The Cloud Mist Sect was one of the most prominent and massive forces within the Jia Ma Empire, located in the southwestern corner of the Northwest Continent on the Dou Qi Continent.
The sect's mountain gate was established atop a majestic mountain range over ten miles north of the imperial capital. Due to the Cloud Mist Sect's presence, this mountain came to be known as Cloud Mist Mountain.
Cloud Mist Mountain was extremely steep overall, with cliffs on three sides and only a single path leading to the summit—a classic example of an easily defensible but difficult to attack location. The structures on the mountain were primarily divided into four main complexes, each patrolled rigorously by Cloud Mist Sect disciples.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
In the core area of the lowest main complex near the mountain's base, there was a vast, open plaza. A crowd had gathered around, watching two youths battling at the center.
After their fists collided, the two youths were forced back over a dozen steps each, their gazes clashing fiercely in the air.
The two youths stood at opposite ends of the plaza, forming a stark contrast.
The youth on the left wore an expensive, form-fitting white training robe. His aura was blazing hot, his appearance average, and his stature somewhat short.
The youth on the right had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and excellent bone structure. Even clad in an ordinary, form-fitting black robe, he couldn't conceal his nearly reader-level handsome features and elegant image, his demeanor icy cold.
"Blazing Fire Palm."
The shorter youth stomped the ground fiercely, charging rapidly toward the black-robed youth. A wave of scorching heat manifested around his hands.
The Blazing Fire Palm, a high-level Yellow Tier Dou Skill, could condense a thin layer of flame over the palms when executed by a Dou Master. Only cultivators at Battle Qi stage seven or above could practice it.
As he closed in on the black-robed youth, the shorter youth also shot him a threatening glare.
"Bang!"
The black-robed youth sank into a horse stance on the spot, conserving his energy to strike a palm imbued with a chilling cold.
Icy Frost Palm, a mid-level Yellow Tier Dou Skill. When executed by a Dou Master, it could condense a thin layer of ice over the palm. Only cultivators at Dou Qi stage five or above could practice it.
The two youths' palms collided, alternating forces of cold and heat, producing a layer of white mist.
"Hmm?" The shorter youth sensed something amiss, his pupils contracting.
But before he could react, the black-robed youth shifted his stance, turning sideways to deliver an elbow strike.
Eight Extremities Fist, Iron Mountain Lean.
"Bang!"
The shorter youth took a heavy blow to the chest, tasting something sweet in his throat as his vision went black. He was sent flying backward several meters before crashing to the ground.
By the time his sight cleared, an ordinary long sword was already pressed against his neck, glinting coldly in the sunlight.
"Just as expected, Senior Brother Gu Han won the competition. I've struck it rich."
"That good-for-nothing Mo Qing, I went all-in betting on him to win."
"Didn't they say Mo Qing warned Gu Han in advance to throw the match?"
"Gu Han must have refused to give him face. Now Mo Qing has lost face big time; he had the elemental advantage and still lost."
"Let's not put it that way. Senior Brother Gu Han reached Dou Qi stage nine half a year ago, while Mo Qing only reached stage eight in the pre-competition assessment."
"Then why don't you mention that Gu Han isn't even fifteen yet, while Mo Qing is already sixteen and a scion of the Mo family."
"Before breaking through to Dou Practitioner, there are no accelerated cultivation methods. Even children from great families have no advantage. But once he breaks through to Dou Practitioner, Mo Qing will quickly surpass Gu Han. A temporary lead means nothing."
"Regardless, they're both beyond our league."
"All I know is, since Gu Han refused to give Mo Qing any face, he's definitely going to face retaliation. Mo Qing is narrow-minded and has an elder brother who is a direct disciple under the Grand Elder's tutelage."
"Who knows..."
The disciples around the square whispered among themselves, revealing considerable information.
Mo Qing pressed a hand to his chest, swallowing the blood rising in his throat as his expression grew increasingly grim. He spoke coldly: "Gu Han, you've got nerve!"
