Mt Ba – The Universal Phenomenon Sect Assessment site was roaring with excitement. Now, with Lin Qian helming the event, it went on without a hitch.

At the centre observation deck, Lin Qian sat with Ye Nanxin at the very front. Now, no one in the Ye Family dared to speak of any displeasure of his presence. Some of them did not even dare to meet Lin Qian’s gaze.

As night fell, the Mt Ba – Universal Phenomenon Sect Assessment came to a close. From this assessment, they had chosen fifty talented young boys and girls from Mt Ba City. The chosen few would follow Lin Qian back to Universal Phenomenon Sect some days later.

Of course, the total number of newly recruited disciples were actually fifty one, including the promised slot that was given to Ye Lin.

That night, Mt Ba City was pumping with excitement, rowdy with unceasing cheers and chatters. All of the families that gotten a slot were back at home, putting up huge celebrations, preparing to party through the night.

It was the same back at the Ye Mansion. That night, as Ye Nanxin harped relentlessly about how proud he was of Lin Qian’s accomplishments, he downed several cups of wine. Before the celebrations even ended, the family head was dead drunk.

Three days later, at the gates of Mt Ba City, it was a proud and teary sight. Crowds of families and friends had gathered to send their children off to the Universal Phenomenon Sect. As they watched the horse carriages leave, many eyes turned misty and red with pride and reluctance.

“Lin Qian, I have faith that your name would shake this land soon!” Crossing his palms behind his back, Ye Nanxin smiled with pride as the youngster left home once again.

“How unexpected. When my son told me that he had met a good samaritan, I never imagined that it would be Lin Qian.” At his side, Governor Bai Zun looked at the disappearing silhouettes as he sighed, “Who would have thought that the man everyone called scum and trash would grow up to be the famous and majestic Young Emperor?”

“Hahaha! In this world, the biggest thing that can’t be said for sure would be the youngsters!” Ye Nanxin’s eyes narrowed as a broad smile lit up his face. Looking wistfully at the blazing sun above, he muttered, “They always make miracles happen.”

On the pavement, Lin Qian rode on a black horse, leading the convoy of fifty one young children from Mt Ba City. On the two sides were the two brothers, Zhao Qiang and Zhao Jian. Acting as the rear guard was Bai Ren. The three of them had a critical mission to prevent anyone from lagging behind.

As the scorching sunlight was taken over by the moon’s cold rays, they were caught in a tough predicament. There was no available shelter. Faced with no choice, they were forced to set camp on the roadside.

“Everyone gather. Cross your legs and settle down.” Having taken a simple meal of dried goods, Lin Qian brought the group of chattering children together.

With Lin Qian’s ability and authority, no one dared to defy his instructions. The little ones quickly ran over. They promptly sat down in front of him with their legs crossed.

At the same time, Bai Ren and the Zhao Brothers stood by the young boys and girls.

Seeing that the crowd had settled, Ye Lin burst aloud, asking impatiently from the tip of the group, “Brother-in-law, something urgent?”

“Of course.” Laughing warmly, Lin Qian’s gaze swept across the younger children, “Now that all of you have passed the assessment. You are Universal Phenomenon Sect Disciples by name.”

“As the inspectorate disciple, I have to pass on to you the Sect’s basic cultivation method along the way. While it may be elementary, the Chaotic Universe Mantra will still be miles better than the ones you are using now.”

“When you advance to Materialised Vitality Stage, you will be eligible to sit for a trial. Should you be successful, you will be recognised as a disciple, and would have access to better cultivation methods and instructions.”

Hearing Lin Qian’s promise to pass down the Universal Phenomenon Sect’s cultivation methods to them, the bunch of young boys and girls were pumped with adrenaline, chattering wildly as excitement lit up their faces. Even the arrogant Ye Long and Ye Feng’s expressions were tense with anticipation.

After getting the children to re-settle and suppress the outburst of exhilaration, Lin Qian taught them the Chaotic Universe Mantra word by word. After they drilled the mantra into their memory, they immediately shut their eyes and got to work.

As the children sat motionlessly like statues, Lin Qian, Bai Ren and the Zhao Brothers watched over them carefully. Should there be any signs of deviating from the correct method, they immediately offered assistance and guidance, correcting the mistakes before it was too late.

