Chapter Seventy-Two: Defeat

After a burst of commotion atop the eastern training ground’s platform, the island master coughed a few times, signaling for silence. He declared, “If no one else wishes to withdraw, I will proceed with the arrangements for the tournament.”

Seeing that no one on the platform spoke, Fang Jian continued, “For this disciple selection, we will begin with simultaneous trials at the four training grounds—east, west, south, and north—choosing the ten most outstanding individuals.” With that, he nodded to Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan stepped forward, bowed to Fang Jian, then turned to address the crowd. “Here at the eastern training ground, you will face three tests: first, a test of heart; second, a test of aptitude; and third, a test of martial skill.”

As he finished speaking, two disciples carried over a wooden stand. With a wave of Fang Jian’s hand, a crystal-clear stone appeared on the platform, shaped like a sphere. Whether it was the sunlight’s reflection or the stone’s own radiance, it shone with an exquisite beauty.

Fang Yuan explained, “You will now approach one by one, forming a long line, and place your right hand upon this stone. This is the test of heart.”

The crowd listened and filed off the platform, forming a line before the spiritual stone. Ye Sansi and his companions, being senior, queued at the end.

Fortunately, the process was simple and took little time for each; after less than half an hour, it was the turn of Ye Sansi and his six companions.

Cheng Xuyuan stood at the front, placing his hand upon the spiritual stone. His demeanor brimmed with confidence—he had undergone this process dozens of times and knew he would have no trouble.

As they drew nearer, Ye Sansi and the others saw that the moment Cheng Xuyuan’s hand touched the stone, it glowed with a faint, yet distinct, white light. The once transparent stone turned white.

Fang Yuan nodded, signifying Cheng Xuyuan had passed. Once he stepped away, the stone regained its crystal clarity. Fang Yuan then beckoned Li Taiyi, who looked a little nervous as he slowly placed his hand upon the stone.

As with Cheng Xuyuan, the stone again emitted a white glow and turned white. Fang Yuan nodded, and Li Taiyi, knowing he had passed, was overjoyed.

Next was Liu Lingshuang, whose result matched Cheng Xuyuan and Li Taiyi. Then followed Ye Sansi, Lin Nian’er, Xiong Gang, and Jin Sun, each of them eager and determined, knowing that to fail would disappoint the friends beside them.

Ye Sansi approached the stone, about to place his hand down, but was stopped by an invisible force—Fang Jian’s magic. The master walked over, frowning, and gazed steadily at Sansi.

Sensing the tension, Ye Sansi bowed respectfully. Fang Jian coughed and asked, “You… what is your name?”

“Island Master, my name is Ye Sansi.”

“Where are you from?”

“I am from Qingyang.”

“Qingyang? I see the sword at your back carries extraordinary energy—does it have a name?”

“I used to call it the Sansi Sword, but later learned its true name is ‘Heaven’s Wrath’.”

Fang Jian lowered his head, murmuring, “So it truly is Heaven’s Wrath. When I first saw it, I thought it familiar—never expected I would see it here today.”

Ye Sansi couldn’t catch Fang Jian’s words, and, scratching his head, feared he would be rejected even before touching the stone. He ventured, “Island Master, am I to proceed with the test of heart, or have I already been disqualified?”

Fang Jian laughed. “Ha! Look at this old man, asking so many questions—how tedious of me. But never mind, Sansi, you need not touch the stone. I have seen enough—you have passed!”

Relieved, Ye Sansi hurried to his seat. Liu Lingshuang asked curiously, “How did it go, Sansi? I saw the Island Master speak with you, and you didn’t even touch the stone. Did you pass?”

Ye Sansi himself was puzzled by the Island Master’s questions, but since he had passed, he replied with a smile, “He just asked me a few things and said I’d passed. I’m not sure why.”

Li Taiyi laughed. “It must be that your handsome features and righteous bearing showed the Island Master your pure heart, so you passed at a glance.”

“Taiyi, your flattery is getting better by the day,” Lingshuang said with a pout.

Soon after, Xiong Gang and Jin Sun returned together, and everyone inquired about their results.

Xiong Gang waved his hand. “I don’t know why, but when Big Brother took the test, the Island Master looked at him and asked some questions before allowing him through. When it came to us, we were sent back without a word. I have no idea whether we passed or not.”

Now only Lin Nian’er remained to take the test. This time, Fang Jian did not intervene. Nian’er stepped forward and slowly placed her hand on the spiritual stone.

When her hand was still a foot from the surface, the stone began to glow white. As soon as her hand touched it, the white light turned dazzling gold, so bright that Fang Yuan, standing beside the stone, could feel the power radiating from it.

Even the experienced Fang Jian stared in astonishment, but quickly regained composure and, with a wave, removed Nian’er’s hand from the stone.

Fang Jian nodded. “Young lady, your spirit is exceptional. You have passed the test of heart.”

Lin Nian’er bowed in thanks and returned to the platform. As soon as she sat, Jin Sun threw her arms around her. “Sister Nian’er, you were amazing! When you touched the stone, it shone with golden light!”

Nian’er smiled. “I don’t know why. As my hand approached the stone, I felt a formless power flowing through me. But as soon as I touched it, the sensation vanished.”

Jin Sun teased, “I thought you were an immortal maiden reborn when I first met you—now I know it’s true! You must be the most beautiful fairy in the heavens, Sister Nian’er!”

Lin Nian’er laughed behind her hand, embarrassed by the praise. She patted Jin Sun’s head, smiling, “You! Lingshuang says Young Master Li is the cheekiest, but I think you have him beat.”

