On the mountain path of Jingduo Mountain, the gentle sunlight and delightful scenery accompanied three figures walking side by side.
The tall, slender young man on the far left admonished, “A Man, this isn’t home. Being beautiful is useless here; no one will indulge you. Curb your temper. After entering Xuanyao Sect, devote yourself to studying and cultivating.
This is a hard-won opportunity. Father and Eldest Brother are both extremely happy. You mustn’t act on a whim and cause trouble, or deliberately make a scene.”
Gu Fuyu crossed her arms and retorted, “Happy? They’re just happy to finally get rid of this nuisance.”
She muttered impatiently, “Gu Huaiyu, I don’t want to go to Xuanyao Sect.”
Immortal sects always have many rules, and she truly disliked being restrained.
Gu Fuyu stepped out from between them, turned around, and faced the two who had taken a few steps away. “You two truly have the ability to enter Xuanyao Sect. What good is it for me to enter Xuanyao Sect? To go in and be looked down upon?”
“You’re still spouting nonsense.” Gu Huaiyu was born with an approachable face, not particularly striking. To enter the sect, he looked dignified, wearing a round-collared blue robe with his long hair tied up with a guan, which brought out some of his handsomeness.
“Don’t try any tricks. If you cause trouble again this time, when we return to Xiaoyao City, watch out, your uncle might break your legs.” Si Miao reluctantly lifted her eyelids and glanced at Gu Fuyu, inadvertently cutting off her plans.
Si Miao wore a light purple silk dress, her hair adorned with a jade hairpin. With beautiful eyes and brows and a stunning appearance, she was a captivating person. Her only flaw was her sharp lips; it was said that people with thin lips spoke harshly.
Gu Fuyu had experienced Si Miao’s venomous tongue fully over the years.
Gu Fuyu sighed inwardly. These two, a talented man and a beautiful woman, why did they want to confine her? If they just let her go, wouldn’t it be better for them to be a loving couple?
Although Gu Fuyu said nothing more aloud, inwardly, she was extremely unwilling.
Gu Huaiyu gently comforted her, “Xuanyao Sect is one of the few immortal sects that can be counted on one’s fingers. If you can enter to cultivate, there are a hundred benefits and not a single harm.
A Man, aren’t you fond of manipulating formations? Within the sect, there is Elder Lu He, who is proficient in ancient and modern formations. If you are taught by him, you will definitely be able to improve your skills.”
Gu Fuyu’s face was bitter; not a single word of those statements registered in her ears.
She had been half-coaxed, half-threatened into coming to Xuanyao Sect. Even if she had some interest in her heart before, it had long been suppressed by her increasing discomfort.
…
Jingduo Mountain was a renowned spiritual mountain in Nanzhou, its slopes gentle and its vegetation lush.
The three had already reached the mountainside, where they encountered groups of new disciples.
Gu Fuyu saw a wisteria tree by the roadside. Its beautiful flower clusters hung down, like a cascade of white and purple.
She couldn’t help but take a longer look.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept through the air, carrying purple, feather-like petals.
Looking up, three figures were flying on swords in the sky, heading towards the sect gate.
The leading woman’s white robes fluttered, her form ethereal like a cloud.
Gu Fuyu gazed at the sky; a wave-like glint of light flashed in her eyes, filled with envy.
Flying on swords, incredibly free and unrestrained.
Unfortunately, her cultivation was still only at the Qi Refinement stage. She didn’t know when she would be able to reach Foundation Establishment, or when she would be able to fly on a sword.
Gu Fuyu was looking at the figure in the air, lost in thought, when she heard Gu Huaiyou say: "That's Nan Zhu Jun. It seems she's in charge of the new disciples' initiation this year."
Gu Fuyu casually asked: "Who is Nan Zhu Jun?"
"She's the head disciple of Sect Master Zhong Mi Su. Nan Zhu Jun is her courtesy name. If we join the sect, all disciples of our generation will have to call her Senior Sister." Gu Huaiyou then exclaimed, "Qi Condensation at three, Foundation Establishment at five, Grain Abstinence at twenty, and now, at only ninety-eight, she's already entered the Golden Core realm! She's the hidden genius of Xuanmiao Sect. Such talent is truly unparalleled, one of the best in all five continents and four seas."
Gu Huaiyou's words were filled with admiration.
Gu Fuyu asked doubtfully: "Why have I never heard of her?"
Gu Huaiyou said: "She's humble and doesn't like commotion. I heard she rarely descends the mountain, unlike those well-known aristocratic disciples. It's normal for you not to know her."
He had only been fortunate enough to meet her once, when he visited Xuanmiao Sect with his father last time.
Si Miao smiled at Gu Fuyu and said: "A Man, *this* is a true genius."
