Chapter 4: Beifu Gate (Part 2)

The carriage entered a mountain pass. Dozens of Symbol Warriors were stationed here, along with several spellcasters wandering around the pass. After a brief inspection, the Symbol Warriors guarding the pass waved them through.

There were one checkpoint after another, with increasingly strict inspections as they went deeper. To Guo Shier’s surprise, this was still just the outer area. According to Chen Chunzhai, they hadn’t reached the inner gate yet—they were still in the outer district.

“When will we reach the inner gate? It’s already getting evening.”
Huo Bao asked Guo Shier in a low voice. He couldn’t stay as calm as Guo Shier. Chen Chunzhai replied, “Why rush? We won’t reach the inner gate today. We’ll stay in the outer area for a day. There will also be a test for Shier tonight, and many people will come.”

The carriage stopped in front of a large courtyard. Chen Chunzhai said, “This is the reception courtyard for the outer area. Shier, Baozi, come with me. Changfeng, take the other children.”

Upon entering the courtyard, an old man came forward with a smile. “It’s you… Old Chen, have you found any promising talents this time?”

Chen Chunzhai smiled and said, “Old Zhao, if you’re interested, come watch the test tonight.”

Old Zhao had white hair and beard, with large age spots on his face, but he was full of energy, his eyes sharp and bright. He leaned on a walking stick, though it looked more like a long sword in his hands.

Chen Chunzhai said, “Shier, meet Grandpa Zhao.”

Guo Shier had no choice—he was still just a child in body. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Hello, Grandpa Zhao.”

Old Zhao laughed. “You’re from the south, right? Hehe, children from the south are afraid of cold. They’ll get used to it in a few years. His name is Shier? What a strange name.”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “Grandpa Zhao, my surname is Guo. My name is Guo Shier.”

Old Zhao laughed heartily and said, “Well, it must mean he’s the twelfth child! Ah, people from the south really give birth often.”

After chatting a bit, Old Zhao called over some people to assign accommodations. Chen Chunzhai allocated a separate small courtyard for Guo Shier and Huo Baozi, with Aunt Lan and Huo Baozi moving in as well.

After dinner, Chen Chunzhai took Guo Shier and Huo Baozi out of the courtyard. He brought Huo Baozi along so that he could also take the test. The testers this time were experts from the inner gate, conducting thorough evaluations to determine which direction these children should pursue in their studies and development—far more rigorous than the simple tests in the Guo family.

A row of old men, some with white beards, some with black and white beards, and others with brown beards. Guo Shieru was dazzled. Was the North Talisman Gate full of old men? These old men were either serious, kind, laughing, or solemn. Guo Shieru counted them—there were as many as twenty-seven old men, not a single young person among them. Upon closer inspection, there were also two old women in the group; the two sat together, whispering to each other, their words unheard.

After Chen Chunzhai entered, he bowed and said, “Chen Chunzhai greets all the senior masters and aunts.”

Guo Shieru felt inspired and stepped forward as well, saying, “Guo Shieru greets all the grandfathers and grandmothers.”

The old man sitting in the middle had a long beard that reached his chest. He stroked his beard with a smile and said, “Little Chen, no need for excessive formalities. Is this child the one you mentioned—those with potential for talismans?”

Chen Chunzhai replied, “Yes, senior master. This child’s name is Guo Shieru. His potential is beyond what any disciple has ever seen before.”

This old man was very famous in the North Talisman Gate. He was a talisman master, one who was on the verge of breaking through to become a great talisman master—far more skilled than Chen Chunzhai. He was responsible for training disciples in the North Talisman Gate, and countless disciples there had come from his teachings. His name was Chang Yeren, and he had a nickname: the Great (Wild) Lord.

Chang Yeren gently stroked his beard and said with a smile, “Hehe, everyone has seen your message talisman. So… you see, they’ve all come.”

One of the old women said, “Little Chunzhai, if it’s really that good… I, an old woman, shall take a disciple!” She was Chen Chunzhai’s own aunt. She spoke boldly, as if she had every right to it. “If this disciple is ideal, then he’ll be mine.”

Chang Yeren coughed and said, “Aunt Chen, now isn’t the time to take a disciple. Everyone is watching. That’s not appropriate.”

Aunt Chen replied, “You all have disciples, but I, an old woman, still don’t. This time, I won’t let it go!”

An old man beside her said darkly, “There’s no test yet. Why are you in such a hurry?”

“I’m obviously in a hurry! Hmph, don’t think I don’t know your plans—snatching children with good aptitude and avoiding those with average potential. This time, I’ll be the first to speak. None of you dare compete with me, or… an old woman isn’t easy to provoke!”

