Chapter 1020: Ye Mo’s Trial

Xiao Fei saw his name above Fang Zhonshi’s, a predictable outcome. He nodded, then shook his head, surveying the top ten.

Calls of “Young Master Xiao!” and “Big Brother Xiao!” echoed from the square.

Xiao Fei smiled, returned the crowd’s cheers with a fist salute, and vanished.

The crowd’s discussion intensified after his departure, many inspired to leave their mark on the Trial Tablet. The reverence afforded to those listed was a powerful incentive, even for cultivators.

Yet, this remained a fantasy. No one followed Xiao Fei’s example. The tablets had stood for countless years. Easy inscription would have resulted in daily overcrowding. Only those already renowned, or supremely confident, attempted inscription. Failure brought ridicule, not praise. Success made heroes; failure, fools. Even hesitant aspirants waited until the square was deserted. Each person had only two attempts. A second attempt was granted only after a successful first.

Sects rarely accepted cultivators who failed the trial. This wasn't necessarily due to a lack of self-awareness; rather, failure often created a mental block hindering further cultivation. Some persevered, but they were exceptional.

Ye Mo observed the crowd without attempting inscription. He wore a high-quality mask, yet Fu Rong knew of his presence. He waited for the square to clear, ensuring Fu Rong wasn't watching. He knew few in South Peace City recognized his name.

Amidst the continuing discussion, two cultivators succumbed to temptation. One reached only fifteen meters, his name unrecorded. The second surpassed eighteen, but to no avail. Both retreated, red-faced and ridiculed. Their identities were quickly revealed, costing them their second chance and serving as a cautionary tale. Despite lingering ambition, fear now reigned.

Ye Mo remained, finding a quiet spot. He needed to inscribe his name swiftly, then disappear to reach the Nascent Soul state. Afterwards, he would return, awaiting news of Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue.

By midnight, only a few remained, basking in the reflected glory of others. Ye Mo knew further waiting wouldn't diminish the crowd; he rose. The time was right.

Approaching the tablet, he found a young woman with closed eyes, seemingly sensing residual energy.

“Excuse me,” Ye Mo requested.

She remained still until his further query: “Am I disturbing you?”

“Yes,” he replied. “I wish to try.”

“What? You want to try?” she exclaimed, cut short by a male cultivator who rushed forward.

He saluted, “Friend, my martial sister deeply admires Young Master Xiao. She lingered to sense his energy. Please forgive the interruption.”

Ye Mo noted the cultivator’s Golden Core State Level Three—two levels above the woman's—and his obvious affection. He pitied the man: his beloved fixated on another.

Ye Mo looked at the pair wordlessly.

“Martial brother, he wants to try,” the girl announced.

“What? You want to try?” the man echoed.

Ye Mo nodded. “Yes, but I suggest you attend to your sister.”

He knew that even winning her affection wouldn't bring happiness unless he achieved something extraordinary, like Xiao Fei.

The cultivator, clearly intimidated, moved his sister aside, saying, “Please proceed; my sister can return later.” He was Golden Core State Level Three, his sister Level One; they dared not offend a Golden Core State Peak cultivator.

After their departure, the girl’s disgust was palpable—disgust at being dismissed, or perhaps at Ye Mo's audacity in emulating Xiao Fei.

The remaining cultivators remained oblivious, a fortunate circumstance for Ye Mo.

Before the tablet, he scanned with his spiritual sense, confirming he was unobserved. Without preparation, he circulated his cultivation essence and soared. Speed was crucial; he needed to inscribe his name and disappear.

“Idiot…” the girl muttered, witnessing his unprepared ascent.

The man quickly silenced her. “Martial sister, he’s Golden Core State Peak. Don’t provoke him.”

She scoffed, “What is he? Scared of ridicule, he comes at night, wearing nondescript clothing. A true genius like Young Master Xiao, a Pure Metal element cultivator, wears gold.”

The man fell silent, knowing argument was futile when Xiao Fei was involved.

Ye Mo’s ascent immediately drew attention. The chance to witness an attempt was too tempting to resist. Even nocturnal attempts were newsworthy. His name would be known regardless of the time.

At six meters, a powerful force resisted his ascent, intensifying with height. He understood the limitations. As he poured more cultivation essence, his ascent accelerated. At fifteen meters, a crushing killing intent added to the pressure, threatening annihilation.