Shen Jinghong

Gu Changge immediately asked, "Senior Brother Sect Master, what is the harvest from this disciple recruitment ceremony?"

Xuanyangzi stroked his beard with a gentle smile.

"The aptitude of this batch is passable. There are three with low-grade Heaven-tier aptitude. If nurtured well, breaking through to the Celestial Realm won't be a big problem. With enough fortune, they might even have a shot at the King Realm. There are also a few with high-grade Spirit-tier aptitude, which is pretty good."

His tone carried a hint of satisfaction, clearly approving of the recruitment results.

Heaven-tier aptitude was as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns in the Qingxuan Sect. Three low-grade Heaven-tier disciples were enough to prop up the facade of the next generation.

Gu Changge slightly raised an eyebrow, his Delusion-Shattering Divine Eye subconsciously sweeping over Xuanyangzi:

Name: Xuanyangzi

Identity: Sect Master of Qingxuan Sect

Aptitude: High-grade Heaven-tier

Physique: Blazing Sun Physique

Cultivation: Peak King Realm (Concealed at Grotto-Heaven Realm)

He then glanced at the Peak Master of Pill Cauldron Peak beside him, and a status panel instantly appeared:

Name: Li Muran

Identity: Peak Master of Pill Cauldron Peak, Qingxuan Sect

Aptitude: Mid-grade Heaven-tier

Physique: Medicine Spirit Physique

Cultivation: Mid King Realm (Concealed at Purple Mansion Realm)

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder's panel followed closely:

Name: Zhao Lie

Identity: Law Enforcement Hall Elder, Qingxuan Sect

Aptitude: Mid-grade Heaven-tier

Physique: Vajra Physique

Cultivation: Mid King Realm (Concealed at Grotto-Heaven Realm)

...

Gu Changge understood in his heart. This group of old geezers were indeed all sneaky old foxes; their apparent cultivation levels were actually more than a major realm lower than their true realms.

It seemed that the Qingxuan Sect's ability to establish a foothold in Xuanzhou relied on much more than its superficial strength.

"It is indeed better than previous years."

Gu Changge withdrew his Divine Eye, his tone flat, as if he had just cast a casual glance.

Xuanyangzi did not notice anything unusual and let his gaze fall on Xiao Ruobai.

He said warmly, "Junior Brother Gu, although this child looks frail, to be able to catch your eye, he must have some extraordinary qualities."

"The Sect Tournament is in half a year. Why not let him participate as well? Interacting more with fellow disciples is always better than being cooped up on Purple Bamboo Peak."

Gu Changge glanced at Xiao Ruobai, seeing him with his head lowered in a timid manner, and a faint smile touched the corners of his mouth.

"We will talk about it later. Let us see if he can even draw Qi into his body by then."

Xuanyangzi laughed heartily, "Alright, I will not force it. Then we will not disturb you any longer."

The several Peak Masters exchanged a few more pleasantries before turning and leaving Purple Bamboo Peak.

Once they were far away, Xiao Ruobai finally straightened up and looked at Gu Changge. "Master, they..."

"They are all old foxes," Gu Changge stretched lazily.

"Low-grade Heaven-tier aptitude is a treasure in their eyes, but in front of your War God Physique, it is not worth mentioning."

He lightly kicked Xiao Ruobai's calf. "Go cultivate."

Xiao Ruobai quickly complied and turned to dash into the bamboo forest.

For the next month, life on Purple Bamboo Peak was peaceful and fulfilling.

Xiao Ruobai immersed himself daily in the cultivation of the War God Tome. The dense spiritual energy of Purple Bamboo Peak followed him like a shadow, and the residual medicinal power of the Nine-Revolution Golden Pill was slowly released.

Coupled with his deliberate polishing of his foundation, his cultivation in the Body Tempering Realm grew increasingly profound day by day.

The Body Tempering Realm had reached its absolute peak.

Early this morning, Xiao Ruobai circulated the final body-refining method of the War God Tome. Golden battle aura surged through his body like a rushing river, violently breaking through an invisible barrier.

Warmth surged in his dantian, and the spiritual energy liquefied, circulating endlessly through his meridians. He had naturally broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm!

"It is done."

Gu Changge had appeared at the edge of the bamboo clearing at some unknown time. Seeing the Foundation Establishment Realm spiritual energy flowing within him, a trace of approval flashed in his eyes.

