Zanxing

Chapter 17 - Taiyan Sect (1)

The trial had come to an end, and everyone had experienced different fates.

Those who passed would now join the renowned Taiyan Sect in the Xiuxian world of Du Province, officially embarking on the long path of cultivation. The ones who failed were not necessarily discouraged, deciding to return home and focus on their training in hopes of coming back stronger in a few years.

Initially, Hong Su only hoped for Zanxing to enter the selection and dampen Duan Xiangrao's arrogance. She hadn't expected Zanxing to actually pass the trial, and she cried tears of joy as she held her. Old Niu, too, was overcome with emotion, his old eyes streaming with tears. Despite his age, he knelt down to thank the heavens. The cultivators passing by noticed and curiously looked over, making Zanxing feel a little embarrassed.

Just as she was unsure of how to console them, a surprised voice came from behind, "Miss Yang?"

Zanxing turned around and saw a woman in a yellow dress standing before her—none other than Liu Yunxin, whom she had briefly met before.

In the novel "Beyond the Nine Heavens," the male characters were responsible for fighting monsters and leveling up, while the female characters primarily developed romantic relationships with the male protagonist, Mu Chengxiao. The male lead ended up marrying eight wives, each of whom was a national beauty with a unique style. Liu Yunxin was Mu Chengxiao's childhood sweetheart, a gentle and demure girl, described as the quintessential "white moonlight." Although Zanxing scoffed at this kind of setup, she couldn't help but inwardly admire how beautiful Liu Yunxin was when she met her in person.

Liu Yunxin was just like her name suggested—delicate as a willow, calm and serene. Seeing Zanxing, she exclaimed, "You... are still alive?"

"Yes," Zanxing replied with a smile. "I was lucky to escape from the monster's mouth."

"I'm so sorry," Liu Yunxin said, looking a bit uneasy as she twisted the corner of her dress and looked down. "If it weren't for saving me back then, you wouldn't have..."

"No need to be so formal, it was the right thing to do." Zanxing thought to herself that if she hadn't saved Liu Yunxin at that time, she would likely be dead now.

"And your face..." Liu Yunxin asked with concern, glancing at her face.

Zanxing touched her face and reassured her, "It's fine. I'll just find some spiritual medicine to heal it."

Before she could say more, Mu Chengxiao spotted Liu Yunxin talking to Zanxing and quickly walked over. He grabbed Liu Yunxin's hand and pulled her behind him, scolding, "Yunxin, come here! Don't get too close to her!"

Was her appearance really that frightening? Zanxing didn't think Mu Chengxiao needed to be so wary.

Just as she was about to speak, Zi Luo on the stage announced, "Fellow disciples, pack up and follow me to Gufeng Mountain, where we will officially register at the Taiyan Sect."

The crowd below immediately erupted in cheers.

Suddenly, a handful of Lianshan flowers appeared in Zanxing's hand. Zi Luo, smiling from the stage, explained, "These Lianshan flowers contain abundant elemental power in their pistils. As a reward for passing the trial, you may refine them to assist with your breakthrough."

Now Zanxing understood—indeed, the power within the flower pistils could be absorbed.

"Let's not waste time," Zi Luo raised her hand, and the "Power Gate" was retracted into her sleeve. The group from the Taiyan Sect mounted their swords and rode the wind, heading towards the sect's location on Gufeng Mountain.

Zanxing hurriedly stuffed all the flowers into Old Niu's hands. She had absorbed half of the elemental power from the flower pistils, ensuring it wouldn't transform into a "ghost hand" again. She said, "Old Niu, outsiders aren't allowed in the sect. Take these flowers and exchange them for spirit stones at the Golden Pavilion. Find a place to stay in town for now. Once I've settled in the sect, I'll come down to visit you."

It wasn't possible to bring family into the school, so this was the best arrangement for now.

"Don't worry, Miss," Old Niu carefully stored away the Lianshan flowers and, pulling Hong Su along, said, "I'll send word back to Yue City right away. When the city lord finds out you've been selected by the sect, the entire Yang family will be honored!"

"Miss, you must cultivate diligently in the sect," Hong Su earnestly added. "And don't forget, you promised to find me a better husband."

Zanxing: "... Is this part of the plot etched into your very soul?"

She sighed, "I know, I know."

...

The Taiyan Sect was an old and prestigious sect in Du Province's Xiuxian world.

The former sect master, Saint Yushan, founded the sect three hundred years ago and ascended a hundred years ago, becoming the first cultivator in Du Province's history to successfully ascend.

With such a figure as its living legend, it was impossible for the Taiyan Sect to remain low-key.

"It's been ten years since Taiyan Sect recruited new disciples," the man beside her chuckled. "I've heard there are countless martial arts manuals in the sect, and any random one could fetch hundreds of spirit stones at an auction. What do you think—if we sneak one out and sell it... can we strike it rich?"

Zanxing: "... I'm starting to worry about the quality of this year's recruits."

Everyone was seated on a spirit vessel bound for the Taiyan Sect. The vessel could carry dozens of cultivators at once.

The man beside her was Tian Datou, the same guy who couldn't read his name on the ranking board earlier. At that time, no one paid him any mind, but Zanxing took pity on him and helped him find his name. Ever since, Tian Datou saw her as a kind-hearted person and automatically assumed they were friends.

Tian Datou's real name wasn't actually Tian Datou, but Tian Fangfang. He disliked the name for being too feminine and decided to call himself "Tian Datou" instead. Tian Fangfang came from a cultivation family, though he was from a branch line and didn't have access to the best resources. As a result, he set out on his own at a young age. Over the years, he had encountered several fortunate opportunities, and during this trial, he managed to gather thirty-nine Lianshan flowers, ranking second overall.

"Hehe," Tian Fangfang grinned, "once I absorb all these flowers, I'll reach the third level of Foundation Establishment. And after I enter the sect, I'll be able to form my golden core! Junior Sister Zanxing," he added, "when I form my core, you'll be the first to see it!"

Zanxing: "... Thanks, I guess."

As they spoke, they saw a towering peak in the distance, shrouded in clouds and mist. The mountain resembled a painting from the heavens on Earth. Purple mists encircled the peak, and a massive yellow dragon coiled around it, its eyes blazing with intensity, glaring at the passing cultivators as if it might take flight at any moment. As they got closer, Zanxing realized the dragon was actually a stone carving, incredibly lifelike. Flames burned in its eyes, as though capable of reducing everything to ash.

As they approached the summit, the spirit vessel stopped, and everyone disembarked. Ahead of them, a white jade staircase stretched upward into the sea of clouds. Along both sides of the steps were carvings of spirit turtles and toads. At the top, they saw a grand vermilion hall bathed in sunlight, resplendent and majestic.

Above the hall hung a golden plaque inscribed with three large characters: Taiyan Sect.

The calligraphy was majestic, as though the dragons and phoenixes had come to life.

Zi Luo stepped off the spirit vessel and smiled, "We've arrived."

Zanxing gazed toward the grand hall.

This was the very place where the male lead, Mu Chengxiao, rose to prominence—the starting point of the main storyline: Taiyan Sect.