Note: Thanks for reading! Don't forget to drop Power Stones and leave a comment to help the story reach more readers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
At the Sacred Lotus Academy's gates, the seven Void Refining Stage Elders' proclamation ignited resolve among the sea of cultivators. Faces hardened, fists clenched—opportunity, long awaited, had arrived. Each generation's trials shifted, demanding utmost vigilance.
"What will the first trial be?" many whispered, speculating.
Amid their curiosity, the Elders swept their sleeves, releasing countless crystal spheres, fist-sized and translucent, into the sky. Over a hundred thousand Proof Spirit Orbs hovered, a mesmerizing spectacle.
Sensing the crowd's confusion, the Seventh Elder's booming voice clarified, "These are Proof Spirit Orbs, simple yet potent treasures that measure your Spiritual Energy's purity!"
"The first trial tests Spiritual Energy purity. Regardless of your Spiritual Roots, use any or all—achieve at least sixty percent purity in one type to pass. Impure energy below sixty percent results in elimination."
Realization dawned, but many paled. Spiritual Energy was universal among cultivators, yet purity was elusive. Impurities accrued from myriad causes: excessive pill consumption for cultivation boosts, low-grade techniques, unstable breakthroughs, or meager talent. Pure Spiritual Energy promised smoother cultivation, higher achievements, and superior combat prowess, marking true geniuses like Luo Yu, whose Ice and Thunder energies reached eighty percent purity.
The Academy's elders, seeking heirs, prized this quality—none desired disciples with tainted energy.
"Infuse your Spiritual Energy into the Proof Spirit Orb. It will change color based on purity," the Sixth Elder, the Seventh's gatekeeping partner, explained. "Black denotes sixty percent or less, red for seventy, purple for eighty, gold for ninety. Ten percent purity is rare—even we seven fall short!"
He spoke calmly, inwardly noting, "Only terrors on the Golden Era Ranking achieve perfect purity—beyond your grasp!"
The crowd's expressions grew grave. If Void Refining Stage elders couldn't reach ten percent, this trial would cull countless aspirants.
"Begin!" the Chief Elder's voice echoed from a hidden realm.
Hiss! The sea of cultivators inhaled deeply, steeling themselves. Each seized a Proof Spirit Orb, relaxing their minds, channeling all their Spiritual Energy, hoping for maximum purity.
Instantly, a kaleidoscope of lights bathed the sky mostly black, signaling failure, followed by red, indicating seventy percent purity and passage. Rare purple glimmers sparked awe.
Many, clutching black orbs, wept, their dreams shattered. Most hailed from low-tier powers, their Golden Core cultivation already a feat. Demanding over sixty percent purity was a steep hurdle.
Lan An and his four wives each held an orb, observing quietly.
"These aren't cheap each Proof Spirit Orb costs at least ten Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones. The Academy's investment in this first trial is staggering!" Mu Zi Yin, well-versed, remarked with a smile.
"Let me go first!" Li Zhu Luan, ever lively, eagerly infused her Wood Spiritual Energy.
Flash! A blinding radiance erupted. Her orb blazed gold, like dawn's first light, proclaiming ninety percent purity.
Li Zhu Luan's eyes widened, blinking in disbelief she hadn't expected such purity. The wives' astonishment prompted Lan An's chuckle, "Truc Luan's energy stems from the Heaven-Devouring Variant Wood. Such purity is natural."
The wives nodded, enlightened. A Heavenly Variant was a cosmic rarity—its effects were unsurprising.
Their spectacle drew countless gazes. The golden orb in Li Zhu Luan's hand left onlookers rubbing their eyes, incredulous. A woman without backing, so pure?
The seven Elders' eyes gleamed, itching to recruit Li Zhu Luan instantly. The Ten Thousand Mile Live Mirror captured the moment, broadcasting Li Zhu Luan, her companions, and Lan An to the plaza.
Within the plaza, gasps erupted.
"That scoundrel! Surrounded by four peerless beauties, strutting like a toad!" Ruo Xue, spotting her heart's desire, shed joyful tears, huffing in mock anger.
Though confident in Lan An, the treacherous martial world had fueled her fears. Had the blind youth reached Sacred City? Her worries now dispelled, feminine jealousy surfaced not at his harem, but at their privilege to stand by him while she watched from afar.
"That handsome lad? Not bad taste, Third Sister!" Su Mei licked her lips, hands on her serpentine waist, eyeing the sole man in the mirror.
Once frail and pallid, Lan An had grown tall and robust over two years, his features striking. High-grade techniques lent him an ethereal aura, his silver eye eerie, the blind one haunting, leaving a profound impression.
"Those women…" Hua Yu Feng stared at Li Zhu Luan and company, a flicker of familiarity stirring, yet her memory failed her.
"That's the rogue! A hopeless romantic wait till he enters; I'll deal with him!" Ruo Xue wiped her tears, laughing through sobs, her beauty transcendent.
Su Mei and Hua Yu Feng exchanged glances, their curiosity about the mirrored man intensifying.
