The location of the next trial unfolded into a boundless world veiled in drifting white mist.
Beneath the black-haired young woman stretched a vast lake, its still waters spanning endlessly in every direction. Several meters ahead stood an enormous tree, its branches heavy with pale red-pink blossoms that spread outward like a canopy. Petals loosened one by one, scattering gently through the air before landing softly upon the mirrored lake surface.
Yet her gaze did not linger on the lake, nor on the towering tree, the drifting mist, or even the falling petals. Instead, it was drawn to the vague silhouette standing silently before the great tree.
She watched in silence, her breath unconsciously stilled. Slowly, the blurred figure sharpened, its form revealed before her eyes. The moment recognition struck, her pupils contracted in shock—
The figure was none other than the Mansion Master of Moonlit Chaos Mansion himself.
…
Outside the trial space, the spectators shared her astonishment. They turned sharply, only to realize that among three Xiao Huas, Flame and Thunder alone remained. Xiao Hua himself had vanished without a sound.
"Is he… testing this disciple personally, Flame?" Xin Yu asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Flame did not answer directly. He only nodded faintly, a smile tugging at his lips.
"It seems Xiao Hua has truly taken her to heart."
The others shifted their gaze back to the projection, their expressions solemn as they watched the black-haired young woman now face Xiao Hua within the trial. None denied the talents of the other candidates, yet this one—her potential, her bearing—was undeniably captivating that even Xiao Hua decided to move personally.
…
"Mansion Master…" the black-haired young woman murmured, her voice carrying both awe and disbelief.
Xiao Hua's figure stood with unshakable calm before the ancient tree, his robe stirring faintly though no wind touched the world. His heterochromatic eyes, crimson and cyan, fixed upon the young woman with quiet weight.
"You have passed the first two trials," his voice carried evenly, yet it pressed upon her heart like the still surface of an endless sea. "Tell me—what did you comprehend from them?"
The young woman lowered her gaze briefly in thought before meeting his eyes with firm clarity.
"Though they are called trials, both were opportunities. If one can grasp them, then one gains enlightenment. If not, they pass as nothing more than hardship. From the start, you did not explain their meaning, because once the trial begins, whether one seizes it depends only on ability and fate."
"The first trial was not simply balancing atop stones or enduring oppressive heat. On the surface, it seemed hardship and danger, but in truth, it was a forge. Every misstep, every tremor of imbalance, every disruption of Dou Qi circulation—each was a hammer blow stripping away weakness. What remains is a body that endures, a foundation firm and unshaken amidst turmoil. Those who see this gain more than passage—they gain refinement."
"The second trial tested the heart. Whatever knots one carries—desires, fears, regrets—all are drawn forth. To suppress them is evasion. To shatter them with force is denial. Either may grant escape, but neither brings true growth. The only path is to walk through the illusion, to face it as though real, and to untie the knot within. Only then does the heart gain clarity."
"If one longs for beauty, they must see through their longing. If they covet treasures, they must understand what they truly seek. If they fear death, they must accept its shadow. By facing these truths without succumbing, the heart is tempered—refined like steel in flame. Thus, illusion becomes a furnace that forges both spirit and soul."
"Through these two trials, I came to understand what I lack, what binds me, and what I should have done. By facing weakness and chains, I was reborn."
Her words were steady, her tone restrained. Each syllable carried weight.
A faint gleam flickered within Xiao Hua's heterochromatic eyes. His lips curved ever so slightly—approval shown only in that restrained gesture.
"Good. To temper the body and refine the heart—only by walking both paths together can one truly advance upon the cultivation road."
He allowed the silence to stretch for a breath before his tone shifted, calm yet carrying an undercurrent of quiet challenge.
"You wield the spear. I, too, favor the spear. Since you have grasped these truths, would you exchange a few pointers with me?"
The young woman's expression softened, a trace of a smile tugging at her lips. She cupped her hands respectfully, her bow dignified yet tinged with eagerness.
"As Mansion Master wills."
Her slender hand reached behind her, summoning forth a spear. Its black shaft shimmered faintly in the mist, a crimson glow gathering along its tip. The way she held it—steady, composed—spoke of the respect she bore the man before her, yet within it lay the quiet pride of one unwilling to yield.
The lake beneath her feet rippled gently as she lifted her spear, its crimson light steady as a star in the drifting mist.
Xiao Hua extended a hand. With a single thought, a spear of pure energy formed in his grasp—unadorned, without flourish, yet so heavy in intent that even the mist seemed to pause in stillness.
