I Am a Genius

"Uncle-Master Xu, Xuanqing Heaven Sect truly lives up to its past reputation as the number one sect in the world. Not only is its foundation profound, but even this token is no ordinary item. It should be worth a lot of money, right?"

Cui Hao gently stroked the token in his hand, which had four magnificent characters carved onto it using wondrous spiritual patterns—Xuanqing Heaven Sect.

The token was brimming with spiritual energy, and one could even sense that some kind of spell technique seemed to be hidden within it.

At a glance, it was obvious that this item was not cheap.

Chen Baiqing and Cui Hao had only exchanged a few simple words with Li Moze in the main hall. Many matters were meant to be discussed in detail privately, so this kind of occasion was probably just to let everyone get familiar with Chen Baiqing and Cui Hao's faces.

After giving a few instructions, Li Moze received the two of them with the highest level of treatment.

Xu Jin, a core disciple of the Xuanqing Heaven Sect, was responsible for leading the way and giving the two a brief introduction to the sect, while also taking Chen Baiqing and Cui Hao to their squad's temporary station.

After the experiential learning squads were assigned, the Xuanqing Heaven Sect would specifically set aside a courtyard to serve as the squad's temporary base.

Those who were willing could live together with their teammates, while those who were not could return to their original residences.

This was not forced upon anyone.

Having a temporary base could quickly improve the atmosphere within the squad.

Xu Jin, who was leading the way, couldn't help but cast a sidelong glance when he heard these words. He saw Cui Hao looking delighted, constantly rubbing the token in his hand as if what he was looking at was not a token, but a massive pile of spirit stones.

In this regard, he was quite similar to his master—a complete money-grubber.

Not only was Chu Xingchen unwilling to spend spirit stones, but he was also reluctant to spend even silver. If he could use someone else's, he would never use his own.

In all the time they had known each other, Xu Jin had never seen him take out a spirit stone to pay for anything.

Xu Jin was fairly well-acquainted with the two of them. After all, they had spent a long time in the sect and were not the type to stay in secluded, bitter cultivation.

Cui Hao, in particular, was the type to act like old friends with everyone, and Chen Baiqing had spent a long time by Chu Xingchen's side.

Xu Jin didn't act like a stranger either, and he said with a smile,

"Keeping this in your hands is far more worthwhile than selling it."

"Oh? This token isn't worth money?"

Remembering something, Xu Jin smiled and said,

"It is naturally valuable, but if you take this token to large stores like the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, you should get at least a twenty percent discount, right?"

"Oh! So it's a prestige token! That does make sense!" Cui Hao's expression filled with sudden realization, and he hurriedly put it away safely.

Chen Baiqing's expression remained composed, paying no mind to Cui Hao's somewhat money-grubbing demeanor.

It wasn't as if her Fifth Junior Brother had just been like this for a day or two. Since their master could tolerate it, she naturally had nothing to say.

As long as it didn't delay their proper business, it was fine.

Chen Baiqing looked at Xu Jin and asked,

"Uncle-Master Xu, do you know the general details of this mission?"

"I am not aware," Xu Jin replied. At the same time, looking at Chen Baiqing's tranquil expression and knowing she was someone who tended to overthink, he added,

"I have also read the letter sent by Bai Xuanling. We understand your intentions in coming here, and the Xuanqing Heaven Sect does not object to you joining in to make decisions."

"As for the experiential learning, it is not that the sect leader specifically wanted you to start from the most basic external missions. Rather, the Xuanqing Heaven Sect has long used this mode of experiential learning. Only by experiencing it personally can one understand the dangers involved and be entrusted with more important responsibilities."

"Back in the day, I was also a candidate for core disciple, but I still had to do my utmost in experiential learning to finally secure the position."

"There are many arrogant and fierce individuals in the Xuanqing Heaven Sect. To avoid leaving any grounds for gossip, it can only be done this way."

Hearing this, Cui Hao was stunned and cast a sidelong glance at Chen Baiqing—Bai Xuanling sent a letter? Senior Bai is involved in this too?

Judging from their master's demeanor before they set off, it seemed their master was completely unaware.