Before long, the test was complete and everyone had returned to the platform. Fang Yuan announced, “The test of heart is finished. One hundred have passed; those remaining on the platform have advanced.”

Looking around, everyone realized that the crowd had thinned remarkably. Where once the platform was packed, now it felt spacious.

Fortunately, Ye Sansi and his friends were all still present. Fang Yuan signaled for quiet and spoke, “There is no need to worry. The eliminated candidates have been taken care of. If they wish to attend the next tournament, we have arranged rooms for them on the island; if not, disciples will escort them home.”

After a pause, he continued, “This was only the first part of the first trial. Do not be overly pleased with making it this far. Next comes the second test—the test of aptitude.”

Raising his voice, Fang Yuan declared, “Some among you have resided on the Immortal Island for some time and have had your aptitudes examined by the Island Master or elders, but today is different. This test is much stricter. Fail here, and you must leave the island.”

One by one, those on the platform descended to stand before Fang Jian. This was no casual affair as when they first arrived. Today’s selection would determine the future of the Immortal Island; every detail mattered.

The first principle of cultivating immortality is fate. Some toil a lifetime and never gain the favor of the Dao. In the past, when such people came to the island, Fang Jian and the elders, busy with affairs, could only briefly assess them—those of poor aptitude were sent away, those barely adequate were allowed to stay.

But today, the test of aptitude was of utmost importance. A shake of Fang Jian’s head meant losing the right to remain on the island, and all were anxious.

Liu Lingshuang leaned over to Cheng Xuyuan. “Brother Cheng, is the test of aptitude difficult?”

“It’s not really hard—it all depends on yourself. Worrying won’t help. For me, I always pass the aptitude test; it’s the third trial that’s tough, alas.”

Fang Jian scrutinized each candidate, asking questions; each interview took the time of half an incense stick. Though it was cool and comfortable on the platform, idleness soon became tedious.

Ye Sansi and his friends chatted as, one after another, many were eliminated, including elders who had lived on the island for years. Cheng Xuyuan shook his head and sighed, “Ah, these brothers—none have escaped the passage of time. I wonder if I’ll pass this year.”

Li Taiyi smiled. “Brother Cheng, don’t worry. If you’ve passed before, you’ll pass today.”

Three hours later, it was finally Cheng Xuyuan’s turn. Ye Sansi sat up, craning his neck, while Liu Lingshuang smiled, “Don’t worry, Sansi. Grandpa Cheng has made it through all these years—he won’t fail now.”

Ye Sansi frowned. “But if he doesn’t pass, he’ll have to leave the home he’s known for decades, parting from lifelong friends. It would be such a shame.”

Soon, Cheng Xuyuan returned slowly to the platform. The six greeted him with waves and cheers, but he wore a grim smile. “I’m sorry—I didn’t make it.”

Li Taiyi protested. “Brother Cheng, how can that be? You…”

Cheng Xuyuan laughed wearily. “I’m getting old. I’ve lived here for many years; now it’s time to go, to see the world outside. Children, I won’t be staying with you—do your best. No more words. I begged the Island Master for a chance to say goodbye—let’s hope we meet again out in the world.”

With that, he waved to the training ground, and before anyone could reply, he vanished in a wisp of cloud.

The six felt a pang of regret for him. After decades of striving for immortality, enduring countless hardships, year after year in trials, day after day fishing in cold waters to survive.

Liu Lingshuang, angered, exclaimed, “It’s too cruel! The people of this island have no compassion—letting an old man stay for decades, then dismissing him with a word when he grows old and dashing his hopes…”

As the next candidate was called, Li Taiyi hurried for his test. Ye Sansi said to Lingshuang, “The Immortal Island has only done its duty. The disciple selection determines the sect’s future—there can be no carelessness. Besides, Grandpa Cheng chose to stay; the island provided him a home, asked no silver in return. He worked for his meals, as is fair.”

Hearing this, Liu Lingshuang had to admit he was right, though she pouted in protest.

Jin Sun laughed. “Who knows how strict the Island Master’s standards really are? From the look of things, out of a hundred only forty remain, and most are young heroes…”

Xiong Gang agreed. “Yes. From what Grandpa Cheng said, the elders here have good aptitude, yet most were only ever eliminated in the third trial. Some even entered the Heaven-Earth Training Ground. Now barely any remain—standards must have risen. I wonder if ordinary folk like us will get through.”

At that moment, Li Taiyi returned, his face grim like Cheng Xuyuan’s. Ye Sansi hurried over. “What happened, Taiyi? Did you not pass?”

Taiyi stayed silent. Ye Sansi stood up at once, pulling Lingshuang with him. “If Taiyi can’t stay, I don’t want to remain on this wretched island either. Lingshuang, will you leave with me?”

Lingshuang rose, grasping Sansi’s hand firmly. “Sansi, what are you saying? If you’re all leaving, why should I stay? I only came to accompany you. Whether we return to Liu Manor, go to Tianluo Mountain, or visit Divine Sword Villa, it’s all the same. Don’t forget, you’re the villa’s vice master. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”

Lin Nian’er joined them, echoing, “Don’t forget me. Ever since leaving Qingyang, you’ve cared for me. I never had a say in my own life; everything was my father’s will. Now that I’m out, if I don’t stay with you, I wouldn’t know where to go or what to do.”

Ye Sansi declared, “Good! We’ll leave this wretched island at once. I’ll take you all to Mount Buyun and show you true paradise, ha ha!”