Neither rushed. They stood opposite one another in silence, gazes locked, breaths calm. It was not a contest of speed, but of heart and will.
At last, the young woman moved. Her spear thrust forward, smooth and precise, the tip cutting through the mist like a streak of lightning. It carried no excess force, only intent—straightforward, unyielding.
Xiao Hua met it with a single shift of his wrist. His spear tilted, guiding her strike away with neither clash nor resistance, as if the lake itself had swallowed it whole. His counter thrust followed, swift as a falling star, yet restrained, stopping a hair's breadth before her throat.
The young woman's eyes did not waver. She twisted her wrist, lifting the shaft, deflecting the point upward, then flowed into a sweeping strike that carried both grace and ferocity.
The lake rippled again, petals scattering from the great tree. Xiao Hua's spear met hers with a faint hum. The clash sent no shockwave, no great burst of force—only a vibration that ran down their arms, carrying the weight of each other's will.
The exchange grew faster, yet never lost its dignity. Each strike was measured, each defense precise, every movement like words in a dialogue only they could hear. Neither sought victory; they sought understanding.
Amidst the flow, Xiao Hua's calm voice rose, even as his spear moved with ease.
"I am curious. Why did you choose the spear, and not the sword? The sword often tempts young people with its allure."
His tone bore no condescension—only genuine curiosity. Yet as he spoke, his spear shifted, sharp intent unfurling like an unseen tide. A blue dragon surged forth from his strike, majestic and overwhelming.
The young woman's eyes narrowed. With a sharp motion, she hacked her spear downward, her intent surging outward in a streak of light.
The two forces collided. No sound rang out—only a trembling resonance that rippled across the lake and set the falling petals to shiver.
Yet unlike Xiao Hua's azure dragon, her spear intent had not yet reached the realm of manifesting form. Her strike carried resolve, but lacked the depth to contend with his. Step by step, she was pressed backward.
Still, though heavy, his strike bore no killing intent. It was not meant to wound, but to guide.
This was no battle of Dou Qi, nor of cultivation bases. It was an exchange of pointers. Yet, because Xiao Hua's understanding of the spear ran so deep, each motion of his was a lesson, a path silently revealed before her eyes.
After steadying herself, the young woman straightened her back. Her reply was calm and collected, without tremor, embellishment, or false emotion.
"It is simple. My father was only a mortal, yet his weapon was always the spear. Every dawn, he trained with a wooden shaft, never failing even once. My mother and I would watch him from the side."
"To me, those mornings became a memory carved into my heart. Whenever I hold a spear, that memory returns, and with it, a quiet strength. No matter the trial, it steadies me."
A faint gleam passed through Xiao Hua's eyes. His spear lowered slightly, the weight in his gaze neither cold nor indulgent, but measured.
"Your answer is good," he said evenly. "A mortal's persistence may seem small in the eyes of cultivators, yet such persistence is often purer than what many so-called experts can achieve. To inherit that spirit and let it anchor your spear heart—this, I approve."
He paused, his tone shifting, calm yet edged with warning.
"However, remember this well: mortal attachments can both steady and bind. There will be times when what anchors you may clash with the path you must walk. If you cling too tightly, it may become a chain rather than a foundation. To walk the spear's path, you must discern when to carry such memories forward—and when to let them go."
The young woman lowered her gaze briefly, then lifted it again, her expression composed yet resolute. She cupped her hands lightly and said, her voice neither loud nor soft, but carrying firm clarity:
"I understand, Mansion Master."
Her hands tightened around the spear, and with that acknowledgment, she surged forward once more. Each clash against Xiao Hua's spear carried sharper intent, her strikes growing swifter, more refined, as though every exchange carved away a layer of haze clouding her spear heart.
Xiao Hua responded in kind, his movements steady and unhurried. His spear was like flowing water, each thrust and sweep guiding her forward without ever overwhelming her, pointing out paths within every collision.
His strikes flowed steady, like ripples spreading across an endless sea, carrying inevitability within each motion. Her spear danced against his, slender and elusive, piercing with cold brilliance—graceful arcs streaking across the mist-veiled air.
The lake rippled, petals swirled through the mist, and with every strike, her spear intent grew clearer—tempered not only by her memory, but now also by his guidance.
From the tip of her spear, a faint silhouette began to emerge within the air—a shape vague and shifting, like a figure seen through mist. It was not yet whole, not yet defined, but it pulsed with life.
