Chapter 12: A Crushing Retort

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Song Junyu turned her head upon hearing the voice. A pale-faced man dressed in brocade was looking at Li Zhaodi with a mischievous glint in his eyes. His features were rather handsome, though his eye sockets were slightly deep-set and his nose bridge high and prominent, giving him a somewhat cunning air. On both wrists, he wore gleaming wide jade bracelets, smooth and of excellent quality. Hanging from his waist was a delicately crafted pouch encrusted with jewels. Clearly, he was the scion of a wealthy family from the mortal realm.

Li Zhaodi was still just a young girl, and upon hearing those words, her face flushed red. She puckered her lips, wanting to retort, but found herself at a loss for words. Song Junyu’s eyes were cold and indifferent; she did not speak up to defend her.

She had already tasted the price of past innocence, and with her cultivation barely at Qi Refinement Stage Four, she had no strength to protect others or play the hero. Wang Xinglong, seeing Li Zhaodi’s reaction, arrogantly sniffed and swaggered past the two of them.

“If you ask me, a little woman like you should just stay at home waiting to be married. No talent, no family background, coming to the cultivation world? It’s a disgrace to the Zhen Tian Sect!” he sneered.

“You! If you can come, why can’t I?” Li Zhaodi finally could not bear the provocation and shouted back fiercely.

“Tch, foul woman!” Wang Xinglong was used to bullying others and could not tolerate someone yelling at him like that. The next moment, he charged forward, aiming a kick at Li Zhaodi’s abdomen.

Just as his foot was about to strike, a pale white hand suddenly intercepted it, instantly neutralizing the force.

“Who—” Wang Xinglong turned his head and met Song Junyu’s expressionless face. Her eyes were dark and calm, without a trace of emotion. She leisurely withdrew her hand, pulled the frightened Li Zhaodi up, and pointed to a nearby inner disciple.

“The cultivation test is just ahead. If you’re caught breaking the rules, you might lose your chance to be selected today.”

Though arrogant, Wang Xinglong was not without some sense. He shot a cold glance at Li Zhaodi, then meaningfully looked at Song Junyu before turning away.

“Hmph, don’t let me catch you again!”

Song Junyu did not respond or even glance at Li Zhaodi. She strode up the steps, frowning slightly when she saw Li Zhaodi still standing there dazed. “Hurry.”

That man was probably around Qi Refinement Stage Six, but it was all show—his skills were no match for Yang Wen’s from before. If they had fought seriously, she was confident of winning eighty percent of the time.

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After meeting Chen Xiangshui, she made a point of confirming her current appearance, which was quite different from before. Yet, on closer inspection, there were still slight resemblances, so there was no guarantee she wouldn’t be recognized by someone familiar. Once officially registered, meeting others would be common, so she should avoid trouble and keep a low profile.

But thinking that Li Zhaodi was just an innocent, weak little girl... fine, she would do a good deed for the day and save some luck for her future self!

Li Zhaodi, still unsettled from the earlier incident, whispered softly after a long moment, “Liu Yu, thank you so much.”

Song Junyu sighed lightly and said no more. The sect was vast; if she could help as a stranger, she would. Beyond that, it was up to one’s own fate.

Lost in thought, the inner disciple responsible for the cultivation test came close. He wore a serious expression and pointed at the glass stone in front of him. “Place your palm on it and channel your spiritual energy.”

Song Junyu was about to raise her hand when she heard whispers behind her: “I heard that anyone above Qi Refinement Stage Three and young will be tested for innate talent through the right gate!”

“Why’s that?”

“Because they have potential!”

The inner disciple urged again, “Place your palm flat.”

Steeling herself, Song Junyu laid her hand on the stone. Instantly, the golden lightning within her body seemed to sense something and surged wildly.

She gritted her teeth, trying to control the flow, but the lightning only grew stronger and more turbulent.

Suddenly, a mysterious force from deep within surged out, colliding with the golden lightning. The two forces wrestled inside her like children.

Seizing the moment, Song Junyu took a deep breath and quickly raised her hand.

The inner disciple stared for a moment, uncertain. He glanced again at Song Junyu. The brilliant light just now resembled Stage Five, so why did it measure only Stage Three? Had he been mistaken?

After pondering, he finally said, “Qi Refinement Stage Three, pass.”

Quickly, he added, “Good potential.”

Song Junyu thanked him and was about to hand over her identity plaque for imprinting when the inner disciple suddenly raised his voice, “Wait...”

“You should go through the right passage.”

Song Junyu frowned and asked, “I haven’t reached Qi Refinement Stage Four.”

The inner disciple’s face was expressionless. “Just obey.”

Inside, he was in turmoil. That spiritual energy mark on the identity plaque was, if he recalled correctly, personally bestowed by a Hall Master or higher. That meant this girl’s backing was a peak-level powerhouse!

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At the back gate, cultivation requirements meant nothing! But this little girl seemed unaware. He begrudgingly decided not to spit on her.

Wuwu, how envious he was—he had struggled for decades to reach the inner sect, yet this girl could rise swiftly just by flashing an identity plaque! The heavens were unfair!

Song Junyu was doubtful but guessed it was due to the identity plaque. Still, she felt a bit frustrated. She had just suppressed her spiritual energy, and while it was somewhat dignified to be at Stage Four, being marked at Stage Three might stir gossip again.

Sure enough, nearby people began whispering, though out of respect for the inner sect disciple’s presence, they did not speak loudly.

Suddenly, Li Zhaodi lifted her head sharply from the crowd. “If you have complaints, take them to this senior brother. Why spread petty rumors about her?”

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

Li Zhaodi then lifted her head, smiling purely at Song Junyu. “Liu Yu, let’s part ways here. May you pass smoothly!”

Her smile was so sincere that Song Junyu was momentarily dazed.

After a long pause, Song Junyu lowered her gaze and smiled faintly, looking up to reply, “Yes, and I wish you a smooth passage as well.”

“Good!”

Song Junyu did not linger further. Turning, she walked into the passage.

Yet her mind remained unsettled.

After this experience, she realized she had become somewhat timid under the guise of concealing her identity. Li Zhaodi had no strength but dared to stop the gossip in front of everyone, while she constantly weighed pros and cons in her actions.

In nicer terms, she was cautious and thoughtful; frankly, she just did not want to provoke enemies. Though well-intentioned, such constant hesitation chained her hands and made her indecisive, unfit for great achievements.

As her thoughts swirled, Song Junyu sensed her mindset loosening considerably.

Delighted, her steps quickened.

Above the clouds, a few figures gathered, watching the swiftly ascending figure with surprise.

“Huh? Is this little girl’s physical constitution really that strong?”