The next morning began with the soft sunlight streaming through the tall windows of the mansion. Kyrian descended first, but before even sitting on the sofa, Yanyu appeared, excited.
Her eyes sparkled as if she had been thinking about sothing for a long ti.
Then she spoke enthusiastically.
"Today we’re going shopping."
Kyrian raised his eyebrows.
"Shopping?"
"Of course! You can’t appear at the prince’s birthday wearing that ordinary tunic. You need sothing suitable." She said it as if it were obvious.
"Why? It’s clean, new, and fine." Kyrian replied simply.
Yanyu took a deep breath but did not back down.
"No, you don’t understand. It’s the royal palace! The crown prince’s party! At least while we’re here, we have to show so respect. You will accompany shopping."
Kyrian did not argue. He followed Yanyu through the streets of the capital, entering fine stores that he barely glanced at.
Clothes hung like silk banners, with intricate embroidery, vivid colors, and fabrics that seed fragile despite being expensive.
Yanyu tried on several dresses until she found a light-blue one, simple yet elegant, highlighting her beauty. Then, she insisted that Kyrian choose sothing as well.
He stood silently before the many options Yanyu had picked with a smile. Until his eyes landed on a black tunic, discreetly embroidered in gold. It was not flashy but had a quiet elegance that pleased his eye.
"This will do." He said, pointing.
Minutes later, dressed in front of a large store mirror, Kyrian observed his reflection. The tunic fell perfectly over his shoulders, the golden threads reflecting the light like subtle embers.
Kyrian was genuinely satisfied, he seed more handso than usual.
Yanyu, beside him, was montarily entranced. Then she spoke.
"It looks... truly perfect on you." She said, with a genuine smile.
Kyrian rely nodded, saying nothing.
...
The rest of the day passed quickly, and then, at night, a carriage ca to fetch them. It was luxurious, drawn by golden-hoofed beasts. Yanyu adjusted her dress, nervous.
Kyrian, sitting beside her, seed calm as always.
On the way, he thought of sothing and broke the silence.
"Do you know anything about this prince?"
Yanyu thought for a mont before answering.
"The crown prince... actually, he’s the king’s fifth son, the youngest. But his talent in cultivation and in the sword path is said to be incredible. He was so far superior to his brothers that the king had no choice. He beca the heir despite being the youngest."
"Today he must be turning sixteen. He is one of the geniuses who will definitely enter the Verdant Sword Sect. And he will beco an inner disciple quickly."
Kyrian simply listened in silence, processing the information.
...
When they arrived, the palace lit up the night. White columns rose before enormous gates, rows of blue-fla torches burned. Above the gates, purple banners with the royal emblem fluttered in the wind.
The main hall was already crowded with young nobles and outstanding youths who would take the sect’s exam. Luxurious clothes, calculated smiles, and restrained voices filled the space.
Outside and in specific corners, aligned guards surrounded the area, motionless as if statues.
Then, it did not take long.
Two trumpets sounded. And the crown prince entered.
He wore a purple robe embroidered in gold, his posture erect, and his gaze cold like a drawn blade. His hair was short and purple, like all in the royal family. His face still looked young, and his height was only average.
But his presence filled the hall. Kyrian sensed that the prince was at the peak of the Qi Accumulation Realm. As he walked to the center, his gaze swept over the guests for a mont until it rested on Kyrian.
Kyrian, in turn, did not look away.
The prince smiled lightly and nodded subtly in his direction.
This simple gesture made dozens of eyes turn to Kyrian, whispers spreading like wildfire.
Everyone there had a certain worldview, and when they noticed Kyrian’s eyes, they understood why the prince greeted him first.
In front of all those eyes, Kyrian remained impassive.
The party continued. Music, dances, young people exchanging words with courtesy masks, and even so exchanging blows.
Kyrian, on the other hand, found what interested him. That was...
The tables were filled with food. Fine dishes of seasoned ats, spirit fruits, rare soups, and expensive beverages. He lingered there, sampling everything calmly.
"At least this makes it worthwhile." Kyrian thought, savoring each bite.
Ti passed quickly. When the party ended, the carriage awaited them again. As they departed, the crown prince stood at a distance.
When their eyes t, the prince once again nodded at Kyrian.
This ti, Kyrian returned a slight nod.
"The prince..."
"He seems to want to get closer. But he’s in no hurry." Kyrian said.
It was curious but interesting.
...
The days passed quietly. Kyrian did little, while Yanyu reviewed so things she had learned from him. The fox remained asleep in his room. But her body emitted increasingly strong Qi.
It would not be long before the little fox advanced.
On the morning of the fourth day since their arrival in the capital, Kyrian woke early. He put on the black tunic with gold embroidery, took the still-sleeping fox in his arms, and left the room.
Yanyu was already waiting for him in the corridor, ready and anxious.
When they opened the door, another carriage was parked outside the mansion.
Kyrian sighed, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"This is truly useful, isn’t it?"
He knew. It was the prince who had been facilitating everything for them since their arrival. Lodging, invitations, and the carriages.
Kyrian understood that, once they left. In the sect, the title of prince would no longer carry the sa weight. Only strength and talent would matter. The crown prince also knew this, thus, he was approaching him now out of interest, seeking a future favor.
Kyrian did not mind. After all, he had really been helped so far.
’Depending on what he asks for in the future... maybe I’ll help.’ Kyrian thought.
The carriage took them to the central square of the capital. There, a sea of youths awaited.
The faces were countless, with different clothes and weapons. Many had nervous, anxious looks, while so had no worry at all.
There were children of noble families, descendants of royalty, and mostly youths from distant cities.
All were silent. Tension hung in the air of the vast square.
When noon arrived, a figure appeared above the stage erected at the end of the square. A middle-aged man with a short beard and a light-green robe with an emblem of a sword resembling a leaf on his chest.
At his waist was a sword.
The man’s voice echoed firmly.
"I am Li Yuan, an external elder of the Verdant Sword Sect. The preliminary exam will begin now."
Behind the man, a large, dark-surfaced mirror was revealed. It was strange, as if it pulsed slightly, breathing.
"The test will be simple and quick. All you need to do is stand."
The instant his voice ended, the mirror shone.
A silence then spread across the square. One by one, all the youths present lost the brightness in their eyes, becoming like dolls. All stood still, motionless, completely in a trance.
In fact, all except one.
And that was Kyrian.
He blinked, frowned, and looked at the mirror.
"..."
Their gazes t, and after a second of silence, the elder’s eyes widened. Truly, among all, there was one who stared back at him. The mirror did not work on him.
"Who is he?" the elder asked quietly.
A man behind him responded promptly.
"He should be Kyrian, sir. Fifteen years old. He suddenly appeared in Misty City two months ago."
"He possesses a special, ice-linked physique. We discovered that when he appeared, he was at the 1° stage of Qi accumulation. And today, he is already at the 6°. He is without a doubt the number one genius of our country this year."
The more the elder listened, the more his expression changed, surprise, then astonishnt... and finally, excitent. True excitent in his eyes.
"To think that a true genius... a child of heaven with a special physique has truly appeared in the country I am responsible for."
Then, Li Yuan looked over the square and spoke loudly.
"Young Kyrian! Co to the stage. You have already passed."
Kyrian, hearing this, took a deep breath. Still not fully understanding what had happened. But he guessed. He felt a strange energy try to invade his mind, but his eyes expelled it effortlessly.
Then he walked toward the stage, under the empty stares of thousands of youths in a trance.
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