"Huyan Yu, a strong-attack type Awakener with [Moonlight] abilities, a prodigy in the Huyan Family of Jiuning District that appears once in a decade."

The top four matches on the arena are in the preparation stage.

Below the stage, two Judges focus on the match between Huyan Yu and Liu Quan.

Rarely does Qi He take the initiative to speak, saying, "If there are no surprises, Huyan Yu will take first place in this ’recruitment trial’."

He looks at Huyan Yu with evident appreciation in his eyes.

After entering the top sixteen, the opponents became increasingly formidable, but Huyan Yu’s performance in each battle outshone his previous ones!

Indeed, a rarely seen genius!

"The [Moonlight] ability... is indeed very rare."

Xie Zheng sizes up Huyan Yu, dressed in a white training suit, and comments calmly.

The upper limit of [Moonlight] is an A-level ability, and the cultivation path of this ability is full of hardships, but once it matures, its potential is extremely high.

There was once a very famous [Moonlight] cultivator in Changye.

Gu Lushen.

Of course, not every [Moonlight] ability user can become Gu Lushen.

He watched each match of this recruitment trial closely, and this Huyan Yu’s strength is indeed formidable, not on par with other trialists, though his methods seemed a little too ruthless; it was fine in the early preliminaries, but after the top sixteen, each of Huyan Yu’s opponents lost terribly.

Xie Zheng moves his head: "So is this the ’disciple’ you want to choose? It seems you’ve already had someone in mind."

"Something like that."

Qi He replies calmly, "The Huyan Family in Jiuning District counts as a mid-sized family, and their family leader gave me a heads up beforehand..."

This was the reason he deliberately came to the recruitment trial today.

The five great families stand lofty and high, but East Continent is so vast, and the world isn’t just for people named Gu, Bai, Gong, Mu, and Li... Many affiliated families exist in the Jiangbei District, and the Huyan Family is one such, affiliated with the Gong Family, regarded as a prominent clan in the Jiuning District. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

But given Qi He’s current status, beyond the five great families, he doesn’t need to rely on any other family.

A dignified Changye Judge.

Even if he leaves the three schools now, he can live freely and go to the ancestral halls of the five great families to serve as a tribute elder or a foreign elder.

The "heads up" from the Huyan Family is merely a dispensable personal courtesy exchange.

He came to the dojo today only to see what level of talent the so-called ’good seedling’ from the Huyan Family has; if the strength proves insufficient, he won’t waste his dojo’s disciple recruitment slot for this courtesy.

But now he feels Huyan Yu’s performance exceeded his expectations.

Indeed, a promising candidate.

"I will take this Huyan Yu as a disciple."

Qi He notices that Xie Zheng’s gaze also rests on the stage, and thus he slowly speaks: "I have an agreement with the Huyan Family... so Junior Brother Xie Zheng, please don’t compete with me."

Within the Judgement Institute, rankings are listed based on power level, and although the two largest factions no longer exist... there remain intricate master-apprentice relations.

Even if not from the same sect, and with no conflicts on normal days, they address each other as senior and junior brothers, as a basic courtesy.

"Rest assured, I will not select ’Huyan Yu’."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zheng waves his hand and smiles, "I’m interested in another one."

Xie Zheng has no friends in the Judgement Institute.

Because his words... are neither polite nor tactful.

Upon hearing this, Qi He’s brows knit; what is meant by rest assured, will not select ’Huyan Yu’? It sounded as if he was picking goods, and he chose inferior products!

However.

It’s a good thing that Xie Zheng is not competing with him.

Encountering a fellow from the Judgement Institute out of nowhere today, if a dispute arises, it would indeed be troublesome. No one likes trouble, and Qi He is no exception.

After confirming no contradictions or conflicts, he suppresses his inner displeasure and smiles: "That young man named Liu Quan, his spiritual power is indeed remarkable; to make it to the top four is already considered a dark horse. Having caught your eye, he is indeed a man of great fortune."

This statement is half congratulations, half an attempt to ease the atmosphere.

"Brother Qi He,"

But upon hearing this, Xie Zheng shakes his head: "You don’t understand, he’s not a man of great fortune..."

"??? Qi He’s smile somewhat freezes on his face.

"How shall I explain it to you, the boy has black threads winding around him..."

Xie Zheng frowns, choosing his words carefully, trying to explain clearly, but as he just begins, Qi He interrupts directly.

"Enough, since I don’t understand, no need to say more to me and waste your breath."

Qi He withdraws his gaze with a straight face, it was meant to be a word of congratulations, yet Xie Zheng really is a weirdo, lacking even the most basic conversation etiquette.

He really doesn’t wish to engage much more with Xie Zheng.

"Indeed."

This interruption doesn’t make Xie Zheng feel awkward; after hearing Qi He’s words, he instead nods seriously, showing agreement.

What a rude person!

Qi He wishes he could end the trial now and distance himself from Xie Zheng as much as possible.

...

...

"Jiuning, Huyan Yu."

"Qing River, Liu Quan."

The two young men on the arena, following the duel rules of Changye, first announce their names, then bow to each other, only then do they begin the duel.

But after revealing their identities, neither side rushed to strike.

Huyan Yu takes a white band from his waist, ties it at his forehead as a headband, glances sideways at the stage, noticing Judge Qi He’s appreciative gaze towards him, and takes a deep breath.