It turned out that the Old Woman’s words were absolutely right.
Only after Hua Jian returned to her little nest and seriously studied the spell did she realize just how many traps were hidden within it.
The Old Woman selling it to her for twenty Spirit Stones was truly no loss at all.
Because if this thing ended up in the hands of a less gifted genius, it would be useless—just some idle reading material to pass the time.
“At least a Wood-Innate Spiritual Body is required to use it… but what exactly is a Wood-Innate Spiritual Body?”
Hua Jian couldn’t understand, but she was deeply shaken.
Fortunately, the author of this spell had considered that some people might not know their own body’s nature level and had included a simple method to test one’s physique in the appendix.
Of course, the test wasn’t very accurate, but it could determine the rank of one’s physique without issue.
The method was simple: using the materials listed in the appendix, make a transparent potion, then place it about ten meters away from yourself.
After cultivating as usual for a night, if the potion changes color, it means your physique meets the basic requirement of the spell.
Hua Jian tried it and, as expected, the potion turned into a strange, colorful hue. It seemed her physique was indeed quite impressive.
Still, she didn’t get too excited; she had known (well, only for a few days) that her physique was unusual—otherwise, so many people wouldn’t have taken an interest in her.
“Hmm… judging by this color, my physique seems pretty powerful.” Comparing her test results with those recorded on the Jade Slip, Hua Jian found that her result was even better than the highest result on the slip.
Wow, so I’m a super prodigy!
Having cleared the physique hurdle, the next step was to train her control over spiritual energy.
This spell required the cultivator to command their spiritual energy as effortlessly as an extension of their limbs—no room for error.
That was not a goal Hua Jian could achieve in a short time. She had to use time to slowly hone and improve her control bit by bit.
Seven full days passed during this grind.
……
Nothing major happened during those seven days, except that a distinguished guest arrived at the outpost.
And this guest’s purpose was to take Hua Jian, who had been living there for almost a month, away.
“Why are you here?!”
When Hua Jian opened the little courtyard gate after hearing a knock, she blinked at the white-haired girl standing before her, momentarily thinking she was hallucinating from overcultivation.
No, Linglong shouldn’t have come here; she was supposed to be the Saintess residing at Yaochi.
“Am I so tired that I’m seeing things?” Hua Jian instinctively reached out to poke Linglong’s cheek.
After being gently shocked, she realized this was probably no hallucination.
“She’s here specifically for you. She said she has something to discuss,” Su Xiaoxiao said with a serious face, standing beside Linglong and fully aware of her intentions.
It was known that both Fanglingmen and Yaochi were interested in Hua Jian. If the Yaochi Saintess came at this time, what else could it be?
Definitely to recruit Hua Jian away!
“Come in first.” Hua Jian felt the atmosphere was off, and it wasn’t appropriate to let Linglong stand just at the door talking. It was better to invite both of them inside first.
Once inside Hua Jian’s little room, Linglong immediately caught a very distinct floral fragrance.
The scent was neither too strong nor too weak, perfectly balanced in every corner.
All those perfect details combined to create an addictive fragrance that made one want to keep inhaling it.
It was Hua Jian’s unique body scent. Previously, Linglong had only smelled it when close to Hua Jian, so how was it now permeating the entire room?
Could something be wrong with her physique? Linglong cast a worried glance at Hua Jian.
“It smells so good… Hua Jian, what are you doing in your room?” Su Xiaoxiao directly voiced her confusion.
“I’m practicing ways to control my spiritual energy, but I haven’t succeeded yet.” Hua Jian opened the window to let the floral scent disperse.
Perhaps due to her physique, the spiritual energy she emitted also carried this peculiar personal fragrance.
It was fine when alone, but others would surely find it odd.
“I see…” Linglong nodded. Learning new spells was something every cultivator did, and failing was common.
Even she had failed many times when learning new spells, sometimes losing control of her spiritual energy and getting singed badly, while her mother would laugh heartily nearby.
Hmm, perhaps that was the Dragon Clan’s way of raising children.
“Enough about that. Linglong, is there something you want to talk to me about?”
“I want to invite you to travel across the Central Continent with me,” Linglong said directly. “My first stop was the previous Secret Realm, but the sudden opening of the Dragon City Ruins Mystic Realm interrupted it.”
“Now that the Secret Realm is over, my journey must continue, so I want you to accompany me.”
Hua Jian understood Linglong’s meaning: she wanted a travel companion. What Hua Jian didn’t understand was why Linglong had chosen her.
