Chapter Eighteen: Foolish Intruders Peering Into Danger

I walked over, trembling with apprehension, my gaze furtively scanning my surroundings as I secretly calculated where I should flee should my true identity be discovered—where would be safest, where could I escape most swiftly.

"Pass."

"Huh?"

The answer was truly beyond anything I could have expected. I stood rooted to the spot, awkwardly laughing, unable to believe it—this… this was so astonishing to me, a fish out of water.

The disciple who marked the register frowned, impatience in his voice. "Go stand in your place quickly. If you don't wish to take a master, then leave at once. Do not delay others here."

"Leave quickly!"

The people queued behind me echoed his words, urging me on. I turned back, embarrassed, gave them a respectful bow, and hurriedly slipped to the other side, preparing myself to face the third round of examination.

Yun Xiangmoyu turned and took several books from an immortal attendant behind her. Facing the gates, she announced, "These books contain the most basic spells for cultivation. Each of you must rely on your own ability to comprehend them—no whispering or seeking answers from others. Should anyone break this rule, regardless of fault, all will be sent down the mountain."

As her words fell, a blue-robed disciple stepped forward, took the books from her hands, descended the palace steps, and distributed them among us. He then returned to stand expressionless beside the gate.

Yun Xiangmoyu continued, "After half an hour, those who can perform the immortal arts described within may stay. The rest must leave."

At this, the crowd outside the palace gates erupted in sighs and murmurs.

"I can't even recognize a handful of characters. Looking at these pages full of strange symbols really makes my head spin," an elder complained, prompting laughter from those nearby.

Listening at the side, I couldn't help but cover my mouth and stifle a laugh. Opening the book in my hands, I saw a few basic spells illustrated on the pages. It was almost comical—were these not the essential techniques for demon-hunting? For me, these posed no challenge at all; one glance was enough to master them.

After the third round, only five remained outside the palace gates, myself included—a demon among mortals. The rest, each clutching a red egg and grudgingly disappointed, descended the mountain.

By late afternoon, the scorching sunlight had begun to fade. After hours without a drop of water, my lips were cracked and peeling, and my skin burned painfully beneath the sun. Even without opening my robes, I could imagine how ghastly my body must look beneath.

My stomach growled with hunger. I reached out to touch it and glanced up at the palace steps, where bamboo baskets sat atop the tables, filled with smooth red eggs. Just looking at them made my hunger intensify—I wanted so badly to eat, to taste those eggs.

I tried to shift my focus, fearing I might succumb to temptation and surrender, taking a red egg and leaving the mountain. I refused to look at them, turning my gaze elsewhere: the blue sky, the white clouds, the burning sun, and then…

My eyes landed on Purple Lotus and could no longer look away.

Unbeknownst to me, he was already reclining on the long couch, one hand propping his forehead, the other resting by his side. He appeared to be asleep, but the distance was too great for me to see his face. All I could see was the cascade of ink-black hair flowing over the couch, drifting softly in the breeze.

He wore robes of violet, like flowing water, spilling from the couch to the floor. His collar was slightly open, revealing a sliver of pale neck, dazzling in the sunlight.

This… this was far too exposed. My gaze darted left and right, relieved that no one foolishly tried to spy on him.