Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Eighty-Five: The Mountain Gate

"We might as well try our luck, don't you think? The Grand Assembly of the Hundred Isles is almost upon us, and if we don't hurry to seek entry into Clear Stream Sect, it'll be too late. Plenty of people have already gathered below the mountain gate, and today is the final deadline."

"What you say is true, but with our utterly ordinary cultivation, do you really think we can get into Clear Stream Sect and qualify for the Hundred Isles Assembly?"

"Well, we haven't even gone yet, and you're already discouraged. Forget it, then—pretend I never said anything."

"You need to be realistic. Who among those qualified for the Hundred Isles Assembly isn't someone with real ability? If we go, aren't we just asking for humiliation?"

"If you want to try, then go already. Why are you still hesitating here? Do you expect a pie to fall from the sky? I'm afraid even after you're buried, you still won't see such a good thing."

"It's not that we lack courage. It's just that every time this season comes around, the entrance to Clear Stream Sect is packed with people hoping to fight their way into the sect and win a place in the assembly, but very few are actually admitted. Clear Stream Sect isn't foolish; they don't take in just anyone. It feels like we're at best spectators. Maybe it was destined that wandering cultivators like us can never amount to anything."

"Whose fault is that? Back when Clear Stream Sect was accepting disciples, you didn't go. And now you regret it?"

"At the time, we just wanted freedom. Who knew the Hundred Isles Assembly would be such a tremendous opportunity? If one could be chosen by a major power, then from that point on it would be smooth sailing all the way to the heavens."

"Enough. If you ask me, we might as well go and try. I have a feeling I may actually be a genius, just one who hasn't been discovered yet. I only hope they have the eyes to recognize talent and don't let this genius be buried among the masses."

"Can you have a little shame? You, a genius?"

"Exactly."

"I think you're just jealous of this genius, afraid I'll be riding over your heads in the future. Let me ask you again: are you going or not? Once you miss this chance, it won't come again."

"Fine. Since the genius has spoken, how could we possibly refuse?"

"That's more like it. Once this genius is chosen, you'll all benefit from me in the future."

"Bragging won't save your back. Enough talk—drink."

"Hahaha, come on, cheers!"

As Fang Tian ate, he listened to their conversation and had already gathered that entering Clear Stream Sect would likely require passing some kind of initiation assessment.

After a while, he saw that the group had eaten and drunk their fill and was preparing to leave. Fang Tian called over the innkeeper to settle the bill and followed after them. Since many people had already reached the foot of the mountain, he could not afford to waste time. The sooner he entered the sect, the sooner this matter would be handled.

Once outside the town, he found that it was not only those few men from before. Others had also come in groups and were making their way up the mountain. It seemed just as he had heard: today really was the final day to enter the sect. Fortunately, he had arrived in time; otherwise, he would have had to think of another way to qualify for the Hundred Isles Assembly.

He followed along with the crowd, and after about two hours of travel, Fang Tian arrived beneath the mountain gate with the others.

Above the gate stood clusters of wooden buildings, their style somewhat different from those on Ice Spirit Isle. They were not especially splendid, but instead gave off the impression of detachment from the world, of quiet cultivation in seclusion amid the wilds. Mist coiled around the peak, leaving the mountain gate half-concealed and half-revealed, lending the whole place an air of ambiguity, as though it were and yet were not.

Seeing that everyone was waiting and no one from Clear Stream Sect had yet appeared at the gate, Fang Tian guessed it was simply not yet time. He found a pile of broken stones to sit on and waited patiently with the others. Since nothing was happening for the moment, he could only remain here and wait like everyone else.

A long time passed, and still no one came. The crowd began to grow impatient. The quiet around them gave way to a rising clamor as people muttered among themselves, wondering whether Clear Stream Sect had decided not to admit disciples after all. Why had no one come out for so long? Some had been waiting since early morning, and by now half the afternoon had already slipped away. If they delayed any longer, night would fall, and there would be no point in entering the mountain gate then.

Many shared this thought and were grumbling that Clear Stream Sect might be breaking its word, intending to bar outsiders from participating in this year's Hundred Isles Assembly. If that were the case, they ought to send someone out and make things clear as soon as possible, so as not to waste everyone's time. However grand the sect might be, it should not be treating the crowd this way.

Fang Tian, however, did not react like them. Instead, he leaned comfortably against a rock behind him and dozed off, not the least bit worried that Clear Stream Sect would go back on its word. He did not believe a sect would do such a thing. The stronger a power was, the more it valued its reputation. If it ceased caring about its own name, then its authority would eventually vanish, and the sect would slowly decline. That would be a loss greater than any gain.

At that moment, a cultivator beside Fang Tian noticed him resting, apparently unconcerned about whether Clear Stream Sect would send anyone. Perhaps thinking Fang Tian knew something, he edged closer and said in a low voice, "Brother, you don't seem anxious at all. Do you know something? Could you tell me? I promise I won't say a word to anyone else."

Fang Tian opened his eyes and looked at him, then closed them again and said calmly, "I don't know anything. Ask someone else."

"You definitely know something. Just tell me."

Fang Tian was starting to get annoyed. He had already said he didn't know, so why did the man keep pressing?