Gu Huaiyou said from the bottom of his heart: "With her stunning beauty, noble status, and innate cultivation talent, such grace and splendor, one could say she is — a flawless white jade."
Gu Fuyu said: "Quite the 'flawless white jade,' indeed."
Si Miao covered her cheek, a pained expression on her face: "Ugh, so sour! How many years has this vinegar been brewing?"
Gu Fuyu crossed her arms and chuckled: "Yes, I'm jealous. So what?"
Gu Fuyu gazed intently towards the sect gate. The figures on the horizon had already gone far, leaving a sense of loss in her heart.
Such talent, she truly admired it, but it was beyond her reach.
The sages say: The Heavenly Dao is benevolent, utterly impartial.
But this Heavenly Dao clearly favored this Senior Sister.
Born so different.
Not long after, the three arrived at the mountaintop.
Gu Fuyu had endured the torment with all her might, and ultimately, she stepped into the Xuanmiao Sect's mountain gate.
The disciples entering Xuanmiao Sect this time had already been selected; all who arrived were qualified to enter.
This time was merely for registration.
Checking cultivation, registering records, and receiving identity jade tokens would allow them to reside inside.
The next day, they would be divided into classes based on their level and follow their masters for lessons.
In front of the main hall's plaza, there were quite a few people. On the left, they checked bone age and cultivation, and collected documents. On the right, they registered and distributed jade tokens.
Gu Fuyu was at the very end of the line. She watched the orderly row of people, submitting their documents, receiving their jade tokens, all in a disciplined manner.
The sect rules were strict, regulating every word and action. Looking at the many disciples in the courtyard, every single one was outstanding. Her presence among them felt like a chicken standing among cranes. Gu Fuyu felt utterly dejected.
What was she doing here, just to be mocked and ridiculed?
She needed to figure out a way to make Xuanmiao Sect refuse to accept her.
Just as she was pondering, another person joined the line behind her, looking left and right towards her.
"Who do we have here, Gu San? It really is you. What, here to escort your second brother to join the sect?"
She turned her head to look.
Well, the vanguard general who mocked her had arrived.
The speaker wore a dark brocade robe, with a pair of slanted eyes and high-raised eyebrows, exuding an air of arrogance.
Gu Fuyu gave a half-smile: "Yuan Sheng, why do I keep running into you everywhere?"
What a cursed fate.
Young masters and ladies from their aristocratic families, when they lived close by, would often choose a tutor to educate their juniors together.
The two of them had once been taught by a master.
The two of them had been fellow disciples for several years, until the master could no longer tolerate Gu Fuyu's temperament. He sent her home, declaring outright that she was untalented and unfit for great responsibility, and swore he would never teach her again, come what may.
Several years passed, and now, once again, they were fellow disciples.
Yuan Sheng, courtesy name Changsui.
For contemporaries of the same generation, calling someone by their given name was disrespectful.
Yuan Changsui called Gu Fuyu by her nickname, and in return, Gu Fuyu called him by his given name.
Yuan Changsui's face darkened.
The queue had reached Si Miao.
The next person was Gu Fuyu.
Yuan Changsui said disdainfully, "I came to Xuanyao Sect to cultivate; it's not like you.
Given your aptitude, you won't be able to enter Xuanyao Sect in this lifetime."
Yuan Changsui patted Gu Fuyu's shoulder and chuckled, "It's fine to just come and admire the place, absorb some spiritual energy. Who knows, maybe in eight or ten years you'll be able to establish your Foundation."
Gu Fuyu pushed his arm away, smiled faintly at him, and didn't reply.
Yuan Changsui assumed she was powerless to retort and was in a very good mood.
Ever since they were young, he had disliked this woman.
She had no real ability, yet her temper was incredibly arrogant, and she was strange and eccentric, only relying on her parents to stand on equal footing with them.
Back then, he wasn't the only one who saw her as a weirdo; all the students in their class looked down on her and kept their distance.
Once hatred took root in one's heart, everything that person did seemed displeasing.
Whenever the two of them met, Yuan Changsui invariably had to make Gu Fuyu unhappy.
The more arrogant and confrontational Gu Fuyu was, the more satisfied Yuan Changsui felt in provoking her, just like today.
The queue had now reached Gu Fuyu.
Gu Huaiyou and Si Miao were about to go to the other side to collect their jade tokens, when they saw Yuan Changsui standing to one side behind them, and immediately knew something was amiss.
But at that moment, the guiding disciple was urging them on, so Gu Huaiyou could only hastily greet Yuan Changsui and repeatedly warned Gu Fuyu not to cause trouble.
He wasn't worried that Gu Fuyu would be bullied by Yuan Changsui; he was only afraid that Gu Fuyu would intentionally cause trouble.
