Time-honored traditions? How "time-honored"?
Profound heritage, but just how profound?
Brimming with talent and compassion—are these descriptors of cultivation?
Looking again at the little black dog in Chen Pingping's arms and considering the steward's last sentence, many people instantly understood that the Fourth Peak seemed to have no strengths at all. Apart from good looks, it had nothing to offer.
The women who had just been clamoring to join Qingfeng also became disconsolate, torn between Chen Pingping's good looks and their own future. What a dilemma!
However, they soon made their choice: they chose their future. After all, they were all from the same sect—it didn't matter which peak they joined; once inside, they would be fellow disciples. By then, they would still be able to see Chen Pingping.
There was a stir below, and people were discussing in low voices, but only Guang Xiaoyu in the corner was deep in thought.
She was no ordinary girl; beneath that youthful face lay a heart that had cultivated for one hundred thousand years. She was a Demon Emperor, invincible above the Nine Heavens, a figure of countless slaughters and great renown. Later, she was betrayed by her disciples, who joined forces with several invincible beings from the outside world to attack her. After a bloody battle that lasted decades, she exhausted her life force and perished from sheer depletion. But as she fell, she dispersed her divine soul, and one strand fell into the Road of Reincarnation, waking up in this world.
The Demon Emperor reborn, still young—truly the classic start for a protagonist of destiny! She decided to find a small sect to cultivate discreetly, to lie low for a few decades, and once she regained her strength, she would ascend to the Nine Heavens to annihilate all those sanctimonious beings. Yes, that would be the plan!
Jiuli Peak has movement techniques that seem quite good; it could be considered.
The Sword Dao of Wanjian Peak? Hmph, this emperor's Sword Dao is the best under the heavens—why would I need to cultivate it further?
As for Snow Storm Peak... that's a choice only a barbarian would make for cultivation.
While she was thinking, half of the figures in the plaza had already left.
The three Peak Masters seated above wore broad smiles.
About an hour later, the figures on the scene gradually dispersed, leaving only four.
Different Body, Zhuge Wushuang, sixteen, brimming with heroic spirit, truly a handsome youth with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes.
Attribute Physique, Nangong Jue, sixteen, with a youthful face and bright, spirited eyes.
Sword Heart Body, Mo Wuwei, seventeen, with an ordinary appearance.
The last one was Guang Xiaoyu, with a delicate appearance and slim figure, looking quite all right overall, but her cultivation aptitude... was rather poor.
The three Peak Masters' gazes were fervent and eager, but no one even glanced at Guang Xiaoyu.
The steward spoke up, "The four of you, please make your choice."
Different Body Zhuge Wushuang scanned those above and said, "I choose Jiuli Peak."
HAHAHA!
The Jiulifeng Peak Lord laughed. "A promising young disciple!"
Attribute Physique Nangong Jue stepped forward. "I choose... Snow Storm Peak."
"Good, good, not bad at all. You have a discerning eye," the master of Ice and Snow Peak also laughed. Only two people remained.
The Wanjian Peak Master cast a sidelong glance, thinking, In Wuji Sect, only my Wanjian Peak cultivates the Sword Dao. You, a Sword Heart Body, better not choose wrongly.
Mo Wuwei looked towards the Wanjian Peak Master. "I choose Wanjian Peak."
WHEW!
The Wanjian Peak Master heaved a sigh of relief, his smile quite broad.
One genius per peak—a very good scenario.
Only Guang Xiaoyu was left in the plaza; she was a bit dazed. After a little thought, how had everyone else already gone?
"Chen, you can have this one!" the Jiulifeng Peak Lord said with a laugh. His demeanor... was quite magnanimous.
"Chen, don't hesitate any longer; it's the last one left! If you don't make a move now, you might not even get this one!" the master of Ice and Snow Peak said, laughing.
"Yes, yes!" the Wanjian Peak Master chimed in. "Hurry up and take her!"
