I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 76: Profound Bonds

The rarity of purple in the Immortal Mirror’s rankings became apparent—among over a thousand participants, only two individuals achieved it, one of them being Zhou Qianyuan.

“This time, the Immortal Mirror’s ranking criteria are stricter,” Sun Daoyu explained to the group with evident pride. “Dual spiritual roots result in a white rank. Single spiritual roots or dual roots combined with a Dao Body earn green. Only those with both a single spiritual root and a Dao Body achieve purple.”

Sun Daoyu’s confidence was well-placed. Zhou Qianyuan’s accomplishment was extraordinary, especially considering that the best talents from major families were present. With a ratio of less than one in a hundred, a purple rank was a monumental feat.

The screen showed the Seventh Young Master and Zheng Fa walking past the Immortal Mirror.

A white circle lit up beneath the Seventh Young Master’s feet.

For Zheng Fa, the circle was predominantly white with a faint trace of green, so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

“This junior brother seems to have mastered martial arts with Dao foundations,” Sun Daoyu remarked, his experience as a disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator evident. “However, the gap between Dao-based martial arts and a Dao Body is insurmountable, so his rank remains white.”

“It reflects one’s aptitude for cultivation. Purple-ranked participants enter the Immortal Sect directly, bypassing further tests. They are the true prodigies the Hundred Immortals Alliance seeks, destined to become its pillars. As for green- or white-ranked participants, they must rely on technical skills to gain entry,” Sun Daoyu explained with a mixture of pride and exasperation. “But my junior brother... his goal is to rival even Senior Sister Zhang.”

Turning to Senior Sister Zhang, he added, “The wager begins now.”

Zheng Fa wasn’t surprised by his white rank, but Zhou Qianyuan’s next move caught him off guard.

After all the participants had been ranked, a non-human voice echoed in the hall:

“Those with purple rank may enter the Immortal Sect directly. Others must choose one of the five doors for further evaluation.”

Looking beyond the Immortal Mirror, the group saw five small doors, each inscribed with a single character: Talisman (符), Alchemy (丹), Artifact Crafting (器), Formation (阵), Miscellaneous (杂).

Zhou Qianyuan, regarded as the group’s leader, walked straight to the door marked Talisman.

“But you’re purple-ranked!” someone called after him.

“I’m not just purple,” Zhou Qianyuan replied without turning, stepping through the door.

Zheng Fa and the Seventh Young Master exchanged a glance, finding his arrogance amusing.

“He’s more insufferable than me...” the Seventh Young Master muttered under his breath.

The two followed the crowd into the Talisman door.

After a short passage, they arrived at one of the five grand structures behind the main hall. A man in white was waiting for them.

Noticing the purple glow beneath Zhou Qianyuan’s feet, the man paused briefly before giving a slight nod and turning toward the building. Without a word, he burned a talisman in his hand, its flames igniting without wind.

“Honoring the Ancestor of Jiushan!” he declared.

Jiushan Ancestor?

Before their eyes, the five buildings transformed. Roofs extended into mountain peaks, walls became cliff faces, and in an instant, the structures turned into nine towering mountains.

Suspended above each peak were long, silver trails resembling transparent walkways.

“This Talisman examination, designed by Jiushan Sect, requires ascending the Nine Mountains. Each mountain has a path of 999 steps. The higher your step count, the better your performance,” the man announced.

“To enter Jiushan Sect, participants must rank among the top 20.”

“For white-ranked participants, their step count is as recorded. Green-ranked participants receive an additional 999 steps. As for purple-ranked participants...” The man hesitated, unsure how to account for Zhou Qianyuan.

“I will traverse all nine mountains,” Zhou Qianyuan stated flatly, making it clear he aimed for a perfect score without any bonuses.

Without hesitation, he stepped onto the first transparent path. A foundational talisman appeared beneath his feet, and a series of talisman diagrams flashed rapidly on the next step ahead.

Zheng Fa quickly grasped the test’s purpose.

Participants had to identify the diagram corresponding to the foundational talisman beneath their feet and step forward at the right moment.

Failure to match the diagrams meant instant elimination.

“Ah!” A scream pierced the air as someone misstepped onto an incorrect diagram. The transparent path beneath them shattered, and they plummeted through the clouds, disappearing from sight. Their fate remained unknown.

Others hesitated too long on their starting step. When the foundational talisman beneath them blinked a few times, their entire path vanished, leaving them to fall in an even more embarrassing fashion.

It became clear that staying in place wasn’t an option—the test had a time limit. Participants had to step forward within a certain timeframe and ensure their choice aligned with the correct diagram.

As Zheng Fa analyzed the challenge, he noticed an unsettling silence beside him. Turning, he saw the Seventh Young Master standing three steps away, pale and frozen, staring at the path ahead.

He suddenly remembered a peculiar fact: the Seventh Young Master had a fear of heights. Transparent walkways like these were practically his worst nightmare.

Catching Zheng Fa’s glance, the Seventh Young Master forced a stiff smile.

“Turns out the Immortal Sect isn’t all that great.”

“Thinking of quitting?” Zheng Fa asked.

“Quitting? Don’t you remember the name of my courtyard? ‘No Envy of Immortals!’ I never cared for the Immortal Sect!”

“...Your mother will scold you.”

“I’m used to that by now.”

“Your sister will beat you.”

The Seventh Young Master hesitated, then muttered,

“My sister... she probably won’t kill me.”

“Really giving up?”

“Absolutely!” he said with conviction.

“Well, Gao Yuan always wanted to be the second-best among us. This will make his dream come true,” Zheng Fa remarked.

“What second-best?”

“You know Gao Yuan—he’s always been competitive,” Zheng Fa said casually. “Among the three of us, I’m heading to the Immortal Sect, so he can’t surpass me. But compared to you, he’s better at academics, practices martial arts, and sees himself as both scholarly and skilled. He’s always considered himself number two.”

“In the past, you were better at talismans and had an Immortal Token, so he kept quiet. But now that you’re backing out...”

Before Zheng Fa could finish, the Seventh Young Master shot to his feet, trembling with anger.

“That traitor dares to have such ambitions?”

“Think about his personality,” Zheng Fa replied calmly.

“You’re saying I’ll be number three?”

“That’s what he’s likely thinking.”

Grinding his teeth, the Seventh Young Master stomped toward the transparent path ahead.

Zheng Fa smiled behind him.

You might endure a thousand scoldings from family, but a single word of mockery from a friend—especially one who used to be inferior—is unbearable.

Nearby, a boy who overheard their conversation commented to Zheng Fa,

“This Gao Yuan must be a close friend.”

“Hmm?”

“He doesn’t react to scolding from his mother or sister, but the mere mention of Gao Yuan motivates him.”

Watching the Seventh Young Master, hands and feet clinging to the path in sheer determination, Zheng Fa nodded.

“Very close indeed.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!