Chapter Nineteen: The Sinister Temptation

"The final trial will be presided over by the Sect Leader's uncle," Yunxiang Moyu announced. The person resting on the couch finally, slowly, opened his eyes. Zilian looked as if he had just awakened from a dream, his sleepy gaze wandering around. When his eyes passed over me, they paused ever so slightly.

Though it was only a brief moment, my heart trembled fiercely, unable to calm its excitement. My mind immediately began to wander, imagining all sorts of things.

"Moyu," he called softly.

"Yes, Uncle," Yunxiang Moyu replied, stepping closer to the couch. Whether it was intentional or not, she happened to place herself right in front of Zilian, blocking him from view. She leaned down, her ear near his lips.

I had no idea what Zilian whispered to her, but I saw her nodding repeatedly, bowing ever lower, drawing nearer and nearer to him.

What was she up to now? From a distance, their actions seemed almost intimate—and yet no one outside the palace gates spoke up to stop them.

I glared at her, wishing I could rush over and pull her away from Zilian. It was too much. Yunxiang Moyu looked so pure and untouched, yet who would have thought she’d be so scheming underneath, waiting for a chance to seduce Zilian? How utterly—utterly—unbearable!

Fuming, I clenched my fists, but suddenly she straightened and turned to look at me. Our eyes met, and I was startled, quickly dropping my gaze and pretending to be meek.

"To cultivate immortality, one must trade lesser achievements for greater ones. The five of you are all talented, but the Sect Leader will take only one disciple," Yunxiang Moyu said, sweeping her gaze across us. "Today, the uncle is feeling unwell, so the third elder will stand in for him and preside over the final trial."

As she finished speaking, an elder in a white robe, holding a fly whisk and with a beard down to his waist, emerged from the palace. His face was warm and kindly, and with a flick of the whisk, he stroked his beard and nodded gently.

"Wait, why does this elder look familiar?" I stared at him, and suddenly he looked back, winking mischievously at me.

Heavens! Was I seeing things because I'd been out in the sun too long? I rubbed my eyes, but when I looked again, he was facing the other way.

"Yunxiang Moyu, have the others pack their things and descend the mountain. This young man will stay," he said, smiling as he pointed at me, then winked again.

Now I was certain—I hadn't imagined it. He really had winked at me. This third elder seemed rather endearing.

Yunxiang Moyu turned, glancing at me with a puzzled look, then bowed to him. "Yes, Third Elder."

The third elder winked at me once more before drifting back into the palace.

Those who had come with me to seek apprenticeship all glared at me in anger, turning away in displeasure, each clutching a red egg as they descended the mountain.

Zilian remained unmoved, still resting on the couch. Several disciples approached, lifting him and the couch together and carrying him inside.

I had imagined the road to apprenticeship would be fraught with obstacles, but it turned out to be unexpectedly simple.

The crowd outside the palace gate dispersed, leaving only a few young attendants to tidy up.

"Come with me," Yunxiang Moyu said.

"Yes," I answered, following her into the Palace of the Purple Star.