Chapter 29: One Who Meets the Requirements of the Eighth Rule of Disciple Admission
Chapter 29: One Who Meets the Requirements of the Eighth Rule of Disciple Admission
The Alchemy Competition had concluded.
The crowd began to disperse.
Xiao Ling'er was the first to rush out.
As soon as she left the small world, she met up with Duan Qingyao and immediately disappeared into the crowd.
However, if someone with ill intentions were to search for them, they would undoubtedly be found.
···
Within the city.
Numerous powerful forces were stirred into action upon hearing the news.
Hundred Treasures Pavilion: "Find a way to keep Xiao Ling'er here. Remember to maintain a good attitude. If she's willing to join us, we'll offer her ten times, even a hundred times better treatment than what she receives at Moon Embrace Sect!"
Hongwu Alchemist Guild: "A Heaven's Pride like Xiao Ling'er should join our guild. Who's willing to negotiate with her?"
Liu Family: "Hmph, Xiao Ling'er indeed possesses extraordinary talent and hails from Moon Embrace Sect, so the chances of recruiting her are not low. However, I believe that Fan Jianqiang is a more suitable choice!"
"Master, think it through. No matter how you look at Fan Jianqiang, he doesn't seem like someone who would hide his abilities or pretend to be weak."
"Indeed, Master. That boy is just lucky, encountering such a one-in-a-million chance."
"You know nothing! I believe in fate. As the saying goes, 'One's fate, two's fortune, three's feng shui'... Our Liu Family's strength within Hongwu Immortal City is only considered average, yet why have we been able to continuously thrive and remain in the upper echelon all these years?"
"It's precisely because of fate, or what you call 'fortune'! Good fate is his greatest asset, and I intend to gather this fortune!"
"Moreover, he's just a loose cultivator, and there will undoubtedly be fewer competitors for his recruitment, making the success rate even higher!"
"Go now!"
"Ah, yes, Master."
···
"It seems we've underestimated you."
Inside the inn.
Duan Qingyao's expression was complex, a mix of joy and worry.
"It's just a stroke of luck that I performed beyond expectations."
Xiao Ling'er responded, but her brows furrowed slightly, "Elder, you're worried that someone might..."
"Hmm."
"It's all my fault."
There were some things she didn't feel comfortable saying.
She had thought that Xiao Ling'er had just joined the sect recently and her cultivation wasn't particularly high, so she never imagined that Xiao Ling'er would win the competition, let alone achieve such impressive results.
Therefore, she hadn't made any special preparations or used any disguise, and she had even registered under her real name.
But who would have thought that Xiao Ling'er would turn the tables and emerge as the champion?
At this moment, it was too late for regrets.
Duan Qingyao sighed lightly, "In the end, it's my fault. I didn't have enough faith in you, and I'm too weak. Moreover, our Moon Embrace Sect currently lacks the necessary foundation. Otherwise, with your exceptional alchemy skills, even though the rewards are extraordinary, there wouldn't be many who would dare to cause trouble."
"It's a pity..."
"Our journey here might be dangerous."
"But I've sent a message to the Supreme Elder and the others. They'll come to support us as soon as possible."
"On this journey, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate."
"If it really comes to that..."
Duan Qingyao hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Xiao Ling'er firmly refused, "Master and the sect have treated me like their own child, sharing everything without reservation. I will never leave to join another sect!"
"Sigh, my foolish child."
Duan Qingyao rubbed Xiao Ling'er's head and spoke earnestly, "Since it's come to this, Moon Embrace Sect will stand with you through life and death!"
"Elder, there's no need to worry too much."
"Oh?"
"Cough, before I came here, I was fortunate enough to discover an extremely profound transformation and concealment technique. If we use this technique to disguise ourselves, we can quietly leave the city without anyone noticing."
Xiao Ling'er's brows slightly furrowed, "However, we can't meet up with the other elders or Master, or else we might expose ourselves."
"So I still ask you, Fifth Elder, to contact Master and inform her of one thing."
"What is it?"
Hearing that Xiao Ling'er had a profound disguise technique, Duan Qingyao didn't hold out much hope.
