Chapter 3. As expected, the male protagonist is incredibly perceptive! ...
Sheng Zhiyi's face turned pale, her eyes staring blankly. She sat on the ground, her skirt billowing like a lotus in bloom, completely forgetting to stand up.
How can someone be so unlucky! All I wanted to do was get close to Ji Fuguang to complete my mission, why is it so difficult!
She stared at Ji Fuguang, and suddenly, a thought struck her. She reached out and grabbed the hem of Ji Fuguang's robe, shaking it and blinking her eyes. "Senior brother, I know it was wrong of me to trespass on Shuanghua Peak, but could you please forgive me since this is my first offense..."
Ji Fuguang was highly regarded by the elders. If he were willing to explain or cover up something, she would naturally not be punished.
Moreover, in the original book, Ji Fuguang was upright, kind, and honest; how could he just stand by and watch her die?
Sheng Zhiyi tilted her head back, her almond-shaped eyes gazing upwards expectantly.
The drifting clouds obscured the moonlight, and in that moment of darkness, Ji Fuguang's vision was obscured by the clouds, making it impossible to see clearly.
He lowered his eyes and gazed at Sheng Zhiyi's face.
“I naturally believe in my junior sister’s pure heart. So that’s why…”
The gentle voice was otherworldly, with a slight smile, "Junior Sister doesn't usually pay much attention to cultivation. I only found out today that Junior Sister has been working hard in secret."
Yes, yes, I didn't take any drugs to fly up on my sword. It was all thanks to hard work. That's how I am!
Sheng Zhiyi's mind raced, and she flashed a bright smile. "It's just as you said, Senior Brother! I've been secretly cultivating lately and feel that I've made some progress, so I dared to ask you to take me to the introductory trial!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt that her excuse was flawless, so she quickly added, "I wanted to tell you this news when I first met you today, but I forgot for a moment. Don't worry, senior brother, I won't hold you back!"
Sheng Zhiyi looked earnestly at Ji Fuguang.
Ji Fuguang narrowed his phoenix eyes thoughtfully and glanced at Sheng Zhiyi from head to toe.
After a long pause, he suddenly spoke, a smile on his face: "Okay."
What?
Sheng Zhiyi didn't react and stared blankly at him.
Sheathing his longsword, Ji Fuguang said in a calm tone, "Didn't you want to participate in the introductory trial? I agree."
Sheng Zhiyi was overjoyed. She lifted her skirt and stood up from the ground, looking at Ji Fuguang with a mixture of surprise and delight: "Really?!"
"Of course it's true, I never lie to anyone." Ji Fuguang sheathed his sword with composure and elegance, a smile playing on his lips.
"Thank you so much, Senior Brother!" Sheng Zhiyi said repeatedly, afraid that Ji Fuguang would change his mind.
Ji Fuguang used silk to send her down the mountain, and then gracefully returned to the mountaintop.
Looking at his ethereal figure, Sheng Zhiyi couldn't help but feel envious.
One day, I can be like that too!
As she walked along the winding mountain path, she suddenly remembered that if the people from the Enforcement Hall went to Frostflower Peak to investigate…
Never mind, Ji Fuguang will definitely find a way! Those people won't refuse him any face!
At the summit of Shuanghua Peak, Ji Fuguang drew his longsword and with a single stroke severed the clear, tranquil waters of the cold pool, revealing the core of the protective array at the bottom of the pool.
The formation that was originally connected to the Tianyan Sect's grand formation was tampered with without authorization. The entire formation was now connected to Ji Fuguang's sea of consciousness, flickering with a faint, dark light.
He took out the spirit pearl from the center of the array, and the spirit pearl played the image of Sheng Zhiyi climbing.
Ji Fuguang raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression a half-smile.
*
The next morning, Sheng Zhiyi was awakened by the system's task notification:
[Good morning, player Sheng Zhiyi!]
[A new strategy guide has been released. Please check your inbox.]
[Strategy Quest: Greet Ji Fuguang and gain his favor.]
...
A bad morning! A terrible morning!
Sheng Zhiyi picked up a pillow and covered her head, trying to block out the system's voice.
Can't she sleep in this early in the morning? She worked so hard yesterday, climbing mountains...
wrong!
Sheng Zhiyi suddenly sat up and looked at the sky outside. What time was it? Today was the day of the initiation trial!
She hurriedly tidied her clothes and quickly flew towards the mountain gate on her sword.
Good heavens! She went through so much trouble to get this spot, she can't just lose it because she slept in!
Just when Sheng Zhiyi was wishing she could take more drugs, she finally arrived at the mountain gate square.
All the disciples had arrived and lined up in formation. Each of them was smart and dignified, eagerly awaiting Ji Fuguang's arrival to lead them through the introductory trial.
Upon seeing that the newcomer was a lowly outer sect servant, everyone couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"It's her? Why would she participate?"
"She's a good-for-nothing, and she even dares to be late. Does she think that going down the mountain to participate in the trial is like playing around?"
"He must have gone to ask the senior brother for help. He might even be on the same team as the senior brother later."
Sheng Zhiyi stood at the end of the line and heard their words. Just as she was about to get angry, a sudden idea flashed into her mind.
Could I be assigned to the same team as Ji Fuguang? If we are on the same team, wouldn't we be able to complete the mission much faster?
She immediately went to check the tasks in her mind's eye.
Greet Ji Fuguang and gain his favor; countdown 05:32:48.
This mission... doesn't seem to require a team; we can complete it once we meet Ji Fuguang.
Looks like today was pretty easy!
Sheng Zhiyi nodded to herself.
Soon, Ji Fuguang arrived on his sword.
He stood tall and elegant, his head held high, the sea-blue ribbon in his hair fluttering in the wind, and pear blossoms from the mountain gate gently fell on his shoulders.
