Heavenly Spring City.
Before the Inquiry Platform, the crowd was overflowing.
Most of these people did not come from Heavenly Spring City, but from various places nearby.
They were all, without exception, mortals.
Among them, some were martial artists with some skills.
However, no matter how powerful a martial artist was, they were still just martial artists. Even those who were known in the martial arts world as top experts or innate experts had to bow their heads in the presence of cultivators. If given the chance, they would fight to enter a cultivation sect.
Unfortunately, cultivation sects only looked at spirit roots and talent; no matter how high their martial skills were, it would be in vain.
A few disciples of the Red Yang Sect looked at the crowd and began to complain.
“Sigh, this year the disciples’ deaths exceed last year’s… It used to be held once a year, then once every six months, then once a season, and now it’s monthly. It would tire even an immortal.”
“Alas, it can’t be helped; competition is getting fiercer. Even the sect elders are hitting a bottleneck, let alone us ordinary disciples?”
“I hope they can take in a few with good spirit roots, preferably three spirit roots or dual spirit roots; a single spirit root genius is really hard to imagine…”
Suddenly, a voice shouted from the west side of the Inquiry Platform.
“Li Qingran, single Water Spirit Root!”
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar around the Inquiry Platform.
“Single spirit root! There’s a single spirit root!”
“Let me see her!”
“Old man, I’ll give you half an incense stick’s worth of time to find out about that single spirit root disciple!”
Li Qingran hadn’t yet reacted.
In the next second, she was surrounded by various sect cultivators eager to recruit her.
“Little friend, come to our Red Yang Sect! Our sect master will take you as a direct disciple!”
“Go to hell, Red Yang Sect! She’s a Water Spirit Root; she should come to our Pure Water Sect. We have the best water attributes techniques!”
“Little friend, why not consider our Tool Sect?”
“Our Zen Sect… never mind, don’t worry, goodbye.”
…
Li Qingran looked at the smiling faces around her and felt a bit at a loss.
Was a single Water Spirit Root really that popular?
She had been brought back to the sect by Lu Changtian, and this was the first time she experienced such a feeling of being fought over.
Outside the crowd, an old man dressed in plain cloth with a sword at his waist squinted his eyes while watching Li Qingran. After confirming no one was looking, he took out a communication jade slip: “Sect Master! Big news! There’s a genius with a single Water Spirit Root here; should we take action?”
After a moment, a hurried voice came from the jade slip:
[Don’t rush, I’m still busy here; the matters here are more important. You keep an eye on her!]
“How can I keep an eye on her?” The old man sighed, his face wrinkled like a chrysanthemum.
Someone with a single spirit root was a genius, and it wouldn’t be long before she’d be snatched away by other sects. He couldn’t possibly kill everyone here just to keep an eye on this girl, right? That would be no different from the Demon Path.
“Forget it, let fate decide. Those who are meant to stay won’t leave, and those who are forced to stay won’t be held.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a soft female voice rang out from the crowd:
“This sister, I am Liu Shengyan, the elder of Spirit Intuition Valley.
Your Water Spirit Root is most suitable for medical cultivation or alchemy; why not come to our Spirit Intuition Valley?”
The crowd parted, and a woman in green robes emerged, surrounded by several female cultivators.
She was wearing a veil, making her features unclear. As she walked, a fragrance of flowers filled the air, and lotus flowers seemed to bloom beneath her feet.
“It’s someone from Spirit Intuition Valley…”
“Sigh, scatter, scatter; this disciple will definitely be taken by Spirit Intuition Valley.”
“What? You want to compete with Spirit Intuition Valley for her? You better pray you don’t need to reach out to Spirit Intuition Valley in the future.”
Li Qingran felt delighted listening to the discussions in the crowd. Her goal was to go to Spirit Intuition Valley; wasn’t this it?
Liu Shengyan walked up to Li Qingran, her enchanting gaze lingering on Li Qingran for a moment before she couldn’t help but praise, “Sister, you are truly beautiful, with such an enchanting figure and excellent talent. Don’t go to another sect to give those disgusting men a chance to feast their eyes; just come to our Spirit Intuition Valley, okay? We’re like family here~”
Li Qingran had heard that Spirit Intuition Valley only accepted female cultivators.
In extremely rare cases would they accept male cultivators, but they would require the male cultivator to be castrated.
She had thought that going to such a sect entirely composed of female cultivators would mean fewer troubles. In other sects, she’d somewhat have to deal with senior brothers and elders. Her heart was entirely set on her master, and she didn’t want to handle those complicated and annoying interpersonal relationships.
Spirit Intuition Valley had a desire, and she had feelings; naturally, it was a perfect match. She lowered her head and bowed, saying:
“Thank you, elder, for your kindness; I would be willing to go to Spirit Intuition Valley.”
Seeing Li Qingran being so obedient, Liu Shengyan was even more satisfied and instructed the surrounding female cultivators, “Go, take this sister to the young master, let him have a look; I will wait and see if there are any other prospects.”
“Yes, elder.”
…
Li Qingran was taken to a luxurious suite on the top floor of a tavern by several female cultivators.
On the couch lay a light red curtain, behind which a seductive figure could be vaguely seen. Below the curtain, a snow-white long leg casually swayed, the delicate toes resembling five pearls painted with rouge.
The person behind the curtain seemed to dislike noise, so the female cultivators bowed respectfully and quietly exited.
This person must be the young master of Spirit Intuition Valley.
Even though she was a woman, Li Qingran still felt a bit nervous and kept her head down, quietly waiting, not daring to speak carelessly.
After a moment, the foot below the curtain stopped moving.
The alluring figure behind the curtain stretched lazily like a cat, and then a clear and crisp voice rang out.
“Single Water Spirit Root? Not bad, not bad! After squatting here for half a month, I finally met a genius!”
“Thank you for your praise, elder.” Li Qingran hurriedly bowed.
“No need to be so formal, come closer, and I’ll ask you some questions.”
Li Qingran followed the young master’s instructions and moved closer to the curtain. A strong floral fragrance rushed towards her. As she glanced into the curtain, she quickly withdrew her gaze, thinking to herself that it was inappropriate to look.
The girl behind the curtain sniffed, withdrew her feet, and smiled as she asked, “You’re so strikingly beautiful that even I, the young master, feel a bit envious. But do you already have a partner?”
Li Qingran bit her lip.
She actually wished she had one.
Unfortunately, her master probably wouldn’t take a liking to her.
So, she shook her head and said, “No.”
“Have you ever had one?”
“No.”
“Very good.” The girl seemed satisfied with Li Qingran’s answer. She lifted her foot to reveal a corner of the curtain, showing her fair chin and a captivating peach blossom eye: “Let me see your hand.”
Li Qingran honestly extended her hand.
Then she felt two delicate fingers resting on her wrist, cold as ice.
After a moment, the young master of Spirit Intuition Valley withdrew her fingers and said casually, “Hmm, you’ve already cultivated a high-grade internal cultivation technique that is very compatible with your Water Spirit Root. Not bad, not bad… Do you have a master?”
“Yes.” Li Qingran knew she couldn’t hide it, and she wasn’t skilled in lying.
“Is it male or female?” The voice of the young master of Spirit Intuition Valley suddenly rose slightly.
“Male.”
The air in the room suddenly turned icy.
Li Qingran was startled, carefully raised her head, and could feel two indifferent gazes on her through the curtain.
“Get out.” The young master of Spirit Intuition Valley waved her hand sharply.
The door to the room was thrown open with a bang.
Li Qingran was roughly pushed out of the door by a surge of energy.
…
…
