I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

More people are trying it, but only a few can persist for more than half an incense stick's time and see significant results.

The vast majority of people still retreated hastily, or even got injured.

Situ Ming also mustered up the courage to try once, but he only lasted for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before turning pale and retreating, shaking his head at Qin Yuan with a wry smile.

Just as the initial excitement subsided and everyone was speculating about who would be next—

A cold, eerie figure silently drifted down to the front of the monument.

Black robe, ghostly markings, pale face, and eerie red lips.

It was none other than You Wuying!

His movement instantly drew everyone's attention. What would this Netherworld Young Master, ranked ninth, ruthless, and with a mysterious background, do?

You Wuying sat down cross-legged, without even making any deliberate gestures, and simply closed his deep eyes.

Time passed second by second.

Ten breaths, fifty breaths, one hundred breaths... Soon, it exceeded the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!

A faint black mist began to emanate from You Wuying's body. Within the mist, countless tiny ghostly faces seemed to wail and struggle, yet they also appeared to form some kind of mysterious runes, faintly resonating with the dark patterns on the Enlightenment Stele. His face remained pale, but his aura grew increasingly deep and obscure.

Two incense sticks!

He actually managed to hold out for the duration of two incense sticks burning! This surpassed all previous attempts, including those by Chen and Lei Zhenzi!

A collective gasp of astonishment rose from the courtyard.

"Two incense sticks' worth of time! You Wuying actually held out for so long!"

"Look at the resonance between the black mist and the inscription! He must have comprehended the profound mysteries related to the Yin and Yang Ghost Path!"

"As expected of the young master of the Netherworld, his comprehension and affinity with the Ghost Path are truly terrifying!"

A hint of surprise flashed across Liu Mubai's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded slightly.

Finally, as the incense sticks were about to burn out, the black mist surrounding You Wuying suddenly contracted inward, disappearing completely into his body. He slowly opened his eyes, his deep pupils seeming even more unfathomable than before, with faint ghostly flames flickering within them. A cold, satisfied smile curved his lips as he slowly rose to his feet.

Instead of thanking Liu Mubai like the others, he turned around and his cold gaze, like two poisoned daggers, cut through the crowd and landed precisely on the gray-robed youth in the southwest corner who had been sitting quietly the whole time, seemingly detached from the situation.

The chatter in the courtyard instantly subsided because of his abrupt turn and sharp gaze.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily followed You Wuying's and fell on Qin Yuan.

Many people looked bewildered and curious—who was this person? Why was the Netherworld Young Master looking at him specifically? Judging from his position, he seemed to be an insignificant figure?

You Wuying's voice rang out in the silent courtyard, carrying undisguised provocation and a condescending coldness:

"Two incense sticks' worth is nothing more than this. Qin Yuan—"

He deliberately dragged out the tone, making sure the name "Qin Yuan" was clearly heard by everyone.

"Do you dare... come up and give it a try?"

"Qin Yuan?"

Who is Qin Yuan?

"Never heard of it..."

"The young master of the Netherworld actually called out my name?!"

"Look, it's that guy in the gray robe, sitting next to Situ Ming of the Qingyun Sect!"

"It was him? This afternoon at the 'Eight Directions Visitors' Inn, it seems he was the one who clashed with the Young Master of the Netherworld!"

"So it was him! I heard he's quite capable, but could he really make You Wuying so concerned?"

Whispers spread rapidly like a tide. A multitude of gazes—some curious, some inquisitive, some scrutinizing, some gloating—all focused on Qin Yuan.

Even Liu Mubai, who was in the main seat, and Lei Zhenzi and the others beside him looked over with some interest.

Situ Ming's face turned pale, and he looked nervously at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan put down the empty wine glass he had been toying with for a while, and slowly raised his head under the watchful eyes of countless people. His face remained expressionless, as calm as if You Wuying had called someone else out.

He didn't answer immediately, but calmly met You Wuying's provocative and murderous gaze.

In the courtyard, you could hear a pin drop. The only sounds were the tinkling of the wind chimes on the eaves in the night breeze and the soft rustling of the lotus leaves in the spirit pond.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats. How would Qin Yuan, suddenly thrust into this predicament by the young master of the Netherworld, react? Would he swallow his anger and back down? Or...?

Situ Ming looked at Qin Yuan beside him, his face pale. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back. In the end, he just nervously clenched his sleeves.

He secretly glanced at the direction of the main seat and saw that Liu Mubai still had a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were calm and unwavering, as if he was just watching a play that had nothing to do with him.

Lei Zhenzi and the others were the same, their gazes filled with scrutiny and a hint of curiosity, showing no intention of interfering. The other talented cultivators around them mostly looked on with great interest, waiting to see a good show.

In this land where geniuses gather, strength and performance are the only credentials; no one will stand up for a stranger.

You Wuying's cold and provocative gaze was like a real needle, piercing Qin Yuan's body and Situ Ming's heart.

Situ Ming couldn't help but lower his voice, speaking rapidly: "Fellow Daoist Qin, don't fall for his provocation! This Enlightenment Stele test is mysterious and may not be equivalent to actual combat strength. We... we don't need to argue with him like this, just pretend we didn't hear it!"

His words lacked confidence, reflecting more of his concern for Qin Yuan. He feared that if Qin Yuan couldn't hold out as long as You Wuying, he would not only lose face but also give You Wuying leverage, thus undermining his momentum before the Grand Gathering of Prodigies.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan's lips curled into a very faint, almost imperceptible smile. He didn't look at Situ Ming, his gaze remaining calmly fixed on You Wuying, as if watching a boring farce.

Then, under everyone's gaze, he slowly stood up.

His movements were unhurried, even carrying a leisurely ease. With a slight ripple in his gray robe, he rose from his seat, walked through the automatically parting crowd, and stepped towards the center of the courtyard, toward the suspended Enlightenment Stele.

Each step he took was extremely steady. He didn't deliberately release his aura, yet he exuded an indescribable calm and composed demeanor, causing some cultivators along the way who had initially looked at him with mockery to involuntarily restrain their expressions.

He stood three feet in front of the Enlightenment Stele, in the same spot where You Wuying had been sitting. Only now did he truly observe this ancient stele, which had caused so much commotion, up close.

The stele is bluish-gray, simple and unadorned. The natural patterns on its surface are not carved, but rather seem to be formed by heaven and earth, winding and twisting, like mountains and rivers, like the trajectory of stars, or even some kind of ancient runes that are difficult to understand.

A vast, boundless aura, seemingly carrying endless ages and the laws of the Dao, swept over them. This aura was not oppressive, but a profound summons, causing the cultivator's Dao foundation to resonate with it.