The air inside the carriage was far from pleasant. It was no surprise, considering that a vehicle designed to hold no more than a dozen people was crammed with nearly thirty children. Although the children were smaller than adults, the carriage was still incredibly crowded.
Han Li, ever the quick thinker, curled his slight body into the corner of the carriage, carefully observing the other children around him.
The children on their way to take the entrance examination could be clearly categorized into three distinct groups, based on their clothing, demeanor, and background. The first group consisted of the young noblemen—boys in fine clothes, surrounded by a large number of other children. These children were obviously from wealthy families, with connections and status.
One of the prominent boys, named Wu Yan, was the oldest among them at thirteen years old. Although his age exceeded the limit for the test, he had a special exemption due to his cousin, who had married a high-ranking official within the Seven Mystical Gates. Wu Yan's family owned a martial arts academy and was quite wealthy. Although his martial arts skills were far from impressive, they were more than enough to deal with someone like Han Li, who had never trained in any martial discipline but had some basic strength. Wu Yan, naturally, had become the leader of the group, with the other children flocking to him and calling him "Young Master Wu" or "Wu Brother" with reverence.
The second group was composed of children who surrounded Wu Yan. Their backgrounds were varied—some came from families that ran businesses, others worked for a living, and some were apprentices. What they all had in common, however, was that they had grown up in towns, and thus had learned to read situations and adapt to people's moods. As a result, they quickly fell in line behind Wu Yan, offering him constant praise and attention, which seemed to please Wu Yan greatly.
The final group consisted of children like Han Li—those who came from poor, rural areas where families typically survived by farming or working closely with nature. These children were the least numerous in the carriage, only five or six in total. They were shy and timid, often keeping their heads down and avoiding loud conversation, contrasting sharply with the rowdy, boastful children who made up the majority of the carriage's occupants.
The carriage continued its journey from Qingniu Town, traveling westward. Along the way, they stopped at several places and picked up a few more children, before finally arriving at Caixia Mountain—the main headquarters of the Seven Mystical Gates—on the evening of the fifth day.
As the children disembarked, they were immediately captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the colorful sunset over Caixia Mountain. The vibrant hues of the sky seemed to set the entire mountain ablaze, and for a moment, the children stood in awe, until the stern voice of Wang Hufa—one of the men in charge—urged them to continue their journey up the mountain.
Caixia Mountain, originally named Luofeng Mountain, was so named because, according to legend, a five-colored phoenix had once descended upon the mountain, transforming it into what it was today. The mountain had earned its new name due to its breathtakingly beautiful sunsets, which appeared as if the sky itself were bathed in a glowing mist of colorful clouds. However, since the Seven Mystical Gates had claimed ownership of the mountain, no outsider was allowed to enjoy such beauty freely.
Caixia Mountain was the second-largest mountain in Jingzhou, after the Hundred Prairie Mountain. The mountain spanned an extensive area, with numerous peaks, all of which were steep and treacherous. These peaks were each occupied by different branches of the Seven Mystical Gates. The main peak of Caixia Mountain, called Luoshou Peak, was especially dangerous—its height and steepness made it almost impassable, with only a single narrow path leading up to it. The Seven Mystical Gates had set up thirteen checkpoints along this path, ensuring that their headquarters remained secure from all threats.
As Han Li was walking, his attention was drawn to the bustling surroundings. The group had stopped moving when a loud voice rang out ahead: "Wang, my brother, what's taken you so long? You're two days late!"
It was a hearty, boisterous voice that echoed through the air.
"Master Yue, we were delayed on the road, sorry for the trouble," Wang Hufa, who had been leading the group, responded with an unusually respectful tone, bowing slightly.
Master Yue, the man who had spoken, was a red-faced, burly individual who looked to be in his fifties. He gave the group a casual glance before focusing his attention on Wang Hufa again.
"How many batches of disciples have you brought up here now?" Master Yue asked.
"The seventeenth batch," Wang Hufa answered.
"Hmm," Master Yue muttered, glancing over at the children with an appraising eye.
"Take them to the guest quarters for the night. Let them rest. The selection will begin tomorrow morning. Any of them who don't pass the tests will be sent back down the mountain immediately. We don't tolerate any failures here," Master Yue added, his voice firm and unwavering.
"Understood, Master Yue," Wang Hufa replied with a nod.
As the group continued up the stone steps, the children's excitement was palpable, though no one dared to speak loudly. Despite their youthful enthusiasm, they all knew that this was the place where their futures would be decided.
Wang Hufa led the group, smiling and greeting everyone he passed. It was clear that he had many acquaintances within the Seven Mystical Gates, and his social skills were impeccable. Along the way, they encountered several disciples dressed in fine blue satin robes, each carrying weapons like swords and knives. Some walked unarmed, but their bodies were clearly toned, indicating they were martial artists of considerable skill.
Finally, the group arrived at a lower peak where a series of modest earthen houses had been constructed. This was where the children would stay for the night. After a long day of travel, Han Li fell asleep quickly, and in his dreams, he imagined himself wearing fine clothes, holding a golden sword, and mastering unmatched martial skills. In the dream, he even defeated the blacksmith's son, who had always been stronger than him in the past. He woke up feeling a sense of pride and confidence, savoring the dream long after the morning light had broken.
The next morning, Wang Hufa did not allow the children to eat breakfast before leading them down to a large bamboo grove at the foot of the mountain. There, Master Yue and several other unfamiliar young people were waiting for them. It was clear that the day of reckoning had finally arrived.