Chapter 41: Relying on the Martial World Is About...
The enticing aroma of crispy cottonseed pastries wafted through the air, so strong that Li Hao could smell it from afar. These were Uncle Liu’s specialty, made with his own hands.
Though Uncle Liu was just a small-time vendor, his deep-fried pastries were unmatched. The fact that his stall had thrived for years on the busiest street outside the Divine General Mansion was proof of his exceptional skills.
As the aroma spread to the plaza’s edge, Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao arrived to find far fewer young men and women lingering than usual. Most were heading toward the steps of Tangong Academy’s entrance. However, many figures still paused at various food stalls, and judging by their attire, they were clearly from other provinces.
“Visiting Qingzhou once and tasting the local delicacies—it’s a rare treat,” thought Li Hao.
...
Before Uncle Liu’s stall, a long line had already formed, mostly young women with a few servants in servant garb queuing to buy for their masters.
Li Hao pulled Li Yuanzhao to the back of the line and patiently waited.
“Brother Hao, you haven’t eaten breakfast yet?”
Li Yuanzhao asked curiously.
Li Hao nodded.
“Wait here; I’ll get it for you.”
Without hesitation, Li Yuanzhao called out loudly toward the front of the line, “Uncle Liu, make two portions for us!”
His voice was loud and clear, drawing attention from everyone in line. Spotting the two of them dressed in luxurious brocade, exuding noble airs, the crowd quickly realized they were young masters from a wealthy family.
Uncle Liu’s wife, who was busy handling payments and serving customers, glanced up at the mention of Li Yuanzhao’s order. She recognized Li Hao at the back of the line and immediately smiled in acknowledgment. Quickly, she turned to her husband.
“It’s Young Master Hao from the Divine General Mansion! Hurry, prepare two portions for him!”
Uncle Liu froze momentarily in surprise before looking up to see the familiar youth at the end of the line. His deeply wrinkled face broke into a grin.
To small-time vendors like them—people of the ninth tier of society—the wealthy and powerful typically looked down on them with disdain.
But this Young Master Hao was different. He treated everyone equally without condescension. Three years ago, he had even sat on the ground by their stall, helping them sell their goods. That shocking and flattering incident had left an indelible impression on the couple.
“You rascal...”
Li Hao had intended to wait in line quietly but, seeing Aunt Liu smile at him, he sighed helplessly and led Li Yuanzhao forward to wait at the side of the stall.
Nearby, the servants in line glanced their way repeatedly but dared not say a word.
The young women, however, scowled and cast hostile looks.
“Why does he get to cut the line? This isn’t fair!”
“Exactly!”
“That’s so unjust, shopkeeper!”
Hearing the complaints, Li Yuanzhao was about to announce their status as members of the Divine General Mansion when Li Hao pressed a hand to his chest, stopping him.
Realizing he had no other choice, Li Hao stepped forward to address the situation. Though feeling slightly helpless, he smiled warmly at the chattering young women, then pulled out a gold ingot and handed it to Uncle Liu.
“Ladies, no need to get upset. Fairness has been served—I’m paying five times the price.”
Aunt Liu panicked, trying to return the gold. “Young Master Hao, we can’t accept this!”
“No need to give change. Consider it an advance for future visits,” Li Hao replied, smiling gently yet firmly.
Understanding his intent, Aunt Liu no longer insisted and quickly got to work.
“Uncle Liu, five portions, please,” Li Hao added.
“Oh, yes, right away!” Uncle Liu hurriedly responded, burying himself in his work.
The other young women in line fumed silently. Even if they could afford to pay five times the price, they weren’t willing to be made fools of.
Before long, five portions of crispy pastries were ready. Li Hao handed one bag to Li Yuanzhao and carried the remaining four himself as they left the crowd.
“Brother Hao, can you really eat this much?” Li Yuanzhao asked, munching on his portion and marveling at the rich flavor. “It’s delicious! No wonder you like it!”
