C20 In the World of Geniuses

For centuries, the House of the Chosen has been shrouded in mystery, protected by an invisible and enigmatic barrier. Without dispelling this hidden layer, no matter the extent of one's supernatural abilities, the existence of the House of the Chosen would remain undetectable. Now, with the barrier lifted, the bluestone square and the surrounding architecture are exposed, yet the House of the Chosen itself is revealed only through a single stone door. This door, set into the base of a vast, boundless mountain, might lead one to believe that the House of the Chosen was carved from within the mountain itself.

But appearances can be deceiving. As hundreds of people crossed the threshold, they were struck dumb by the sight that greeted them. Beyond the stone door lay a scene beyond words: a sky of the deepest blue, mountains soaring into the clouds, auspicious clouds drifting low enough to touch, birds weaving through the mist, waterfalls cascading down, and the air fresh and subtly fragrant. The meandering paths through the ground's forest seemed to whisper of a celestial realm, a dreamlike and surreal place.

As time flowed on, and an incense stick burned down, everyone had entered what was referred to as the mansion. They formed a vast column, stretching as far as the eye could see, numbering over two hundred individuals in varied attire, resembling a motley army.

At the very forefront of the crowd lay Ye Mo, alongside the dark-skinned youth, Yiheng and Yishu, in quiet repose.

Before the assembly of young people stood seven middle-aged individuals, men and women of varying heights and builds, indistinguishable from ordinary folk. Their piercing gazes swept over the youths, and they occasionally exchanged whispers, their purpose unknown to the onlookers.

"My name is Executor," began the middle-aged man who had led the group inside. "A century ago, I was a disciple here, and now I serve as an elder within these walls. The other elders are preoccupied, so I have come to welcome you." After introducing himself to the youths, he went on, "I understand the questions in your minds. The House of the Chosen may resemble a spiritual mountain more than a mansion, but rest assured, it was indeed once a mansion. There's no need to dwell on that. Within the House of the Chosen, there are seven main peaks connected by a chain of mountains: Dubhe Peak, Merak Peak, Phegda Peak, Megrez Peak, Mizar Peak, and Alkaid Peak. Each peak is overseen by a Peak Master, and these seven individuals before you are those masters. In time, one of them may very well become your mentor." The middle-aged man, known as Executor, stood with his back to the seven mist-enshrouded peaks, his head held high and his pride unmistakable.

"Don't waste time. Let's divide everyone up now!"

A thin, aloof man suddenly spoke up among the seven, his impatience clear in his voice. Although the other six remained silent, their faces betrayed their irritation.

A flicker of anger crossed the Executor's face, but he kept his composure. At his command, the large group quickly formed into orderly lines. Within moments, seven squadrons materialized in the clearing: five comprised solely of men and two of women, all arranged by the Executor's directive.

The young people were full of uncertainty, each weighing which Summit might be the strongest. There were seven Peak Masters—five men and two women—overseeing the neatly divided youths. Each of the seven squadrons had exactly thirty-five members, totaling two hundred and forty-five. The Masters nodded in approval, seemingly forgetting the two still lying on the ground: Yiheng and Yishu.

The Peak Master of Dubhe Peak was the first to choose his disciples. His demeanor was icy, seemingly unchanging. Choosing disciples was a straightforward task; complicating it with preferences could lead to dissent, and even the Peak Masters might resort to fighting if pushed too far. So, they left it to chance and fate.

"You! Those in the middle, come here," commanded the Peak Master of Dubhe Peak, his tone brooking no argument, like that of a leader.

The crowd shifted, and thirty-five people stepped out of their ranks. Without further ado, the Dubhe Peak Master addressed the others, "I'll be heading back to attend to matters. Until next time." With that, he led his new disciples down the path and away.

"Same old story..."

The remaining Peak Masters—five men and two women—shook their heads with a hint of resignation, all too familiar with his temperament. The disciples, regardless of gender, had been assigned randomly, with good and bad Soul Seeds mixed together. The six Peak Masters then orderly claimed their disciples and departed, leaving behind the unconscious Yiheng and Yishu.

A gentle breeze swept across the field, leaving only two rows of young disciples from Mizar Peak and Alkaid Peak, who had not yet been chosen.

"Junior brother, I'll go ahead then," said the Mizar Peak Master, his smile tinged with embarrassment. He had just selected thirty-five individuals and was about to depart when the Alkaid Peak Master, his face red with earnestness, interjected, "There are still two on the ground. They might be hidden talents. Why not choose one?"

The Mizar Peak Master, having led his disciples a short distance away, stopped in his tracks when called out. With his back to the crowd, his face betrayed a look of distaste. After all, who could overlook the two youths lying there, seemingly at death's door? The haste to leave after selecting disciples was driven by the fear of these two becoming their responsibility. Taking them on could mean a stain on their reputation if they died upon joining. Moreover, they appeared to lack Spiritual Roots and their realms were low.