Yuan Changsui took a step to the left, preparing to bypass Gu Fuyu and submit his document, when Gu Fuyu also stepped aside, blocking him. "Hey!"
Yuan Changsui raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Not convinced?"
Gu Fuyu shook her head. "I think you're right."
She slowly took out a document and opened it right in front of Yuan Changsui. "I should indeed be here to admire the place and absorb some spiritual energy."
Yuan Changsui frowned, and when he clearly saw the three characters 'Gu Fuyu' on the document, his expression turned to shock.
Only disciples selected by Xuanyao Sect would have such a document; how could Gu Fuyu possibly have one!
But the document in her hand couldn't be faked.
Yuan Changsui couldn't believe it. He lunged for the document in Gu Fuyu's hand. "Gu San, how dare you! You even dare to forge Xuanyao Sect's documents!"
Gu Fuyu was quick-witted and agile, dodging aside, and slapped the document onto the desk of the elder in charge. Then she smiled and said, "Junior Brother Yuan, from now on, as fellow disciples, we should look out for each other more."
Gu Fuyu wore a light, deep blue outfit, matching the sky in color, her hair tied up in a spirited ponytail. At the end of her hair tie were two fresh, dewy green jade beads. When she turned her head, her long hair and hair tie fluttered simultaneously, her demeanor free and ethereal.
She smiled at Yuan Changsui, dimples appearing on her face, her eyes sparkling brightly.
To others, she would seem approachable.
Yuan Changsui, however, felt a deep sense of provocation. His eyes reddened as he looked towards the elder, seeing him nod at Gu Fuyu.
The decree was real.
Rage instantly surged through Yuan Changsui's chest. He had spent years cultivating with great effort and dedication to join the Xuanmiao Sect. Gu Fuyu was inferior to him; what right did she have to join?
If Gu Fuyu joined the Xuanmiao Sect, wouldn't all his efforts be worthless, like a complete joke!
Yuan Changsui walked up to the table, wanting to see the decree. "The Xuanmiao Sect is the foremost immortal sect under the Four Immortal Sects, and has always been extremely strict in selecting disciples.
This person only has a trash spirit root and a Qi Condensation cultivation level, and you would still accept her as a disciple?!"
The elder held down the decree, preventing him from seeing it.
Yuan Changsui angrily flicked his sleeve and said, "By what right does she enter the immortal sect? Everyone says the Xuanmiao Sect's selection is fair, but now you're opening the back door! What benefits did Gu Wanpeng give you? Name your price in spirit stones! I want to buy a spot as an inner disciple!"
The elder said in a deep voice, "Young man, watch your tongue!"
Yuan Changsui opened his mouth, but in the end, could only let out an unwilling huff.
His voice was naturally loud, and as he strained his neck, roaring wildly, he attracted the gazes of many disciples.
Gu Fuyu extended her hand, allowing the elder to examine her cultivation.
The elder touched her, glanced at Gu Fuyu, and was also slightly surprised. He shook his head as if in regret: "A four-element spirit root, Great Perfection of Qi Condensation."
This single statement stirred up murmurs among the crowd. Gu Fuyu could feel gazes coming from all directions.
The number of disciples wishing to join the Xuanmiao Sect was countless, and they were always chosen from the most optimal candidates. Even three-element spirit roots were only considered ordinary here, so Gu Fuyu's case was even less noteworthy. If her cultivation had been higher, it might have been overlooked, but she was only at Qi Condensation.
One must know that within the Xuanmiao Sect, the lowest cultivation level among disciples was already Foundation Establishment.
These disciples didn't know why the Xuanmiao Sect would accept Gu Fuyu, but they merely echoed the man's words about her using the back door.
Although they couldn't dictate how the Xuanmiao Sect accepted disciples, they could look down on Gu Fuyu.
Gu Fuyu felt those contemptuous gazes. Although she was used to them, she still felt uncomfortable.
See? If she had just stayed at home, wouldn't everything have been fine?
Yuan Changsui said, "Wasn't I right!"
The elder gave him a faint look and explained: "She is a disciple specially recruited by Elder Lu He, regardless of her cultivation level."
Yuan Changsui gritted his teeth and said, "What do you mean, 'regardless of cultivation level'? She's just a waste at the Qi Condensation stage, and you still want to accept her?!"
Gu Fuyu hadn't expected that causing trouble with the decree and provoking Yuan Changsui to jump with rage would actually have some effect.
A thought flashed through her mind, 'Perfect! I was just worrying about how to escape!'
Gu Fuyu calmly adjusted her sleeve, glanced at Yuan Changsui, and smiled: "A Qi Condensation waste? I'd still have strength to spare beating you."
