Chapter 3: Joining the Heavenly Sword Sect

The sliced watermelon is crescent-shaped.

The red flesh is soft and powdery, with crystal-clear juice dripping onto the wooden table, creating a small wet spot.

The girl is delighted, holding a slice with both hands.

Just as she’s about to take a bite.

She suddenly remembers something.

Struggling to tiptoe, she raises her hands higher, offering the slice to Xu Xi’s mouth.

“Hehe, Elder Brother, you eat first.”

“Then thank you, adorable little Mo Li,” Xu Xi smiles, taking a small bite.

It’s sweet, delicious.

The texture is grainy, the juice is sugary, and it feels refreshing.

Taking a bite on a scorching summer day feels like redemption, the sweetness bursting on the tongue, bringing happiness and joy.

The siblings each hold a slice of watermelon.

Sitting at the doorstep, eating while watching the passersby and the ancient tree swaying in the wind.

“Elder Brother, Elder Brother, when will Mo Li grow taller?”

“Hmm, hard to say, I can’t predict that.”

“I really want to grow taller soon…”

The girl sits on the high wooden threshold, eating watermelon.

The threshold is so high that her legs can’t touch the ground.

Her feet swing back and forth, her fair calves swaying with each bite, accompanied by the crisp sound of eating watermelon.

Swing, bite.

Back and forth.

Her toes draw gentle arcs in the air, and in that serene, bird-like tranquility, time seems to slow down.

Summer, girl, watermelon.

Combined in a peaceful and beautiful way.

At least Xu Xi thinks the scene before him is truly beautiful.

But beauty aside, some education is still necessary.

Xu Xi gently taps the girl’s forehead with the back of his clean hand: “Be quiet when eating, don’t fidget around.”

“Elder Brother is so annoying!”

Xu Mo Li pouts.

But she obediently pulls her legs back and quietly eats her watermelon.

Soon.

All the watermelon is gone, mostly eaten by Xu Xi since Mo Li is still small and can’t eat much.

Even so, the girl’s belly is round, and she lazily sprawls on Xu Xi’s back, muttering: “It’s all Elder Brother’s fault I’m like this, you have to take responsibility, let me rest like this.”

The girl is probably really tired.

Her voice grows softer.

After a while, Xu Xi hears soft snoring from behind.

“…”

“Youth is great, falling asleep just like that.”

Xu Xi shakes his head, carrying the now soundly asleep girl, slowing his pace, gently supporting her as he walks to the bed.

He lays the girl down on the blanket.

Her belly is still round from eating.

Lying flat might cause indigestion, so Xu Xi uses the blanket to prop her up, letting her rest in a semi-reclined position.

“Such a troublesome child.”

Xu Xi gives this assessment.

Before him, the girl sleeps soundly, her breathing even and soft, like an adorable little beast, her innocent face utterly pure and lovely.

Sunlight filters through the window, not too strong, just enough to form a warm veil.

Falling on the edge of the bed.

Xu Xi watches for a long time, holding a palm fan, occasionally fanning to drive away the heat and pesky mosquitoes for the sleeping girl.

“This child… is she a bit too clingy to me?”

“When next year’s Disciple Recruitment Assembly comes, I’ll have to leave. If I don’t take her with me, she’ll probably cry and fuss for a long time.”

Xu Xi clicks his tongue.

As if thinking of something amusing.

A smile plays on his lips.

Originally, Xu Xi planned to enter the cultivation sect alone at next year’s assembly, but the girl is too clingy, and he can’t trust others to take care of her.

Thinking about it, it’s better for them to leave together.

With a Heavenly Spiritual Root like hers.

He’s sure the cultivation sect won’t refuse his request.

…

[Time continues to flow]

[You silently wait for the Disciple Recruitment Assembly and suggest to your sister that you leave together. She agrees, thinking it’s cool and just wants to be with you]

[One month, two months, three months…]

[Another year passes, the fifth year since you transmigrated to the Cultivation World, and a new Disciple Recruitment Assembly begins]

[‘Immortals’ descend from the sky, some soaring on flying swords, others riding flying boats, jointly releasing a large formation covering the entire city to test mortals’ spiritual roots]

[Triple Spiritual Root, Quadruple Spiritual Root, Quintuple Spiritual Root…]

[As the formation activates, those with spiritual roots in the city are quickly screened out. You’re surprised because there are very few, mostly mediocre Mixed Spiritual Roots]

[Suddenly!]

[You feel a massive surge of energy breaking through your chest, the Heavenly Spiritual Root no longer hidden, revealing itself!]

[Your sister Xu Mo Li is happy but also feels inferior because she’s a pure mortal with no spiritual root at all]

A year later in Blackstone City.

A green light suddenly shoots up from the Spiritual Root Formation, startling the cultivators who were calmly discussing cultivation experiences.

“This aura, could it be!”

“Hiss, no mistake, it’s a Wood Attribute Heavenly Spiritual Root!”

“Hahaha, this child is destined for our Heavenly Sword Sect!”

Almost simultaneously.

The cultivators, who seem lofty to mortals, all show ecstatic faces, instantly appearing before Xu Xi and his sister.

“Elder Brother…”

“It’s okay, let me handle this.”

Holding the trembling little hand.

Xu Xi shields the girl behind him, facing the cultivators alone.

Some coax, some recruit, some tempt with benefits, the scene quickly becomes as chaotic as a mortal marketplace.

In the end.

Xu Xi chooses the Heavenly Sword Sect as his destination.

In terms of foundation, the Heavenly Sword Sect is the strongest present, with multiple Nascent Soul Cultivators.

In terms of sincerity, their cultivators are the most genuine, promising him the status of a True Disciple upon entry, with a private cultivation cave and abundant resources.

And they allow both siblings to leave together.

“Kid, are you sure?”

“Yes, Senior, I wish to join the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

[The Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators are delighted with your choice and immediately take you and your sister away from Blackstone City, soaring on a flying sword into the clouds]

[You don’t know how long or how fast you fly]

[Only that clouds rush past, the sun and moon shift once, before the flying sword slows and lands on a majestic mountain range, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s headquarters]

[You and your sister are settled in a room, sleeping briefly]

[Upon waking, the cultivator who brought you rushes you to the Sect Main Hall, where many powerful cultivators compete to take you as their disciple]

[After weighing the pros and cons, you decide to join the Forest Sword Peak, related to your Wood Spiritual Root, becoming a True Disciple of the Nascent Soul Ancestor, the Forest Sword Peak Master]