Chapter 41

The scent of Mian Yu Xiang Su drifted over, and Li Hao could smell it from far away. This was made personally by Uncle Liu.

Don't look at Uncle Liu as just a small vendor; this fried crispy snack of his was unique. Being able to set up a stall for many years on the most prosperous street outside the Divine General's Mansion was enough to show his standard.

The fragrance was at the edge of the square. When Li Hao arrived with Li Yuanzhao, he saw that the number of young men and women here had decreased significantly, as they had all rushed toward the entrance stairs of the Tan Palace Academy. However, there were still many figures lingering in front of various stalls. Looking at their clothing and attire, they were clearly from other provinces.

It was rare to make a trip to Qingzhou, so it could be considered tasting the local delicacies.

Li Hao saw a long line in front of Uncle Liu's stall. Most of them were women, and there were also some servants dressed as retainers and maids coming to queue up to buy for their masters.

Li Hao pulled Li Yuanzhao and queued up behind the long line to wait.

"Brother Hao, haven't you eaten breakfast yet?"

Li Yuanzhao couldn't help but ask.

Li Hao nodded.

"You wait, I'll go buy it for you right now."

After Li Yuanzhao finished speaking, he immediately shouted toward the front: "Uncle Liu, prepare two portions of breakfast for us!"

The voice was loud, and the people queuing around cast their gazes over. Seeing the two of them dressed in brocade clothes and expensive attire, they knew they were some wealthy young masters.

Beside Uncle Liu at the stall, Auntie Liu was busy collecting money and entertaining guests. Hearing Li Yuanzhao's words, she looked up and discovered that it was actually Young Master Li Hao at the back. She hurriedly smiled and agreed, then gave instructions to Old Liu, who was buried in hard work:

"It's Young Master Hao from the Divine General's Mansion. Hurry up and make two portions for him."

Old Liu was stunned. He looked up amidst his busy schedule, and when he saw the young man at the end, his wrinkled old face couldn't help but crack into a smile.

Toward people like them—vendors, servants, and those at the bottom of the nine classes—the powerful and wealthy had always turned up their noses, their eyes filled with disdain and contempt.

But only this Young Master Hao treated them as equals and didn't avoid them at all. Three years ago, he had even sat on the ground and shouted to sell for them in front of his own stall. That scene had scared the couple so much that they were extremely flattered. From then on, they remembered this peculiar young master of a famous family.

"You kid......"

Li Hao originally wanted to pull Li Yuanzhao back and wait slowly. Seeing Auntie Liu smile at him after hearing the shout, he had no choice but to helplessly lead Li Yuanzhao forward and wait quietly on the other side of the stall.

Beside them, some of the retainers and maids queuing up cast frequent glances, but they didn't dare to say anything.

But those women who were queuing up personally had their faces fall, casting hostile gazes. Someone said with dissatisfaction:

"Why can he cut the line directly? This isn't fair!"

"Exactly!"

"Boss, you're too unfair!"

Li Yuanzhao heard these accusations and became a bit anxious. He was about to reveal the identity and name of the Divine General's Mansion, but was pressed back by Li Hao on his chest.

Since things had reached this point, Li Hao could only step forward to resolve it. He felt slightly helpless in his heart, but he smiled at these chattering young ladies, then immediately took out a gold ingot from his bag, handed it to Uncle Liu's stall, and said in a gentle tone: "You ladies don't need to be angry. I'll provide the fairness; five times the price."

Auntie Liu was flustered and hurriedly tried to stuff the gold back into Li Hao's hand: "Young Master Hao, we can't accept this!"

"No need for change; just consider it as paying for the future as well," Li Hao smiled, pushed it back, his gentle gaze carrying an unquestionable air.

Small vendors could also be considered as having walked the world, and their discernment was quite remarkable. Auntie Liu understood instantly and stopped pushing it away.

Li Hao said: "Trouble you, Uncle Liu, make it five portions."

"Oh, oh, okay!" Uncle Liu hurriedly agreed.

Since his wife hadn't declined any further, he just had to do it.

The other young ladies queuing up saw Li Hao being so wealthy and imposing, and they were all furious. Even if one crispy snack was five times the price, they could afford it, but they didn't want to be this sucker.

Soon, five portions of Mian Yu Xiang Su were in hand. Li Hao casually handed a bag to Li Yuanzhao and returned from the crowd.

"So many, Brother Hao, can you finish them?"

