As the scene shifted once more, the atmosphere was charged with a palpable tension, as if the very air held its breath in anticipation. The voices of the gathered disciples faded to a hushed murmur, a reverent silence settling over the room like a heavy shroud. 

"Silence! We will now announce the top three disciples," the voice of authority rang out, commanding the attention of every soul present. Each person leaned in, straining to catch the names that would soon be uttered, the names that would echo through the annals of their legacy.

"Number one: Huai Xiaozhun." The proclamation echoed through the hall, each syllable carrying the weight of tradition and the promise of greatness. All eyes turned in unison to the figure ascending the podium, a ripple of admiration sweeping through the crowd. Huai Xiaozhun stood tall, his presence radiating a quiet confidence, his gaze steady as he took his place among the exalted.

In that moment, Xue Xinyu's suspicions solidified into a certainty as clear as crystal. This was indeed Li Tao's memory, and the boy who now stood before him, bathed in the adulation of his peers, was none other than Huai Xiaozhun. The hall erupted in applause, a cacophony of approval that seemed to shake the very wall.

"Number two: Lǐ Tāo." The name cut through the applause like a blade, commanding the attention of every listener. Lǐ Tāo stepped up to the podium, his demeanour a blend of humility and inner strength. 

Huai Xiaozhun, his gaze now turned to the new contender, studied Lǐ Tāo with a mixture of curiosity and respect. Ah, a disciple from Lingyun Peak, the number one peak. As expected from a Lingyun Peak disciple."Number 3: Li Jie," another disciple from Lingyun Peak. They did impressive work, I admit.

In an inexplicable twist, Xue Xinyu found himself privy to the thoughts of Huai Xiaozhun, their minds seemingly linked in an unusual connection.

After the formalities of congratulations and mutual respect were exchanged, Huai Xiaozhun wasted no time in departing with his shizun, his anticipation almost palpable. "Congratulations on your victory; you performed admirably," spoke Lan Yunlong, his tone warm with approval.

 Xue Xinyu, observing this exchange, couldn't help but wonder if this esteemed figure was indeed Huai Xiaozhun's mentor. With little knowledge of Huai Xiaozhun's past, Xue Xinyu could only speculate, piecing together the fragments of this unfolding story.

As the scene shifted once more, Xue Xinyu felt a fleeting sensation wash over him, a brief moment where Huai Xiaozhun's gaze seemed to lock onto his. It was as if, for an instant, the barrier between observer and observed had dissolved, allowing their souls to acknowledge each other across the expanse of time and memory.

Once again, Xue Xinyu found himself a witness to the brutal punishment meted out to Li Tao, the memory playing out before him like a grim tableau. Li Tao stood trembling, his small frame shaking with dread even before his father approached. The oppressive silence was shattered by the elder's thunderous voice, each word a lash that struck at the very core of the boy's being.

"HADN'T I TOLD YOU TO WIN?! YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING!" The elderly man's voice reverberated through the room, filled with a venomous fury that seemed to taint the very air. Xue Xinyu flinched, powerless to intervene, forced to watch in silent torment as the scene unfolded. The sheer intensity of the elder's anger was a force unto itself, an overwhelming presence that left Xue Xinyu feeling helpless and hollow.

"I'm sorry, father..." Li Tao's voice was a fragile whisper, each word laced with a sorrow that seemed to seep into the very walls. The revelation that this figure was indeed Li Tao's father struck Xue Xinyu like a physical blow, adding a new layer of despair to the already oppressive atmosphere.

"Make sure to behave well at the celebration," the elder commanded, his tone a caustic mix of threat and disdain. His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken menace, as he turned and stormed out of the room. The door slammed shut behind him with the finality of a tomb, leaving behind a silence that was almost suffocating in its intensity.

With a final admonition, the elderly man departed in a swirl of anger, his footsteps receding into the distance. The room seemed to grow darker in his absence, the air thick with a lingering sense of dread. Li Tao stood there, a solitary figure lost in the shadowy confines of his own despair, the weight of his father's expectations pressing down on him like an iron shroud.

As the scene shifted once more, Xue Xinyu found himself whisked away to a vibrant celebration, the atmosphere brimming with an intoxicating mix of joy and anticipation. Lanterns cast a warm, golden glow over the courtyard, their flickering light dancing merrily across the faces of the gathered disciples. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly prepared delicacies, and the melodious strains of traditional music floated through the evening air, weaving a tapestry of sound that set the stage for a night of festivity.

Upon their arrival, Huai Xiaozhun was immediately the centre of attention. Liang Chen, his friend and fellow disciple, rushed forward with an infectious grin plastered across his face. "Huai-Shixiong, I didn't know you had it in you to kick that much ass! We really need to spar more often," he exclaimed, his tone a mix of awe and playful challenge. His words caught the ear of many other disciples, both familiar faces and new acquaintances, who quickly gathered around to shower Huai Xiaozhun with congratulations and well-meaning pats on the back.

Xue Xinyu, however, was left in a state of growing bewilderment. Was he seeing the world through Huai Xiaozhun's eyes, or was it Li Tao's perspective he was sharing? The lines between reality and memory were blurring, merging in a confusing tapestry that left him reeling. Perhaps he was experiencing both perspectives simultaneously, caught in a surreal narrative that defied logical understanding.

As the night wore on, Huai Xiaozhun's gaze was inexplicably drawn to Lǐ Tāo, the disciple who had secured the second-place position during the recent tests. There was something about Lǐ Tāo that he couldn't quite put his finger on, an aura of quiet determination that held his attention captive. He found himself unable to look away, his eyes tracing the contours of Lǐ Tāo's features with a curiosity that bordered on fascination.

Noticing his friend's distracted demeanour, Liang Chen leaned in with a conspiratorial grin. "Who are you staring at so intently, Huai-Shixiong?" he inquired, his tone dripping with playful insinuation. Startled out of his reverie, Huai Xiaozhun blinked rapidly, as if waking from a dream. He hadn't even realised he'd been lost in thought, his mind wandering through the labyrinth of his own musings.

"Oh, it's nothing," Huai Xiaozhun replied hastily, waving a hand dismissively as if to shoo away the question. He had no desire to delve into the complexities of the recent confrontation or to discuss the enigmatic pull that Lǐ Tāo seemed to exert over him.

Oooo? Was little Huai Xiaozhun sneaking a glance at Lǐ Tāo? Xue Xinyu teased inwardly, a smirk tugging at his lips. Is this the beginning of a grand love story? He snickered to himself, savouring the absurdity of the thought. Should I start writing the wedding invitations now, or would that be too presumptuous?

Liang Chen, ever the social chameleon, picked up on the shift in mood and deftly steered the conversation back to safer ground. "No, but seriously, Huai-Shixiong, how did you manage that? Beating a demon so nonchalantly! What was your secret? How did you even know she was a demon?" he pressed, his eyes wide with a mixture of admiration and insatiable curiosity. His enthusiasm bubbled over, spilling into a torrent of questions that left little room for Huai Xiaozhun to interject.

Throughout Liang Chen's relentless barrage of inquiries, Huai Xiaozhun maintained an air of composed detachment, his expression revealing nothing of the secrets he harboured. He offered polite, noncommittal responses, carefully sidestepping any detailed explanation of his techniques or the particulars of the encounter with the demon. His reserve only seemed to stoke Liang Chen's curiosity further, turning the simple conversation into a game of cat and mouse.

Just as Liang Chen was gearing up for another round of questions, Lǐ Tāo chose that moment to interject, stepping forward with an air of quiet confidence. "Your performance was truly exceptional, Huai-Shixiong. I'm genuinely impressed by both your skill and the teachings of your master," Lǐ Tāo said, his voice carrying a tone of genuine admiration. The sincerity in his words was a refreshing contrast to the clamour of the crowd, and Huai Xiaozhun found himself momentarily disarmed by the compliment.

Lǐ Tāo's appearance was striking, his attire meticulously chosen to reflect both elegance and a sense of understated nobility. The red dot on his forehead, a simple yet significant mark of his esteemed status, seemed to glow with a subtle, inner light, hinting at the weight of responsibility he carried. His demeanour exuded a quiet authority, a reminder of the privileged background from which he hailed.

Though Huai Xiaozhun hadn't known Lǐ Tāo before the test, his instincts told him that he should've heard of someone of Lǐ Tāo's status.

One point for you, Huai Xiaozhun! Li Tao is a noble prince, you should show some respect! Instead, you're just standing there like a deer caught in headlights! He chuckled, shaking his head. Come on, at least try to look impressive!

Just as the conversation concluded, one of the peak masters called for silence, commanding the attention of everyone present. "Now that Huai Xiaozhun has secured the first place in the trial, his master Lan Yunlong finally has the chance to go cultivate in the mountains," the peak master announced.