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Qin Shu lowered her head to look at the manual in her hands. On its cyan cover, a few dark golden characters glimmered faintly.

Taking a closer look, she finally recognized it.

"The Calamity-Clearing Manual."

The booklet emitted a faint glow, with dark golden patterns occasionally flickering across its surface. Even someone as unworldly as her could easily tell that this was no ordinary manual.

Listening further to her master and Wen Chi's conversation, Qin Shu could deduce that this manual was an ancestral inheritance from Wen Chi's family.

Cultivation techniques were the foundation of a family's standing in the cultivation world and were rarely shared with outsiders.

Yet Wen Chi casually offered his family's technique to her. Whether or not she could cultivate it, this act alone surprised her deeply.

Of course, she wasn't the only one taken aback. Nearby, Cheng Yan and Chi Yu also looked at Wen Chi in astonishment.

Chi Yu lowered her head in thought for a moment, then bit her lip. Finally, she retrieved a manual from her storage ring and handed it to Qin Shu. "Junior Sister, you should try this one too."

Qin Shu looked at the manual suddenly presented to her, even more surprised than when Wen Chi had given her one. "Senior Sister, what are you—"

Chi Yu lifted her chin, her innate pride still evident. "Second Senior Brother is right. If the technique chooses you, then it means you're fated with it. Our family's technique is also attribute-neutral. Give it a try."

Qin Shu stared directly at this "hard on the outside, soft on the inside" senior sister, making Chi Yu feel a little embarrassed. Chi Yu turned her head away and said firmly, "I told you to try it, so just try it."

Lingxu observed the interactions between his disciples and stroked his white beard with a satisfied smile. It seemed his disciples were all of good character.

"Shu'er, accept your senior brother's and senior sister's goodwill. If the techniques truly suit you, it means you're destined with their families. I, as your master, will explain the situation to their families. You don't need to worry."

With this reassurance from Lingxu, Qin Shu truly felt what it meant to find shelter under a great tree.

Her heart was genuinely moved, to the point that she momentarily forgot how Wen Chi had teased her earlier.

She stepped forward and respectfully bowed to her master, senior brother, and senior sister. "Master, Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I will never forget your kindness!"

The atmosphere was touching, but Wen Chi chose this moment to scoff. "If you've no teeth, what good is remembering? Better to focus on cultivating well. When you achieve great success, capture two Cloud Sea Flood Dragons to pull your Senior Brother's chariot—it'll be much more practical."

Qin Shu: "..."

She might be unworldly, but she wasn't stupid.

Cloud Sea, Flood Dragons—just hearing these words together was enough to know how absurd his request was.

She solemnly cupped her hands toward Wen Chi. Just as everyone thought she was about to make some bold promise, they heard her say, "Relying on others, the heavens, or Junior Sisters doesn't make one a true hero. If Senior Brother wants Cloud Sea Flood Dragons for a chariot, I'll urge you to cultivate diligently starting tomorrow. When you achieve great success, be sure to catch two Flood Dragons for me as well, so your useless Junior Sister can also experience the thrill of soaring through the skies."

Wen Chi: "..."

Lingxu stroked his beard, but now his expression was one of disapproval. "How is it that a disciple of mine lacks such ambition? With steadfast hearts and diligent practice, all of you will accomplish great things! When the time comes, each of my five disciples will capture two Cloud Sea Flood Dragons for my chariot. I'll visit the eight major sects daily."

Cheng Yan and Chi Yu, dragged into this unreasonably high expectation: "..."

Seeing his disciples standing there as silent as mute gourds, Lingxu waved them off. "Enough talk, more cultivation. Don't embarrass me at the year-end disciple competition."

Led by Cheng Yan, the disciples respectfully saluted and prepared to leave.

"Shu'er, stay behind," Lingxu said, halting Qin Shu in her tracks.

She obediently stood still, waiting until the others had left. Lingxu waved his sleeve, reinforcing the restrictions around the hall.

With a serious expression, he asked, "Shu'er, be honest with your master. Does your physique have any special qualities?"

After a long internal struggle, Qin Shu decided that a master was like a father. He wouldn't harm her.

She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and met Lingxu's gaze. In a solemn tone, she said, "Master, my physique is indeed special. When I cultivate under the moonlight, I absorb spiritual energy at an extremely fast rate. Compared to nighttime, my daytime cultivation speed is painfully slow. That's why I spend my days practicing swordsmanship and only meditate at night."

Lingxu's expression grew more serious upon hearing this. "An Innate Lunar Spirit Physique?"

Qin Shu, puzzled, asked, "Master, what is that?"

Lingxu explained, "The Innate Lunar Spirit Physique allows one to harness the essence of the moon to cultivate. Advanced practitioners of this physique progress at an extraordinary pace. It's truly a gift from the heavens!"

He couldn't help but feel envious. There were many kinds of innate spiritual and dao physiques. While ordinary people defied the heavens to cultivate, those with such physiques walked in harmony with divine will. Once they embarked on the path of cultivation, they seemed to be blessed with divine assistance.

Qin Shu's eyes lit up at his words. She leaned closer and eagerly asked, "Master, does that mean I'm a genius?"

Lingxu lowered his gaze to the bright-eyed girl before him. Her usually slender eyes were now wide open, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks—she was clearly excited.

He gently patted her on the head and sighed.

Qin Shu's heart sank instantly.

As the saying goes, "Beware of a smiling immortal, but fear a sighing one."

She braced herself for the worst as Lingxu said, "Shu'er, I've never seen an Innate Lunar Spirit Physique myself, but according to the records, all those with this physique are single-attribute water spirit roots, with root values of at least ninety or higher. But you..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but Qin Shu understood.

Indeed, none of her three spirit roots had anything to do with water.

Lingxu looked conflicted, but Qin Shu took it in stride. She smiled and said, "Master, it doesn't matter. Regardless of what kind of physique I have, my current cultivation speed is good enough."

Lingxu was momentarily stunned by her response but then laughed heartily. "Shu'er, you're young but already so perceptive. It seems I've been too narrow-minded. Just focus on your cultivation, and come to me if you encounter any problems."

Qin Shu agreed, bowed to him, and left her master's cave.