Shen Yu and the others stepped out of the bronze gate one by one, having each completed their respective trials.

  "Sis, how many trials did you pass?"

  "Three. I failed at the fourth one," Shen Yu replied, her tone calm and unbothered.

  She had defeated two opponents at the initial Meridian Opening stage and another at the minor accomplishment level. That alone was enough to satisfy her.

  Among her peers, such an achievement was already quite remarkable.

  As the returning challengers discussed their experiences, each of them had managed to claim at least one victory—none had been stopped by the very first gatekeeper.

  Performance within the Ascension Palace was a direct testament to one's strength. In the world of cultivators, strength spoke louder than words. Naturally, those who had cleared more trials received admiration and respect.

  However, there was an unspoken rule—no one inquired about the rewards they had received.

  "Why haven’t Senior Sister and Little Junior Brother come out yet?"

  "Young Master Yunfeng and his group aren’t out either."

  A member of the Yun family, part of a branch lineage, explained:

  "The stronger a person is, the longer they tend to remain inside. Sometimes, they may even receive special rewards that require additional time to refine."

  The group waited a while longer before Yun Yun and her brother finally emerged. But still, there was no sign of Han or Bai Ruoyue.

  "Don’t worry, there’s still time," Yun Yun reassured the Taibai sect members, though her gaze remained fixed on the bronze gate, a silent sigh escaping her lips.

  As expected…

  Those two from Taibai truly stand above the rest.

  The Yun family has no one who can compare to them.

  Yun Duo quietly transmitted a message to Yun Yun, "Big Sis, did you get it?"

  "Yes," Yun Yun replied.

  More time passed before Bai Ruoyue finally stepped out. She was smiling, making it clear that she had encountered something good.

  "Senior Sister!" Shen Yu waved excitedly. "You finally came out!"

  "Senior Sister, how many opponents did you defeat?" Shen Long asked, clearly eager to know.

  "Six," Bai Ruoyue answered.

  Among this group of challengers, she was undoubtedly the most gifted.

  A hush fell over the crowd.

  That number stood above everyone else's.

  Some who had previously been proud of surpassing their peers by just one extra victory now fell silent, their earlier sense of accomplishment vanishing completely.

  Bai Ruoyue was currently at the minor accomplishment stage of the Viscera Refinement realm. This meant she had fought all the way to the peak of that stage.

  It was nothing short of terrifying.

  Yet, when they recalled Bai Ruoyue’s former reputation before Han had arrived, it somehow felt… expected.

  Members of the Yun family looked at her with a mixture of admiration and resignation.

  The heavens truly favor Taibai.

  In the world of martial cultivation, it was rare for someone at the peak of the Meridian Opening stage to remain visible.

  Anyone who reached that level typically entered seclusion to break through to the next stage.

  In fact, finding a Viscera Refinement expert at the peak was even harder than finding a Bone Tempering cultivator.

  This was why conventional wisdom did not account for peak-level combat when discussing cross-realm battles.

  Moreover, reaching the peak of a realm was not considered an actual sub-stage like minor or major accomplishment. Instead, it meant that a cultivator had further honed their abilities beyond the major accomplishment stage—an accumulation of quantity rather than a qualitative leap.

  Some called it the extreme limit of a realm. Others simply referred to it as the peak of major accomplishment.

  A cultivator could attempt a breakthrough as soon as they reached major accomplishment without pushing to the absolute peak, but doing so would make them weaker than those who did.

  Bai Ruoyue turned to Yun Yun. "When my final gatekeeper increased his strength to the Bone Tempering realm, he asked if I wished to continue. I chose not to."

  "The gatekeeper stated that if I lost at that stage, I would never be allowed to enter the Heavenly Fate Sect again."

  "I figured I might return to the Boundless Sky Ruins someday, and since I wasn’t confident in defeating a Bone Tempering opponent, I let it go."

  Years of cultivation had given Bai Ruoyue a clear understanding of her own strength.

  She was no match for a Bone Tempering cultivator.

  Perhaps she could hold her own against an aged expert whose vitality had declined or against a newly advanced Bone Tempering beast.

  But in a serious battle, she would undoubtedly lose.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Against a properly trained Bone Tempering martial artist, she wouldn’t stand a chance.