Ren Changye coughed again and said, “Aunt Chen, don’t forget—within the North Talisman Gate, it’s not only the master who chooses the disciple; the disciple also has the right to choose the master. Enough! Stop talking and start the tests. The twelve will take the final test later; first, test these thirteen children.”
Four with talismanist potential and nine with spellcaster potential—thirteen children in total.
The tests were conducted carefully, but the elders present were somewhat disappointed as none of them showed potential that satisfied them. Even the best among these thirteen only had the potential to become a beginner-level spellcaster. Although their tests weren’t 100% accurate, they were still about 80% reliable.
After the thirteen children left, Ren Changye sighed, “Sigh, there are fewer and fewer children with good potential these days. What will happen in the future…”
Next, it was Huo Bao’s turn. The results weren’t too bad—Huo Bao had above-average potential as a Talisman Warrior, which was already quite good.
Finally, it was Guo Shier’s turn. All the elders left their seats and gathered around. Guo Shier felt uneasy; he knew well that his potential would determine his future learning conditions, whether he could get good teachers, and what resources he would have access to. Having experienced two lifetimes as an adult soul, he understood this to be a critical moment.
Ren Changye took out a long ruler. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a ruler but a specially crafted testing talisman, shaped like one, a long white talisman with many silver threads glowing on it. He stepped in front of Guo Shier and said, “Child, don’t be nervous.” Then he placed the testing talisman on his forehead.
“Remember, start from the left… follow the runes as much as you can… see as many as you can. If you feel headaches or nausea, stop immediately. Understand?”
Guo Shier nodded and closed his eyes, which helped him focus more.
He successfully saw the runes on the talisman again. The initial runes were very simple; following the patterns one after another, he found it easy. After all, having cultivated his soul through two lifetimes, his soul in this life was already very strong. Gradually, the runes became more complex.
Huo Bao stood aside and could clearly see the talisman on Guo Shier’s forehead. As Guo Shier closed his eyes, runes began to appear on the talisman one after another at a fast pace. After about twenty runes appeared, the speed slowed down to roughly one rune every fifteen seconds.

The old people’s eyes shone with fanaticism; a few even couldn’t control their trembling bodies. Ren Changye’s mouth was wide open, and Aunt Chen’s saliva almost spilled out as if she had seen a rare treasure. She clung tightly to the arm of the old woman beside her.

The speed at which runes appeared on the long talisman slowed down further, with only one emerging every minute or so. Guo Shier was clearly tired, but he still didn’t give up, striving to focus on the newly appearing runes.

Eventually, Guo Shier could go no further. He realized he still had some spiritual energy left, but he was too unfamiliar with the runes. As the runes became more complex, the slightest carelessness could lead to all his efforts being wasted, forcing him to redraw them. It often took two or three attempts per rune, so the time spent grew longer and longer.

Guo Shier let out a sigh and said regretfully, “This rune is too complex. I… I can’t do it.”

Ren Changye gently patted Guo Shier’s shoulder, showing what he thought was his most kind smile, and said, “Child, that’s enough. Very good, excellent!” It wasn’t just good—his eyes seemed to burn with excitement. Such potential was extremely rare; it was the potential of a great sorcerer, the finest and most uncommon kind.

“Aunt Chen, take Shier back to rest. Take him to the inner sect tomorrow; there’s no need to continue with the tests.”

Chen Chunzhai bowed and led Guo Shier and Huo Bao away. As soon as they stepped outside, they heard someone shouting from inside the room, “He’s my disciple! No one else can take him! I want him… Whoever dares to take him, I’ll fight them to the death!” It was Ren Changye’s voice.

A shrill cry followed, “You old bastard! Others fear you, but I don’t! I already said, he’s my disciple!” That was Aunt Chen roaring.

“Stop talking nonsense! It’s not even certain who the kid really wants. Everyone’s just jumping to conclusions…”

“I’m ready to risk everything…”

“Go! Old…”

The three of them walked farther away, their voices gradually fading. Guo Shier was sweating profusely. Chen Chunzhai covered his forehead with one hand and grabbed Guo Shier’s arm with the other, hurrying away. This was utterly humiliating.

Huo Bao was also terrified, his face pale as he ran after them.

Back in the courtyard, Chen Chunzhai said to rest early before retreating to his room. Guo Shier smiled to himself and went back to his own room as well. Evening was time for chanting—his secret weapon for successful reincarnation, a task he must absolutely complete.

About an hour passed, and someone knocked on the door outside. A Fu warrior went to open it, and soon after, Chen Chunzhai’s voice was heard going outside. After a while, Chen Chunzhai returned and closed the door. Less than ten minutes later, someone knocked again; Chen Chunzhai went out once more and then came back. After four or five such rounds, Chen Chunzhai gave up on sleeping. He moved a low table, laid abeast skin on it, and sat there regardless of the cold outside, leaving the courtyard door wide open.

“Haha, Xiao Chen still isn’t asleep? I have something to ask you…”

“Old Wu, stop it. Shi Er has already gone to sleep. Let’s talk inside tomorrow…”

“Oh, Old Wu is here too…”

“…”

Only then did Guo Shi Er realize that things seemed to be getting out of control. These old men took turns coming to harass him, and Chen Chunzhai didn’t dare offend any of them. As the younger one, he was surrounded by powerful figures from the Northern Fu Sect, which caused him great distress.

“…Xiao Zhai…”

Even Guo Shi Er, who was inside the house, couldn’t help but shiver. He recognized it as Aunt Chen’s voice.

“Auntie.”

“I’m your real aunt! Not your ‘auntie’!”

“Yes, auntie…”

“Hehehe, Xiao Zhai…”

Chen Chunzhai trembled. Guo Shi Er inside stopped chanting and buried himself under the covers. That laughter was quite deadly.