While the Trial of Ancestral Echo continued in the background, the line of candidates who had completed it began to form again, this time toward the eastern side of the courtyard, where a large, spherical artifact hovered in mid-air. It rotated slowly, suspended above an engraved marble pedestal shaped like a lotus, glowing faintly with hues of violet and white.
A hush spread like mist among the crowd. Even the stewards and minor elders leaned forward in their seats.
"The next segment will now commence," announced Elder Ji Yuan from the central platform. "Those who have completed the second trial will now be guided to the final phase of today's test."
His voice rang out like the tolling of a solemn bell.
"This is the Trial of Mind's Clarity—a test of comprehension and mental acuity."
A steward stepped forward, robed in light-blue silk that shimmered under the morning sun. He held a jade scroll in his hands but did not unroll it. Instead, he gestured toward the hovering sphere.
"This is the Immortal Insight Orb, a legacy treasure passed down from a bygone age. When a candidate places their hand upon it, the orb will delve into their consciousness. It assesses not strength or blood, but the clarity of mind and the speed of comprehension—vital qualities for all cultivators, soldiers, and strategists alike."
There was reverence in his tone, and even the rowdy observers seemed to feel it.
"The grades," the steward continued, raising his voice so all could hear, "range from Grade D to Grade A, and beyond that… Transcendent."
Gasps echoed through the air like falling petals.
"D signifies the bare minimum required to follow basic cultivation manuals. C allows comprehension of fundamental techniques. B suggests talent worthy of elite training. A is genius-tier, worthy of direct mentorship from a clan elder. Transcendent—" the steward paused here, letting the word settle, "—is a realm touched by only a few souls per century. The orb will display the appropriate mark after contact."
He stepped back.
"Let the test begin."
A pale youth stepped forward first. Sweat dotted his brow. He took a breath and pressed his hand against the glowing orb.
Nothing happened for a moment. Then a ripple of white light surged through the orb's surface. Glowing characters appeared in the air above it:
Grade C – Average Comprehension
The youth sighed, partly in relief.
"Acceptable," Elder Ji Yuan noted from a distance. "Proceed to the waiting area."
One by one, the candidates stepped forward. Some managed Grade C, a few Grade B. A single girl from the eastern province earned a Grade A, and a stir ran through the elders.
Whispers flew among the stewards.
"She's the niece of Ji Tangyu, I believe…"
"Not bad at all. Her comprehension is far above her bloodline potential."
Behind the lines, candidates who had yet to take the test shuffled nervously. Several had failed to make it beyond the second trial and stood off to the side, dejected.
At that moment, a minor disturbance rippled through the ranks—not from the candidates, but from the high platform facing the trials.
A palanquin had arrived, carried by four white-robed attendants. Its frame was carved from crimson sandalwood, inlaid with golden phoenixes and blooming lotuses.
From within, a soft, composed voice called out, "We'll observe from here."
The curtain parted, and four women stepped out.
Gasps traveled like lightning through the crowd, part reverent, part awe-struck.
At the forefront stood Ji Chuyan, the most dazzling pearl of the Ji Clan's younger generation. Dressed in flowing violet robes lined with golden embroidery, her hair was adorned with a phoenix-shaped hairpin encrusted with spirit jade. She stood proud and aloof, her cold gaze sweeping across the candidates without stopping on any particular one.
By her side was her younger sister, Ji Yunqing, dressed more modestly in blue-green robes with silver embroidery. Her gaze was gentler, more curious than cold. Behind them stood Ruolan, Ji Chuyan's personal maid, sharp-eyed and watchful despite her calm demeanor.
Finally, following behind with an air of graceful authority was Madam Ji, the matron of the inner household. Though no longer young, her beauty had not faded. She wore a dark gown stitched with silver phoenix feathers and a matching hairpin. Her gaze was like an icy stream—calm, steady, and penetrating.
All four women seated themselves beneath an embroidered canopy reserved for high-status guests. The attending elders bowed lightly, though none dared to comment.
Madam Ji's voice was low but carried a quiet strength. "Continue."
The tests resumed.
Another candidate stepped forward, trembling. The orb flashed briefly.
Grade D – Poor Comprehension
"Disqualified," said the steward without hesitation.
The youth was escorted away.
Ji Yunqing turned to her sister. "It's rather cruel, isn't it? To be judged by a single thought."
Ji Chuyan's gaze remained fixed on the orb. "In cultivation, one moment of insight can determine life or death. This is mercy, not cruelty."
Her words carried no emotion, only truth.
Ruolan nodded slightly in agreement. "Better to know one's limits early."
Below, more candidates approached, pressing trembling hands to the orb.
A young boy—barely of age—stood trembling as he reached forward. The orb hummed once and flared.
Grade B – Solid Comprehension
A murmur of approval passed through the crowd. Even Madam Ji lifted an eyebrow faintly.
"Who is that one?" she asked a nearby attendant.
"Ji Hanxu, daughter of a concubine from the fifth branch family. Her father died in the last border campaign."
"Hm."
The orb pulsed again, judging another. Grade C. Then D. Then a flicker of B again.
The crowd, despite the solemnity of the test, couldn't help but murmur and shift with each result.
All the while, the four women sat in composed silence, observing everything.
As the sun began to rise higher, the lines of those taking the Trial of Mind's Clarity began to shorten.
Elder Ji Yuan stepped forward once again. "Thus concludes the third segment. The final results will be tabulated. Those who have passed all three trials will receive further instructions at sunset."
He nodded to the stewards, who began collecting names and grades in jade slips.