Volume One: A Youth’s Entry into the World Chapter 112: The Assembly Begins

In the early morning, Fang Tian opened his eyes and rose, heading downstairs. After spending two days in his room, he knew that today marked the beginning of the Hundred Islands Conference.

Seeing that many people were already waiting below, Fang Tian quickened his pace and descended. Standing amid the crowd, Xie Qing noticed him approaching and greeted, "Brother, you’re here."

Fang Tian nodded, then glanced at Mu Qiaoqiao. Beside her, Gong Bin was smiling as he spoke with her, stirring a faint discomfort in Fang Tian’s heart before he withdrew his gaze.

After a while, Fu Xin and Li Wei descended from upstairs. Upon reaching the group, Fu Xin said, "Let’s go."

Everyone nodded, and Fu Xin and Li Wei led them toward the Spirit Testing Platform on the island.

From Fu Xin, Fang Tian learned that the first day of the Hundred Islands Conference was for testing spiritual power, though it differed somewhat from the previous tests on Qingmu Island.

They walked for about an hour along a straight path until they arrived at the bustling square where the conference was held. Finding a small empty spot, they stood there.

At that moment, Li Wei spoke to Fu Xin, "You all stay here. I’ll go up first."

"Yes, Uncle Master," Fu Xin replied respectfully.

Li Wei then led a few people through the crowd toward the two-story tower ahead.

As he left, Gong Bin seemed reluctant to part, but Li Wei’s stern gaze silenced him. After a brief farewell to Mu Qiaoqiao, Gong Bin followed Li Wei away.

Fang Tian watched this with some irritation, though he concealed it well; after all, he had rejected the beauty’s sincere affection that day, so no matter how upset he was, he had to endure.

On the tower, elders from three factions had already gathered. The three leaders exchanged glances before signaling the person responsible for announcements.

The appointed announcer nodded and then loudly declared to the crowd below, "The time has come. The Hundred Islands Conference begins."

Seeing the restless crowd, he continued, "Now, I will explain the task for today’s Hundred Islands Conference."

"In front of you stands a massive stone tablet. Each island’s representatives will take turns approaching and placing their hands upon it. I will announce whether each passes or fails."

"Now, representatives from Island One, please come forward for testing!"

Several people nearby stepped toward the Spirit Testing Stone. Standing beneath the tablet, they exchanged looks before one placed his hand on it.

A flash of light appeared on the stone, revealing the number "Fifty-seven."

The announcer glanced at the number and declared loudly, "Below seventy—fail. Next!"

The young man sighed and left dejectedly. The next stepped forward; the number was "Fifty-nine"—still failing.

The announcer shook his head and said, "Anyone scoring below seventy, please leave quietly. I won’t announce each failure."

One after another, Island One’s representatives finished testing, but none passed. Seeing their disappointed expressions, Fang Tian realized the test was much stricter than he had imagined.

As groups came forward in batches, several hours passed. Half the crowd had already tested, and the area around grew less crowded.

Fang Tian was surprised that a single spirit power test could eliminate so many. He wondered about the cultivation levels of those sect practitioners.

That unknown allure stirred a yearning within him to explore further.

By now, fewer than twenty islands remained, and Fang Tian’s group was ninety-eighth in line, so they still had some time before their turn.

During this wait, Fang Tian was amazed that not a single island had passed so far. He suspected the arrangement might be deliberate—that the three sects might have already surveyed the islands’ conditions.

If so, it was somewhat alarming; it implied the Beisha Archipelago might already be under the full control of these three sects.

After a moment, the representatives from Ice Spirit Island stepped forward. The light shimmered, displaying the number seventy-five—the second prince, whom Fang Tian had once saved, was among them.

On the tower, the announcer’s spirit visibly lifted and promptly declared, "Seventy-five—pass!"

The second prince clenched his fist joyfully and said to his companions, "Big brother, your turn."

The eldest prince nodded, placed his hand, and saw the number seventy-eight—also a pass. A few others tested afterward, but only two from Ice Spirit Island passed.

Among the spectators was Zhao Guangran, who smiled proudly at his son’s success, nodding in approval.

The second prince stepped down and glanced at Fang Tian with a smile; Fang Tian returned the gesture.

As testing continued, more began to pass. After the ninety-seventh island finished, it was their turn.

Ten representatives stepped forward in turn to place their hands on the stone tablet. The first five failed, but when Xie Qing stepped forward, the number seventy-six appeared.

Xie Qing smiled and said to Fang Tian, "Brother, your turn."

Fang Tian placed his hand, focused his spirit power to gather in his palm, and the stone blazed with light. At first, the number showed sixty-nine.

