"Master, why don't you go see an ophthalmologist?
Her? Does she have anything to do with being kind-hearted?"
Once the two of them came out of Xiao Baidao's courtyard, Jun Wen sneered:
"Don't think I'll buy it just because you were putting on a crocodile tears act a moment ago. Stay away from me in the future, and don't be an eyesore!"
Feng Xi glanced at him and curled her lip: "You think I want to look at you? What I said just now was only because I was afraid Master would be sad.
As for a pig-headed blockhead like you, do you even deserve to be my Senior Brother? Get lost as far as you can!"
Jun Wen laughed in anger!
"A good-for-nothing like you is calling me pig-headed? What nerve!"
Feng Xi blinked her eyes: "You don't admit you're stupid? Do you dare make a bet with me?"
"Why wouldn't I dare? What are we betting on? How do we bet?"
Feng Xi pointed a finger toward the direction of the beast stable: "I can make the sect-protecting divine beast kneel to me. Can you?"
Jun Wen: "..."
Has this little good-for-nothing lost her mind?
The sect-protecting divine beast was practically the living ancestor of the Xuantian Sect. It was already remarkable not to have to kneel to it—how could it possibly kneel to her?
He sneered: "I admit I can't do it. If you can, I'll let you do whatever you want with me.
But if you can't, you'll obediently play invisible from now on and stay away from me."
Feng Xi nodded: "Alright, it's a deal!"
The two of them immediately went to the beast stable. When the Golden Suanni saw Feng Xi, it instantly started howling wildly, rattling the ten-thousand-year dark iron chains with a loud clatter.
Feng Xi said to Jun Wen: "See that? Look how happy this little thing is to see me!"
Jun Wen: ......A little thing? Even though the Golden Suanni had shrunk its true form at the moment, it was still the size of three cows. You call this a little thing?
Besides, the Golden Suanni's eyes were practically red—are you sure it's happy?
He now had every reason to suspect that the junior sister Master had picked up for him wasn't just a little good-for-nothing, but probably had something wrong with her brain as well.
Feng Xi didn't pay any more attention to him, instead saying to the Golden Suanni:
"Look at that heartless expression of yours. You're about to go lame, and you still have the energy to howl here?"
The Golden Suanni's howling stopped abruptly. I'm going lame? How come I didn't know about it?
Feng Xi curled her lip:
"Looks like a fool like you really doesn't know!
Well, everyone is afraid your fragile little heart won't be able to handle it, so nobody dared tell you about this.
Only someone as honest and straightforward as me dares to tell the truth.
Your leg has a problem, a huge problem!
It won't be long before you go lame!
If you don't believe me, try the action of bending your knees. Make the movement a bit larger, and it's bound to hurt excruciatingly!"
Seeing how deadpan and serious she looked, the Golden Suanni was half-doubtful. It wouldn't cost it anything to try anyway, so it gave it a shot.
Bending its knees.
It didn't hurt at all!
Could it be that the movement wasn't large enough?
Because it exaggerated the movement too much, with a heavy *thud*, it dropped directly onto its knees on the ground.
Still didn't hurt.
The stinky girl really was spouting nonsense!
Then, it heard Feng Xi say: "My, you little thing, you sure know your manners, giving me such a huge bow the moment we meet!
Alright, you're excused, rise!"
The Golden Suanni: "..."
Ahhhhhhh!
Stinky girl, it's you or me, I'm going to tear you to pieces!
Feng Xi didn't care whether it howled or not. She had already offended it because of the Ziqiao Exquisite Fruit incident anyway, so one more time didn't make a difference!
Without paying any more attention to the Golden Suanni, which was driven mad with rage, she said to the dumbfounded Jun Wen:
"You lost! How about this: I'm a kind-hearted person, and since we're close fellow apprentices, I shouldn't go too far.
How about you run a hundred laps around the grounds completely naked when the Tianlv Secret Realm opens?"
Jun Wen: "..."
You might as well just kill me!
He gritted his back molars: "Feng Xi, don't go too far!"
