651: Chapter 651 Senichi (16)

At the foot of the mountain shrouded in immortal mist, Qin Yun supported Chi Li as they stood up from a patch of soft Immortal Plant.

The consequences of burning the Red Dust Immortal Dao fruit were now manifesting as a sense of sluggishness, slowly flowing through his body.

That Dao fruit of Perfection, once flawless, was now covered in tiny cracks, and his Realm was uncontrollably plummeting from the True Immortal level.

He calmly restrained his Qi, concealing all the abnormalities.

"Hungry."

Chi Li leaned against an immortal tree, clutching his chest, his face somewhat pale.

It was not ordinary hunger, but a void originating from his life Origin.

The cracked Phoenix egg inside him was constantly devouring everything he had.

Qin Yun looked up and gazed ahead.

Deep within the clouds and mist stood a towering immortal mountain with an ancient mountain gate, upon which two vigorous characters were inscribed: Yaochi.

Outside the mountain gate, there was a sea of people.

There were Cultivators riding immortal birds, aristocratic disciples riding in ornate beast-drawn carriages, and, most of all, young Loose Cultivators filled with anticipation.

"Let's go, let's find another place."

Chi Li frowned; he did not like this kind of bustle.

"No need to leave."

Qin Yun looked at the mountain gate, his voice flat.

"Master Qingxu and that black-armored force could catch up at any moment."

"We know nothing about the Immortal Realm. Without an identity or immortal energy, we are like candles in the dark night."

Qin Yun's plan was simple: sneak in, find a place to stay, and then figure out the situation in this world.

Chi Li understood. Although reluctant, he still nodded.

The two restrained their Qi and blended into the crowd.

Just then, a white-bearded Elder in front of the mountain gate spoke in a loud voice.

"Yaochi opens its mountain; the assessment begins."

"The first trial: climb the Heart-Questioning Steps to verify immortal bones and test the Dao Heart."

"The time limit is one hour. Only those who can reach the summit are qualified to enter the next round."

As his voice fell, the crowd surged like a tide toward the white jade steps leading to the summit.

Qin Yun and Chi Li were carried along by the crowd and stepped onto the first step.

As soon as they stepped on it, a heavy pressure bore down on them from all directions.

The spiritual mist permeating the mountain path seemed to turn into boulders weighing ten thousand jin, pressing down on everyone's shoulders.

"What kind of broken mountain is this? Trying to crush me to death?"

Chi Li had only walked a few dozen steps before his forehead began to sweat, and he muttered complaints under his breath.

Qin Yun's condition was even worse.

The effects of burning the Dao fruit made the circulation of his immortal energy extremely sluggish, and every step was more laborious than for others.

He could only suppress his cultivation, barely maintaining a mid-tier speed so as not to appear too conspicuous.

But after walking several hundred steps, the situation changed.

The ancient and vast aura on the Heart-Questioning Steps unexpectedly triggered the Phoenix egg inside Chi Li.

A faint, warm current spread from his chest and surged into his limbs and bones.

The pressure that had been making him unable to breathe was largely neutralized by this warm current.

Chi Li was stunned for a moment, then felt his whole body lighten, and his pace quickened.

He looked back at Qin Yun, who was still climbing with "difficulty," curled his lips, said nothing, and instead picked up his speed.

On a cloud platform halfway up the mountain, several Yaochi Elders were overlooking the people on the steps.

"This batch does not seem to have any particularly outstanding seedlings."

An Elder stroked his beard, looking slightly disappointed.

Just then, another Elder surnamed Sun suddenly let out a soft "Oh" and pointed at Chi Li in the crowd.

"Look at that young man."

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed and saw that Chi Li's speed was getting faster and faster, vaguely showing a trend of catching up to the first tier.

Even stranger was that a faint cyan-gold radiance was circulating around him, resonating with an ancient aura on the Heart-Questioning Steps.

The next instant, a faint cry of a Phoenix, as if coming from eons ago, flashed through everyone's minds.

The faces of the several Elders changed.

"A Phoenix cry?"

"Is it an illusion?"

"No, that aura… it is Phoenix blood!"

Elder Sun's eyes lit up with intensity as he stared fixedly at Chi Li.

"This child possesses Phoenix blood and shares the same Origin as our ancient Yaochi techniques. He must be kept and observed closely!"

He then saw Qin Yun following behind, unhurried, and frowned slightly.

"What about the person beside him?"

Another Elder glanced over and said indifferently, "His aura is unstable, his immortal energy is shaky. He looks like a True Immortal, but his Dao fruit already shows signs of shattering."

"His Foundation is destroyed, his path to immortality is severed. A pity."

Upon hearing this, the interest in Elder Sun's eyes vanished instantly, leaving only undisguised contempt and pity.

"Forget it, just a cripple, nothing to worry about."

"Focus all our attention on that Phoenix-blooded youth."

One hour later, the assessment ended.

In the end, fewer than a hundred people successfully reached the summit.

Chi Li stood in a prominent position; although he was exhausted, his expression carried a hint of pride.

Qin Yun, on the other hand, was mixed in the back of the crowd, his aura plain and unremarkable.

Elder Sun walked to the front of the crowd and announced the list of those who passed the assessment in a loud voice.

He first named a few aristocratic disciples who had performed exceptionally well, then his gaze fell upon Chi Li.

"Chi Li, extraordinary Aptitude, excellent immortal bones. Allowed to enter our Yaochi outer sect."

Upon hearing this, Chi Li lifted his chin slightly and scanned the crowd, as if looking for Qin Yun.

But the Elder's list stopped after reading out more than ninety names.

There was no Qin Yun.

The pride on Chi Li's face froze.

"Wait."

He couldn't help but speak up, "What about that person? He clearly made it up too."

Elder Sun followed his gaze and saw Qin Yun, his eyes indifferent.

"Although this person has the Realm of a True Immortal, his Dao fruit is shattered, his Foundation is completely destroyed, and his path to immortality is hopeless."

"Our Yaochi Immortal Sect does not accept useless people."

This sentence was like a slap in the face, striking Chi Li hard.

The surrounding Cultivators also looked over, their gazes varied—some sympathetic, some mocking, but mostly indifferent as it did not concern them.

Qin Yun's expression was calm, as if he had anticipated this result long ago.

He even shook his head at Chi Li, signaling him not to make trouble.

Elder Sun ignored their expressions; he cleared his throat and raised his voice.

"This mountain-opening recruitment ends here."

"Those whose names were not called, leave the mountain immediately."

As soon as his voice fell.

A cold and dissatisfied voice rang out across the silent summit.

"Elder."

Chi Li pushed through the crowd, walked step by step to the front, and looked directly at Elder Sun.

"I have an objection."

Elder Sun frowned, a flash of displeasure appearing in his eyes.

"What objection do you have?"

Chi Li raised his hand to point at Qin Yun, then at himself; his voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable insistence.

"I do not accept this."