“Did he also reach the summit?”
“If I weren’t struggling just to stand steady, I’d suspect something was wrong with the Heavenly Ascent Steps!”
“But if he made it to the top, why didn’t anything extraordinary happen?”
“Who cares? He climbed so effortlessly—his bone structure must be far above Grade C.”
The crowd buzzed with murmurs and speculation.
Earlier, Ying Bing had drawn a grand spectacle—a hundred birds paying homage.
Yet when Li Mo ascended, no such phenomenon occurred.
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! He must have cheated!”
Wang Hu, who had tumbled down dozens of steps and was still dizzy from the fall, nearly blacked out from rage upon seeing the shameless bastard who ambushed him reach the summit.
His molars ground together so hard they might shatter, and he yearned to drag Li Mo down himself.
Alas, he couldn’t even stand.
“Cousin! That vile, cunning brat doesn’t deserve to be a disciple of the Clear Abyss Sect!”
“Silence! The elders will decide his fate.”
Wang Hao, though equally embarrassed, swiftly cut off his cousin’s reckless words.
The boy’s judgment was a matter for the higher-ups.
They had no right to question the fairness of the initiation ceremony.
Still, Wang Hao also believed Li Mo must have used some underhanded method.
The sect’s records were clear.
The fifth-generation patriarch of the Clear Abyss Sect had summoned a celestial river cascading three thousand feet. The sixteenth-generation patriarch invoked ten thousand trees awakening to spring.
Even the current sect master, Shangguan Wencang, had drawn countless swords trembling in submission.
Every summit-reacher had manifested an extraordinary phenomenon.
...
Unlike the aspirants still climbing the steps, the elders on the observation platform had fallen into silence.
Each was at least at the Observation Divinity Realm, capable of perceiving what ordinary eyes could not.
Thus, to them, the crow-crowned youth did exhibit something remarkable.
Behind him stood a figure, its back turned to the mortal world.
The silhouette seemed unremarkable at first glance, yet it left an indelible impression.
A fisherman casting nets on the river... a scholar reading by lamplight... a general stepping into the golden halls of power...
In the blink of an eye, the figure seemed to shift.
Yet when they looked again, it returned to its original form—a youth in elegant robes.
Li Mo’s own reflection?
Had he projected himself upon the Heavenly Ascent Steps?
What sorcery was this?
The elders exchanged glances, each seeing the same bafflement in the other’s eyes.
This was beyond anything they had anticipated.
But one thing was undeniable:
This boy was extraordinary.
“Since he has ascended the hundredth step, he qualifies as a true disciple. What say you all?” Xue Jing remarked calmly, discreetly flicking away the beard strand he’d accidentally plucked in his shock.
“Agreed.”
“Indeed. He warrants further observation.”
Han He set down his teacup, hesitating.
“But the ancestral decree states that summit-reachers are candidates for sect leadership—future successors of Qingyuan Mountain.”
“How can a sect have two heirs?”
After all, never in a century had two aspirants reached the peak simultaneously.
The elders turned to the sect master.
After a moment of contemplation, Shangguan Wencang declared:
“Ying Bing shall be my personal disciple. Li Mo will be a true disciple.”
The elders weren’t surprised.
One had manifested the reflection of an ordinary man.
The other had conjured a noble, enigmatic phoenix, radiant as the moon.
The latter clearly held greater promise.
...
Dang—
A resonant bell toll echoed across the mountains.
The towering incense in the bronze brazier burned out—one hour had passed.
Time’s end brought relief to some climbers, calm acceptance to others, and bitter resentment to a few.
But now, all was settled.
Of the thousands who began, only seven or eight hundred would advance to the next round.
Elders from various peaks descended from the platform.
With a single step forward, Shangguan Wencang silenced the murmuring crowd.
“Outer disciples, proceed to the Outer Court Affairs Hall to receive your tokens and supplies.”
“Inner disciples may choose a peak to join. Each specializes in different disciplines and martial arts. You have three days to decide.”
“Whether inner or outer, do not grow complacent. Your futures remain unwritten.”
The sect master’s voice carried an authority that stilled restless hearts.
Li Mo’s gaze drifted among the elders—then paused.
Xue Jing winked at him.
Ah...
Now it made sense.
Li Mo had always wondered how a back-alley physician could possess something as rare as a Pure Yang Pill.
“Ying Bing shall be my direct disciple,” Shangguan Wencang announced.
Though expected, the proclamation sent ripples through the crowd.
To be taken under the wing of the Clear Abyss Sect’s master!
To transcend mortality in a single step!
Moments ago, they were all equals in the initiation. Now, an unbridgeable gap had formed. Such was the caprice of fate.
“Li Mo, Lin Jiang, and Murong Xiao also possess the makings of true disciples.”
“Which elders will take them?”
True disciples were a limited resource—each elder could mentor no more than five.
“A pity. My quota is full.”
“Lin Jiang, with your Mantis Legs, Snake Spine, and Magpie Shoulders, my polearm arts would suit you. Will you join me?”
“Tsk, this Murong Xiao lad is exceptional—blessed with auspicious beast blood! A fine seedling!”
Lin Jiang was swiftly claimed.
Murong Xiao sparked a three-elder bidding war before Han He secured him.
Li Mo studied the two.
[Name: Lin Jiang]
[Age: 16]
[Bone Structure: Mantis Legs, Snake Spine, Magpie Shoulders]
[Realm: Qi-Blood Realm (4 Meridians)]
[Fate: Blue]
[Evaluation: Adept talent but impatient. Prone to breaking under pressure. Potential for growth if tempered.]
