Bai Ye Tian nodded solemnly, feeling quite grateful. Bi Qing's encouragement meant a lot to him; at least someone was supporting him, which boosted his confidence. The previous setback had kept him subdued for a long time. Now, as he prepared to test the Heavenly Dao Stone again, he was determined to give his all.
Approaching the Heavenly Dao Stone, Bai Ye Tian's palm surged with spiritual energy. In an instant, the stone lit up. However, just as everyone expected it to signal his passage, the stone suddenly dimmed, as if the spiritual energy had no effect on it.
Elder Nine glanced at the stone with a sense of helplessness. He knew Bai Ye Tian well; he had been the top disciple of the East Courtyard for years, yet he consistently failed the Heavenly Dao Stone's test, meaning he could never become a Sage.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"
Bai Ye Tian was on the verge of collapse. He had reached the peak of the Half-Sage realm, just one step away from becoming a true Sage. Yet, he couldn't pass the Heavenly Dao Stone's test, a fact he found utterly unacceptable.
"The Bai family has two sons, but alas, one is a good-for-nothing!"
From the West Courtyard, mocking voices rose. The crowd looked at Bai Ye Tian with utter disdain.
Within the entire West Courtyard, Bai Ye Long was undeniably the number one disciple, a peerless prodigy. Compared to his elder brother, Bai Ye Tian fell far short.
"Just an impure-blooded mongrel!"
Bai Ye Long said coldly, "I thought he might pass the Heavenly Dao Stone this time, and then I could have offered him some guidance. But it seems I was mistaken!"
He was Bai Ye Tian's half-brother. Bai Ye Tian's mother had been merely a maidservant, which explained the vast difference between them.
From childhood, Bai Ye Long had never treated Bai Ye Tian kindly. Now, he was overbearing, his eyes filled with ridicule.
Bai Ye Tian clenched his fists tightly, his eyes brimming with unwillingness. He had been looked down upon since childhood, which fueled his diligent cultivation. However, no matter how hard he trained, he couldn't achieve the results he desired or surpass Bai Ye Long.
Perhaps this was fate, but he refused to accept it.
"There are many ways to become a Sage in this world. The Heavenly Dao Stone's test might not be the definitive one!"
Lu Fan offered words of comfort, "You don't need to dwell on it too much. Perhaps Tongtian Academy isn't the right place for you!"
Bai Ye Tian paused slightly, feeling that Lu Fan's words held a certain truth.
"That's right, the Heavenly Dao Stone's test isn't necessarily absolute!"
Bi Qing consoled him, "As long as you cultivate diligently, you will eventually forge your own unique path!"
"Thank you for reminding me!"
Bai Ye Tian regained his composure, filled with gratitude. If not for Lu Fan's timely words, he might have lost control and considered ending his own life.
But he wouldn't anymore. He had realized that the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth was vast, and the Heavenly Dao was not the only path. Even if he couldn't become a Sage, he would forge a new path and become stronger than any Sage.
"Are you questioning Tongtian Academy?"
A woman from the West Courtyard spoke coldly, "This is Tongtian Academy's Heavenly Dao Stone. How could it possibly be flawed?"
She was the only female Sage in the West Courtyard, named Lin Jiaojiao. She was exceptionally proud and never took the East Courtyard disciples seriously; in fact, she was quite an assertive presence even within the West Courtyard.
"We are merely offering comfort and not questioning Tongtian Academy!" Lu Fan replied. "Senior sister, please don't misrepresent our intentions. Although you are a senior sister from the West Courtyard, you should still mind your words to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings!"
"Who do you think you are? What right do you have to speak to me?" Lin Jiaojiao sneered, exuding Sage aura.
"And who do you think you are!"
Shen Ye Hong stepped forward, his eyes filled with displeasure. He detested arrogant people who looked down on others, as if they were mere beasts in their eyes.
Lin Jiaojiao's expression turned icy, a sharp chill suddenly rising. In the entire West Courtyard, no one had ever dared to speak to her like this, let alone disciples from the East Courtyard.
"Today is the East Courtyard's assessment day!"
Lu Fan stated directly, "Senior sister from the West Courtyard, your demeanor is so aggressive. Don't the elders of the West Courtyard plan to intervene?"
The elders of the West Courtyard exchanged glances. A powerful aura emanated from them, forcefully pushing Lin Jiaojiao back. "This is the assessment site, not a place for your misbehavior. Leave now!"
Lin Jiaojiao cast a venomous glare at Lu Fan, her heart filled with resentment. However, she dared not lash out at this moment. The elders of the West Courtyard were immensely powerful, beyond her ability to contend with. If she were to engage in a fight here, the elders would not let her off easily.
After rounds of testing, Liu Li and Shen Ye Hong also approached the Heavenly Dao Stone. To their surprise, the stone did not grant them passage, meaning they were destined to be without Sages.
"How can this be!"
Shen Ye Hong looked bewildered. "Why is this happening? Does this mean we can't enter the West Courtyard?"
"Yes, our talent is insufficient to become Sages!" Liu Li chuckled bitterly. "It seems we are ultimately too weak. This might be the end of our journey!"
"Don't be discouraged. Didn't someone just say that this is only a test by the Heavenly Dao Stone? And whether one becomes a Sage or not depends on their own destiny. Just keep striving," Han Xiaoxiao offered encouragement.
"It's easy for you to say!" Liu Li chuckled bitterly. "You passed the Heavenly Dao Stone's test. But the radiance from your test seemed different!"
"That radiance is the radiance of a Sage!"
An elder disciple spoke, "Only true Sages can make the Heavenly Dao Stone emit such light!"
"Sage!"
Liu Li and Shen Ye Hong looked on in shock. They knew that Han Xiaoxiao had the Immemorial Divine Pagoda behind him, implying exceptional talent, but they never expected him to be a Sage.
"Alas, there's nothing I can do. I knew that I would be the one to ultimately follow him."
Han Xiaoxiao appeared helpless. Now that the two women Lu Fan brought could only remain in the East Courtyard, he would be the only one to spend time with Lu Fan daily, and the only one worthy of Lu Fan. This was what he anticipated the most.
"The prophecy of Mount Shenji has ultimately not been fulfilled!" Shen Ye Hong said with a wry smile. "Once Lu Fan enters the West Courtyard, he will likely forget about us!"
"Don't worry, we are friends. How could I forget you!" Lu Fan chuckled. "You all need to work hard so you can advance further in the future!"
With that said, Lu Fan stepped onto the Heavenly Dao Stone with great confidence. As he placed his hand on the stone, it finally emitted a dazzling radiance that surged skyward, causing everyone present to retreat.