Zhi Xuan let out a long, cold sigh. He knew that a cultivator without background would always face bureaucratic obstacles, even on the Grand Dao path. He had no intention of wasting time with arguments.

  "Proof of Dao integrity," Zhi Xuan repeated, his voice flat. He did not retract the Divine Cauldron. The artifact continued to spin in his palm, emitting the ancient resonance of the Three Ages.

  In his Sea of Consciousness, Ruo Xianxue snorted. "Let them see the Law. That is true integrity. Do not give them a gem. Give them a blade, Monkey!"

  Zhi Xuan ignored the taunt. He would not display the Sky Destroyer Footprint he had just comprehended, that would be too conspicuous. However, he also could not surrender the Divine Cauldron.

  He allowed the sleeping Mei Hua to curl up more comfortably. He then stretched out his free left hand. His movement was slow, but his will was absolute.

  From his Sea of Consciousness, he drew an aura undetectable by the naked eye, but palpable to the Divine Sense—an aura forged in the Devil Bite Chain Arena. He focused his essence to his fingertip, and a tiny crystal, which had been hidden all this time, appeared. It was an illusion of the Slaughter Blood crystal, one of the crystals he harvested from the arena.

  The crystal was dark red, not bright red, radiating the aura of purified spiritual blood essence, but shrouded in a delicate layer of the Law of Killing. The Blood Crystal was the size of a thumb, a perfect hexagonal shape. As it appeared in the cold air, the crystal immediately emitted a piercing pressure—not a realm pressure, but the pressure of experience forged by blood.

  The sect disciple in front of him suddenly felt cold, as if a thousand spiritual blades had been placed at his throat. He recognized the Blood Crystal. Only a cultivator who had killed and absorbed the essence of dozens of fellow cultivators could draw such a blood crystal.

  Although it was merely an illusion, it was enough to prove Zhi Xuan's capability to demonstrate his integrity. Zhi Xuan immediately pulled his hand back and slowly shook it. The Slaughter Blood Crystal disappeared, returning to be hidden in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness.

  The crystal's presence lasted only for a fraction of a second, but it was enough to pierce the sect disciple's tranquility. He was a Five Element realm cultivator purified by the sect's clean aura, and he had never smelled blood this thick.

  The sect disciple's face, which had been calm, now paled slightly. He understood the meaning of the Blood Crystal; one aspect of Zhi Xuan's Dao integrity was the Law of Killing. No one could break through to the Zenith realm with such a foundation without facing countless life-and-death dangers.

  "Lower District, without sect, Blood Transformation Zenith Realm," the sect disciple murmured, his tone now filled with deep respect, mixed with cold caution. He immediately recorded Zhi Xuan's qualifications. "Dao integrity verified. You... you are one of the Worthy."

  He shifted his spiritual jade and printed a simple bronze registration jade, handing it to Zhi Xuan. "This is your Temporary Registration Jade, Brother Zhi Xuan. It has your queue number and the location guide for the first test."

  Zhi Xuan took the bronze jade. He did not waste time with fleeting thanks. He allowed Mei Hua to rest for a moment, scanning the jade with his Divine Sense.

  The jade whizzed. His queue number was two hundred and one, a figure at the end of the registration list, reflecting his late arrival. The location guide indicated the teleportation formation area at the foot of Cloud Heaven Mountain, which would deliver the candidates to the heavenly selection secret realm.

  "Thank you," Zhi Xuan finally said, bowing slightly before turning away coldly.

  Zhi Xuan moved quickly, distancing himself from the registration table which was now engulfed in awkward silence. He did not want to interact further with the frightened cultivators, nor with Fei Sheng who might want to continue probing his Dao.

  He walked to the edge of the crowd area, finding a large ancient pine tree, rooted in a rock crevice. He sat leaning against the tree trunk, creating an aura of cold isolation.

  Mei Hua was still fast asleep, her tiny face peaceful in Zhi Xuan's arms. Xiao Die, the Heavenly Moth, flew to a tree branch, its rainbow-shining wings acting as a gentle spiritual shield around the two of them.

  Zhi Xuan channeled essence into the Simple Bronze Registration Jade. The small fluctuation of the jade revealed the sealed high-realm essence within it—the power that would guide the teleportation.

