At Bai Zhan's invitation, Yang Han, Bai Yue, and three members of the Yang family headed to the Heavenly Dao Academy. This place was no ordinary mansion—when Yang Han and the others arrived, they saw a massive cluster of buildings, the only academy in the Heavenly Dao Realm that sprawled across so much territory.
In front of the academy stood a huge stone stele, with bright red characters engraved on it: 'Heavenly Dao Academy.'
Outside stood two guards, unlike any Yang Han had seen before. They wore tight black uniforms, exuding an aura as if ready to fight at any moment, making them seem intimidating.
"The aura here is really heavy," Yang Han remarked. Meanwhile, the Yang family patriarch and Yang Lin—those with lower cultivation—began trembling, a fear rising from deep within. Instinctively, Yang Han quickly enveloped the three with his own aura, calming them. The patriarch apologized, "Sorry, that was embarrassing."
"It's fine," Yang Han replied. Bai Yue quickly comforted him, "Grandpa Yang, don't worry, it's nothing. They're just standing here."
Yang Lin and the others looked embarrassed. Bai Zhan turned to one of the guards and said, "I'm looking for Cao Mo, Senior Cao."
"Wait here a moment," one guard replied, then instantly vanished from sight. When he reappeared, he was accompanied by a white-bearded man. The man smiled at Bai Zhan, "You finally made it."
"Brother Cao, look—I brought my daughter and son-in-law this time," Bai Zhan laughed.
Cao Mo approached Yang Han and Bai Yue, glanced at Bai Yue, and smiled, "Not bad, your Heavenly Dao intent is strong." Then he looked at Yang Han, "You seem a bit weak—only at the Immortal Sovereign realm? Or are you deliberately hiding your strength?"
"No, I'm truly at the Immortal Sovereign realm," Yang Han replied with a smile.
"Old Bai, are you sure about this?" Cao Mo seemed a bit skeptical. Bai Zhan laughed, "That's right, he's at the Immortal Sovereign realm. But even though that's his realm, his strength is anything but ordinary. Below the Heavenly Dao level, I doubt anyone can do anything to him."
"Old Bai, you can't be serious? Below the Heavenly Dao? That means his ability surpasses anyone in our Divine Mansion," Cao Mo said, still not quite convinced.
Bai Zhan laughed, "If you don't believe me, you can test him yourself."
"I'm not that harsh. Better leave it to that guy—he loves playing with youngsters. Come, let's go in and sit for a while," Cao Mo said with a smile, leading the way as Yang Han and the others followed behind.
"Hey, looks like you're in trouble," Bai Yue transmitted to Yang Han.
Yang Han smiled, "If there's trouble, I'll handle it. I actually want a challenge."
Bai Yue was still worried for Yang Han—after all, this was the Heavenly Dao Academy, full of elites not just anyone could meet.
While Bai Yue worried, Yang Han acted as if nothing was wrong, observing his surroundings. He noticed many people along the way staring at them curiously, each exuding a powerful aura, as if they could devour people alive.
That was the result of years of training—their intimidating presence. Yang Han ignored them and kept following until they entered a building.
Inside, the building was simple—just a few paintings and a tea table. Seated beside the table was an elderly man in light blue clothes, holding a teacup. He smiled at the group, "You're here? Come, have a seat."
"This is He Wen, Senior He," Bai Zhan introduced. Yang Han, Bai Yue, and the others greeted respectfully, "Senior He."
"Good, don't be so formal. Everyone sit down, let's have some tea," He Wen said with a smile.
Yang Han and the others sat, picked up their cups, and drank the warm tea. A refreshing sensation with a hint of bitterness spread through them. Bai Zhan laughed, "Brother He's tea skills keep getting better."
He Wen smiled, then pointed at Yang Han. At that moment, Yang Han seemed dazed, unsure what he was doing, while the others were fine. Bai Yue was about to touch him when Cao Mo laughed, "Don't touch him—he's caught up in Brother He's tea arts right now."
Bai Yue frowned at Yang Han, and the Yang family members watched him worriedly, unsure what He Wen was up to.
At that moment, Yang Han was in another space—a picturesque landscape, with flocks of white cranes by a lake, mountains, and a pavilion. Inside the pavilion sat He Wen, the same elder from before. Yang Han walked over and smiled, "Senior, why did you bring me here alone?"
"What do you think?" He Wen smiled.
"To test me?" Yang Han smiled.
"More or less. What, are you scared?" He Wen smiled. Yang Han shook his head, "Not at all. I'm actually curious how Senior He plans to test me!"