"If I don't know, then I don't know. There's no point in asking me."

Hearing this tone, the man's expression darkened. He was certain Fang Tian must know something, or he would not be so composed. Clearly, he intended to keep the information to himself. Perhaps this man had already been chosen by Clear Stream Sect and was simply waiting for the others to leave so he could enter the gate directly.

The more the cultivator thought about it, the more twisted his assumptions became. His gaze toward Fang Tian turned resentful. Rolling his eyes, he seemed to come up with an idea. He walked to the center of the crowd, cleared his throat, and loudly called out, "Everyone, quiet down."

The crowd stopped talking and turned to look at him, thinking who this fellow was to tell them to shut up.

"I know everyone has grown impatient from waiting here and is feeling rather displeased. Yet at a time like this, someone here can remain so calm as to lie there and rest. I suspect that person has something to hide. Don't you agree?" With that, he paused and waited for the crowd's response.

Sure enough, someone immediately perked up at the words and asked, "Who are you talking about? Point him out so we can all see."

The cultivator gave a faint smile and pointed at Fang Tian. "It's him!"

The crowd's gaze followed his finger in unison and landed on Fang Tian. Sure enough, they saw that he was resting there exactly as the man had said, looking perfectly calm and showing no sign of urgency.

Seeing that his scheme was succeeding, the man added, "When I asked him just now, he refused to say a word and even treated me extremely rudely."

Hearing this, some of the people stood up and slowly moved toward Fang Tian, their expressions darkening with irritation. They thought of how all of them had been waiting here in hardship, while this boy was content to watch them grow anxious and yet refused to reveal what he knew, even having the leisure to sleep there. It was simply unbearable.

At this point, Fang Tian also sensed something was wrong. He opened his eyes and looked up, only to see a group of people slowly surrounding him. A glance at the cultivator who had just questioned him revealed a cold smile and an air of malice. Fang Tian more or less understood what was going on.

He rose from the stone and jumped down, his gaze turning icy. Looking at the group approaching him, he said in a low voice, "What do you want?"

"What do we want? Naturally, we want you to make clear everything you know. Otherwise..."

Fang Tian laughed upon hearing that. These people really did jump at every gust of wind, believing anything others said. He said teasingly, "What, you're planning to use force?"

Seeing Fang Tian laugh, the group became even more convinced that he must know something. Their anger flared higher, and they glared at him with fierce hostility.

"If you know what's good for you, tell us now. Otherwise, we don't mind teaching you a lesson. A fifth-level Spirit Gathering cultivator like you is nothing in our eyes."

Fang Tian was speechless. With just a casual incitement from one man, the whole crowd could be led by the nose. Truly, the spoken word was a fearsome thing.

He placed his hands behind his back. Fang Tian was not one to seek trouble, but since trouble had come knocking at his door, if he remained indifferent and backed down, these people would surely take advantage and never stop.

Even if he explained, most of them would not believe him. People were like that: most of the time, they only believed what was beneficial to themselves.

It seemed he would have to make them retreat in fear.

His eyes turned cold. Frost seemed to radiate from his entire body, and a killing intent as substantial as a blade spread outward in all directions. Fang Tian slowly said, "I have made myself very clear. I advise you to go mind your own business."

The group suddenly felt the air around them grow cold. Seeing the aura Fang Tian was releasing, they began to tremble and dared not press forward.

Yet one of the bolder ones felt that Fang Tian was merely putting on a show and hurriedly said to the others, "Don't be afraid. No matter how capable this boy is, he's only at the fifth level. With so many of us, are we really supposed to fear him?"

Those words struck a chord. The others agreed and could not help feeling ashamed, as though they had nearly been frightened by this brat. Their looks toward Fang Tian grew even more unfriendly. The steps they had halted resumed again as they slowly pressed closer, one after another demanding that he tell them what he knew. It seemed they were determined not to let this rest.

Seeing that his words had failed to work, Fang Tian grew irritated. He drew out the Frostfeather Sword, preparing to freeze them all and be done with it, so they would stop pestering him.

Spiritual energy gathered continuously around him, and his aura kept rising. He looked at them with a chilling gaze. Since they refused to appreciate mercy, he would help them lose face.

Even fiercer cold spread outward than before. A strong wind rose, sweeping away the leaves scattered across the ground. Fang Tian's sword trembled slightly, and in the next instant he was about to strike.

But just then, a voice rang out from above the mountain gate.

"Stop! Who gave you the nerve to behave so brazenly at the gate?"

At the sound, the group that had been about to teach Fang Tian a lesson abruptly halted, and Fang Tian likewise withdrew his aura and looked up toward the mountain gate.

Three people were descending from the gate. In front was a middle-aged man in a green robe, his features somewhat weathered. Fang Tian could sense that his cultivation was at the ninth level of Spirit Gathering, and the spiritual power in him was even more profound than that of an ordinary ninth-level cultivator. He was likely stronger than the Grand Elder.

Behind him followed two young men, probably even younger than Fang Tian himself. Each carried a stone tablet as tall as a person. When they reached a place where wooden racks had been set up, they placed the tablets upon them.

After setting them down, they returned to stand behind the middle-aged man and looked out at the crowd.