The sky was clear, the weather perfect. Broad daylight with countless eyes watching.

Seraphine’s face went completely blank as she pressed Echo’s hand down, her voice colder than the frost on the ground. “Brazen. Utterly brazen.”

Echo mentally chanted, Do whatever she wants, do whatever she wants, twice while wiping the jade flute with her sleeve. “Sorry,” Echo said, though from her upturned mouth corners, the onlookers couldn’t detect even a trace of actual remorse.

Mu Rong and Xue Mengtao huddled together. “Senior Sister Xi is really carefree and unrestrained,” Mu Rong whispered.

Most disciples would be terrified or at least cautious when being watched by the famous masters from all the major sects on the high platform. They’d worry about embarrassing Luanyang Palace with improper behavior.

But Senior Sister Xi had no such concerns—she remained as unrestricted as ever, completely unbothered by countless pairs of eyes staring at her.

“It’s better to say that she doesn’t care rather than being carefree.” Xue Mengtao said softly. She glanced up at Echo, noting how her hand had lowered but the jade flute was still swaying in her palm, ready to be raised for another enthusiastic performance at any moment.

Xue Mengtao had sensed this long ago—everything in this world seemed like just…… a game to Echo? She viewed the world with curiosity, and the supreme treasures that others desperately sought were nothing special in her eyes. What she truly cared about was only one person.

Xue Mengtao smiled gently, looking at Echo’s other hand hanging at her side. Blue sleeves and golden-red sleeves were pressed together, and beneath them, their hands remained clasped, never separating.

When Mu Rong said enviously, “Such wonderful freedom,” Xue Mengtao chuckled softly. “When your cultivation reaches great heights and no one dares bully you, the sea will be vast for fish to leap and the sky high for birds to fly. Won’t that be carefree freedom too?”

Siyi, listening to their quiet conversation, smiled with satisfaction.

Her disciple had grown so much. As a master, Siyi felt deeply gratified. Since that was the case, she wouldn’t tease Xue Mengtao about crying anxiously when she’d heard her master was trapped. Siyi really was a caring master after all.

Though there was a small incident at the end, the second trial rankings were set.

In the water mirror floating in the air, all names except the top five hundred faded away like they’d been swept by wind. In the venue, some celebrated while others sighed.

Lanzhi on the high platform announced, “The second trial is complete.” After bowing to Ink-Trace Venerable, she stepped aside.

The Insight Academy Palace Headmaster first congratulated the selected disciples, then encouraged those who hadn’t made it. “The path to immortality is long. Entering the Insight Academy Palace doesn’t guarantee the immortal way—that would be putting the cart before the horse.”

“Going forward, I hope you all climb mountains to seek heights and approach seas to seek distance. Let neither countless difficulties change your will nor countless hardships sadden your path. Devote your hearts and strength to walk the immortal road together.”

Everyone in the venue, including the spectators on the stands, bowed together. “Thank you for your guidance, Venerable.”

Echo was half a beat slow raising her hand in salute.

By the time she straightened up, everyone was already standing. Ink-Trace Venerable’s figure had vanished from the high platform, leaving only the disciples led by Lanzhi.

Lanzhi smiled gently. “In three days, please gather here, five hundred junior brothers and sisters, to travel to the Insight Academy Palace together. Once you enter the Insight Academy Palace, you cannot leave except for necessity. Please settle your affairs within these three days.”

So it’s a boarding school. Echo bent down to pick up Nine Heavens, dusted it off, and strapped the sword to her back.

Nothing to do now?

Echo’s eyes lit up slightly. The jade flute spun nimbly once around her fingers before she brought it to her lips, puffed out her cheeks, and began playing, “pffft pffft pffft.”

The disappointed cultivators who hadn’t made the second trial dispersed. Those who had made it were in high spirits, exchanging congratulations.

But when they approached the Luanyang Palace group and heard that mournful flute music, they felt chills down their spines and pain in their skulls, quickly scattering.

There will be many days ahead—surely there’ll be other chances to get acquainted with the champion. Let’s discuss this later, definitely later!

Seraphine’s expression cooled a bit as she brushed wrinkles from her sleeves. Siyi chuckled. “Please think thrice before acting in the future, Palace Lord.”

Seraphine shot her a cool glance, but Siyi pretended not to notice, her smile deepening. “Good thing the Palace Lord only has a flute. If you had suona horns and bronze gongs—wouldn’t that give us all quite the auditory feast?”

“Heh. If you want to listen, I can certainly oblige.” Seraphine said coolly. She was completely cool.

Siyi laughed.

No one else dared tease Seraphine like this. Seraphine reached out and mercilessly covered Echo’s mouth. “Stop playing. No one asked you to perform funeral music.”

Echo said seriously and earnestly, “Dawn and dusk seeking Dao, Morning diligence, evening discipline. Just like practicing sword techniques, only through repeated practice can one learn to use instruments.”

Seraphine raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lanzhi on the high platform, then looked down. “Next time find a secluded place to practice.”

Before you send the living to their deaths.

Humans say: Listen to advice, eat your fill.

Wanting to eat, Echo obediently put away the jade flute and asked Seraphine, “Should we go find Ink-Trace Venerable?”

Seraphine looked to the side, where Zhao Hangyi was introducing Xue Bufan to the Sunset Glow City Lord. Her eyes darkened as she curved her lips and patted Echo’s shoulder. “No rush. We’ll find Elder Uncle Jing after we reach the Insight Academy Palace.”

When the time comes to close the door and beat the dog, why worry about the dog escaping?

Echo curved her eyes. “Okay.”

The group headed toward the guest quarters.

After spending so long in the Secret Realm, someone instinctively tried to fly on their sword. Just as they left the venue, a golden abacus phantom blocked them. The Sunset Glow City Lord, who’d been chatting with people moments before, shouted loudly, “No flying in Sunset Glow City! Violators pay fines!”

“……”

The crowd reaching for their artifacts froze, startled, then relaxed, all casting grateful looks at the brave pioneer who’d been caught first.

The pioneer wanted to cry. “Why is it me again?!”

As Echo passed by, she waved. “Come find me after you pay the fine. Seraphine and I will treat you to dinner.”

Qiu Shuangshuang wiped her tears and reached for her storage ring amid everyone’s good-natured laughter.

From this trial, Luanyang Palace had five people entering the Insight Academy Palace, including Seraphine, Siyi, and Xue Mengtao—all Foundation Establishment cultivators except for Seraphine and Siyi. Though the others hadn’t entered the Academy, they’d gained much in the Secret Realm.

Still, disappointment was hard to hide, so they joined other cultivators in drowning their sorrows in wine.

Qiu Shuangshuang brought Autumn Water Pavilion disciples over—all young cultivators who quickly became merry with drinks, making things quite lively.

A small courtyard separated by a wall had a round table, isolating them from the disciples outside. The five who’d entered the Academy—Echo, Seraphine, Siyi, Qiu Shuangshuang, and Wei Yutong—sat together with relaxed expressions, drinking and chatting.

A little Error had stolen wine from the disciples outside, tumbling over the courtyard wall in red robes, staggering to curl up behind Seraphine in original form, hiding the stolen wine under its belly.

Seraphine grabbed its ears and examined them left and right. “Tsk tsk, how shameless.”

The little dragon pretended not to understand, sliding sideways to rest its head on its good friend’s head, green eyes staring intently at Echo’s plate.

Let the dragon see what the orb is doing.

Outside the Secret Realm it was autumn. Sunset Glow City had yellow chrysanthemums and fat crabs, with spirit crabs raised in the lake for a year selling throughout countless homes.

The table had steamed crab, crab meat porridge, and a basket of crab buns. As a system that loved and respected human food, Echo carefully reconstructed the emptied crab shells on her plate, making them quite menacing with claws and all.

Seraphine was in good spirits, having drunk quite a bit. She leaned against the Fire Rock Dragon, her eyes shimmering, hidden beauty blooming like the chrysanthemums arranged under the corridor, gazing with infinite charm at the woman beside her.

With the dragon’s big head on hers, Echo was forced to keep her head down, fumbling for chopsticks to pick at things on the table. Seraphine personally watched Echo pick up a huge piece of ginger, then use her other hand to pry open the little dragon’s mouth and mercilessly toss the ginger in.

