The Trial Begins

Elder Yuan Zhen sighed deeply, his face full of helplessness. “I’m too old for this. Let the Young Master and Third Miss explain themselves.”

For a moment, Gu Feiyan and Gu Xunhe argued back and forth, each firmly standing their ground.

Gu Jinghong, the Sect Master, rubbed his temples, clearly irritated. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Enough. I’ve heard enough to get the gist of what happened. Now we just need to determine who initiated the provocation.”

“Exactly,” Gu Xunhe said, immediately switching to a respectful tone as he bowed to his father.

“Father, surely you know Big Brother’s character. Only he could cause such a disgraceful mess,” Gu Feiyan said, casting a mocking glance at Gu Xunhe.

“Gu Feiyan, stop twisting the truth!” Gu Xunhe snapped.

“Enough!” Gu Jinghong said, raising his hand to silence them. “Let’s stick to the facts.” Reaching into his spatial ring, he pulled out a transparent spiritual stone and held it in his palm. “I will personally use the sect’s unique truth-detection technique, which every new disciple undergoes upon entry. If this stone glows red, it means someone is lying.”

“You’re finished,” Gu Xunhe sneered, his eyes brimming with malice as he glared at Qin Gou.

“Disciple is willing to accept the Sect Master’s test. I trust the Sect Master to see the truth and clear my name,” Qin Gou said quickly, his tone earnest.

“Good,” Gu Jinghong said approvingly, activating the spiritual stone with his energy. He asked, “Qin Gou, did you strike anyone without cause? Is the handprint on Gu Xunhe’s face your doing?”

“Absolutely not. The handprint on the Young Master’s face was caused by himself while swatting a mosquito. I saw it with my own eyes,” Qin Gou said confidently, his expression unwavering.

Ten seconds passed.

The transparent spiritual stone in Gu Jinghong’s hand remained unchanged. He sighed heavily, looking at his eldest son with disappointment. “You’re being unreasonable. Always scheming for power and framing others—do you know how much you’ve let me down?”

“Father, I’m innocent! Qin Gou must have used some underhanded method to interfere with the truth-detection technique!” Gu Xunhe protested, his face pale with shock.

“Ridiculous!” Gu Jinghong’s face darkened. “This is a technique I personally performed. How could a mere Weapon Refining Realm disciple interfere? Or are you accusing me of favoritism and tampering with the technique?”

“But I didn’t even do anything! I was going to, but I didn’t get the chance!” Gu Xunhe clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He felt utterly defeated, unable to comprehend how Qin Gou had managed to deceive everyone. Could it be that his father truly valued that mad dog more than his own son?

“Enough! I don’t want to hear any more excuses. You’ve disappointed me enough for one day,” Gu Jinghong said coldly. “This matter won’t be brushed aside. Gu Xunhe, you will face consequences for your actions.”

Gu Xunhe was stunned, his face filled with disbelief. “Father, are you really going to punish me over an outsider? Even if I had slapped him, so what? He’s just an inner disciple—a mere ant!”

“Qin Gou is not an outsider,” Gu Jinghong said after a moment of contemplation. His tone was firm but hesitant. “Elder Yuan Zhen has already spoken to me about this. In the future, Qin Gou will become the Dao companion and husband of your youngest sister, Man Xiaomu. He is far from an ordinary disciple you can treat as you please.”

“What?!”

The room fell silent. Gu Xunhe was stunned, Gu Feiyan was dumbfounded, and Qin Gou was utterly speechless.

Elder Yuan Zhen chuckled, patting Qin Gou on the shoulder. “No need to be so shocked, and no need to thank me. I merely conveyed your intentions to the Sect Master in a subtle way. In the future, you’d better treat the Fourth Miss well. Now, thank the Sect Master for his generosity.”

Thank him? Qin Gou thought, his mind reeling. I just want to slap myself! Why did I have to run my mouth back then?

His face turned various shades of green and white as he struggled internally, nearly fainting from the sheer absurdity of the situation.

After a moment, he forced a smile and said through gritted teeth, “Thank you… Elder Yuan Zhen. Thank you, Sect Master.”

He had accidentally become the betrothed of his youngest and most adorable disciple. What a ride. Life really has hit its peak.

Gu Jinghong smiled warmly. “Man Xiaomu doesn’t know about this yet. I’ll inform her once she’s out of seclusion. Qin Gou, you’re exceptionally talented and handsome—I’m sure she won’t refuse. Now, I won’t force Gu Xunhe to apologize to you. I know his pride won’t allow it. As for his punishment, I’ll delay it for now.”

Turning to his subordinates, Gu Jinghong said, “Bring Gu Yinjiao here. I’m ready to announce the details of the Young Master trial.”

***

Shortly After.

Gu Yinjiao arrived, clad in combat attire. His appearance resembled Gu Xunhe’s, but he was far more muscular, with a bald, gleaming head.

“Greetings, Father,” Gu Yinjiao said in a deep, booming voice.

Gu Jinghong nodded slightly. “Now that everyone is here, I will officially announce the start of the Young Master trial. Starting tomorrow, the three of you will lead separate teams along different routes, eventually converging at the ‘Forgotten Self Mystic Realm.’”

“The Forgotten Self Mystic Realm was created by the late Avatar Realm cultivator, Forgotten Self, to preserve his legacy. Only cultivators below the Forging Realm can enter. Any higher-level cultivators who attempt to enter will trigger all the realm’s traps and mechanisms, resulting in their destruction.”

“First, Gu Yinjiao will lead his team from Nanshan Town. Second, Gu Feiyan will lead her team through the Golden Dui Mountains. Lastly, Gu Xunhe will lead his team along the official road from Baiyang City. Though your routes differ, your destination is the same. Your performance during this journey and the treasures you obtain in the mystic realm will determine who is most qualified to become the Young Master while I am in seclusion. Of course, if anyone successfully obtains Forgotten Self’s legacy, they will automatically become the Young Master.”

After finishing his explanation, Gu Jinghong sipped his tea, his eyes glinting. “You may now prepare for your journey. Qin Gou and Little Yan, stay behind.”