Time flowed like petals scattered by the wind—unpredictable, relentless.
Nearly a year had passed since Chen Jinshu secluded herself on Vulture Mountain. After the ambush by Chen Wenshan, she never ventured beyond its borders again.
Instead, she relied on Third Uncle Chen Huaiyang to procure spirit seeds and trade herbs—all grown openly in her fields, avoiding suspicion. In that year, she broke through to Qi Refining Layer 4. Yet, with the Veiled Breath Art, she outwardly displayed only Layer 3 strength.
Her progress hinged on three pillars:
—The Lotus Mark on her brow, which purified spiritual energy, bypassing tedious condensation.
—Mastery of High-Grade Lingyuan Pills, now refined to peak quality.
—The Crimson Mist Fruits, which scrubbed her meridians of impurities.
Even her Shadowpeak Flinch had reached Layer 4, though its size remained deceptively small.
As for Chen Wenshan? His failed ambush had cost him hired thugs and spirit beasts. Though he still schemed—stirring up occasional beast riots—Chen Huaiyang's patrols crushed each disturbance.
A white-and-crimson blur darted through the forest. A Golden Needle flashed—"Bang!"—and a Giant-Horned Spirit Deer collapsed, its skull pierced.
"A year, and I finally caught one alone!"
She grinned, adjusting the White Jade Hairpin—a mid-grade spirit artifact from her mother for her 17th birthday. When removed, it transformed into a slender sword. Originally meant to hide her birthmark, it now masked her identity as a mere "young cultivator."
Deer meat, rich in wood-attribute energy, was a delicacy that strengthened her constitution. But herds were dangerous; today's lone stag was a gift. Storing the carcass, she vanished in a streak of light, reappearing at the forest's edge.
At the steward's office, Chen Huaiyang awaited her. A month prior, she'd asked for updates on Xuanming Sect's recruitment.
"Third Uncle!"
"Jinshu. The sect's standards have tightened." His brow furrowed as he sensed her "Layer 3" aura. "Five-element spiritual roots are rejected. Only four or better—and just three-element roots can become outer disciples."
"What's the requirement for three-element candidates?"
"Qi Refining Layer 4."
Internally, she sighed in relief (she was already Layer 4). Externally, she mirrored his "concern."
"The recruitment?"
"At Vermilion Market in two months. They'll send enforcers—no need to trek to their mountain."
Her stomach lurched. Two months?! Falling short meant menial labor: hauling water, scrubbing floors—no time to cultivate. Promotion to outer disciple required Layer 4, but without resources, most languished for decades.
Luckily, she'd already broken through.
Chen Huaiyang misread her silence as despair. "Reaching Layer 4 in two months isn't impossible."
"I'll succeed," she vowed.
He handed her a letter. "From your mother."
Back at Plum Blossom Courtyard, she unfolded the parchment. Her mother and Second Uncle knew of the recruitment. They promised support—and would escort her to Vermilion Market. The fallout from Chen Wenshan's betrayal had forced the clan to increase stipends, fearing further rebellion. Now, multiple Chen disciples would attempt the sect's trials.
But Xuanming Sect's "Path of the Heart" was infamous. Even dual-spiritual-root geniuses had faltered. In past years, most Chens were weeded out by age, roots, or the Path's illusions. The handful who passed became menials—useless to the clan.
Desperation had led to political marriages, robbing female cultivators of their yuan yin before adulthood, stunting their growth.
One tragedy stood out: A dual-root prodigy, peak Layer 9 by 30, had been married off at 15. Failed Foundation Establishment. At 50, she remained stranded—a warning etched in Chen Jinshu's mind.
"I won't share that fate."
Her grip tightened on the letter. The sect's gates were her escape—and her battleground.