Outside, Mu Zi Yin smiled faintly, infusing her Spiritual Energy.
A vibrant purple glow burst forth.
Her purity, at eighty percent, trailed her disciple's, whose Variant Wood was unmatched. Still, eighty percent without yet cultivating the Illusory Wood True Scripture showcased her prodigious talent.
Bai Mu Mei followed, channeling Star Spiritual Energy.
Another purple radiance.
"Once she becomes the Great White Star-Devouring Serpent, her purity will reach ten percent," Jin Ni remarked leisurely.
Star energy, rare and fueled by celestial essence alongside worldly Spiritual Energy, naturally yielded high purity.
Lan An's group became the trial's focal point. Each wife elegant, youthful, saintly, mature wore priceless robes, unmistakably extraordinary. Lan An, flanked by four goddesses, radiated uniqueness, defying their supposed lack of backing.
Countless eyes fixated on them.
In the plaza, Yan Hong Lian's jealousy flared. "Hmph, surrounded by stunning women, he's likely forgotten us!" she pouted, lips tight.
"When did my sister lose confidence? Together, we'll reclaim him!" Yan Die Qing waved her tiny fist, eyes blazing at Li Zhu Luan's image. Youngest among Lan An's wives, her cultivation lagged behind Li Zhu Luan's.
"Indeed, he won't escape us, hehe!" Yan Hong Lian giggled, her ample chest swaying, relief washing over her. His safety mattered most his harem was his due. Recalling their perilous Variant Flame refinement and days of passion in the Evil Emperor's Cave, her heart fluttered, desire stirring.
Crunch! Unnoticed, Yan Yang and Yan Ri's eyes reddened with venom, fists clenched to breaking. "Investigate him thoroughly! I want him dead!" Yan Ri transmitted to Yan Yang, who nodded fiercely, departing.
"Who are these four beauties? They rival the Hundred Flowers Saintesses!"
"Invite them to our gang at any cost!"
"Who's that guy with them? Hateful!"
"Probably their brother he's young!"
Cultivators inside and out buzzed, consoling themselves by denying Lan An's ties to the women. Many, entranced by their beauty, earned glares from their partners.
"He's here, master!" Han Shen, spotting Lan An, shivered, recalling his terrifying prowess.
"Wan Rong, he's the one I meant!" Nangong Yu pointed at Lan An, elated.
"Him? Can he really free me from Nangong Lie?" Nangong Wan Rong eyed Lan An amid stunning women, doubting his virtue a blatant philanderer.
"Absolutely! With his aid, not just Saint Nangong Lie, even the Great Elder his father won't touch you!" Nangong Yu nodded vigorously.
"How do I gain his help?" Wan Rong asked, hope flickering.
"Mention your identity and my name he'll assist. We're friends!" Nangong Yu smiled.
"Alright, I'll consider it," Wan Rong nodded, resuming her watch.
Finally, Liu Shi Qin infused her Spiritual Energy. Her brow's lunar mark shimmered, aiding her.
Heavenly Spiritual Energy surged, a majestic sight. The Ice Moon Night Wind Scripture, a mysterious system-gifted technique, was formidable.
Her Proof Spirit Orb glowed…
Pure gold.
"Heavens, another ninety percent purity!" The crowd erupted, clutching heads in disbelief.
Ninety percent purity was rarer than phoenix feathers. Rumors pegged recent cases to Ninth-Grade powers like Ice Mysterious Empire and Heavenly Mountain Immortal Realm. Yet, among unknowns, two achieved it unfathomable.
The seven Elders trembled, sensing the Academy had unearthed heavenly treasures. Space quaked, and a middle-aged man in plain white robes appeared, hair flowing, aura restrained, scrutinizing Lan An's group.
"Greetings, Chief Elder!" The Elders bowed, chuckling inwardly. This millennia-old elder, last seen during the Golden Era prodigies' trials, had emerged.
"Not bad. Continue observing," the Chief Elder said coolly.
With the wives' stunning results, Lan An ignored provocative stares, asking Jin Ni, "If I use both Variant Flames to test my Spiritual Energy, could I reach ten percent purity?"
"Likely. Heavenly Variants are flawless combined, ten percent isn't surprising," Jin Ni replied, smiling.
Lan An pondered, weighing the risk of exposing his Variant Flames for supremacy against the safer Variant Wood's ninety percent. Variant Wood was subtler, less detectable. He hesitated, about to consult his wives…
Ding! "Epic Quest Triggered: [Youth Overlord]. Success: One Bloodline Summon, One Soul Technique Summon. Failure: Deduct ten million Prestige Points."
Lan An's lips twitched, opening the quest details:
Youth Overlord: Achieve first place in all trials, forging a legendary youth before becoming an Overlord.
"Hmph, challenge accepted!" Lan An sneered. Before countless curious eyes, a searing aura, capable of incinerating the heavens, surged into his Proof Spirit Orb.
A strange color emerged…