A bright and splendid day.
Air free from pollution.
Breezes caressed the face, breathing was refreshing to the mind and heart.
But Yu Qingtan’s heart was trembling with anger.
"Maimaiti, this beast, I’m still a child."
Fuddled by Luo Xiang’s words about taking a concubine, Yu Qingtan had forgotten that in this world, it is perfectly normal for thirteen or fourteen-year-olds to start a family.
And as a grown man, if I were to beco a concubine after crossing over, I would surely beco the laughingstock among other transmigrators.
Yu Qingtan took a deep breath and said with a voice as calm as possible, "Tower Master, thank you for the affection Lord Luo has mistakenly placed in , but regrettably, having grown up in the Pavilion, I have deep feelings for this place and do not wish to leave. I can only disappoint Lord Luo."
After finishing, she bowed to the Tower Master and Luo Xiang as a sign of respect.
Luo Xiang’s smile faded, not expecting that the young girl would actually reject him. Anyone else, he might have let go, but sadly, her face resembled that person’s too closely.
Thus, facing the inquiring look from Gongsun, the Tower Master, Luo Xiang said, "Miss Qingtan, if you agree, I will ensure you beco an Inner Sect Disciple of Tianxiang Valley and reach Foundation Establishnt before you’re fifty. How about it?"
After speaking, Luo Xiang revealed a confident smile, looking at Yu Qingtan.
Upon hearing this, the room was filled with sounds of sharp intakes of breath.
For people like Yu Qingtan, whose cultivation qualifications didn’t even et the entry criteria for Tianxiang Valley, they had to struggle to earn Cultivation Resources, and on average, it would take four to six years to break through a single realm.
Generally, at the age of ten, one’s body and ridians can withstand the washing of Spiritual Energy, allowing them to begin cultivation. Therefore, without any opportunity, less than half of them could cultivate to the ninth level of Qi Cultivation by the age of sixty, and after sixty, with a decline in bodily functions, the prospect of reaching the Foundation Establishnt Stage was almost hopeless.
Foundation Establishnt is the first major hurdle in cultivation, and the Foundation Establishnt Pill is both expensive and controlled by powerful factions. Even with the pill, the success rate of Foundation Establishnt is rely two or three out of ten.
After Foundation Establishnt, one can enjoy a lifespan of two hundred years.
Lower level Qi Practitioners all have a dream of Foundation Establishnt, yet only a small minority achieves it.
Therefore, Luo Xiang’s promise of ensuring Foundation Establishnt before the age of fifty if she beca his concubine filled many female cultivators with envy.
A cultivator’s word cannot be carelessly spoken. If one promises rashly and fails to deliver, at best they will be plagued by inner demons, at worst they will face heavenly punishnt.
After hearing this, Yu Qingtan was also surprised, but her heart felt even heavier. Just what about
does this beast fancy? Can’t I change whatever it is?
But at this point, Yu Qingtan could only keep bowing and respond, "I really do not wish to leave the Pavilion; I hope Elder Luo can understand."
Once again hearing this rejection, Luo Xiang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He was angry. Although he wasn’t the type to bully n and oppress won, he couldn’t tolerate being repeatedly refused by a minor preparatory disciple of Tianxiang Pavilion.
The atmosphere grew tense. Just as Gongsun, the Tower Master, was about to diate.
"Elder Luo, I have sothing to report," said Li Fengniang, standing next to Yu Qingtan.
"Speak," Luo Xiang said, looking at her, his tone terse and agitated.
"Elder Luo, Yu Qingtan claims she cannot bear to leave the Pavilion, but perhaps what she cannot bear to part with is her lover. I’ve seen her entangled with a preparatory Protecting Disciple; they may have an illicit affair. And with her freckled face and flat chest, she’s unfit for soone like you, Elder Luo. I consider myself more beautiful than her, and upon seeing you today, I fell in love at first sight. I am willing to be your concubine and serve by your side."
Li Fengniang’s skills with the Zither Art were poor, and her arrogant nature made her unpopular in the Pavilion. She scored only 69 in her assessnt and was aggrieved. Seeing Yu Qingtan reject the esteed Luo Xiang made her green with jealousy, so she stood out to slander Yu Qingtan before offering herself.
She hadn’t completely lost her senses; she had indeed seen Yu Qingtan speaking privately with a preparatory Protecting Disciple once, and even if her self-offer failed, she would only lose face.
