Chapter 25, Match 2: If Xu Xing doesn't die, it's him who will! ...
Xu Xing agreed to participate in the fishing competition with the two seniors. Initially, it was indeed for the spirit stones, but after learning Feng Ling's identity, she sincerely wanted to help them win the competition.
It turns out that Feng Ling is the peak master of Qingling Peak, and also the master of Xiang Yuquan and Zuo Qiuxu. Since her two senior brothers have helped Xu Xing a lot, she is naturally willing to help them in return.
"During the competition, even if they say something, it's just to scare you because you're young."
Those old guys in the inner sect have profound cultivation, while Xu Xing is just a junior disciple in the Qi Refining stage. Guo Rui is worried that she will show her weakness.
"Don't worry, senior. I'll only focus on fishing; I don't care about anything else."
Xu Xing nodded obediently. Fishing was something she was best at.
“Although your fishing skills are superb, those old folks care about their image. If you were to carry a fishing rod like this, they might think you’re too arrogant. So, I’ll give you this fishing rod.”
Feng Ling has been fishing for many years and has a very complete set of fishing gear. He casually picked up a fishing rod that was clearly made of high-quality materials.
Xu Xing didn't stand on ceremony; her broken fishing rod was indeed rather shabby.
Three days later, at Chenshi (7-9 AM), a fishing competition organized by several anglers from both the inner and outer gates of Yunlin Creek was held as scheduled.
"Where did you find such a little girl? Have you run out of ideas?"
"Why don't you just admit defeat? We've been fishing together for years, and we won't laugh at you, hahaha."
The old man who spoke had a big smile on his face and a smug tone. His name was Murong Wu, an inner elder of the Thousand Machines Academy, and he held a very high position. The tall man standing to his left, who did not smile, was named Jing Yu, the peak master of the Chiyang Peak of the inner sect. The one on his right, who was looking at Xu Xing with curiosity, was a handsome young cultivator named Du Wenyou, a disciple of Murong Wu.
The outer disciples were Guo Rui, Feng Ling, and Xu Xing. These people, with different cultivation levels and statuses, gathered together because of fishing.
"Fifth Brother, that's not right. Fishing isn't about age. Your Wenyou is better than both of you, but our Xu girl here is a once-in-a-century fishing prodigy!"
Guo Rui stroked his beard, completely unafraid. He knew that old man Murong would definitely underestimate Xu Xing and would surely give him a shock during the competition.
"There's no need for words; a single fishing attempt will tell."
The rules of the competition are very simple: the side that catches the most fish within two hours wins.
Du Wenyou sat to Xu Xing's left. He was skilled at baiting fish and, having often accompanied his seniors on fishing trips, knew what kind of bait the fish in Yunlin Creek liked.
On the other hand, Xu Xing's fishing rod was decent and looked somewhat familiar, but he had nothing else. His movements were also very casual, not at all like that of a seasoned angler.
There was a hint of disdain in Du Wenyou's eyes. Back when he was tending to spiritual herbs in the Spirit Plant Academy, he accidentally discovered that some senior disciples in the inner sect liked to fish in Yunlin Creek, and that gave him a thought.
Therefore, he studied fishing techniques diligently, and with good luck, he always caught something when he went fishing. In this way, he gradually got close to the group of fishermen, won the favor of Murong Wu, and was successfully taken as his apprentice.
New disciples usually don't have time to train hard enough to fish here. Du Wenyou assumed that Xu Xing was also an opportunist who was using fishing to get close to Guo Rui and the others. He did some things, but he couldn't stand others doing the same.
This view reached its peak after seeing Xu Xing catch three clumps of water plants in a row.
"Junior Sister Xu seems to be a novice? It's alright if you don't know how to fish, there's no need to force yourself. The most important thing for a cultivator is still cultivation."
Du Wenyu had a warm smile, but his words were laced with sarcasm.
Jing Yu glanced over here, a hint of displeasure flashing across his cold face. He had never really liked Du Wenyou, but after Murong Wu entered the inner sect, Du Wenyou had become quite diligent. Xu Xing, on the other hand, was clearly a disciple who had only recently joined the sect, and his young age and lack of good manners made him even more detestable.
The new generation of cultivators should be the backbone of the sect's future. It is truly pathetic if they are all such cunning and deceitful individuals.
Moreover, Xu Xing had a pair of unusual golden eyes, which reminded Jing Yu of those bloodthirsty monsters, making him even more disliked.
The fish has taken the bait.
