Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
As Li Guanqi was choosing his Spirit Root, the world fell silent.
Lu Kangnian enveloped him with an earthy-yellow barrier of Yuan force, blocking out all the noise and preventing those outside from seeing within.
Everyone was curious about which Spirit Root this prodigiously talented youth would choose.
Elder Meng Linhai of Heavenly Gold Peak couldn't help but grin and laugh.
"Cough cough, that… Sect Master."
"Don't you think the thing he's carrying on his back looks like a giant sword box?"
"We are the Great Xia Sword Sect after all. In my opinion, this kid will definitely choose the Metal Spirit Root!"
At these words, the other Peak Masters and Elders found themselves at a loss for words, even if they wanted to object.
Lu Kangnian gave Meng Linhai a forced smile and said softly, "According to your view, what can you actually see?"
"What if… cough cough, he chose Earth?"
Beside them, Elder Xu Zhengjie of Heavenly Thunder Peak pursed his lips and muttered, "Oh dear, if he chooses Earth… I'll eat shit."
Lu Kangnian's senses were so sharp that he could hear even the faintest mutter.
He glared at Xu Zhengjie and transmitted with gritted teeth, "Fine, very well! This month, you'll handle all the shit for Heavenly Pillar Peak!"
Xu Zhengjie's face turned extremely sour…
Suddenly!
The skies above the Great Xia Sword Sect, which had been bathed in rosy light, underwent a dramatic change!
Dark clouds gathered, fierce winds arose, and a torrential downpour ensued.
Lan He took a step into the air and waved her hand, keeping all the rain at bay.
"What's going on…"
Boom! Boom!
The world darkened as a pitch-black thunderbolt streaked across the sky, and Xu Zhengjie burst into laughter!
"Metal be damned! The Thunder Spirit Root of my Heavenly Thunder Peak is the most lethal!"
The barrier dissipated, and a calm Li Guanqi looked at a helpless Lu Kangnian and bowed.
"I choose the Thunder Spirit Root!"
Lu Kangnian masked his disappointment with a smile and patted his shoulder.
"Haha, it's fine, following your heart is what matters."
"I thought I might gain another disciple."
Lu Kangnian looked at the jubilant old man and said, "It seems from now on, we'll have to favor Heavenly Thunder Peak with more resources."
"Disciple Li Guanqi, welcome to Heavenly Thunder Peak!"
"Awakened with a Saint-grade Thunder Spirit Root, awarded three Qi Refining Pills, three hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, five hundred Sect Contribution Points, and a separate courtyard in Heavenly Thunder Peak!"
"Granted, as a disciple of Heavenly Thunder Peak, you may ascend the Spirit-Raising Platform three times without spending Contribution Points."
Li Guanqi quickly stood up and respectfully said, "Thank you, Sect Master, for your appointment."
The Second Elder of Heavenly Thunder Peak was overjoyed, bowing and responding, "Thank you, Sect Master, for your generous reward! I'll take care of everything for Heavenly Pillar Peak!"
The old man approached the youth, blocking the other Elders who still wanted to persuade him, and whisked the youth away towards Heavenly Thunder Peak.
"Wow…"
The youth, flying through the air for the first time, couldn't help but exclaim in wonder at the marvelous sensation that took root in his heart.
He looked around silently, clenching his fists and vowing to himself to practice diligently, hoping to one day fly with a sword!
The old man just smiled, watching the youth's curious gaze, as if seeing himself a hundred years ago.
Back then, he was even more afraid of heights than this youngster!
Li Guanqi noticed the old man's gaze and asked softly, "May I know the Senior's name?"
The old man laughed heartily and said gently, "I am Elder Xu Zhengjie of Heavenly Thunder Peak. You can call me Elder Xu, or even Old Xu or Old Drunkard."
The youth smiled slightly and replied, "Then I'll address you as Elder Xu. The others… seem too presumptuous."
Xu Zhengjie said nothing, but he was pleased with the youth's respect for his elders.
Suddenly, the youth asked, "Does the Great Xia Sword Sect also take in the Blind?"
The old man burst into laughter, "Hahaha, you might be blind, but your heart isn't!"
"Who knows what kind of person your grandfather is, to raise such a monster. That thing on your back must weigh two hundred jin?"
The youth shyly smiled.
"Five hundred jin."
"Uh… let's pretend I didn't ask."
"The Great Xia Sword Sect…"
The old man's tone was gentle, pausing for a moment before continuing.
"This is a Sect worthy of entrusting one's life to. What does it matter if one is blind or lame?"
"If my heart holds the Dao, can imperfections bind me?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Li Guanqi felt a surge of inspiration!
"What a statement, 'If my heart holds the Dao, can imperfections bind me?' What a Sect, the Great Xia Sword Sect!"
"No wonder Grandfather insisted I come here."
The old man's face beamed with a smile as he said, "Let's go, I'll take you to your new residence first."
"I still have to go back and see if I can recruit some more disciples. Our Heavenly Thunder Peak may have few people, but we are very united."
Whoosh!
Li Guanqi quietly savored everything, closing his eyes to feel the wind by his ears.
They skimmed past a flock of geese, and he reached out to touch a goose's feathers.
The goose let out a disgruntled cry and slightly veered away from them.
Li Guanqi's lips curled into a gentle smile.
Before long, he saw a towering mountain peak, and along the way, he had seen many huge peaks like stone pillars.
No wonder he had heard people say that the Great Xia Sword Sect was known for 'Three Thousand Strange Peaks and Eight Hundred Beautiful Waters.'
Buzz!
A barrier infused with the power of thunder appeared before them, and then Elder Xu took out an Identity Jade Token, opening a gap in the barrier.
The old man explained, "The barrier detected the presence of strangers. After tomorrow's initiation ceremony, you'll receive your Identity Jade Token."
"From then on, you won't encounter this barrier when entering and leaving Heavenly Thunder Peak."
On the way up the mountain, they passed numerous tall pavilions and saw many secluded courtyards.
The old man said with a smile, "Your residence is up there, midway up the mountain, convenient to go anywhere."
"Your courtyard even has a small Spirit Field. The Sect Master holds you in high regard."
Li Guanqi, curious, asked, "Why would the Sect Master bestow so many rewards on me? Isn't it a bit too much…"
"Too much?"
The old man looked at him with a smile and asked.
"It is a bit, I feel unexpectedly favored."
The old man walked with his hands behind his back and said softly, "But not at all too much…"
"The Great Xia Sword Sect hasn't developed well over the years, with a weak foundation."
"Otherwise, what you received would be nothing compared to what other great Sects could offer."
"Spirit Stones, magical treasures, techniques, secret manuals, even the ancient tribes' eldest daughter as a concubine could be arranged for you!"
Li Guanqi looked incredulous, but the old man continued on his own.
"But this is the Great Xia Sword Sect. Whatever you desire, you must strive for it with your own efforts!"
"Alright, this is your residence. I'll head back now."
"Take your time to learn about the Sect, and rest for today."
"Little bun, I'm off~"
Before the youth could react, the old man had already disappeared.
Turning around, the youth saw a six or seven-year-old girl squatting at the entrance of the courtyard.
The little girl, with her hair in two pigtails and dressed in a colorful outfit, had round, sparkling eyes and a cute, porcelain-like face.
Squatting on the ground, she held a white steamed bun in her hands, staring at him with wide eyes.
Li Guanqi scratched his head, unsure whose child this was.
As he approached and squatted down, before he could speak, the girl stuffed the bun into her chest and ran off as if afraid he would snatch it.