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Chapter 9: Feihong Mountains
Chapter 9: Feihong Mountains
"Uncle, although Xiao Chen's spirit root is mediocre, his cultivation aptitude is exceptional. I believe he has potential worth nurturing."
The day after the exchange meeting, Steward Chen approached Outer Sect Elder Chen Tianyang to express his admiration for Xiao Chen.
"Zhi’an, I know you’re eager to cultivate a few promising disciples yourself, but don’t rush. You said this boy has a common wood spirit root?"
"Yes, Uncle. Though—"
"Sigh, Zhi’an, wood spirit roots are useless for refining pills or forging artifacts. He’s simply not a fit for our Chen family. Does he have any notable masters or lineages behind him?"
"Not that I can tell. I checked—his cultivation manual is the Yellow-tier one distributed by the Sub-Academy."
"Then he’s of little value. As usual, prioritize our clan’s disciples for resources." Chen Tianyang concluded firmly, "Besides, the Outer Sect trial is coming soon. If he wants special support, let him prove himself during the trial. Let him fight for it."
"If you don’t hinder him, that’s already his fortune. If he truly has blessings, he’ll seize the opportunity."
Meanwhile, news of Xiao Chen’s dual Awakenings within six months spread to other Sub-Academies, sparking discussions among Outer Sect disciples.
"First Lin Ping An, always stumbling upon rare treasures. Now Xiao Chen Awakening twice in a row? When will my turn come?"
"Hey, who do you think will become an Inner Sect disciple first? I heard Lin Ping An is already at Foundation Building sixth stage—he’s practically there."
"Not necessarily. His gains are all luck-based. His cultivation realm isn’t self-cultivated, so his foundation’s unstable. I bet he’ll stagnate for three to five years."
"They both have blessings, unlike us. Yesterday, I saw an Inner Sect senior selling pills at the foot of the mountain—made several spirit stones in minutes. So enviable!"
"Who isn’t envious? I wonder when we’ll join the Inner Sect and learn the Hundred Arts of Cultivation."
"The arena matches are next month. Think you’ve got a shot at becoming an Inner Disciple Seed?"
"Please, don’t mock me. How could I compete with those seniors?"
"Hey, look! Isn’t that Xiao Chen from the Second Sub-Academy meditating in the spirit field?"
The group turned to see Xiao Chen sitting cross-legged under a willow tree beside the spirit field, circulating energy after practicing the Minor Cloud Rain Technique.
Since the exchange meeting, disciples had often whispered about him—partly due to his legendary stories, partly because of his remarkable breakthroughs. At first, he felt uneasy under their stares, but soon adapted. Fortunately, everyone kept their distance, merely discussing him from afar without approaching.
Xiao Chen simply ignored them. Sure enough, after a few days, the gossip faded, and he returned to his monotonous cultivation routine.
Steward Chen even offered, "Would you like to switch cultivation manuals? I can authorize you to choose a Mystic-tier one."
Xiao Chen declined immediately, "Thank you for your concern, Manager, but I’m satisfied with my current manual."
Privately, he’d tested it—the hex only worked on Yellow-tier manuals. Even basic techniques like the Breath of Vitality slowed his mana recovery to a crawl, requiring two hours. After experiencing the rapid spirit energy circulation of his current method, he wouldn’t trade it for any Heaven-tier or Earth-tier manual.
Steward Chen felt a pang of regret. As a Foundation Building cultivator, he knew the trial’s reforms this year—Jiang Si Xuan wasn’t the only one who’d guessed the changes. He’d hoped to help Xiao Chen upgrade his cultivation method, but the youth stubbornly clung to the Yang Qi Tuna Method.
He couldn’t very well reveal internal secrets to a Lian Qi-stage disciple. That would be against all rules.
Over the next half-month, Xiao Chen consumed two vials of Nourishing Qi Pills and felt himself brushing the threshold of Foundation Building sixth stage.
But before he could breakthrough, the sect announced the trial reforms three days early—every Outer Sect disciple had to reach the Feihong Mountains in three days, or forfeit.
"Eight hundred li on foot? Forfeit if we’re late?" Xiao Chen muttered, unimpressed. Was this the first test?
The sect had flying vessels—when they’d fetched him from his village, he’d ridden one. It flew low but fast, its hull etched with mysterious glowing runes. Now, as a cultivator, he was denied such luxuries, waving goodbye to Steward Chen at the mountain gate.
Foundation Building cultivators like Steward Chen could fly on sword beams, yet they still rode flying vessels. Truly, some were drowning in blessings while others starved.
The distance wasn’t far—three hundred li daily was trivial for cultivators. But competition would begin early. Forfeiting meant losing resources, and some might sabotage others en route. The sect likely anticipated this, though whether it was intentional or not remained unclear.
"Senior Xiao", Jiang Si Xuan suddenly invited, "we’re traveling together. Care to join?"
Behind her stood three cultivators—Ye Fei, a familiar female disciple from the White Jade Restaurant, and a male cultivator, one of the Second Sub-Academy’s seven Foundation Building sixth-stage disciples.
Jiang Si Xuan’s invitation was a formality. As a Jiang family prodigy, she’d been trained rigorously in etiquette. Though she’d resolved to distance herself from Xiao Chen, she couldn’t abruptly sever ties—especially since they’d entered the Sub-Academy together and attended the celebration banquet.
"Sure", Xiao Chen agreed instantly.
Jiang Si Xuan’s smile tightened imperceptibly, "Great! Let’s hope all five of us make the top ten."
Xiao Chen nodded, "Counting on your blessings."
Their journey was uneventful. By noon on the third day, the five arrived at the gathering point outside Feihong Mountains.
(End of Chapter)
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