Li Fengniang spoke in a soft, sweet voice but at a slightly quick pace. Finishing her words, she lifted her skirt slightly to perform a courtesy to Luo Xiang, then looked up, sticking out her chest to display her assets, her large eyes brimming with tenderness as she gazed at Luo Xiang.
"Hmph, I’m not interested in you, however, Miss Qingtan, are you truly unable to part from a lover?" Luo Xiang said, casting a dismissive glance at Li Fengniang, his tone carrying an edge of danger.
Gongsun, the Tower Master, also demanded, "Qingtan, what is this about?" The matter could be serious or trivial, for it was clear that Yu Qingtan was untouched, yet it was forbidden for those inside the Pavilion to engage in romantic relationships.
"Tower Master," responded Yu Qingtan, "the affair is entirely unfounded; I rely know a preparatory Protecting Disciple, with whom I’ve spoken a few tis, and he has not returned from his trial in the Yunhua Mountain Range. I truly do not wish to leave Tianxiang Pavilion, and I hope Elder Luo allows
to stay here."
Yu Qingtan straightened up her back, her head lifted slightly aggrievedly as she spoke, the corners of her eyes damp, with tears threatening to fall any mont.
"Master Luo, since this child is unwilling, how about we give face to
and let this matter go." The Tower Master of the Tianxiang Pavilion, seeing Yu Qingtan like this, also spoke up for her since there truly were related rules at the Tianxiang Pavilion.
"Hmph, Tower Master Gongsun, then I’ll give you face, but I want to deduct 20 points from her assessnt score, how about that?"
This indeed was a right of the chief examiner, and the chief examiners this ti were him and Tower Master Gongsun.
"Fine." Tower Master Gongsun didn’t want to overly offend Luo Xiang, so he agreed.
Luo Xiang’s plan was obvious, to get Yu Qingtan’s assessnt score below 70, demoting her to the outer building.
Once in the outer building, wouldn’t she be at his rcy? As if anyone would dare to compete with him for her.
Little girl, you can’t escape the palm of this young master.
"Yu Qingtan, for talking back to the chief examiner, deduct 20 points, assessnt score 62, transferred to the outer building," Tower Master Gongsun told Yu Qingtan.
"Tower Master..."
"This is the Tower Master’s decision, no objections allowed."
"Disciple has no objections, it’s just that the disciple made a breakthrough in her cultivation level yesterday, and I was just reluctant to leave the building, so I didn’t report to my instructor. I now request a retest of my cultivation level," thought Yu Qingtan, who wanted to chop that beast to death, grateful she had kept one hand free.
"Hmm?" Tower Master Gongsun’s pretty face showed so astonishnt, then her hand swiped across her waist, and a long strip of sothing appeared in her hand.
With a gentle toss, the object landed steadily in Yu Qingtan’s hand.
Yu Qingtan recognized it, it was a Spirit asuring Ruler.
Yu Qingtan infused it with her mana, and imdiately, two beads on the Spirit asuring Ruler radiated blue light.
"Indeed, you’ve broken through to the second level of Qi Cultivation, Master Luo, what do you say?" Tower Master Gongsun beckoned, and the Spirit asuring Ruler returned to her hand.
"Hmph~" Luo Xiang snorted coldly and turned his head away from Yu Qingtan.
"Yu Qingtan, 82 points, transferred to the inner building. The assessnt continues," declared Tower Master Gongsun, putting an end to this little episode.
Yu Qingtan finally exhaled in relief and walked towards the stage’s exit.
Following behind was Li Fengniang, her face ashen and eyes filled with hatred as she watched Yu Qingtan.
"Qing Tan, you really scared
to death~"
Shen Wanning said in a frightened whisper.
" too, but we’ll talk about it later."
Yu Qingtan sat down beside Shen Wanning and said.
During the assessnt period, making noise was also prohibited, and the higher the Cultivator’s cultivation level, the better their hearing and other senses would be.
After a long half-day, the assessnt finally ended.
Only six people scored over 90, and they would follow Luo Xiang to Tianxiang Valley to participate in Tianxiang Valley’s own assessnt.
Including them, the top ten in their assessnt received varying amounts of Spirit Stone rewards, with Shen Wanning earning twenty Spirit Stones for her tied seventh place, making Yu Qingtan envious.
As they left the courtyard where the assessnt took place, Yu Qingtan still felt that gaze upon her.
It was Luo Xiang’s gaze.
She knew he hadn’t given up.
"Damn it, why did that beast set his sights on ~"
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