Hua Jian was beautiful and virtuous, but with Linglong’s social circle, surely she could find a better partner for the journey?
“Why me?”
“Because you’re strong, and you understand many of the ordinary cultivators’ habits. You’re different from the other junior sisters in the sect,” Linglong answered seriously.
“There are so many senior sisters in Yaochi. Why not invite them?”
Even Su Xiaoxiao showed a look of speechless disbelief at that question.
Hua Jian was momentarily stunned, realizing she’d asked a silly question.
Linglong was on a journey of cultivation and experience. If she brought along powerful senior sisters, would that still count as a journey?
It’d just be following someone else around the Central Continent for fun.
So Linglong obviously wouldn’t invite senior sisters. As for the junior sisters… Hua Jian had met those girls, and compared to them, she truly was the most charming.
She was not only strong and knowledgeable but also not from Yaochi, so Linglong inviting her was no problem at all.
Thinking this way, Hua Jian really was Linglong’s best choice.
“But I just finished that Secret Realm and want to rest a bit…”
“I’ll cover all your expenses along the way. Every city we arrive at, you’ll stay in the best inns and eat at the finest restaurants,” Linglong said calmly.
She knew exactly how to entice Hua Jian.
Hua Jian swallowed nervously. So this meant tagging along with Linglong, the little Dragon Girl Saintess of Yaochi, to tour the Central Continent for free?
That actually sounded quite tempting, and she felt a little tempted.
Hua Jian felt she had no real reason to refuse Linglong’s invitation, even though she clearly knew Linglong had ulterior motives to lure her to Yaochi.
But, well… being “recruited” by Linglong like this made Hua Jian feel valued by Yaochi, which felt pretty good.
Hua Jian was not heartless. Being so valued by Linglong and Yaochi naturally made her feel comfortable.
Of course, she wasn’t saying Wanling Sect was bad, but compared to the lightning-fast Yaochi, the Lingcaifeng Master of Wanling seemed a bit slow on the uptake.
Seeing Hua Jian’s wavering expression, Su Xiaoxiao knew she was already leaning toward Linglong.
She sighed silently, knowing she couldn’t blame Hua Jian. Yaochi was simply shameless, even sending out their Saintess in person.
How could a young country girl like Hua Jian resist such temptation? She would definitely be fooled.
“Sigh, when do you plan to leave, and where to?”
“I plan to set off tomorrow morning for Huiyue City. There’s a large auction happening soon, and I might find something interesting,” Linglong had already made her plans.
Hearing the word “auction,” Hua Jian’s eyes lit up. She was very familiar with such events; these were the places where countless predecessors who had transmigrated showed off their skills!
Publicly outbidding and humiliating rivals, ambushing opponents on the way home for free deals… she knew all about it!
“Are we buying seriously or just fooling around this time?” Hua Jian rubbed her hands eagerly.
Linglong blinked. “Is there any other way?”
“Of course! If someone buys what we want, we’ll rob them halfway and get it for free. Simple!”
Duang! Just after a meal where Hua Jian had gobbled down a Soul Hall Elder’s dish, the righteous Saintess mercilessly punched her.
“Behave yourself.” “Oh.”
Watching the intimate interaction between Linglong and Hua Jian, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly felt rather unnecessary.
Had these two girls’ relationship already reached the level of best friends? And they’d only known each other less than a month?
It was strange.
“I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning.” After reminding Hua Jian of a few things, Linglong stood and left.
She had booked a room nearby and would stay there tonight.
After Linglong left, Su Xiaoxiao finally took the chance to ask Hua Jian the question that had been on her mind.
“How did you two become so close?”
Su Xiaoxiao could feel that their relationship wasn’t just good—it was really good. Even Caidie wasn’t as close to Linglong as Hua Jian was.
When Linglong was around, Hua Jian seemed full of vitality, like a flower basking in sunshine and dew.
“Maybe because I like her, and she likes me?” Hua Jian tapped her chin, pondering for a few seconds before giving an uncertain answer.
Her reason was quite practical: the Saintess was pretty, rich, and treated her well. Why wouldn’t she like her?
Coincidentally, Linglong liked her too. They’d been comrades-in-arms, so it was natural to be close.
After hearing this, Su Xiaoxiao was silent for a while before commenting, “You mean you’ve been knocked out by her with Spirit Stones?”
A Spirit Stone-loving little money-lover getting floored by a rich young lady with Spirit Stones oddly matched their personas.
“She’s different. She… gives a lot!” Hua Jian’s eyes darted nervously. Can feelings be measured by Spirit Stones?