Echo said very politely, “Please eat, please eat.”

As the ginger went down its throat, the little dragon’s eyes closed, showing visible disgust. Small flames sprouted from the tiny horns on its head as it made “gugu gaga” sounds in its throat, turning away to free Echo.

Echo sighed in relief and set down her chopsticks to pat her head.

Seraphine laughed softly, her body trembling. The clear wine in the jade cup between her fingers splashed out, peach blossom fragrance spreading richly.

Siyi looked sideways at the delighted Seraphine, warmth flowing in her eyes as she teased, “Palace Lord, my wine isn’t meant to be wasted like this. How about this—for every drop spilled, the Palace Lord drinks three cups as punishment.”

“Heh, have I mistreated you so badly that you’re holding grudges and seeking revenge?” Seraphine snorted with laughter but drained her cup in one gulp. She propped her face with one hand, her peripheral vision still glancing at the woman beside her.

Siyi poured her more wine, laughing. “I wouldn’t dare! Besides, before I get my hands on the Dustless Gold and Glazed Dragon Shells, I’m absolutely loyal to Luanyang Palace and the Palace Lord!”

Seraphine laughed heartily and clinked cups with Siyi. “Good. Let’s see how you perform.”

When the moon rose above the branches, the guest quarters were filled with the entwined scents of wine and flowers. Qiu Shuangshuang had already collapsed, lying on the table drunkenly asking Echo, “Master, why aren’t you drinking?”

Echo had taken care of most of the food on the table. While others drank, she ate. When others stopped drinking, she was still eating. She honestly told Qiu Shuangshuang, “I probably don’t know how to drink.”

Probably?

Seraphine’s face was flushed like begonia flowers. She snorted softly and turned to Echo. “What’s the harm in one sip? If you get drunk, just go sleep in your room.”

“I can’t. I still have things to do with Water Dragon’s Hymn,” Echo said. Looking down at Seraphine with her moonlight-pure eyes, she spoke gently. “Seraphine, if you want to sleep, should she help you back to rest?”

Seraphine’s heart fluttered. She wasn’t actually that drunk—she could dispel the wine’s effects with spiritual power if she wanted.

But the clear moon and gentle breeze, the faint snowy air mixed with floral fragrance, made her reluctant to move.

“Forget it. I’ll sit a while longer,” Seraphine said lazily. “I’ll dispel the wine and bathe before resting.”

“Okay.” Echo nodded, stuffing a crab bun in her mouth and standing with puffed cheeks. “Then I’ll go play with Water Dragon’s Hymn first. It’ll take some time—you don’t need to wait for me.”

Seraphine frowned with displeasure. What’s so fun about playing with a spear? Wouldn’t playing with her be better?

But knowing Echo was fulfilling her promise to Water Dragon’s Hymn, she grudgingly hummed and said, “Go early, return early.”

Echo curved her eyes, leaned down to press her forehead against Seraphine’s, and looked into her eyes. “You’ve worked hard recently. Please rest well.”

Who knows who’s really worked the hardest? Seraphine thought to herself, the flush on her face covering the wine’s heat as she stared at Echo’s retreating figure. Only after Echo disappeared into the moonlight did she look away.

In the quiet courtyard, Siyi was first to chuckle softly, just drinking without speaking.

Qiu Shuangshuang changed positions and looked at Seraphine, calling out with slurred words and a silly grin, “Master…… Master’s wife! Hehe!”

Wei Yutong, sitting beside Qiu Shuangshuang, was first shocked, then suddenly understood.

“I see……”

Seraphine’s face was red and her heart hot, but she maintained a calm expression. “The road is long and difficult, the burden heavy and the way far. Before that, just pretend you know nothing.”

Laughter from beyond the wall reached the four of them. The two at the table chuckled and clinked cups with Seraphine.

Wei Yutong smiled. “Alright, but I see the Palace Lord and Senior Xi are intimate—why not just break through that paper barrier?”

“……No.” Seraphine narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “She’s a blockhead. I’ve hinted so many times, but she can’t understand matters of the heart. Hmph, I want to see when she’ll finally realize.”

But if she does realize— Seraphine drank her wine, a determined gleam flashing in her eyes.