  If only she had access to a supreme martial art—perhaps even a legendary divine technique—then she would dare to challenge such an opponent.

  But alas, I do not.

  If only I were Little Junior Brother…

  With his talent and past achievements, even without a divine technique, he would still be able to fight a Bone Tempering opponent at the minor accomplishment stage of the Viscera Refinement realm.

  Sigh… I’ll never measure up to him.

  Yun Yun was surprised by Bai Ruoyue’s account.

  "The gatekeeper actually asked whether you wanted to continue? And failing meant you could never enter the Heavenly Fate Sect again?"

  She hadn’t been informed of this. Yun Yuan’nan had never mentioned it.

  Bai Ruoyue raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t they ask you?"

  Shen Yu shook her head. "Nope. I wasn’t strong enough to beat the fourth gatekeeper. He just defeated me, gave me my reward, and sent me out."

  Bai Ruoyue pondered for a moment. "Could it be that the Heavenly Fate Sect saw potential in me and decided to give me special treatment?"

  "No, that’s not it." Yun Yun shook her head. "My father once said that some members of the Yun family failed their trials but returned years later without restriction."

  "Losing to a gatekeeper does not prevent one from re-entering the Ascension Palace."

  Bai Ruoyue frowned. "But the gatekeeper told me otherwise."

  "He wouldn’t lie to you," Yun Yun reasoned. "That means the only explanation is…"

  "If the gatekeeper asks whether you wish to continue, then failing will result in a permanent ban. But if you aren’t asked, then failure doesn’t matter."

  "What kind of logic is that?"

  No one had an answer, but Yun Yun’s theory seemed reasonable.

  "The Heavenly Fate Sect is long gone. Who knows why they did things this way?" Bai Ruoyue shrugged, unconcerned.

  "Why weren’t we asked?" a Yun family disciple muttered.

  "Maybe you have to reach a certain stage before they give you the option," Yun Duo said bluntly.

  "We were all too weak to be considered worthy of a reminder."

  "…"

  The logic was sound, but did she have to be so direct?

  That was a bit harsh, Yun Duo.

  "Little Junior Brother still isn’t out?"

  "No. He’s the last one left."

  Bai Ruoyue wasn’t surprised after hearing this.

  Of course.

  Han must have defeated even more gatekeepers than I did.

  When Han stepped into the pool, the entire space changed.

  The once-clear water turned crimson, then shifted to blue, followed by an array of dazzling hues. Mist rose from the surface, filling the chamber.

  A bone-chilling cold seeped into his body, making him shudder—only for the energy to shift, scalding him like molten fire, turning his skin red.

  An overwhelming fusion of ice and fire.

  Meanwhile, a mysterious energy surged into his soul, nourishing his spirit and strengthening his mind.

  As the light within the pool intensified, unknown symbols surfaced on the walls. A strange dust of blue and white materialized in the air, drifting down and merging into the glowing lines on Han’s body.

  Then, a celestial phenomenon manifested above his head.

  From the highest reaches of the heavens, an unseen force cascaded down, engulfing him.

  Han gritted his teeth as his entire body felt as though it was being reforged in a divine furnace…

  Before they entered, both Lu Qingmo and Yun Yuannan had warned them—leave the same day you arrive, never linger.

  Staying too long in the Celestial Ruins meant risking corruption by the forces within.

  And once night fell, who knew what horrors might emerge?

  The Yun clan members were already whispering among themselves, some even suggesting they should leave first. However, Yun Yun, the eldest daughter, quickly silenced them.

  "Junior Brother hasn’t encountered any danger. He’s probably just delayed inside for some reason."

  Bai Ruoyue pondered for a moment. She was certain Han was safe.

  Having fused with a pair of Heart Wings, she would have sensed it if his life was in danger. But so far, there had been no such warning.

  Still, his prolonged absence was enough to cause unease.

  Turning to the Yun clan members, Bai Ruoyue suggested, "Yun Yun, why don’t you all return to Black Mountain first? We’ll stay and wait for my Junior Brother."

  She had no reason to force them to wait as well.

  Yun Yun considered it for a moment before shaking her head.

