[Third Person POV]

The elders who had silenced the testing platform’s elder walked toward the Talent Stone. One of them traced his fingers over the cracks that had appeared after Xu Mo had placed his hand on it—according to Xu Mo.

Jingle~

The stone emitted a faint ringing sound, barely audible but still noticeable to those present.

Xu Mo heaved a sigh of relief, thinking, At least the stone is still functioning, right?

Xu Mo looked confused, and Long Chen appeared the same. However, after a brief moment of contemplation, Long Chen seemed to have an epiphany. His expression returned to calm and composed, but his posture subtly straightened, his neck and back now held with greater confidence.

The reactions were similar among those from cultivation backgrounds. While some had an idea of what the ringing sound symbolized, they weren’t entirely sure.

The majority, however, were like Xu Mo—completely lost.

"Long Bai. That is my name. For you, Elder Long Bai."

Elder Long Bai glanced at Xu Mo and spoke in a firm yet composed tone.

White Dragon.

A wise yet terrifying name, thought Xu Mo.

"Elder, I’m not in any trouble, right?" Xu Mo asked cautiously, trying to read Long Bai’s expression.

"Hahaha! I don’t know. Only the sect master can say for sure." Long Bai laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the crowd of young aspirants.

Sect Master?!

Xu Mo’s face broke out in cold sweat.

"What? Are you not happy to meet the sect master? Many wish for such an opportunity but leave disappointed."

"Hehe…" Xu Mo could only respond with a nervous laugh.

"Is this guy with you?" Long Bai asked, glancing at Long Chen.

"A friend I made when I arrived here."

"Oh… but he doesn’t seem like the type to play the role of a true friend."

Before Xu Mo could respond, Long Chen stepped forward.

"Elder, I wish to take the test now."

Seeing that Long Bai was the highest authority present, Long Chen wasted no time in making his request. He didn’t dwell on Long Bai’s remark about his character. His mind was set on discovering his talent and meeting the sect master.

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Long Bai turned to the other elders.

"You old fogies can go back to your abodes."

The elders on the ground—and even those floating in the air—looked at each other, speechless.

"Senior?!"

They were dumbfounded by Long Bai’s casual dismissal. What would become of their reputation if their senior treated them like this in front of the future juniors of the sect?

Elder Long Bai, however, held the highest authority among them. He wasn’t just the eldest but also one of the five strongest individuals in the entire sect.

With a reluctant tch, the elders exchanged glances. After a moment of silent agreement, they scattered in different directions, returning to their respective places.

The testing platform’s elder hesitated before speaking.

"Elder, should I proceed with Long Chen’s test?"**

His voice was barely a whisper. He didn’t dare breathe too loudly in Elder Long Bai’s presence, not after witnessing how easily he dismissed the other elders.

It was clear—Long Bai commanded the respect of even the most arrogant among them. The testing platform elder had met an inner sect elder once before, and that elder’s arrogance made him feel that his own pride was mere modesty in comparison.

Long Bai watched Long Chen step forward, his excitement barely contained. As Long Chen positioned himself before the Talent Stone, the testing platform’s elder stole a few quick glances at Xu Mo.

But his vision was suddenly blocked.

Long Bai had stepped in front of Xu Mo.

His sharp gaze landed on the red marks on Xu Mo’s cheek.

"These slap marks… who?"

Strangely, Long Bai’s mouth didn’t move. His voice resonated inside Xu Mo’s mind as if it were an inner thought given form.

Sensing the lingering traces of Qi on Xu Mo’s face, Long Bai deduced what had happened.

Xu Mo hesitated before responding, "It… was the examiner. But it was my fault. I was talking, and that’s why he did it."

Xu Mo wasn’t afraid of the examiner, nor was he trying to cover for him. But getting arrogant just because an elder wanted to take him to the sect master would be too dangerous. Nothing was certain yet.

If the sect master becomes dissatisfied with my conduct and throws me out of the sect… what use is an invincible cultivation talent if I don’t even know how to cultivate?

Long Bai’s piercing eyes met Xu Mo’s, but before he could say anything, the testing platform’s elder spoke.

"Trash. No talent in cultivation found."

Silence.

The one most shocked was Long Chen himself.

"No… No. How could this be possible? There must be something wrong with the stone. Yes, that’s the only explanation!"

Long Chen was in complete denial.

When he had placed his hand on the Talent Stone, there was no reaction—only an eerie, suffocating silence.

"I want to retake the test! Just one more chance! Please!"

"No."

"No."

The second refusal came from Long Bai.

"Retaking the test is against the rules. And even if you retook it, the result wouldn’t change."

Long Bai’s voice remained calm, but his words were absolute. He had seen this reaction countless times before.

Xu Mo remained silent. He had no deep connection with Long Chen, so he didn’t feel the need to interfere.

Long Chen, however, turned to Xu Mo with pleading eyes.

Xu Mo ignored him.

Then, suddenly—

"It must be because of Xu Mo! Yes! He damaged the stone, making it malfunction!"

Hiss!

Gasps echoed throughout the testing platform.

Long Chen had openly blamed Xu Mo. But everyone had witnessed how the stone worked perfectly when Long Bai had placed his hand on it.

Long Bai turned to Xu Mo.

"You decide, Xu Mo."

Xu Mo, who had been absentmindedly admiring the sky, felt everyone’s gaze shift toward him.

He looked at Long Bai. Then at Long Chen. Then at all the eyes waiting for his response.

He sighed.

I just wanted to cultivate peacefully… and become strong enough to take revenge—if, by then, my emotions were still in turmoil.