“Something in the courtyard…?”

Hearing Regina’s words, the young man frowned. “What could possibly be in a third-grade Core Formation cultivator’s courtyard that would interest the Holy Maiden?”

However, Regina didn’t answer. She simply stared at the courtyard with a mixture of shock and uncertainty, then said decisively, “Let’s go back first.”

For the first time, she felt a flicker of fear and an intense curiosity about the young man.

Logically, the Jade Glass Palace should only house new disciples… but her intuition was never wrong. There was definitely something terrifying within the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

This matter required careful consideration.

…

Unaware of the events unfolding outside, Mu Zhi’an sat in the quiet courtyard, watching his maid pour him tea, his eyes lingering on her graceful figure.

As Wei Mengrou bent over, Mu Zhi’an’s angle allowed him to catch a glimpse of something he usually couldn’t see.

Indeed, a glimpse of what’s hidden is far more alluring than full exposure…

Mu Zhi’an thought with a sigh as he sipped his tea.

He had been occasionally dual cultivating with either Bai Ruoxi or the Jade Empress over the past two days, always making sure to be discreet and avoid being caught by either of them.

In Mu Zhi’an’s opinion, the most enjoyable part of dual cultivation wasn’t the result, but the process, and even the ‘events’ leading up to it.

Sensing his gaze, Wei Mengrou frowned, covering her chest with her hand. “What are you looking at?” she asked coldly.

Come on, don’t be so stingy… Mu Zhi’an looked at her disdainful eyes and chuckled. “It’s because you’re beautiful, Mengrou. I wouldn’t look at anyone else like this.”

Wei Mengrou scoffed, knowing her young master all too well.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t mind. He patted the seat beside him. “Come and have some tea.”

Wei Mengrou glanced at him, seeing his sincerity, and nodded. She smoothed her skirt and sat down beside him.

Then, as if sensing something, she looked up towards the outside, a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“I think someone is watching us,” Wei Mengrou said.

“Don’t worry about them. Let them watch,” Mu Zhi’an chuckled, his gaze returning to Wei Mengrou.

Uncomfortable with his persistent staring, Wei Mengrou frowned and said, “Don’t blame me for being rude if you keep staring.”

Mu Zhi’an took a sip of tea and said casually, “Speaking of which, Mengrou, do you remember our bet from a few days ago?”

Wei Mengrou’s body stiffened visibly.

Mu Zhi’an smiled. “Have you forgotten, Mengrou?”

After a moment of silence, Wei Mengrou asked, “What… what do you want?”

She’s panicking… Mu Zhi’an set down his teacup, about to speak.

At that moment, Bai Ruoxi emerged from her room, having changed her clothes. She looked at Mu Zhi’an, who was about to make his ‘request’, and said softly, “Dear, are we going to the Book Pavilion now?”

There was a cultivation technique assessment at the Book Pavilion today, and this assessment could potentially impact a cultivator’s entire life.

I almost forgot about that… Mu Zhi’an looked at his maid, who seemed relieved, feeling a pang of regret.

It seems I’ll have to postpone my… flirting.

Hmm… If I make that request, will Mengrou get angry and try to kill me? I need to be careful… Mu Zhi’an thought to himself.

If an eighth-grade Core Formation cultivator attacked him, he would have a hard time defending himself. He could only stall for time by summoning the Pure World Azure Lotus and the Eight Chaos Dream Scroll.

However, Wei Mengrou’s cultivation technique was mysterious, and her Core Formation abilities were like ghostly shadows, making it extremely difficult to escape her pursuit.

Of course, Mu Zhi’an still trusted his maid.

As long as he didn’t push his luck, she wouldn’t do anything too drastic.

Probably…

…

Book Pavilion.

Many disciples were gathered in the hall on the first floor, participating in the cultivation technique assessment.

This assessment tested a cultivator’s compatibility with different cultivation techniques.

From birth, individuals had an affinity for certain techniques.