Li Yuanzhao looked at the four bags in Li Hao's hands, took a bite of his own portion, and clicked his tongue: "Truly fragrant, no wonder Brother Hao likes it!"

Li Hao smiled, returned to the front of the carriage, saw Qingzhi and Li Fu guarding behind the carriage, and handed them a bag each.

"Young Master, haven't you gone to the entrance stairs yet?" Li Fu took the breakfast and looked at Li Hao with some astonishment.

Li Hao said: "One has to fill one's stomach first."

"......" Li Fu was speechless, but having followed Li Hao for five or six years, he could be considered to understand this kid's temperament, so he didn't say anything more. Anyway, they had an invitation.

Li Hao returned to the front of the vehicle, glanced at Uncle Ming sitting on the carriage board. Although the other party was from the Falling Snow Courtyard, he had been quite polite to him on weekdays, so he also handed him a portion.

"Many thanks, Young Master Hao."

Uncle Ming hurriedly took it with both hands, rose, and thanked him.

Immediately, he also raised the same doubt as Li Fu, asking: "Young Master Hao, you...... haven't gone to the entrance stairs yet?"

"I'll go after I finish eating," Li Hao said.

Li Ming was slightly dumbfounded. Young Master Yun and Miss Zhining were probably already inside the mountain gate by now, yet this Young Master Hao was still wandering around at the foot of the mountain. As expected, just like the rumors, he was truly leisurely......

After eating and drinking his fill, Li Hao took Li Yuanzhao, who was already impatient, squeezed through the crowd, and arrived in front of the entrance stairs.

Calling it stairs, it was actually a long staircase.

It was said to have a full thousand steps, leading to the entrance of the Tan Palace Academy.

This was also the first test of the Tan Palace Academy.

Climbing a thousand steps alone wasn't difficult, but at this moment, on the side of the stairs leaning against the mountain forest, there were figures darting back and forth, which were shockingly some ape demon shadows.

Although they were demonic creatures, they were all raised by the Tan Palace Academy.

Figures challenging the entrance stairs would also be harassed and attacked by these ape demons during the climb. If they couldn't climb to the peak from the ape demons' attacks within ten breaths, it would be considered a failure of the first pass.

This test could not be said to be easy. Just climbing required the strength of the sixth or seventh level of the Tongli Realm, not to mention having to dodge the ape demons that would sneak attack at any time, which tested eyesight and movement techniques even more.

"Miss, this test seems a bit difficult!"

In the crowd, a maid holding an umbrella said nervously to the young lady in white beside her.

"There's nothing difficult about it. A mere first-pass minor test can't stump me."

Si Xiaolan's expression was calm, but her gaze was patrolling everywhere in the crowd: "Compared to this kind of test, there are quite a few strong opponents among these people......"

With her excellent discernment, as she looked around, she saw many famous noble families.

Among these, some had a higher status than their Si Clan, and some were slightly inferior.

"Miss, those two over there seem to be the young masters of the Qingzhou Divine General's Mansion." The maid stood on tiptoe to look around and suddenly pointed to a spot on the left.

Si Xiaolan looked up, recognized the sleeve pattern, and nodded slightly: "That's right." At this moment, as she looked over, those two were also just about to register for entry.

Si Xiaolan's heart stirred, and she immediately walked up to register as well.

"So what if it's the Divine General's Mansion? I heard the Li Clan are all True Dragons. I want to see how much worse I am than them," Si Xiaolan thought in her heart, a bit of light appearing in her eyes, faintly carrying a bit of stubborn fighting spirit.

"Age, place of origin, name."

"Jizhou, Si Clan."

In front of the registration personnel, Si Xiaolan only reported her family name. The registration for this first pass was very casual. Sure enough, when the registration personnel heard the two words "Si Clan," he looked up at the young lady, then nodded:

"Go in. Do you know the rules? No matter what method you use, just reach the top within ten breaths."

"Ten breaths? Too long."

Beside them, another young man in luxurious clothing said indifferently.

Si Xiaolan took a look and recognized him as a descendant of a famous family from another province. Her eyes became even brighter.

"Miss, they are all famous families. Should we wait for the next batch......" Beside her, the maid was nervous and hesitant, pulling the young lady's sleeve.

"What are you afraid of?"

Si Xiaolan's eyes were shining brightly: "Walking the world doesn't rely on names, but on real skills in fists and feet!"