[Recent Circumstance: Newly ascended to true disciple status; desires a superior-grade weapon.]
...
[Name: Murong Xiao]
[Age: 16]
[Bone Structure: Crying Drake Physique]
[Realm: Qi-Blood Realm (5 Meridians)]
[Fate: Blue]
[Evaluation: Half-human, half-transformed river drake. Kind-hearted but tormented by bloodthirst instincts. Could become either a scourge or a legend.]
[Recent Circumstance: Struggles to suppress his predatory nature; seeks inner peace.]
“Hiss...”
Li Mo inhaled sharply.
Auspicious beast bloodline?
His father was human, and his mother a drake?
Murong Xiao’s father must have been a legend—even Xu Xian would pour him tea in respect.
He mentally noted their affiliations.
“Wait, what about me?”
Li Mo snapped back to reality, realizing the elders’ gazes were tinged with hesitation.
“The boy’s talent is undeniable, but how does one teach him?”
This unspoken question hung in the air.
For a long moment, silence reigned.
Then, a lazily drawling voice cut through:
“Hey, kid... hic... wanna be my disciple?”
Li Mo turned.
A woman in palace robes stood there, hands on hips, struggling (and failing) to appear dignified.
Her features were noble and dignified, her loose palace robes unable to conceal her striking figure.
Standing there, she resembled a peony in full, unrestrained bloom.
"Naturally."
Li Mo hesitated only briefly before offering a respectful bow.
"This... Nephew Shang Wu, she..."
Xue Jing faltered, about to speak up,
only to be met with Shang Wu's threatening sidelong glance and the tightening of her slender, fair fist.
"Ahem, becoming her disciple is... an excellent choice. From now on, you'll be the sole seedling of the Ninth Peak."
Xue Jing adapted swiftly, his expression shifting in an instant.
"Greetings, Master."
Li Mo stepped forward to formally acknowledge his new teacher, though inwardly puzzled.
Why did the elders all seem to regard him with sympathy?
Curious, he activated his Heavenly Destiny Eye to observe her:
[Name: Shang Wu.]
[Age: 27.]
[Bone Structure: Southern Blazing Lotus Body.]
[Cultivation: Inner Scenery Seventh Heaven.]
[Destiny: Purple.]
[Evaluation: The youngest elder of the Clear Abyss Sect. You may question her character, but never her strength—her origins are anything but ordinary.]
[Recent Circumstances: Broke and craving alcohol, currently scheming ways to extort silver from elders of other peaks. Holds a peculiar interest in the Sect Leader’s true disciple, Ying Bing.]
Li Mo: "?"
No wonder the higher-ups were giving him odd looks.
By all appearances, Shang Wu was far from an ideal master.
And... so it wasn’t his "exceptional talent" that got him accepted—it was her interest in Ying Bing?
Those evaluations...
Even Li Mo began doubting the prestige of a Purple Destiny.
"Well, it’s my first time encountering one," he consoled himself.
"Even if I learn nothing, the investment returns should still pay off."
With that thought, he relaxed.
"Heh, from now on, you're under my wing. Out there, just drop my name."
Shang Wu clapped him on the shoulder—perhaps reassessing his bones—with a grip that made Li Mo suck in a sharp breath. Her strength is no joke.
Not far away,
Ying Bing, already accepted as a disciple, observed the palace-robed woman and the resigned-looking youth.
"So he’s joined Shang Wu’s faction..."
Ying Bing gave an imperceptible nod.
If Li Mo could learn even a fraction of Shang Wu’s skills, he might carve out a place among his peers in Purple Sun Prefecture.
Of course, by the standards of the Eastern Wasteland Domain, he’d hardly qualify as a prodigy—unlikely to appear on the system’s rankings.
"Four true disciples in a single cohort... The Clear Abyss Sect is truly rising."
"Come, follow this old man to complete your entry formalities."
The short, rotund elder beamed at the group.
e, Immortal Body, Transmigration, System, Progression Fantasy, Academy Setting, Third-Person Perspective. Alternate Title: Transmigrating into a High Martial World and Reading Live Comments. Bad news: I transmigrated. This is a terrifying high-martial world, and my original, pathetically weak body fell into a coma and never woke up. Good news: I got a Popularity Points system upon arrival. I can see live comments and even create an unkillable alternate identity. Starting out, the alternate identity has all stats at 1. The system tells me that to grow stronger, I must participate in the plot, gain popularity points to allocate stats and grow stronger, and ultimately awaken my original body. And so, carrying my original body on my back, I officially entered Huaqing Academy, where the story's protagonist resides. From that moment on, Chen Guan kicked the original plot to pieces. Live Comments: [Doesn't anyone find this mysterious coffin guy creepy? He can summon indescribable grey misty hands.] [Is this guy a hero or a villain? What kind of onion became a spirit?] [By the way, does anyone know who's in the coffin? Shouldn't the debt for saving his life be repaid by now?] [According to unofficial histories, the person in the coffin was Chen Guan's first love. Their love was once passionate and earth-shattering, but they were separated by life and death due to worldly circumstances. What a star-crossed pair.] ... Years later, the world knew of a demon god born from a coffin, shrouded in grey mist, impossible to gaze upon directly. His foremost divine emissary often wielded a scythe, reaping lives like the god of death. As war approached, facing former friends and a boundless sea of enemies, Chen Guan merely raised his scythe. "Would you like to dance as well?"
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