Of the more than two hundred new disciples, they had each recruited over sixty, and each peak had snagged a genius; now only the one with the poorest aptitude remained.
It seemed that letting Qingfeng have her wasn't such a big deal.
With such poor aptitude, could she even make it into the top ten in the new disciples' competition?
The answer was: "Unlikely!"
Guang Xiaoyu was bewildered. The Emperor hasn't even decided yet, and the Three Peaks have already discarded me? On what grounds? They say her aptitude is poor? Really, a bunch of ignorant little cultivators.
Chen Pingping, on the other hand, smiled.
Poor aptitude? No worries, isn't your senior brother still here? If your senior brother can't handle it, there's still a Master above!
As for aptitude, he couldn't care less. Recruiting just one disciple was enough; who it was didn't matter.
Chen Pingping stood up, walked over to her, and smiled. "Would you like to join my Qingfeng?"
Do I even have a choice?
Guang Xiaoyu felt like spitting blood. She glanced at him and the little black dog in his arms, thinking bitterly, A cultivator, raising a dog?
…
Damn those petty cultivators, how dare they disdain this Emperor?
Guang Xiaoyu remembered the disdainful expressions and tones of the three Peak Masters just now and couldn't help but feel indignant. The mighty Demon Emperor, actually being looked down upon.
Now, she was forced to join Qingfeng, this desolate mountain peak.
And she had to deal with a dog-raising senior brother…
Her worldview was gradually crumbling.
Chen Pingping walked ahead, chattering, "Our Qingfeng doesn't have that many rules. The Master is Wen Yuqing. As for what realm she's in, I have no idea. I was the only disciple under her, and now there's you."
Guang Xiaoyu was speechless.
Chen Pingping continued, "I am the Eldest Senior Brother, so you're number two. There's only one major rule here: you must listen to your senior brother and cultivate diligently. Can you do that?"
"Yes!" she answered indistinctly.
"Very good. It seems you're gradually adapting to the cultivation life on Qingfeng," Chen Pingping smiled. "One more thing: our Master is very busy. She doesn't have time to teach you cultivation, and even if she returns, you mustn't disturb her. If you have any questions, come to me."
Heavens above! Earth below! What exactly did this Emperor do wrong? To finally be reborn, only to encounter such a 'senior brother.'
Guang Xiaoyu looked as if life was not worth living.
Enough, enough! I am the mighty Demon Emperor; I don't need others to instruct me in cultivation. I just wanted to find a place, get some cultivation resources, and transition through the early stages.
Guang Xiaoyu's face was expressionless.
"Your room is over here. Tidy it up yourself; I have things to do right now," Chen Pingping said, picking up the little black dog and leaving.
Behind him, Guang Xiaoyu frowned. Strange, why is there no cultivation fluctuation in my senior brother's body? This shouldn't be!
Driven by curiosity, Guang Xiaoyu secretly followed, only to see Chen Pingping by a stream, pulling an old ox and washing it.
He even... raises oxen?
Guang Xiaoyu's eyes widened. My heavens, what an unusual senior brother this is! No wonder there's no cultivation fluctuation in his body; so that's why. Poor aptitude, unable to achieve Breaking Sun, so he just gave up on himself? Raising oxen, keeping dogs...
Guang Xiaoyu sighed softly and watched no more.
Four hours later, Chen Pingping returned with a roasted rabbit, smiling. "Hungry? Here's some meat I just roasted. Eat it while it's hot."
Roasted meat? For me?
Well, of course. A person who can't cultivate naturally can't abstain from food. But regardless, she, Guang Xiaoyu, should not spurn this kindness.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Guang Xiaoyu took the roasted meat.
"It gets cold when sleeping at night. I'll bring you a quilt later," Chen Pingping said.
Suddenly, Guang Xiaoyu felt that, aside from not being able to cultivate, this remarkable senior brother... actually wasn't so bad. At least he was good-looking.
So be it! As this Emperor's senior brother in this life, once my cultivation is restored, I will open your Dantian for you.