Volume One: The Millennium Stream Chapter 18: The Trial of the Cultivation Gate

If people are burdened by the worries of tomorrow, spring passes and autumn comes, and old age creeps near.

And so, a year has gone by.

In the small courtyard, a girl swept her leg forward, and a dozen pieces of firewood flew up. She held a slender blade in her hand, her movements casting shadows—retreating like an advance, advancing like the wind. The firewood was split apart midair, scattering as it fell to the ground. She sheathed her blade and joyfully exclaimed, “Done.”

Over the past year, she had completed the spiritual energy tempering of her entire body. She could now sense the presence of spiritual energy in the world. Three months ago, she began condensing her energy and had already reached the third stage of energy condensation. This was enough to enter the disciples’ quarters of the sect’s lesser gates. Moreover, she had achieved this entirely on her own, without any elder’s guidance.

Jiang Yujin looked excitedly to the side but saw no one. Her brows drooped in disappointment. Sun Zikai had been away for five months. Five months ago, Sun Zikai had found a map among the elders’ supplies. It marked various places in detail. He had immediately set his sights on a particular special location and hurriedly bid Jiang Yujin farewell before departing.

He had gone to the lands before the mountain range, not to the eight hundred-mile barbarian region beyond it. Only then did they discover that the lands before the range were dotted with cities, and on this vast territory, there were four or five grand sects of the same rank as Yanming Sect. Their small region within the pass was like a forgotten well at the bottom of the world.

Jiang Yujin clenched her blade tightly and suddenly, in frustration, threw it to the ground.

“Why would you throw my blade?”

Jiang Yujin shivered as if startled and thought she had misheard. She turned around and saw a young boy standing on the roof.

“You’re back!” the girl said joyfully, though her expression quickly changed to irritation. “Where the hell have you been?”

Sun Zikai jumped down, and Jiang Yujin rushed forward, nearly colliding with him. His body swayed unsteadily and he accidentally toppled onto her.

Panicked, Jiang Yujin embraced him and asked anxiously, “Are you hurt? Where did you go? What happened?” As she spoke, she suddenly felt something pressed into her mouth. She bit down and tasted sweetness.

“Candy?”

“Yeah. Bought it on the road. Got you a whole bag. I’m so tired—let me rest a moment.”

“Where are you injured?”

“I’m not injured, just craving something.”

“Craving what?”

“This scent.” Sun Zikai suddenly pressed his head against Jiang Yujin’s neck and took a deep sniff. “Mmm—that’s the scent. Along the way, I met many girls and realized all girls have their own fragrance, but yours smells the sweetest.”

“So, you really sniffed a lot of girls, huh?”

“Almost hundreds. I smelled all kinds.”

“Sun—Zi—Kai!” Jiang Yujin raised a hand as if to hit him, but Sun Zikai dodged.

He bent down, picked up his blade, and fastened it at his waist. “I almost died out there. Truly… a narrow escape from death…”

“Where exactly did you go?”

“I’ll tell you later. I don’t want to recall it now. It was a journey of cultivation, related to my method of body tempering. Now my body…”

“Where did you go?” Jiang Yujin fixed her gaze on him, eyes suddenly reddening. She held back tears, but unknowingly, she had changed—no longer the self she was before. When one emerges from loneliness, one can no longer bear a moment of solitude.

Seeing that look, Sun Zikai immediately came closer and said, “I went to the Thunder Prison Abyss. The map said lightning strikes there year-round. I went to temper my body with thunder and lightning. I succeeded—look.” He extended his hand, and sparks of electricity flickered between his fingers before forming a current.

Jiang Yujin couldn’t believe it. “What… is that?”

“It means lightning has been infused into every part of my body. Now if lightning strikes me from above, I won’t be harmed. Pretty awesome, right?”

“Amazing, really amazing. So you actually sniffed hundreds of girls’ scents?”

“I…”

“Look at me when you speak!”

“It’s… not quite that many, but over a hundred, yes. I was really curious—why does a person have a scent? And only young girls have it. Each one smells different. I guess the skin patterns are special, but as they grow older…” Sun Zikai dared not finish. Jiang Yujin’s expression had turned dark enough to frighten.

But after a few moments, Jiang Yujin relaxed and showed signs of fatigue. She moved aside and sat down.

“What’s wrong?”

“Tired.”

“Is cultivation tiring?”

“Working for you is tiring.”

“Huh?” Sun Zikai looked puzzled. “Why would working for me be tiring? Before I left, I told those around me and even offered rewards. They promised to do my work. And they didn’t lie—I can see that clearly.”

Jiang Yujin sighed helplessly. “But you didn’t tell the kitchen elder. He’s very observant and noticed someone was missing. To prevent you from being expelled, I’ve been doing your work for five months.”

