Chapter 19: Entrance Examination (Part 1)

Princess Hu Qinlan chuckled, her eyes holding a touch of indifference: "Princess Jin Xuan, you flatter me. You are the one who is radiant and possesses unparalleled talent. I am merely here to join the fun; how could I dare to be mentioned in the same breath as you." Her tone was humble, but her words hid a sharp edge, every syllable revealing a refusal to concede.

Yin Miaoxue stepped down from the carriage gracefully.

"I have long admired the talents of both of you, sisters. Since everyone has arrived, let us set off together."

The three walked side-by-side toward the front of the line, each possessing a distinct temperament yet equally breathtaking beauty, waiting for the examination to begin.

Lin Chen stood not far away, her gaze sweeping back and forth over Princess Jin Xuan, Princess Hu Qinlan, and Yin Miaoxue, pondering to herself.

"These three princesses, each possesses a beauty that could topple kingdoms. If I could take them into my harem, I could earn at least 30 Villain Merit points for myself." Thinking of this, Lin Chen could not help but curl her lips slightly; the pressure on her own survival would be greatly reduced as a result.

Just as she was deep in thought, a familiar figure suddenly flashed before her eyes. That figure was slender and graceful, her footsteps as light as the wind, as she walked toward the mountain gate. Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat — Meng Li!

The woman with whom she had lived for three months in the Fluorescent Forest, and furthermore, the first woman in her life. She had actually appeared here too.

Meng Li's figure was still wonderfully enchanting, dressed in a simple and elegant moon-white long dress, her body seemingly shrouded in a layer of hazy brilliance. She walked slowly past Lin Chen, a faint, orchid-like fragrance permeating the air, like a gentle breeze brushing across the heart.

The two locked eyes, and Lin Chen's heart pounded violently.

"Please don't recognize me!"

Meng Li's eyes were as calm as water; she glanced at Lin Chen, but did not say anything more, evidently not recognizing that this stunningly beautiful woman before her was the former Lin Fan.

Lin Chen's gaze was complex, and a strange emotion faintly stirred in her heart. She instinctively wanted to speak, but in the end, she did not say a word, just stood there quietly, watching Meng Li gradually walk away.

"It is already over between her and me. Since she cannot recognize me, that is the best outcome." Lin Chen gave a bitter smile in her heart.

Now, under the effect of the Thousand Appearances Formless Divine Skill, her appearance had long been completely altered, and even her Qi was entirely different; not even Meng Li could perceive it.

Lin Chen was immersed in these complex emotions when she suddenly felt a light breeze brush past her. Her gaze subconsciously turned forward, only to discover a familiar figure walking slowly toward her — Cuier!

Cuier was wearing a light green gauze dress, her steps light, like a breeze in springtime, as she walked toward the mountain gate. Lin Chen's heart jolted; this woman who had once been with her day and night was now actually here as well.

Cuier walked past Lin Chen, and when she noticed Lin Chen's gaze, a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes. She bowed slightly in a polite greeting, then continued walking forward, not recognizing at all that this beautiful woman before her was the former Young Master Lin Fan.

A wave of helplessness and complex emotions surged in Lin Chen's heart. Cuier's face was still as clear as in her memories, and her failure to recognize her instead gave Lin Chen a sense of indescribable relief and estrangement.

"It seems my disguise is thorough enough." Lin Chen muttered to herself. Although there was a hint of regret in her heart, there was more of a calmness in accepting reality.

"They don't recognize me anymore." Lin Chen sighed slightly.

"Dong —"

A long, resonant bell toll echoed across the sky above the Xuanyin Qin Sect, and immediately, several beautiful figures descended from the sky.

Leading them was the Outer Sect Elder, Instructor Liu Qingwan. She wore a moon-white long dress, her temperament dignified and elegant, with exquisite facial features. Her figure was voluptuous and soft, and as she stood before the Disciples, she was like a Fairy under the moonlight, exuding a unique charm.

Among the attendants of the several princesses, some male Disciples could not help but reveal looks of astonishment; their eyes could not leave Instructor Liu Qingwan, and some even had drool hanging from the corners of their mouths.

Seeing this, the expressions of the princesses changed slightly, but they did not speak, only coldly glancing at these useless attendants.

Instructor Liu Qingwan scanned the crowd, her voice gentle yet carrying authority: "This examination consists of three rounds. The first round is to test your aptitude for musical rhythm. We will strike a melody, and you must feel the rhythm with your heart. Those who are cruel and selfish will faint and fall to the ground; those who fall will be eliminated."

After she finished speaking, the expressions of the princesses visibly underwent a subtle change.

Princess Jin Xuan smiled lightly, her eyes looking meaningfully at Princess Hu Qinlan: "With such a strict examination, Sister Qinlan must be careful; harboring kind thoughts is the first principle."

Princess Hu Qinlan raised her eyebrows and retorted without showing weakness: "Sister, you need not worry. My heart is purer than anyone's. Rather, it is you, Sister… you must not let the disturbances of the mortal world unsettle your state of mind."

Yin Miaoxue watched the two clash and gave a cold laugh, her tone icy: "The two of you do not need to go to such trouble to remind each other. The Xuanyin Qin Sect does not only examine kindness and evil. If you cannot enter the Dao through the Qin yourself, you will both be eliminated!"

The gazes of the three met in the air, and the air seemed to be filled with invisible sparks, with murderous intent hidden between them, yet on the surface, they still maintained gentle smiles.

Instructor Liu Qingwan watched all of this, knowing full well about the three princesses' rivalry, but she remained calm and continued: "The second round tests identity, age, and cultivation. Those who are men disguised as women will be directly eliminated. Those over the age of twenty will not be considered, and those whose cultivation has not reached Qi Refining Perfection will also have no chance of passing."

The surrounding Disciples heard this and looked grave, especially those with lower cultivation, whose faces instantly turned pale.

"The third round is a talent competition. Each of you will have one opportunity to perform. Ultimately, the Elders and all the Disciples will vote. Those with high vote counts will have the honor of becoming Inner Sect Disciples, or even Personal Disciples."

As soon as Instructor Liu Qingwan finished speaking, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became heavy. Every Disciple felt nervous, especially the three princesses, whose gazes clashing once more became even more fierce.

The examination officially began.

Instructor Liu Qingwan stood before the mountain gate, her gaze sweeping over the Disciples, her voice soft yet carrying authority: "All Disciples participating in the examination, follow me to the Qin Heart Valley."

Everyone followed her forward, passing through a mountain path and walking toward an open meadow, surrounded by lush green mountain peaks. The field was vast, enough to accommodate hundreds of people.

The wind blew gently, and the air was filled with a fresh scent.

The Disciples stood in a row, all looking nervous, except for the three princesses, who were calm and composed, occasionally exchanging knowing glances.

Instructor Liu Qingwan gently played the Qin, the sound of the Qin flowing like heavenly music drifting in the air.

She announced in a gentle voice: "The first round is to test your aptitude for musical rhythm. I will play a melody for everyone, and you must feel the rhythm within it with your heart. If you have guilt in your heart or a cruel Heart-Nature, you will certainly faint and fall to the ground; those who fall will be immediately eliminated."

The sound of the Qin surged like flowing water; at first, it was slow and melodious, but it gradually turned intense.