Chapter 593 - 385: The Grand Fengshan Ceremony

Chapter 593: Chapter 385: The Grand Fengshan Ceremony

"Haha, what did I tell you? No matter how many times he tries, it’s still an inferior Spirit Root!"

"Wang Jue, we can all see how much you want to become a disciple of Cyan Wood Mountain. But a Spirit Root is innate. Just accept your fate. Being a humble farmer in the village from now on isn’t a bad life..."

Hearing the discussions around him, Wang Jue’s expression remained unchanged, though he sighed softly in his heart. He stepped aside, allowing the teenagers waiting in line to step forward one by one to have their Spirit Roots tested.

The pagoda-shaped sapling resting in Wang Qingyu’s hand was a spiritual artifact known as Cyan Wood. It was used to test Spirit Roots. Specifically, one would drip blood onto it, and after absorbing the blood, the sapling would bloom. The more blossoms it produced, the better the Spirit Root. Blooming twelve or more flowers meant the person possessed a top-tier Spirit Root.

Wang Jue tested his Spirit Root every year, but each time, he could only coax the Cyan Wood to produce a single blossom. In contrast, back in his day, a single drop of Zhang Yunhu’s blood made fifteen tiny flowers bloom. As for the legendary Wang Qingyu, she was a genius who had coaxed nineteen blossoms from the Cyan Wood.

Geniuses were always rare. At the very least, there were none among this year’s batch of children in Fire Willow Village. Among the eleven teenagers tested after Wang Jue, the best result was a mere nine blossoms. According to the rules, none were qualified to join Cyan Wood Mountain, leaving their parents sighing in bitter disappointment.

Wang Qingyu’s expression remained indifferent throughout. Stowing away the Cyan Wood spiritual artifact, she announced, "The Spirit Root testing is complete. There are no top-tier Spirit Roots. With this matter settled, everyone is dismissed. We have other business to attend to and shall take our leave."

With that, the genius Spirit Cultivator prepared to leave, showing no intention of lingering. Zhang Yunhu and the quirky girl in the yellow dress didn’t dare dawdle either, obediently trailing behind her.

Not daring to stop them, the crowd respectfully saw them off.

Wang Jue suddenly stepped in front of Wang Qingyu, blocking her way. "Hold on!"

"Hmm? What do you want?" Wang Qingyu looked at Wang Jue with mild indifference.

Wang Jue knew that this youngest aunt of his had left home as a child twenty years ago. He had only ever heard legends about her, and this was his first time seeing her in person. Granted, they had no contact over the years and were naturally estranged, but she was acting far too cold. It was one thing for her not to recognize him, but how could she treat her own older brother, Wang Yin, like a complete stranger? Did entering an Immortal Sect truly mean severing all mortal ties?

"I wonder how Old Wang is feeling right now," Wang Jue thought, glancing at Wang Yin, who was standing nearby with an obsequious smile. He sighed inwardly. Looking back at Wang Qingyu, he stated calmly, "I wish to ascend Cyan Wood Mountain."

"Your aptitude is too low. You have no hope of entering the mountain," Wang Qingyu replied.

"As far as I know, there is another way to join Cyan Wood Mountain."

Wang Qingyu furrowed her brows. "You wish to take the entry challenge!"

"Exactly!"

"Very well. Yun Hu, Zi Ling, step forward!" Wang Qingyu flicked her sleeve and looked back at Wang Jue. "I have two disciples under my tutelage. You may challenge either of them. If you win, you may take my Token and enter Cyan Wood Mountain!"

Hearing this, Wang Yin turned pale. He hurriedly intervened, "My son, what are you doing? Don’t be foolish!" He then looked at Wang Qingyu and pleaded, "Xiao Yu, the child doesn’t know any better. Please just ignore him! Ignore him!"

Zhang Shanming tugged at Wang Yin’s sleeve and laughed. "Haha, Old Wang, your eldest boy has ambition! Let him have a little sparring match with my son. My son has been on the mountain for four years of Cultivation. This is the perfect opportunity for the villagers to see what he’s learned."

Other villagers murmured among themselves, but Wang Jue turned a deaf ear to them. He strode to the open clearing and looked expectantly at the towering Zhang Yunhu and the quirky girl in the yellow dress.

The girl in the yellow dress crossed her arms and shot him a sideways glance, letting out a soft scoff that thinly veiled her contempt for him.

Wang Jue had originally intended to challenge the girl in the yellow dress. As they say, always go for the easiest target; she was clearly the weaker opponent. However, Zhang Yunhu suddenly became animated. A smile spread across his face as he continuously winked at Wang Jue and pointed at his own chest.

"What does Zhang Yunhu mean by this? Is he telling me to challenge him? Is he planning to let me win? He truly is a good brother. I knew it. This guy used to follow me around everywhere when we were kids. How could he possibly forget me? He must want to lend me a hand!" Wang Jue thought.

A knowing smile appeared on Wang Jue’s face. Pointing at Zhang Yunhu, he declared, "I challenge Zhang Yunhu!"

"Very well!" Wang Qingyu said. "Yun Hu, go exchange a few moves with him. Just don’t take his life!"

Overjoyed, Zhang Yunhu cupped his hands in a salute. "Yes, Master!" He then bounded to the side, while the villagers fearfully backed away to give them space.

However, Zhang Yunhu turned his attention back to the girl in the yellow dress. "Junior Sister, just stand aside and watch. Let me teach this rustic bumpkin a lesson. For trash like him to dare challenge us—he simply doesn’t know his place!"

"You can do it, Senior Brother!" The girl in the yellow dress nodded.

Wang Jue’s face darkened at this. "What the hell? Zhang Yunhu doesn’t want to help a brother out at all. He just wants to show off in front of his junior sister! Holy shit!"

Wang Jue cursed silently. Dropping all pretense of politeness, he immediately drew the Longsword from his back. With the Longsword in hand, his confidence surged.

Zhang Yunhu respectfully cupped his hands toward Wang Jue, playing the part perfectly. "Zhang Yunhu of Cyan Wood Mountain, middle-stage of the Spirit Body Realm. Please enlighten me!"

"I am Fast Sword Ma San!" Wang Jue announced.

"Huh? Fast Sword Ma San?" Zhang Yunhu scratched his head in confusion. "Aren’t you Wang Jue? Since when did you change your name?"

"Enough nonsense! Have a taste of my sword!"

Wang Jue made his move. Empowered by his title, his footwork became incredibly swift and agile. The sword in his hand seemed to come alive, flowing naturally through the air. Foregoing any flashy techniques, his very first move was a direct slash aimed straight at his opponent’s forehead!