Chapter 101: The Spring Examination

At the summit of Tidewatch Mountain, the beast horde was still thundering eastward across the Eastern Ancestral Continent.

Suddenly, an imperceptible wave of spiritual energy flickered silently before everyone’s eyes—soundless and unseen.

The elderly man, with the air of a transcendent immortal, wore a bewildered expression before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud. Even in his final moments, his eyes reflected utter disbelief.

Only then did the gathered crowd turn their gaze toward the scene.

“Daoist Immortal Finger,” whispered a graceful woman, stepping back two paces, her eyes wide with horror. “A single finger kills—truly terrifying.”

A handsome man narrowed his eyes slightly but remained silent, watching the slender figure descend the mountain.

The elegant woman asked, “What shall we do?”

He looked at her coldly and said, “He brought it upon himself. He’s dead—do you intend to avenge him?”

A faint smile curved the woman’s lips. “Death is death. I’m no one to him. But as for the reward this time, the two of us shall—”

“Split it,” he interrupted.

“Agreed.”

They exchanged a smile, utterly indifferent to the fate of a friend they had once been close to.

...

Returning to the Yang family estate from Tidewatch Mountain, it was already deep into the night.

After parting ways with Yang Pan’er, Shen Yu did not rest but instead sat silently on a stone bench beside a pond, lost in thought.

Perhaps due to the recent end of the beast horde, the sky was clear and cloudless, studded with countless stars.

It was as if the veil between heaven and earth had been utterly shattered, leaving the spiritual energy pure and unusually dense.

Shen Yu closed his eyes gently.

After half an hour, hurried footsteps approached from afar.

Two figures appeared from the shadows.

The elder servant led the way, followed by a richly dressed middle-aged man.

The man’s face was stern, exuding the commanding aura of a person in power—undeniably, his identity was clear.

He was Yang Yuanhao, head of the Yang family and manager of the Four Seas Trading Company.

“I earnestly beseech the Immortal Master to save my Yang family, and we shall be deeply grateful,” the dignified man said solemnly, bowing deeply before Shen Yu by the pond.

Shen Yu’s expression was calm, showing no surprise at the man’s sudden appearance.

When Yang Pan’er had accompanied him out, the Yang family guards had discreetly followed.

Naturally, the events on the mountaintop had quickly reached the ears of the family head by the time they returned.

Shen Yu had expected this visit but was curious about what the man would say.

“What is the reason?” Shen Yu asked.

As the founder and manager of the Four Seas Trading Company, Yang Yuanhao’s usually decisive nature immediately surfaced.

Without hesitation, he said, “Ten years ago, the Yang family arranged a marriage alliance with the Qingxu Sect—between Pan’er and the sect leader’s son. But the man’s character was vile, and he even sought to seize our family’s assets, so I refused. As a result, they retaliated covertly with underhanded tactics, causing our family business to falter over the years.”

Shen Yu remained silent.

“For two years, I have endured patiently, even retreating into these mountains, but the Qingxu Sect only pressed harder, aiming to seize our celestial jade holdings outside Qianliu City...” Yang Yuanhao paused, then bowed again. “Thus, I implore the Immortal Master to represent my family in the upcoming Spring Trial in Qianliu City, half a month from now, to preserve our family’s reputation within the city.”

Shen Yu said nothing, tapping his chair’s armrest with his right index finger, producing a crisp ticking sound.

Yang Yuanhao remained bowed, his expression tense.

His visit was a desperate hope—a blind cat might chance upon a dead mouse.

The Spring Trial was a martial contest jointly held by the four great families of Qianliu City and the Qingxu Sect every three years, a way to demonstrate each family’s strength.

In the past, the Qingxu Sect always secured first place, with the four families each having their advantages.

The Yang family usually ranked second, but in recent years, due to harsh suppression by the Qingxu Sect, no cultivators dared to represent the Yang family.

Previously, a few unknown wanderers fought but were severely wounded on the field.

Since then, regardless of the cost, nobody dared to wade into these troubled waters on the Yang family’s behalf.

As a family primarily engaged in commerce, the Yangs had few cultivators of any use.

Now, the opportunity to showcase the family’s heritage and strength—once renowned throughout the city and the entire Eastern Ancestral Continent—had all but vanished.

Breaking the silence, Shen Yu asked, “Is it by ship from Qianliu City to Yaochi?”

Yang Yuanhao was momentarily taken aback but replied, “Yes. Because the route passes through the perilous Wuwang Sea at the southern edge of Eastern Ancestral Continent, a special large ship is needed.”

Shen Yu considered this and said, “I want to board the ship.”

Yang Yuanhao gave a wry smile.

Yaochi was one of the nine sacred lands of the world, mysterious and exalted, while the Wuwang Sea was notoriously dangerous, with very few ships plying that route.

Shen Yu remained silent.

After a brief pause, Yang Yuanhao bit his lip and said, “Although the Yang family is not a mysterious noble clan, securing a place on a sea vessel is still possible.”

Shen Yu received the answer he wanted and waved his hand, signaling to leave.

...

Yang Yuanhao and the old servant returned the same way, walking beneath the rain corridor of the mansion.

Moonlight spilled onto the ground, but strangely, it only cast a single shadow.

The old servant, who had served the Yang family for decades, said, “It’s a bit strange.”

“Perhaps what he wants is... too simple?”

Yang Yuanhao pondered. “This man came here without reason, and seems unrelated to those Qingxu Sect people. I thought he valued something in the Yang family and would make high demands, but maybe I was mistaken.”

The old servant reflected and whispered, “Spies say he uses Daoist magic, and the eldest miss seems to be cultivating in the Dao Sect now.”

Yang Yuanhao’s expression flickered. He shook his head. “No need to overthink. I have only two precious daughters in this life. Now that Liu’er is safe in the Dao Sect, it’s a blessing for our family. As a father, I can give her nothing, but I cannot cause trouble either.”

The old servant sighed, murmuring, “Master is kind-hearted. If word got out that the eldest miss cultivates in the Dao Sect, the Qingxu Sect and the other three great families wouldn’t dare act so brazenly.”

“No matter,” the dignified man smiled calmly. “I, Yang Yuanhao, have come this far. If I have to rely on my daughter’s reputation to shield me in any trouble, that would be utterly humiliating.”

...

Shen Yu sat on the stone bench, eyes closed, resting through the night.

At dawn, after casually scooping some pond water to wash his face, he had yet to rise when cheerful footsteps approached from behind.

Yang Pan’er squatted beside him, curious. “Are you really going to participate in the Spring Trial?”

Shen Yu nodded.

“I’ll take you to register in the city,” the girl said, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him up as she headed outside.