12: Chapter 12 Tianxuan Sword Sect

"Whoa, a three-element spiritual root!"

"It's been many years since a true spiritual root appeared in our Yujian City, hasn't it?"

"And it's a pretty girl, too!"

A commotion broke out among the crowd of onlookers nearby.

The two Xuantian Sword Sect cultivators who had been dozing with eyes closed also opened their eyes, a hint of satisfaction on their faces.

Just as the female cultivator was about to speak, she saw the young girl on stage regain her senses and immediately run toward a young man below the stage, throwing herself into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest.

"Damn it, where did this beast come from?"

"Little girl, don't be fooled! Come into uncle's arms instead."

"What an animal! A fucking animal!"

Instantly, a chorus of condemnation echoed across the square.

Even the female cultivator on stage glared coldly at Lin Bufan. Was this the protagonist's aggro-attracting aura?

But as the culprit behind this, you didn't care about the glares of others at all; instead, you raised your small head with a proud expression.

"Brother Lin, I can cultivate with you now!"

Even though she was so popular, she still thought of him first.

Looking at the charming and cute young girl in his arms, Lin Bufan only felt a warmth in his heart, certain that he had definitely made the right choice this time!

Glancing at the indignant and even hostile gazes around them, he patted the girl's head and whispered:

"Qingyu, wait here while I test my spiritual root first."

He had to prove that Lin Bufan was no longer a useless trash, and that he was worthy of such an outstanding girl.

You nodded obediently. Seeming to remember something, you stood on tiptoe, kissed him on the cheek, then quickly took two steps back, your small face turning red as you said:

"This will bring you good luck. Good luck, Brother Lin!"

Lin Bufan was deeply moved.

Truth be told, ever since he had fallen into becoming a piece of trash, he had not felt such pure care in a long time.

"Don't worry!"

Offering the girl a gentle smile, Lin Bufan stepped onto the stage with quick strides. Amid the mocking and contemptuous gazes of the crowd, he pressed his hand onto the stone pillar.

The next moment, a three-colored light burst forth just the same.

Wood, Fire, Earth—High Grade!

"Hiss~ This kid is actually so terrifyingly talented!"

"A High-Grade three-element spiritual root... Does he have a chance to directly become an inner disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect?"

"Why does he get such a pretty lady and still be so outstanding?"

This time, the chatter grew even more heated. In a world where strength was respected above all, a beauty could not compare to a genius after all.

The two cross-legged cultivators had already stood up and approached Lin Bufan, cupping their hands in greeting:

"Congratulations, Junior Brother."

Lin Bufan nodded, his expression calm and indifferent.

You, however, keenly sensed that something was off.

According to what the bandit chief had said earlier, cultivating at age 6, entering Qi Refining at age 9, and reaching the Late Qi Refining Stage at age 18—this was definitely not a speed attainable with just a three-element spiritual root.

You had heard of Qixia Sect before; it was merely an off-grade sect, far inferior to Hehuan Sect.

Lin Bufan's cultivation speed was even faster than Su Yu's, which meant his talent was top-tier even among dual-element spiritual roots.

Furthermore, this time he could be considered to have undergone a rebirth from ashes. Knowing the nature of a Child of Fortune, his talent should have risen to an even higher level.

Unless...

Staring at Lin Bufan's calm expression, the suspicion in your heart was confirmed: this kid had definitely used some special method to hide his true talent.

How despicable!

Unlike you, who, as a righteous fairy, always acted with open nobility and integrity.

"Qingyu."

While you were dazed, the three on stage seemed to have finished speaking, and Lin Bufan was waving at you.

You trotted over to him, your big eyes filled with joy and admiration.

"Congratulations, Brother Lin."

Lin Bufan laughed softly and shook his head, thinking to himself that this was nothing yet; he had still hidden just a tiny bit—a billion-fold bit—of his talent.

But seeing the girl's admiring eyes, the corners of his mouth still curled up uncontrollably.

"You two can go straight to the Tianxuan Sword Sect's temporary encampment to wait."

Your blatant display of affection triggered the female cultivator's annoyance. She waved her hand, telling the two of you to leave quickly.

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

You bowed politely. Toward beautiful women, you had always been very patient.

"Heh, go on ahead."

The female cultivator also held a good impression of you. Under Lin Bufan's dissatisfied gaze, she reached out and patted your head.

With your departure, the fiery atmosphere in the square gradually faded, returning to an endless loop of unexceptional results: no spiritual roots, pseudo-spiritual roots.

Time quickly reached noon the next day. A flying boat rose from Yujian City, spiritual light swirling and clouds churning, carrying dozens of new disciples and the earnest hopes of the entire city as it shot through the air.

Ahead lay the sacred land that countless people dreamed of—Xuantian Sword Sect.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Lin Bufan at the bow of the boat, you looked at the rolling sea of clouds in front of you, but your thoughts had already drifted far away.

Xuantian Sword Sect, a second-tier sect on par with Hehuan Sect—hopefully, it wouldn't be a disappointment.

"Qingyu, don't worry about anything. I'm here."

Seeing your red lips pressed tightly together, Lin Bufan thought you were too nervous and hurriedly comforted you in a quiet voice.

"Thank you, Brother Lin."

Regaining your thoughts, you leaned against his shoulder to give him the feeling of reliance he desired.

Lin Bufan's mouth curled slightly. Naturally, he wouldn't miss the chance to take advantage, adeptly reaching out to wrap his arm around your slender waist, gently rubbing it from time to time.

Shyly shrinking into his chest, you secretly rolled your eyes in your heart.

Heh~ Dog man.

Half a month later, the flying boat hovered in front of a cloud-and-mist-wreathed mountain forest.

This was precisely the location of Xuantian Sword Sect's grounds, the Wanren Mountain Range.

Looking from afar, you spotted nine mountain peaks that pierced the sky like sharp swords, looming indistinctly in the clouds and mist.

A white jade mountain gate hung above the cloud mist, behind which a black cable bridge spanned a thousand zhang, with stern, chilling sword intent on both sides.

The flying boat soon came to a stop in front of the mountain gate.

Only after landing did you realize that this giant white jade gate was not actually floating, but was an illusion created by the cloud mist concealing its base.

"Those with pseudo-spiritual roots follow us down the mountain. The rest who cross the iron cable bridge will become inner disciples; those who fail will become outer disciples."

Scanning the group, the female cultivator nodded to you, then led the disciples with pseudo-spiritual roots toward the sea of fog.

In an instant, only two people were left out of the group of dozens.

Indeed, aside from you—the anomaly—and Lin Bufan—the Child of Fortune—there was not a single three-element spiritual root cultivator from Yujian City or its surrounding towns.

Lin Bufan flashed you a reassuring smile, taking your hand as he briskly crossed the white jade mountain gate and headed straight for the iron cable bridge overflowing with chilling sword intent.

Those who cultivate the sword must first cultivate the heart.

As soon as you stepped onto the iron cable bridge, the scene before your eyes changed abruptly.

Countless scantily clad beauties emerged before you one after another. Surprised at first, you then let out a deep sigh.

What is the meaning of this? What do you mean by this?

You almost spat out a mouthful of blood. What was the point of showing you this?

Without batting an eye, you walked through the flock of glamorous beauties, moving so fast that a few figures watching from inside a hall glanced over in slight surprise.

The next moment, the image before your eyes shifted again, causing your expression to instantly darken.

You cursed inwardly at the top of your voice:

"Fucking bullies going too far! Where the hell is my blood spirit shuttle?!"

...