Li Hao chuckled and returned to their carriage. Spotting Qingzhi and Li Fu waiting near the coach, he handed each of them a bag.
“Young Master, haven’t you gone to the entrance steps yet?” Li Fu asked in surprise as he accepted the food.
“Can’t climb on an empty stomach,” Li Hao replied casually.
“...” Li Fu had no retort. Having followed Li Hao for five or six years, he was well-acquainted with the young master’s unorthodox ways and said no more. After all, they had the invitation letter.
Li Hao walked to the front of the vehicle, where Ming Bo sat on the driver’s seat. Though from Piaoxue Academy, Ming Bo had always been cordial toward him. Li Hao handed him a portion as well.
“Thank you, Young Master Hao,” Ming Bo said, quickly standing to bow in gratitude.
After a brief pause, he asked, “Young Master Hao, haven’t you gone to the entrance steps yet?”
“I’ll go after eating,” Li Hao replied.
Ming Bo was speechless for a moment. Judging by the time, both Yun Shaoye and Miss Zhi Ning were likely already inside the academy. As for this Young Master Hao, he was still dawdling at the foot of the mountain, living up to his leisurely reputation...
...
After filling themselves with food and drink, Li Hao and an eager Li Yuanzhao pushed through the crowd toward the entrance steps of Tangong Academy.
Contrary to its name, the "steps" were a long staircase, rumored to consist of over a thousand layers leading directly to the academy gates.
This was the first challenge of Tangong Academy.
Simply climbing the thousand steps wasn’t too difficult, but along the forested side of the staircase, silhouettes of monkey demons darted about.
These demons, though feral in appearance, were trained by Tangong Academy to hinder challengers.
Those who failed to reach the top within ten breaths after being attacked by the monkey demons were deemed to have failed the first test.
The challenge wasn’t easy. It required strength at the sixth or seventh stage of the Tongli Realm just to climb the stairs, let alone evade the attacks of the monkey demons. It was a true test of agility and awareness.
“Miss, this test seems quite difficult,” a maid holding an umbrella said anxiously to a white-robed girl beside her.
“It’s nothing. This is only the first trial—it won’t stop me,” Si Xiaolan replied calmly, her gaze scanning the crowd. “Compared to this test, there are more formidable opponents here...”
Her sharp eyes discerned several nobles among the crowd, some of higher standing than the Si family, while others were slightly inferior.
“Miss, those two over there seem to be from the Divine General Mansion of Qingzhou,” the maid whispered, pointing toward the left.
Si Xiaolan glanced at the two young men and nodded slightly. “Indeed.”
As she observed them, the two were preparing to register for the trial.
“I’ve heard the Li family are considered true dragons. I’d like to see just how much stronger they are than me,” Si Xiaolan thought, her eyes lighting up with a hint of determined defiance.
“Age, origin, name,” the registration officer asked plainly.
“Jizhou, Si family,” Si Xiaolan replied, only offering her family name. The first trial’s registration process was quite informal. As expected, upon hearing "Si family," the officer glanced up at her, then nodded.
“Proceed. The rules are simple—reach the top within ten breaths by any means necessary,” the officer said.
“Ten breaths? That’s far too long,” remarked another youth in luxurious attire, his tone indifferent.
Si Xiaolan turned to look at the speaker, recognizing him as the scion of another noble family from a different province. Her eyes shone brighter, filled with eager determination.
“Miss, these are all people of illustrious families. Should we wait for the next batch?” the maid hesitated, tugging at Si Xiaolan’s sleeve.
“Afraid? Don’t be.”
Si Xiaolan’s gaze sparkled with resolve. “In the martial world, what counts isn’t one’s family name but real strength!”
With that, she left the maid behind to await her turn and joined the group heading toward the trial.
The supervising elder, sitting cross-legged nearby, opened his eyes slightly and spoke in a calm voice, “Prepare yourselves.”
The gathered contestants began stretching and steadying their breaths, focusing their energy for the trial ahead.
“Yuanzhao, give it your best,” Li Hao said with a smile, encouraging his younger companion.