Gu Han remained silent, merely watching Mo Qing with calm eyes.
But the cold indifference flashing in his gaze seemed to reply: "Of course I have nerve. Unlike a waste like you?"
Gu Han then turned to look at Ge Xian, the Outer Sect Steward presiding over the competition at the side of the square, while slightly moving the long sword in his hand.
The meaning was simple: if you don't announce the result soon, I'll continue.
"Ahem."
Ge Xian was a middle-aged man wearing luxurious blue robes with the Cloud Mist Sect's distinctive silver sword and cloud emblem embroidered on the sleeves. After clearing his throat lightly, he announced the result loudly.
"Mo Qing cannot continue fighting. Gu Han wins."
"For this Provisional Disciple Competition, first place goes to Gu Han, second to Mo Qing, third to Liu Ye'er... tenth to Yun Shang."
"Come forward to receive your rewards!"
Finally hearing the desired outcome, Gu Han immediately sheathed his sword and went straight to Ge Xian without looking back.
"First place in the competition: one Instruction Hall Black Iron Token, one hundred gold coins, one Storage Ring, and one thousand Merit Points."
Ge Xian handed a Storage Ring to Gu Han, indicating he should inspect it.
Gu Han's eyes lit up as he immediately reached out to take it.
A mysterious and profound sensation emerged. With a thought, he focused his consciousness into the Storage Ring.
Inside was a ten-cubic-meter space containing one hundred gold coins and one Instruction Hall Black Iron Token.
Gu Han stored his sword in the Storage Ring, then took out his Provisional Disciple identity token and handed it to Ge Xian to transfer the one thousand Merit Points.
"Thank you, Steward."
Gu Han received the token with both hands, bowed respectfully, then stepped aside to stand. The entire process was meticulous, his posture straight as a sharp sword.
A look of approval flashed in Ge Xian's eyes. Although Gu Han wasn't particularly warm, he was extremely disciplined and polite. Combined with his decent talent—reaching the ninth level of Battle Qi before fifteen, showing potential to become a Dou King—many throughout the sect thought highly of him.
"Second place..."
Ge Xian was about to give Mo Qing his reward, but discovered he had already silently left supported by another disciple.
Ge Xian's expression immediately soured somewhat. Out of consideration for the Mo family's reputation, he had shown some favoritism toward Mo Qing during the competition.
But that didn't mean Mo Qing could be disrespectful, nor could Ge Xian simply ignore everything to suppress talented disciples while favoring family disciples.
After all, the Cloud Mist Sect belonged to the Yun family, not the Mo family.
"Third place..."
With a cold expression, Ge Xian continued distributing the remaining rewards.
After the top ten provisional disciples had received their rewards, he offered some words of encouragement before turning to leave.
"Gu Han, congratulations!"
Liu Ye'er and the other seven came to Gu Han's side, offering congratulations that ranged from sincere to polite.
"You're too kind."
Gu Han responded calmly and, after exchanging a few pleasantries, prepared to leave.
"Gu Han, Mo Qing won't let this go. You should be careful these days." Liu Ye'er hesitated slightly before reminding him.
"I will. Thank you." Gu Han's tone carried a hint of seriousness as he quickly departed.
"Ye'er, why remind him?" Yun Shang came to Liu Ye'er's side, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes. "He's just an ice block. It's not worth offending Mo Qing for him."
"We're all fellow disciples. We should help each other." Liu Ye'er replied lightly, watching Gu Han's retreating figure.
Half an hour later, Gu Han returned to the wooden cabin where he lived.
He tore open his clothes and looked down at his chest, discovering a faintly visible Bagua diagram.
Instinctively covering it with his hand, the blood seeping from his fingers was suddenly absorbed.
The next moment, he felt as if his brain was about to explode.
Immediately after, his consciousness arrived at a strange place where he saw an indescribable primordial beast.
"Black Tortoise!?"