Chapter One Hundred: Winter Plum Blossoms

The crowd rubbed their eyes in disbelief, suspecting it was an illusion. But when they felt the biting cold wind, they knew it was real.

This time, the crowd was silent, looking at each other before bowing their heads in quiet acceptance.

Then, from the withered branches, tiny red buds began to emerge, gradually blooming in the cold wind. The crimson plum blossoms stood out vividly against the snow, appearing even more delicate and enchanting.

Yunsi watched the blossoms, their beauty captivating her. She couldn't help but look again in that direction, a sweet smile spreading across her face.

The figure lounging on the eaves also smiled gently, looking at her.

"Marvelous! Truly marvelous! Such talent is rare and precious!" Wenshi Ming exclaimed, rising from his chair and clapping enthusiastically.

His eyes shone with an unprecedented light. In his thirty years of overseeing the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, he had encountered countless talented individuals, but never anyone who could control the elements and alter the seasons as she did. Even he hadn't mastered such feats. He began to wonder if this young girl, no more than seventeen or eighteen, was a celestial being descended to the mortal realm.

After the initial skill demonstration, fewer than a hundred candidates remained. The scholar in charge stood at the center of the Bagua formation, reading out the names of those who had been selected.

"...Yunsi..."

The clear voice reached her ears, and a smile spread across Yunsi's face.

"...The remaining hundred of you have passed the rigorous selection process. You are all exceptional talents, and I greatly admire you," Wenshi Ming declared, standing proudly on the high platform.

"However... this time, I have decided to increase the difficulty of the selection process to prevent any impostors from slipping through."

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks. They had never heard of the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion issuing challenges on the spot.

As soon as Wenshi Ming finished speaking, the crowd erupted once more.

"Why? We were told that as long as our magic was strong enough, we'd be selected. Is the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion going back on its word?"

"We were selected based on our abilities. Why increase the difficulty now?"

"The master has seen our abilities firsthand. What impostors are you talking about? Do you suspect someone is helping us cheat?"

"..."

The noise gradually died down, replaced by an unusual silence, as embarrassed glances were exchanged.

"We rely on our true skills to earn our place. Who would resort to such trickery? If anyone did, they wouldn't have the nerve to come to the esteemed Heavenly Pivot Pavilion. Isn't that right, everyone?"

As the crowd stared at him, the speaker continued undeterred, as if he didn't notice the hostile gazes. He stood like a leader among them, speaking freely, basking in what he perceived as admiration, completely oblivious to the disdain around him.

At that moment, anyone who stepped forward would be met with a barrage of ridicule.

Sure enough, protests soon erupted from the crowd.

"Shut up! What are you babbling about like a dog? Do you think we're here to watch a show?"

The voice fell silent, but the speaker remained unseen. Out of curiosity, Yunsi looked around but couldn't identify the source. It was as if the crowd had come to a tacit agreement, each person wearing an innocent expression, as if they had planned it all along.