After reeling in his fishing rod, Jing Yu said coldly, "If I remember correctly, the Five Elements Trial of the Immortal Academy this year has already ended, right? At this point, you're only at the first level of Qi Refining. I doubt you'll achieve anything significant."
Feng Ling frowned. "If you're going to fish, then fish. Why bring up cultivation?"
Guo Rui was also somewhat unhappy. Regardless of Xu Xing's cultivation level, they were the ones who took the initiative to approach her. If she was made to look down on by others, it would be their fault.
"That's right, Fifth Brother, when have we ever cared about this? If we were to take it so seriously, would we still be able to get together to go fishing?"
Seeing that Du Wenyou had also caught a fish, while Guo Rui had caught nothing, Murong Wu chuckled and said, "It's not right to mention cultivation level, but in my opinion, the girl you found is quite rusty when it comes to fishing!"
He clicked his tongue, "Water plants don't count..."
Xu Xing remained silent. She had come for the spirit stones, and besides, his cultivation level was already low, so there was nothing for him to care about.
Amidst the group's discussion, she reeled in her line again, but this time it wasn't water plants; it was a shiny, round object.
"What's this?"
"Water-repelling beads?!"
Du Wenyou turned his head and was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth. A hint of jealousy also appeared in his eyes. He didn't expect this little disciple to be so lucky.
“Yunlin Creek runs through both the inner and outer gates. It would be quite reasonable if a cultivator accidentally dropped a water-repelling pearl. But you were able to fish it up. That’s truly amazing!”
Murong Wu was very surprised. Could it be that Guo Rui found this girl because of her luck?
Water-repelling beads? Those should be worth some money.
Xu Xing casually tossed the fish into the basket, and a treasure chest appeared in the backpack inside her body, which was invisible to others. It was the treasure chest she had obtained while fishing for water plants. She would open it when she got back to see what good things were inside.
She had only been fishing for a short time, but had already had a good catch. She hummed a song softly, in a good mood.
She was happy, but Feng Ling was a little anxious. Murong's side had already caught three fish, while they hadn't caught a single one yet!
"Young friend Xu, this fish..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xu Xing lifted the fishing rod, and what could it be but a fish jumping around on the other end?
Xu Xing put the fish into the fish basket and asked in confusion, "Senior, what's wrong?"
Feng Ling breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "It's alright, you can continue."
"Aren't you getting too excited? This is only one."
Murong Wu was puzzled. It seemed to them that victory was assured. He really didn't know where these two got their confidence from.
Du Wenyou chuckled, "Master, although Junior Sister Xu didn't catch any fish, she didn't come away empty-handed; every cast brought a catch."
If we consider aquatic plants and other trash as part of the harvest.
Guo Rui glanced at Du Wenyou, then smiled without saying a word.
Here it comes! The master angler he discovered has unleashed his power!
Let me show you what it means to hit the bullseye every time!
Two hours later, Murong Wu had caught a total of seven fish.
Meanwhile, Guo Rui's side...
The fish basket next to Xu Xing was already full; there was no need to count them, the outcome was already decided.
As soon as Xu Xing started catching fish one after another, Murong Wu couldn't sit still anymore. He switched places with Du Wenyou and sat next to Xu Xing, wanting to see what this little girl was capable of that made the fish seem to have chosen her, taking the bait one after another!
That's amazing!
Look at those golden eyes! If Murong Wu hadn't sensed no demonic aura, he would have suspected that Xu Xing was a merman!
"Xu...Xu Xing? Right?"
Murong Wu smiled kindly, his voice so gentle it sent shivers down one's spine, "Do you have a sect? My cultivation is insufficient, I'm only at the Nascent Soul stage, if you..."
"Hey! Fifth Brother! You've already taken Wen You in, so forget about Xu girl, she's still studying at the Immortal Dao Academy!"
Guo Rui quickly stopped him, saying, "We can't let that old man Murong lure Xu Xing away!"
Du Wenyou, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up, "Since Junior Sister Xu is still a disciple of the Immortal Dao Academy, she is not considered an outer disciple. This competition..."
Murong Wu suddenly realized, "That's right! It was agreed that the inner sect is superior to the outer sect. The Immortal Dao Academy belongs to neither the inner nor the outer sect, so the fish caught by Friend Xu should not be counted."
Jing Yu frowned slightly and glanced disapprovingly at Murong Wu, who was trying to cheat. "A loss is a loss. Why bother arguing?"
Murong Wu choked, and had no choice but to give up, "I was just saying..."