He remained calm, continued channeling, and soon the number jumped to seventy.

The announcer was about to call it a failure when the number shifted again. Rubbing his eyes to confirm, he then declared, "Seventy—pass!"

Breathing a sigh of relief, Fang Tian felt fortunate; he had barely passed, thanks to a special technique he had learned from Master Tian beforehand.

From the tower, Gong Bin’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Fang Tian pass. He asked Li Wei, "Uncle Master, isn’t this guy at the sixth level? How did he pass?"

Li Wei stroked his beard and replied calmly, "Not sure. Possibly he has good potential."

"It’s strange. I thought for sure he’d fail. Many with higher levels barely passed. I don’t get it."

"Why bother worrying? Passing is passing. He’ll join our Cloud Mist Sect eventually."

"I don’t know why, but I just don’t like him."

"Did he offend you?"

"No."

"Then stop worrying and keep quiet!"

Li Wei scolded sharply. Gong Bin, taken aback, fell silent, slightly intimidated by his uncle master.

After Fang Tian, two more tested. Then Mu Qiaoqiao stepped forward. She gently placed her delicate hand on the stone, and the light flashed brilliantly, revealing the number ninety.

Ninety?!

Except for Li Wei, who sat calmly, elders from the other two factions rose, their eyes filled with shock.

"Li Wei, is this girl from Qingxi Sect?" an elder from the Dark Moon Valley asked.

"Yes. Why?" Li Wei calmly sipped his tea.

"Incredible, truly incredible. Such talent is rare indeed," the Dark Moon elder marveled.

Li Wei stood and said lightly, "Heaven favors our Cloud Mist Sect."

The elder from the Scarlet Sun Sect, noticing Li Wei’s pride, snorted coldly. "Isn’t it a bit premature to say that?"

"Oh? Do you plan to compete for her?" Li Wei smiled.

"This girl hasn’t decided which sect to join. Maybe she’ll choose Scarlet Sun," the elder retorted.

"That would be unfortunate. I’ve already spoken to her; she’s bound to choose Cloud Mist," Li Wei said confidently.

The Scarlet Sun elder frowned, realizing Cloud Mist had already done their groundwork. He said irritably, "If you can persuade her, so can we. After the test, I’ll personally visit to convince her to join Scarlet Sun."

Li Wei’s gaze darkened. "You want to break the rules?"

"Such a genius—rules or not, it depends on one’s ability. Whoever has the skill gets her," the elder said stubbornly.

"By all means, try. I want to see if she’s willing to join Scarlet Sun," Li Wei sneered.

The Dark Moon elder interjected, "Enough arguing. Li Wei, he’s not wrong. None of us want to lose such talent. For fairness, let’s all have a try."

"Don’t cloak it in righteousness. If you want to try, then try. I don’t believe it will succeed," Li Wei snapped.

"Good," the Dark Moon elder said with a smile.

The Scarlet Sun elder saw Li Wei’s concession and smirked, already plotting how to attract Mu Qiaoqiao after the conference. Having such a prodigy would be a mighty boon, potentially eclipsing the other sects and upsetting the balance among the four great sects.

The three ceased their quarrel and turned their attention below. Because of their dispute, much time was lost. The testing below was nearly complete. Though many passed, none surpassed Mu Qiaoqiao’s score; even the second highest was only eighty.

That person was someone Fang Tian knew—Yin Tu, who had clashed with them days before.

Yin Tu glanced toward Fang Tian’s group, knowing the talented girl was among them. He was relieved he had not caused trouble with them that day, realizing his caution had been justified. If he had followed Pu Mu’s advice, he might have invited more trouble. The fact that those two who fought his junior brother also passed meant he must avoid stirring up trouble.

As dusk fell, the testing concluded. The elders from the three sects rose and descended from the tower.

Seeing Li Wei approach, Fu Xin led his disciples forward to greet him. Li Wei waved them over and whispered a few words in Fu Xin’s ear.

Fu Xin nodded in acknowledgment and then stood aside as the group headed toward the Cloud Cover Inn.

Walking along, Fang Tian noticed Gong Bin once again clinging to Mu Qiaoqiao and thought to himself that the man was certainly persistent.

He withdrew his gaze and walked calmly.

Xie Qing watched quietly from the side, sensing the situation but refrained from teasing as before. He could tell Mu Qiaoqiao did not wish to engage with Gong Bin, only tolerating him out of politeness.

Back at the Cloud Cover Inn, everyone returned to their rooms. Fang Tian lay on his bed, closed his eyes, and relaxed his spirit.