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TWIN: Chapter One
Auspicious Cloud World was divided into Ten Layers.
There were the Nine Heavens, where those who called themselves "Immortals" resided, and below them lay the Land, where ordinary mortals dwelled.
The world hadn't always been this way, but after over a dozen millennia, the arrangement had become the new normal.
On the Eighth Heaven, there were only three Sects: the New Sun Sect, the Clear Star Sect, and the Blissful Union Sect.
Every hundred years, they came together to hold what they referred to as a Joint Entrance Examination.
Though it was called an examination, it was more of a tournament. There were no explicit restrictions on the cultivation stage of the participants, but anyone below the Soul Condensation Stage knew better than to test their luck. The reason was simple—while killing your opponent was allowed in the tournament, those who had reached the Soul Condensation Stage or above could be revived, as destroying the soul was strictly forbidden. The examination, after all, was meant for the Sect Leaders to select fresh blood—new disciples who would carry the future of their Sects.
The event's venue rotated with each occurrence, and this time, the Clear Star Sect bore the responsibility.
Their arena, with a capacity of thirteen thousand, was more than sufficient to host the Sect's four thousand-plus members, along with visitors from the other two Sects and attendees from the Seventh and Sixth Heavens.
Seated on the second-highest platform, just below the section reserved for Sect Leaders, were the Grand Elders, looking down upon the ordinary Elders and Honorary Elders. Among them sat someone who stood out due to his youthful appearance.
Gu Xun.
The Sect Master of the Clear Star Sect, Si He Ya, was a beauty who appeared to be in her early to mid-20s, a testament to her unparalleled talent.
Unlike other female cultivators at her level, who had to sacrifice portions of their cultivation to preserve their youthful looks, she had ascended through the ranks so rapidly that her appearance was naturally maintained.
This was why she was the only female Sect Master on the Eighth Heaven in the last ten thousand years.
As for Gu Xun, he appeared even younger than her—almost resembling a teenager. He could easily pass as a young disciple in the early stages of cultivation, his youthful demeanor almost at odds with his higher rank.
He wore the distinctive bright orange Taoist robes of the Clear Star Sect, a color symbolic of their heritage, and a black belt, signifying his position among the Sect's members. His long red hair cascaded down to his waist, and his white blindfolds, which he had never been seen without, were a striking feature that invited much speculation. Some believed he was born blind, while others thought he had lost his sight during a fierce battle. He had never clarified either rumor.
Like every other Joint Entrance Examination, performances were put on display before the event commenced.
This year, the date chosen for the exam coincided with the Heaven's Widow Festival. The festival commemorated the day the legendary Drunken Master defeated the villain known as the Widow of Heaven, one hundred and thirty-eight thousand years ago, ending her reign of cruelty.
The festival wasn't exclusive to the Eighth Heaven—it was celebrated across all layers, from the First Heaven all the way up.
Gu Xun watched as young men with bare abdomens and women in flowing dresses that revealed their thighs, shoulders, and backs performed an intricate dance.
Soon, someone arrived and sat beside him.
"Wow! Elder Gu, you actually came?" the voice said, laced with genuine surprise.
Gu Xun turned his head slightly and nodded. "Elder Bai."
Elder Bai Zhongxue, the Third Elder of the Clear Star Sect, was a striking woman who appeared to be in her early 30s. She carried herself with an effortless elegance, her brown hair tied in a loose bun with a few strands framing her soft, oval-shaped face. Her half-moon-shaped eyes shimmered with warmth, and her full lips curved into an inviting smile.
She wore minimal makeup, but it was clear she hardly needed any—her beauty was as natural as the serene sunrise.
Her figure was both graceful and alluring, with a well-proportioned bust, a slender waist, and curvaceous hips that commanded attention without effort.
"Fufu~ You cold man! I've told you many times not to address me with so much distance." She slapped his shoulder playfully. "Zhongxue. Call me that. Or better yet, just Xue or even Xue'er."
Gu Xun's left brow twitched slightly at her words. This woman won't give up, will she?
Suppressing a sigh, he maintained his calm expression. "Elder Bai…"
She cut him off with a dramatic huff. "Zhongxue!"
Gu Xun: "…We are in a Sect setting. Addressing you in such a manner would be… inappropriate."
Elder Bai pouted, crossing her arms. "Hmph! Whose business is it how we address each other but ours?"
Gu Xun: "…."
After a brief silence, he deftly redirected the conversation. "What do you think of this year's participants?"
As the First and Second Elders were responsible for security, the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Elders served as the Head Examiners. Naturally, Elder Bai had insights into the candidates.
She smirked knowingly. "Ah, you're curious about candidates with potential in Array Formations, Alchemy, and Forging, aren't you?"
Gu Xun didn't respond, but his silence was enough of an answer.
Clapping her hands, she spoke with enthusiasm. "Alright, alright. This time, there are a few noteworthy ones. I've kept an eye out just for you."
"First, there's a girl from the Sixth Heaven named Xuan Lingxi. Her application says she recently refined a Level 6 Pill with pill clouds—yes, a Peak Level 6 Pill! She's already worthy of being called a Level 7 Alchemist, but lacks the recipes and materials. With your guidance, she could reach her full potential."
Gu Xun nodded slightly, acknowledging her report.
Elder Bai continued, her tone growing more animated. "Then there's Yun Che from…"
She went on describing more of the candidates, but Gu Xun found his thoughts wandering.
What a shame…The faint tug at his heartstrings became persistent. The technique I cultivate forbids me from ever falling in love. The only way to change that would be to give up my cultivation and start over… but I've come too far. Any year now, I might be ready to face the Divine Tribulation and ascend to the Ninth Heaven to become a True God.
As this thought lingered, the arena suddenly shook.
The entire structure quivered as if struck by a force far beyond mortal comprehension. The ground trembled, and a low, reverberating hum filled the air, as though some great power had ruptured the fabric of reality itself. It was as if the heavens themselves were protesting, shaking in response to some unseen force.
Before anyone could react, a voice, dripping with venom, echoed through the arena.
"Good! Very good! All of you are here together, celebrating my Great Grandmother's demise! This saves me the trouble of going to all your Sects one by one. Today, I, Ye Gu Du, will let you go ahead of me and greet her in the Underworld!"