It was like having a natural inclination towards certain subjects in school. Some people could easily excel in math without studying, while others struggled no matter how hard they tried.

This was talent.

If people could undergo an assessment at birth to determine their strengths and weaknesses, it would greatly benefit their future studies and choices.

This cultivation technique assessment could determine the type of techniques a cultivator was most suited for.

In a sense, it also showed them which ‘Dao’ to pursue.

Those who were confident in their abilities naturally didn’t need to participate in this assessment. For example, Ye Lingxuan and Bai Ruoxi. The former possessed the Forbidden Zone’s ancestral artifact, the Desolate Time Lock, while the latter had the Sword Immortal Protection. Their ideal cultivation paths were obvious.

When Mu Zhi’an and the others arrived at the Book Pavilion, many sect disciples and even some from the Eastern Realm’s Primordial Clans were already gathered there.

Mu Zhi’an looked up and saw Yan Ruyu standing on a platform.

Dressed in a loose black robe that accentuated her curves, a ribbon cinched around her slender waist, her long legs hidden beneath the fabric, the Peak Master of the Book Pavilion exuded an air of intelligence and mystery that was irresistible to young men.

Yan Ruyu had already broken through her bottleneck. Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but feel that she looked even more beautiful than before.

He wanted to ask the Jade Empress, who was currently ‘sleeping’ within his Innate Celestial Furnace, if cultivators became more beautiful after breaking through, but his attention was quickly drawn to the thin, almost translucent pages in Yan Ruyu’s hand.

Yan Ruyu also noticed his gaze and looked at him with a faint smile.

Then, she turned to the first disciple who stepped onto the platform and asked, “Are you ready?”

The disciple nodded nervously.

Yan Ruyu tossed the translucent pages into the air and formed a hand seal.

A shape appeared on the pages.

“Third-grade Palm Technique.”

The disciple’s face lit up with relief.

The pages indicated Palm Technique, which was the same type of cultivation technique he was currently practicing.

This meant that he was on the right track. Palm Technique was his best fit.

And the ‘third-grade’ indicated his level of proficiency in Palm Technique.

Four or five more disciples took the assessment.

Two of them weren’t compatible with their current cultivation techniques, but the other three were fine.

“Dear, I’ll try it too,” Bai Ruoxi whispered in Mu Zhi’an’s ear, her soft breath tickling him.

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly and smiled. “Go ahead.”

He felt that Bai Ruoxi’s assessment was a foregone conclusion.

With the Sword Immortal Protection, what else could she be suited for?

It had to be Sword Technique, right?

As Bai Ruoxi stepped onto the platform, the chatter in the hall quieted down.

People had a hard time resisting beautiful women, especially a cold and elegant beauty like Bai Ruoxi, whose delicate aura made her even more captivating.

“First-grade Sword Technique.”

As expected, the glowing pages displayed ‘First-grade Sword Technique’.

Bai Ruoxi bowed politely to Yan Ruyu, then gracefully descended from the platform and returned to Mu Zhi’an’s side.

Many people witnessed this scene, their eyes filled with envy as they looked at Mu Zhi’an.

Although they didn’t know who he was, having such a beautiful woman by his side was naturally enviable.

At this moment, the maid in the yellow dress also stepped onto the platform.

She clearly wasn’t used to being the center of attention, her hands fidgeting awkwardly.

Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but grin, almost laughing out loud.

He was used to seeing Mengrou’s cold and aloof demeanor. Seeing her flustered like this was quite amusing…

As he thought this, Wei Mengrou, sensing his gaze, glared at him coldly.

Mu Zhi’an immediately straightened his face, putting on a serious expression as if to say, ‘I’m a professional. I won’t laugh no matter how funny it is.’ He even gave her a thumbs up.

Wei Mengrou rolled her eyes and looked at the pages, which displayed the assessment results after Yan Ruyu activated the magical artifact.

“First-grade Formation!”

Many were surprised.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay