Zhu Su’s expression turned cold, and he stopped the young noble who was about to step forward. “As long as she joins Hunyuan Xianzong, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Don’t cause trouble in front of the elders.”
He absolutely had to enter Hunyuan Xianzong; otherwise, once Imperial Father discovered that he was the one who stole the Longgu, he would be crippled if not killed.
Moreover, there was the matter entrusted by the enshriner. If he failed to handle it properly, there was no guarantee Imperial Father wouldn’t abandon him, a “useless” son.
Recalling something, his lips pressed tightly together.
Entering Hunyuan Xianzong would change Imperial Father’s impression of him and bring him closer to Fuchenshan.
He had heard that Hunyuan Xianzong conducted transactions with Fuchenshan every month, and all of them were handled by inner court disciples.
Therefore, he definitely had to enter the inner court.
Seeing that Zhu Su had not dealt with that wench, Li Sisi’s mouth pouted high enough to hang an oil bottle. “Cousin, are you just letting her off like this? She made me lose so much face! If we just let her off, how can I ever hold my head up in the imperial capital again?”
Zhu Su looked at Shu Jianyue’s retreating figure and slightly pressed his lips together. “Rest assured, this prince will not let her off.” His tone was deeply meaningful.
Standing not far away, Gong Chengxi frowned upon hearing this. Recalling Zhu Su’s conduct on Fuchenshan, a trace of mockery could not help but surface in his eyes.
Catching sight of him from the corner of her eye, Li Sisi’s eyes lit up, and she leaned over with a beaming smile. “Brother Xi, where did you go yesterday? I looked for you for ages and couldn’t find you.
“Also, why aren’t you staying at my manor? My mother had a courtyard prepared for you.”
Gong Chengxi cast a indifferent glance at her and said, “Thank you for your kind intentions, Commandery Princess, but I still have business to attend to. It would be improper to impose too much.”
“How could it be an imposition? We’re all family. Even if anything comes up, we can look out for one another.” Li Sisi acted as if she had not heard his refusal at all.
Zhu Su’s expression stiffened upon seeing Gong Chengxi, but he immediately smiled and said, “Alright, Sisi, Brother Gong Cheng must have other plans.
“It’s just that I wonder what brings Young Master Gong Cheng to Fengxian this time?
“Surely you’re not here to participate in Hunyuan Xianzong’s disciple selection, right? After all, doesn’t the Gong Cheng family have ties with Xuantian Zong in Zhonglingyu? What need would there be to enter Hunyuan Xianzong?”
Gong Chengxi glanced sideways at him and sneered, “Whether this young master enters Hunyuan Xianzong or not is none of your concern. The Ninth Prince had better look after himself; after all, one doesn’t always have good treasures on hand to make amends with.”
“You…” Zhu Su choked with anger, but fearing that Gong Chengxi might expose the matter regarding the Longgu, he could only glare blankly at him.
Beside them, Li Sisi was utterly confused. “Cousin, Brother Su, what’s wrong with you two?”
Gong Chengxi sneered.
Zhu Su turned his head away.
Noticing that Lu Shuixian, who usually followed Zhu Su everywhere, was absent, Li Sisi could not help asking, “Where is that fake woman, Lu Shuixian?”
“Sisi, you must not…” Seeing the Great Elder ascend the stage, Zhu Su swallowed the rest of his words back down.
“Today’s disciple recruitment of Hunyuan Xianzong will be different from usual. Those who wish to enter Hunyuan Xianzong must pass three trials. Once these three trials are passed, regardless of cultivation level or Spirit Vein, one may enter our Hunyuan Xianzong.” As soon as the Great Elder’s words fell, a heated discussion erupted immediately.
In the past, disciples were recruited solely based on possessing an exceptional Spirit Vein. Why did the rules suddenly change this year?
Hearing this, several people around hurried outside, thinking to inform the mediocre Spirit Vein children in their families to come and participate.
The disciples of Hunyuan Xianzong hung the three challenges upon the stone pillars in the center of the square.
Shu Jianyue raised an eyebrow as she looked at the three challenges.
First, one must not travel from here to Hunyuan Xianzong via Sword Kinesis; reaching it by noon counts as passing.
Second, cross Yunlai Ya; reaching the summit before dark counts as passing.
Third, pass through Qianji Huanjing; emerging before dawn counts as passing.
For these, as long as one had an unyielding will, the probability of passing was very high.
Of course, the higher the cultivation level, the naturally firmer one’s willpower would be.
Holding Yuchuan and Yanxi in her arms, Shu Jianyue stepped forward to register. “Shu Jianyue, registering.”