After speaking, she let the maid wait obediently here and followed the people in front to enter.

She wanted to secretly compare.

"Prepare yourselves." Beside them, an old man who looked like he was in meditation lifted his eyelids and said indifferently.

Everyone was adjusting their breathing and moving their joints.

"Yuanzhao, add oil." Li Hao encouraged Li Yuanzhao with a smile.

This kid insisted on relying on his own ability to break through this pass, and he had no choice.

"Mm!"

Li Yuanzhao nodded heavily.

Others looked at Li Hao, feeling that these words were a bit strange, but they didn't think much of it.

At this time, following the old man's order, more than ten people started to exert force simultaneously! Whoosh! A fierce wind suddenly rolled up beside them. Li Yuanzhao's figure took the lead like a cannonball, suddenly springing out, and a depression actually appeared on the spot.

Almost in the blink of an eye, he stepped onto a hundred steps, then took another step, leading like a hurricane, and quickly reached the top! It took no more than three breaths.

Li Hao knew that for Yuanzhao, who was at the Perfected Zhou Tian Realm, this couldn't be considered truly exerting force.

The moment Si Xiaolan saw Li Yuanzhao's figure rush out, her beautiful eyes shrank slightly, and then she also exploded with force, turning into a white light, quickly chasing after him, but was thrown off the distance in the blink of an eye.

On the way, an ape demon suddenly attacked, but she had been prepared for a long time, dodging gracefully like a butterfly turning, and then after a few arrow steps, she rushed to the peak.

She calculated, it was seven breaths.

When she arrived, someone arrived closely behind almost simultaneously.

After ten breaths, out of twelve people, only seven passed.

People standing on the mountaintop looked at the short, fat, and unremarkable guy with complicated expressions, fear appearing in their eyes.

The speed Li Yuanzhao had just exploded with was too terrifying; just the fierce wind brought by his body had the momentum of a tiger's roar.

Is this the monster of the Divine General's Mansion? The gap is too big.

Si Xiaolan's expression was solemn, constantly sizing up this little fatty who looked like he was a year or two younger than herself. There was an extremely uncomfortable feeling in her heart—a deep sense of frustration.

At this time, someone noticed that of the two from the Divine General's Mansion, only one had reached the top.

Someone looked back and was astonished to find that on the stairs, a figure was walking slowly and leisurely.

And the surrounding ape demons did not launch an attack on him.

"Brother Hao."

Li Yuanzhao turned around and waved to say hello.

Soon, Li Hao also walked to the top floor and smiled at Li Yuanzhao.

"Does he count as passing too?" Someone asked in surprise.

"Ten breaths have long passed, right?"

Everyone was suspicious.

There was also an old man on the mountaintop who was verifying the examinees. Hearing their discussion, he said indifferently: "You have all passed. Go to the second pass. That place will cost you your life. If you want to quit, you can give up. After all, there are other famous families who will also take disciples."

These words left people speechless, and one could also feel the other party's confidence.

"Does he count as passing too?" Si Xiaolan frowned and asked, pointing at Li Hao.

"Of course, he has an invitation," the old man said indifferently.

"An invitation?"

"The Tan Palace Academy actually still has invitations?"

Everyone stared, all astonished. Apparently, it was the first time they knew of such a thing.

Everyone was struggling to cross, but someone was directly rowing a boat? And this boat ticket was personally given by the Tan Palace Academy! Li Hao smiled at this righteous little girl in white. Intending to tease her, he took out the invitation from his bosom, shook it, and then went straight away.

Si Xiaolan was stunned for a moment. Thinking of what she had said earlier, walking the world relies on fists and feet...... Fists and feet my ass, people rely on having someone behind them! Thinking of Li Hao's showing-off appearance, she stomped her feet in anger, then gritted her teeth and followed.

Not long after, everyone arrived at the second pass.

Not far ahead on the mountaintop, it was actually a cliff, and chains were nailed under the cliff, connecting to the opposite shore.

The distance between each chain was relatively large, which meant one could only step on one chain.

A ten-thousand-foot cliff, walking on a single chain?

Some people's expressions changed slightly, and they started to retreat.

Si Xiaolan's eyes focused slightly, and cold sweat couldn't help but overflow from her palms. Immediately, her gaze looked at the two noble-looking figures in front.

Here, surely they couldn't rely on an invitation again, right? She sneered secretly in her heart.

(End of chapter)