Chapter 57 – Get Out
Tianquan City.
The Dao Inquiry Platform was packed with a sea of people.
Most of them weren’t locals but had co from various surrounding regions. Without exception, they were all mortals. So among them were martial artists who had cultivated combat skills.
However, no matter how strong a martial artist was, they remained just that—a martial artist. Even those hailed as top experts or innate masters in the martial world had no choice but to bow before cultivators. If given the chance, they would fight tooth and nail for a place in an immortal sect.
Unfortunately, immortal sects only valued spiritual roots and talent. No matter how high one’s martial skills were, they ant nothing in the face of cultivation.
A few disciples from the Chiyang Sect stood in the crowd, grumbling among themselves.
"Sigh, more disciples have died this year than last…"
"Back then, the Dao Inquiry Conference was held once a year. Then it beca once every six months, then once every three months, and now? Every single month! Even immortals will get exhausted at this rate."
"Can’t be helped. The competition’s getting fiercer. Even the elders in the sect are stuck at bottlenecks, let alone us ordinary disciples."
"Hope we get a few decent spiritual roots this ti. Best if they’re triple or dual spiritual roots. A single spiritual root genius? That’s too much to ask for..."
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the west side of the Dao Inquiry Platform.
"Li Qingran, single water spiritual root!"
The words sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"A single spiritual root! Soone has a single spiritual root!"
"Let see!"
"Find out everything about this disciple in half a stick of incense!"
Li Qingran was montarily stunned.
The next second, she found herself surrounded by a throng of sect recruiters, completely blocking her in.
"Young friend, join our Chiyang Sect! Our Sect Leader will personally take you in as a direct disciple!"
"Chiyang Sect? Are you kidding? She’s a water spiritual root! She belongs in our Sushui Sect—we have the best water-attribute cultivation techniques!"
"Why not consider the Tool Refining Sect?"
"We, the Zen Sect… actually, never mind, forget it."
Li Qingran looked at the friendly, eager faces around her, feeling completely overwheld.
Was a single water spiritual root really this sought after?
Back when Lu Changtian brought her into the sect, she never experienced such a frenzy.
Outside the crowd, an elderly man in plain robes with a sword at his waist squinted in Li Qingran’s direction. After ensuring no one was watching, he took out a jade slip and whispered into it: ȑÂNòB̧
"Sect Leader! We’ve got a big one! A single water spiritual root genius just appeared! Should we act?"
After a brief silence, a hurried voice ca from the jade slip:
"Not yet! I’m still dealing with sothing on my end. It’s even more important. Just keep an eye on things!"
The old man sighed, his wrinkled face scrunching up.
A single spiritual root was a rare prodigy. In no ti, other sects would snatch her away. But what was he supposed to do—kill everyone here just to keep an eye on one girl? That would be no different from the ways of the demonic sects.
"Forget it. If she’s ant to stay, she’ll stay. If she’s ant to leave, I can’t stop it."
Just as he muttered those words, a soft female voice rang out from the crowd.
"Younger sister, I am Liu Shengyan, the welcoming elder of Lingxi Valley.
"Your water spiritual root is most suited for dicine and alchemy cultivation. Why not join Lingxi Valley?"
The crowd parted. A woman dressed in green robes erged, flanked by several female cultivators.
A sheer veil concealed her face, but as she walked, the scent of flowers filled the air, and lotus blossoms blood beneath her feet.
"It’s Lingxi Valley…"
"Well, that’s that. She’s definitely joining them now."
"What, you think you can compete with Lingxi Valley? You better pray you never need their help in the future."
Hearing the murmurs, Li Qingran’s heart soared with joy.
Her goal was to join Lingxi Valley. And now, the opportunity had co knocking.
Liu Shengyan stopped before Li Qingran. Beneath her veil, her enchanting eyes lingered on the girl for a few monts before she spoke in admiration.
"You’re quite the beauty, and your figure is graceful too. Coupled with such outstanding talent… You wouldn’t want to waste yourself in another sect, letting those filthy n feast their eyes on you, would you?
"Co to Lingxi Valley. Here, we sisters are family~"
Li Qingran had heard that Lingxi Valley only accepted female cultivators.
In rare cases, they did accept male disciples—but only if they were willing to be castrated.
She had previously thought that joining a sect of only won would save her a lot of trouble. Other sects would require her to interact with senior brothers and elders, but her heart was solely devoted to her master. She had no interest in dealing with complicated relationships.
Since Lingxi Valley had extended an invitation, and she was more than willing, she bowed deeply and said,
"Thank you for your kind offer, Elder. I would be honored to join Lingxi Valley."
Seeing how obedient Li Qingran was, Liu Shengyan was even more pleased. She turned to the female cultivators beside her.
"Take this little sister to see the Young Mistress. Let her have a look. I’ll stay here and see if any other promising seedlings turn up."
"Yes, Elder."
—
Li Qingran was led to the top floor of a luxurious restaurant.
A sheer crimson curtain draped over the bed, revealing a tantalizing silhouette behind it. A single long, snow-white leg stretched out beneath the curtain, lazily swaying. The delicate toes, painted a soft crimson, looked like five tiny pearls dipped in rouge.
The person behind the curtain clearly disliked noise. The female cultivators simply bowed in greeting and left without a word.
This must be the Young Mistress of Lingxi Valley.
Even though the other person was a woman, Li Qingran still felt slightly nervous. She lowered her head and quietly waited, not daring to speak out of turn.
After a mont, the leg behind the curtain stopped moving.
The seductive figure inside stretched lazily, like a cat waking from a nap, before a clear voice rang out.
"A single water spiritual root? Not bad, not bad! I’ve been waiting half a month for a genius to show up!"
"You flatter , Senior," Li Qingran quickly bowed.
"No need to be so formal. Co closer, I want to ask you sothing."
Li Qingran complied, stepping toward the curtain. A heavy floral fragrance enveloped her. She took a quick glance inside before imdiately lowering her eyes. No peeking.
The girl inside the curtain sniffed the air and withdrew her foot. She chuckled softly.
"You’re quite the beauty. Even I’m a little jealous.
"Tell , do you have a Dao companion?"
Li Qingran hesitated for a mont.
She wished she did.
But unfortunately, her master likely didn’t see her that way.
She shook her head. "No."
"Have you ever had one before?"
"Never."
"Good."
The Young Mistress seed satisfied with that answer. A pale foot lifted the curtain slightly, revealing a flawless chin and a pair of captivating peach blossom eyes.
"Give your hand."
Li Qingran obediently extended her hand.
Two slender fingers rested on her wrist, cool to the touch.
After a long silence, the Young Mistress of Lingxi Valley withdrew her fingers, her expression unreadable.
"Hmm… You’ve already cultivated an excellent internal technique, perfectly suited to your water spiritual root. Very good… Do you have a master?"
"I do." Li Qingran knew there was no use in lying. She wasn’t good at deception anyway.
"Man or woman?" The Young Mistress’s voice sharpened slightly.
"Man."
The air in the room instantly turned frigid.
Li Qingran stiffened, sensing the icy gaze behind the curtain.
"Get out."
With a flick of the Young Mistress’s hand, the doors of the private suite slamd open.
A forceful burst of energy rudely expelled Li Qingran from the room.
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