Xiao Hua's eyes glinted, his expression calm, yet the faint curve of his lips betrayed his approval.
"Good. The path of spear intent lies not in imitation, but in the shape born from your heart. Though it is still blurry, this is the first glimpse of your own way."
The young woman's breathing deepened, yet her eyes never wavered. She thrust again, her blurry intent surging forward with the strike. It trembled as it met Xiao Hua's azure spear intent, but it did not break. Instead, it lingered, faintly more distinct than before.
The lake rippled outward, petals scattering like sparks from a forge. With every clash, her intent grew firmer—still incomplete, but no longer without form.
The young woman's spear thrust forward once more, the clash ringing softly through the mist. From its tip, the faint silhouette returned, still hazy yet undeniably present. It fluttered and wavered, as though struggling to break free from the veil of formlessness.
Xiao Hua's eyes lingered upon it, his calm gaze sharpening slightly.
"A bird," he said, his voice steady, carrying neither praise nor rebuke. "Your spear intent carries the shadow of flight. Though blurry, it beats its wings. That is the beginning of your path."
The young woman's heart trembled, yet her grip did not falter. Quietly, firmly, she answered, "I understand."
Her spear swept out again, and the hazy bird-shaped intent surged forth, its form faint but no longer fleeting. With each clash against Xiao Hua's azure dragon, the bird's outline grew a little steadier, as though testing its wings in the vast sky of her will.
The lake rippled outward, the great tree's blossoms scattering like feathers, carried by unseen currents.
Xiao Hua's eyes softened slightly, though his spear remained unwavering. "Do not force its flight. Let it soar when the time is right. Until then, temper it well."
At last, after several breaths, both withdrew at the same moment. The lake's surface rippled gently, carrying the scattered petals outward, while blossoms and white mist drifted aside, leaving the world momentarily still.
Xiao Hua dispersed his spear of Dou Qi into nothingness and placed his hands behind his back. His gaze rested upon the young woman as he asked, his tone calm yet weighted.
"What is your name?"
The black-haired young lady understood the exchange had come to an end. She stored away her spear, cupped her hands respectfully, and replied with composure.
"My parents named me Yan Xiaoyu."
"Yan Xiaoyu…" Xiao Hua repeated softly, his lips curving faintly. "Pure and precious, like jade. A fine name."
He gave a small nod, then his voice deepened, steady as stone upon water.
"You may have sensed it. From the first trial, I observed your path, your decisions, and your insights. Though you showed promise then, it was only after the second trial that I resolved myself. From this moment, I am willing to take you as my disciple."
His heterochromatic eyes glimmered faintly, carrying both solemnity and approval.
"Yan Xiaoyu—are you willing to acknowledge me as your master?"
For the first time, Yan Xiaoyu's composure wavered, her heart stirring despite her usual calm indifference. Though she had anticipated this, hearing it from Xiao Hua's own lips carried a weight beyond expectation.
Without the slightest hesitation, she stepped forward, performing the disciple's bow with unwavering sincerity.
"Disciple Yan Xiaoyu greets Master!"
"Good." Xiao Hua's laughter was soft, his nod carrying both approval and warmth. A faint smile touched his lips as he looked at her, his eyes gentle.
Though a strange feeling stirred in his heart—his disciple was three years older than him—in the cultivation world such matters held little weight. Age meant nothing before the depth of insight and the breadth of the path.
"Come. I will take you to your residence." He turned, sleeves flowing as spatial fluctuations rippled into existence, forming a tunnel that stretched toward his abode—where Cai Lin, Little Fairy Doctor, Ya Fei, Xiao Yuyan, and even Qing Lin resided.
"What of the trials?" Yan Xiaoyu asked quietly. Though she did not question his decision, she still wondered if it was proper for him, as host, to leave midway.
Xiao Hua glanced back, his tone calm and reassuring. "Do not worry. My other selves remain. They know what must be done, for they are me as well."
With that, Xiao Hua stepped into the spatial tunnel, his figure steady and composed. He turned slightly, beckoning his new disciple to follow.
Without hesitation, Yan Xiaoyu stepped in after him, her steps quiet yet firm. Though composed on the surface, curiosity stirred within her—she wished to see for herself the Moonlit Chaos Mansion.
…
Xiao Hua's residence, the Mansion Master's Abode of the Moonlit Chaos Mansion—
"I did not expect you to take someone under your guidance so soon…"
Little Fairy Doctor's voice carried quiet surprise. Though she had long known that Xiao Hua would one day take a disciple, she had never thought it would be this early.