  'Falling Star Secret Realm,' Zhi Xuan muttered in his mind, reading the information on the first test location. 'A realm created by the Thousand Heavens Sect to test will, speed, and survival ability. A harsh environment filled with spiritual beasts.'

  Zhi Xuan closed his eyes. He was not meditating, but using his newly enhanced Divine Sense to scan the surrounding atmosphere.

  On the white jade platform, Yan Shen, the Grand Elder, remained seated in a tranquil state.

  But, Zhi Xuan could feel that Yan Shen's gaze was back on him. It was a calm scan, observing how the Sacred Devil rested amidst the hustle and bustle of the Heavenly Selection.

  "Now you have the number and location, Monkey," Ruo Xianxue hissed from the Sea of Consciousness. "What is your plan? Run to the Teleportation Formation and abandon the little girl?"

  "No," Zhi Xuan replied flatly. "Mei Hua must come. This place is too dangerous to leave her alone, even under Xiao Die's supervision. The Teleportation Formation realm will allow mortals to enter, as long as they hold the correct artifact."

  Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw. He focused his Zenith Black Jade essence into the Registration Jade. He created a thin layer of black jade essence, enveloping the jade and then allowing it to touch Mei Hua's skin. If Mei Hua held the registration jade when the two of them teleported, the jade would mistake Mei Hua as part of Zhi Xuan.

  "You plan to bring her into the Falling Star Secret Realm? That realm is not safe, Monkey!" Ruo Xianxue exclaimed, his voice slightly raised.

  "Only for the first test," Zhi Xuan answered coldly. "Mei Hua will not be a hindrance, she just needs to remain quiet and protected. Where I am, she is safe."

  Zhi Xuan opened his eyes. Dawn had fully broken. In the distance, the sect disciples began to move, forming a formation at the foot of Cloud Heaven Mountain—a gigantic teleportation formation radiating a bright blue light.

  The low rumble of the Giant Teleportation Formation began to draw the attention of all the anxious cultivators. The heavenly blue light emanating from the foot of Cloud Heaven Mountain painted the arrogant crowd with a cold color. It was the signal for the First Test, starting now.

  Zhi Xuan opened his eyes. He stood up from leaning against the ancient pine tree, his movement graceful and silent. In the crook of his left arm, the deeply sleeping Mei Hua snuggled, fast asleep with the temporary registration jade now touching her skin.

  He wasted no time. His Divine Sense had confirmed that the Teleportation Formation had been activated, and the Organ Transformation cultivators—the majority of whom were the first elite—began to step forward.

  Zhi Xuan stepped forward, cutting through the crowd that was still silenced by their fear of the Herald of Devil. The sharp glances from the other geniuses did not escape Zhi Xuan, but they immediately averted their faces when they saw the cold aura shrouded in darkness. He stepped straight toward the pulsating blue light at the foot of the mountain.

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  On the white jade platform, Yan Shen opened his eyes again. His gaze, as deep as the Sea of Consciousness, observed Zhi Xuan's movement. Beside him, the female Elder narrowed her eyes when she saw the cultivator carrying a mortal child approaching the Formation.

  "Elder Yan Shen," the female Elder whispered, her voice containing a subtle note of objection. "That Lower District cultivator is bringing a mortal into the Formation. The Falling Star Secret Realm does not permit useless existences."

  Yan Shen, the true Taoist, did not respond with words. He merely raised his hand slightly, his movement barely noticeable. At the same time, the Temporary Registration Jade in Mei Hua's hand, now enveloped in a layer of Zhi Xuan's Black Jade essence, suddenly trembled and emitted a short, dim blue light. The Teleportation Formation, which relied on the will of a high-realm entity for verification, received the signal from Yan Shen.

  The sect disciple guarding the Teleportation Formation, who was about to issue a warning, suddenly stopped. He sensed a subtle fluctuation, as if the majestic will from the jade platform had allowed him to subtly rebuke. He stepped closer to Zhi Xuan and stopped him.

  "Junior Brother," the sect disciple said calmly and firmly. "You can leave your sister here."

  Zhi Xuan stopped at the threshold of the Teleportation Formation. The strong heavenly blue light bathed his cold face. He stared at the sect disciple. He knew Yan Shen had allowed Mei Hua to enter, but the sect's will was still the sect's will.

  He did not explain. He merely raised his other hand—the hand not holding Mei Hua.

  WHUMMM!

