Chapter Sixteen: Ideals Become an Accomplice to Evil (Bonus Chapter for Surpassing a Hundred Favorites)

Those waiting outside for the test had no idea the process was being delayed; their hearts were filled with anxiety. From the first rays of dawn, when the air was still thick with mist, they waited until the sky gradually cleared. The prolonged wait was beginning to have undesirable effects. Some grew restless, their minds awash with speculation, some even doubting themselves. The crowd, which had initially kept silent to leave a good impression on the testers, began to buzz with whispers.

A chubby boy, fair-skinned and clearly accustomed to comfort, yet whose features could still be called delicate, was becoming uneasy. He called out to a large tree, “Maple!”

A lazy reply came from above. A youth in fitted clothes, with handsome features and eyes like cold stars, spat out a stalk of dry grass and leapt down from the tree. Despite being covered in bits of grass and leaves, he possessed an effortless air of freedom.

He was clearly familiar with the chubby boy.

“What are you so nervous about? Didn’t you prepare thoroughly? No one’s even arrived yet, and you’re already scared!” The youth, known as Maple, glanced at the chubby boy and, seeing him obediently fall silent, softened a little. “Don’t worry. Your aptitude and comprehension aren’t bad. You’ll do fine in this test.”

The chubby boy summoned his courage to speak, “But my father said the one in charge this time is a prince!”

Lin Maple frowned at him, draping an arm over the boy’s shoulder. “I’ve analyzed it for you before, haven’t I? The Joyful Buddha Sect appeared at the edge of the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect’s territory. Given their deep-seated hatred, one of the princes is bound to go there. The level of this incident isn’t high, so it’s probably the Fourth Prince. In recent years, it’s always been the Second Prince negotiating with other powers, and if the Exalted One doesn’t show, the Second Prince should be holding the fort in the sect. So the one recruiting this time must be the Third Prince. The Third Prince is a master of diplomacy—he’ll take you in just for your father’s sake.”

In truth, Lin Maple himself was here because of the Third Prince, hoping that if he became one of his followers, he might change his own strange fate.

The chubby boy’s father was a renowned solitary powerhouse, but he had several friends in the great factions and never violated the tacit rules of the Azure Heaven Realm. Like his son, he was never unpleasant to others.

Chen Baishu, the chubby boy, puffed out his chest, gaining some confidence. “Yes, I know the Third Prince. He’s capable and kind!”

Lin Maple’s face twisted for a moment at his words, but he quickly returned to his lazy demeanor. “You’re right.”

Nearby, a man who was clearly just here for the spectacle couldn’t remain silent. The middle-aged man’s beard was scruffy, but he exuded a faint air of ferocity. “I really can’t stand people like you! If you’re bent on evil, fine, but you’re so eager, and they’re obviously not taking you seriously—they’ve left you out here to dry! You’d be better off joining my Fierce Tiger Sect—it’s not much worse than the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect!”

His words attracted many curious glances; no one had expected Tian Yu would be able to cultivate martial arts.

Many cast furtive glances at Lin Maple, wondering if he would swallow his pride. Lin Maple, having already learned from the surrounding gossip about the man’s identity—a Martial Pill Realm powerhouse who had risen from bandit ranks, was unusually lucky to be recruited and cleansed by the Great Qian Dynasty, only to rebel and establish a third-rate faction—struggled to hold his tongue.

Unable to restrain himself, Lin Maple removed his arm from Chen Baishu’s shoulder and strode toward the burly man. Some people, hearing his footsteps, focused on his long, powerful legs—surely he had mastered an advanced leg technique.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but since everyone chased after the big-bellied boat to get here, our ambitions are clearly to serve the tiger,”

At this, those paying close attention burst into knowing laughter, realizing he was joking.

“So, we’re sticking with the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect! Besides, uncle, what business is it of yours which sect we choose? Anyway, I’d rather be the tail of a phoenix than...” Lin Maple glanced at the burly man with disdain and contempt.

He returned to Chen Baishu’s side, leaving his sentence unfinished, but everyone understood his meaning perfectly: the man’s sect didn’t even qualify as the head of a chicken!

“You—!”

The burly man trembled with rage, gathering his strength, while Lin Maple’s hands quietly moved toward the broadsword on his back.

At this critical moment, two spectators made their move! Just as a pair of silk shoes stepped forward, the owner of a pair of red embroidered shoes beat him to it.

It was a girl in red, radiant with natural beauty but icy-faced. She stepped forward, fixing the burly man with a cold stare. For reasons unknown, his gaze was drawn to hers, and their eyes met.

Just one look! The burly man seemed to suffer a terrible punishment, his whole body shaking as if plunged into an ice pit; his eyes bulged, and he collapsed instantly, drenched in sweat, barely avoiding soiling himself. The crowd scattered like startled birds and beasts.

Though the girl’s cultivation was clearly far below the burly man’s, even rare pupil techniques couldn’t make up the difference. Such overwhelming oppression could only mean she was a genius destined to lead others.

Lin Maple glanced at her, thinking, “Trouble!”

None of them knew that, at that moment, many on the big-bellied boat were looking their way. Some relied on their extraordinary eyesight, others held two cylinder-like objects to their eyes—if Zhang Ning had seen them, he would have exclaimed: telescopes! Judging by the spiritual glow on the telescopes, they were clearly magical modifications.

But those watching were not the officials in charge, just idle stewards.

The real official was not, as Lin Maple guessed, the Third Prince, but Zhang Ning, who had been in this world for less than a month.

Zhang Ning was fretting over the final test. The previous tests of aptitude, comprehension, and temperament could be disregarded for now. But whenever a prince presided over such disciple-recruitment ceremonies, there was always a written exam at the end—a tradition set by his senior brother years ago. Every time, a new exam was required!? (When he finally met his senior brother, if he didn’t peel off a layer of his skin, he wouldn’t call himself Zhang!)

Even with his super tiny pinky toe, Zhang Ning could guess that all the factions and intelligence agencies were watching his exam. After all, the content of the exam could, to varying degrees, reveal his personality—even his inner thoughts, at least in part.

But the problem was, Zhang Ning hadn’t prepared at all!

He was flustered, not expecting the big boss to be here. His mind went blank.

Would he have to cobble together questions from previous exams? Maybe pick a few from each?

Was he really so lacking in talent?!

He glanced at Zhuge Yi, who was smiling encouragingly at him, but whose forehead seemed to flash with glowing words: I won’t help you~~~

Zhang Ning turned away, thinking viciously: Sooner or later, I’ll straighten your hair, you damned poodle!