Following her gaze, everyone looked over and saw a woman standing still on the sixty-sixth step of Wénxiān Platform, unable to advance.
The woman wore the same attire as the others, blending in without standing out. However, she had a delicate face with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, exuding both grace and youthful charm.
For some reason, Su Luowei felt an immediate sense of familiarity upon seeing her, a feeling that naturally drew her favor.
Zhan Xuehan, however, didn't agree with Min Lanmeng's earlier remarks. Her expression turned colder as she sternly said, "Anyone who ascends to the sixty-sixth step with their own strength is a disciple of Qingxu Sect, regardless of where they stop. They should not be treated differently."
Min Lanmeng, feeling rebuked and somewhat embarrassed in front of everyone, fluttered her beauty fan and muttered under her breath, "No different treatment, huh…"
Qingxu Sect had limited resources for cultivation, and with so many disciples, it was impossible to distribute them equally. Naturally, the best resources would be allocated to those with superior talent.
This was a well-understood truth among the gathered elders, though it was rarely spoken of openly.
Despite Min Lanmeng's low voice, everyone in the hall heard her words clearly, thanks to their heightened senses as cultivators.
Nie Wentian shifted his sword, adjusting its position as he solemnly warned, "Be mindful of your words."
Min Lanmeng pouted and let out a soft hum, choosing not to speak further.
While an undercurrent of tension simmered between the three peak masters, Su Luowei pretended not to notice, her gaze remaining fixed on the woman in the water mirror. The more she looked, the more familiar the woman seemed.
Just then, the disciple in the water mirror moved.
She lifted her head, as if sensing the collective gaze, and glanced in the direction of the water mirror.
Her eyes were clear and bright, as though no impurity in the world could exist within them.
Then she lifted the hem of her skirt and, without hesitation, steadily stepped onto the next stair.
Beyond the sixty-sixth step, each stair led into a new illusion.
Yet, she appeared entirely unaffected by these illusions. With her eyes wide open, she ascended step by step, crossing the ancient steps of Wénxiān Platform as if it were a simple path, making her way toward the summit.
For others, the illusions would be difficult to overcome, but for her, they seemed to recede of their own accord. Encountering almost no obstacles, she ascended all ninety-nine steps and reached the peak of Wénxiān Platform.
At the peak, she stood for several breaths, glanced around as if finding nothing of interest, and then began her descent.
In the Mingguang Hall, Min Lanmeng was already on her feet, her eyes locked on the image in the water mirror.
Even Nie Wentian gripped his sword tightly.
Both of them had lived for a long time, having witnessed many geniuses throughout the years.
Some geniuses had been cut down before they could grow; others had shone briefly, only to fade into mediocrity.
But they had never seen anything like this.
To see someone walk so effortlessly on Wénxiān Platform, entirely unaffected by the illusions, was unprecedented.
They exchanged glances, both seeing the same shock in the other's eyes.
Zhan Xuehan remained seated, watching as the woman descended from Wénxiān Platform in the water mirror. Only then did she allow herself a small smile, covering her lips with her hand as she chuckled softly. "It seems someone has misjudged."
She lightly tapped her fingers on the table, and soon, a servant brought the full records of the twenty-two disciples from Wénxiān Platform.
She flipped through the documents one by one until she reached the last one, which she held up for a closer look.
Su Luowei, standing behind her, lowered her gaze and caught a glimpse of the paper in Zhan Xuehan's hand.
On it was a simple sketch, drawn with remarkable likeness.
Beside it were lines of dense text.
Su Luowei's sharp eyes quickly picked out the name next to the portrait.
Wen Miaomiao, the youngest daughter of the Wen family from Lingnan.
!!!
The protagonist of the novel, Wen Miaomiao!
Su Luowei knew that Wen Miaomiao had also entered Qingxu Sect through Wénxiān Platform. But according to her memory, Wen Miaomiao's performance during the trial had been unremarkable. It wasn't until she formally joined Qingxu Sect and began cultivating under Zhan Xuehan that her talent started to shine.
How was it that she was now so dazzling, attracting everyone's attention at Wénxiān Platform?
Su Luowei kept her expression neutral but inwardly questioned Xiao Ba about what was happening.
As expected, Xiao Ba, unreliable as ever, stammered for a while but couldn't provide a satisfactory answer.
Finally, Xiao Ba gave up, saying, "Just consider it a glitch. It won't affect the overall plot."
Wen Miaomiao's effortless ascent of Wénxiān Platform likely shattered the resolve of the remaining disciples. After she descended, the others who had been struggling soon followed suit, choosing to descend the platform as well.
Xie Hanzhu shook her head as she whispered to Su Luowei, "These junior brothers and sisters don't have very strong resolve…"
Cultivation was about fighting against the heavens and the earth. If they were so easily influenced by others, their path would be short-lived.
Thanks to Wen Miaomiao's impact, this opening of Wénxiān Platform ended earlier than usual.
When the disciples brought the twenty-two successful candidates to Mingguang Hall, the sun had not yet set.
The sky was painted with streaks of vibrant clouds, and the air was filled with the faint scent of blossoming flowers.
The candidates stood in a line in the center of the hall.
Each one kept their gaze lowered, eyes fixed on the blue bricks beneath their feet.
Min Lanmeng rose from her seat, gracefully holding her beauty fan as she walked over to Wen Miaomiao. After scrutinizing her from head to toe, she smiled brightly and said, "Not bad, not bad."
Out of all the candidates, she was most impressed by this girl.
One glance was enough to tell she possessed both intelligence and spirit.
However… this time, it was Zhan Xuehan's turn to select a disciple first. If Zhan Xuehan chose her, there was nothing Min Lanmeng could do.
Turning around, Min Lanmeng gave Zhan Xuehan a soft smile, as if no discord had ever existed between them, and gently asked, "What does the Sect Leader think?"
Having known Min Lanmeng for many years, Zhan Xuehan immediately recognized her intention to take Wen Miaomiao as her disciple.
Wen Miaomiao also lifted her head, quietly looking at Zhan Xuehan as if curious about how she would evaluate her.
The others, though keeping their heads down, perked up their ears. They were equally eager to hear how the Sect Leader would assess this disciple.
But Zhan Xuehan didn't satisfy their curiosity.
She picked up the stack of papers on the table, flipped through them one by one, then set them down and nodded slightly. "You have all passed the trial of Wénxiān Platform. From today onward, you are disciples of Qingxu Sect. Later, someone will take you to the top of the platform to awaken your spiritual roots. Now that you have entered the sect, you must follow its rules, cultivate diligently, and strive to reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible."
The twenty-two disciples below her bowed slightly and responded in unison, "Yes."
"As for which three of you will be accepted as inner disciples, you will be informed in due course."