Jason Liu swaggered forward, acting like he owned the place.
He deliberately walked right up to Evan. When he heard Yvette and Queenie talking, he wanted to interject.
Now, hearing Evan had zero intention of going up for the test, Jason suddenly started acting like he was hot stuff.
Yvette and Queenie both frowned, full of disgust as they glared at him.
Grandmaster You’s gaze was cold, but over on the Liu clan’s side, several Pointing-to-Mystery experts were watching, their warning looks obvious.
"You don’t have the guts to go up and test, and you’re denying the Spirit-Test Beads. I think you’re just scared—knowing you’re just a talentless loser. Isn’t that right?"
Jason Liu sneered, staring at Evan with a pushy, aggressive attitude.
"If you want to light up the Spirit-Test Beads, I’ll teach you a trick."
Evan looked at him, his tone totally normal—not even a hint of anger at Jason’s provocation.
"What?"
Jason froze for a second, then raised his brows, not even waiting to mock Evan.
"Bleed a little from the web between your thumb and index finger, grip the rod with your wound, and the Spirit-Test Beads will light up for sure."
Evan said it in a calm, matter-of-fact way.
It was like whatever beef he had with Jason earlier was already ancient history.
"Bullshit."
Jason scoffed, "You think I’d believe you?"
"You think I’m some idiot?"
Jason turned away, ignoring Evan. "Once I become the immortal’s disciple and learn immortal arts, you’ll be the first I make pay!"
He strode straight over to the Spirit-Test Beads.
"He’s from the Ancient-Martial Liu clan."
"People from the Liu clan must have exceptional cultivation roots."
"I bet they do. Anyone from an Ancient Martial Clan is born a top-tier fighter—there’s no way their cultivation roots are weak."
All the voices below, all the praise and envy from the crowd, made Jason’s ego skyrocket.
"Who am I? I’m from the Ancient-Martial Liu clan!"
"Just a few Spirit-Test Beads—how could they stump me?"
Thinking that, Jason walked up to the rod and took a close look at the Spirit-Test Beads.
"Go ahead."
A young man beside him urged him on.
So Jason took a deep breath and grabbed the rod.
Everyone watched, faces full of anticipation.
The Spirit-Test Beads started to glow, slow but steady.
Just the bottom bead flickered, barely giving off any light.
"So that’s the big shot Ancient-Martial Liu clan? What a letdown," someone snickered.
"Yeah, I thought their roots were supposed to be better, but he’s just trash tier," another chimed in.
"Guess I’m actually stronger than the Liu guy—I lit up a bead, he barely got half!"
The crowd couldn’t help gossiping, snickers and jeers flying everywhere.
Jason just stood there, face stiff, cheeks burning as the roasts kept coming.
He shot a look at Evan, remembering what he’d said earlier.
"Screw it, let’s try!"
Jason clenched his jaw, forced his qi, and split open the skin between his thumb and finger—leaving a gash right where he gripped the rod.
Blood oozed from the gash.
It seeped onto the rod, staining it red.
And then—
"Whoa, it’s lighting up again!"
"It’s glowing—seriously glowing!"
Everyone watched as the Spirit-Test Beads, which had totally dimmed out, suddenly blazed to life.
This time, the glow was crazy intense.
One bead. Two beads. Three beads. Four beads!
The Spirit-Test Beads lit up one after another. Jason’s face got paler, his body weaker, but the beads’ glow made him look like he was blushing hard.
He stared at the beads, totally hyped, while the crowd exploded in shock and praise.
"Genius!"
"Insane strength!"
"No wonder he’s from the Ancient-Martial Liu clan!"
All those cheers made Jason feel like a king—his ego and excitement went through the roof.
After a while,
He finally let go of the rod.
The Spirit-Test Beads’ glow faded out.
"Not bad."
For once, the True-Immortal Layman—usually silent, back turned to the crowd—actually spoke up.
"Thanks for the compliment, Layman!"
Jason gave a salute, barely able to walk straight, but he was riding high—soaking up all the envy and admiration from the crowd.
"If nobody lights up more than four beads, you might be the one with immortal fate today."
The guy in the dark-blue dao robe grinned: "Guess I’ll be your senior disciple soon."
Jason quickly thanked him.
Then he swaggered back, head held high.
When he passed Evan—
"See that?"
"Four beads lit up for me! And you? You don’t even have the guts to try!"
Jason shot Evan a look full of disdain. "That’s the gap between us!"
He laughed twice, but his face went pale and he couldn’t stop coughing.