Chapter Twelve: You’ve Passed the Test

Chapter Twelve: You’ve Passed

Standing by the window with his hands clasped behind his back, Elder Tianhe gazed out at the mist-laden view, as if lost in distant thoughts, listening to the rain. On the visible half of his face, a subtle, indescribable complexity surfaced. He spoke without turning, as though he had eyes in the back of his head, observing Fang Junmei’s every move.

Fang Junmei’s pupils tightened as he heard the news of the broken Sword of Yearning, recalling the deceased old man who carried the sword. Guilt washed over him, and he felt a surge of hatred toward the blue-robed youth who had attacked him. Straightening, he noticed the Three-Life Divine Stone still in his hand and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He stepped off the bed, dressed, and saw not only was he uninjured, but even his old wounds had healed without a scar. Amazed, he wondered if a long time had passed, or perhaps he had been treated with miraculous elixirs.

“You, boy, have courage. Though a mortal, you stood before so many cultivators, speaking boldly and even daring to draw your sword. I like that,” Elder Tianhe said, turning toward Fang Junmei with an uncommonly amiable smile.

“Thank you, senior, for sparing my life. May I ask how long it has been since I lost consciousness?” Fang Junmei bowed respectfully.

“One month,” Elder Tianhe replied. “I let you sleep a few extra days.”

“You must have used some celestial medicine to heal me, otherwise such grave wounds could never recover so quickly,” Fang Junmei said.

Elder Tianhe praised him again, “Quick-witted as well.” The look he gave Fang Junmei grew even more pleased.

“Thank you, senior.” Fang Junmei thanked him once more. Seeing the old man’s gentle demeanor, he relaxed. He vaguely sensed that, though he’d missed the chance with the Luofu Sword Sect, perhaps fate would grant him entry under this elder.

Elder Tianhe seemed to pierce his thoughts, chuckling, “Don’t thank me yet. I have a few questions for you. If even half your answers fail to satisfy, I’ll kill you on the spot!”

As his words fell, an inexplicable chill swept in from every direction, like invisible sword auras trapping Fang Junmei at the center.

Such mastery of the sword!

Fang Junmei sensed the anomaly and was shaken. His gaze drifted into the void, as if seeing countless swords. His pupils blossomed in awe, entranced, and he could hardly attend to Elder Tianhe’s words.

Elder Tianhe watched him, helplessly bemused, but grew cold again. With a thought, the invisible sword aura intensified, exuding a deadly chill like polar ice.

Fang Junmei trembled, snapping back to himself. He smiled awkwardly, then quickly said, “Please ask, senior. I will answer without reservation.”

“That’s good,” Elder Tianhe nodded calmly. “Who are you? Why did you appear on Luofu Mountain?”

His eyes, sharp as blades, fixed on Fang Junmei, threatening to penetrate his very soul.

Fang Junmei felt his skin crawl under the gaze. After a brief thought, he explained his origins—there was nothing to hide, except omitting the matter of the Three-Life Divine Stone, his master’s final secret.

Elder Tianhe listened intently, occasionally probing with incisive questions. If Fang Junmei lied, he would surely be caught.

“You, a mere mortal, how did you cross the territory infested with beasts to ascend Luofu Mountain?” Elder Tianhe finally asked.

Despite witnessing Fang Junmei’s peerless martial skill, Elder Tianhe still found it hard to believe.

Not wishing to reveal the Divine Stone, Fang Junmei smiled bitterly, “Perhaps I was just lucky. By the time I reached Luofu Mountain, I was already battered and bruised.”

Elder Tianhe said nothing, staring deeply into Fang Junmei’s eyes, which grew ever colder.

“You’re lying!”

The thunderous accusation exploded in Fang Junmei’s ears, making his eardrums ring and his mind reel. Though Elder Tianhe spoke briefly and sharply, the words carried mysterious power.

After the sound faded, Fang Junmei felt even colder, a prickling pain arising on his skin, as if he could be killed at any moment.

“Boy, confess. How exactly did you get up the mountain?” Elder Tianhe demanded coldly, as though he’d spotted a glaring flaw.

Fang Junmei’s scalp tingled; he had no idea what he’d said wrong. But he was no ordinary mortal, battle-hardened and composed in danger. His mind raced, and he answered, “Senior, I truly fought and fled my way up. Perhaps the spirits of Luofu Sword Sect ancestors protected me.”

“Nonsense. You have no ties with their sect; why would their spirits help you?” Elder Tianhe was not so easily deceived.

Fang Junmei had waited for this question. He quickly replied, “Senior, when I was in my homeland, Pan Kingdom, I saw a Luofu Sword Sect member being pursued and killed. After his death, I buried him myself. There is some connection, however slight.”

At this, Elder Tianhe finally calmed—though perhaps he had been calm all along.

“Boy, you never mentioned this before. What else are you hiding? Speak now!”

The chilling aura receded slightly, and Fang Junmei breathed easier, sweat breaking out on his forehead. Without delay, he recounted the day when immortals clashed, including how he took the shattered sword-heart jade. He hid nothing.

“Show me the jade,” Elder Tianhe demanded coldly.

Fang Junmei took out the jade pendant and handed it over.

Elder Tianhe examined it, then asked, “What did the slain man look like?”

Fang Junmei recalled and described him.

A gleam flashed in Elder Tianhe’s eyes.

“Was it him?” Elder Tianhe held up a finger, tracing a circle in the air. Instantly, a luminous mirror appeared, floating upright. Another gesture, and a face formed on the mirror.

Square-faced, thick brows, prominent nose—a heroic figure.

“That’s him,” Fang Junmei affirmed.

“As I expected. Their ultimate aim…” Elder Tianhe muttered, his gaze full of contemplation, ignoring Fang Junmei.

…

After a long pause, Elder Tianhe finally shook off his reverie, dispelling the chilling aura from the room. He looked at Fang Junmei and said, “Boy, you’ve passed. Perhaps the spirits of the Luofu Sword Sect truly are watching over you.”

Hearing this, Fang Junmei let out a long breath, grateful to be alive. Elder Tianhe’s unpredictable temperament left a deep impression, marking him as one of the most formidable men Fang Junmei had ever met.

Elder Tianhe now resumed his genial manner, smiling, “Boy, the Luofu Sword Sect has been annihilated. Would you care to join our Peach Blossom Sword Sect?”