"Fine! You two, bring that dark-skinned boy to me," the Mizar Peak Master finally decided, signaling to the two youths at the end of the line to fetch Yishu.

The two exchanged glances, recognizing themselves as the ones who had recently carried Yishu and Yiheng into the sect. With their distinguished looks and prominent demeanors, it was clear they came from influential families before arriving at the House of the Chosen. Indeed, among the more than two hundred and forty people present, each had their own significant background in Godfall Land. The House of the Chosen's policy of indiscriminate acceptance was clearly a strategic consideration of these backgrounds.

"You go. I was the one who carried that kid earlier, and he reeked terribly," one youth complained, his face wrinkling in disgust as he whispered to his companion.

"I'd rather not either. Look at my fine clothes; they'll be a nightmare to clean if they get dirty," the other youth protested, shaking his head vigorously. In this standoff, neither wanted to take on the task.

"Can you two pick up the pace?" The Mizar Peak Master was already in a foul mood and didn't hesitate to berate them. The two previously arrogant and influential youths were taken aback, realizing this was no time for idle chatter. They sprang into action, one lifting the head and the other the legs, and together they carried the dark-skinned youth, Yishu, away.

A hint of amusement twinkled in the eyes of the Alkaid Peak Master as he chuckled, "Stop dawdling and follow me. If we don't move quickly, we'll end up sleeping on the mountain after dark. Hey, you've got no choice left but me." Shaking his head slowly, his cheeks jiggled as he looked at the still unconscious Ye Mo. Without overthinking, he lifted Ye Mo's arm over his shoulder and rose to his feet, carrying him with a dignified stride down the winding path.

The remaining thirty-five individuals exchanged bewildered glances, not having anticipated such a turn of events. Yet, they didn't pause, finding themselves having to jog just to keep up with the Alkaid Peak Master's brisk pace.

What they couldn't see was the grim expression on the Alkaid Peak Master's face. As Ye Mo's arm rested on him, he had thoroughly probed him with his Soul Power. Though Ye Mo's life wasn't in danger, he lacked spirit. Despite being at the third level of Soul Forging, he was essentially useless.

Now, the Alkaid Peak Master had inadvertently saddled himself with a lifeless body, and he would have to deal with the aftermath. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became, cursing his own luck as the worst in a century, never able to catch a break.

"What's this fellow's name? Does anyone know?" the Alkaid Peak Master suddenly inquired, his back to the thirty-five as he carried Ye Mo.

"Yiheng, that's the name Specter gave him," came a jeering response from behind, followed by a ripple of laughter through the crowd.

Specter!

The Alkaid Peak Master, who had been secluded in his estate, was oblivious to the recent events. Learning that the young man was named by his own Ancestral Master, Specter, he inhaled sharply. It had been decades since he last saw Specter. With this revelation, the Alkaid Peak Master couldn't help but speculate, "The individual recognized by him is soulless, destined to die, and lacks the qualifications of a Soul Cultivator..."

"Eh... Strange!"

The thirty-five disciples trailed behind the Alkaid Peak Master, only to see their master, who was also the Peak Master, come to a sudden halt at a complex intersection. His abrupt stop and exclamation of surprise left everyone puzzled, prompting them to halt and watch with curiosity.

"Have we gotten lost?"

"Lost? That can't be real, right?"

The young disciples were taken aback, their minds racing with all sorts of possibilities.

"Judging by this bone, it must have turned sixteen not long ago. There's Soul Power within, and you've even reached the third level. Does this mean... you've broken the so-called Death Curse?"

The Alkaid Peak Master stood frozen, as the realization of a terrifying truth dawned on him—a truth he was reluctant to accept. Due to the circumstances, the Alkaid Peak Master had failed to detect the ninth-level white fox inner core within Ye Mo. It was a possibility he would never have considered, as it seemed too far-fetched.

"Ah, you've had a hard life, child. Regardless of the reasons, I will take good care of you from now on." Casting aside all else, the Alkaid Peak Master showed a hint of a different emotion and stepped forward, turning right to take the last path.

"Have we finally found the way? This path isn't that hard to remember..."

As they slowly caught up, some were still preoccupied with the thought of being lost. The group moved on until they were faced with a daunting stone staircase that soared into the clouds, a hundred meters tall, that inspired awe. Despite his stout figure, the Peak Master ascended with surprising agility, making the steep steps seem as easy as walking on flat ground.

"Hmph, no big deal."

Yet, the majority of the group faced the towering staircase with self-assured grins. The next moment, they each showcased their talents. All thirty-five possessed Soul Power, and buoyed by it, they moved with agility, leaping up ten steps at a time, soaring skyward. Such a spectacle, if witnessed in the ordinary world, would be considered extraordinary, for despite their youth, their cultivation levels were above the third tier, making them formidable figures even in the average town.