14: The trial begins, and the sound of the zither fills the air.

"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle."

Qin Tian bowed to Jian Wuhen. He had always been tactful regarding etiquette; he couldn't let Yun Xi and Divine Firmament Peak lose Face while out and about.

After all, Yun Xi was half a parent and half a teacher to him.

As for Jian Qi... Qin Tian ignored him directly.

In terms of seniority, this fellow still had to call him Senior Brother. Moreover, the hostility from just now was real, so there was no need to be polite.

"Haha, Martial Nephew Qin, no need for such formalities." Jian Wuhen laughed heartily.

"Greetings, Senior Martial Uncle Yun." Jian Qi bowed while holding his sword.

A cold light flashed in Yun Xi's eyes, and she let out a cold snort.

A blast of cold Qi pressed directly onto Jian Qi. He felt as if a mountain were crushing him, and with a loud bang, he fell to his knees.

"Tian'er, let's go."

With those words, Qin Tian was pulled away by a wisp of cold Qi, leaving Jian Qi kneeling alone in the empty air... Jian Qi: ... Jian Wuhen's expression darkened. "I've told you many times, no matter how much you look down on Qin Tian, do not show even a hint of it in front of your Senior Martial Uncle Yun."

"It seems you've treated my words as wind passing through your ears."

"But Revered Master, he's just a waste who can't even achieve Fusion with a dao seed. Why do all the Junior and Senior Martial Uncles give him such special treatment?"

"Even Junior Sister Han Qing treats him..."

Jian Qi's Face was full of indignation.

Jian Wuhen raised his hand, dispelling the pressure on Jian Qi, and sighed. "Because his surname is Qin; he is a member of the Qin Family."

"Just because of that?" Jian Qi was even more indignant. "I've never heard of any Qin Family."

"Besides, relying on Family influence is even more shameful!"

"When you are strong enough one day, you will naturally know what the Qin Family means to the Ancient Immortal Realm..." Jian Wuhen didn't want to explain further. With a wave of his hand, he led the indignant Jian Qi away... "Thank you, Revered Master."

Qin Tian smiled. He knew Yun Xi must have sensed that hostility just now and was venting her anger for him.

"There's no need to hold back in the future. Just blast them with your lightning talisman. I will take responsibility for any consequences," Yun Xi said slowly.

Qin Tian was slightly stunned, and a warmth filled his heart.

He felt that Yun Xi seemed to have changed; she would never have said such things to him before.

Although he didn't know what had happened, Qin Tian felt quite good about it.

"Yes, Tian'er understands."

"Big Brother Qin! Over here, over here!"

An excited shout came from the ground.

They had arrived at the main hall of Beixuan Peak.

Qin Tian landed and walked forward with a slight smile.

An incredibly cute figure rushed over like a flying arrow. Looking about seven or eight years old, with hair tied in buns, the Face was as exquisite as jade porcelain, without a single flaw.

Anyone who saw would praise—what a cute little girl.

But, in fact, he was a boy.

Ming Tian of Pill Cauldron Peak, known as the number one Genius of the Dao of Alchemy, with talent unsurpassed throughout history.

"Junior Brother Ming, long time no see."

"Big Brother Qin, I've missed you so much!" Ming Tian looked joyful, then stammered in a low voice, "That... that... I've finished reading the last picture book..."

"Big Brother Qin, do you... have any more?"

"So fast?" Qin Tian was stunned. "Didn't I draw dozens of volumes for you?"

"This kid doesn't do any proper work; he just holds those picture books all day. He's going to drive this old man to death!" An old man stepped forward, scolding him, but there was no actual anger in his voice.

"Greetings, Senior Martial Uncle Chu."

Chu Xiong Yi, the Peak Revered Master of Pill Cauldron Peak, was one of only two Peak Revered Masters among the twelve peaks with higher seniority than Yun Xi.

Because he often went to get some Medicinal Pills, Qin Tian had become well-acquainted with the people of Pill Cauldron Peak over time.

As for the Disciples of the other peaks, he didn't have much interaction with them; he only recognized them and knew their names.

"Greetings, Junior and Senior Martial Uncles."

The various Peak Revered Masters nodded slowly.

"Take your seats; the assessment has already begun."

