Chapter Forty-Two: The Fifth Mountain

Hearing Zhao Xiaobai’s account, Wang Ran became interested as well.

The little junior sister asked, “Senior Brother Xiaobai, how many spots are there in this Enforcement Hall recruitment?”

Zhao Xiaobai folded his fan with a snap and held up four fingers. “Four.”

Wang Ran stroked his chin. “When’s the selection? How will they choose?”

Zhao Xiaobai smiled slightly. “In three days. The selection will be held at the Enforcement Hall’s outpost on the Fifth Southern Peak. Only disciples who have reached the second level of Foundation Establishment may participate. Beyond a test of martial prowess, which has minimum requirements, there’s also a written examination on sect rules and lore. Only those who rank in the top four in both tests can become disciples of the Enforcement Hall.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ran, who had never heard these rules before, was quite intrigued. So there was a written test in addition to the martial trial—the written part was truly unexpected.

But he was not worried. Before crossing into this world, he’d been the top scorer in the college entrance exams, a star student from a renowned university. This trivial written test was nothing to him. As for the martial trial, he was even less concerned. He could face the selection with full confidence.

Zhao Xiaobai continued, “Currently, the sect has more than four hundred ordinary inner disciples. Of those, only a bit over two hundred meet the requirements to participate in the Enforcement Hall selection, and not all of them are interested. I estimate, at most, no more than a hundred and eighty will actually take part.”

“To be chosen as one of four from a pool of a hundred and eighty isn’t that hard. The three of us are all among the sect’s prodigies—claiming the top three spots shouldn’t be difficult.”

The little junior sister looked surprised. “I’m participating too?”

Zhao Xiaobai laughed. “You’re a prodigy with a seven-star Foundation Establishment and have a shot at becoming a core disciple. Don’t you want to join?”

Her cheeks flushed red, and she whispered, “If Senior Brother is going, I’ll go too. I want to be by your side!”

Wang Ran couldn’t help but laugh, fondly patting Yan Wanrou’s small head. “Good junior sister, then let’s all go together. And with Brother Xiaobai as well, the three of us will join the Enforcement Hall.”

At that, Wang Ran remembered something. “By the way, will Ye Cang and the others participate?”

Zhao Xiaobai gave a wry smile. “Ye Cang has long since become a member of the Enforcement Hall, as has Beiming Lie. Nearly all the early inner disciples who were prodigies are already there.”

Wang Ran realized then that Ye Cang, having joined the inner sect earlier and being set on becoming a core disciple, would certainly have entered the Enforcement Hall long ago.

Zhao Xiaobai, not yet finished, explained further, “Brother Wang, when we enter the Enforcement Hall, we must stay united.”

“Oh?” Wang Ran glanced at him.

Zhao Xiaobai’s expression became serious. “Those who make it into the Enforcement Hall are all sect elites, proud and ambitious, and each aims to become a core disciple. Within, there’s both open and hidden rivalry; factions form, dividing up the Hall’s resources and territory.”

“As I understand it, there are dozens of factions in the Enforcement Hall, but the four most powerful are the Azure Alliance led by Ye Cang, the River Alliance led by Meng Jiang, the Northern Dipper Alliance led by Beiming Lie, and the Chu Alliance headed by Chu Yingxuan!”

“The Enforcement Hall is like a gathering of dragons, tigers, serpents, and elephants, with each force entrenched. As newcomers, we’ll find it hard to gain a foothold unless we stand together—lenient within, ruthless without. Only then can we secure our place!”

As Zhao Xiaobai spoke, he analyzed the situation for Wang Ran and the others.

By the end, Wang Ran found himself deeply intrigued by the Enforcement Hall.

So that was where the sect was most exciting!

Only there could he show his true potential; only among those elite disciples could he test himself!

All the sect’s sharpest power was gathered there!

At this point, the three exchanged glances, understanding each other’s intentions.

They were determined to seize spots in the Enforcement Hall!

The most innocent of them, the little junior sister, propped her chin and asked a key question: “But, Senior Brother, what’s on the written test?”

Zhao Xiaobai smiled, and with a flick of his hand, produced a stack of scrolls. “I’ve already prepared everything for you. Here are the most comprehensive sect rules, and a hundred classic poems. Memorize these, and you’ll pass with ease.”

Wang Ran nodded, indicating he had no problem.

Given his background, mastering these materials would be effortless. Zhao Xiaobai and Yan Wanrou were both well-versed in culture as well—far from being mere brutes. The written test would not be difficult for them.

As for the martial trial, Wang Ran had reached the second level of Foundation Establishment before Yao Jianjia went into seclusion, and Zhao Xiaobai was no concern either. The only worry was the little junior sister…

Wait, she’d only just reached Foundation Establishment. Was her cultivation enough?

He looked up. “Junior sister, is your cultivation up to standard? There are only three days until the selection, and you’re only at the first level…”

The little junior sister, distractedly watching ants scurry on the ground, giggled. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I have my ways—I’ll reach the second level in three days!”

Seeing her innocent expression, Wang Ran was taken aback, then recalled her mysterious background—she likely had the support of some important figure in the sect.

If that was the case, there was nothing to worry about.

With the matter settled, the three agreed to meet in three days at the Fifth Peak before the Enforcement Hall. Zhao Xiaobai and the junior sister then took their leave to prepare.

After they departed, Wang Ran glanced at the thick stack of books on the stone table, his eyes gleaming. Picking up a scroll, he began to read.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

During this period, Wang Ran had thoroughly mastered all the material for the written test and felt fully confident. He no longer had any worries on that front.

Meanwhile, Yao Jianjia remained in seclusion, her whereabouts unknown. She hadn’t appeared even once, and the note Wang Ran had left for her likely hadn’t been seen.

But with Yao Jianjia working hard, Wang Ran couldn’t slack off. Early that morning, he appeared at the foot of the Third Peak, mounted his sword, and soared like a rainbow toward the Fifth Peak.

The Only Me Sect was vast. For a mortal, traveling from the Third to the Fifth Peak on foot would take half a day, but for a cultivator, it was just a matter of moments.

For those adept at sword flight, a single cup of tea’s time was enough to make the journey.

Wang Ran hadn’t cultivated any speed-enhancing techniques, but his sword flight was not slow. In no time, the Fifth Peak came into view.

There, a massive mountain stood out among the others, as if a primordial beast lay crouched, exuding a terrifying, oppressive aura.

This was the Fifth Peak!

The largest mountain in the entire sect, it wasn’t particularly steep, but its surface was jagged with strange rocks and cliffs. Upon those cliffs rose grand and majestic palaces, layer upon layer, shrouded in drifting clouds and traversed by birds.

This was the Enforcement Hall.

From his vantage point on his flying sword, Wang Ran took in the breathtaking scenery. As he approached, he noticed many other palaces surrounding the main hall, each flying a different banner that fluttered in the wind.

The nearest palace to him was several times larger than the Mission Hall in the outer sect. Atop it flew a great banner emblazoned with the character “Chu.” Wang Ran’s heart stirred—this must be the Chu Alliance, led by the inner sect prodigy Chu Yingxuan, just as Zhao Xiaobai had described.

It was indeed magnificent and imposing. After passing through the Chu Alliance’s domain, Wang Ran soon spotted another banner ahead.

When he saw the character on it, his eyes narrowed.

For it read—Azure!