Everyone immediately straightened their backs even more, their eyes fixed intently on Ji Fuguang, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement.
Ji Fuguang walked slowly, his phoenix eyes sweeping over the crowd. A smile played on his lips as he gently parted his lips, and a voice as clear as a spring gurgling over stones resounded throughout the mountain gate:
"I am honored by the sect's high regard for this trial down the mountain, which has entrusted me with leading all my fellow disciples. I know that you have all passed the assessment and are among the best of the new disciples..."
Sheng Zhiyi lowered her head, pretending not to have heard that sentence.
"However, the initiation trial requires fighting magical beasts. The slightest mistake will not only affect yourself but also endanger others. Therefore, everyone must strictly obey my orders and not make the slightest mistake. If you do not have this resolve, please leave now to avoid causing harm!"
He paused for a moment, and the mountain gate square was silent except for the soft rustling of leaves.
Everyone held their breath, looking at Ji Fuguang with focused anticipation, their eyes filled with complete trust and admiration.
Ji Fuguang remained calm. After confirming that everyone understood his words, he ordered the dozen or so people in the square to form teams on their own, look after each other, and verify the identities of their teammates to avoid any omissions.
You're quite democratic!
Sheng Zhiyi frowned as she watched the disciples on the field walk together in twos and threes. They were all beginner disciples, and they had become familiar with each other during their cultivation over the past few days, so they naturally found familiar companions.
To be fair, Ji Fuguang's method wasn't entirely wrong. It's easier for acquaintances to confirm each other's identities, and if someone is missing, it will be noticed immediately.
But the problem is she doesn't know anyone there!
This feels like being in a group during a PE class – have you ever considered how people with social anxiety feel?
Seemingly sensing her predicament, Ji Fuguang glanced at her from afar, casually pointed to a small team of five, and said, "Sheng Zhiyi, go over there."
As expected of a male lead who is incredibly perceptive!
Sheng Zhiyi walked over. The five-person team had already been formed. Forced by Ji Fuguang's orders, they only glanced at each other, and none of them dared to disobey.
Seeing that the disciples had all formed teams, Ji Fuguang gave the order: "Let's go!" Everyone straightened up, bowed to Ji Fuguang, and said in unison: "Yes, Senior Brother!"
A large group of people rode their swords down the mountain in a grand procession to the introductory trial location—Liu Cui Mountain.
When her feet finally touched the Liucui Mountain range, Sheng Zhiyi couldn't help but take a deep breath, inhaling the fresh and moist air of the mountain forest into her lungs.
She was overjoyed at the moment, having finally changed the original owner's fate.
On a spring morning, a thin mist hangs over the mountains, casting swaying shadows and lush green leaves. The new green shoots on the treetops gleam like oil, glistening with a lustrous sheen, occasionally punctuated by glimpses of spring red, making them even more dazzling.
The mountain path was winding, and the others, holding long swords, followed closely behind Ji Fuguang.
Sheng Zhiyi followed the five-person team. She still remembered what Ji Fuguang had said and didn't want to involve others because of her own problems.
At the mountain gate square, everyone still looked serious, but being young, they couldn't help but get excited when they saw the beautiful scenery of Liucui Mountain and began to whisper among themselves.
These five were all newly initiated disciples, and they were already whispering about whether they could enter the inner sect.
"I've heard that inner disciples are the true inheritors, and outer disciples can't compare!"
"It seems that an inner and outer sect competition is held every year, and only those who pass the competition can become inner sect disciples."
"That's right. If you can't get into the inner sect, you can only stay in the outer sect. But the outer sect also has assessments. If you fail the assessment, you can only become a menial servant."
"Being a menial servant is the end of it! In all these years, I've only ever heard of one person who went from menial servant to inner disciple, and then to chief disciple..."
"Who can compare to our senior brother? He's a hidden gem, his spiritual root is so rare that it wasn't discovered at first. Tell me, between us, who has a rare spiritual root?"
Upon hearing this, Sheng Zhiyi was about to say something but held back. However, realizing that these people didn't quite understand the rules of the Tianyan Sect, she still spoke up: "This year's sect competition is over, but I heard that the sect leader still wants to take in an inner disciple..."
The five people stopped talking, glanced at her, then looked back at each other and continued their conversation.
It was as if Sheng Zhiyi had never spoken.
Sheng Zhiyi rolled her eyes without any hesitation. Fine, don't listen then. This was mentioned in the original book. You're lucky if you don't believe me!
She was too lazy to go any closer, so she reached out to pick some grass and smell the flowers on the branches, enjoying her freedom.
Ji Fuguang stopped, and the entire team perked up, immediately quieting down to listen to his instructions.
He was tall and straight, looking down at everyone with slightly lowered eyes, and began to speak:
"Ahead lies a gathering place for low-level magical beasts. These beasts won't be too difficult for you at your current level, but you must look after each other and be vigilant. Here is a communication talisman. If there is any unusual activity, crush it immediately, and I will come to your side."
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
The group took turns receiving the communication talismans, carefully placing them into their storage bags. They bowed to Ji Fuguang and set off for their training.
When it was Sheng Zhiyi's turn, the countdown to the completion of the task in her mind had already reached 03:13:50.
Rarely having the opportunity to spend time with Ji Fuguang, Sheng Zhiyi took the message talisman and quickly looked up at Ji Fuguang with a smile, her almond-shaped eyes curving like a pool of stars.
"Good morning, senior brother!"
It was just a casual greeting.
Upon hearing this, Ji Fuguang's thin lips curved slightly, his phoenix eyes smiled, and the cool fragrance of pear blossoms lingered.
She nodded gently to Sheng Zhiyi.
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