Yun Xi sat in her designated seat, and Qin Tian stood silently beside her, looking up at the sky.

Suddenly, several profound lights lit up in the sky, intertwining to form a massive image.

In the image, countless young Cultivators were speeding along, departing from Mu Tian City and heading toward the Dao Seeking Immortal Sect.

"I wonder if there are any good prospects in this batch," someone mused.

"Hehe, as far as I know, there is one." The Peak Master of Dongxuan Peak curled his lips and tapped his finger.

The image in the sky shifted, focusing on a young girl surrounded by spiritual mist.

The girl's speed was so fast that she was far ahead of the rest, leading the pack.

"Princess of the Yuhua Imperial Dynasty, Yu Qianxun. Her Feather Transformation Immortal Bloodline has awakened, and she has fused with the Immortal Feather Dao Seed. She might take first place."

[Name: Yu Qianxun

Realm: Dao Entry Realm

dao seed: Heavenly Immortal Feather (Saint Grade)

Special: Female Protagonist Halo]

Qin Tian: "...As expected, another female protagonist."

"Haha, the Yuhua Imperial Dynasty has been silent for many years, and finally, a Genius has emerged!" The Peak Master of Xixuan Peak laughed loudly.

"However, this kid is not to be outdone either!"

The image in the sky changed again. A burly man, built like a giant, leaped into the air. With a single jump of a thousand feet, he instantly closed the distance, following closely behind Yu Qianxun.

[Name: Savage Ancient

Realm: Dao Entry Realm

dao seed: Barbarian God Blood (Saint Grade)

Special: Exclusive Stepping Stone for the son of destiny]

"Uh..." Qin Tian was slightly dazed. "Poor kid... he's going to be killed by Xiao Chen..."

"The Ancient Barbarian Bloodline is extremely rare. This batch truly has some great surprises."

Xu Ying said indifferently, "There's also a boy I couldn't see through yesterday. Please take a look, Senior Brothers and Sisters."

With a light wave of her jade hand, the image changed again, and Xiao Chen's figure gradually became clear.

At this moment, he was carrying a ten-thousand-catty stone on his shoulders, unhurriedly following behind Savage Ancient.

"Eh? The pale blue flame on him seems..."

The Peak Master of Nanxuan Peak murmured, frowning.

Qin Tian opened his mouth to speak.

Although he was mentally prepared, he was still a bit surprised to see Xiao Chen looking so at ease.

"What method did this guy use to withstand the power of the Great Virtue Scripture?"

"It seems he has many trump cards in his hand... I must find a way to dig them out one by one..."

"Tian'er, is this the person you struck with lightning yesterday?"

Yun Xi's voice sounded in his mind.

"Replying to Revered Master, it is him."

"Did you have a grudge before?"

Qin Tian hesitated for a long while, not knowing how to answer.

In the end, he nodded.

Yun Xi's eyes moved slightly, and she spoke no more.

But in those eyes staring at Xiao Chen, an imperceptible chill flashed... "It seems the top three for this session are already decided," the Peak Master of Beixuan Peak said indifferently.

"That might not be the case," the Peak Master of Heaven-Grade Weapon Peak said while sipping tea. "To reach the top three, talent and Physique alone are far from enough."

The Peak Revered Masters nodded. In the path of Cultivation, talent is only the starting point.

Just then, within the image, a moving zither sound rang out, like celestial music.

Everyone was slightly taken aback.

"This... seems to be Fourth Junior Sister's zither music?"

Qin Tian was greatly surprised.

Meanwhile.

In a certain mountain forest, Bai Xiyin sat cross-legged playing the zither, a cold smile curling her lips.

"Xiao Chen, since you want to kill Eldest Senior Brother, then turn into a puddle of flesh amidst this zither music..."

Rumble!

As the zither music rose and fell, the entire earth began to tremble.

The young Cultivators participating in the trial were all stunned.

On the horizon, dust filled the sky, kicking up waves of sand several meters high.

From within the smoke and dust, countless crimson eyes peered out.

Only then did everyone see clearly—

Those were Yao Beasts, tens of thousands of Yao Beasts!!!

"Not good!"

"It's a Yao Beast tide! We've run into a Yao Beast tide!"

"Run! Run!!!"

In an instant, the scene fell into complete chaos...