The afternoon sun filtered dappled through the leaves of the Asoka trees, warm but not scorching.Amo stroked the little white deer napping in her lap, listening to his old-man-like chatter: "When little sister grows up, she'll definitely be chased by the whole deer herd. When she's born, I'm going to name her Youyou!""Youyou... Isn't that just the sound a deer makes?" Amo looked surprised."Hehe, when sister gets tired of being called that, she won't pay attention to anyone!" Little Bensheng laughed with a hint of mischief, then got a light tap on the head from Amo.Amo laughed until she couldn't straighten up. "Silly child, Mother doesn't even know if it will be a girl or a boy yet!"The name "Youyou" was originally just a funny, playful nickname in his memories. But now, it belonged to the living, breathing little girl standing in front of the medical hall, with her two curved pigtails.She was his sister, Youyou.Bensheng excitedly ran over..."Eh, so you're saying Teacher Aba has a child?""Mm-hm!" Youyou helped Bensheng hang up his washed Robe of Origin, taking his smelly training clothes, he'd just finished practicing martial arts in, acting unbelievably well-behaved. "He's been busy raising the fawn lately, no time for teaching."Bensheng dried his hair. Months had passed, his curly hair was even longer now, needing proper care. He asked, "The human Lord... really didn't bully you?""You've asked so many times, Brother!" Youyou laughed. "He went off to conquer other territories later... didn't have time for us."No matter how many times he heard the answer, Bensheng
couldn't quell his worried heart. He could never forget the raging fire in the Asoka grove that night, the deer herd injured and scattered, the humans running rampant.That scene kept entering his dreams, reminding him at all times.The world was still the same unequal world."What if we encounter unfair treatment again?""Then we fight."He had used this answer to defeat North Gate, so he absolutely had to see it through to the end."Brother Bensheng, since you miss Lumbini Deer Park so much, why don't you go back for a visit? Zhoku Academy is on break now." Youyou blinked her big eyes at him.Bensheng smiled and patted her head. "Because your brother has more important things to do."It wasn't just about saving one Lumbini Deer Park; his goal was to change the entire world.The main thoroughfare of the Saptaparna Kingdom had been especially lively lately. The Yiqi clan, newly promoted to one of the Four Great Families, was socializing with friends and neighbors.Those self-deprecating words, unable to conceal their complacency, seeped in even with the doors and windows shut, leaving no moment of peace.Yeluo had been sitting in full lotus position for a long time, but still couldn't enter meditation.She had already resolved the knot in her heart concerning Supervisor Chilo and returned to her practice. Yet, her family had become a new source of trouble.She pushed open her door and left alone.Not far away, in the Buyi residence, sharp commands rang out loudly. The Kunlun slave of the Buyi family was directing a room full of crows to attack Lüzang on the training platform. Lüzang's usually neat face was beaded with fine sweat. He unfolded his Five-Leaf Fan and swept it upwards. A wall of wind erupted from the ground. Any crow that crashed into it was blown sky-high, unable to get near him.Not enough, far from enough...He recalled how Bensheng used "Pass Through Walls" to break North Gate's formation. Even this wind wall created by his Five-Leaf Fan probably couldn't stop Bensheng's advance. He gritted his teeth. Suddenly, Ruoqiao's words from that day in the wild mountains echoed in his ears."Supervisor North Gate will have you absorb the spiritual power of
several Supervisors, making you the most powerful Adept. That way, you can smoothly ascend to the seat of Comprehender...""Do you really think I can't become Comprehender without cheating?"Furious, he had wielded his fan, obliterating the entire mountain forest. Ruoqiao, caught off guard, was buried within. Seeing him leave, Ruoqiao shouted with effort after him."Can you defeat Bensheng? If North Gate Supervisor hadn't cursed him, preventing him from understanding the scriptures, and tricked him into seeking strange encounters, would you really still be ranked first in Zhoku?"He absolutely refused to believe Bensheng was stronger than him. Even if Ruoqiao said so, he took it as Ruoqiao deliberately provoking him in that situation. Bensheng was of the Beast Tribe, his natural talent more than a step below his own. To this day, he only knew two secret arts, learned coincidentally during the field exam.But with just two secret arts and an ordinary staff, Bensheng had defeated North Gate. He had seen with his own eyes Bensheng release the Primordial Colored Light, that immense spiritual power beyond his own ultimate capacity, that bright radiance capable of overshadowing all colors in the world...Bensheng, just how strong are you?!He couldn't help but think further: North Gate's eyes were the same as the Old Dean's; he too cultivated the Power of Destiny... Had he foreseen that he couldn't win against Bensheng, and thus resorted to these methods? If Ruoqiao hadn't disappeared after the great battle, he'd really like to grab him and ask.If fate destined him to lose, then what was the point of all Lüzang's efforts?Agitated, Lüzang tossed his fan aside and stepped down from the platform.He just wanted to walk aimlessly to dispel his mood. Unexpectedly, he walked further and further, arriving at the eastern outskirts of the capital.In the distance, the Zhoku Forest was lush and green. The clearing nearby was the forest entrance—the starting point of that year's land exam.A girl in red stood there, her thoughts far away."Yeluo?"Yeluo turned, momentarily stunned. "... Lüzang, you came too!"Lüzang frowned. "Don't tell me. That guy is also..."
