Yun Fuzhao had a full night’s sleep.
She hadn’t had such a satisfying rest in a long time.
It was a deep satisfaction, as if every cell in her body had unfurled.
Every morning, she would reach out to stroke Jiao Yu’s smooth head.
Today was no different, but as her hand made contact…
‘Hss, this doesn’t feel right.’
Yun Fuzhao opened her eyes and met a pair of bright red ones.
And on top of its head, two small, platinum-gold horns the size of fingernails had sprouted.
Yun Fuzhao shot upright.
Cradling Jiao Yu, she examined it from every angle.
It had grown quite a bit overnight.
She pried open its mouth; its teeth had grown sharper too.
‘A Sixth grade Beast Core, indeed.
The effects were immediate.’
‘I really can’t call it a snake anymore.’
“Huh?
Why did this snake grow horns?”
Song Ying looked utterly fascinated.
Yun Fuzhao could barely suppress a smile.
“Probably a mutation.”
Song Ying didn’t think much of it.
She tugged on Yun Fuzhao’s sleeve expectantly.
“Senior Sister Yun, today we get to go to the Book Collection Pavilion to choose our sword techniques!”
After learning Sword Control, Outer Disciples of the Wuya Sword Sect could go to the Book Collection Pavilion to select a sword technique.
Outer Disciples could only access the first floor.
The second floor was only open to Inner Sect Disciples, and the third was reserved for Direct Disciples.
Just as resources were allocated unequally, the sword techniques stored on the lower floors were mostly common ones.
Yun Fuzhao already possessed the Yunding Sword Venerable’s Void Breaking Dragon Roar, a sword technique that couldn’t even be found on the third floor.
She had no need to go at all.
However, to create a cover for the sword technique she already possessed, Yun Fuzhao went with Song Ying.
By now, a crowd of disciples had already gathered at the entrance of the Book Collection Pavilion, chattering excitedly.
“We can finally choose a sword technique!
I’ve been looking forward to this day for so long.”
“What’s there to be excited about?
It’s not like we’ll be able to pick any good sword techniques.”
“Sigh, it can’t be helped.
If you really want a good sword technique, you have to place in the top ten in next month’s promotion tournament.
Get into the Inner Sect, and then you’ll get the good stuff.”
“Easier said than done…”
An Outer Disciple sighed.
“Senior Yu, what are you all doing here?”
As soon as Wu Song saw the group in robes with cranes embroidered on the cuffs, he rushed over to greet them.
The woman at the head of the group was beautiful, and she stood surrounded by other disciples.
Yu Nian’er gave a shy laugh.
“I heard you’re all choosing your sword techniques today, so I came especially to cheer you on.”
“Senior Yu is so nice.
The other Direct Disciples all look down on us.
Only she treats everyone equally.”
“Yeah, no wonder so many people like her.
She deserves it.”
As the words of praise reached her ears, the smile on Yu Nian’er’s lips deepened.
Her gaze swept over the crowd and landed on Yun Fuzhao, who was standing off to the side, lost in thought.
Yu Nian’er slowly walked towards her.
“Senior Sister Yun, long time no see.”
Yun Fuzhao jolted at the sound of her voice.
She had just been spacing out, and now this person had appeared right in front of her.
It was actually kind of creepy.
“Long time no see.”
‘We just saw each other yesterday.’
“The sword techniques on the first floor are truly unworthy of you, Senior Sister Yun,” Yu Nian’er said with a look of pity.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I can teach you the sword technique I practice.”
“The sword technique Senior Yu cultivates, if I remember correctly, is the Sect Master’s Dream Return Seal, right?
Its sword moves are strange and complex, like trying to see flowers through a fog, making them impossible to grasp.”
“That’s the Sect Master’s exclusive sword technique!
Isn’t Senior Yu being a bit too generous?”
“I heard the Sect Master made his name at the Sect Assembly using this very sword technique when he was young.”