“Hmm?” Suddenly, a sound of rapid, heavy breaths fell onto Lin Qian’s ears. Turning around, he quickly saw Ye Long’s face flushed red, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he heaved loudly. Without delay, Lin Qian threw three palms onto Ye Long’s body, suppressing the poor Soul Energy circulation. “Concentrate more! Slow down the circulation of Soul Energy by 30%. Do not rush and do not be hasty!”

Hearing the words, Ye Long followed them without question. With the aid of the Soul Energy added by Lin Qian’s three palms, he slowly brought the circulation within his body back to normal.

After some time, Ye Long resurfaced from his cultivation state. Opening his eyes, he looked teary-eyed at Lin Qian, his face flushed with a mixture of gratitude and guilt, “Lin Qian, in the past, i….”

Previously, he had treated Lin Qian with nothing more than contempt and despise. When he learnt of the true abilities Lin Qian had hidden, the vast difference came crashing onto him. His defeat was so devastating he could not even mouth words of envy.

Thinking back about what he had said, shame gnawed unpleasantly within him.

“Next time, do not crave immediate progress. Your mind has to be realistic and solid. And do not ever let arrogance cloud your eyes again.” Looking solemnly at the younger boy, he gave stern words of advice.

Patting Ye Long’s shoulders firmly, he stood up and smiled gently, “You are also part of the Ye Family. Now that you have left the safety of home, you must know that the world is not as kind as home. You need to fight and prove yourself.”

Having settled Ye Long’s perilous situation, he turned and inspected the progress of the rest.

The unpleasant words of the Ye Family, especially those of the younger generation like Ye Long and Ye Feng, Lin Qian remained indifferent and was not going to hold them responsible.

Owing to his respect for Ye Nanxin, and his wish to show some face for Ye Xin, he had no reason to do so.

As Ye Long looked at the changed Lin Qian, his expression was complicated. Within his heart, the young boy had firmed his resolve.

Soon after, happy faces lit up the dark night as the youngsters all opened their eyes after thoroughly successful cultivation.

Early the next morning, Lin Qian continued leading the convoy on their way to Universal Phenomenon Sect. It was only after another two weeks that they had reached the foot of Universal Phenomenon Sect Mountain.

“WOW!”

The youngsters from Mt Ba City stood at the foot of Universal Phenomenon Sect Mountain. As their head tilted up, the towering sight drew a loud gasp of shock and surprise from them.

The majestic contours were aligned continuously, with their peaks enveloped mysteriously by the low hanging clouds.

From afar, a semblance of massive structures dotted the sides of the cliffs. Looking more closely, one can even make out the hanging bridge that connects two of the most gigantic cliffs.

Close to them, there was a long flight of white marble stairs, linking the foot to the area obscured by the clouds.

Stepping forward, Lin Qian stretched his palms out.

The moment his arms reached out, an invisible barrier stuck to his hand, sealing off any further movement towards the entrance.

Yet, when the barrier and Lin Qian’s palms met, the impenetrable walls rippled vigorously, opening a hole, the size of an adult, allowing access.

Only when every member of the convoy entered, did Lin Qian withdraw his hand, entering himself.

Suddenly, a figure of a Universal Phenomenon Sect disciple appeared at the top of the flight of stairs. Seeing Lin Qian, he quickly rushed down.

Within the blink of an eye, he had appeared right beside Lin Qian.

The lightning speed movements had pried the eyes of the Mt Ba City children’s eyes wider by at least three fold.

From the aura of the Universal Phenomenon Sect Disciple, he was in the Condensed Vitality Stage like all of them. Yet, his movement speed was abnormal. He was even faster than the strongest of them, Ye Long, by several times.

Even if they were in the same stage, were the Universal Phenomenon Sect Disciples that many times better?

“Oh, my goodness! Brother Lin, you are back at last! I’ve been waiting here for you for many days already!” The disciple who rushed down panicky whined, “Your teacher’s disease has acted up again!”

“What?!” Lin Qian’s heart almost stopped. Turning to Bai Ren, he hurried instructed, “I’m leaving them to you. Bring them to the Ancestral Hall to leave their names.”

Before he finished his last word, his body flickered and disappeared in the direction of the Inner Sect.