However, he did have the idea of taking on a disciple. Even if Xu Xing had three spiritual roots, he could find a way to bring her back to the inner sect and make her a disciple under his name, just like Du Wenyou. It wouldn't matter if her cultivation was poor, as long as she could go fishing with him!
Murong Wu patted Xu Xing on the shoulder with a smile, "Young friend..."
Sensing the aura within Xu Xing, he paused, his gaze filled with surprise, "Five spiritual roots?!"
Hasn't the Immortal Academy not accepted any disciples with the five spiritual roots for many years?
However, Murong Wu remembered that more than half a year ago, he heard Zhang Zhiming, who was in charge of recruiting new disciples at Qianji Academy, mention that they had made an exception and recruited a disciple with five spiritual roots. It seemed that it was because of some kind of spiritual herb. He didn't pay attention at the time, but he didn't expect that the disciple with five spiritual roots was Xu Xing.
What a pity, what a pity.
A disciple with five spiritual roots is absolutely ineligible to enter the inner sect, even if he wanted to manipulate things. With such aptitude, reaching the Foundation Establishment stage is already extremely rare, and the Thousand Machine Academy would never allow a disciple with such a low cultivation level to enter the inner sect.
Shaking his head, Murong Wu withdrew his hand, the eagerness in his eyes completely fading.
In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to this. This little girl who was so good at fishing was actually only a five-elemental-root?
No wonder she was only at the first level of Qi Refining. Du Wenyou felt relieved and his expression became much more natural.
He looked down at Xu Xing with pity in his eyes. "It is fate that we met through fishing. Please accept this elixir as a gift."
Jingyu's displeasure faded considerably. In the path of cultivation, aptitude is paramount. Given her low-quality five-elemental-root aptitude and her young age, it's understandable that she has no interest in cultivation.
"Now that you have entered the Jade Heaven Realm, you should strive to do your best. Do not give up on yourself because of your poor spiritual roots. Perhaps you can find your own path."
Xu Xing blinked. This older brother, who always had a sour face, had been very cold to her from the beginning. She could also see the contempt in his eyes. She was quite surprised that he would say such things now.
Perhaps out of sympathy, although Murong Wu did not intend to take Xu Xing as his disciple, he still gave him a gift, thus fulfilling this predestined relationship.
Unexpectedly, participating in a competition yielded many good things, and Xu Xing thanked them all without hesitation, accepting them all.
Feng Ling and Guo Rui exchanged a glance. They had not investigated Xu Xing's aptitude beforehand, and now that they learned she only had five spiritual roots, their eyes were filled with regret.
Now that the match was over, everyone dispersed.
As promised, Feng Ling gave Xu Xing three hundred mid-grade spirit stones, and also gave him a first-grade high-grade ice-condensing fan as an extra gift.
"It's nothing special, just something to play with."
Seeing that the young girl remained calm despite being criticized by several people, Feng Ling thought to herself that her temperament was quite good. She only had two disciples in her sect, and if Xu Xing's spiritual root wasn't so poor, she would have considered taking him as a disciple...
That's enough.
Since it's impossible, there's no need to think about it anymore, lest Xu Xing have any expectations, and the feeling of having your hopes dashed is not pleasant.
Completely unaware that his fellow anglers were lamenting their lack of talent, Xu Xing, whose wealth had increased again, went to the weapon-refining institute the very next day to buy weapon-refining materials.
Unlike alchemy furnaces, the furnaces used for refining weapons are very large. If you buy one, Xu Xing's small cave dwelling probably won't be able to fit it. However, the Weapon Refining Academy has weapon refining rooms that are open to the public. Disciples can rent one room by paying one mid-grade spirit stone.
Having a refining furnace isn't enough. With her current cultivation level, Xu Xing can't use the spiritual fire needed for refining. She has to spend spirit stones to buy more spiritual fire. Even the most basic Crimson Flame True Fire costs two mid-grade spirit stones. Fortunately, spiritual fire isn't something that can only be used once, otherwise she really wouldn't be willing to buy it.
Including the cost of the spirit fire, materials, and renting the weapon-refining room, Xu Xing spent a total of seven mid-grade spirit stones. She felt a pang of regret; no wonder everyone said that weapon refining was the most expensive thing to do.
Her spending of so many spirit stones at the first level of Qi Refining has attracted the attention of some people with ulterior motives...
Referring to the "Introduction to Weapon Forging" book he bought from the library, Xu Xing planned to forge a kitchen knife for himself, based on the knife-forging process.
A kitchen knife is great; it can be used for cooking and also for self-defense—killing two birds with one stone!