He turned around and indeed saw Bensheng striding over, yawning."Ah, Yeluo... Lüzang!" Bensheng's expression changed, and he rushed over, inserting himself between them, glaring at Lüzang. "What are you doing here? What do you want with Yeluo?"Lüzang clenched his fists in anger, only then remembering he hadn't brought his fan. If he had, he'd immediately sweep this annoying face away.Yeluo giggled. "Did you both come to see the place where it all began?"Bensheng turned to look at the Zhoku Forest, taking a deep breath as if already smelling the mist-filled air inside."Yeah, everything started from here."Back then, the three of them, still strangers, stood side by side waiting for the Supervisor's order to begin. Yeluo, forced by her mother to participate, was terrified, completely unaware of others. Lüzang joined almost playfully; his original intent was to help Yeluo, but later a child's desire to show off prevailed, wanting everyone to praise him, the genius of the Wind Clan.As for Bensheng, his memories before coming to the land exam weren't particularly good. But "Pass Through Walls" and "Path Beneath Feet"—his two most precious secret arts—came from here. "'The forest, metaphorically representing all flora, is where the Dharma's path resides, whence talent and capability emerge.' The Venerable One truly didn't deceive us with those words!""You mean you've already become 'talent and capability'?" Lüzang teased."Haha, I wouldn't dare claim that. Need to work harder to become that 'talent and capability.'"After Bensheng feigned humility, he noticed Yeluo and Lüzang looking at him quietly."You two..." Bensheng smiled in understanding. "So, everyone thinks the same way."The one hundred and eightieth year was approaching, and they all wanted to become Comprehenders.This time, perhaps it had nothing to do with any responsibility or expectation, nor with comparison or forced striving. It was simply a goal set by the youths themselves.Unrestrained and burning with passion."So that means we go from being companions to rivals!"Lüzang raised an eyebrow. "No matter how strong you are, I will
defeat you."Bensheng curled his lip. "Likewise."Yeluo smiled very amiably. "Underestimating a girl will make you regret it!"Lüzang, having never seen the Three-Pronged Vajra Sword, was unconcerned, but Bensheng and Ananda in his pocket both shuddered simultaneously. They thought that if Supervisor Chilo's affairs hadn't disturbed Yeluo's mind, perhaps that great battle would have ended even sooner.The three parted ways. Bensheng had only taken a few steps when he noticed Ananda had crawled out of his pocket, perched on his shoulder, looking back.Remembering the eager and affectionate Youyou back at the dormitory, Bensheng couldn't help but stroke Ananda. "Ananda, didn't you say your relatives are in the Saptaparna Kingdom? Why haven't I seen you go look for them?"Ananda gazed reluctantly at Lüzang's retreating back, shook his head, and smiled. "I'm fine. Just seeing them live safe and healthy is enough."Even if... they have already forgotten me...After the New Year, the capital, long peaceful, welcomed a new topic of conversation.Because the Bell of the Moment hadn't been properly struck last time, even now, the continent's calendar wasn't very stable. Whether the full one hundred and eighty years had passed was unclear to anyone. Moreover, for commoners with mortal lifespans, the last selection was several generations ago.Many highly respected Adepts arrived from all over the continent, carrying merits accumulated from years of subduing demons and aiding the world. Each looked immensely powerful and profound in their arts. Upon arriving in the capital, they entered Zhoku Academy.Only then did everyone belatedly realize that this indicated a new Comprehender Selection was about to begin. Within a few days, the Know-It-Alls were spreading new information through the streets and alleys—the list of Comprehender candidates was about to be released.Inside the Vesak Pavilion, Youshui and Old Huang saw off the various Adepts, then turned to look at the scroll in the Old Dean's hand. It contained the list of Comprehender candidates drafted by these senior Adepts. Three of the young Adepts who had just graduated from Zhoku were on the list, which was truly good news.Once the list was announced and the candidates gathered, they
