With the first rays of the morning sun piercing the sky, the Mu Manor began to stir with activity.
Mu Zi, following Mu Yun and Mu Lingsha, approached the gates of the test hall. Seeing the crowds of people, she was surprised.
"Why are there so many people?" she asked.
Mu Lingsha, walking beside her, explained: "It's the annual test, of course it's going to be lively."
On regular days, most members of the Mu clan travel for various tasks and are often scattered in different places.
An occasion like the test rarely brings everyone together. Even those who aren't very sociable come just to watch.
The trio stepped inside, and it was even noisier.
In the main seat sat a man in a white robe. But his powerful, bulging muscles stretched the fabric so much that the elegant robe looked bulky.
Mu Zi was surprised: "Is even the Clan Head here?"
This robust man in white was none other than Mu Tao—the only Heavenly Yuan master in the clan.
Looking at the lively atmosphere in the test hall, Mu Tao nodded in satisfaction. It seemed the unity of the Mu clan was growing stronger by the day.
Noticing the arrival of Mu Yun and his family, he nodded in greeting, trying to show a refined benevolence. However, his powerful figure, almost tearing the white robe, made the pose comically ridiculous.
Mu Yun was long used to the Clan Head's quirks. Ever since Mu Tao had once met the Lord of Yan City, he had been so captivated by his refined manners and powerful strength that he began to imitate him.
Leading the sisters to the main seats in the hall, Mu Yun politely responded to the respectful greetings of his clansmen, which came one after another.
Suddenly, a loud, booming voice rang out:
"Haha, Brother Mu Yun, you're here too!"
Mu Zi turned at the sound and saw a sturdy man with a rough face, happily getting up from a main seat.
"Haha, Brother Mu Tian, aren't you here for the same thing—to gawk?" Mu Yun replied.
The thunderous giant who greeted them was none other than Mu Tian, whom Mu Zi had already met at the Hall of Martial Arts.
Mu Tian was just as spirited: "Me? I'm definitely just here for the spectacle! But you, brother, are a different matter! Lingsha received a 'good' average score in the test last year, breaking the Mu clan's record! With such an outstanding daughter, we can only be envious!"
Mu Yun verbally brushed off the praise, but in his heart, he swelled with pride for his daughter.
After a while, someone else approached the main seats.
An elderly woman approached, followed by a young man of about sixteen or seventeen.
Seeing the elder, Mu Yun and Mu Lingsha hurried to stand up as a sign of greeting. Even the Clan Head, Mu Tao, rose from his seat.
Mu Zi, observing this scene, was surprised and asked quietly:
"Who is that grandmother?"
Mu Lingsha whispered in reply:
"I'm not sure, but Father said she's a clan elder, a generation older than the Clan Head and Father."
After a pause, she added: "And her level is at the late stage of Earth Yuan."
Mu Zi understood. The Mu clan had three masters at the late stage of Earth Yuan. Before, she only knew Mu Yun and Mu Tian, and today, she finally met the third.
"Does such a humble clan test attract your attention?" Mu Yun asked in surprise.
The elder smiled gently, looking at the young man beside her, and replied:
"Mu Ye has made progress in his cultivation, and I, an old woman, have brought him to see the world."
"Oh?" everyone was surprised.
Hearing this, those present turned their gazes to the young man following the elder.
Mu Yun remembered this young man. He was an orphan whom the elder had adopted a few years ago.
Despite her high status, the elder, due to her age and weakened combat power, did not get involved in clan affairs. However, everyone present knew: she was the widow of the first clan head, with whom she had founded the Mu Manor decades ago. Without her, the Mu clan would simply not exist.
Although the elder could no longer cultivate, the clan had allocated resources for her practice all these years.
She probably spent these resources on raising promising juniors. So the young man of sixteen standing before them could possess considerable strength.
"Mu Ye, come, greet your uncles!" the elder commanded.
The young man named Mu Ye stepped forward and bowed respectfully:
"Greetings, uncles!"
His manners looked quite decent.
Mu Yun and Mu Tian nodded, saying approvingly:
"Truly, heroes are born young!"
The elder smiled:
"He's nothing compared to my granddaughter Lingsha! Lingsha obtained a fire python-tiger for the Mu clan, and I, an old woman, thank her from the bottom of my heart."
Mu Lingsha waved her hands:
"The Clan Head has already rewarded me."
The elder nodded and turned her gaze to Mu Zi, with a look of approval in her eyes.
"Nephew Mu Yun, your adopted daughter is indeed beautiful."
Mu Yun was about to thank her, but the elder continued:
"Half a year ago, Ye Lan saw your daughter and fell in love at first sight. Since then, he doesn't eat or sleep, all in longing—his feelings are as pure as heaven and earth."
("Mu Ye" is his official name in the clan. "Ye Lan" is an affectionate form of the name "Ye")
"I wonder if I, an old woman, dare to propose a union for Ye Lan?"
Mu Zi, who had been bored until then, froze upon hearing this and pointed her finger at herself in disbelief:
"Me?"
The elder nodded again.
Mu Yun's face changed, and he quickly objected:
"Zi is still young; is this appropriate?"
The elder smiled:
"Hehe, Ye Lan is a worthy young man. Perhaps we should ask the young lady's opinion?"
"I refuse!" Mu Zi immediately cut in.
All jokes aside, how could she agree? What a ridiculous turn of events.
"I, a Reincarnated, in an arranged marriage?" Her respect for this clan elder vanished instantly.
Turning around, Mu Zi glared angrily at Mu Ye. This guy, who looked so decent, dared to make plans for her?
Under her furious gaze, Mu Ye became nervous and tugged on the elder's sleeve:
"Grandma, maybe we should forget about this?"
Looking intently at the young man, the elder said slowly:
"Don't be too quick to refuse, girl. After the test, you might change your mind about Ye Lan."
Wants to impress me with his strength at the test? Mu Zi squinted.
Hah, it seems you have miscalculated!
Calming down, she looked at the young man, who kept stealing glances at her, and a mischievous spark suddenly ignited in her.
"Well then, Brother Ye, show me what you're capable of at the test!" she said with a challenge.
Suddenly, Mu Zi gave Mu Ye a dazzling smile. It was as if a hundred flowers had bloomed at once, mesmerizing and captivating his heart.
Mu Ye froze, enchanted. Leading a reclusive life, he had never seen such a radiant smile. He was especially captivated by her lively, sparkling eyes—he couldn't look away, as if drowning in them.
Mu Zi, as if scared by his brazen gaze, suddenly hid behind Mu Lingsha.
Coming to his senses, Mu Ye felt a burning shame. Under her gaze, full of condemnation, as if he were some kind of pervert, he wanted to sink through the floor. He opened his mouth to explain but couldn't utter a single word. A recluse by nature, he was terrible at socializing.
In despair, he hid behind the elder, not daring to look up at Mu Zi.
"Pfft!" Mu Zi barely suppressed a laugh, seeing his confusion. To herself, she scoffed: "A little boy!"
The atmosphere at the main seats became tense, and this spread throughout the hall.
The liveliness that had reigned before began to fade. As everyone took their seats, silence descended upon the test hall.
All eyes turned to Mu Tao, seated at the head.
Mu Tao slowly set down his teacup, stood up, and announced:
"The clan test officially begins!"
The hall instantly erupted with emotion. Mu Zi cast a glance at Mu Ye, who was clearly eager for a fight.
"Hah, show me what you're capable of," she thought. "I'll play with you. I hope you're not too weak, or it'll be boring."
After all, she holds a grudge.
A new book awaits your feedback!