As evening fell, the lanterns of an inn named Guiyun Inn lit up beside the official road.

Numerous travelers gathered here, making it the only lively spot in the vast, open wilderness.

The Fang Family’s carriage slowly came to a stop in the inn’s courtyard. The steward, Fang Zhong, was in the yard making arrangements for the night with the coachman and guards, while Fang Han disembarked with the Patriarch, Fang Lingyuan, and walked into the inn.

The inn’s main hall was already filled with travelers from all corners of the land. Amid the clamor, several tables of men dressed like martial artists were loudly discussing the county’s most prominent figures.

"Have you heard? Wang Miao from nearby Lishan City has climbed the Celestial Pride List again! He’s ranked ninety-fifth now!"

"I can’t believe a small place like ours could produce such a genius!"

A man with a thick, curly beard chugged a mouthful of wine, his booming voice filled with a sense of shared glory.

"Tsk, tsk, ninety-fifth? And how long has it been? At his age, he might actually have a shot at breaking into the top fifty of the Celestial Pride List in the future!"

A man at the same table agreed, his tone full of awe.

"Wang Miao..."

The name struck a chord with Fang Han.

The first time he’d heard of Wang Miao, the man was only ranked one-hundredth on the Celestial Pride List. Now, just a few months later, he had already climbed to ninety-fifth.

Wang Miao was the person on the Celestial Pride List who was, in a sense, closest to him. He couldn’t help but wonder what level Wang Miao’s strength had reached.

’Seventh Grade Inner Qi Realm? Or has he already reached the Sixth Grade Inner Qi Realm?’

Just as his thoughts began to wander, the light at the inn’s entrance dimmed slightly, and two figures stepped inside.

The one in the lead was a young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a tall, straight posture.

He wore an indigo martial arts uniform under a brocaded long robe of the same color. His face could be called handsome, and his brow held an air of steady confidence.

His gaze swept across the hall—sharp, but not overbearing, exuding a natural and composed air.

The young woman following him wore an aqua-green dress. With bright eyes, pearly teeth, and delicate features, it was none other than Wang Meng, whom he had met once before.

Their appearance immediately drew a great deal of attention.

Those with a less discerning eye were captivated by Wang Meng’s beauty.

But those with a keener eye focused on the young man.

Although the young man didn’t deliberately reveal his aura, his steps were steady, and the qi around him was harmonious and complete. He was clearly no ordinary person.

Fang Lingyuan’s gaze fell upon the pair. He was momentarily startled, but a faint smile soon appeared on his face as he took the initiative to greet them.

"Nephew Wang, and you, Wang Meng, what a coincidence to meet you here. Why don’t you come join our table?"

"Uncle Fang, I didn’t expect to run into you here. In that case, we’ll take you up on your offer."

The young man looked over at the sound of the voice, and a smile broke through his stern expression upon seeing Fang Lingyuan.

He walked over with Wang Meng and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Uncle Fang."

Wang Meng also curtsied and offered a soft greeting.

As her gaze swept past Fang Han, who was beside Fang Lingyuan, a distinct, unusual glint flashed in her clear eyes.

She had thought that after that day, she would have no more dealings with Fang Han. She never expected to see him again so soon.

After Fang Lingyuan had them seated, he gestured to Fang Han and introduced him to the young man.

"Nephew Wang, this is a junior from my family, Fang Han."

Then he turned to Fang Han. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Fang Han, this is Brother Wang Miao of the Lishan City Wang Family, currently ranked ninety-fifth on the Celestial Pride List."

"I am Fang Han. I’ve long heard of Brother Wang’s esteemed name."

Realizing the person before him was the Wang Miao from the Celestial Pride List, Fang Han’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

He hadn’t expected the very person he had just been thinking about to appear right in front of him. He quickly cupped his hands in a salute.

"Brother Fang Han, a pleasure to meet you."

Wang Miao’s gaze rested on Fang Han for a moment. His eyes were calm as he gave a slight nod in return.

He had heard of Fang Han before, but not because of his reputation as a genius—that fame was largely confined to Liangshui City and rarely known outside of it.

The reason he’d heard of Fang Han was because of the talk that their elders had intended to arrange a match between him and Wang Meng, though it ultimately fell through.

"So that’s Wang Miao!"

