Opening the first gate of the Eight Gates Dunjia Formation—Kai Men (The Gate of Opening)—grants Hao Fan access to a formidable technique, Biao Lianhua (Violent Lotus). However, because his body has only just reached the threshold for withstanding the strain, the pain after activation causes a momentary freeze. If he can't defeat the enemy in that critical opening window, he risks serious backlash.
But now, after training to the level required to unlock the Rest Gate (Xiu Men), Hao Fan's body has reached a higher threshold. He can activate Biao Lianhua with far more stability, no longer gambling everything on a single strike.
The Mission to the Capital
One afternoon, the Tower Master of the Grimoire Tower arrived to speak with the church's godfather. He came with a proposal—send Hao Fan and Yuno to the Royal Capital to take the Magic Knights Entrance Exam.
The godfather initially rejected the idea.
"The capital is so far," he said gruffly. "The journey is dangerous, and there's no guarantee they'll pass the exam."
He paused, then added, "Yuno, maybe. But Asta—err, I'm afraid he doesn't stand a chance."
The Tower Master let out a knowing chuckle.
"Are you underestimating your children?" he said. "Remember those two nobles I once sponsored—Lake and Will? They begged me not to submit their applications to the exam. They were utterly crushed in combat… by Asta."
The godfather blinked in surprise.
"…Really?"
The old Tower Master smirked. "Yes. Asta humiliated them. They left in disgrace."
"But—" the godfather tried again, hesitating.
"You just don't want to part with Asta, do you?" the Tower Master teased.
"What nonsense! That brat used to be worse than a mud monkey!" the godfather protested, rattling off tales of Asta's childhood antics.
"And now you've raised a fine warrior," the Tower Master replied with a grin. "It's time."
Eventually, the godfather sighed and gave in, hiding his emotion behind a huff. "Fine, fine. Let them go together. But they'd better be careful!"
Three Days Later
Hao Fan and Yuno prepared to depart. In that time, Hao Fan took care of many responsibilities:
He used 500 system points to purchase 500 healing potions, stocking a newly built warehouse beside the church.
He and the children built individual rooms for everyone in the orphanage so that no one had to share anymore.
Before leaving, Hao Fan helped rebuild the fences around Hage Village.
The godfather watched all this with a frown and muttered, "You're really acting like you're never coming back…"
Then his eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute. Are you… the Magic Emperor's illegitimate child?!"
Lily, Nash, and even Yuno nearly choked at the absurd thought.
"Ridiculous!" Hao Fan snapped. "What goes on in that head of yours?"
Still, there was no denying the godfather's heart felt heavy. The church would be far too quiet without them.
On the Road
The next morning, Hao Fan and Yuno set out on foot.
"Traveling is part of training!" Hao Fan declared as he began walking on his hands. His odd behavior drew attention from passersby, but it was Yuno who attracted the most stares. He was calmly training magic as he walked, his four-leaf grimoire glowing subtly—a symbol impossible to ignore.
That's when a man with blond hair and ornate silver robes approached.
"You must be heading to the capital for the Magic Knights exam," the man said politely. "It's a long journey—floods, bandits, magical beasts. I know a shortcut. Why not travel together?"
Yuno glanced at Hao Fan, leaving the decision to him.
Hao Fan narrowed his eyes. While standing on his hands, he'd noticed the man's callused hands—a fighter's hands. His flashy clothes were ill-fitting; sleeves too long, boots scuffed, clearly borrowed or stolen. And his eyes lingered too long on Yuno's grimoire.
A fake noble. Probably a robber.
"Sure," Hao Fan said, flipping upright with a smirk.
The man hesitated when he saw Hao Fan's towering figure and well-built frame. Still, he smiled. "I'm Kerr. The rest of our group is also heading for the exam. Come—join us."
The Travelers
The group Kerr led had around twenty people—mostly teens hoping to join the Magic Knights. Three pretty girls whispered among themselves.
"Those two are so handsome!"
"Especially the silver-haired one! So cool!"
"But… aren't they commoners? Brother Kerr is a noble!"
Despite their compliments for Kerr, their eyes kept drifting toward Hao Fan and Yuno. Still, Kerr remained confident, though wary of Hao Fan.
After an hour of walking, someone asked, "Brother Kerr, isn't this path going into the mountains? It's not the direction of the capital…"
Kerr replied smoothly, "There was heavy rain recently—mudslides are common on the main road. This route is safer. But if you want, you're welcome to go ahead and wait for us."
