Legend of the Great Sage

tain vanished into the bay, even turning the seawater black.
That was why it was called Black Water bay.

However, the name of the mountain was not actually Magnetic Field mountain, but Black Dragon mountain.

Magnetic Field mountain was only a term of reference, just like how mountains formed from rocks were called rock mountains and mountains that were abundant in copper ore were called copper mountains.
Magnetic Field mountain also produced a certain kind of ore—magnetic ferrum.
The arcane treasures and weapons forged from it possessed the ability to pierce protective energies around the body, so it was an extremely valuable kind of ore.

However, mining the ore was not an easy task.
The magnetic field would leave cultivators as feeble as mortals, and they could not even use their soul senses to search around.

The Myriad sect clearly knew exactly how to make use of these “trainees”.
The details of the test this time was to make it from one end of the mountain to the other, all while collecting as much magnetic ferrum as possible.

They had to make it to the designated area within three days, and they would pass as long as they handed up a piece of magnetic ferrum.
Afterwards, they would become a glorious “errand-runner” or “servant”.

However, when the direct disciple called Le Tian provided them with information, it was filled with ill will.

Back then, over a thousand people had already gathered in the clearing before the mountain.
There were people of all genders, ages, and cultivations.
Some had already waited there for an entire month now.
The day of the test was growing closer with each day, but they never saw anyone from the Myriad sect.

Li Qingshan suddenly raised his head.
There was a flash of golden light in the sky, and it rapidly expanded.

With a boom, sand and rocks were thrown into the air as the ground shook.
A three-legged golden toad descended from above.

Li Qingshan raised his hand to block the sand and grit.
Gazing out, he met a pair of long, thin eyes, basically spilling with smiles.
They almost squinted until they were two slits, such that Li Qingshan could not even see his eyes.
He was not even sure whether this person was looking at him or not.

However, Li Qingshan felt like he was paying close attention to him.

“I’ve made you all wait, fellows.
I am in charge of the testing this time.
My name is Le Tian.
Remember, it’s not the ‘yue’ from music, but the ‘le’ from happiness.
If you can pass this test, then you can refer to me as senior brother Le in the future.”

The man sat on top of the three-legged golden toad.
He had a pair of long, thin eyes, a hooked nose, and thin lips.
He wore three rings on each hand, all of various styles.
He even wore a golden necklace around his neck, and he was dressed in an extremely tasteless silk gown.
He was adorned with jewels, but he did not even try to make them match, so he seemed like a foolish son of a rich landlord trying to put all of his possessions on display.

However, Li Qingshan had a feeling that Le Tian was definitely a Human Sovereign and far more dangerous than any of the fifth heavenly tribulation cultivators he had seen before, whether they were Si Long, Ruan Yaozhu, or that sovereign Li from the Hungry Ghost realm.

But this is clearly the first time we’ve met, so why is he paying so much attention to me? Have I given myself away, or am I just deluding myself?

“Croak!”

The three-legged golden toad opened its mouth and let out a thunderous cry, almost bursting everyone’s eardrums.

Le Tian said with a smile, “Alright, please hand over your bookmarks, everyone who’s taking part in the test.
If anyone has any gold to feed my darling, I’ll thank you too.”

The cultivators all gathered over, tossing the bookmarks into the golden toad’s mouth.
The Black Wood bookmarks were the most plentiful, amounting to almost a thousand.
There were over a hundred Yellow Bronze bookmarks and over twenty White Silver bookmarks.
The Green Jade bookmarks were the fewest, amounting to just a few.

Every single person who went up to hand in their bookmark garnered everyone’s gazes, but Li Qingshan felt like someone was spying on him.
Ever since he arrived in the Human realm, he seemed to always have that feeling, which was absolutely horrible.
Once he entered the Myriad sect, he would definitely find the way into Ruin’s End quickly and increase his cultivation at the same time.

There were clearly quite a few wealthy people among the cultivators.
Many of them actually took out a vast amount of gold from their sumeru rings to feed to the golden toad.
Le Tian smiled and thanked them all, which left them flattered.
Towards the end, everyone would offer a bit of gold, regardless of how much it was.
Those without any would even borrow some from the people around them.

However, to Li Qingshan, this guy had just been smiling from beginning to end.
He submitted his Green Jade bookmark and wanted to leave.

Le Tian suddenly asked, “Hey kid, you don’t have any gold?”

“Sorry about that.
I don’t.”

Li Qingshan smiled gently and amiably, such that he seemed completely innocent.
He was certain he was in someone’s crosshairs now, but the reason left him wondering.
He could only say that since there were strangely good people like Ruan Yaozhu, there would be many strangely bad people too, and the latter would often completely exceed the former in numbers.