The Heart Returning Sect had a total of twenty-four halls, each with positions such as Hall Master, Guardian, Presiding Elder, Ritual Elder, Law Enforcement Elder, Sword Guardian, Seal Guardian, Black Banner, and Blue Banner.
Adding to that, this world had no internet or photo albums, so many disciples couldn’t even recognize the higher-ups within their own hall, let alone those from other halls. Just as Jiang Beiran was about to cup his hands and reply, three options appeared before his eyes.
[Option 1: "This disciple does not know." Reward: Thunder Tyrant Strike (Mysterious Grade, Low Tier)] [Option 2: "I’d guess you must be Guardian Yu from the Water Mirror Hall." Reward: White Mist Sword (Yellow Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 3: "With such peerless grace, even the entire Heart Returning Sect likely has no second to match you. Surely you must be Guardian Yu of the Water Mirror Hall. This disciple has long admired you." Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1] Seeing the three options, Jiang Beiran froze for a moment.
Unlike other disciples, because he spent his days "wandering" around the mountains, he had seen far more people and events than those disciples who buried themselves in training all day. Originally, he had planned to follow the crowd and act like most disciples who knew little about people from other halls.
But who would have thought that would actually be the most dangerous option? Still, despite his confusion, Jiang Beiran didn’t hesitate to choose the third option. He bowed and said, "With such peerless grace, even the entire Heart Returning Sect likely has no second to match you.
Surely you must be Guardian Yu of the Water Mirror Hall. This disciple has long admired you."
[Option mission completed. Reward: Fishing +1] Jiang Beiran’s words couldn’t be considered flattery.
The Guardian Yu standing before him had an elegant and graceful figure, light steps, and wore a blue long dress beneath a sheer white silk outer robe, tied at the waist with a white sash. Her jet-black hair was styled in a flowing cloud bun, adorned with a few pearl flowers, and a single pearl dangled from her forehead.
Her jade-like skin carried a rosy hue, and with her crescent-moon brows and starry eyes, she was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women in the Heart Returning Sect. After hearing Jiang Beiran’s respectful reply, Yu Manwen was momentarily stunned. Before coming here, she had assumed Jiang Beiran was the type of disciple who liked to "hide his mediocrity."
Whether he truly didn’t recognize her or was pretending not to, she expected him to act like most disciples—completely ignorant of higher-ups from other halls. Yet the reality proved otherwise. And he has quite a sweet tongue.
After reassessing Jiang Beiran in her heart, Yu Manwen nodded and said, "You do have some knowledge. But I don’t recall ever seeing a disciple like you before. How did you recognize me?"
Jiang Beiran bowed again and replied respectfully, "This disciple once had the fortune to listen to Guardian Yu play the zither at Melody Stream Peak. The music was so exquisitely played that roaring tigers fell silent upon hearing it, and sorrowful apes ceased their cries. It was pure, profound, elegant, solemn, and lingering—this disciple was deeply moved."
Yu Manwen’s eyes lit up as she listened, her expression tinged with excitement.
"What a fine phrase—'roaring tigers fell silent upon hearing it, sorrowful apes ceased their cries.' I never expected to find a kindred spirit here in the Blue Heart Hall. Interesting, truly interesting."
Yu Manwen closed her eyes and swayed her head for a moment before continuing, "Since you’re so forthright, this Guardian won’t hide it from you either. I came today to ask you a few things."
"This disciple will speak without reservation."
"Good!"
Yu Manwen nodded in satisfaction.
"You’ve been a registered disciple in the Blue Heart Hall for five years, haven’t you?"
"Yes. This disciple is slow-witted and utterly lacking in talent for cultivation. I’ve disappointed all my masters."
"Extend your hand to me."
As expected, she’s going to test my cultivation... With an inward sigh, Jiang Beiran extended his right arm toward Yu Manwen. Yu Manwen placed her slender fingers on Jiang Beiran’s spiritual pulse, and soon, a complicated expression appeared on her face.
He’s really only at Qi Refining fifth layer? On the Mysterious Dragon Continent, becoming a true powerhouse required first refining one’s qi, and the foundational heart techniques of the major sects were designed for this purpose.
Generally, as long as one could pass a sect’s talent test, even if their aptitude was slightly lacking, they could reach Qi Refining tenth layer within a year and break through to become a Mysterious Practitioner, embarking on the path toward the Mysterious Emperor.
But this Jiang Beiran had been in the Heart Returning Sect for a full five years and was only at Qi Refining fifth layer—this was worse than trash, it was utterly hopeless. Seeing Yu Manwen’s increasingly complicated expression, Jiang Beiran remained completely calm. He was long used to this.
Yu Manwen certainly wasn’t the first to test his cultivation, and she wouldn’t be the last. However, Jiang Beiran had stopped worrying after the first time he was tested. He had discovered that the strength points, constitution points, agility points, and other rewards from the system operated on an entirely different system from this world’s "combat power."
Even if his strength reached the heavens, these experts would never be able to detect it. So from that moment, Jiang Beiran had an epiphany! His style was fundamentally different from the people of this world.
If he ever had to fight, he would be infinitely underestimated—truly the strongest "wolf in sheep’s clothing" physique in history! With a soft sigh, Yu Manwen withdrew her fingers and looked at Jiang Beiran again, her eyes filled with pity.
Seeing this, Jiang Beiran immediately cooperated by tilting his head at a forty-five-degree angle toward the sky, revealing a serene smile. That smile nearly made Yu Manwen’s heart ache so much she wanted to pull Jiang Beiran into a hug.
Too pitiful!
He had passed the sect’s entrance test, yet he was a once-in-a-century talent—for being utterly useless. Yu Manwen could hardly imagine how much suffering and hardship this child had endured in the fiercely competitive, survival-of-the-fittest environment of the Heart Returning Sect. And here she had come to question him with an accusatory tone—how shameful of her!
No wonder he tried to run when he saw me. He must have gone through this many times before, not wanting to end up being pitied again. That’s why— What a strong and admirable child.
Turning her head slightly to wipe away the tears welling in her eyes, Yu Manwen adopted a neutral expression and said to Jiang Beiran, "Can you tell this Guardian how you managed to ensure all your junior brothers and sisters passed their trial missions every time you served as Iron Seal?"
"There’s no special trick—just caution and prudence. Before making any decision, this disciple always observes carefully and thinks thoroughly to avoid potential dangers."
"Well said."
Yu Manwen nodded in satisfaction.
"That is the true lesson trial missions are meant to teach. It seems Beiran, you’ve already mastered its essence."
"Guardian Yu flatters me. This disciple is simply aware of his own weakness, so I must be more cautious than my fellow disciples."
"Ah—" Yu Manwen waved her hand.
"Don’t say that. Strength isn’t solely measured by cultivation depth. Inner strength is equally important. Beiran, even though you’re only at Qi Refining fifth layer, you’ve ensured all your junior brothers and sisters safely passed their trial missions. That is remarkable—truly remarkable!"
"Thank you for your praise, Guardian Yu. This disciple will strive even harder in the future."
"Good! To show this Guardian’s trust in you, I’ve decided to assign you as the Iron Seal for my most beloved disciple, assisting her in completing her first trial mission."
"This disciple obeys—... Huh!?"
(End of Chapter)