Juyao, the main peak of the Wen Clan, was bustling with noise. Many new black-robed candidates were running around, nervous and excited. Today was the recruitment day for new disciples. To enter the Wen Clan, one had to pass three exams.
The first was the written exam, which tested knowledge of cultivation and its history.
The second was the practical exam, where physical strength and patience were measured.
The third was the spiritual exam, which checked if someone had the basic spiritual power needed for cultivation. Ordinary meditation wasn't enough, only those with strong spirit strength could pass.
After clearing all three, a person could officially join as an outer disciple. However, to become an inner disciple, one needed their Shizun's personal approval. That's why many outer disciples acted extremely obedient and loyal to their seniors.
But there was one person in the Wen Clan who didn't take the exams at all. People called him the Clownish Poet.
He couldn't even lift a sword. He had no foundation in cultivation. He was just a timid man who barely managed to compose poems. If not for his family connections from his mother's side, he would've been thrown off the mountain long ago.
"Have you heard of the Clownish Poet?" someone asked in the busy dining hall of Juyao Peak. The candidates hadn't yet been officially accepted, so they were spending the little time before the ceremony by eating and chatting. The dining hall was nearly full, and many people reacted to the question.
"He's from Jun Peak, right? Please, Heaven, don't send me there!" said a young man sitting near the window. Others laughed and agreed with him.
"Do you know why they call him the Clownish Poet?" asked a boy who stood up, raising his chopsticks like a baton. Most of the new disciples came from faraway places and didn't know the inner gossip of the sect.
"No, tell us!"
"Yeah, we want to know!" the group echoed.
The boy cleared his throat and continued.
"He always wears a mask. Do you know why? Because he's ugly. He wears it to hide his hideous face."
Laughter burst across the room.
"He must be scary-ugly to hide it like that. He better keep the mask on or someone might faint just from looking at him!" one student shouted, causing another round of laughter.
"I heard something different," a voice cut through the noise. Everyone turned to look at a pale, thin young man who had been quietly listening.
"What did you hear?" asked the boy with chopsticks, clearly annoyed by the interruption.
"He wasn't born ugly," said the pale youth. "During a hunting trip, he got a long scar across his face. Since then, he hides it with a mask."
The dining hall grew quiet for a moment.
"If what Luo Xiong says is true, I feel bad for the Clownish Poet," someone murmured with a frown.
The pale young man was named Luo Cheng. He had already gained a good reputation among the newcomers. He had passed all three exams with high scores and was even praised by the sect leader himself, an obvious hint that he might be chosen by Juyao Peak.
The Tianmen Wen Sect had five peaks. Juyao Peak was the main and strongest. It had produced many great cultivators and was the pride of the sect.
Next was Shensheng Peak, known for music and magical instruments. They didn't focus much on martial arts but were still respected for their fairness and power.
Then came Chuangzhou Peak, which meant "Long Life". It was known for its focus on longevity and internal strength.
The fourth was Sha Diren Peak, and finally, there was Jun Peak.
Unlike the other peaks, Jun Peak was quiet and slow in progress. It focused more on spiritual matters than swordsmanship. Most people avoided it; only those desperate to join the sect at any cost were willing to end up there.
The chopstick-wielding boy's face darkened. His name was Shen Ming, and he had proud peacock-like looks, with long eyes and a strong jawline. He turned to Luo Cheng coldly.
"Who knows? That sounds like a lie."
"Maybe," another added. "I also heard he has a bad temper."
Luo Cheng didn't bother arguing. He just shook his head and calmly went back to eating.
A few moments later, a boy in clean clothes ran into the dining hall, panting. He rushed toward the back.
"Ming Gongzi! Ming Gongzi!" he called out to Shen Ming, who was still holding his chopsticks.
"They're starting soon!" the boy said breathlessly, grabbing a glass of water and finishing it in one gulp. He had clearly run straight from the main hall.
"The conference is about to begin," Shen Ming said coldly as he stood up. The other students quickly left their meals and followed out.
In the end, only Shen Ming, his servant, and Luo Cheng remained in the dining hall.
"Luo Xiong, aren't you coming?" Shen Ming asked as he turned toward the exit.
"I'll finish eating first," Luo Cheng replied without any rush.
A mocking smile curled on Shen Ming's lips. To him, Luo Cheng was no better than a beggar.
"Suit yourself," Shen Ming said with a snort, then left with his servant.
When Luo Cheng finally entered the main hall, it was already packed with over three hundred new disciples.
The hall stood tall with twelve huge pillars. Its wooden ceiling was painted with scenes from the history of the Wen Clan. The hall glowed with countless candles, and most windows were shut, giving it a sacred, heavy atmosphere. At the front was a raised golden platform where five people sat.
They were the five peak lords of the Wen Sect. In the center sat Shi Xieren, Lord of Juyao Peak and the current leader of the sect. He was a broad man with a calm face, dressed in dark blue and black robes, the colors of Juyao Peak. Around his waist was the golden sash of the Wen Sect, embroidered with a small flame; every inner disciple wore it despite being from different peaks. That sash was the mark that tells the world that someone belongs to Tianmen Wen.
To his left and right were Wang Xuegang of Shensheng Peak and San Yumo of Chuangzhou Peak.
Wang Xuegang looked gentle and kind, wearing bright blue robes. San Yumo, young and fierce looking in crimson, scanned the crowd with sharp eyes. He was famous for his short temper.
At the far ends sat Gu Yin of Sha Diren Peak and Shen Guo of Jun Peak. Gu Yin wore black and smiled warmly. Shen Guo, dressed in brown and white, stared coldly at the crowd, expressionless.
Luo Cheng could feel the heavy pressure just from seeing the five peak lords together.
"Silence!" a strong voice rang through the hall, and everyone fell quiet. All heads turned toward the speaker.
A young man stood beside the twin glowing statues at the base of the stage. He was clearly handsome, tall and slender, with bright, starry eyes and long lashes.
This was Wu Xuan, the chief disciple of Juyao Peak. Though he always smiled, there was a sharpness in his gaze—as if he were hunting prey.
After scanning the crowd, Wu Xuan spoke again.
"All of you have passed the entrance exam."
Just then, a loud creak interrupted him. The large doors of the hall opened, and everyone turned to look.
A young man walked in. He wore an outer robe of brown and white, and he moved carefully, as if nervous. His face was covered by a mask that hid everything above his nose. The mask had the design of a bird with wings spread wide. From behind the holes, fearful hazel eyes peeked out at the silent hall.