"See those cranes? They specialize in eating the fish I raise. Go drive them away for me, but don't hurt them. Be careful, though—they can get fierce enough to peck at even Heavenly Dao experts," He Wen said with a smile.
Yang Han smiled, "Got it. So, don't hurt them, but drive them away, right?"
"Exactly. That's the idea. It's up to you, young man," He Wen smiled. Yang Han walked to the lakeside and saw the white cranes excitedly eating fish.
Yang Han smiled. To drive them away without hurting them, besides forcibly sealing and moving them, there was another way. He called out to the cranes, "Hey, look over here."
The cranes were intelligent—they all turned to look at Yang Han. His eyes flashed, and the cranes instantly fell into a dazed state.
He Wen, in the pavilion, watched Yang Han suspiciously. Then his expression turned to shock, "He actually used hypnosis—and even created inner illusions?"
He Wen had a certain connection with the cranes, so he could sense Yang Han's actions. After Yang Han cast inner illusions, the cranes gradually flew away from the lake.
Once the cranes all flew off, Yang Han returned to He Wen and smiled, "Senior, how was that?"
"Who taught you that?" He Wen asked suspiciously.
Yang Han smiled, "A senior I once met taught me."
"Interesting. You passed. Now let's see how you get out of here. I'll see you outside," He Wen said, then vanished.
Yang Han looked around after He Wen disappeared, muttering, "He wants me to find a way out? Is there even a way here?"
Having studied formations and arrays, Yang Han could easily spot them if they were present. He released his Divine Sense and used his Phantom Spirit Birds to search the space.
The space wasn't large, so Yang Han quickly searched it. He checked the mountains for caves or tunnels, but found nothing. He muttered, "No caves, nothing around the edges—so where could the exit be?"
Just then, a fish jumped out of the water and splashed back in. Yang Han saw this and laughed, "I get it. The only creatures here are fish and cranes. Now that the cranes are gone, only fish remain. Thanks, Senior."
With that, Yang Han flashed and dove underwater. Sure enough, at the deepest point he found a whirlpool and entered it without hesitation.
After entering, he instantly regained clarity and saw everyone looking at him suspiciously. Yang Han smiled, "What's wrong?"
He Wen clapped and laughed, "Good, not bad. You're the fastest person I've seen to emerge from my tea arts."
Yang Han smiled, "Thanks to Senior's hint, I thought of the underwater exit."
The others didn't know what He Wen and Yang Han discussed, but seeing Yang Han snap out of it so quickly made them happy.
Cao Mo laughed, "Old He, how do you judge this?"
"Of course he passed here. Are you still looking for someone to test him?" He Wen smiled. Cao Mo laughed, "Definitely. There's still one more. That guy won't be so easy—he comes at you hard."
"Oh? You mean Tong Yue? That's right, he's the battle maniac of the Academy. Come on, let's go meet him together," He Wen said with a smile.
They were moving on again so soon. Yang Han, curious, asked Bai Yue, "Who's Tong Yue?"
"He's a famous figure in the Academy. Only my dad really knows him. You were lucky to pass this time—next time, you won't be so fortunate. That guy will definitely find a few people to test you," Bai Yue said worriedly.
"Don't worry. Like I said, no matter how much trouble comes, I'll handle it," Yang Han replied with a smile.
Yang Han and the group arrived at a lively spot. Outside, they heard all kinds of loud shouts. As they stepped through the threshold, they saw a chaotic brawl—no one could tell who was fighting whom. At the front stood a man in white, a single white hair falling across his cheek, watching the scene intently and shouting, "Move faster!"
Bai Yue and the others exchanged worried looks, already anxious for Yang Han. Bai Zhan also glanced at Yang Han with concern, "My last friend has a strange temper—you'd better be careful."
"Don't worry. I've never been afraid of anyone," Yang Han replied with a smile. Hearing this, He Wen and Cao Mo smiled, admiring Yang Han's courage. In their eyes, Yang Han had already passed. As for the last one, Tong Yue, whose temper was unpredictable, no one knew what method he'd use to torment Yang Han.
When Yang Han and the group approached, the man turned and said, "You're all here? Which ones are Bai's daughter and son-in-law?"
Bai Zhan pulled Yang Han and Bai Yue forward. Seeing them, the man laughed, "One's at Heavenly Dao, one's only Immortal Sovereign. That's an interesting pairing, but it doesn't mean much. Only the battlefield decides. Are you two interested in joining the fight together?"
Yang Han objected, "I can handle it alone."