  His Zenith black jade essence exploded. The explosion was not crude, but dense—like frozen spiritual Mercury. His Blood Transformation Zenith aura, which now reached the substance of Organ Transformation, enveloped the area. It was the pure pressure of foundation, not realm pressure.

  "No," Zhi Xuan answered flatly, his voice calm. The word contained an absolute will that refused compromise. "She comes. I will guarantee her safety. If she dies, I will pay tenfold the price of the loss."

  The sect disciple remained unheeding, the sect's will and rules were things that must be upheld. "Do you wish to violate the sect's rules that have stood for thousands of years? Please obey the sect's rules if you wish to be respected."

  "I did not come to be respected," Zhi Xuan countered, his voice as flat as cracking ice. He stepped one inch closer to the Teleportation Formation. "Respect is dust. I came for the Dao. And my Dao does not abandon the vulnerable."

  Zhi Xuan raised his sapphire eyes, which now emitted a faint purple-black light from his Zenith. He did not attack, but he released his spiritual will—a will aligned with his Divine Wheel and tempered by life-and-death experience.

  WHUMMM!

  The tension around the pulsating Teleportation Formation suddenly froze. Zhi Xuan's absolute will and his Zenith aura collided with the firmness of the Five Element sect disciple. The whispers from the crowd of cultivators behind them, who were initially shocked, now surged again, condemning the arrogance of the Lower District cultivator who dared to challenge the rules of the Thousand Heavens Sect.

  However, in the middle of the cold storm of wills, a small movement occurred. Mei Hua's tiny body in the crook of Zhi Xuan's left arm suddenly moved.

  She rubbed her clear eyes, murmured softly, and slowly slid down from Zhi Xuan's hold.

  Mei Hua's small feet touched the ground, stepping out of the black jade essence circle that protected Zhi Xuan. The little girl stepped back, turning her head toward Zhi Xuan with an expression of pure worry.

  "Big Brother Zhi Xuan," Mei Hua whispered, her wind-chime voice now sounding fragile. She clutched her cloth doll, Lulu, tighter. "Do not be angry. Do not fight the rules."

  Mei Hua looked straight into Zhi Xuan's sapphire eyes, her eyes radiating a serenity older than her age. She saw the ruthless determination in her brother's Dao will, and she did not want to be a chain that shackled him.

  The Heavenly Moth, Xiao Die, flew from Zhi Xuan's shoulder, its rainbow-shining wings trembling violently, as if protesting Mei Hua's decision. However, Mei Hua held out her tiny finger. Xiao Die landed on Mei Hua's small shoulder, acting as a silent guardian.

  Mei Hua then jumped lightly, turned, and ran with small steps. She did not run in a random direction. Her agile feet carried her away from the arrogant crowd and the rumbling Teleportation Formation. She ran toward the registration table where the sect disciple and the Elder had gathered.

  "Disciple Auntie!" Mei Hua exclaimed, her cheerful laughter, unaffected by the high realm, now echoed. She stopped in front of the female sect disciple who had been on registration duty earlier. "I am not going. I will guard Auntie's table, okay!"

  The female sect disciple, who was in the Five Element realm, flinched. She had just witnessed a cold confrontation of wills between Zhi Xuan and her colleague. And now, she was faced with a little girl who called her Disciple Auntie. The male sect disciple who conflicted with Zhi Xuan looked at this scene with confusion. His stern will to uphold the sect rules suddenly felt shallow in the face of Mei Hua's innocence.

  Zhi Xuan, standing at the threshold of the Teleportation Formation, did not move. His sapphire eyes watched Mei Hua's small back. He felt a cold wave sweep through his soul. Not pain, but the bitter realization that Mei Hua had understood and chosen to honor his Dao, even at the expense of her own safety.

  On the white jade platform, Yan Shen, who had been calm, now allowed the corner of his lips to curve into a faint, barely visible smile.

  "She has a unique heart," the female Elder whispered beside Yan Shen, her tone no longer objecting, but full of surprise. She saw Mei Hua, a mortal, voluntarily stepping away from the Zenith cultivator's protection just to honor rules she did not even understand. "And that, Verdant Titan spiritual beast, that youth truly is a hidden treasure."

  "That is not a unique heart," Yan Shen countered, his voice calm, resonating with eternal wisdom. "That child, she is not part of this world."