Feng Xi sneered: "I'm going too far? You and I had never met before in our lives, what right did you have to curse me as a little good-for-nothing and an ugly monster the very first time we met?
Just because your head wears a touch of green?!"
Jun Wen: "..."
Your head wears a touch of green, you jerk!
Then he thought of the turquoise hair ribbon he used to tie up his hair...
Feng Xi continued: "Ever since I arrived at the Xuantian Sect, everyone has shown me kindness. Didn't they know that my dantian suffered heavy injuries and I couldn't cultivate?
Of course they knew!
But they have class and breeding, unlike you, who hurls abuse at a frail and pitiful young girl simply based on personal preference!
Judging people by their appearances and short-sighted—what qualifications do you, a blockhead like you, have to point fingers and judge me?
I, Feng Xi, will lay it out right here today: sooner or later, I will make you admit with your own mouth that you are the real good-for-nothing!
Rest assured, the punishment I just mentioned was merely teasing you. You might not care about your dignity, but I still want mine!"
With that, Feng Xi turned around and walked away without looking back.
Only her little shoulders were shaking slightly, and she occasionally raised a hand to wipe her face.
Watching Feng Xi's slender back, Jun Wen felt a bit uneasy in his heart. That little good-for-nothing must be crying; was he really going a bit too far?
Little did he know, Feng Xi was smiling with her eyes curved into crescents, not taking it to heart at all.
It was all just an act put on for him to see!
Life is like a play, and it all depends on acting skills!
For a proud and pampered narcissist like this, you have to use both soft and hard tactics.
Returning to her courtyard, Feng Xi began to sit in meditation and cultivate.
Even though Jun Wen didn't speak like a human being, she really was far too weak right now.
Only the strong have the right to speak.
She absolutely could not slack off.
Over the next few days, aside from going to pay her respects to Xiao Baidao and deliver breakfast in the morning, Feng Xi rarely left her courtyard, devoting all her time to cultivation.
Thinking that she had been recuperating quietly inside her room the whole time, Xiao Baidao didn't pay it much mind either.
On this day, when Feng Xi woke up once again from fainting, she joyfully discovered that an extra small red spiritual root had grown inside her dantian.
Could it be a Fire Spiritual Root?
Feng Xi felt she was simply a genius. After only a few days of cultivation, she had already "grown" a brand-new spiritual root. At this rate, maybe in less than a month she would be able to complete all five meridians!
Once the five meridians were completed, her dantian would also heal!
From then on, she, Feng Xi, would slaughter all across the board, with who to rival her?!
.
Chapter 12: Holding Hands and Spinning in Circles
This piece of work was just daydreaming when a sharp pain surged from her dantian. If her tolerance for pain hadn't multiplied recently, she would have definitely passed out from the agony.
She looked closely and nearly died of anger!
She saw that the newly grown fire spiritual root was currently "brawling" with the wood spiritual root that was already there!
Soon, the water spiritual root also joined the battle.
The three spiritual roots fought until they were twisted together like a... braided plait.
Feng Xi roared in anger: "Stop it, all of you stop it!"
Her voice was very loud, but unfortunately it had zero effect.
Treating her entirely as if she were thin air, the three spiritual roots fought even more vigorously!
Having calmed down by this point, Feng Xi said flatly: "Fight then, go ahead and beat each other up! It would be best if you smash my dantian to pieces—then I'll finally be liberated, and you can all kick the bucket right along with me!"
The three spiritual roots paused their scuffling for a split second, and then... they held hands and spun in circles.
Feng Xi: "..."
Damn it!
A bunch of drama queens!
In my past life, I must have screwed over the entire Milky Way, which is why I'm running into all these frustrating troubles in this life!
Complaints aside, Feng Xi quickly discovered that with the appearance of the fire spiritual root, the frequency with which she fainted during cultivation had noticeably decreased.
This indicated that the injury to her dantian was improving, and the meridians within her body were also more stable than before.
She stealthily tried out the simplest cleansing incantation, and didn't feel the slightest bit of discomfort.
This girl was simply bursting with joy!
Tremble, cultivation world!