“Those bastards!” Sun Zikai was truly annoyed. “Thanks for your hard work.”

Jiang Yujin sighed. “It’s nothing. I haven’t neglected cultivation. I’ve already reached the third stage of energy condensation. Impressive, right?”

“Impressive! Without anyone teaching you, to reach that level—you’re a genius!”

“Of course. I was a princess of the Great Song Dynasty… once upon a time,” Jiang Yujin teased, sticking out her tongue. “I know why you went away to cultivate. If you stayed here, you’d have advanced quickly. You went just to wait for me, didn’t you?”

“That’s part of it, but I really wanted to go to Thunder Prison Abyss.”

“You’re so blunt!”

“What else can I do? I told you I wouldn’t lie.”

“You don’t have any spiritual energy in your body. I’m heading to the cultivation quarters now. I don’t want to chop firewood anymore!”

“Alright, alright.” Sun Zikai spread his arms and closed his eyes. Spiritual energy from the world flowed into him. In an instant, his body radiated endless spiritual aura. His body tempering was instantly successful. Then, layer upon layer of condensed energy filled him, accumulating to the seventh stage of energy condensation.

Jiang Yujin was dumbfounded. So this guy really wasn’t exaggerating. He had so easily reached full energy condensation. She had spent half a year just tempering her body, and another half year to reach the third stage. Without any instruction, her performance was outstanding. But how could she compare to this “beast” before her?

“Isn’t that a bit scary?”

Jiang Yujin nodded. “If you go like this, they’ll definitely treat you like a monster.”

“Then fine.” Sun Zikai took a deep breath, held it for a long time, and exhaled. A blue wave of energy drifted from his mouth, and the spiritual energy within him gradually diminished, finally settling at the first stage of condensation.

Jiang Yujin stared in disbelief. “Isn’t spiritual energy supposed to be integrated into our bodies? How can you separate it back out?”

Sun Zikai replied, “The Way of Limitlessness turns disorder into order, and order back into disorder. If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.”

“Is cultivation just a game to you?”

“Of course not. My own path is nearly stalled, especially the body tempering. Now I can only add new elements but can’t upgrade the training already within me. It’s frustrating.”

Jiang Yujin paused, then said, “Half a year ago, Shi sent a letter saying she was doing well. I don’t recognize her handwriting. Take a look.” She pulled out the well-preserved letter from her bosom.

But Sun Zikai said, “No need. I know she’s well. When I left six months ago, I secretly went to see her, risking being caught and punished. Luckily, I wasn’t discovered—maybe because my body had no spiritual energy. Turns out inner disciples receive cultivation teachings personally from the high elders, and the elders treat her well.”

“The sect is so large. How did you find her?”

“I always knew where everyone was. The world I see is different from yours. Also, I realized the sect isn’t as rich as it seems. Those golden walls are mostly painted. I hardly saw any gold displayed openly.”

“Of course,” Jiang Yujin said. “Compared to my family’s palace, this place isn’t even a garden.”

“I believe you. Let’s go to the cultivation quarters.”

“Now?”

“You’re not eager to go right now?”

“But… shouldn’t we get ready first?”

Sun Zikai pulled Jiang Yujin up with a smile. “Tomorrow waits for no one. Yesterday’s possessions are nothing to cling to. Let’s go!”

The two dashed out of the inner gate and ran toward the second mountain gate.

Two disciples stood guard at the gate and stopped them.

Sun Zikai said, “We are disciples of the lesser gates. We have now independently realized the path of cultivation, completing body tempering and energy condensation.”

“Rubbish! Get lost!” One disciple sneered, but suddenly sensed spiritual energy from the two. Realizing they spoke the truth, the gatekeepers were stumped. After a brief discussion, one stayed behind while the other hurried off to notify elders.

Soon, two elders arrived. They scrutinized the pair and confirmed the presence of spiritual energy but did not immediately admit them. Instead, they scolded, “Tell us, which sect sent you?”

Sun Zikai calmly replied, “Elders, we are not spies. Look.” He produced a book—the cultivation primer belonging to Jiang Yujin’s third brother.

The elders glanced at it and whispered, “It’s a beginner’s manual, intermediate level. With practice, in three to five years, it can work.”

Sun Zikai quickly added, “We’ve been in the lesser gates for nearly five years, secretly practicing every day. We finally succeeded. Elder, see, I’m at the first stage of condensation, and she’s even further at the third stage.”

Sun Zikai’s gamble paid off. Not only the elders, even the sect disciples hardly knew anyone in the lesser gates. Claiming he was born there made his story quite credible.

