Chapter 48

Before Old Li could speak, Master Zhu shot Wang Tou a glare and snapped:

“What nonsense are you spouting? If someone dies in the Veil Realm, the Immortal List will automatically notify us.”

Master Meng added, “Correct. If any of the three young friends meet misfortune, their names on the Immortal List will dim, counted as eliminated.”

On the current Immortal List, whether it’s Chu Wange, still unshakable at number one, Ye Chen further down, or Lin Mo at the very bottom, all three names still glowed faintly with golden light.

Clearly, they were still inside the Veil Realm and had not been eliminated.

Wang Tou realized his blunder, scratched his bald head, and fell silent.

Old Li exhaled in relief, his eyes locked on the Mirror-Water Moon, his worry deepening.

The reason was simple: those candidates who had been expelled from the Veil Realm were now showing visible injuries.

Many were badly wounded, forced to reluctantly leave the Immortal Ascension Platform and return to the mortal world for treatment.

Of course, that meant they had completely forfeited the final reward from the Immortal List.

At this moment, the ever-silent Master Feng muttered to himself:

“Could it be… he actually passes?”

Upon hearing this, Master Zhu and Old Li both showed a flicker of delight.

The former quickly asked, “Master Feng, what do you mean? Can Lin Mo pass?”

Master Feng replied calmly, “If he survives the first day, he likely will.”

Most candidates have already been eliminated; based on past estimates, those still remaining in the Immortal Exam Veil Realm are at least qualified to pass.

Master Meng’s expression betrayed a hint of embarrassment.

He had misjudged—Lin Mo’s resilience was unexpected.

But he recovered quickly, smiling, “It seems I should congratulate Master Zhu and Young Li. This young Lin Mo’s strength exceeds my expectations. If his final score reaches above 500, he may be recommended directly to the Wenda Academy.”

Before he finished speaking, Master Feng added, “500 points is enough for Qingshan Sect too.”

Passing the Immortal Exam Veil Realm alone qualifies one for at least the admission threshold of the Nine Great Academies.

Considering Chu Wange’s reputation, granting a direct recommendation is no issue—merely requiring the academy to expend a batch of cultivation resources.

But regardless, it’s still cultivating one’s own disciple—no loss at all.

Master Zhu and Old Li exchanged glances, seeing pure astonishment on each other’s faces.

The turn of events was utterly unexpected.

Could Lin Mo actually enter one of the Nine Great Academies?

Wang Tou, just scolded moments ago, couldn’t fathom how that brat had such ridiculous luck!

Master Meng smiled, “If so, based on my estimate, Young Lin should emerge tomorrow morning, alongside the first group of candidates who pass.”

Old Li nodded with a grin, “As long as he passes, as long as he passes!”

The astute Master Meng said, “In that case, Master Zhu and the two teachers may stay overnight at the Daoist temple atop Great Ming Mountain—I’ve already arranged it for you.”

Master Zhu hurriedly replied, “That’s too much trouble.”

Master Meng: “Not at all.”

Master Feng: “...”

In the end, Master Meng personally escorted Master Zhu and the others to the temple, leaving only Master Feng alone in the pavilion, seated in meditation.

As Old Li left, he begged, “Master Feng, if there’s any news about Lin Mo or Ye Chen, please inform me.”

Master Feng nodded, “Alright.”

After saying “Thank you,” Old Li followed Master Zhu—but upon reaching the edge of the pavilion, he turned back to look.

A cold wind swept down from the mountain peak, stirring Master Feng’s Daoist robe and hairpin, making his silhouette appear lonely.

Then, the next morning…

Everyone rose early, gathering promptly at the viewing pavilion to await the candidates’ results.

“Shhh! Shhh! Shhh…”

As golden lights flashed one after another, excited shouts erupted from the Immortal Ascension Platform.

“I made it! I made it!!”

Though fewer in number, this batch of candidates no longer slumped in despair like yesterday’s—they raised their arms, cheering wildly.

Master Meng watched the candidates on the platform and nodded slightly:

“Good. This year’s candidates are far superior to previous ones. Just judging these first passers, their talent is at least twenty to thirty percent higher than past cohorts.”

