The next morning, during the hour of the Chenshi (7–9 AM)
A faint crimson hue bloomed at the edge of the sky above Vermilion Market, gradually deepening. From the northern horizon, a towering ship emerged, its massive frame gliding forward and casting a long shadow over half the market.
Atop the ship flew a giant banner bearing a bold black character—冥—marking it unmistakably as a vessel from the Xuanming Sect.
Already, a large number of young cultivators had gathered on the deck.
Chen Jinshu had arrived early that morning with her mother and two elder relatives, waiting on the upper floor of the Lai Xian Inn. The commotion outside drew all four of their gazes toward the colossal ship in the sky.
"Shu'er, look! The people from Xuanming Sect have arrived." Madam Chen Wu's face lit with joy, though her eyes betrayed a reluctant sorrow. The sect was tens of thousands of li away. Once separated, there was no telling when they might meet again.
"I see them," Jinshu replied softly.
"Listen well, Shu'er," said Second Uncle Chen Wentan, slowly lifting his gaze to meet hers. "Never stand out. Avoid rashness. Only by preserving your life can you secure a future."
"I understand, Second Uncle," Jinshu replied. Though her heart was heavy, her excitement for joining Xuanming Sect far outweighed her sorrow.
"I won't say much more," said Third Uncle Chen Huaiyang with a faint smile. "Here—this is a collection of notes from my years as a spiritual herb cultivator. May it be of some help to you."He handed her a small book, clearly something he had prepared in advance.
Though he and Jinshu had only spent two years together on Vulture Mountain, those days had left an impression. She always called him "Third Uncle," and over time, he had come to treat her as his own kin.
"Elder, this is too precious," said Madam Chen Wu, her eyes blinking with surprise.
"Take it," Chen Wentan said. "Brother Huaiyang already sees Shu'er as family."
"Thank you, Third Uncle," Jinshu said earnestly.
For a moment, she was stunned, but under her uncle's warm gaze, she accepted the booklet as if it were a treasured artifact. A storm of thoughts surged in her mind—she hadn't expected that awakening her past-life wisdom would so quickly improve her relationships.
Or perhaps… the people who cared for her had always been there. She had simply been too lost in appearances to see it.
Her time with Chen Huaiyang had been short, but of all the elders she'd met, he was among the few she truly admired. Whether managing Vulture Mountain or handling affairs, he was leagues above the rigid old men of Ningyu Mountain.
Moments later, news spread through the market streets—Xuanming Sect's recruitment test had begun.
Jinshu left Lai Xian Inn with her elders and headed toward the central hall of the market, a structure newly built for the sect's recruitment efforts. After some distance, a long queue blocked their path.
"This is as far as we go," said Chen Wentan, stopping and turning to her. "From here on, it's your journey."
"Thank you, Mother, Third Uncle, Second Uncle—for bringing me here," Jinshu said, bowing slightly to suppress the swirl of emotions within her.
"Go on," her mother said, smiling as she waved goodbye.
Jinshu gave a small nod and stepped to the back of the queue. Before long, her figure was hidden among the newcomers filing in.
"Two years as a spiritual farmer on Vulture Mountain... finally, the day has come." Her eyes shimmered with anticipation, a smile forming on her lips.
As the line moved forward, she eventually saw the testing hall ahead. Two Xuanming Sect disciples stood at the entrance in raven-blue robes, their manner refined and noble, like sons of an aristocratic house.
"The first trial must be an age test. Only those who pass can enter for the spirit root examination."
She noted a restrictive enchantment on the gate—those over twenty were barred. Quite a few cultivators who tried to sneak in were stopped cold.
"Applicants must be under twenty years old! If you're over the limit, don't bother trying to enter," warned one male disciple, his expression cold and distant. With his words, several more quietly left the line, which thinned considerably. Chen Jinshu was still a few months away from her eighteenth birthday—well within the limit.
Soon, she arrived at the age-testing gate. Under the guidance of two disciples, she passed through easily. Beyond the gate was another long line. Many cultivators stood stiffly, tension etched into their features.
"Mortals?" Jinshu blinked. Several people in line showed no spiritual energy at all—likely the children of cultivators. Ordinary mortals couldn't enter the market unless granted rare opportunities.
The spirit root tests progressed quickly, and before long, it was her turn.
"Place your hand on the testing disk," said the disciple in charge, a stern young man named Lu Taoyu. With sword-like brows, deep eyes, dark hair, and crimson lips, he radiated a coldness that made him seem unapproachable.
Jinshu placed her hand on the glowing plate.
Moments later, it lit up in red, green, and gold—with the green light most prominent.
"Triple root: gold, fire, wood. Wood root is dominant. Seventeen years old, fourth stage of Qi Training. Not bad." Lu Taoyu gave her a brief glance, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Among today's examinees, Jinshu's results were quite decent.
"Name?"
"Chen Jinshu." Her voice was calm and even.
One of the other disciples recorded her name. "Follow Senior Brother Li to the ship."
"This way, Junior Sister," said Senior Brother Li, who had been waiting patiently nearby. He stepped forward and led the way.
Moments later, she boarded the spiritual vessel. As she stepped on deck, hundreds of eyes turned her way—there were roughly four hundred other disciples present. She wasn't wearing her Mu Li veil today, but had activated another artifact to hide her features. Still, the attention made her uncomfortable.
"Not a formal disciple yet. Causing trouble would be foolish." With a frown and a cold expression, she walked to a quiet corner of the deck.
The first two trials had gone as expected. But the next part—the Path of the Heart—was notoriously difficult.
Her second uncle had warned her: this trial involved ascending a staircase, designed to test one's temperament and willpower. This year, the requirement had increased. Only those who reached the hundredth step would pass. The time limit was unchanged—three hours.
Failure to meet the step count or exceeding the time would result in disqualification. Along the way, participants would also face illusions targeting their innermost fears and doubts. Final decisions would be made by the elders, based on all three trials.
More disciples began boarding. The sun dipped lower, and the evening clouds above Vermilion Market glowed even redder, painting the skies in brilliant hues.
Looking down, Jinshu saw only a crimson mist below. The details of the market had already faded from sight.
Before long, the disciples responsible for testing returned to the ship.
"Today's trials only determined who is eligible to apply to our sect. To truly be accepted—you must pass the third trial." Lu Taoyu's voice was cold and detached, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd like a blade, striking deep into every heart.
Jinshu felt the chill behind his words.
The spirit ship began moving, sailing northward. As it did, layers of mist rose, gradually obscuring Vermilion Market from view. Ten days passed. The Xuanming Sect's vessel visited several more markets before finally returning to the sect's mountain gate.