  Zhi Xuan did not move. His spiritual will, as cold as mercury, froze at the threshold of the Teleportation Formation. His sapphire eyes, which had radiated an absolute will to protect, now reflected the small figure of Mei Hua, clutching her cloth doll, happily approaching the registration table.

  Mei Hua had made a decision. A decision driven by innocence, yet possessing a depth of Dao Heart not found in the arrogant geniuses around her. She did not want to be a shackle. She chose to honor the rule that challenged Zhi Xuan's own will.

  The male sect disciple who had conflicted with Zhi Xuan looked at the scene, his stern will to uphold the sect rules suddenly felt shallow in the face of Mei Hua's innocence. He withdrew his Five Element essence pressure.

  Zhi Xuan let out a long, cold breath, releasing his Zenith aura. The pressure receded, like a tidal wave drawn back into the abyss. An awkward silence returned to the crowd, this time not because of fear of the Herald of Devil, but because of admiration for Mei Hua's innocence.

  "Disciple Auntie, I will wait for you here!" Mei Hua exclaimed again, she placed Lulu on the registration table next to the spiritual jade, Xiao Die watching her intently.

  The female sect disciple was silent for a moment. She looked toward Yan Shen on the white jade platform, who was now smiling faintly. The female sect disciple understood; the majestic will had sided with the little girl.

  "Of course, Child," the female sect disciple replied, her voice now gentle. She took a small spiritual sweet from her storage bag, not a pill, but a pure mortal treat, and gave it to Mei Hua. "Sit here. Do not go anywhere."

  Mei Hua accepted the sweet joyfully, her cheerful laughter breaking the lingering tension.

  Zhi Xuan, without a word, turned his face back to the Teleportation Formation. He did not look back. He did not need to. He knew Xiao Die was a better guardian than any Organ Transformation cultivator.

  At the threshold of the rumbling Teleportation Formation, Zhi Xuan stood tall, his cold will now split between the absolute mission and the bitter certainty of a brief separation. Mei Hua's action, driven by innocence, yet ending a hard conflict of wills, had shattered the only emotional chain Zhi Xuan had displayed. He stepped inside.

  The heavenly blue light radiating from the Teleportation Formation enveloped Zhi Xuan, swallowing his grim tall figure and his slightly torn robe. As he disappeared, the coldness of his Zenith Black Jade essence felt like a prick of an ice needle to the other cultivators who were now stepping forward.

  The crowd behind him began to move again, but the remaining silence was not a silence of fear, but a silence filled with analysis and awkwardness.

  Those who had been sneering now exchanged anxious glances. They had witnessed The Herald of Devil challenge the sect's rules and then yield—not to the power of the Thousand Heavens Sect, but to the innocence of a mortal.

  This phenomenon of contrast felt more frightening than any brutal battle. They understood; Zhi Xuan was a man with cruel principles, but he had a strong weak spot.

  WHUSSHHH!

  Zhi Xuan felt the brutal pull of the Law of Space as he was absorbed by the Teleportation Formation. The pull, which could tear apart an ordinary Blood Transformation cultivator, only felt like a gentle touch on his Zenith-tempered body. His newly reincarnated spiritual blood circulated stably, ignoring the harsh Law of Space.

  The Falling Star Secret Realm. Zhi Xuan appeared in the middle of a silent stone forest. The air here was dry and sandy, but filled with a wild and harsh spiritual essence—essence that was not refined, but raw. The sky above was a coppery gray, and in the distance, massive cracked stone ruins like the aftermath of a meteor strike scarred the horizon.

  He stood atop a cracked volcanic rock slab. Around him, Organ Transformation cultivators began to appear, some stumbling, startled by the rough spatial transfer.

  Energy fluctuations immediately filled the area. The geniuses, having just emerged, began to release their Divine Sense, scanning for Spiritual Beasts and resources nearby. This Secret Realm was a brutal testing ground designed to separate the gems from the pebbles. Zhi Xuan clenched his jaw. He ignored the urge to immediately activate the Sky Destroyer Footprint, and he suppressed the fluctuation of his black jade essence to the lowest point.

  With his sapphire eyes, he coldly scanned the crowd. Among those who appeared, the arrogant faces from the registration line began to be recognized; the pale-faced Flying Sword Sect youth, and several other Organ Transformation geniuses.