What kind of extra situation was this?

Chen Baiqing did not explain much, but instead gently nodded and said,

"Naturally, I understand."

It was merely a small test. If she couldn't even pass this little test, how could she talk about truly becoming her master's right-hand woman?

Xu Jin gave a light nod, not paying much attention to Cui Hao's puzzled expression. After all, he would naturally understand in the future.

However, according to the news, the one who was supposed to come was Li Xingtian.

But it didn't really matter who came.

Xu Jin did not continue to chat much, but instead tried his best to introduce the layout and general rules of the Xuanqing Heaven Sect as they passed by.

Naturally, many people saw Xu Jin along the way, and they received quite a few greetings from others on the road.

Continuing forward, they arrived at a large area of courtyard buildings.

Every courtyard was protected by a barrier. With just a single glance, Chen Baiqing recognized the purpose of this barrier—to isolate sound and block divine sense probes.

Xu Jin led the way and stopped at one of the courtyards. He turned to look at the two and said,

"Your teammates have already gathered inside at this moment. I won't go in with you. First impressions are particularly important, and given my status, they would inevitably feel constrained if they saw me."

Chen Baiqing cupped her hands in a salute. "Thank you, Uncle-Master Xu. Baiqing understands."

Cui Hao also immediately followed suit and saluted.

Xu Jin gave a gentle nod. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he stopped in his tracks, took out a messenger token from his spatial ring, and handed it to Chen Baiqing.

"If you truly encounter a difficult problem that is hard to speak of, use this token to call me. After all, we are good friends, so I have to leave a back door open for you, lest your master says I don't look after the two of you."

Chen Baiqing did not decline. She reached out to take it, a faint smile appearing on her face as she said,

"Thank you, Uncle-Master Xu."

Xu Jin chuckled and nodded, then turned and left without further hesitation.

Seeing this, Chen Baiqing turned her gaze toward the tightly shut door. She did not push it open immediately, but suddenly spoke up,

"Fifth Junior Brother, Master said that he wants me to see you in a new light."

Hearing this, Cui Hao's spirit suddenly surged. He nodded with a serious expression,

"Just watch, Third Senior Sister."

Only after hearing these words did Chen Baiqing reach her hand past the barrier and push the door open.

Inside was an elegantly styled courtyard.

There were already three people, two men and one woman, sitting on chairs. They were all dressed in the attire of Xuanqing Heaven Sect inner disciples and were conversing with peaceful expressions.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, the three of them simultaneously looked over.

Chen Baiqing stepped inside, at the same time taking out the squad captain's token given by Li Moze and displaying it.

Seeing this token, the three of them stood up one after another.

The sturdily built young man cupped his hands and said,

"Lin Chuan, cultivation at the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm. I cultivate both spell techniques and the physical body. I excel in close combat and know some medical cultivation methods."

Another handsome, clear-featured man cupped his hands and said,

"Li Zhuhua, cultivation at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. I am a sword cultivator. I can scout for intelligence and handle administrative affairs."

The only woman made a chic cupping hand gesture, her tone quite capable as she said,

"Lu Lingyi, cultivation at the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm. I am a spell cultivator. I understand formations and am also skilled in interrogation and other such methods."

Chen Baiqing put away the token, returned the salute, and spoke,

"Chen Chubai, cultivation at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. I am a spell cultivator, specializing in illusions."

Hearing her answer, the three of them naturally turned their gazes toward Cui Hao.

After all, a cultivator like Cui Hao, whose cultivation was plainly visible and seemed to only be at the Golden Core realm, was enough to make everyone even more curious.

Those who could join this kind of operational squad had to be at least Nascent Soul cultivators as a baseline.

Someone like Cui Hao, who looked like a weakling at the Golden Core realm at a glance, was actually more likely to be a true big shot playing the pig to eat the tiger.

He couldn't possibly be a real pig just here to make up the numbers, right?

Cui Hao wore a confident smile on his face, and his movements were extremely suave, causing the three people who were unaware of the truth to regard him with even more importance:

"Cui Hao, cultivation at the middle stage of the Golden Core realm. I'm not very good at fighting."

"But I am a genius."