This speed was three days faster than he had initially anticipated.

Xiao Ruobai stopped his practice and stood up, feeling incredibly light all over. Every movement carried fluctuations of spiritual energy. He could not help but say, "Master, I..."

Before he could finish, a crisp female voice came from the foot of Purple Bamboo Peak: "Is Martial Uncle Gu here? Disciple Shen Jinghong, on the orders of the Sect Master, has come to deliver some medicinal pills."

Gu Changge raised an eyebrow. The name sounded somewhat familiar—she was exactly one of the three with low-grade Heaven-tier aptitude that Xuanyangzi had mentioned.

Xiao Ruobai subconsciously circulated the Can't See Through Me technique, and his aura instantly reverted to that frail appearance.

A moment later, a young girl in a green dress walked into the bamboo clearing.

As soon as she stepped into the perimeter of Purple Bamboo Peak, Shen Jinghong felt a vigorous wave of spiritual energy rush at her face, dozens of times denser than the sect's martial arts arena.

It even carried wisps of a warm, nourishing aura that drilled into her body through her pores.

The originally solid barrier of her seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm actually showed faint signs of loosening.

"Such dense spiritual energy..."

Shen Jinghong's heart trembled, and her footsteps paused subconsciously.

No wonder during the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony, her Master, the Sect Master, looked toward Purple Bamboo Peak and sighed softly, "It is a pity she did not become a disciple of Purple Bamboo Peak."

She had asked for the reason then, but her Master only shook his head.

Presumably, the "pity" her Master spoke of referred to this kind of treasured cultivation land, right?

This time, she deliberately snatched the errand of delivering the sect's monthly pills because she wanted to see with her own eyes exactly what was so different about this Purple Bamboo Peak.

Standing in the center of the bamboo clearing now, Shen Jinghong had a straight posture, with a bit of pride between her brows.

Her green dress trailed on the ground, the jade pendant at her waist swaying gently with her movements. The morning light fell on her face, reflecting a bit of rebelliousness.

Her gaze swept openly around the surroundings, finally landing on Xiao Ruobai with undisguised scrutiny.

This young man had a pale face and timid eyes. Standing next to Martial Uncle Gu, he looked like a wild weed swaying in the wind, truly showing not the slightest bit of anything extraordinary.

Gu Changge's Delusion-Shattering Divine Eye had already seen right through her background:

[Name: Shen Jinghong]

[Identity: Inner Disciple of Qingxuan Sect]

[Aptitude: High-grade Heaven-tier]

[Physique: Jinghong Sword Physique]

[Cultivation: Seventh Level of the Body Tempering Realm]

Looking at the "High-grade Heaven-tier" on the panel, the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.

That old fox Xuanyangzi indeed had this kind of style—he actually claimed outwardly that a high-grade Heaven-tier aptitude was only low-grade Heaven-tier. He was probably trying to hide it, waiting to catch the other sects off guard at a crucial moment.

With the Jinghong Sword Physique paired with a high-grade Heaven-tier aptitude, this girl's potential was stronger than all three of the "low-grade Heaven-tier" disciples Xuanyangzi had mentioned combined.

"Martial Uncle Gu." Shen Jinghong withdrew her gaze, cupped her hands toward Gu Changge, her voice crisp as jade striking against jade.

"Disciple came today, firstly, to deliver the monthly allowance of medicinal pills distributed by the sect, and secondly, to ask Martial Uncle a question."

Gu Changge leaned back in his bamboo chair, twirling a spirit fruit at his fingertips. "Speak."

"At the disciple recruitment ceremony, the Sect Master originally wanted you to take me as your disciple, yet you ultimately chose this junior brother."

Shen Jinghong looked straight at him, her eyes full of inquiry.

"Disciple believes my aptitude is not bad, and my talent in the Sword Dao is outstanding among my peers. I would like to ask Martial Uncle, why did you refuse to take me as your disciple?"

She paused, then added, "Disciple is not questioning Martial Uncle's decision, but this matter has been lingering in my mind for a month, and I truly cannot figure it out. I volunteered to deliver the pills this time just so I could ask you in person."

These words were direct and magnanimous, making even Xiao Ruobai freeze slightly upon hearing them—so she had come specifically for this matter.

Gu Changge looked at her open and honest gaze, and said slowly, "You want to know? It is actually very simple."