Jin Baoer took a brief glance, then lowered her head to hide the seething hatred and murderous intent in her eyes from the approaching figure.
"Is that the legendary Immortal Lord Lou Yun? He's so handsome! Even more handsome than my father! And he can fly—so amazing!"
A group of young outer disciples stared in awe at the cold figure on the stage, their eyes full of admiration and longing to rush forward and be chosen as his disciple.
Jin Baoer's gaze was icy. Recalling the humiliation and agony of her past life, how could she not feel hatred burning in her heart?
"Junior brother, why have you come? Could it be... you've finally decided? I told you—your talent is too great to waste. You must accept a disciple to pass on your legacy!"
Sect Leader Xiao Baishan beamed at Immortal Lord Lou Yun and respectfully ceded the stage. It was clear that Lou Yun's status in the Piao Miao Sect was unparalleled. Clad in snow-white robes, his expression was devoid of emotion, his demeanor otherworldly. With strength at the Out-of-Body Stage, he was indeed a peerless figure.
"Come forth," he said coldly. "Accept a disciple."
His simple command made the crowd stir restlessly. Even some who had already become apprentices began to regret acting too hastily.
At that moment, Lou Yun's gaze swept calmly across the crowd, pausing briefly on Su Xianzhi, who immediately beamed with anticipation and pride. But his gaze soon moved again and landed on a small figure standing silently nearby.
The entire crowd followed his gaze to a girl dressed in blue, head bowed, expression hidden. Her long hair was neatly tied, and her aura was cold and detached. Everyone instantly recognized her—Jin Baoer, first in the entrance test, pure ice-type single spiritual root, a once-in-a-century genius.
It seemed only natural that such a prodigy would be chosen by the sect's foremost immortal.
Everyone thought so—even Lou Yun—and the sect leader felt a mix of pity and relief.
"Haha! You have sharp eyes! This little girl's ice-type spiritual root is just as offensively strong as your lightning one. She's perfect to inherit your mantle."
Jin Baoer felt suffocated as memories of the past came crashing back. She tried to minimize her presence, but the moment she sensed that familiar, loathsome gaze fall on her, her body tensed. Then, without warning, she was pulled into the air. She raised her head in alarm. She wanted to resist, but was sealed and helpless. That powerless sensation pierced her soul again, igniting her deep hatred.
As her feet touched the ground again, a tall figure appeared before her. That familiar scent of cold orchids invaded her senses, choking her spirit. Everything mirrored the painful scene of her previous life.
Sensing her nervousness, Lou Yun's voice softened slightly.
"Don't be afraid. From now on, I will be your master."
"Evil disciple! From this moment forth, I sever all ties with you!"
How ironic. The same man who once protected her so gently would later drive her into ruin with ruthless indifference.
All her efforts, her pain, her perseverance—reduced by others to "as expected of Immortal Lou Yun's disciple." Yet the truth was bitter. She had bought her own artifacts, cultivated with no guidance, endured pain alone. Aside from gifting her one life-saving treasure, Lou Yun had done nothing. He wasn't worthy to be her master.
Hatred and defiance surged inside her. Though her instinct was to end it all here and take him down with her, reason prevailed. She looked up at the man before her and said firmly, clearly, and without fear:
"Thank you for your kindness, Immortal Lord, but I have already chosen my master. I cannot accept your offer."
Her crisp voice echoed across the entire stage. Silence followed, and all eyes turned to her with shock and disbelief.
Had they heard correctly? Had someone just refused Immortal Master Lou Yun?
The sect leader stared at her in stunned silence before blurting out, "Do you know who stands before you? This is Immortal Lou Yun, the greatest genius of the Piao Miao Sect, a cultivator at the Out-of-Body Stage!"
Jin Baoer met his gaze. Though her delicate face was still youthful, her eyes were filled with unshakable resolve and thinly veiled contempt. What use was great power if it was wielded without heart? She would never let the past repeat.
"Disciple understands. But the path of cultivation goes against the heavens and is fraught with tribulation. Everyone must walk their own road. The road I follow no longer leads to the Immortal Venerable."
Her words sent another wave of astonishment through the platform.
Even the sect leader fell silent, stunned that a ten-year-old child could possess such clarity. This girl was destined for greatness—but clearly, not under Lou Yun's wing.
Immortal Master Lou Yun merely frowned, his gaze unreadable. After a pause, he said coolly, "That is fine."
His lack of emotion was unsettling. The sect leader quickly stepped in to ease the tension.
"Haha, you truly are a girl of principle. Since you've chosen your path, may I ask which peak master you've selected?"
As soon as he spoke, the ice, water, and earth peak masters all turned their heads with anticipation. With her unmatched ice talent, she was surely bound to pick one of them. After all, even rejecting Lou Yun, she remained the sect's most coveted disciple.
But Jin Baoer simply stood, brushed imaginary dust from her knees, and walked calmly to the far right of the stage.
Everyone watched, hearts pounding, eyes locked on her every movement. She stopped next to Master Ding Feng, known for his ice techniques. Everyone assumed this was her choice.
Ding Feng straightened, pride flashing in his eyes. Just as he prepared to accept her, Jin Baoer knelt beside him.
"Disciple Jin Baoer respectfully requests Master Hua Feng to take me as his apprentice."
A choking sound broke the silence as the sect master spat out the spirit herb tea she had been sipping. Jin Baoer had chosen... an alchemist?
Master Hua Feng was a fire and metal dual-spirit cultivator, specialized in defense-enhancing formations and alchemy—completely incompatible with Jin Baoer's pure ice path. Everyone thought this was madness. Following him, she'd learn only talismans and medicinal refining.
What a waste of talent!
Ding Feng's face darkened. In contrast, Master Hua Feng's jaw dropped in disbelief. His thin frame and twitching mustache were a far cry from Lou Yun's elegant form. The entire sect stood in stunned silence. No one could understand why the brightest phoenix among them would choose a humble pill refiner.
But no one knew the truth.
Jin Baoer, reborn from death, already had the cultivation path memorized. She didn't need guidance—she needed survival tools. In her previous life, even with strength, she had been hunted, ambushed, betrayed. It was not strength alone that saved lives, but pills, arrays, talismans—support.
This time, she would be prepared.
Lifting her head, she repeated her request with clear eyes.
Only then did Master Hua Feng snap out of his shock, so thrilled he trembled, tears brimming in his eyes as he nodded uncontrollably.
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