As the trial continued, tension began to rise like a growing tide. A handful of candidates were eliminated immediately—those with Low Mortal or defective physiques. They walked away with bowed heads, some blinking back shameful tears, others visibly trying to suppress their anger.
Every few moments, a glimmer of hope would flash across the crowd as someone triggered a higher-tier response from the mirror. The elders would murmur quietly to one another, and scribes would scratch furiously into jade slips, recording names of those with promising talents.
Lin Hao tilted his head slightly. So far, no one has crossed into the Earth-tier yet…
Suddenly, the air shifted.
A youth with bright golden eyes and neatly tied hair stepped forward. His robe was embroidered with subtle phoenix feathers—clearly someone from a higher branch of the Ji Clan. He raised his hand, sliced a fingertip with a spirit blade, and dropped a single bead of blood into the offering plate beneath the mirror.
A sharp hum followed.
The silver gemstone lit up, brighter than any previous activation.
A line of gold characters shimmered into existence:
Physique Grade: Low Earth-Tier Physique – Thunder-Forged Skeleton
A collective gasp echoed through the audience. The elders straightened in their seats. One even set his teacup down.
"Earth-tier… that's rare!"
"I haven't seen that in two years…"
"He's got a thunder-type body. That's one of the best for physical combat!"
The youth offered a confident smirk and stepped back into line, hands folded behind his back. His gaze lingered on the observers, pausing for a beat as he noticed a group approaching from the shaded walkways of the courtyard.
Four women arrived, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
Ji Chuyan.
Dressed in a flowing pale-blue dress with frost patterns embroidered in spiritual thread, Ji Chuyan moved with elegance and dignity. Her eyes were cold as winter lakes, her posture straight, and her presence utterly mesmerizing.
Beside her was a younger girl—clearly her sister,Ji Yunqing. She was more expressive, with curious eyes that darted around the scene like a sparrow in spring. Following them was a quiet, reserved maid in modest clothing who still exuded practiced grace. And behind them, walking with measured steps, was none other than the matron of the Ji household.
Lady Mu qinyi
Her beauty, though matured, had not faded. Graceful and proud, she carried herself like a queen, her presence enough to silence several nearby murmurs. Even some of the elders stood to greet her presence.
"Why are they here?" someone whispered.
"I heard Lady Ji has a personal interest in the selection this year. She wants to sponsor a few candidates for the main army."
"No—she's probably here to see who might be suitable for marriage matches. Don't be surprised if the Earth-tier boy gets picked…"
Lin Hao's expression remained unreadable, but a small scoff echoed in his mind.
Ding! Hidden Condition Met. System Quest Unlocked!
Objective: Resist the urge to gnash your teeth while 1,000 men ogle your wife.
Reward: 1 EXP.
...Again with this trash system, Lin Hao sighed inwardly.
The event carried on. Several more candidates were tested, but none matched the Earth-tier boy's result. The vast majority of hopefuls hovered around the Mid-Houtian or High-Houtian grade.
Eventually, the first trial concluded. Out of 500 initial participants, only 138 remained.
Elder Ji Yuan raised his hand again, voice like thunder. "Those who failed the Mirror of Origin Veins, step aside. You may try again next season. Those who passed, proceed to the next area for the Spirit Lineage Assessment."
The crowd parted as the successful candidates moved toward a six-story black tower on the east side of the courtyard. It was no more than twenty feet high, though it pulsed faintly with spirit light and ancient inscriptions.
The tower's purpose was simple: test the purity of one's spiritual bloodline.
At the base of the tower sat a small circular basin. Each participant had to cut their palm and let blood drip into the dish. In response, the tower would activate and display a light corresponding to their bloodline's grade.
From bottom to top, the tower's floors represented the following tiers:
1st Floor: Mortal Lineage
2nd Floor: Houtian Lineage
3rd Floor: Profound Lineage
4th Floor: Earth Lineage
5th Floor: Heaven Lineage
6th Floor: Immortal Lineage
Lin Hao furrowed his brow slightly as the rules were explained. "Heaven Lineage?" he muttered.
The same boy from earlier leaned over to him. "Don't get your hopes up. The tower only lights up to the third or fourth floor at most. Only the Son of Heaven can light the fifth. No one's ever activated the sixth."
"Son of Heaven?"
"You'll know when you see him," the youth whispered ominously, eyes darting toward the far end of the field.
The test began again.
One by one, participants approached, sliced their palms, and let their blood fall into the container. A few flickers of light rose up the tower — most only igniting the first or second floor. A few managed to light the third floor.
"Profound Lineage! Not bad!"
"He reached the third floor! That's better than most!"
From a distance, Ji Chuyan observed calmly, occasionally exchanging whispers with her mother and sister. Her eyes remained serene—until she spotted Lin Hao leaning against a pillar, looking completely disinterested.
She frowned.
"Is he… just watching?" she muttered.
Her sister chuckled beside her. "Brother-in-law doesn't seem impressed."
"Hmmph," Chuyan scoffed, lips tightening. "He never is."
Meanwhile, the Earth-tier boy stepped up to the bloodline tower.
Everyone watched with bated breath as he cut his palm and allowed several drops to fall into the container.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—three floors lit up in sequence.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Third Floor Activated: Profound Lineage Confirmed
A wave of applause rippled across the crowd.
Lin Hao narrowed his eyes.