Volume One, Chapter Five: The Blinding Light

Page 1/3

The monthly stipend for an inner disciple practicing Qi cultivation in the Floating Cloud Sect was only five spirit stones. Therefore, being carried up the mountain in exchange for just five spirit stones was incredibly tempting, especially for those who already possessed some cultivation—this was no difficult feat. Han Li quickly responded, “Alright!” He was genuinely desperate; his current Qi cultivation at the fourth layer was the result of sheer luck and accidental encounters, and he didn’t even have a single spirit stone on him. Hoisting Nie Feiyan onto his back, he hurried upward, afraid she might change her mind.

Above them, colorful clouds drifted by. The sun emerged from behind the mountains. The two sisters finally reached the mountaintop, where a spacious platform awaited.

“Haha, we’ve finally made it up here. I’m exhausted,” Wang Xifeng remarked as she glanced over with a somewhat sarcastic tone. “Carried up and still tired? You’re a young lady and you rely on a man to carry you? How shameless.”

Nie Feiyan ignored her. After waiting a while longer, the appointed time arrived. Two disciples assigned to receive the newcomers flew over to the group.

“Hm, this batch isn’t bad—over 500 people succeeded in ascending,” one of them said, about to continue when Wang Xifeng suddenly interrupted.

“Wait! I want to report something!” She hurried forward. “Brothers, sisters, I am Wang Xifeng, and I report that this person was carried up by someone else.”

“Oh?” Liu, one of the receiving disciples, approached Nie Feiyan. “Is this true?”

“Greetings, senior brother. What she says is true,” Nie Feiyan replied.

“Hmph!” Liu was about to punish her and declare her ascent invalid.

“Excuse me, senior brother, does the sect have any rule forbidding being carried up by someone else?”

“Well, um… I don’t think so!” Liu stammered.

“Exactly. So I haven’t violated any rules.”

Liu still refused to relent, “But—”

Suddenly, several spirit stones were pressed into his palm.

“Here are five spirit stones. My sister and I are new here; consider this a small gift for the senior brothers and sisters to have some tea. Please don’t refuse,” Nie Feifei said.

As the eldest daughter, she had been taught early on by Ye Bufan about the ways of the world. There was only one principle: nothing in this world can’t be accomplished with money, and if it can’t be done, it simply means there isn’t enough money.

At first, Liu felt insulted—how could such a young girl dare to bribe him? So many schemes at such a young age! Absolutely unacceptable! My righteousness will never allow it!

Yet, for some reason, he found himself unable to utter the word “refuse,” perhaps swayed by the spirit stones. Then he reconsidered: she truly hadn’t broken any rules.

“Haha, alright, junior sister, this really doesn’t violate any regulations.”

Page 2/3

Wang Xifeng’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“No, this is blatant cheating. We can’t let her off so easily.”

Liu’s face darkened as he said coldly, “Silence! Who dares make noise? Disqualify her immediately!”

How could things be handled like this? Is there no justice? I’m the one who reported this, and instead of addressing the issue, you want to punish me, the whistleblower?

“Ahem!” Liu cleared his throat and announced, “Next is the aptitude test, conducted by Elder Chen, the Transmission Master.”

A crane’s cry pierced the air.

An elderly Taoist, with a kindly face and a look of detachment from worldly desires, arrived riding a crane. His presence was majestic, and everyone admired him, including Wang Xifeng and the Nie sisters.

“Haha, not bad. This batch has many promising talents!” Elder Chen exclaimed.

“This aptitude test is simple. I have here a rare stone; those with aptitude will see it glow when they grasp it firmly. The stronger the light, the higher the aptitude.”

“All right, let’s begin. Step forward one by one.”

First, a tall woman in her twenties stepped forward and grasped the rhombus-shaped stone.

[A faint yellow glow appeared.]

“Hm, not bad, decent aptitude. Passed.”

The woman withdrew her hand happily. “Thank you, Elder!”

Elder Chen stroked his handsome beard and nodded with a smile. “Good. Stand behind me.”

The second candidate went next.

[No glow at all.]

“Disqualified!”

The third candidate.

[A faint, misty white light.]

“Barely passed.”

He was a rough-looking young man of eighteen. Elder Chen saw his low aptitude and was reluctant to pass him, but considering his youth and potential, he let him through.

“Thank you, Elder, for this chance.”

Fourth was Wang Xifeng. Elder Chen glanced at the Nie sisters provocatively.

“That petty girl must be crazy. We haven’t offended her—why does she keep provoking us?” Nie Feiyan murmured quietly.

[Golden light flared brilliantly.]

“Wow!”

Everyone around was stunned. They had seen the previous candidates barely light a small bulb, but Wang Xifeng illuminated the stone like a powerful spotlight.

“An exceptional specimen! Extremely high aptitude. Heaven bless our Floating Cloud Sect!”

Elder Chen was genuinely delighted, his eyes shining with admiration.

“Good, with such talent, I will take you as my disciple. Do you accept?”

Wang Xifeng felt embarrassed. She had already been preordained as the direct disciple of the sect leader. Now Elder Chen wanted to accept her—how should she respond? If she refused, it might offend him needlessly.

“Well… um…”

“Come on, speak quickly. Will you accept or not?”

Page 3/3

Before Wang Xifeng could answer, a commanding voice rang out.

“Brother Chen, finish the test quickly. You cannot just take disciples on your own like this.”

Elder Chen clicked his tongue but finally relented, “Very well, one more candidate.”

…

Finally, it was Nie Feifei’s turn. She was curious about her own aptitude level.

[...]

“Ah! My eyes!”

“Pain, pain, pain! My titanium alloy eyes!”

The light was so intense it was like staring directly at the sun. Everyone hurriedly covered their eyes to avoid burns.

The once bright and clear world became white only near the stone, while everywhere else was plunged into darkness.

It was the brightest star in the sky.

Its radiant brilliance illuminated the entire realm.

Soon, cracks appeared in the stone.

[Crack!]

The aptitude stone shattered.

It could not withstand the intensity and broke apart.

The light faded, finally revealing the day again.

Everyone cautiously opened their eyes.

“Ah, my eyes! My titanium alloy eyes are ruined!”

Some wailed in pain, others were stunned.

“What… what kind of aptitude is this? So powerful it shattered the aptitude stone!”

Wang Xifeng was utterly incredulous.

Zhou Yanan whispered to himself, “This younger sister is truly gifted. I must interact with her more in the future.”

Elder Chen said, “Is this due to her aptitude being too high, or is there something wrong with my stone?”

He had never seen anyone with aptitude high enough to break the stone.

He could hardly believe it.

“Brother, send someone quickly! My aptitude stone is broken! Bring a better one!”

The commotion was so loud the entire sect heard it. Those with higher cultivation immediately summoned their treasures to shield themselves from the blinding light.

The less experienced, still ignorant, some were blinded outright!

Upon Elder Chen’s shout, all who were not in seclusion at the sect rushed over to watch.

“Brother Chen, I have a supreme aptitude stone, far better than your ordinary one. Try this one,” said Cheng Lin, a peak master, offering his stone.

“Thank you, Brother Cheng!” Elder Chen expressed his gratitude and turned to Nie Feifei, his eyes shining. “Try again!”

“All right!”

Nie Feifei stepped forward confidently and grasped the aptitude stone with one hand.

[A dazzling, blinding light burst forth.]