Soon after, as one candidate appeared, a green light flared on the Immortal Ascension Platform.

“A Veil Realm treasure has appeared!”

Someone on the platform cried out; all eyes turned to the candidate.

He held a vial glowing with green light, his face flushed with excitement.

“Green-grade? And it’s an elixir?”

Master Meng shook his head, “Middling at best.”

Master Feng was more direct: “Trash.”

Master Zhu smiled, “If I recall correctly, finding a treasure in the Immortal Exam Veil Realm grants bonus points?”

Master Meng nodded, “Correct. Green-grade resources, especially an elixir, won’t grant many points.”

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the candidate’s score updated on the Immortal List:

29. He Chang, Initial Score: 340; Veil Realm Score: 230 (+5), Total: 575

His rank shot up instantly to the top tier.

But this was only temporary.

After all, the top-ranked candidates from the initial test had yet to emerge.

Green-grade treasure only added five points… Master Zhu thought silently. Clearly, earning bonus points was extremely difficult.

“I wonder what quality of treasure Chu Wange and Ye Chen will find?”

Master Zhu mused aloud.

Master Meng smiled, “Master Zhu will have to wait until the final day. These first passers are the weakest group.”

Though some pass on the second day, each candidate may attempt the Veil Realm up to three times, with only their best score counted for final rewards.

Thus, the first group to pass are inevitably the weakest.

Top-tier talents like Chu Wange will appear only on the final day.

Master Zhu smiled—he understood this well.

He was about to exchange more polite flattery when Old Li, scanning the Mirror-Water Moon, suddenly spoke: “Hey, where’s Lin Mo? Why hasn’t he come out yet?”

“...”

Master Meng’s smile faded, his expression turning strange.

Yes… why hasn’t that brat emerged yet?

Could it be…

He’s going to try the Veil Realm again!?

…

…

【Congratulations, candidate. You have successfully passed the Veil Realm: Yunyin Valley. Veil Realm Rating: Bing-Xia. Score Awarded: 217.】

Lin Mo stood panting at the same cave entrance.

After a full day and night of effort, he had barely met the passing standard by killing twenty-eight Patterned Steel-Tooth Leopards using his “old veteran tactics.”

His true qi nearly depleted, he struggled to stand, staring at the score on his panel.

His initial score of 303, plus the Veil Realm’s 217, totaled exactly 520.

“All that effort for this little? Not even half of Chu Wange’s score from one round!”

He stood at the cave entrance, hands on his hips, lips twitching.

According to the materials he’d studied, 520 wasn’t low—it should easily meet the admission threshold.

So if he settled now, even without Chu Wange’s influence, he could enter one of the Nine Great Academies by his own strength.

【Ding! Veil Realm Assessment Complete. Do you wish to claim reward based on ‘Bing-Xia’ score, or attempt again (only two attempts remaining)?】

The system prompt echoed in his ears.

Attempt again…

Lin Mo fell into thought.

Growls still echoed from the cave entrance—the “Spotted Brothers” were still plentiful.

But his true qi was spent—how could he attempt again?

No, wait!

Nothing said he couldn’t meditate to restore true qi!

Lin Mo’s eyes lit up. He immediately sat cross-legged, began regulating his breath, and his mind raced again.

The Veil Realm Assessment had a strict time limit: twelve hours total.

Even if he fully restored his true qi and performed better in the next round, the number of Patterned Steel-Tooth Leopards he could kill remained limited.

The Heaven’s Thunder Spell from the Peak-Perfection Realm dealt devastating damage—one blast, one “Spotted Brother,” and with high proficiency, not a single miss.

After calculating, it still came down to insufficient true qi…

Lin Mo sighed inwardly, shaking his head: If only I could raise my cultivation base…

Wait!

Lin Mo looked at the examination prompt stuck on the interface; there seemed to be no time limit for any further choices.

This kind of secret realm design was likely meant to let candidates adjust their state before trying again.

His eyes flickered with a faint gleam, and his lips curled upward wildly.

It seems…

No one said I couldn’t keep deducting 1 here, did they?