My Soul card is a Reaper

He tried to smile, but even in the crowded hall, the fatigue and irritation on his face were obvious.

Clearly, his mood was far from good.

If it had been anyone else, Fang Qingyang might have walked straight past. The fact that he stopped to speak showed how favorable his impression of Ryan truly was.

"Yes," Ryan nodded. "We just came out. Elder Fang, is something wrong? You don't look too well."

Fang Qingyang sighed heavily. "How could I be in a good mood? It's all because of that candidate who caused such a huge commotion."

"That candidate?" Ryan asked, feigning curiosity.

"The one who just rushed to second place on the Outer House rankings!" Fang Qingyang replied. He paused, then asked, "Do you know him?"

Before Ryan could answer, Fang Qingyang shook his head. "Never mind. That kind of genius must be extremely proud. Someone like you probably wouldn't know him anyway."

Ryan and the others exchanged subtle smiles.

Know him?

Of course they did.

He was standing right here.

Naturally, no one said a word.

"Elder Fang," Ryan continued calmly, "what exactly did that candidate do to trouble you so much?"

"What else?" Fang Qingyang said bitterly. "Being talented is one thing, but he's too talented. Ranking within the top thousand would've been fine—we could've fought for him between the palaces. But second place? With an achievement like that, how are we supposed to compete with the others?"

His expression was filled with helpless grievance.

Originally, these words were not something Fang Qingyang should have said to Ryan. They were the kind of worries meant for fellow elders of the Dui Palace, or at least people of similar standing, not a mere candidate.

Yet for some reason, when Ryan asked, it was as if something quietly loosened in Fang Qingyang's heart. Without realizing it himself, he spoke out the thoughts he had been suppressing.

"So that's why Elder Fang is troubled," Ryan paused briefly, then smiled. "You're worried about recruiting that candidate."

"How could I not be?" Fang Qingyang sighed. He was about to continue, but suddenly remembered that Ryan had not yet joined the Dui Palace and was still only a candidate. He hesitated, then looked at Ryan more carefully. "Right… little brother, what is your name?"

"Junior Li Wei," Ryan replied, cupping his hands.

He then introduced Wang Bi'er, Mu Xianling, and the others one by one. Everyone returned Fang Qingyang's greeting respectfully, the atmosphere becoming noticeably more familiar.

Fang Qingyang nodded, then asked cautiously, "Brother Li, may I ask you something? If you pass the entrance examination, would you be willing to enter my palace? I know this may sound a bit presumptuous, but if I don't ask now, some things can't really be said later."

Hearing this, Ryan glanced at Li Wujie, Li Shu, Li Baijie, and Mu Xianling before replying calmly, "I cannot decide for others, nor can I speak on their behalf. But as for myself, I do intend to enter the Dui Palace."

"Brother Wei, wherever you go, I'll go," Li Wujie said immediately, his tone firm. "If you join the Dui Palace, then I'll follow you there."

"Brother Li, why can't you decide for us?" Li Shu said softly, her eyes clear and earnest. "When we left the Li Clan, the clan head told us to follow your arrangements. We'll go wherever you go. We can't manage without you."

Li Baijie nodded solemnly. "Misty is right. Where you are, that's where we are. You don't need to hesitate, Yi-di."

As for Mu Xianling, she didn't even need to think for long. She lowered her head slightly and said quietly, "Li Wei, whichever palace you join, I'll join as well. You know I don't really have a choice."

Ryan froze for a moment.

He had only wanted everyone to decide freely, yet somehow his words had turned into a declaration of loyalty, like ministers swearing fealty before a ruler.

The scene was both amusing and strangely touching.

On the other side, Fang Qingyang listened in growing delight. His impression of Ryan was already excellent, and now it rose even higher. Polite, steady, and carrying an invisible sense of responsibility, Ryan was exactly the kind of young man he admired.

If Ryan joined the Dui Palace, it would be a blessing. And if the others passed the entrance examination and came along as well, that would be even better.

"Good," Fang Qingyang said with a satisfied nod. "Since you have this resolve, then that's settled."

