Page 29

Qin Shu froze. Not competing anymore? Well, that was fine. After all, whether it was comparing talent or cultivation, she didn't stand a chance anyway.

Still, who did Master decide to take as a disciple? It was said that those participating in the selection included not only outer sect disciples but also many from the inner sect. Even disciples from the neighboring Sword Sect, Tool Sect, and Talisman Sect joined in.

It was a gathering of talents, many of whom she hadn't even seen before. But she did recognize Chi Yu from the Sword Sect.

Could it be that one disciple could take courses from several sects, like elective classes in modern universities? In that case, could she also learn swordsmanship in the future?

Qin Shu never imagined that she was the chosen one until that evening, when the restriction outside her room was suddenly triggered.

She opened the door to investigate but found nothing.

Puzzled, she looked around. Just as she was about to turn back, a sudden gust of wind struck her from behind.

Instinctively, she sidestepped, only to see a jade token floating before her.

An inner sect disciple's token?

Qin Shu paused for a moment and then turned to look back. She saw Wen Chi sitting on the roof.

He was lightly propping himself up with both hands on the wooden roof, one foot stepping on the eaves, and the other hanging in the air. The setting sun cast a glow behind him, and the wind seemed perfectly timed, lifting his long hair and robes like an immortal descending to the mortal realm.

If only his smirk weren't so mischievous. "Little Taoist, long time no see!"

Qin Shu frowned, scrunching her face. Surely he was still single, right? With a mouth like his, even a divine face couldn't save him.

"I'm not a little Taoist."

Wen Chi's gaze swept over her neatly tied ponytail, and he nodded lightly. "Oh? Changed your hairstyle? Heh, even with a new look, you're still a little Taoist."

Not wanting to argue, Qin Shu composed herself and said, "Second Senior Brother, attacking someone from behind isn't what a gentleman would do."

Hearing her tone, half angry and half reluctant, Wen Chi laughed. "That wasn't a sneak attack. I came all this way to deliver you a token. And by the way... I've never claimed to be a gentleman."

Qin Shu glanced at the token still floating mid-air and asked, "Senior Brother, is this token for me?"

It was a token signifying inner sect disciple status!

"If it's not yours, then whose is it? Take a look yourself. Your name is on it," Wen Chi replied.

Only then did Qin Shu dare to reach out. The jade token obediently landed in her hand.

The token felt smooth and warm. As its faint green glow faded, the words "Xuantian Sect" appeared on it.

Qin Shu flipped it over to check the back. It seemed ordinary and unremarkable.

She scratched the back of her head, full of doubt.

Wen Chi chuckled at her confusion and said, "Junior Sister, you need to drop blood on it to claim ownership."

Qin Shu grimaced. Why was everything in the cultivation world about dripping blood? With this ten-year-old body, who knew how much blood she could spare?

Just as she steeled herself, white jade sword in hand and ready to prick her finger, Wen Chi stopped her.

"Wait."

Qin Shu looked at him, puzzled. The sword was already just a millimeter from her finger.

Wen Chi, even more confused, asked, "Do you not know how to draw blood properly?"

"Isn't this drawing blood?" Qin Shu asked in return.

Wen Chi: "..."

Who knew there were people so clueless that they didn't even know the basics of drawing blood?

He lightly jumped down from the roof, landing as effortlessly as a feather.

"You just need a simple incantation. Why be so hard on yourself? I didn't realize you were so ruthless to yourself, Junior Sister."

As he spoke, he formed a hand sign and muttered a spell. A drop of blood instantly appeared on his fingertip.

Surprised by this alternative, Qin Shu quickly followed suit. Sure enough, a drop of crimson blood appeared on her finger.

She immediately let it fall onto the jade token. The moment the blood merged with the token, intricate ancient patterns emerged on its surface. Even the words "Xuantian Sect" seemed to come alive, flowing slowly.

Flipping the token over, she saw her name, "Qin Shu," now etched onto its back.

It looked beautiful. But why green jade?

Qin Shu didn't dwell on it too long. "You can't make it through life without a little green," she consoled herself.

After hanging the token on her belt, she bowed to Wen Chi. "Thank you, Second Senior Brother."

Her gratitude was genuine. After all, his method spared her from real pain.

Wen Chi, noticing the faint golden glow in her blood, flicked his wrist. A drop of it landed on Qin Shu's forehead.

"From now on, you're my junior sister. Consider this drop of blood a gift from your senior brother."

Startled, Qin Shu quickly touched her forehead, only to find nothing there.

She frowned, muttering, "Who gives a drop of blood as a gift?"

Wen Chi smirked but didn't explain further.

Instead, Qin Shu asked the most pressing question.

"Senior Brother, does this mean I'm the sole disciple chosen by Master Lingxu?" She felt like she'd just been hit by a windfall.

But Wen Chi gently shook his head, dashing her excitement.

Oh no. False alarm.

But then he added, "One of two disciples."

Qin Shu froze, wide-eyed with curiosity. "Two? Who's the other one?"

"The Sword Sect's Chi Yu."

Her jaw dropped further. Chi Yu! A fire spirit root genius with a score of 99! Now they were equals? Maybe her hard work did pay off a little.

Wen Chi said, "Pack your things. I'll take you to Lingxiao Peak."

Qin Shu didn't have much to pack. A few moments later, she was ready to go.

"Senior Brother, I'm all set!"

The inner sect and outer sect were worlds apart in terms of treatment.

Upon entering Lingxiao Peak, Qin Shu was granted her own cave dwelling.

Wen Chi pointed to a nearby peak and said with sympathy, "That's where Master lives."

Unlike others who could choose their residence, hers was assigned by the Master.

Living here meant she'd be under his watchful eyes all the time, with no freedom.

But Qin Shu saw it differently. "Being close to Master means I can gain his favor with diligence," she thought.

Even if she was probably just a foil to Chi Yu, she was determined to make her mark.