Cai Lin and Ya Fei, too, fixed their gazes upon the black-haired young lady standing a few steps behind Xiao Hua, their eyes filled with quiet intrigue. They both understood how difficult it was to earn Xiao Hua's recognition, so naturally they were curious about the one who had succeeded.
They all understood the situation well. Sister Li Mei and the others had indeed pressed Xiao Hua to consider taking a disciple, but none had believed he would agree so quickly.
After all, one had to consider Xiao Hua's age. Though his strength was already sufficient to make even the older generations and those ancient demons treat him with solemn respect, in truth he was still no older than the younger generation, not yet past his mid-twenties.
Moreover, he had been personally guided by Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue, who continued to instruct him in the profound path of formation arrays. With him still walking the road of learning, it was all the more difficult to imagine he would so readily take a disciple of his own—especially when his standards for acknowledgment were notoriously high.
Thus, how could Little Fairy Doctor, Ya Fei, and Cai Lin not be astonished that someone had managed to capture Xiao Hua's attention, and that he had chosen to accept a disciple at such an early stage?
"Yan Xiaoyu, come and greet your future madams." Xiao Hua's tone was light, carrying a trace of laughter as he turned toward his new disciple.
Yan Xiaoyu nodded and stepped forward. With hands cupped and her posture respectful, she bowed slightly and said softly, "Greetings, Madams…"
Cai Lin, Little Fairy Doctor, and Ya Fei were caught off guard by the address, a faint flush rising to their faces. Though none of them had yet formally married Xiao Hua, they did not refute her words, nor did they deny them.
Just as the air turned faintly awkward, the door to the residence opened. Qing Lin stepped out with a smile, holding a little girl in her arms. Having sensed his return, she had brought Yuyan to greet him.
At the sight of them, Xiao Hua's expression softened noticeably. He walked forward, his usually steady composure melting into warmth as he took the child gently from Qing Lin's embrace. The little girl laughed softly in his arms, her clear voice ringing like a bell.
After handing Yuyan over, Qing Lin cupped her hands toward Yan Xiaoyu with a courteous smile. "Greetings, Sister Yan Xiaoyu. I am Qing Lin. It is a pleasure to meet you."
On her way out, she had already overheard their exchange and understood that this young woman was the one Xiao Hua had chosen to accept as his disciple. Though she, too, felt surprised, she offered her respect without hesitation.
"Qing Lin possesses the matured Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils," Xiao Hua explained, his voice calm as he rocked Yuyan lightly in his arms. "It is a rare and formidable gift—able to devour the strength of those it ensnares, gradually weakening them while transferring that power to her."
"That's…" Yan Xiaoyu's heart trembled as she heard the frightening ability possessed by the young lady before her. Never had she imagined meeting someone with such unique and terrifying eyes in this place.
She had long heard rumors of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, yet she never expected it to be so fearsome. Did this not mean that Qing Lin, with such an ability, could forgo cultivation altogether—merely capturing experts to control and steadily absorb their strength?
"It is not quite as frightening as Young Master Xiao Hua described." Qing Lin, noticing the looks of awe and unease, stuck out her small tongue before speaking with a gentle voice.
"This kind of devouring is extremely slow. Moreover, it is limited by my strength and cannot surpass a gap of one major realm. Additionally, I can only control magical beasts with serpent bloodlines. It has no such effect on humans, other magical beasts, or Heaven-Swallowing Pythons like Sister Cai Lin. At best, against them, my pupils can only offer some small assistance."
"Even so…" Yan Xiaoyu's mind remained shaken. Though Qing Lin downplayed it, the truth was clear: once this girl grew stronger, her eyes would only become more dreadful. Even she could not help but feel both admiration and unease at such a gift.
She drew a slow breath, lightly shaking her head to steady herself, before turning her gaze toward the little girl in her master's arms. There was a familiar aura within the child—one that resonated faintly with Xiao Hua's own—stirring her curiosity.
"She is my daughter…"
Xiao Hua spoke casually, as if mentioning something trivial. Yet to Yan Xiaoyu, his words fell like thunder, leaving her mind blank. Her thoughts crashed into chaos, her composure torn apart by disbelief.
She knew Xiao Hua's age well—and judging from the little girl's appearance, didn't this mean her master had already fathered a child while still in his teenage years?
Her lips parted, her voice unsteady as she forced the words out.
"What… what did you just say, Teacher?"
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