The Light of the Xuantian Sect is about to descend!
Being in a good mood, she wanted to find someone to share it with.
Thus, she came to find the Golden Suanni for a chat.
"Little Jin, did you miss me?"
The Golden Suanni's eyes were burning red. Miss you? I want you dead!
About the time it was tricked into kneeling last time, it didn't tell a single soul because it couldn't afford to lose that beastly face!
"Tsk tsk, look at that pathetic attitude of yours. Didn't I just trick you twice? Do you have to hold a grudge like this?!"
As she spoke, Feng Xi pinched a flame incantation, and a small flame appeared on her fingertips, jumping up and down as if it were dancing.
"How about it? Fun, right?
This is just a minor trick, I have plenty of big ultimate moves left!
Little Jin, you are truly so honored!
You are witnessing the rise of the Light of the Xuantian Sect..."
The Golden Suanni: "..."
You must be sick in the head!
Wait, didn't they say this stinky girl's dantian was damaged and she couldn't use spiritual power?
How can she use incantations?
Seeing the Golden Suanni's wide-open, staring eyes, Feng Xi's sense of achievement exploded.
"Little Jin, I heard your cultivation level has been regressing the whole time. Is that true?"
The Golden Suanni instantly reacted as if its cat's tail had been stepped on, letting out a series of angry roars.
This was the pain deep in its heart! An eternal pain!
Other spiritual beasts' cultivation levels would increase with age, but look at it—the older it got, the more useless it became, and its cultivation level had been regressing the whole time.
It was originally already at the Divinity Transformation mid-stage, but now it had regressed to the Nascent Soul mid-stage.
If it regressed any further, it wouldn't even have the face to sponge off the Xuantian Sect anymore.
Just as it was sinking deep into sorrow and couldn't pull itself out, it heard the little girl in front of it say mysteriously:
"Little Jin, I have a way to boost your cultivation level. Do you want to hear it?"
The Golden Suanni's very first thought was: utter nonsense!
Even Xiao Baidao has no way, and a good-for-nothing piece of trash like her has a way?
"Little Jin, do you think I'm lying to you?
Am I that kind of person?!
I am the kindest person ever. I tricked you twice before, and it's been weighing heavily on my conscience.
That's why I want to make it up to you.
Of course, if you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Just pretend I never said anything!
Well then, I've got things to do, see ya!"
With that, Feng Xi turned around and acted like she was going to leave. The Golden Suanni grew anxious and started howling wildly.
Feng Xi turned back: "You want to hear it?"
The Golden Suanni hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Feng Xi said with a smiling face: "Little Jin, the teachings of the Dao are not easily imparted. If I just told you so easily, you wouldn't cherish it; I need to see your sincerity first.
How about this: half a month from now, the Tianlv Secret Realm is going to open. You'll carry me on your back when the time comes!"
The Golden Suanni: "..."
You want to make me your mount?
She's crazy!
Completely out of her mind!
Feng Xi wasn't crazy at all. She just wanted to be... cool and eye-catching!
She didn't want to carry the title of a little good-for-nothing forever; she wanted to make a stunning appearance and let everyone know that she, Feng Xi, was a genius reborn from the ashes!
Just as the Golden Suanni was about to let out a few roars to express its anger, Feng Xi had already turned around and walked away:
"I'll give you a few days to think about it, and tell me your answer once you've figured it out.
Remember, good-for-nothings have no dignity, let alone any face to speak of!"
Just as Feng Xi left the beast stable, she ran head-on into Jun Wen.
This was their first time meeting each other since their argument last time.
Jun Wen felt rather awkward. He wanted to say a few words but didn't know what to say, yet turning around and leaving immediately made him feel like he was losing face.
To his surprise, the young girl opposite him said with a smile: "Fifth Senior Brother, I want to go take a look around the East Peak. Can you take me there on your flying sword?"
Jun Wen was startled at first, then hurriedly nodded: "I can, I can, I can!"
As he spoke, he summoned his flying sword and led Feng Xi toward the East Peak.