In addition to metal ores, first-tier swords can also be imbued with spirits by adding materials of different attributes, depending on the needs of the weapon refiner.
For example, if the user is a water-based cultivator, then water-related materials can be added.
Xu Xing plans to add all five elements of materials and see if he can forge a versatile five-element kitchen knife...
The cultivator guarding the weapon-refining room was dozing off when a male disciple rushed over anxiously. "Senior brother, was the weapon-refining room rented out today? My sister stole all my spirit stones, saying she wants to learn weapon refining! But how can cultivators like us, without any resources, afford to learn?"
Today, a young junior sister did come to rent the weapon refining room. Because of her special eyes, he took a second look at her. He thought she was a second-generation immortal with a background, but it turned out she had stolen her brother's spirit stones.
The cultivator rubbed his eyes, perked up, and flipped through the register. "There is someone named Xu Xing who rented the weapon-refining room, but is it her?"
"It is indeed my sister!" the male disciple said mournfully. "I wonder if the spirit stones can be refunded?"
Although he felt sorry for her, the monk in charge shook his head. "That won't do. She's already started using it, so it can't be returned."
"That's enough! That's enough!" Upon hearing this, the male disciple left looking utterly dejected.
Turning around, a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes. Xu Xing? He had never heard of this person in the sect. She must be a newly enrolled disciple of the Immortal Dao Academy. Judging from her low cultivation level, she couldn't possibly have any powerful backers.
Such extravagance might be due to some extraordinary encounter, but today, this extraordinary encounter belongs to Yao Dong!
After spending a whole day in the weapon-forging room, Xu Xing finally finished forging his kitchen knife.
Refining artifacts was indeed difficult. Although she had life skills, she was unfamiliar with using spirit fire and had difficulty controlling the heat when adding the five elements. As a result, she still ruined two sets of materials.
Fortunately, the third attempt was successful, and the [Forging] skill in the life skills was also unlocked.
Now that all her life skills were unlocked, Xu Xing felt a sense of relief, as if some invisible shackles had disappeared. She was unaware that she was any different, and was only focused on admiring the kitchen knife she had crafted herself.
This kitchen knife is slightly longer than usual, somewhat like a short knife, and its blade shimmers with five-colored light, which is the power of the five elements.
It is of top-tier quality and suitable for chopping meat, vegetables, or bones. It is truly an essential household item.
As for whether it's effective for self-defense, there's no rush to test it.
In Xu Xing's eyes, the Jade Cloud Sect was just like the schools she attended in her previous life; as a student, she was very safe there.
As Xu Xing stepped out of the weapon-refining room, he noticed that the cultivator who had registered his information earlier had a strange look in his eyes.
"You're out? Don't do that again next time. Earning spirit stones isn't easy! With your low cultivation level, you should focus on proper cultivation first!"
Xu Xing was completely bewildered. Why were all the cultivators she encountered so concerned about her cultivation level? Even strangers were telling her to cultivate diligently. Did she really need so much advice from others?
The cultivator was giving advice out of good intentions, and although Xu Xing didn't understand, he nodded haphazardly in agreement.
Xu Xing sent an application to ride the Silver-Winged Roc using his disciple ID card, and then waited at the entrance of the Weapon Refining Academy.
"Is this junior sister heading to the Immortal Dao Academy?"
A strange male voice sounded from behind.
Xu Xing, dressed in the robes of a disciple of Yaoguang Academy, turned her head and saw a stranger. She nodded slightly and said nothing more.
The cultivator didn't seem to mind her coldness and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Junior sister, my name is Yao Dong. I just graduated from the Immortal Dao Academy last year and was planning to visit Instructor Jia, but I lost my storage bag the other day and am really short of money. I wonder if I could accompany you?"
It turns out they were lacking spirit stones.
Riding the Silver-Winged Roc costs five low-grade spirit stones. In the Jade Cloud Sect, one cannot move an inch without spirit stones.
As they were talking, the roc landed in front of them from the sky, and Xu Xing said, "Of course, Senior Brother Yao, please."
"Thank you, junior sister."
The two climbed onto the back of the roc and discovered that they had ridden in this roc before. Xu Xing then affectionately touched its back, which elicited a clear cry from the roc.
He even tries to please an animal; he's clearly a country bumpkin.
Yao Dong looked at her with disdain, but thinking of his own plans, he softened his voice and said with a smile, "Junior Sister is so lovely, even the demon beasts like her."
Xu Xing glanced at him but didn't say anything.
"Junior sister, I wonder how the Immortal Dao Academy is doing these days? How is Instructor Jia?"
