Chapter 84: Nine-Rank Spiritual Root and Liu Qingxian

Two days later, a vast, magnificent city lay across the horizon like a colossal beast. Its area was immense, a hundred times larger than Lone Boat City. Within the city, ten enormous mountains rose from the ground, piercing the clouds like sharp swords.

That was the Azure Cloud Sect.

The grand city at the foot of the mountains thrived by relying on the Azure Cloud Sect. Around the Azure Cloud Sect, immortal clouds swirled and white birds sang, resembling a celestial blessed land.

Li Qingfeng, riding a flying beast, landed with them at the foot of the mountains, among the nine peaks. This place was a vast plaza, with an endless stream of disciples coming and going.

As the flying beast descended, an outer disciple jogged over, took hold of the flying beast, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Welcome back, Elder Li."

Li Qingfeng showed no intention of dismounting the flying beast. He merely waved to Jiang Fan and said, "I've brought you back to the sect. The rest is up to you. You may disembark."

Xu Youran showed reluctance, pulling on Jiang Fan's sleeve, unwilling to let him go. Li Qingfeng comforted her helplessly, "Youran, tomorrow is the day when the elders from each peak will select inner disciples from the new recruits. He might still have a chance to become an inner disciple."

On the way, Jiang Fan had already learned a lot about the sect from Li Qingfeng. He patted her hand and wrote, "Youran, don't worry. I will become an inner disciple."

Zhong Qizhen, standing nearby, scoffed, "A good-for-nothing without a spirit root? Which elder would want him? He's truly dreaming."

Jiang Fan glanced at him and wrote with a flourish, "You, who are even worse than a good-for-nothing, what do you count for?"

Hearing this, Zhong Qizhen became furious. He glared fiercely at Jiang Fan, wishing he could tear him to pieces and completely erase this profound humiliation from his life.

Just then, he noticed that the outer disciple holding the rope was one of his junior subordinates who had always shown him respect. He inwardly sneered and subtly winked at him. The latter had already overheard their conversation and immediately understood his meaning, nodding imperceptibly.

When Jiang Fan dismounted the flying beast, Elder Li and the others flew away. This outer disciple immediately stepped forward enthusiastically, cupped his hands, and said, "Junior Brother, my name is Liu Yong. I am an outer disciple of the plaza. By order of Senior Sister Liu, I am here to welcome new disciples."

Liu Qingxian couldn't bring herself to personally come here to attend to new recruits, so she had casually assigned a few outer disciples to do the work on her behalf.

Jiang Fan realized, and wrote, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Liu Yong said, "Let's go. I'll give you a tour of the Azure Cloud Sect and introduce you to it."

He explained in great detail and clarity, giving Jiang Fan a much clearer understanding of the Azure Cloud Sect. The Azure Cloud Sect has ten peaks. The main peak is the Sect Master Peak, governed by the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sect. The other nine peaks are governed by nine elders. Elder Li Qingfeng governs the Celestial Sword Peak, and the overall strength of its disciples ranks fifth in the sect, neither leading nor lagging.

Among the nine elders, the most formidable is the Grand Elder. His strength rivals that of the Sect Master, and the disciples he cultivates are all outstanding, almost surpassing the Sect Master's own disciples. Therefore, the Sect Master has been seeking powerful disciples to restore the absolute prestige of the Sect Master Peak.

As they talked, they arrived at a secluded corner of the back mountains. Few people came here.

"Junior Brother," Liu Yong said, "Ahead, there's a spiritual pool specifically for new disciples to bathe in. If you're tired, you can go bathe and then find a place to meditate quietly for the night. Just wait for the elders to select disciples tomorrow."

"Is that so?" Jiang Fan sniffed his body. After two days of continuous travel on the flying beast, unable to bathe or change clothes, he indeed had a certain odor. "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother."

Liu Yong smiled and said, "It's my pleasure." He then left.

He hadn't gone far when he met Zhong Qizhen, who was rushing towards him.

"Where is he?" Zhong Qizhen had barely settled back at Celestial Sword Peak before he rushed down the mountain. His purpose was to thoroughly teach Jiang Fan a lesson. For this, he had even brought several outer disciples. No matter how powerful Jiang Fan was, could two fists possibly defeat four hands?

Liu Yong pointed inside and said mischievously, "Senior Brother Zhong, you're still bringing people here? Are you planning to teach him a lesson? Then you're underestimating your Junior Brother. Dealing with a new disciple like him is as easy as turning my hand, isn't it? Don't worry, I've already sealed his doom."

Zhong Qizhen frowned in confusion.

Liu Yong grinned maliciously and lowered his voice, "I tricked him by telling him it was a spiritual pool for new disciples to bathe in. He actually believed it. That's a spiritual pool exclusively for female disciples! Men are forbidden from entering!"

Zhong Qizhen scoffed, "So what? At most, he'll be beaten out. How would that satisfy my hatred?"

Liu Yong chuckled, "I haven't finished yet! Senior Brother, do you know who is inside right now?"

Zhong Qizhen kicked him, "I don't care who it is. This is too easy for him. Let's go..."

Liu Yong dared not play coy any longer. He quickly stopped him and said, "No! Absolutely not! Liu Qingxian is bathing in there."

Zhong Qizhen started and gasped, "The Sect Master's daughter?" How sacred and inviolable was she? If he were to accidentally offend her while she was bathing, he, an inner disciple, would immediately be expelled from the sect. He might even have his cultivation crippled!

He then came to his senses. If Jiang Fan offended her, the consequences would likely be being crippled on the spot, wouldn't they? What if he saw something he shouldn't have? Even if Liu Qingxian showed mercy, the Sect Master would never let him live for his daughter's purity! Jiang Fan's trip there would truly be his undoing!

Zhong Qizhen couldn't help but pinch Liu Yong's face, saying, "Well done, kid! Even I'm not as ruthless as you! Alright, let's wait outside and see how Jiang Fan comes out. If he's carried out, I'll reward you with a Foundation Establishment Pill."

The Foundation Establishment Pill was a medicinal pill exclusive to the Azure Cloud Sect, completely unavailable elsewhere. One pill was worth a hundred spirit stones. It was an enormous windfall!

Liu Yong was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Thank you, Senior Brother! Thank you, Senior Brother!"

The group immediately darted to a hidden spot by the roadside and concealed themselves.

As for Jiang Fan, following Liu Yong's directions, he walked all the way to the end of the path. Indeed, he saw a spiritual pool about an acre in size. Above the pool, steam swirled, creating a misty haze.

"What dense spiritual energy," Jiang Fan mused inwardly. The spiritual energy here was so abundant, it almost rivaled the spiritual pool in the City Lord's Mansion. It was hard to imagine that this was a common pool for outer disciples to bathe in at the Azure Cloud Sect.

Without further hesitation, he shed his clothes and slowly entered the water. While cleansing his body, he also absorbed the spiritual energy within, quietly cultivating.

Suddenly, he noticed a figure in the center of the spiritual pool, through the misty haze, sitting cross-legged in the water. "Was it a new disciple like himself?" Jiang Fan thought to himself.

Just then, he noticed the other person turn and look at him, and he spoke, "Excuse me, I apologize for disturbing your cultivation."

This was the state of Liu Qingxian's mind at that very moment: Question marks. All question marks. She momentarily wondered if she had misheard.

"Was that a man's voice? In a spiritual pool exclusively for female disciples? While she was bathing and cultivating?"