In the following days, Yao Xiaoxiao was like a little shadow, following Xu Xian everywhere as he went back and forth between Zhijian Peak and Zhujian Peak.
She watched as he forged.
She accompanied him while he ate.
She refined elixirs while he read.
The canteen at Zhujian Peak became incredibly lively whenever it was time to eat. This wasn't because the big exam was approaching, but simply because a girl had started visiting.
This was a rare sight.
The brawny men of Zhujian Peak were like peacocks, vying with each other to fan their feathers.
It was clear they were truly 'hungry.'
However, Yao Xiaoxiao was the descendant of Elder Yao, his pride and joy, so they didn't dare be too disrespectful. They simply showed off their physiques on their own.
Besides, the Little Grand-Uncle was always with her.
"The Little Grand-Uncle is truly impressive. He actually managed to kidnap Elder Yao’s little ancestor. Look at that, she follows his every word."
"Exactly! He truly is a role model for our generation!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yang gave a disdainful smile. "This is nothing. Back then, Senior Sister Nangong even wanted to pledge her life to him, but my Brother Xian rejected her without even thinking..."
"Really?"
"I even saw the Little Grand-Uncle with his arm around Martial Uncle Wen’s waist."
"Ooh~"
In an instant, rumors and gossip about Xu Xian spread wildly across Zhujian Peak, becoming more and more outrageous.
Yao Xiaoxiao.
Nangong Ning.
Wen Qingxue.
Lin Qianqian.
Even the fairies of Falling Cloud Peak, who had no connection to him whatsoever, were rumored to be involved with Xu Xian.
The stories were told with such conviction that if Xu Xian weren't himself, he might have almost believed them.
A perfectly fine young man was forcibly imagined by these men of Zhujian Peak as a passionate and dissolute youth.
Ridiculous!
Some people even paired him with Ye Xianyu.
Their imaginations were beyond wild, leaving Xu Xian between laughter and tears.
Right and wrong—he didn't care to pay it any mind.
Rumors and gossip—let them be.
Naturally, Xu Xian didn't care. He only cared about when three more immortal plants had appeared in his spirit herb field.
There were clearly supposed to be five. He hadn't been here for only two days, and they had just grown out of thin air?
It made no sense!
"Xiaoxiao."
The youth called out.
The white-haired girl hopped over, grinning as she asked, "Little Grand-Uncle, what’s up?"
Xu Xian rubbed his chin and gestured with his eyes. "Did you plant these immortal plants?"
Without a second thought, Yao Xiaoxiao admitted, "Yes!"
"Where did they come from?"
Without blushing or skipping a beat, Yao Xiaoxiao said, "I just pulled them up from the side of the road."
Xu Xian took a deep breath, looking at the girl with suspicion. "Truly?"
"Of course! I’m the most honest person there is!"
Xu Xian fell silent. The part about it being "in passing" was likely true, but the "side of the road" part was definitely a lie. How was it that no one else could find them, but you could?
Seeing that Xu Xian didn't speak, Yao Xiaoxiao poked her head forward and looked up at the youth, asking a question she already knew the answer to:
"What’s wrong, Little Grand-Uncle? Is there a problem?"
After a brief contemplation, Xu Xian shook his head.
"It’s nothing. Good job pulling them!"
Yao Xiaoxiao bared her small white teeth, extremely happy. She promised solemnly, "Don't worry, Little Grand-Uncle. I’m really good at pulling up immortal plants. Just you wait—within half a year, I’ll fill this entire empty space for you."
Xu Xian’s eyes flickered. Not wanting to dampen the little girl’s enthusiasm, he ultimately held back his words.
"Go on, get back to work."
"Okay!"
After Yao Xiaoxiao left, Xu Xian stared at the three immortal plants. His throat bobbed as he thought with lingering fear, 'If Elder Yao finds out his little cotton jacket is leaky, he won't try to kill me, will he?'
'Whatever.'
'It’s not like I asked her to pull them...'
If they were planted in his field, they were his. That was how Xu Xian felt.
Thinking this, he returned to his room to continue researching his project...
The next morning.