would proceed to the Main Shrine for the final Comprehender cultivation, until one recognized by the Bell of the Moment emerged.This was also jokingly called by outsiders the Fifth Great Exam of Zhoku: the Hall Exam.The Old Dean unrolled the scroll, his gaze sweeping over the long list of names and places of origin, settling on the three characters for "Zhaoyun Kingdom." He picked up his vermilion brush and crossed out that name, along with his place of origin."Old Dean!" Old Huang was shocked.The Old Dean said nothing, merely rolled up the scroll and handed it to Youshui. Youshui hesitated, not reaching out. He remembered Zhongli Xi's particular regard for Bensheng, mustered his courage, and asked, "Old Dean, why remove Bensheng's name?""Old Dean... I beg you, give Bensheng this chance!" Old Huang pleaded urgently. "Yes, he's of the Beast Tribe. I once thought he wouldn't amount to much either. But this child, time and again, has surpassed himself through hard work. He is a disciple I am proud of; he shouldn't face unequal treatment anymore."Seeing even his most obedient junior disciple hesitate, and Old Huang agitated kneeling to plead, the Old Dean could only heave a deep sigh. "Youshui, Xiao Huang. Do you know, a hundred and eighty years ago, the Venerable One instructed me to carefully select the next Comprehender, and not to be careless again. But now, Kasyapa is alive, bearing resentment, directing North Gate to nearly destroy all of Zhoku. Although North Gate is captured, he is still watching intently like a tiger... I am old. I cannot afford to lose."Back then, someone as exceptionally qualified as Lüqiu, born of the Four Great Families, after being recognized by the Bell of the Moment, still succumbed to inner demons. Not only did he fail to produce the echoing bell sound, but he also caused a great disaster.Bensheng was merely of the Beast Tribe. If selected as Comprehender, could he truly bear the safety of the entire continent?Youshui silently took the scroll. Old Huang also bowed his head, giving up the struggle.Neither could guarantee the future, leaving them no choice but to make this decision."The Comprehender candidate list is out!"Hearing the shouts outside the dormitory early in the morning, Bensheng sprang upright out of bed. Next door, Youyou also opened her door."Ah-choo!" The cold air outside made Youyou sneeze repeatedly.
Bensheng hurriedly pushed her back inside. "Go back and rest! I'll be right back; I'll bring you breakfast!"The area in front of the academy bulletin board was packed densely with people. Bensheng smiled slightly, pressed his palms together, and soon stepped onto the void, walking over everyone's heads directly to the front of the bulletin board to look."Ah, it's Bensheng!""You're definitely on it, hurry up and look so we can see!""Got it!" Bensheng waved cheerfully behind him. He quickly found Lüzang's name, placed at the very top. Bensheng pouted, then saw Yeluo's name. Further down, he even found Shemen's name, and then...Strange...He steadied himself and looked again, even reaching out to grip the ledge of the bulletin board for a closer look. The crowd soon grumbled impatiently. When he walked back to the dormitory in a daze, Youyou shook him awake, and he finally uttered a hoarse sound: "I'm not on it.""What?""I'm not on the Comprehender candidate list." Bensheng snapped back to reality. "No, I have to go ask someone!"The gatekeeper of the Supervisor's quarters opened the door. "Stop knocking! Supervisor Huang went out early on business.""Did he say when he'd be back?""Uh, no. Seems like he had some task."Bensheng sprinted down the capital's main thoroughfare."Supervisor Zhongli has been out traveling for a long time, didn't you know?""Yeluo said she was going into seclusion for cultivation, took her sword, and left. That child, doesn't even send word home.""Young Master Lüzang? A dark-skinned girl picked him up this morning on a giant beast; they went together to the Main Shrine for Comprehender meditation."Old Huang was gone, Fairy Sister was gone, even Yeluo, Lüzang, Shemen were unreachable...Bensheng walked back to the dormitory in bewildered confusion. Passing disciples saw him, whispering behind his back."Look, it's that Beast Tribe senior who was plastered to the bulletin board this morning.""He actually thought graduating meant he had a chance to become Comprehender?"
"Shouldn't he check if his bloodline is even worthy..."Everything around him seemed to revert to the most unfamiliar of times. The Beast Tribe still wasn't recognized. Everything he had done was denied. There wasn't even anyone he could ask.Why... Why was it like this...A figure approached him, two small pigtails gently bouncing atop her head."Brother Bensheng, I've been wanting to tell you," Youyou bit her lower lip, speaking with difficulty. "Actually, I came out from Lumbini specifically to find you. Mother... she told me to ask you to come home together, back to Lumbini Deer Park."