The smell inside the carriage was far from pleasant, and it was no wonder—the compartment, meant for just over a dozen people, was crammed with nearly thirty children. Although the children were much smaller than adults, the carriage was still unbearably crowded.
Han Li cleverly tucked his thin frame into a corner of the carriage, secretly observing the other children.
The children attending the entrance examination could clearly be divided into three groups based on their attire and backgrounds. The first group consisted of those like the lavishly dressed boy seated in the center, surrounded by most of the other children.
That boy was Wu Yan, thirteen years old, the oldest in the carriage. Though he had technically exceeded the age limit, his older sister was married to a high-ranking figure in the Seven Mysteries Sect, so the age restriction was conveniently overlooked. Wu Yan’s family ran a martial arts school and was quite wealthy. He had practiced some basic martial arts since childhood, and though his skills were far from exceptional, they were more than enough to handle children like Han Li, who relied solely on brute strength and had never received any formal training.
Naturally, someone like Wu Yan, with wealth, influence, and some martial prowess, effortlessly became the “big brother” figure to most of the children in the carriage.
The second group consisted of the children crowding around Wu Yan. Their backgrounds varied—some came from shop-owning families, others from laborer households, and still others from artisan families. What they all shared was that they had grown up in towns and had, to varying degrees, learned from their elders how to read people and pursue their own interests. Thus, they flocked around Wu Yan, addressing him as “Young Master Wu” or “Brother Wu.” Wu Yan seemed accustomed to such flattery and clearly enjoyed the attention.
The last group consisted of children like Han Li, who came from remote, impoverished villages. Their families eked out a living from the mountains or rivers, and they were extremely poor. This group was the smallest in the carriage, numbering only five or six. They appeared timid and hesitant, rarely speaking loudly, and stood in stark contrast to the boisterous, laughing children around them.
The carriage departed from Qingniu Town and sped westward, stopping at several places along the way to pick up more children. Finally, on the evening of the fifth day, they arrived at Rainbow Cloud Mountain—the headquarters of the Seven Mysteries Sect.
As soon as the children stepped out of the carriage, they were mesmerized by the mountain’s stunning sunset scenery. It was only when Protector Wang urged them to move that they snapped out of their daze and continued forward.
Rainbow Cloud Mountain was originally called Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Legend had it that a five-colored phoenix had once descended here and transformed into the mountain. Later, visitors found the mountain exceptionally beautiful at sunset, as if bathed in colorful clouds, and thus renamed it Rainbow Cloud Mountain. Of course, since the Seven Mysteries Sect had taken over the mountain, outsiders were no longer allowed to freely admire its beauty.
Rainbow Cloud Mountain was the second-largest mountain in Jingzhou, surpassed only by the Hundred Serpent Mountain. It spanned over ten miles in circumference, with more than a dozen peaks, each perilously steep and occupied by different branches of the Seven Mysteries Sect. The main peak, Sunset Peak, was particularly treacherous—not only was it incredibly high and steep, but there was only one path from the base to the summit. After establishing their headquarters here, the sect set up thirteen checkpoints, both overt and covert, along this path, ensuring near-impenetrable security.
As Han Li followed the group, taking in his surroundings, the line ahead suddenly came to a halt. A hearty voice called out, “Brother Wang, you’re late! You’re two days behind schedule.”
“Elder Yue, we were delayed on the road. My apologies for troubling you,” Protector Wang replied respectfully, bowing to a red-faced elder. His usual arrogance was gone, replaced by an obsequious demeanor.
“How many batches of disciples have been sent up the mountain so far?”
“This is the seventeenth batch.”
“Hmph!” Elder Yue glanced dismissively at Han Li and the others.
“Take them to the Guest Reception Hall. Let them rest for the night. The selection process begins tomorrow morning. Those who fail should be sent down the mountain early to avoid breaking any sect rules.”
“As you command, Elder Yue.”
As they climbed the stone steps up the mountain, the children were filled with excitement, though no one dared to speak loudly. Despite their youth, they all understood that this place would determine their futures.
Protector Wang led the way, smiling and greeting people he encountered along the path. It was clear he had many acquaintances within the sect and was well-liked.
Most of the people they passed wore blue satin robes, carrying swords or knives. Even those without weapons had bulging pouches at their waists, hinting at hidden tools. Their demeanor and movements suggested they were agile and skilled in martial arts.
Han Li and the others were taken to a relatively shorter peak, where a cluster of earthen houses stood. They spent the night there. In his dreams, Han Li saw himself dressed in fine robes, wielding a golden sword, and possessing unparalleled martial skills. He vividly imagined beating up the blacksmith’s son from his village—a boy he had never been able to defeat—and woke up the next morning still savoring the triumph.
After waking, Protector Wang did not allow them to eat breakfast. Instead, he led them directly to a large bamboo-covered slope at the foot of the mountain. There, Elder Yue and several unfamiliar young men were already waiting.
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