Ye Danxia took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, "Fine. We did grow up together, after all, and I know you're just saying things out of frustration. So, I won't hold it against you this time."
Her gaze drifted toward the ring on Yun Jin's hand. "I'm still willing to help you. But you have to give me something in return. That ring on your hand, I really like it. Why don't you give it to me?"
This ring looked very ordinary on the surface.
But for some unknown reason, Ye Danxia just inexplicably wanted to have it.
She trusted her intuition.
This ring…She had to get it.
Yun Jin glanced at Ye Danxia.
Ye Danxia grew a bit anxious, "Well? Have you made up your mind?"
Yun Jin curled her lips slightly, her voice flat and detached, "I appreciate your kindness. But…no need."
"How can you be so ungrateful?!" Ye Danxia stomped her foot in anger.
"That's right," Yun Jin replied directly. "So, you can leave now."
Then she turned and walked away.
Ye Danxia stared at her back, a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes.
Just wait.
Did this woman still think she was the proud young lady of the Yun family?
One day, she would realize, in the cultivation, she was nothing at all!
Ye Danxia took a deep breath, slightly calming herself.
There was no need to rush.
Once Yun Jin failed the entrance exam and was chased out of the sect, she'd bring up the offer again.
Would Yun Jin still have the nerve to refuse her?
Once she became her maid, would she dare refuse to hand over the ring?
At that thought, Ye Danxia's mood completely settled.
She would make Yun Jin understand just how vast the difference was between a Celestial Spirit Root and a Five Element Root.
At that moment.
A stern voice rang out.
Sect Master Zhao Wuji announced, "Ninety-six people passed the first test. The second round is testing comprehension. Someone come and distribute the non-attribute cultivation manual: Xuan Jue."
Tianxing Sect disciples quickly handed each candidate a small booklet.
"Xuan Jue is a basic introductory cultivation method. It is not specific to any attributes and can be practiced by anyone regardless of spiritual root type. Memorize the contents and begin cultivating immediately. The sooner you could cultivate spiritual qi, the higher your comprehension. If you're among the top ten to succeed, you will be accepted into the sect unconditionally, regardless of your spiritual root. Time begins now."
After speaking, the Sect Master glanced toward Ye Danxia with a satisfied smile.
Regardless of how many disciples they ultimately accepted today, just securing a Celestial Spirit Root was already a huge gain.
Celestial Spirit Roots usually came with high comprehension. In this test, Ye Danxia was bound to take first place again.
On the square, a stick of incense was lit.
The time had begun.
Yun Jin opened the booklet and casually flipped through its pages.
Ye Danxia glanced at her with a mocking smirk.
What, did Yun Jin still think she can get into the top ten and join the sect?
What kind of comprehension aptitude could she, a pampered young miss, possibly have?
This time, she would make sure Yun Jin gave up all hope.
As Yun Jin browsed through the booklet, she silently muttered in her heart:
Activate cheat skill.
The next moment.
"Ding! Cheat skill activated. Super-Simplification System is now running."
"System Purpose: The world is too complicated. I just want to live a simple life. This system is dedicated to simplifying everything and helping the host live a carefree and stress-free life."
"Free simplifications remaining: 10.
(After that, simplification attempts must be exchanged using Emotion Points. Emotion Points are earned by triggering emotions in others.)"
Although Yun Jin had chosen this cheat herself, she only knew the general description. This "Emotion Point" mechanic was something she just discovered.
She raised an eyebrow but didn't really care much.
Don't worry, she'd definitely be triggering plenty of emotions.
Yun Jin gave a mental command:
Scan Xuan Jue.
"Scanning…"
"Scan result:
Xuan Jue: Beginner-level cultivation method.
Requirements: possesses a spiritual root.
Method: Sit in a fixed posture, sense surrounding spiritual energy, draw it into the body. One cycle is completed after three breaths. First successful cycle yields the first trace of qi. (Simplification available.)"
To be honest, this wasn't a hard technique. With her thousands of years of experience, she could complete it without much trouble.
But she'd worked hard for such a long time, didn't she choose this system just to have easy and comfortable days?
So why should she do it the hard way?
Yun Jin calmly gave the command:
Simplify.
"Simplifying…"
"Simplified result: Sit in the correct posture to automatically absorb spiritual energy and complete the cycle."
Still have to sit?
That sitting posture from the booklet was too ugly.
Yun Jin frowned:
Simplify again.
"Simplifying…"
"New result: Just eat and all steps will be automatically completed. The more you eat, the more spiritual energy is absorbed."
Now that's more like it.
Yun Jin was satisfied.
Coincidentally, she was a little hungry. If its only eating, then she supposed she could reluctantly manage.
Yun Jin began rummaging through her bag.
What snacks did she bring again?
On the platform.
The ten Peak Masters of the Tianxing Sect were observing the candidates below.
There is competition between the ten Peak Masters of the Tianxing Sect. Each peak competed for new talents and all of them hoped to bring promising seedlings under their tutelage.
And of course, the Celestial Spirit Root was every Peak Master's dream. But from the Sect Master's attitude, it was clear he already considered her as his disciple. They didn't dare interfere and could only look at the rest of the candidates.
They wouldn't be as good as the Celestial Spirit Root, but is still better than nothing.
Master Yang Hui, Peak Master of the Artifact Forging Peak, looked toward Ye Danxia with envy. "Just look at that Celestial Spirit Root. So calm and confident."
Master Huo Lie, Peak Master of the Pill Refining Peak sighed. "Celestial Spirit Roots are truly rare beyond words. Their aptitude and comprehension are naturally top-tier. This kind of introductory technique can't possibly be a challenge for her."
Tianxing Sect's ten peaks each have their own specialty. Genius disciples usually focused solely on cultivation; few would choose the paths of artifact forging or pill refinement.
A Celestial Spirit Root that is rarely seen once in a century like Ye Danxia is far out of their reach.
Both Peak Masters sighed in unison.
Huo Lie glanced at a corner on the edge and chuckled:
"Well, at least we'll recruit a few new disciples. But that drunkard is going home empty-handed again."
Yang Hui laughed as well. "As long as he's at the bottom, I'll be content."
In the corner, a disheveled old man lay snoring in his chair. A battered wine gourd huing from his waist, its surface smooth from years of use.
Back on the square.
The candidates had already begun to meditate, trying to sense spiritual energy.
Ye Danxia was no exception.
She followed the manual precisely, her posture being the most standard among all the new candidates.
Zhao Wuji nodded with approval.
Excellent. As expected of a Celestial Spirit Root.
She would surely take first place again.
Now the question was: who would be second?
Zhao Wuji's gaze swept across the candidates.
Then he paused.
All the others were seated in meditation, but one person remained standing.
Among the crowd, she stood out like a sore thumb.
Yun Jin stood there, rummaging through her pack.