Although their relationship started over Spirit Stones, it had since grown beyond that.
Spirit Stones were just a significant part of their relationship!
And Linglong really did give a lot. Traveling with her meant enjoying good food and comfort, much better than struggling alone.
After experiencing life with a wealthy benefactor once, Hua Jian had come to like the feeling.
“You better watch out. You might get tricked into love, then fooled, and kicked to the curb.”
“I think you should worry more about her being tricked by me out of money and feelings…” Hua Jian whispered back.
Given their current personas, Linglong was definitely the one more likely to be fooled.
Hua Jian wasn’t that easily deceived.
“You seem pretty confident in yourself… Want me to help pack your stuff?”
Hua Jian was leaving tomorrow morning, so naturally, she had to pack tonight.
But Hua Jian didn’t have much to pack. She’d brought two Storage Pouches when she came here.
One hadn’t been used much since arriving; the other had been filled with treasures from the Secret Realm.
“No need. But I think the Lingcao I asked you to sell isn’t all sold yet?”
Hua Jian had asked Su Xiaoxiao to help sell the low-grade Lingcao brought out from the Secret Realm to save energy.
As a commission, Su Xiaoxiao took a tenth of the Spirit Stones earned.
That was still something Hua Jian had forced on her; Su Xiaoxiao had even considered working for free.
“Your Lingcao quality is much higher than the market’s. I was planning to find a few clients who valued quality more, but you’re leaving so soon…”
“No rush, no rush. Take your time. I’m not going away forever,” Hua Jian quickly waved her hand, refusing to make it sound like a farewell.
She was just going out with Linglong for a few days, and would definitely come back to find Su Xiaoxiao.
Even if Linglong kidnapped her halfway, Linglong wouldn’t lock her up in Yaochi. She’d still have chances to come find Su Xiaoxiao.
“You’re reliable with business!” Hua Jian grabbed Su Xiaoxiao’s hand, looking serious.
Su Xiaoxiao blushed and rolled her eyes at Hua Jian. “Flattery. Now I believe what you just said.”
“What did I say?”
“That the one being tricked shouldn’t be you but that poor little Saintess.”
With Hua Jian’s appearance and flattering words, she was a natural at winning girls’ hearts.
Look at how many she’d captured already: Caidie, Linglong, and probably many others.
Su Xiaoxiao felt she was worrying unnecessarily. Hua Jian might be the one fooling others, not the other way around. That girl was smart.
“Hehe, thanks for the compliment.”
“I wasn’t complimenting you.” Su Xiaoxiao sighed.
“Doesn’t matter, I’ll take it as one anyway.”
……
“This outfit won’t do.”
Early the next morning, Linglong knocked on Hua Jian’s door. After seeing Hua Jian fully dressed, she shook her head.
Hua Jian looked down at her clothes. What was wrong with them?
To hide Linglong’s identity and satisfy her possible “disguise to strike” plans, Hua Jian hadn’t worn Yaochi’s robes.
“Change into this.” Linglong took a small box from her Storage Pouch and handed it to Hua Jian.
Hua Jian opened it. Inside was a white base dress decorated with seven-color embellishments, similar in style to the one Linglong was wearing.
Compared to the clothes Hua Jian had recently seen, this dress seemed closer to the attire she remembered from her previous life.
Kind of like from Hanfu evolving into modern casual wear?
Holding up the dress, Hua Jian hesitated, trying it on and moving it around.
Linglong misunderstood her hesitation as doubt about the style.
“This is a style popular in the last century. Many sisters prefer these clothes because they’re convenient and pretty.”
“That’s good to know. I’ve seen others wear something like this before.” Hua Jian wasn’t bothered by the style; she’d seen people wearing similar dresses while singing in some places.
After all, this world had developed for many years. Fashion taste wasn’t static, so innovations like this dress were natural.
What bothered Hua Jian was the color scheme. She suspected the dress was specially prepared by Linglong for her.
“You prepared this just for me?”
“Yes. You only have a few clothes, so I helped prepare some.” Linglong nodded without changing her expression.
As she spoke, she pulled out several more boxes from her Storage Pouch, all clothes she’d prepared for Hua Jian.
A complete set from head to toe, enough for Hua Jian to wear a fresh outfit every day.
Hua Jian’s mouth twitched slightly. How should she evaluate Linglong’s behavior? Truly worthy of being a great sect Saintess.
The dress she held was at the level of a Pseudo-Spiritual Garment, much better than the Outer Sect Disciple robe given by Senior Sister Xiaoxiao!
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