Transformation techniques were as common as cow hair.
But how many could actually prevent detection from those with higher cultivation levels?
A rare talent indeed!
However, she couldn't dampen Xiao Ling'er's enthusiasm and decided to give it a try, allowing the other elders to stand by in case they were discovered. If they were found out, it wouldn't be too late to fight.
Xiao Ling'er knew that Duan Qingyao didn't believe her.
If it were herself, she wouldn't believe it either.
But she couldn't reveal the existence of her teacher either, so she could only use her own technique, which, to Duan Qingyao's astonishment, transformed her into a hunched-back, wrinkled old granny.
"Elder Wu, can you still recognize who I am?"
Duan Qingyao was shocked. "Your appearance is completely different, and even your divine perception is vastly different from before!"
"You can't recognize me!"
Could it really work?! She couldn't believe it. "This disguise technique..."
Being two major realms higher than Duan Qingyao, she couldn't detect any flaws. How formidable!
She didn't know that this disguise technique could even evade the scrutiny of two major realms.
If it were only this, it would be insufficient. But with Xiao Ling'er and Liang Danxia's assistance, they could forcefully alter their divine perception fluctuations, making it impossible for even a Sixth Life Determination Realm cultivator to detect.
As for a Seventh Realm cultivator...
A cultivator of the Seventh Realm wouldn't stoop to such actions for the sake of the Alchemist Conference's rewards.
"Elder Wu, do you believe me now?"
Xiao Ling'er smiled slightly and restored her original appearance. "I'll pass this technique to you shortly. For now, please convey a message to the Sect Master on my behalf."
"Good!"
Duan Qingyao nodded, her gloominess dissipating. "What do you wish to inform the Sect Master about?"
"I've found someone who seems to meet the conditions for becoming a 'Direct Disciple,' and I'd like the Sect Master to come and investigate."
"What?!" Duan Qingyao was shocked again. "Who?!"
"Fan Jianqiang."
Duan Qingyao blinked.
She had been deceived too and hadn't noticed anything special about Fan Jianqiang, assuming he was just lucky.
But after Xiao Ling'er's reminder, she suddenly realized.
"Yes, he's as timid as a mouse, and if it's not just luck but a deliberate act of hiding his talents... it's somewhat similar to the eighth rule of the Disciple Admission Code."
"Timid as a mouse, extremely cautious, and constantly shouting about certain death?"
But Xiao Ling'er was certain. "He's definitely hiding his talents!"
"As fellow alchemists, I have a hunch that his alchemy skills might even surpass mine! Moreover, I believe the reason he lost to me is intentional."
"Why would he do that?"
"It's probably to avoid a crisis..."
"As a wandering cultivator, if he were to win the championship, his situation would be more dangerous than ours."
Duan Qingyao gave Xiao Ling'er a deep look.
Even with a dull reaction, she understood at this moment.
"Good, I'll send the message right away!"
"This matter... is of great importance."
Just like Xiao Ling'er and Liang Danxia, Duan Qingyao and the others didn't understand what the 'Disciple Admission Code' was about. But Lin Fan had already proven it once! Xiao Ling'er before them was solid proof!
Therefore, even if they didn't understand or comprehend, Duan Qingyao wouldn't take it lightly. Instead, she would execute it with utmost seriousness!
Xiao Ling'er had already brought countless surprises to the sect, and if another one were to come, wouldn't it be like a double joy? But was Fan Jianqiang also an alchemist with exceptional talent? She was perplexed!
However, her actions were not the least bit vague. She immediately took out a sound transmission jade talisman and contacted Lin Fan, informing him about Xiao Ling'er.
...
Inside the Moon Embrace Sect.
Lin Fan and the four elders were preparing to set off.
Suddenly, Lin Fan flipped his hand and took out a sound transmission jade talisman.
"Hmm?"
His eyes lit up slightly.
"An extremely cautious person, constantly talking about death?"
It wasn't surprising that Xiao Ling'er could use a disguise technique, as it was highly likely that she had an 'old grandpa in the necklace.' It would be strange if she didn't have such means.
But this extremely cautious person was an unexpected joy.
(End of Chapter)
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