Song Ying tugged on Yun Fuzhao’s sleeve and whispered, “Senior Sister Yun, this is a great opportunity.
Don’t refuse it out of pride.”
Yun Fuzhao had no idea what Yu Nian’er was plotting, but sincere or not, she had no intention of accepting.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Hearing this, one of the Inner Sect Disciples with Yu Nian’er couldn’t help but sneer, “You really don’t know what’s good for you.
Senior Yu, you don’t have to be so nice to her.
Yun Fuzhao is just an ungrateful wretch.”
Wu Song seized the opportunity to chime in, “That’s just because you’re too kind-hearted.
If I were faced with a vicious creature like that, I would’ve…”
Before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his head.
He clutched his head, his gaze darting through the crowd, but he found nothing.
Yu Nian’er’s eyes reddened on cue.
“I know you still blame me for what happened with the Wuji Sword, but that wasn’t my intention…”
Yun Fuzhao couldn’t believe this was being dredged up again.
She couldn’t be bothered to play along with the act and said bluntly, “You’re right, I do blame you.
Not only do I blame you, I can’t stand you.
So could you please stop showing up in my face?”
“…”
Tears streamed down Yu Nian’er’s beautiful face.
“I-I’m sorry,” she sobbed.
“I didn’t realize you hated me this much…”
“Isn’t Yun Fuzhao going too far?
Senior Yu was just being kind.”
“The only reason Yun Fuzhao dares to speak to her like that is because her cultivation is high now and she’s bonded with the Wuji Sword.
I don’t see what’s there to be so proud of.”
An Outer Disciple interjected, “Is it just me, or is Yu Nian’er’s act a bit much?”
Song Ying nodded in agreement.
“I think so too.
Didn’t Yu Nian’er just come here today to put Fu Zhao in her place?
She’s showing off that even though they were both Direct Disciples, the Sect Master only taught his exclusive sword technique to her…”
The Inner Sect Disciples couldn’t believe this group of nobodies would dare slander their Senior Sister.
They became furious.
“A dirty heart sees dirt in everything!
Our Senior Yu had the best intentions, but you twisted her words.
No wonder your cultivation never improves; it’s because your hearts are too black!”
Song Ying: “You…!”
Yun Fuzhao replied with a wide smile, “You talk a big game about cultivation, but are any of you stronger than me?”
“Look at you all.
You enjoy such great resources, yet your cultivation is still mediocre.
Isn’t that a colossal waste?”
She raised her hand and pointed to the Outer Disciples behind her.
“If they had access to your resources, I’m not so sure they’d be any worse than you.”
The faces of the Inner Sect Disciples turned livid with anger.
“Heh, Yun Fuzhao, do you really think anyone believes you?
Why are Outer Disciples called Outer Disciples?
Don’t you know the reason perfectly well?”
“Exactly.
Poor Spirit Roots, poor aptitude.
What else would they be but Outer Disciples?”
“And you, Yun Fuzhao, have nothing to be proud of!
You have Five Spirit Roots.
No matter how strong you get, the peak of your cultivation will only be the Nascent Soul realm.
Our potential is incomparably higher than yours!”
Each word was like a dagger twisting in the hearts of the Outer Disciples.
They were furious, but these were indisputable facts.
Yun Fuzhao: “So what you’re saying is, Outer Disciples have poor aptitude, and they’re born that way?”
An Inner Sect Disciple rolled his eyes.
“Is that even a question?”
“Well, I say you’re wrong,” Yun Fuzhao smiled.
“Today, we Outer Disciples are going into the Book Collection Pavilion to choose our sword techniques.
Since you don’t believe me, do you dare to let us enter the second floor?”
Everyone was stunned.
Yun Fuzhao looked at Yu Nian’er.
“Dare to make a bet with me?”
Yu Nian’er was baffled.
“What?”
Yun Fuzhao pointed at the five Inner Sect Disciples behind her.
“Let’s bet that next month, they’ll be the ones getting kicked out of the Inner Sect.”