Jun Wen's heart was in turmoil. After their argument last time, he had reflected on it and felt that he really had gone a bit too far.
Yet he couldn't swallow his pride to apologize.
To his surprise, his Junior Sister took the initiative to speak to him, and she was even smiling.
Junior Sister must be throwing him a lifeline; Junior Sister is truly considerate and kind-hearted.
Only, what should he say right now?
Just as he was fretting, Feng Xi said with a smile:
"Fifth Senior Brother, your precious sword looks really nice. Does it have a name?"
Jun Wen hurriedly replied: "It does, it's called Qingtian."
*Qingtian*, Feng Xi thought to herself, why not call it *Dongdi*!
Just hearing the name sounded so childish and try-hard!
Out loud, however, she said: "My, what a great name! Just hearing it sounds super formidable!"
Jun Wen looked somewhat proud: "Of course, this is a name I meticulously selected!
Only this name is worthy of it. You have no idea, back then I nearly lost half my life at the Myriad Sword Wall before earning its recognition..."
After he finished rattling on and on, Feng Xi curiously asked:
"Fifth Senior Brother, I haven't been in our Xuantian Sect very long. Although I've heard people mention the Myriad Sword Wall, I only have a vague understanding of it. Can you tell me about it in detail?"
"Of course I can! The Myriad Sword Wall is the sect-protecting treasure of our Xuantian Sect. Legend has it that back then, the founding patriarch sealed three thousand spiritual swords within the Myriad Sword Wall, and those with affinity may obtain them.
Any inner sect disciple can go give it a try, though they must bear the consequences themselves.
Because the Myriad Sword Wall not only seals three thousand spiritual swords, but also seals countless sword auras. To gain the recognition of a spiritual sword, one must pass the test of the sword auras.
The sword auras and quantities corresponding to each sword are different. Although those sword auras are much weaker than real sword auras, they are still extremely fierce; the slightest carelessness will result in injury, and if you're unlucky, you might even lose your little life.
When I claimed Qingtian back then, I ran into two types of sword auras—the Swift Sword Aura and the Hammering Sword Aura—and almost lost half my little life..."
Feng Xi listened attentively. In fact, the other three major sects also possessed equivalents to the Myriad Sword Wall—all of them being spiritual swords left behind by their founding patriarchs.
Just as Jun Wen was blabbing away, Feng Xi blurted out unceremoniously: "Fifth Senior Brother, let's not go to the East Peak. Will you take me to take a look at the Myriad Sword Wall instead?
Don't worry, I'll just take a look from far away."
.
Chapter 13: Myriad Sword Wall
Jun Wen said breezily:
"What is there for me to worry about? You can only take a look from far away anyway; after all, your dantian is crippled, so no spiritual sword is going to choose you..."
The words slipped out, and he immediately realized he had said the wrong thing again.
In his panic, his flying sword trembled, almost dropping them.
Feng Xi chuckled: "Fifth Senior Brother, I'm not as fragile as you think. When we argued before, I was only hurt by your attitude toward me.
Later on, when I thought about it carefully, you just spoke without thinking and weren't really disliking me.
We're close fellow apprentices, so there's no need to stand on ceremony. From now on, say whatever you want, I won't overthink it."
Jun Wen scratched his head, feeling more and more like he hadn't acted like a decent human being previously.
The fierce temper he had directed at Feng Xi that day was entirely due to his worry about Xiao Baidao taking risks to hunt down ice-type monster beasts; he didn't harbor any major opinions against Feng Xi, otherwise he wouldn't have gifted her spiritual fruits.
When it came down to it, he was just soft-hearted with a sharp tongue.
As they talked, the two of them arrived at the Myriad Sword Wall.
Feng Xi looked in surprise at the towering stone wall ahead that pierced the clouds, within which several spiritual swords were faintly visible, quietly thrust into the stone.
She once again felt the primordial aura she had previously sensed at the Xuantian Sect's mountain gate plaque, and she found it quite shocking.
In front of the stone wall was a flat open space, marked with mottled patches of bloodstains.
