Chapter 56: Good Seedling
Lu Yunxi followed behind the old man, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.
What kind of place was this? The people of this sect were powerful enough to tear open a hole in space and create an entirely new dimension. It was like stepping into another world. Even the seasons were out of sync—it was still the height of summer outside, but here, the air was crisp with the chill of autumn.
A gust of cold wind bit through her clothes, making her shrink her neck. This didn’t feel like the golden start of autumn; it felt like late, biting autumn, teetering on the edge of winter.
The old man led her a few dozen meters until they reached a bridge.
It wasn’t a solid stone structure, but the kind of rickety wooden suspension bridge you’d see in a horror movie, swaying violently in the wind. The dilapidated planks were strung high across a chasm, and looking down, she could see nothing but a bottomless sea of clouds.
The old man shook the guide rope, sending a fresh wave of tremors through the bridge. He turned to her with a grave expression. “Little girl, this is the first stage of the sect’s assessment. Walk straight across. When you reach the far end, ring the bell hanging there, and you will pass.”
“Are there no forks in the path?”
“No. This level tests both your strength and your wisdom. There are dangerous creatures—beasts, insects, and venomous snakes—lurking along the way. You must find a way to overcome them.” The old man reached into his sleeve and produced a strange jade token. “Take this. If you encounter a threat you cannot resolve, crush it immediately. It will teleport you back to the valley safely, and you won’t lose your life.”
He paused, his gaze intensifying. “But once you crush it, your assessment ends in failure.” After he finished explaining, he vanished on the spot.
Only a single sentence remained, floating on the wind: “Good luck!”
Lu Yunxi glanced at the empty space where the elder had stood, then looked down at the token. Engraved on it were three elegant characters: Yanyu Palace. She tucked the token away and calmly stepped onto the wooden bridge.
The bridge bucked and swayed, but there were thick ropes on either side to steady her balance. However, she didn’t find herself needing them. She moved quickly and surely, crossing the swaying planks with ease until she reached the forest on the other side.
Because so many leaves had already turned yellow and carpeted the ground, the sunlight wasn’t blocked by a thick canopy. The woods were bright and the visibility was excellent.
She thought for a moment, unslung the bow from her back, and notched an arrow. She didn’t bother looking for a stick to clear the brush; she simply walked straight ahead.
To her surprise, the “extreme danger” the old man had warned her about failed to materialize. After walking for nearly a quarter of an hour through the woods, she hadn’t encountered a single threat.
Deciding not to waste time, she picked up her pace. Using the basic light-footwork skills she had mastered, she began to sprint.
Meanwhile, the elder who had left the assessment space was already making his way out of the valley.
He certainly wasn’t going to sit around in the dirt like a fool waiting for the girl to emerge. As a sect elder, he had overseen countless newcomers, and while the first stage never changed, it was a grueling test of endurance. Even those who made it through quickly usually took at least a full day. Most took three to five, and many more simply gave up halfway.
The little girl will be in there for a long time, he thought. I might as well grab a snack outside! It’s been ages since I’ve had street food.
The elder soon reached a nearby city and began strolling through the bustling streets.
Ah, I’ve been to that mutton shop before; it’s excellent. And the bun shop next door has fantastic cabbage buns. Oh? What’s this shop? Must be new.
The elder hummed a little tune, hands tucked behind his back, and sauntered into the new restaurant. “Waiter! Bring me your signature dishes and a bottle of your best wine!”
The waiter greeted him cheerfully and led him to a window seat. “Right away, sir. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
The elder nodded, settling in to listen to the local gossip while he waited for his meal. He was already mentally debating what he should have for dinner.
By his calculations, he’d finish his meal and head back to the valley. By then, at the girl’s pace, she should just be starting to run into the real trouble. The sect wouldn’t be so inhumane as to set monsters on a candidate the moment they stepped off the bridge; the first section was always safe. The danger only ramped up in the middle, becoming more lethal the further one progressed.
Just as the elder was timing his return, a heavenly aroma wafted out of the kitchen.
He sniffed the air, his curiosity piqued. “What are they making? It smells incredible!”
“Sir,” the waiter explained proudly, “our signatures are the roujiamo and the spicy soup. They’re coming right up!”
Almost as soon as the waiter spoke, he returned with the elder’s portion.
The old man picked up the roujiamo, which was bursting with braised meat. He took a large bite, and the rich savory gravy dripped down—it was delicious. The spicy, salty soup followed, its complex flavors becoming more addictive with every sip.
Wow! This is superb! No wonder this place is so popular even though it just opened!
The elder was happily alternating between bites of meat and sips of soup when he happened to glance down. The badge at his waist was flashing a brilliant, dazzling red.
He choked, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. He unhooked the badge and stared at it. It wasn’t an illusion; the light was steady and bright. He hurriedly shoved the rest of his food into his mouth, paid the bill, and scrambled back toward the valley.
However, the portions at the restaurant had been generous. He was so stuffed that he couldn’t run as fast as he wanted, even with his high-level footwork.
When he finally skidded into the valley, he saw the little girl who had just bid him goodbye. She was sitting on the grass, calmly eating a roasted rabbit.
Seeing him arrive, she looked up and waved. “Examiner, would you like a piece?”
The elder stood frozen. If a candidate was teleported out for their own safety, the badge would emit a dim, flickering white light. But if they successfully cleared the stage and rang the bell, it glowed a vibrant, warm red.
There was no mistake. The girl had cleared the first stage.
But how is that possible? Even as an elder, it had taken him two full days to navigate that forest when he was a disciple. This girl? It had been less than an hour!
The elder stood there, his hand frozen mid-stroke on his beard. He felt like he was losing his mind.
Lu Yunxi, seeing him staring and thinking he was hungry, took the other half of the roasted rabbit and stuffed it into his left hand.
Subconsciously, the elder took a bite. His eyes widened instantly.
What is this delicacy?!
He chewed and swallowed the tender, perfectly seasoned meat, finally snapping back to reality. He looked at the rabbit in his hand and asked, “This… you made this?”
Lu Yunxi nodded. Once they had finished the rabbit, the elder finally regained his composure.
Though he was still reeling, he knew the badge didn’t lie. In all his years, it had never malfunctioned; it was highly unlikely to start now. This meant the girl was genuinely, terrifyingly strong.
“Young people today are truly formidable,” the elder sighed, a smile finally tugging at his wrinkled face. “Little girl, you have done well. You have passed the first trial. Now comes the second. Follow me!”
Lu Yunxi nodded, and the two of them set off through the mountains.
To test the girl’s limits, the elder began to push his pace. He sped up, then sped up again. No matter how much ground he covered, the girl remained right on his heels, never flagging. Eventually, he pushed himself to eighty percent of his maximum speed—and she still kept up.
Sect elders were Grandmasters. Even when they weren’t trying, very few people in the world could match their speed. Yet this girl was matching him stride for stride during a mere entrance exam.
What a find, he thought, his eyes gleaming. She’s a truly exceptional seedling!