The disciple responsible for registration looked at Yuchuan and Yanxi, asking, “Who are they?”
“My children. Why, can people with children not register?” Shu Jianyue looked directly toward the Great Elder upon the Jingguan Tower.
Receiving a voice transmission from the Great Elder, the disciple immediately nodded. “Of course you can, but you will need to care for them yourself.
“The journey ahead is not easy. I am afraid they might affect your chances of passing. It would be better to entrust them to other family members for care.”
“Thank you for the reminder.” Seeing that he had written down her name, Shu Jianyue carried the children aside to wait.
Setting Yuchuan and Yanxi beside her, she took out a Rubik’s cube for them to play with on their own.
An elderly man with graying hair looked at the cube in Yuchuan’s hand and leaned in with great curiosity. “Little darling, what is that thing in your hand?”
Shu Jianyue checked the old man’s cultivation level and raised an eyebrow—ninth stage Yuanying!
From what she understood, the person with the highest cultivation in this Dongyuan Dalu was the Old Ancestor of Hunyuan Xianzong, at the eighth stage of Yuanying.
So, who was this old man?
Yuchuan looked at the person before him, sized him up, and then said, “This is a Rubik’s Cube (Rubik, the inventor of the cube).”
“Rubik? What a strange name.” The old man leaned in a bit closer.
Yanxi watched him for a moment, then handed the cube in her hand toward him.
The old man looked at her in surprise. “Are you letting me take a look at this?”
Yanxi glanced at Shu Jianyue and gave a small nod. “Here.”
Shu Jianyue was quite surprised as well. Yanxi was very wary of strangers; even the Lingshou on Fuchenshan had to spend a long time with her before she would let them approach. Yet today, she willingly gave an object to a stranger and even spoke up.
Even if it was just a single word.
The old man excitedly took the cube and examined it, his mouth continuously murmuring thanks.
“You’re welcome.” After saying that, Yanxi snuggled into Shu Jianyue’s embrace.
Shu Jianyue could not help but study the old man. He looked benevolent and kind, with peaceful eyes. Could it be because of this that he received Yanxi’s favor?
Holding the cube, the old man followed Yuchuan’s movements.
Seeing this, Yuchuan taught him while turning his own, occasionally blurting out, “So stupid.”
Watching this, Shu Jianyue chuckled. He was still just a four-month-old brat himself.
Thinking of this, she could not help rubbing her chin. Able to walk, run, and talk at just four months old—wasn’t that a bit unnatural?
Should she conceal their actual age and keep a low profile?
“Yo, even an old man has come to participate. Can someone of this age even manage? Don’t drop dead before even reaching Hunyuan Xianzong.” Li Sisi looked at the old man playing with the child, her eyes brimming with mockery.
Shu Jianyue raised an eyebrow at her. Just how much self-confidence did one need to mock every single person in sight?
As if he hadn’t heard Li Sisi’s words at all, the old man remained utterly absorbed in twisting the cube with Yuchuan.
Yuchuan, on the other hand, cast a glance at Li Sisi.
Zhu Su frowned at the old man. Why did this person look somewhat familiar?
Although he saw nothing wrong with Li Sisi’s words in his heart, he still spoke up: “Sisi, watch your tongue.”
Li Sisi remained dismissive, pouting as she said, “What I said is simply the truth. He’s already so old and doesn’t have many years left to live. Could he possibly cultivate and become an immortal in these few remaining years?”
Shu Jianyue clicked her tongue; what a venomous mouth.
To speak without grace would surely invite retribution!
“Whether this old man can become an immortal is hard to say, but I feel that with your temperament, it will likely be difficult.” The old man did not even raise his head as he spoke, merely reaching out to stroke Yuchuan’s head.
Li Sisi instantly bristled. “You smelly old man, how dare you curse me!”
Only then did the old man look at her, his gaze still remarkably gentle as he said, “Careless with foul words, deficient in character—unfit to enter Hunyuan.”
Having said that, he glanced at Shu Jianyue, returned the cube to Yanxi, smiled, and then got up and walked away.
Li Sisi tried to stop him but failed, her eyes turning red with fury. “Cousin, look at that smelly old man! How dare he speak to me like that! If I can’t enter Hunyuan Xianzong, just see how I deal with him!”
Watching the old man’s retreating figure, Zhu Su’s eyes instantly widened. “He is…” The Supreme Old Ancestor of Hunyuan Xianzong!
Why would he be here?
Turning around to confirm with Shu Jianyue, he discovered that she had already vanished from the spot.