"Li-Little Junior Sister, see those bloodstains?
They were all left behind by past generations of people trying to claim swords. Although people clean them up regularly, the blood has seeped deep into the stone, so this is all they can do."
Jun Wen had thought calling her "Little Junior Sister" would be a struggle, but to his surprise, it rolled off his tongue quite easily.
Feng Xi didn't pay much attention to the form of address; she narrowed her eyes as she looked at the Myriad Sword Wall.
Jun Wen continued: "The Myriad Sword Cave that Master said he punished me to is right behind the Myriad Sword Wall. Inside are sword auras weakened several times over; while they won't cost you your life, you have to shed a layer of skin every time you go in.
Master is just biased—he punishes me eight times out of ten, even though I'm clearly the most sensible one..."
Feng Xi hummed and hawed in response, her eyes never leaving the Myriad Sword Wall.
She wanted a spiritual sword.
The original owner previously only had an ordinary treasured sword, which had been snapped in half by Shen Zhilan during the inner sect selection.
As for spiritual swords, she hadn't been qualified to get one in the Hunyuan Sect.
Now the opportunity was right before her eyes.
Only, while she could mobilize a bit of spiritual power now, wanting to bypass the sword auras was simply wishful thinking.
Thus, she looked at Jun Wen: "Fifth Senior Brother, is there ever a situation—for instance, where you go block the sword auras, and the sword you fetch belongs to me?"
Jun Wen: "..."
You must be out of your mind!
"Little Junior Sister, the sword auras are the spiritual sword's test for the person claiming it; they cannot be outsourced to someone else."
He had another sentence left unsaid: even if that were possible, what does a little good-for-nothing like you want with a spiritual sword? As a decoration?!
Feng Xi spoke again.
"Do we really have to pass the test of the sword auras? Is there any possibility that some sword inside is just dying to come out and doesn't need a test at all?"
Jun Wen: ......Unless that sword is one cheapskate!
Feng Xi decided to give it a try.
Thus, standing dozens of zhang away, she stretched out her neck and shouted:
"Hey, listen up, all you swords inside! I am Feng Xi, the future Light of the Xuantian Sect. Is any of you willing to come with me?
If there is, hurry up and get out here. You miss this village, and there won't be this shop!"
Jun Wen: "..."
No wonder Master was willing to pull out ten Ziqiao Exquisite Fruits for her—her brain really must be broken!
If you could summon spiritual swords just by shouting, why would the rest of us risk life and limb? Are we doing it just because we have nothing better to do?!
As for the so-called Light of the Xuantian Sect, he simply treated Feng Xi as talking hot air.
While he was complaining internally, Feng Xi continued shouting over there.
"Come on out!
How boring is it staying inside there!
Follow me, and I'll take you to experience the warmth and coldness of the human world!
Follow me, and I'll take you to witness all the prosperity of this secular world!
Follow me, and I'll take you to tread across mountains and rivers, soar to the heavens and plunge into the seas, so your sword life won't be lived in vain..."
Not a single movement.
A short half-hour passed.
Feng Xi was still chattering away there.
Jun Wen truly couldn't listen any longer:
"Little Junior Sister, stop wasting your breath. I'll take you to look around somewhere else!"
Feng Xi sighed: "Fine then. If you want to blame anyone, blame these spiritual swords for being so ignorant. Another day I'll go to another sect and snatch one!"
Jun Wen: ......Spouting crazy talk again!
"Little Junior Sister, I'd better take you to the East Peak for a spin!"
"Alright."
Half an hour after they left, a wooden sword struggled to drill its way out from underground, then dazedly spun around a few circles.
What happened to experiencing the warmth and coldness of the human world as promised?
What happened to witnessing the prosperity of the secular world as promised?
What happened to treading across mountains and rivers, soaring to the heavens and plunging into the seas, so its sword life wouldn't be lived in vain?
Where are the people?
Liars!
Big liars!
In the end, the wooden sword "grumbled curses" and burrowed back underground.
At this moment, Feng Xi, who was regarded as a liar, was strolling around the East Peak with Jun Wen.