Li Yuanzhao nodded resolutely, his expression filled with determination.
The others glanced at Li Hao, finding his words oddly casual, but they paid it no further mind.
At the elder’s signal, more than a dozen challengers burst into action simultaneously.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind swept up as Li Yuanzhao’s stocky figure shot forward like a cannonball, leaving a depression in the ground where he had launched himself.
In the blink of an eye, he had ascended a hundred steps, his momentum undiminished as he surged upward like a storm, reaching the top in mere moments.
It took less than three breaths.
For someone like Li Yuanzhao, who had already reached the perfected stage of the Zhoutian Realm, it was hardly a challenge.
Si Xiaolan’s eyes narrowed slightly when she saw Li Yuanzhao’s explosive start. With a burst of power, she transformed into a streak of white light, swiftly following in pursuit. However, despite her best efforts, the gap between them only widened.
A monkey demon suddenly lunged toward her, but she had anticipated the attack. Twisting gracefully like a butterfly, she evaded it with ease and dashed up several more steps, finally reaching the top.
Seven breaths.
As she landed, others began arriving at the summit as well, though some fell short.
After ten breaths, of the twelve challengers, only seven had successfully passed the trial.
The successful candidates gathered at the mountaintop, their expressions complex as they turned to look at the unassuming figure of Li Yuanzhao. Their gazes carried a mix of fear and awe.
The speed at which Li Yuanzhao had ascended was terrifying. Even the wind stirred by his movement carried the force of a tiger’s roar.
“So this is the monstrous talent of the Divine General Mansion? The gap between us is far too great...”
Si Xiaolan stood silently, scrutinizing Li Yuanzhao. The younger boy’s unremarkable appearance masked his extraordinary strength. A pang of frustration and a sense of defeat welled up within her.
Then, someone noticed that of the two from the Divine General Mansion, only one had climbed the steps. Turning back, they saw another figure strolling leisurely up the staircase.
Around him, the monkey demons did not attack.
“Brother Hao!” Li Yuanzhao waved at him cheerfully.
Li Hao soon reached the top, smiling casually at Li Yuanzhao.
“Does that count as passing?” someone asked incredulously.
“He must have exceeded the ten-breath limit,” another murmured in confusion.
The gathered candidates exchanged puzzled looks, uncertain what to make of it.
At the summit, another elder responsible for verifying the challengers opened his eyes and spoke dispassionately.
“All of you have passed. Proceed to the second trial. However, be warned—it could cost you your life. If you wish to quit, now is the time. Many other noble sects are also recruiting.”
The blunt statement left the group speechless, though they couldn’t ignore the elder’s confidence.
“Does he count as passing?” Si Xiaolan asked with a frown, pointing at Li Hao.
“Of course. He holds an invitation,” the elder replied calmly.
“An invitation?”
“An invitation to Tangong Academy?”
The revelation stunned the crowd. Clearly, this was news to them.
While they had struggled to ascend the stairs, someone had simply walked in with a ticket? And it wasn’t just any ticket—it was personally issued by Tangong Academy!
Li Hao, noticing Si Xiaolan’s righteous demeanor, smiled mischievously. He pulled the invitation from his robe and waved it playfully before walking away.
Si Xiaolan stood frozen for a moment, recalling her earlier words about relying on skill rather than one’s name.
“Skill, my foot!” she muttered, stomping the ground in frustration before hurrying after him.
...
Before long, the group arrived at the second trial.
Ahead of them was a sheer cliff, and below it hung chains stretched across a deep chasm, linking to the opposite side.
Each chain was spaced far enough apart that one could only stand on a single link at a time.
A bottomless abyss loomed beneath.
Traversing the gorge on these chains was clearly the second test.
Several challengers hesitated, their faces pale as the thought of retreat crossed their minds.
Si Xiaolan narrowed her eyes, her palms damp with sweat. Still, her gaze flicked toward the two noble figures ahead.
“This time, they can’t rely on invitations, can they?” she thought with a slight smirk.