  "We came together, so we should leave together."

  Some of the Yun clan members looked like they wanted to object, but a glance from their companions kept them quiet. In the end, they chose to follow Yun Yun’s decision.

  "Thank you," Bai Ruoyue said sincerely, finding Yun Yun rather admirable—graceful, kind, and strikingly beautiful.

  If her Junior Brother weren’t Han, an alliance through marriage with the Yun clan wouldn’t have been a bad idea.

  But she knew all too well—if it wasn’t Han, the Yun clan wouldn’t even be interested.

  As time passed, the unease in everyone’s hearts only grew.

  Inside the Ascension Pool, the once vibrant waters gradually dimmed, returning to a clear transparency.

  The faintly glowing dust that had been floating along the walls and floors settled, leaving the chamber in complete stillness.

  The shimmering light around Han’s body flickered and faded, flowing like a liquid withdrawing into his form.

  Deep within, an unknown mystical force began to condense and compress…

  Until, at last, everything converged into a single point in his lower abdomen.

  The accumulated energy suddenly expanded, forming a tiny seed no larger than a soybean.

  "Whoosh!"

  An invisible shockwave burst from Han’s body, rippling through the now-clear pool.

  A jade-like radiance enveloped his physique, making him appear almost divine—like a god descending upon the world.

  Moments later, everything returned to normal.

  Han’s eyes opened—at first clouded with confusion, then gradually regaining clarity.

  Before he could react, he was abruptly expelled, finding himself once again in the darkness.

  It had thrown him out?

  A faint glow appeared ahead as a bronze gate materialized and swung open on its own. Han stepped forward and exited.

  Every gaze snapped toward him the moment he emerged.

  Looking around, Han smiled and greeted them. "Oh, everyone’s still here."

  Before he could say anything more, Bai Ruoyue grabbed him and broke into a sprint, dragging him toward the exit of the Ascension Hall. The others hurried to follow.

  "Senior Sister—"

  "No time to explain, just run!"

  It was only then that Han realized—the sky had gone completely dark.

  He had stayed inside far too long.

  Quickly, he turned to the others and apologized. "Sorry, it’s my fault you all had to wait here."

  "It’s not too late," Yun Yun replied with a gentle shake of her head.

  "At least we didn’t stay past sunrise."

  "Junior Brother, what took you so long?" Bai Ruoyue asked.

  Han explained, "The Ascension Hall gave me a reward that had to be refined on the spot. It took some time."

  As he spoke, he assessed his own body.

  This was incredible.

  The highest reward, just as the two gatekeepers had mentioned—he had really hit the jackpot!

  Feeling a surge of excitement, he couldn’t help but glance back at the Ascension Hall.

  And that was when his expression froze.

  His scalp tingled violently.

  Standing just half a foot away was a humanoid creature covered in thick red fur.

  It grinned at him eerily, raising a hand in what seemed like a parting wave.

  Han’s instincts screamed. He instantly clenched his fist, ready to strike—but in the very next second, the red-furred creature vanished without a trace, as if it had never been there.

  Had it all been an illusion?

  No.

  Han knew he wasn’t imagining things.

  What was that thing?

  He swallowed and forced himself to calm down. His raised hairs slowly settled.

  "Whoo… whoo…"

  The wind howled, carrying an eerie undertone, like faint laughter brushing against their ears.

  "Junior Brother, what are you looking at? Why do you look so spooked?"

  "I thought I saw someone, but they disappeared immediately. Probably just my imagination."

  "Don’t scare me like that." Shen Yu edged closer to Bai Ruoyue.

  "Let’s keep moving," Han said.

  Everyone picked up the pace, making sure to stay alert as they raced away.

  Then, all of a sudden, Han felt a chill crawl up his back.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse—just barely—of something red shifting behind him.

  Without hesitation, he kicked backward, sending dirt and stones flying with a powerful strike. But his attack hit nothing, only stirring up dust in the desolate ruins.

  "What was that?"

  "Slipped."

  "…"

  Han turned back. The space behind him was nothing but dark red emptiness.

  But he knew—

  It wasn’t his imagination.

  Something was watching them.

  No.

  It was watching him.

  Behind him—

  A ghost.