“I was once instructed by Instructor Jia, and I am always grateful to him.”
"By the way, I still don't know my junior sister's name?"
Didn't this person say they graduated last year? Is it really necessary to be so sentimental?
Xu Xing gave his name, feeling a little strange. He thought this senior brother was a bit noisy, probably a chatterbox.
"So it's Junior Sister Xu..."
Yao Dong put one hand on Xu Xing's shoulder. When Xu Xing turned his head to look at him, his pupils suddenly became deep and dark, like a whirlpool, as if to suck one's soul into it.
"Hand over the storage bag."
Yao Dong once discovered the Soul-Capturing Sound Technique in a secret realm. Because it was an evil cultivation method, he kept it a secret and secretly practiced it. However, he also managed to obtain a lot of resources from some low-level Qi Refining disciples through this technique.
Disciples with lower cultivation levels than him would not remember anything after waking up if they were hit by the Soul-Seizing Sound Technique. It was even easier to capture Xu Xing, a mere Qi Refining Level 1 disciple.
Sure enough, as soon as Yao Dong made his move, he saw the girl's eyes become glazed and unfocused, and one hand slowly slipped into her sleeve...
"puff--"
With a dull thud as a sharp blade pierced his flesh, Yao Dong clutched his shoulder and took two steps back, staring in shock at Xu Xing, who had slashed him with a kitchen knife.
"How is that possible?"
Could it be that she possesses some magical artifact that can resist the Soul-Capturing Sound Technique?
Xu Xing thought to himself, "With such a powerful 'Soul-Capturing Sound Technique' buff on you, it's impossible for her not to see you!"
Yao Dong endured the pain, his face darkening. He had only wanted to take the valuables, but since she was so ungrateful, he shouldn't blame him for not showing any consideration for their fellow disciples!
Now that the matter has been exposed, he cannot possibly spare Xu Xing's life to go back and inform others! If the Punishment Hall finds out that he attacked his fellow disciples, he will certainly not have a good end!
"Go to hell!"
Yao Dong drew his long whip and swung it down at Xu Xing!
Xu Xing gripped the cleaver, which had just been forged and was already bleeding, and placed one hand on the back of the roc. The roc, which had been flying steadily, suddenly turned in the air. Yao Dong lost his footing and his whip went out of aim.
"Damn beast!"
When his first attack failed, Yao Dong's eyes grew even more ruthless. He was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator; surely he could handle a mere Qi Refining Level 1 disciple?!
The cleaver strike she landed earlier was only because Yao Dong was off guard. Now that he's alert, Xu Xing won't be able to get away with it a second time. Fortunately, she and the roc are telepathically connected, and with the roc's help, she managed to dodge several attacks.
Seeing the roc begin to accelerate towards the Immortal Academy, Yao Dong knew that if he couldn't take Xu Xing's life, he would be the one to die!
Without holding back, Yao Dong gripped the roc's wing tightly with his left hand, steadied himself, poured all his spiritual power into his right hand, and unleashed a palm strike!
Oh no!
There's no way to dodge this palm strike!
Xu Xing took out his storage bag and threw it down. Even if he lost these spirit stones, he couldn't let this shameless scoundrel benefit from them!
"Zheng—"
A clear, melodious sword cry suddenly rang out, and a fierce sword light burst forth from Xu Xing's body, slashing towards Yao Dong with unstoppable force. The sword dispersed the spiritual energy, and the sword energy entered Yao Dong's brow.
Only one style.
Blood slowly seeped from between Yao Dong's brows. He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, "You're a sword... cultivator..."
The next moment, the lifeless body crashed backward, and Yao Dong's corpse fell off the bird's back.
As Xu Xing clung to the back of the silver-winged roc, her wildly beating heart relaxed slightly, and she sensed a familiar aura within that sword energy.
This is Shen Du's sword energy, but I don't know when he planted it on me.
"Ah! My spirit stone!"
Xu Xing then realized what was happening, let out a wail, and realized he was going to be penniless again!
Suddenly, the roc swooped down rapidly, snatched the storage bag in its beak, and flew back into the air.
"Great Roc! Thank you!"
Overjoyed to have his storage bag recovered, Xu Xing climbed onto the bird's back and stroked its feathers repeatedly to express his gratitude.
She silently added in her heart: I also want to thank you, Senior Brother Shen, you saved me again.
Burying her head in the fluffy feathers of the silver-winged roc, Xu Xing smiled, her eyes crinkling. Investing in Chendu was truly the best decision she had ever made!
These spirit stones were totally worth it!
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