The Wendao Sect was much livelier than usual. The annual Spirit Forger Certification Competition was being held as scheduled.
The location was the same as in previous years: Wendao Square on Sword Inquiry Peak. It was large enough to accommodate the event.
Just as dawn broke.
Han Yi, the Peak Master of Zhujian Peak, arrived at Wendao Square with a group of Elders and core members. They began the intense work of setting up the venue.
The Spirit Forger Certification Competition was a major event for Zhujian Peak. It was also the day Zhujian Peak flexed its muscles to the entire sect.
They couldn't afford any carelessness.
"Move faster! Everything must be finished within an hour!"
"Put some back into it!!"
"Move this over there..."
Rows of spirit furnaces and forging tables were arranged neatly across the entire Wendao Square. A rough count showed no fewer than a thousand sets of equipment...
They had nearly emptied the entire treasury of Zhujian Peak.
In the center of the square.
Piles of various spirit ores were stacked for the competing disciples to choose from.
Han Yi issued strict orders, emphasizing repeatedly:
"The sword might not be forged successfully!"
"The results might not be ideal!"
"But your attitude must be impeccable."
"I’m warning you now: if anyone embarrasses me, I’ll make their life hell."
"Make sure you tell your disciples—when they step onto the field, they must wear short sleeves. Show off those arm muscles for me..."
"If you lack skill, then swing those hammers like your life depends on it! The louder the sound, the better!"
"Let the people of the sect see the spirit of our Forging Hall!!"
"Let them know what it means to be brawny!!"
"Understood?"
The crowd quickly voiced their agreement, each one solemn and full of fighting spirit.
"Peak Master, you can rest easy. I’ve already spoken with the Peak Master of Falling Cloud Peak. She’ll organize the female disciples from her peak to come and watch. When those girls stand by the side, those rascals will be like they’ve been injected with stimulants. They’ll work like crazy. I guarantee they won't embarrass you."
Hearing this, everyone gasped in admiration. Their eyes were full of respect as they gave thumbs-up and praised him.
"Brilliant!"
"Beautifully done!"
"It had to be you, Old Wang!!"
An Elder stepped forward and suggested, "Peak Master, I just checked the registration list. It seems the Little Grand-Uncle has also signed up. Do you think we should promote this a bit?"
Han Yi’s eyes lit up as if he had won the lottery.
"Truly?"
"Absolutely."
Han Yi’s powerful frame shook. Who was the Little Grand-Uncle? He was a legendary figure in the Wendao Sect. Using his name, at least half of the sect's disciples would probably rush over to take a look.
He immediately made the decision. "I’m giving you only half an hour. Within half an hour, I want the entire Wendao Sect to know that the Little Grand-Uncle is participating in this certification. Got it?"
"Mission guaranteed!!"
And so...
An Elder from the Forging Hall led a team of over a dozen disciples, shouting all over the mountains.
"Today at the Hour of the Snake, the Zhujian Peak Forging Competition will be held at Wendao Square! The Little Grand-Uncle will be participating in the spirit forger certification! Everyone is welcome to come and watch!!!"
"Today at the Hour of the Snake, the Zhujian Peak Forging Competition will be held at Wendao Square! The Little Grand-Uncle will be participating in the spirit forger certification! Everyone is welcome to come and watch!!!"
"Today at the Hour of the Snake, the Zhujian Peak Forging Competition will be held at Wendao Square! The Little Grand-Uncle will be participating in the spirit forger certification! Everyone is welcome to come and watch!!!"
"..."
The announcements played on a loop, echoing continuously. The Seven Peaks and Thirteen Halls instantly boiled with excitement...
"What? The Little Grand-Uncle is participating too?"
"I heard the Little Grand-Uncle is a disciple of Master Ruan!"
"It’s only been a few months—not even a year—and he’s already taking the spirit forger certification?"
"I have to go see this! Not for anything else, but for the Little Grand-Uncle."
"Count me in..."
Xu Xian stood in his courtyard, looking up at the sky. The corners of his mouth couldn't stop twitching.
"Impressive. They’re using me as an advertisement!"
Rate on N.U.
