Where is Xiaocui

The crowd had grown so large that Yuzhou City was nearly bursting at the seams.

Many who couldn’t afford lodging had begun forming groups, setting up makeshift wooden shacks outside the city walls, quietly waiting for the grand ceremony to officially begin.

Given the unusual circumstances, branches of the Demon Suppression Bureau from other cities had also sent people to lend a hand.

While the influx of people might have been a good thing for Chu Xingchen, it was far from ideal for those participating in the disciple-recruitment ceremony. As the crowd swelled, food prices began to soar.

Even when grain merchants, sensing profit, later entered the market, the prices never dropped again.

It was as if they had all silently agreed to keep them high.

Lin Luoyu sat nursing a bowl of plain congee, not daring to order even a side of pickles, her expression tinged with regret.

Her funds were already meager, and the inflated food costs were straining her budget. Fortunately, she had gone with Cui Hao to collect her entry token, securing a relatively early slot.

After careful calculation, Lin Luoyu figured that if she tightened her belt a little, she could just barely make it through the ceremony without running out of money.

In that regard, at least, Cui Hao had done her a small favor.

After their drinking conversation that day, her impression of him had shifted from "seems like a decent person" to "probably a decent person."

"Miss Lin, on a health kick lately?"

Hearing the voice, Lin Luoyu glanced up to see the "probably decent" Cui Hao. Faced with such a blunt question, she chose to take another sip of congee instead of answering.

"Boss, bring the dishes to this table," Cui Hao announced, flicking his sleeve as he settled across from her. "Last time, we drank our fill, so today, let me treat you to a proper meal."

Lin Luoyu eyed him skeptically. "Are you wealthy?"

"Not exactly. I’ve got just enough to last two or three days—enough to see me through the ceremony."

At that, Lin Luoyu couldn’t help but look up again, studying Cui Hao’s relaxed demeanor.

After their drinking session, she hadn’t seen him for days. Yet here he was, crossing paths with her again over a meal.

Yuzhou City was strange that way—vast yet small at the same time.

Lin Luoyu stirred her congee lightly. "If that’s the case, shouldn’t you be saving your money?"

Cui Hao’s reply was straightforward:

"If it’s enough, why save?"

Lin Luoyu studied him, sensing an almost excessive confidence.

He seemed utterly unconcerned about the future—or perhaps entirely unafraid of it.

Most people, faced with uncertainty, carried a vague dread, compelling them to prepare for what lay ahead.

But Cui Hao gave the impression that, for him, the future could only be better. There was no need to sacrifice now for later.

He was different. Too different. Standing out starkly against the backdrop of ordinary people, he left a lasting impression.

Lin Luoyu finished her congee in a few quick gulps. "Thank you for the offer, but I’ll pass today."

For her, indulging in food wasn’t a priority. Plain congee was enough.

Cui Hao took the rejection in stride.

In this world, refusal was never wrong.

The problem lay with those who couldn’t refuse—or those who, upon being refused, nursed resentment.

"My apologies for overstepping," he said with a rueful smile before changing the subject. "When’s your token slot, Miss Lin?"

"Two days from now."

"Ah..." Cui Hao nodded thoughtfully.

Lin Luoyu didn’t elaborate. With a faint smile, she stood and took her leave.

Once she was gone, Cui Hao pulled out his own token.

Also scheduled for two days later.

Truly, the workings of fate were fascinating. Running into a friend by chance was one of life’s little joys.

Today was the day marked on Cui Hao’s token.

The grand ceremony had begun, and word had it that all three thousand participants from the previous day had been eliminated.

Some of the failures had turned their trial experiences into "exam tips," selling them for a tidy profit.

Business was reportedly booming, and for a little extra silver, buyers could even get personalized advice.

Cui Hao found the whole thing laughable.

Taking advice from failures? That was a surefire way to fail yourself.

Besides, if the sect was willing to let participants go in batches, they clearly weren’t worried about leaks.

Still, three thousand people, and not a single one made it to the next round? The elimination rate was terrifying.

Even Cui Hao couldn’t help but brace himself.

At the sect’s entrance, he respectfully handed his token to a slender young woman and announced:

"Number 374, Cui Hao."

The girl checked the list, made a mark beside his name, and waved him in.

"Proceed."

With a nod, Cui Hao stepped forward—only for the scenery to warp instantly.

The grand hall and serene pond he’d seen from the entrance vanished, replaced by an enormous ancient tree. Nearby stood a village, and around him were about fifty other examinees, some of whom he recognized from the queue.

As confusion rippled through the group, a voice rang out from the direction of the village:

"Mortals speak of the hardships of cultivation, yet they forget—being human is harder still."

Cui Hao turned to see streams of light coalescing into the form of a young woman in a flowing pink gown, her jet-black hair tied with a red ribbon. Her delicate features exuded an ethereal grace.

But that line... Why did it sound so familiar?

"To become immortals, you must first understand what it means to be human," Li Yingling declared calmly, pointing toward the village. "Step inside, and all will become clear."

With that, her figure dissolved into motes of light.

She had other illusions to attend to—there were simply too many participants, and she was running behind schedule.

All because of her master’s relentless promotion. Every day, he’d fret about low turnout, making her think the ceremony would be sparsely attended.

Now? She barely had time to deliver half the lines she’d prepared.

Cui Hao scanned the crowd but didn’t spot the uniquely reserved Miss Lin.

No matter. He was the first to stride toward the village.

The moment he crossed into it, two men erupted into a heated argument:

"You have no wife, so you seduce mine?!"

"Your wife?! Little Cui and I were childhood sweethearts! We pledged ourselves long ago! You’re the one who took advantage—forcing her into marriage!"

"Forcing her?! Little Cui agreed willingly! That makes her my lawful wife! What kind of man sneaks into another’s home at night to see his wife? I’ll beat the shame out of you!"

"You only got her because her father owed you rent! You held her family’s survival over her head!"

"If we were so close, why didn’t you pay their debts? Face it—you’re useless! And now you’ve got the gall to cling to her!"

In the midst of their shouting, the man who’d married Little Cui spotted Cui Hao.

He dropped to his knees with a thud, wailing:

"Your Honor! This lowly one, Wang Dago, begs you to uphold justice! This scoundrel sneaks around at night, destroying families by seducing married women!"

Not to be outdone, the other man also slid into a kneel, crying:

"Your Honor, I am Wang Ergo! Little Cui and I were betrothed since childhood! But Wang Dago here used her family’s debts to force her into marriage! She cries herself to sleep every night!"

Cui Hao studied the two kneeling figures but didn’t immediately respond. Instead, his gaze drifted back toward the village entrance.

There had been quite a few people right behind him earlier, but after stepping into the village and listening to the two men finish their argument, why hadn’t anyone else come in yet?

One person per village?

Truly the methods of immortals—a dream within a dream.

So, is this the trial then?

Cui Hao turned his gaze to Wang Dago, whose face was twisted in resentment, and Wang Ergo, who wore an expression of sorrow.

Instead of answering their questions, he asked one of his own:

“Where is Little Cui?”