One elder scowled and sneered, “You’re barely at the first stage of condensation and still boast? Kids your age have reached the fourth stage.”

“Yes, yes, elder. Your reprimand is noted,” Sun Zikai smiled apologetically.

Another elder said, “Self-taught, though late to mature, is commendable. What are your names and ages?”

“I am disciple Sun Zikai, thirteen years old. This is Jiang Yujin, also thirteen. Thank you for the praise, elders.”

“Who gave you this manual?”

“Elder, you wouldn’t know…” Sun Zikai concocted a story so elaborate it made Jiang Yujin blush. He was full of schemes, able to turn truth into fiction and vice versa.

The elders nodded and returned the manual. “Since your hearts are sincere and determined, we’ll give you a chance. Go now to the ‘First Garden’ in the west. Tell the guardian elder your purpose. Once inside, each of you must catch a rabbit. If you return with one before tomorrow night, you may report to me.”

“Just catch one rabbit?” Sun Zikai asked puzzled.

The elder smiled meaningfully. “Yes, catch one. Now go.” Then the elder who had been scowling suddenly turned back. “Don’t venture too deep. It’s deadly inside.”

“Thank you for the warning,” they said.

After the elders left, Sun Zikai still looked confused and asked the two disciples, “Just catch a rabbit?”

The two exchanged a glance and grinned mischievously. “Yep, catch one.”

Sun Zikai led Jiang Yujin toward the First Garden, while the two disciples whispered, “Elder Chongming is a smiling tiger. He’s playing those two. Who could catch those rabbits?”

“Normally, entry is at seven or eight years old. They joined too late. No future. This is a trick to chase them away. Elder Qin may be stern, but at least he’s straightforward.”

Sun Zikai and Jiang Yujin reached the edge of the garden. Yanming Sect was divided into two parts, with a strange wooden forest running through the center. Sun Zikai had long sensed many anomalies within. They explained their purpose to the guardians, who let them in without trouble.

Half an hour later, three disciples walked through the garden. The leader explained to the other two, “You new disciples assigned here only need to clean the rabbit area. It’s the edge of the First Garden, quite safe, but don’t go deeper. There are deadly creatures inside.”

A female disciple excitedly said, “Rabbits! I love rabbits. Senior Brother, can I catch one as a pet?”

“Ha! Every newcomer asks that. Listen, these aren’t ordinary rabbits. They’re called ‘Delicate Ring Rabbits,’ beasts higher than livestock but low-level beasts. They’re so fast your eyes can’t follow. Catching one alone is impossible; it takes four or five working together cleverly.”

“But I heard there are many rabbits in the First Garden.”

“Lots, yes, but none can be caught. You’ll see soon—all over those hills and fields…” He suddenly stopped, nearly choking on his words, eyes wide. After a long pause, he shouted, “Where are the rabbits? Oh no! The rabbits are gone! Help! Elder! The rabbits are missing!”

The garden’s edge was a green field, once a rabbit habitat. Past that was a dark forest forbidden to ordinary disciples. Deep inside, a fire burned.

Sun Zikai skewered two cleaned rabbits with a stick over the fire. Jiang Yujin sat nearby, bored, hugging her knees. Around her were roughly eight hundred rabbits strung together by their ears on a long rope. It took them half an incense stick’s time to reach the rabbit area, but catching rabbits was easy. Sun Zikai still wondered why the elders’ test was just to catch a rabbit, and why only one was required.

He thought there must be something special among these rabbits; he had to find it. But the delicious smell was irresistible.

“Got salt in your bracelet?”

Jiang Yujin shook her head. Sun Zikai clicked his tongue. “That’s a pity. No flavor.”

“No, wait. Let me check.” After a moment, her bracelet glowed, and she held up some fine salt.

“Fine salt? So valuable! Why didn’t you use it before?”

“I did, but you told me to keep only three things, so I put it away. Tell me, is this useful?”

“Very useful! Thanks for the gift, young master.”

Sun Zikai sprinkled salt on the rabbit meat. The salt crystals changed the fire’s color. He was mesmerized by the beautiful hues, even reaching out to touch the flames. The heat wasn’t uniform; it layered downwards.

“What are you thinking about again?”

“You think fire can be something other than fire?”

“Huh?” Jiang Yujin looked at the fire curiously. “What else could it be?”

“I mean, not all flames burn the same. Some are very hot, others have beautiful colors. Maybe fire has many kinds.”

“You’re talking nonsense again. I’m ignoring you.”

“The meat’s done. Smells great.”

“How can you eat rabbits? They’re so cute.”

“So, is it tasty? Are you craving it?”

“Craving.” Jiang Yujin took the meat, blew on it, and carefully bit a piece. “Mmm—delicious. Try it.”