Yuan Changsui glared at her and let out an angry laugh, "Ha! Fine! Good! So much strength to spare! You'd better show me how you have strength to spare!"
Gu Fuyu had been waiting for these words.
Yuan Changsui scoffed inwardly. Before, the gap between them wasn't large, so she could mock him. But now he was at Foundation Establishment, and Gu Fuyu was at Qi Condensation. He didn't believe she could still turn the tables!
"If you're so capable, don't call your second brother for help!"
“If you’re so good, don’t come crying to your mommy and daddy!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Changsui had already condensed an attack.
Yuan Changsui was an inner cultivator. Inner cultivators trained their spirit roots, nourished their spirit souls, strengthened their minds, and excelled in magic, capable of summoning wind and rain.
Gu Fuyu’s body floated backward, her fingers already pinching a talisman. She shouted, “Wind, come!”
Suddenly, a fierce gale erupted all around Yuan Changsui.
Yuan Changsui coldly snorted, “Child’s play!” Just as he was about to counterattack, he felt his spiritual energy scatter, making it difficult to coalesce.
He felt puzzled, then suddenly noticed a spirit-scattering talisman stuck to his sleeve. His shame turned to anger, and he roared, “Gu San, you’re playing dirty tricks!”
It was this moment of delay that allowed the gale to trap him in its center, blowing his clothes into disarray and making his hair dance wildly. He looked quite disheveled.
Ashamed and enraged, Yuan Changsui’s spiritual energy surged, burning the talisman to ashes. He needed to retaliate against Gu Fuyu.
Gu Fuyu was already prepared to defend herself. She chuckled, “You never said talismans weren’t allowed.” That talisman had stuck to Yuan Changsui’s arm the moment she patted it.
The two had exchanged blows for only a moment, but were already about to strike again.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and in an instant, a figure lightly descended between the two, holding a scroll in hand. “Private duels are forbidden within the sect.”
The voice was clear, cold, and unhurried.
Gu Fuyu looked at the person, her pupils contracting. She was stunned in an instant.
Before, she had only caught a fleeting glimpse and hadn’t seen the entire face clearly. Now, she could observe up close.
The person wore a long robe of frosty white silk. The hair at their temples was swept up behind their ears, neatly combed. Their attire could be described as meticulously careful.
Their demeanor was pure and refined, like blooming flowers and spring pines, more beautiful than green mountains, more radiant than the bright moon.
This was the flawless white jade Senior Sister Gu Huaiyu had spoken of.
Gu Fuyu sighed inwardly, “Heaven truly shows favoritism.”
Yuan Changsui was in a fit of rage and couldn’t retract his hand immediately.
Gu Fuyu, on the other hand, intended to cause trouble.
Even though someone stood in the middle to stop them, the two still didn’t cease. But after taking another step, they felt a crushing weight of ten thousand catties pressing down on their backs.
Both simultaneously went limp, falling to their knees on the ground. Cold sweat poured down, and their calves cramped.
Gu Fuyu looked at the instigator. Zhong Mishu’s body was like jade, her sleeves billowing in the wind, yet she hadn’t moved a single finger.
Just the pressure of a Golden Core stage cultivator was enough to make her unable to bear it.
Yuan Changsui panted heavily. Although he was at Foundation Establishment, he wasn’t much better off than Gu Fuyu under the pressure.
Under the heavy pressure, Yuan Changsui, on the contrary, calmed down.
On his first day in the sect, to act recklessly and assert strength in front of the main hall was a great disrespect to the sect.
Yuan Changsui already wanted to stop.
Gu Fuyu, however, still found the commotion not big enough. She worried that this small matter wouldn’t be enough for Xuanmiao Sect to expel her.
Her thoughts shifted, and she set her sights on Zhong Mishu.
Cruelly competing with a fellow disciple, then being arrogantly stopped by a Senior Sister, her shame turning to anger, she would then attack the Senior Sister—a perfect reason!
If this succeeded, she would then have three charges: hot-headed tyranny, overly competitive arrogance, and disrespect towards elders! Enough to get her expelled from Xuanmiao Sect!
This preposterous notion, after Gu Fuyu completed her act of salvation, she felt that not only did she want to leave Xuanyao Sect, but she also harbored a growing sense of rebellion.
She knew it was like a mantis trying to shake a great tree.
Gu Fuyu forced herself to sit up, then suddenly struck when Zhong Misu relaxed her guard.
Gu Fuyu's movements were swift, but Zhong Misu was even swifter. As soon as her oppressive aura was released, Gu Fuyu was immediately forced to the ground.
She fell right at Zhong Misu's feet, her hand just shy of touching the hem of her skirt.
Before spitting blood and fainting, she thought—a genuine Golden Core Ancestor, truly not to be trifled with!