The gray-haired teen hesitated, then shook his head. "I'll stay. Better together."
"Brother Kerr thinks of everything!"
"Yeah, he's so reliable!"
Kerr soaked in their praise like a sponge. But Hao Fan wasn't fooled. His lips curled in a dangerous grin.
This was a trap.
And Hao Fan had walked into it willingly.
Because the last time, defeating a low-tier mage earned him 300 points. And this time? With Kerr organizing a larger group—likely full of disguised rogue mages—he couldn't wait to see just how many points he could rack up.
He flexed his fingers, feeling his blade pulse with anticipation.
"Come on, Kerr. Show me what your little band of actors is made of."
As the group veered off the main road and began climbing the uneven mountain path, Hao Fan was already scanning the surroundings with keen precision.
"Two in the tree up front on the left… two hiding behind that boulder… five crouched in the brush to the right… and ten trailing behind us."
"Tch. That's it? Barely twenty bandits. Disappointing." Hao Fan clicked his tongue. "I was hoping for a hundred or two once we reached the real danger zone. Guess I was too optimistic."
He sighed, already evaluating their power levels through their weak concealment magic. It was clear their mana control was poor. Still, a threat was a threat—and even small-time bandits could become a problem for untrained mages.
"At least I can farm some merit points. Those healing potions we bought before cost a fortune."
Behind him, the group of rookies chosen to take the Magic Knights Entrance Exam trudged forward. None of them had noticed the encirclement—until one did.
"Brother Kerr," a timid boy asked, drawing close, "is it just me… or are we being followed?"
"Yeah… I feel it too," another youth added nervously. "Isn't this bandit territory?"
As if summoned by their fears, several more began murmuring. The tension spread like a chill in the wind. Even the three noble-born girls grew visibly pale.
Hao Fan shot a quick glance at Yuno, who stayed silent but calm, clearly playing his part. He smirked. At least one of them isn't completely hopeless.
"Just some rustling in the trees," Kerr said with a charming smile. "Don't get spooked so easily."
"But I really felt something! Mana disturbance or something…"
"Relax, Chuck." Kerr's tone was smooth, persuasive. "Do you know why I suggested we travel together? Because the mountain trail is rough, and there's strength in numbers. We're all future Magic Knights, aren't we? A few puny bandits wouldn't stand a chance against us!"
He gestured grandly, his voice laced with encouragement. "And besides, what would the ladies think if you got cold feet now, huh?"
Some of the other boys laughed awkwardly, their fear deflating under the weight of pride and peer pressure.
"Even Chuck's scared of shadows, huh?"
"Man, now I kinda hope we run into some bandits."
The laughter spread, and even the girls cracked smiles. For a moment, the fear dissolved.
But Hao Fan didn't laugh.
He glanced at the overweight boy who had just bragged. Let's see how brave you are when steel touches your neck. Not lifting a finger for you, pal.
As they reached the mountain's heart, things quickly changed.
No more stealth.
The bandits started stepping out of the woods openly—scarred, armed, and bloodthirsty. Some had missing limbs, others covered in grimy tattoos. The mana they gave off was violent, erratic—the mark of killers who had long crossed the line.
These weren't common thieves.
They were battle-hardened rogue mages.
"S-someone's there!" Chuck's voice cracked as he pointed.
"Th-there's more behind us too!"
"W-what do we do, Brother Kerr?!"
Several youths stumbled backward in terror. One even collapsed on his knees. The same fat boy from earlier now trembled so hard his rolls of flesh visibly quivered.
"Brother Kerr, quick! Lead us—!"
"Lead you?" Kerr's voice suddenly turned ice-cold.
He chuckled darkly, turning to face the group. Gone was the warm smile and calm charm. In its place—a twisted grin full of malice.
The transformation in his face sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.
"You idiots really thought I was protecting you?" he sneered. "You're just lambs. All of you."
The three noble girls stepped back, visibly trembling. Their eyes widened as the man they once trusted turned into a monster before them.
"Y-you're with them?" Chuck stuttered from the ground.
"Ding ding ding!" Kerr said mockingly. "And you win the grand prize—a front-row seat to your own execution."
More bandits emerged from the shadows—twenty, thirty… then more. By the time the full force stood around them, over a hundred encircled the group.
"Let me officially welcome you," Kerr declared from atop a rock, "to the Raptor Bandit Group's camp!"
"You twenty-seven rookies… future Magic Knight candidates?" His smile curled with madness.
"You'll make fine sacrifices to fuel our forbidden rituals."