Sun Zikai ate some too. After a moment, he sighed, “I really don’t understand what they mean. I’ve sensed everything but found nothing special among the rabbits.”

Jiang Yujin said with growing relish, “If it were that easy to enter the sect, everyone would be in by now.”

“Pfft. I need to think of a way. If I could read minds, perceive thoughts, or control spirits, it’d be easier.”

“You’re getting more ridiculous. Finish your foundation first.”

“True, but time’s short. Before sunrise tomorrow, we have to find that special rabbit!”

They searched while disciples and elders also scoured the garden frantically. Not a single rabbit remained. The garden gates were tightly shut. The elders decided to send people deeper inside.

Jiang Yujin suddenly felt a chill. The rabbits began trembling. Darkness enveloped them. She leaned close to Sun Zikai. “Did we go too far? The elder said it’s dangerous inside.”

“It’s okay. I know where they are.”

“Who? What do you mean?”

“For example…” Sun Zikai extended his hand and suddenly grabbed a python. The snake, a low-level beast, had blood-red eyes and exuded black aura.

The giant serpent’s maw could swallow four heads at once. Sun Zikai tossed the meat to Jiang Yujin, then gripped the snake’s mouth and fiercely blew a scorching flame into it. The giant snake writhed in pain, breaking several trees with its thrashing. After a while, it quieted. Moments later, the aroma of cooked meat wafted through. Sun Zikai chopped off the snake’s head, peeled its skin, and cut a small piece of cooked meat, offering it to Jiang Yujin.

“Try it. Smells delicious.”

Jiang Yujin had been tense since the python fell.

“Hey, eat the meat,” he nudged her, bringing her spirit back.

“Ahhhhhh…”

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“Ahhhhhh…”

Elders and disciples outside the dark forest heard the shouting. An elder exclaimed, “Trouble! Someone went in!”

They abandoned their plans and rushed inside.

Sun Zikai sensed a large energy approaching and quickly covered Jiang Yujin’s mouth. Luckily, their low spiritual energy was hard to detect. After a brief search among the rabbits, Sun Zikai grabbed two and ran, making a wide curve and bursting out from the forest’s side.

An hour later, they reached the gate of the cultivation quarters. The guards wondered why they returned so quickly and if they had given up cultivation.

Sun Zikai raised the rabbits. Jiang Yujin’s heart pounded nervously. The guards’ expressions shifted from fear to skepticism, then surprise, and finally excitement. After examining the rabbits closely, one guard took them and said, “You may enter. I underestimated you. Go straight, turn right at the first intersection, after a hundred steps turn left. You’ll see the cultivation room. Report there.”

“Thank you, brother!” They strode inside, and once out of sight, Jiang Yujin exhaled deeply.

“I told you,” Sun Zikai said proudly.

“You’re amazing. How did you notice them?”

“Heh. Among over eight hundred rabbits, only those two had short tails. That’s the only difference. The test isn’t just to catch a rabbit but to spot the special ones. This might be the first trial of cultivation.”

“Will they release the rabbits back for the next test?”

“Probably. What an ingenious test—figuring out the question and finding the answer yourself. Truly a grand sect. I’ve learned something.”

“So impressive. I never thought of that. And you found them so quickly.”

“You have some nerve,” Sun Zikai grumbled. “What’s your name?”

“You!” Jiang Yujin pouted. “Who wouldn’t shout in this situation? You didn’t tell me beforehand. You’re just teasing me, docking my pay. Hmph!”

“Alright, alright. Say how much I owe you.”

That evening, shadows emerged from the dark forest. An elder of the inner gate arrived and asked the outer gate elder, “What happened?”

“All the rabbits ran into the forest.”

“How did that happen? Have they been found?”

“Yes. Somehow, over eight hundred rabbits were strung together by their ears deep in the forest, beside a fire pit. Someone was roasting rabbits to eat.”

“Eating those things?”

“Who knows what’s wrong with your inner gate!”

The inner gate elder was stunned. “What? Inner gate disciples did this?”

“What do you think?” The outer gate elder glared.

The inner elder thought it over. Outer gate disciples lacked the strength to catch all the rabbits, and inner gate disciples wouldn’t manage either—unless they used a spirit charm technique, and at a masterful level. Who in the inner gate could do that?

Suddenly, lamentations came from nearby. The inner elder hurriedly asked, “Is someone hurt?”

The outer elder darkened his face. “Your genius deliberately shouted inside. It was a woman. We couldn’t let that slide—all rushed in. Those rookies got lost. I managed to bring them out, but over twenty were injured—broken legs and arms.”

The inner elder’s expression grew serious. “I’ll report this immediately and ensure it’s dealt with.” Saying so, he rushed back.