Ye Danxia took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and said, "Fine. We grew up together, after all. I know you're just speaking out of anger. I won't hold it against you this time."
Her gaze drifted toward the ring on Yun Jin's finger. "I'm still willing to help you… but you'll have to give me something in return. I really like that ring of yours. How about you give it to me?"
The ring looked utterly ordinary.
But for some reason, Ye Danxia felt an inexplicable urge to possess it.
She trusted her instincts.
"This ring must be mine."
Yun Jin glanced at her.
Ye Danxia pressed, her tone more urgent, "Well? Have you thought it through?"
Yun Jin curved her lips slightly, her voice indifferent, "I appreciate the gesture, but there's no need."
"You're impossible!" Ye Danxia snapped, furious.
"Yes," Yun Jin said without hesitation, "So, you can leave now."
She turned and walked away, just like that.
Ye Danxia stared at her retreating figure, a flicker of venom flashing through her eyes.
"Just wait. Did that woman still think she was the high and mighty young lady of the Yun family? In this world of cultivation, she would learn soon enough that she was nothing."
Ye Danxia exhaled deeply, her mood slowly settling.
There was no need to rush.
Once Yun Jin failed the test and faced expulsion, she'd offer the same deal again.
Would she dare refuse then?
And once she became her maid, wouldn't she have to hand over the ring if asked?
With that thought, Ye Danxia relaxed completely.
She'd make sure Yun Jin understood the insurmountable gap between a Heavenly Spirit Root and a Five Spirit Root!
Just then, a dignified voice rang out.
Sect Master Zhao Wuji announced, "Ninety-six people have passed the first test. The second test will evaluate perception. Disciples, distribute the non-elemental cultivation manual: the Mystic Codex."
Soon, every candidate received a thin booklet from the sect disciples.
"The Mystic Codex is a foundational cultivation method with no elemental alignment. It can be cultivated by anyone with a spiritual root. Memorize the contents immediately and begin cultivation. The faster you manifest spiritual energy, the higher your perception. If you manage to do so within the top ten, your elemental alignment will be irrelevant—you will be admitted unconditionally. Time starts now."
After speaking, Zhao Wuji glanced at Ye Danxia, his lips curling into a satisfied smile. No matter how many disciples they recruited today, securing a Heavenly Spirit Root was already a monumental gain. Heavenly Spirit Roots typically had exceptional comprehension, Ye Danxia would undoubtedly dominate this round as well.
On the plaza, incense began to burn slowly.
The timer had begun.
Yun Jin opened the booklet and flipped through the pages.
Ye Danxia shot her a mocking look.
"Was this fool actually hoping to rank in the top ten?"
She was just a sheltered noble daughter. What kind of comprehension could she possibly have?
This time, she'd crush her hopes completely.
As Yun Jin skimmed the pages, she silently activated her cheat.
"Activate the golden finger."
[Ding.]
[Golden finger activated. Super Simplification System now online.]
[System motto: The world is too complicated—I just want to live simply. This system is dedicated to simplifying everything, ensuring a stress-free, no-grind, victory-lap lifestyle for the host.]
[Free simplification attempts: 10. (After 10, Emotional Value required for exchanges. Emotional Value is earned by provoking emotional responses in others.)]
Yun Jin had chosen this cheat herself, though she'd only known the basics. The Emotional Value mechanic was new to her.
She smirked.
No worries. She'd make sure people felt plenty of emotions.
In her mind, she commanded, "Scan Mystic Codex."
[Scanning…]
[Result: Mystic Code (Entry-level cultivation technique). Requirements: Possess a spirit root. Method: Assume a fixed meditative posture, sense ambient spiritual energy, guide it into the body, complete one cycle within three breaths to generate the first strand of Qi. (Simplification available.)]
Honestly, the technique wasn't hard. With her millennia of experience, Yun Jin could probably master it quickly.
But after lifetimes of suffering, wasn't the whole point of this cheat to coast effortlessly?
Why bother working hard?
"Simplify."
[Simplifying…]
[Simplified to: Assume meditative posture → automatically absorb spiritual energy and complete cycles.]
Still had to sit in that ugly pose?
Yun Jin wrinkled her nose. "Simplify further."
[Simplifying…]
[Simplified to: Consume food → automatically complete all processes. More food = more spiritual energy.]
Now that was acceptable.
She did feel a bit hungry. If eating could help her cultivate, then fine, she could deal with that.
What snacks did she have left?
Meanwhile, on the high platform, the ten Peak Masters of Tianxing Sect observed the candidates. Each peak had its own priorities and rivalries. Naturally, they wanted to recruit the best possible seedlings.
The Heavenly spiritual root was, without question, a dream recruit for all. But since the Sect Master had clearly staked his claim, the others could only turn to the rest of the candidates. While they might not be as extraordinary, they were better than nothing.
Yang Hui Zhenren, master of the Artifact Peak, glanced enviously at Ye Danxia "Look at that Heavenly spiritual root girl. She's confident, calm—like she already knows she'll pass."
"Heavenly spiritual roots are rare beyond words. Be it aptitude or perception, they're top-tier. There's no way a basic cultivation method will stop her." Huo Lie Zhenren of the Pill Peak sighed softly.
The most gifted disciples typically focused on cultivation. Few chose the paths of alchemy or forging. For them, someone like Ye Danxia was simply out of reach.
Both Peak Masters sighed in unison.
Then Huo Lie Zhenren glanced at a corner of the platform and chuckled. "At least we might each get one or two new disciples. That drunkard over there is probably going to walk away empty-handed again."
Yang Hui laughed too. "As long as he's last, I can rest easy."
In that corner, a scruffy old man lay sprawled on a recliner, snoring. A gourd hung at his waist, its surface so worn the lacquer had faded, hinting at long use. While the Peak Masters chatted, the disciples below had already begun their seated meditation, trying to sense spiritual energy.
Ye Danxia was no exception.
Her posture was perfect, textbook standard.
Zhao Wuji nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. As expected of a Heavenly Spirit Root."
First place was undoubtedly hers.
Now, who would take second?
His gaze swept over the crowd.
And then, he froze.
Among the seated crowd, only one person remained standing.
Yun Jin.
She was still standing in the middle of the plaza, rummaging through her pouch.