and his eyes were like lightning. To the right was a middle-aged woman with a gentle demeanor, her hair styled in a Taoist bun, and dressed in a light purple silk dress. She held a palm-sized white jade compass in her hand.

Ling Xiao couldn't discern the aura of any of the three. The white-haired old man seemed even more unfathomable than Deacon Fang of the City Lord's Mansion, probably at least at the Golden Core stage! And the man and woman were far beyond the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"I am Mo Yuan, and I hold the honor of being an evaluation elder of the Luo Xing City branch of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion." The white-haired elder spoke, his voice gentle yet possessing an inherent, convincing authority. His gaze fell upon Ling Xiao, and he nodded slightly. "I have read the briefing submitted by Steward Su Mo. Bone age seventeen, early Foundation Establishment stage, a rogue cultivator, outstanding performance in the Ghost Cry Town mission, and a direct recommendation from the City Lord's Mansion. But you?"

"It is indeed your junior, Ling Xiao." Ling Xiao stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and remained neither humble nor arrogant.

"Hmm, please sit." Elder Mo Yuan gestured for Ling Xiao to sit, then sat down on the stone bench opposite him, while the man and woman stood quietly behind him. "The Guest Elder Assessment aims to evaluate the applicant's cultivation level, potential, temperament, and special talents, selecting usable individuals for our Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and providing a basis for resource allocation within the pavilion. The assessment consists of five parts: bone age verification, cultivation level determination, spiritual energy purity, comprehension deduction, and combat simulation. Any questions?"

"No. Please begin, Elder." Ling Xiao said solemnly.

"Alright." Elder Mo Yuan nodded slightly to the woman in the purple dress.

The woman stepped forward and placed the white jade compass in the center of the stone table. The compass was engraved with intricate concentric circles and markings, and a silver needle as thin as a hair floated at its center. "Young Master Ling, please infuse a wisp of spiritual energy into the center of this 'Star-Fixing Compass'."

Ling Xiao did as instructed, extending his right index finger. He carefully forced a wisp of pure spiritual energy, untainted by any stardust properties, from his fingertip and injected it into the center of the compass.

The silver needle trembled slightly, and then the inner and outer rings of the compass lit up with a faint light before finally settling. The woman in the purple dress glanced at it and reported crisply: "Bone age: sixteen years and seven months. Cultivation level: early Foundation Establishment stage, solid spiritual power, stable foundation."

A barely perceptible look of surprise flashed in Elder Mo Yuan's eyes, and he nodded slightly. "Bone age is correct, cultivation level is accurate. Such cultivation at this age is indeed rare among rogue cultivators. Second: purity of spiritual energy." He looked at the middle-aged man in blue.

The middle-aged man stepped forward, said nothing, and took out a fist-sized, crystal-clear "spirit-testing crystal" with flowing mist inside. "Infuse all your spiritual power into this stone and maintain it for three breaths."