Chapter 56

“Lin Mo, it’s Lin Mo!”

Old Li in the viewing pavilion jumped up excitedly, pointing at the reflection-in-the-mirror image and shouting.

Meng Xianzhang and Feng Xianzhang both stood up at once, their eyes filled with shock, staring in disbelief at the two golden lights on the Immortal List.

Lin Mo?

How is this possible!?

Yet the young man in the reflection-in-the-mirror had slightly sunken cheeks, dark-red circles under his eyes, and a light stubble on his face.

Though he looked worn out, who else could it be but Lin Mo?

But the “golden robe” draped over him seemed utterly mismatched in every way.

After all, Chu Wange, a Heaven-grade fortune bearer, only triggered one orange glow—how did Lin Mo, with barely a dozen fortune points, summon two golden lights?

“Look quick, Lin Mo made the list! No, he’s in the top ten!”

At that moment, a cry of astonishment came from the Ascension Platform.

Everyone was startled and turned their attention upward to the Immortal List, only then noticing the changes at its summit:

10. Lin Mo, Initial Test Score: 303; Realm Score: 500 (+250), Total: 1053

……

His score had just surpassed Long A by three points, pushing him out of the top ten and claiming the final spot among the elite ten.

“I-I made the top ten?”

Not just Old Li and Zhu Xiao, even Meng Xianzhang and Feng Xianzhang were stunned, clearly not expecting such a meteoric rise.

Old Li blinked, then exclaimed joyfully: “Dear Immortals, is Lin Mo’s position now secure?”

Recalling his earlier words, Meng Xianzhang’s expression flickered with embarrassment, and internally he grumbled:

He always pulls a fast one on me—is this kid cursed to clash with my destiny?

Feng Xianzhang, the quiet one beside him, showed no such awkwardness and spoke plainly:

“It’s not secure—it’s going to be snatched.”

Snatched?

Old Li, still processing, blinked again in confusion.

But soon he understood what Feng Xianzhang meant.

“Lin Mo’s in the top ten!?”

On the Ascension Platform, far more people had noticed the Immortal List’s shift.

Many recruitment Immortal Masters either immediately moved toward this spot or began activating their transmission talismans.

“Zziiii—”

A surge of static flooded Lin Mo’s ears; exhausted as he was, he felt a shrill ringing, as if countless voices poured into his head.

Fortunately, the sensation lasted only an instant—Yan Nanfeng on the platform snorted, waved his hand, and the noise vanished instantly.

Moreover, Lin Mo and Chu Wange were now sealed off from the crowd by a faint barrier.

Damn this old fox!

The failed recruitment Immortal Masters all cursed inwardly.

The events unfolded too swiftly—from Lin Mo’s appearance, to the scramble for him, to Yan Nanfeng isolating him…

Less than a minute had passed, yet it sparked a storm across the Ascension Platform.

“Who said he was a pretty boy? The top-ten pretty boy?”

“Well… he is pretty white, I’ll admit…”

“Good looks aside, how did this guy get only 300 in the initial test but a perfect 500 in the realm?”

“Immortal scion? Probably brought some magic treasure.”

“His name’s plain as dirt, but he’s this handsome? Just now standing next to Chu Wange—he’s literally perfect for her!”

“You’re into this? In looks alone, can he beat me? I’m the one who fits Chu Wange better!”

“Bro, my pee’s yellow—want me to hold up a mirror?”

“…”

Compared to the oblivious onlookers, Ye Chen—the only person who’d studied alongside Lin Mo for three years—was the only one truly stunned.

He muttered under his breath: “No… it can’t be… Lin Mo couldn’t possibly…”

Something inside his mind seemed to collapse…

……

Ascension Platform, inside the barrier.

“This is young Lin? His bearing is elegant, his spirit radiant—no wonder Chu’s favoring him.”

Yan Nanfeng smiled warmly at Lin Mo.

Elegant bearing? Barely visible. Radiant spirit…

Lin Mo stared at the Immortal Master with a strange look—how on earth did you see that?

He’d endured over twenty sleepless nights in the realm; even with daily washes, his condition was clearly terrible.

His panel’s beauty stat had dropped five points—just one point away from falling below 90.

Thank goodness my beauty held up… Thinking of being surrounded by onlookers, Lin Mo sighed inwardly.

Though he didn’t understand the situation, he still bowed politely: “Greetings, Immortal Master.”

Yan Nanfeng’s expression grew even more satisfied—just as he opened his mouth to speak, the barrier trembled slightly.

Immediately, Gu Ling appeared within the barrier.

Gu Ling didn’t even glance at Yan Nanfeng; he turned to Lin Mo and smiled:

“This is young Lin? His bearing is elegant, his spirit radiant—no wonder Chu’s favoring him.”

Everyone: “…”

Did you two rehearse this?

Lin Mo’s face showed a flicker of confusion, but he still bowed respectfully: “Greetings, Immortal Master.”

Gu Ling, unaware of what had just transpired, chuckled and nodded:

“I’m Gu. From Wenda Academy.”

Wenda Academy?

Lin Mo frowned, glancing at Chu Wange beside him.

Isn’t Meng Xianzhang the Wenda Academy recruiter?

Chu Wange, catching his gaze, tilted her head slightly—as if asking: “???”

Right, asking was pointless… Lin Mo muttered inwardly.

But he didn’t dwell long—Yan Nanfeng quickly explained the situation in brief, and lightly hinted at their identities.

Top scorer of the Immortal List, Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Dao art, past top hundred, cultivation masters are scrambling to take him as their disciple…

Lin Mo took a deep breath, once again reevaluating Chu Wange.

But this time, he felt no envy.

I’m not bad either!

He’d endured half a month in the realm, finally maxed the realm score, and earned the heavenly reward: “Double Yellow Egg.”

In terms of gains, he was absolutely on par with Chu Wange.

Once he understood everything, Lin Mo instantly grasped why the two Immortal Masters were trying to “kidnap” him.

Sure enough, after a few brief pleasantries, Yan Nanfeng got straight to the point:

“Young Lin, may I ask—did you obtain a Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Dao Art in the realm?”

So direct… Lin Mo thought inwardly, but quickly realized why.

His bonus points had already revealed everything.

Ordinary orange-rank treasures added 100 points; Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Dao Art added 150.

The two golden lights meant Lin Mo gained an extra 250 points.

Though the number sounded odd, anyone with eyes could see what it meant.

Lin Mo nodded, not bothering to hide it: “As you suspected.”

Yan Nanfeng and Gu Ling both wore expressions of “I knew it.”

The former chuckled lightly and said:

“Young Lin, would you consider joining Qingshan Sect? I’ll grant you the same benefits as a direct admission student, with full cultivation resources.”

Before Lin Mo could answer, Gu Ling immediately spoke: “Wenda Academy offers the same.”