Only ten girls passed the test, fourteen failed, and six, including Qinglan, hadn't even taken it before it was abruptly stopped. Qinglan had been on edge, terrified of her fate. Now, hearing Yao Ji was leaving, she clung to her hand, tears streaming down her face.

Guilt gnawed at Yao Ji. She suspected Ye Chonglou's decision to halt the testing had something to do with her, but she couldn't reveal it. "Don't worry," she soothed Qinglan. "Nothing happened to the fourteen who failed. You're one of the best among us; they won't let you fall by the wayside."

As Yao Ji predicted, the fourteen who failed weren't thrown into the snake pit. The Boundless Sea Pavilion had invested heavily in them. Even without passing, they were still exceptional and Ye Chonglou would exploit their value rather than discard them.

Comforted, Qinglan finally stopped crying. "Yao Yao, do you know where they're sending you?"

Several girls had already been sent away. The instructors revealed one went to the renowned Sword Manor, another to the Impregnable Fortress, and two to prominent families within the Jianghu. They were offered as gifts, beautiful tributes.

Yao Ji's suspicions were confirmed. This was their destiny. This was their instructors' "lucky day." Surprisingly, the girls were delighted. They had no freedom, no sense of self, raised from childhood for this purpose. The chance to enjoy luxury in a powerful family or sect, escaping the endless days of confinement in the valley, was a dream come true. Even though they knew these placements came with obligations, leaving was a "lucky day" nonetheless.

Yao Ji, unsure how to answer, shook her head. "I don't know."

Her heart pounded with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. Where would she be sent? If… if it was the Heavenly Capital, that would be truly fortunate.

Lost in thought, Instructor Dong handed her a thick stack of documents, ordering her to memorize the contents. It was information about a minor, insignificant family. Confused, Yao Ji wondered why she needed to learn about them since she wouldn't be sent there.

Instructor Dong, sensing her confusion, clarified, "You will become their legitimate daughter."

Realization dawned on Yao Ji. They were giving her a new identity, erasing her connection to Boundless Sea Pavilion. As predicted, deep winter arrived, and with it, the day of Yao Ji's departure.

Before she left, Instructor Dong gave her a black pill. "This is called 'Eight Sufferings.' Without the antidote every six months, it will activate, severing your heart meridians and killing you. Someone will inform you where to get the antidote when the time comes. Obey the Master's orders without question. If you disobey," Instructor Dong paused, "not even the gods can save you."

Expecting this, Yao Ji swallowed the pill and bowed. "Instructor, I won't forget your teachings. This may be our last goodbye. Take care."

Instructor Dong sighed. Though accustomed to the girls' fates, a hint of sadness touched her face. "Don't be afraid. The Master values you."

Being valued meant she wouldn't be easily discarded.

Yao Ji expressed her gratitude to Instructor Dong, bowed several times, and then left with the carriage.

It was the depths of winter, snow blanketing the land. Delivered to the Song family, Yao Ji transformed from a Boundless Sea Pavilion orphan into Song Nianyao, their long-lost legitimate daughter. She didn't know how Boundless Sea Pavilion orchestrated it. After a few months, just before the New Year, Master Song escorted her north.

The journey was shrouded in snow. The further north they traveled, the darker the sky became. Finally, the snow ceased, and rays of sunlight pierced the oppressive clouds. Yao Ji lifted the carriage curtain as they passed through imposing city walls. Inscribed on the ancient gate in solemn characters were the words: Heavenly Capital.

"Heavenly Capital…" she murmured, savoring the words. A mix of anticipated joy and unexpected trepidation filled her. Suddenly, she glimpsed a tall, slender figure standing on the ramparts. The distance obscured his features, but his dark fox fur cloak billowed in the wind, almost bird-like, as if ready to take flight.

Yao Ji was captivated. Though she'd never met him, a voice within told her this was the man she sought. This was Pei Yan.