"He really has an extraordinary air about him!"

Though the exchange at their table was not loud, the words "Wang Miao, ninety-fifth on the Celestial Pride List" were like a stone tossed into a calm lake, quickly sending ripples through the inn’s main hall.

The boisterous conversations subconsciously quieted down as countless gazes—filled with awe, curiosity, or scrutiny—landed on the renowned young talent.

Whispered discussions spread through the corners of the room.

"Nephew Wang, are you preparing to return to your Sect?"

Fang Lingyuan asked.

As far as he knew, Wang Miao had joined the Qingxuan Sect many years ago. It was precisely because of the Qingxuan Sect’s resources that he was able to rank on the Celestial Pride List today.

The Wang Family’s power was comparable to the Fang Family’s. If he had relied solely on the Wang Family’s resources, even with his talent, it would have been impossible to rank on the Celestial Pride List. A shallow pond cannot raise a true dragon.

This was exactly why he wanted Fang Han to join the Qingxuan Sect.

"That’s right. The New Year festivities are over, so I must return to the Sect to continue my training."

Wang Miao said with a nod.

Fang Lingyuan’s gaze then shifted to Wang Meng, who was sitting quietly to the side, his expression questioning.

"And Wang Meng, you are here to..."

Wang Miao answered for her, "I managed to secure a disciple position for my younger sister. I’m taking her back to the mountain to join the Sect."

A flicker of surprise appeared on Fang Han’s face when he heard this.

A single disciple spot in the Qingxuan Sect was an opportunity that countless families in the outside world would fight tooth and nail for and still fail to obtain. The fact that Wang Miao could secure one for Wang Meng spoke volumes about his strength and status within the Sect.

He couldn’t help but glance at Wang Meng. He was finally beginning to understand why she had been so proud and arrogant before. With a brother like him, she certainly had the right to be.

"I see. Congratulations, that’s wonderful news. We are also heading to Qingxuan City. If it’s convenient, perhaps we could travel together?"

Fang Lingyuan said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Wang Miao glanced at Fang Lingyuan, then over at Fang Han. After a moment’s thought, he nodded in agreement. "Alright. We can look out for each other on the road."

Wang Meng sat beside her brother, saying very little. But when she occasionally glanced up at Fang Han, her gaze held less of its former distance and more of a subtle, scrutinizing curiosity.

’Traveling to Qingxuan City at this time... he must be planning to take the Qingxuan Sect’s entrance assessment.’

’For the Fang Family Patriarch to personally escort him to the assessment... Fang Han’s talent is probably far greater than I initially imagined.’

Of course, it was impossible for her to regret her previous rejection.

’Putting aside whether he can even pass the assessment to join the Qingxuan Sect, even if he does, it’s almost impossible for him to rank on the Celestial Pride List like my brother.’

’Even among Qingxuan Sect disciples, only a handful of True Inheritors can make it onto the Celestial Pride List.’

A few days later, the group arrived at the foot of Qingxuan Mountain.

On Qingxuan Mountain, a colossal gate stood majestically. Amidst swirling clouds and mist, one could glimpse jade-green pavilions and exquisite halls, creating a magnificent and refreshing sight.

At the foot of Qingxuan Mountain, thanks to the presence of a transcendent power like the Qingxuan Sect, a large city with a population of over a million had formed.

Inns and all sorts of shops lined the streets, making it exceptionally prosperous.

Here, Fang Lingyuan and Fang Han parted ways with Wang Miao and his sister.

"Uncle Fang, Brother Fang Han, we’ll part ways here. I wish you success in the assessment, Brother Fang Han," Wang Miao said, cupping his hands in farewell.

"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Wang."

Fang Han returned the gesture.

Wang Miao nodded, said no more, and then led Wang Meng past the respectful gazes of the Mountain Guard Disciples. After presenting his Identity Token, he walked straight through the Qingxuan Sect’s mountain gate into the depths of the mist, and their figures soon vanished from sight.

Fang Han watched them disappear before retracting his gaze. He looked up at the mountain gate that soared into the clouds, a flicker of anticipation and solemnity in his eyes.

From his conversations with Wang Miao during their journey, he had learned that the upcoming competition would be even more intense than he had imagined. He wondered if he would be able to successfully join the Qingxuan Sect.