His expression softened, and the gloom between his brows finally faded. After a pause, he continued honestly, "I won't hide it from you. You probably already know that our Dui Palace specializes in mental power. You've likely heard a bit about it by now."

"Mental power is powerful," he went on, "but it's also extremely difficult to cultivate. After learning this, many talented disciples choose not to enter the Dui Palace. They're afraid that investing too much time here will hinder their future achievements."

"As a result, our palace has declined year after year. Some disciples even apply to transfer to other palaces, abandoning mental cultivation altogether. When such requests come, how can the Palace Master block their future? So he agrees."

"That's why you rarely see disciples from the Dui Palace now," Fang Qingyang finished, his tone tinged with helplessness.

He glanced at Ryan and the others, then added quickly, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to scare you away. I'm telling you the truth so you can think carefully. Mental power is not easy to walk, and even if you regret it later, I won't blame you."

Listening to him, Ryan felt a subtle ache in his chest.

If even an elder spoke with such resignation, how difficult must life be for the ordinary disciples of the Dui Palace?

No wonder Mo Ran had been so furious when others belittled the palace.

"Don't worry," Ryan said firmly. "I will definitely join the Dui Palace."

He then turned to the others. "What about you?"

The answers came without hesitation.

"Where Brother Wei is, I'll be there."

"Everything is up to Brother Li."

"Yi-di decides."

"You decide, Li Wei."

Aside from Wang Bi'er, who did not need to choose among the Outer Palaces, everyone made their stance clear.

"Good. Very good," Fang Qingyang said, clearly pleased. "I'm optimistic about you. Since that's the case, I won't bother searching for that mysterious candidate ranked second anymore. With such a genius, how could he possibly refuse our palace?"

What Fang Qingyang did not realize was that, in this casual conversation, he had already found that very genius.

The candidate who had stirred the entire Outer House.

Temporary number 59416.

Standing right in front of him.

While the other palaces were still scrambling to identify and recruit the mysterious candidate, the Dui Palace had unknowingly secured him already.

If word of this spread, who knew how many jaws would hit the floor?

After chatting with Elder Fang for a while, Ryan and the others bade him farewell and squeezed their way out of the Palace of Fighting.

The commotion caused this time was far greater than Ryan had imagined.

Not only was the main hall of the Palace of Fighting packed shoulder to shoulder, but even the road outside was choked with people. At a glance, there were silhouettes everywhere. The Dui Palace had never been this lively.

Even a few years ago, when it had been the palace hosting the entrance examination, it had never reached such a level of chaos.

"Li Wei!"

Just as Ryan and the others finally stepped out of the Palace of Fighting, a familiar voice cut through the noisy crowd.

Ryan paused, feeling that the voice sounded oddly familiar. He turned toward it and saw a figure he recognized at once.

"Uncle Wang?" Ryan was surprised. The one who had called out was none other than Wang Zongyao. "Uncle Wang, weren't you busy with inner-house matters? Why are you here…"

"This isn't the place to talk," Wang Zongyao said, glancing around at the bustling crowd. "Come. Let's go back to Yongling Courtyard first."

Without further explanation, he led Ryan and the others away.

Back at Ryan's residence in Yongling Courtyard, Wang Zongyao closed the door and got straight to the point.

"Speak. Was it you?"

"What was me?" Ryan asked, feigning ignorance.

"Stop pretending." Wang Zongyao shot him an annoyed look. "Don't tell me the candidate with temporary number 59416 who climbed to second place on the rankings wasn't you."

Ryan smiled helplessly, clearly admitting it without saying a word.

"You…" Wang Zongyao sighed deeply. "You really know how to stir trouble. If it weren't for me, our entire plan might've gone down the drain."

"Dad, isn't Li Wei's identity still hidden?" Wang Bi'er said hurriedly. "It's just a temporary number. No one knows it's Brother Li."

"Hmph, what do you know?" Wang Zongyao snorted. "Do you think the inner house is simple? If they truly want to investigate, there's nothing they can't dig up. This time, when Ryan caused trouble in the Eight Palace Battle Hall, if they hadn't handed the Western Mansion Secret Key to me, his identity would've been exposed already."

"Western Mansion Secret Key?" Wang Bi'er asked in shock.