Chapter 57

"Senior, how could it be you?"

Xu Xiaoshou tried to calm down and explained, "I didn't damage any ancient books or jade slips, and I didn't move any boxes around..."

"Don't be afraid, I won't lay a hand on you." Elder Sang smiled gently, "Those two were just coincidental. Actually, I came here to find you."

Xu Xiaoshou became even more panicked. He would rather this old man came to punish him than to have some ulterior motive!

Last time, he almost killed him, and this time...

What good could come of it?

"Which spiritual technique did you choose? Let me see." Elder Sang extended his hand.

Xu Xiaoshou pulled out a fragment of a scroll from his chest, not knowing what he was up to.

"Ten Segment Sword Finger?"

Elder Sang took the fragment and frowned, "This thing is so damaged, and you still chose it. Forget about ten segments, it would be a miracle if you could even master one!"

As he spoke, he put the fragment away and waved his hand, producing an exquisite jade slip.

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

What does this mean? What is this old man up to now?

Give me back the fragment!

"Pretty, right?" Elder Sang chuckled.

Xu Xiaoshou had a bad feeling, but what could he do? He could only nod!

"Good, it's pretty. I made this specially for you, so take it!" Elder Sang shoved the jade slip into his hand and raised his chin, "Want to take a look?"

I don't want to look!

I want the fragment!

"Really pretty." Xu Xiaoshou smiled and pressed the jade slip to his forehead, scanning it with his mind.

"Jinzhao Tianfen?"

His heart skipped a beat. These familiar words...

Jinzhao?

There's no way this has nothing to do with the "Jinzhao Fire Seed" he swallowed before. He couldn't believe it!

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't pretend anymore and handed the jade slip back, saying, "Senior, you overestimate me. My talent is really low. I only managed to master one move of the 'White Cloud Sword Technique' in three years. I doubt I can learn this."

Elder Sang waved his hand, unconcerned.

"It's fine. You don't need talent to learn this. As long as your physical body is strong enough to withstand the scorching power of the 'Jinzhao Fire Seed,' you'll be fine."

Xu Xiaoshou felt terrible. The problem is, I don't want to withstand it!

I have a passive system; why suffer?

Isn't it better to earn passive points slowly? Practicing this thing is nerve-wracking, and one mistake could turn me to ashes!

Elder Sang pushed the jade slip back, grabbed his hand, and felt it.

"Hmm, the first one is doing well. You're almost halfway there. I didn't misjudge you!"

He flipped his palm, and a familiar red seed appeared, hot and scorching, which he directly shoved into Xu Xiaoshou's hand.

"Once you go out, register this spiritual technique and practice it well. When you make progress, come back to find me."

No way I'm coming to find you!

I don't want to see you for a moment!

Xu Xiaoshou's heart clenched. The terrifying pain seemed to return with the heat of the fire seed in his hand.

He felt that life shouldn't always be endured passively; sometimes, one needs to resist.

"Senior, I don't want to eat this..."

Whoosh!

Elder Sang flicked his finger, and another fire seed shot into Xu Xiaoshou's throat, making a gulping sound as it was swallowed.

"If you don't want to eat this one, keep it for later. We'll eat the other one." The old man squinted with a smile, his tone gentle.

He took out a jade bottle, carefully placed the fire seed in Xu Xiaoshou's hand inside, and handed it to him, saying, "No rush, take your time."

Xu Xiaoshou stumbled and collapsed to the ground, his face losing color.

That's not what I meant!

I don't want to eat any of them!

He was completely bewildered. This sudden move caught him off guard. This old man had no dignity or seniority, and it was truly frustrating.

Once the fire seed was in his stomach, Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare act rashly. He immediately suspended it in his dantian to stabilize it.

His body temperature soared instantly, and he turned red again.

Xu Xiaoshou leaned against a bookshelf, his body steaming, and the familiar intense pain returned, driving him mad.

"Attacked, passive points, +1."

"Attacked, passive points, +1."

"..."

Xu Xiaoshou knew a wave of passive points was coming, but he couldn't feel happy about it.

This is the price of pain!

No!

It's intense pain!

If he started to refine it, it would be even more painful!

I came to the Spirit Treasury to choose a spiritual technique, what happened...

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes were unfocused, his soul lost.

Elder Sang, without a care, took out ten bottles of pills and placed them in front of him, making Xu Xiaoshou's face twitch.

Crimson Gold Pills?

Ten bottles?

So that's how it is...

He felt his fate was being arranged.

"Endure, and the road ahead will be smooth. Trust me!" The old man scratched his head, thinking for a moment, and then placed another bottle of pills.

"Cheer up!"

"Remember to come back when you've made progress." With that, he vanished.

"Encouraged, passive points, +1."

Xu Xiaoshou sat there in a daze, feeling his life had lost meaning.

Why?

Why did he fight so hard to become champion but still not enter the Inner Courtyard?

Why did he finally get to choose a spiritual technique in the Spirit Treasury, only to be forced into this?

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't figure it out. He felt the world was deeply malicious towards him.

"Fine, let it be..."

He registered the spiritual technique in a daze and left the Spirit Treasury.

...

Inner Courtyard.

A certain spirit site.

"Gurgle, gurgle~"

A spirit silver jade wine pot was boiling.

Lan Xinzi withdrew the blue flame from her hand, lifted the lid, and the aroma of wine filled the air.

She poured two cups, picked them up with her delicate hands, and walked gracefully to the man meditating nearby.

"Master Zhang, this is the 'Zhuoxian Nang' just sent by the family head. Would you like to try it?" she asked tentatively.

Zhang Xiong opened his eyes, ending his meditation, and looked at the woman in front of him.

It had to be said, Lan Xinzi was a stunning beauty.

Her long dress made her look like a fairy, her shoulders slightly exposed, and even a light touch of makeup made the flowers pale in comparison.

"Put your clothes on properly." Zhang Xiong averted his gaze.

"Nothing's dropped. This is how I wear it..."

Lan Xinzi suddenly smiled slyly, "I'm holding two cups, and I can't fix it right now. Can you help me?"

Zhang Xiong just snatched the cups and drank them in one go, "Fix it yourself."

Lan Xinzi rolled her eyes at him, but without any other action, she leaned over to pour him more wine and whispered, "The family has sent another message."

"Speak properly!" Zhang Xiong turned his head, frowning, "What now?"

"It's about your cousin being killed. Do you think you can hide it?"

Lan Xinzi stretched lazily, showing off her curves to the man, and continued,

"The Wen family went crazy when they got the news, but they have no one in the Spirit Palace, so they had to tell Lady Wen."

"Your stepmother just needs to whisper in your father's ear, and the message will be sent to you." She blew on the wine in her cup, her eyes glancing at the man, filled with allure.

Zhang Xiong sneered, "What does the Wen family have to do with me?"

"That's your cousin!"

"Just a weakling who couldn't keep up."

"..."

Lan Xinzi was momentarily speechless.