Chapter 56: The Tang Clan’s Prodigy

The teleportation array delivered Yun Jiao and the others to a small mountain village, clearly beyond the boundaries of Xuan City. An elderly farmer-looking man was already waiting at the entrance. When dozens of cultivators suddenly appeared, his face lit with relief, and he hurried forward.

“Immortal masters, you’ve finally arrived.”

The old man grinned broadly and stepped aside to lead them in.

“Please, please come. With you here, our Four Seasons Village will finally know peace.”

“Elder, may we ask what exactly has happened in the village?”

someone asked quickly. Everyone knew that the third exam involved real missions — but the specifics had to be investigated on-site. The candidates had three days total.

“It’s not the village itself — it’s the mountain behind it.”

The old man pointed toward a tall peak looming behind the houses, his face darkening.

“That mountain is where our ancestors are buried. On the first and fifteenth of each month, we villagers go to pay respects. But a few months ago, a horde of wild ghosts began haunting the place at night, harming anyone who dares approach. Now, no one dares climb the mountain.”

The cultivators’ eyes brightened in realization. So the third exam was about subjugating these wild ghosts. Some were eager already.

“Elder, no time to waste — lead the way!”

someone called.

The old man nodded and guided them into the village. Yun Jiao couldn’t shake the feeling that the air here was oddly chilly — colder than outside.

The village was small, maybe fifty or sixty households. As the procession entered, curious villagers peeked out, eyes full of wonder, scrutiny… and even excitement.

Finally, the old man stopped at the base of the looming mountain and said gravely:

“This is the Ancestral Mountain.”

The forested slope was dense and shadowed, facing away from the sun. Even at noon it felt ominous. At the trailhead, several demon-suppressing talismans had been pasted, forming a faint barrier — clearly the work of the Celestial Master Hall to protect villagers while turning the area into an exam site.

After giving directions, the old man headed back, likely following the Hall’s instructions. He mentioned some empty huts at the mountain’s base for rest — candidates had three days, after all.

The group thanked him and began their climb. It was noon, bright and hot — a time when normal ghosts avoided appearing. Most candidates were just scouting the terrain.

The old man in Yun Jiao’s team was visibly on edge. Ever since he’d teamed up with this girl, every mission had ended up with powerful evil spirits showing up. He nervously gripped his talisman, nudged Yun Jiao and whispered:

“Girl, do you see anything?”

“Nothing.”

Yun Jiao shook her head. Oddly, the woods felt… clean. No dark yin aura, no lurking shadows. She wondered if the Celestial Master Hall had messed up the assignment.

The old man exhaled heavily.

“Good. No powerful ghosts, then — that’s why none appear in daylight.”

They scouted the mountain and found nothing. Everyone relaxed. Shao Xian suggested returning to the huts to rest and tackle the ghosts after dark. No one objected. On their way down, they passed other teams — all empty-handed.

The four picked an empty hut. Inside was bare except for dry straw on the floor. They’d returned early; only a dozen others were resting, sitting in small clusters and chatting quietly.

They paid no mind and were settling when Shao Xian suddenly froze. His eyes widened with joy as he stared at someone by the right window.

“Senior Brother Tang Chen! You’re here too?!”

The group turned and saw a young man at the window looking back. Yun Jiao blinked — wasn’t this the poor guy she’d tricked into paying three hundred taels in rent a few days ago?

Bai Yu and the others stared too; the crowds had hidden him before, but apparently he was also in the third exam — and in the same batch. What a fate bound by silver!

“Senior Brother Tang, I didn’t expect you to take the upper exam too! The clan head thought you’d gone missing and was searching everywhere!”

Shao Xian rushed forward, clearly familiar with him.

Tang Chen’s gaze flicked to Yun Jiao and her friends, his brows furrowing, before landing on Shao Xian.

“You are… the new disciple the Third Elder just took in?”

“Yes, I’m Shao Xian!”

he nodded eagerly, then urged,

“Senior Brother Tang, disappearing like that worried the whole Tang family!”

Tang Chen’s brows tightened further, eyes flashing with irritation.

“None of your business! You’re just an outsider disciple — do you think you can meddle in my affairs?”

“No, Senior Brother, you misunderstand—”

Shao Xian tried to explain, but—

“Enough!”

Tang Chen cut him off sharply.

“I know what I’m doing. You came for the upper exam, didn’t you? Focus on that.”

“…Oh.”

Seeing Tang Chen’s cold impatience, Shao Xian could only nod and stop pushing.

But Tang Chen’s eyes lifted again, this time falling on Yun Jiao and the others. His expression darkened further. He couldn’t help asking:

“Why aren’t you teaming with the other Tang disciples?”

Normally, Tang candidates stuck together, which was why he’d avoided them. Yet here was one breaking tradition.

“Oh, they’re old friends I happened to meet, so we decided to team up.”

Shao Xian explained. Seeing Tang Chen alone, he hesitated, then offered:

“Senior Brother, haven’t you joined a team yet? Want to… join ours?”

“No need!”

Tang Chen refused instantly — still remembering those three hundred taels. He shot the trio a warning glare and added to Shao Xian:

“Be careful teaming with them.”

Shao Xian missed the sarcasm entirely and smiled, pointing at Yun Jiao.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother — Daoist Yun is amazing.”

“Suit yourself.”

Tang Chen snorted and turned to leave — but after two steps, he suddenly froze. He whipped around sharply, eyes wide.

“Yun?! You said she’s Yun?”

Startled by his sudden reaction, Shao Xian instinctively took a step back but still nodded.

Tang Chen’s eyes widened further, disbelief flooding his face as he stared at Yun Jiao.

“You’re… Yun Jiao? The first place in the second exam?!”

“Mm.”

Yun Jiao nodded, puzzled. Is that such a big deal?

Tang Chen stood stunned, emotions flickering wildly — anger, unwillingness, frustration — before finally letting out a cold snort.

“Hmph! Just you wait!”

With that, he spun on his heel and stormed off, fury radiating.

Yun Jiao: “……”

What…? Did I offend him somehow?

(End of Chapter)