Chapter 10

Yu Zhengzheng stared at the curved blade in Xiang Feng’s hand, rubbing her ears in disbelief. “Protector Xiang, are you… joking?”

Xiang Feng slung the blade over his shoulder, his narrowed eyes glinting with a faint smile. “What do you think?”

The sunlight struck the blade’s surface, reflecting a faint chill. Its sharp edge radiated a subtle glow, as if screaming menacingly at her. 

Yu Zhengzheng understood then: the Ghost King was deliberately targeting her.

In the original story, cultivators who failed the assessment were merely sent back to their respective sects by the Ghost Sect. There was never talk of turning them into fertilizer.  

Among all the cultivators sent to the Ghost Sect, she was the only one with a wood spirit root and no spiritual power. If this wasn’t a deliberate setup by the Ghost King, why else would he instruct Xiang Feng to change the assessment rules?

Just yesterday, he had been cordial after their bath. Yet today, wearing his robes, he completely flipped his attitude…  

Mom, men really are no good!

Of the people present, only Yu Jiangjiang and Xiang Feng knew that Yu Zhengzheng had a wood spirit root. Everyone else was unaware.

Shanshui patiently explained the assessment rules to the group again. Once she was certain everyone understood, she led them toward the Holy Spirit Hall.

Yu Zhengzheng followed absentmindedly at the back of the group. For her, going or not going made no difference. It was merely a question of whether she died a little sooner or a little later.

Yu Jiangjiang, unwilling to miss this chance to mock her, quickly sidled up. “Why don’t you go and beg the Ghost King, sister?”

“After all, didn’t you just earn his favor yesterday? Maybe he’ll show mercy for the sake of that one night.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but her expression was filled with schadenfreude. It was clear she wanted to seize the opportunity to kick Yu Zhengzheng while she was down.

The Ghost King was known for his brutal and cold temperament. If Yu Zhengzheng chose not to beg, she might still have a slim chance at survival. But if she foolishly sought mercy, even that tiny hope would vanish.

Yu Zhengzheng understood this well. Her mood was so low that she couldn’t even muster the energy to retort.

Xiao Yuqing, who had been chatting with two Yuling Sect disciples, seemed to suddenly remember something. He turned his head slightly to glance behind him.

Seeing Yu Zhengzheng walking silently at the back of the group with her head down, he pressed his thin lips together and walked toward her.

His fair face carried a warm smile. “Miss Yu, is something on your mind?”

Before Yu Zhengzheng could respond, Yu Jiangjiang interjected, “My sister has a wood spirit root, so I fear this assessment…”

Yu Jiangjiang’s expression was perfectly rehearsed. Moments ago, she had been gloating, but now she wore a look of heartbreak, as though she wished she could take Yu Zhengzheng’s place.

Xiao Yuqing froze for a moment. A wood spirit root meant she couldn’t cultivate, as the Six Realms lacked a source of wood spiritual essence for her to absorb.  

In other words, it was certain she would fail the assessment.

After a brief pause, he retrieved a translucent white scallop shell from his Qiankun pouch and handed it to her. “Inside the shell is a spiritual power bead. When you measure your spiritual energy, hold this bead between your fingers. It may help you pass the assessment.”

Yu Zhengzheng gripped the shell and, along with it, Xiao Yuqing’s soft, fair hand. Her eyes reddened as she said, “Brother Xiao, I have no way to repay your kindness except by offering myself to you!”

Xiao Yuqing’s face flushed. He awkwardly changed the subject. “Miss Yu, what time did you return last night? Why didn’t you stay overnight in Luan Palace?”

She thought for a moment, then replied without hesitation, “The Ghost King left after bathing, likely due to something urgent. When he didn’t return, I went back first.”

He blinked. “Bathing?”

Afraid he’d misunderstand, she hurriedly explained, “I just helped him scrub his back. Nothing happened.”

Seeing the two chatting so closely—and Xiao Yuqing even giving her a spiritual power bead to help her—Yu Jiangjiang was so furious her nose was almost crooked.

All her life, there had been nothing she couldn’t obtain. Why should Yu Zhengzheng compete with her?

Forcing a smile, Yu Jiangjiang said, “The Holy Spirit Hall is just ahead. Brother Xiao and sister can continue chatting. I’ll go in first to secure a good spot.”

After Yu Jiangjiang left, Xiao Yuqing continued discussing the details of Yu Zhengzheng’s time in Luan Palace. His endless questioning left Yu Zhengzheng doubting her own recollection. Only after a long while did he finally stop, looking thoroughly pleased.

When the two entered the Holy Spirit Hall, it was already crowded with cultivators from various sects, far more spectacular than the initial selection in the palace.  

The Holy Spirit Hall was a semi-open structure supported by over twenty marble pillars, each intricately carved with coiling dragons. The pure white decor exuded a sacred aura reminiscent of Roman cathedrals.  

Seeing the throng of people, Yu Zhengzheng’s palms began to sweat nervously. For her, this was nothing short of a public execution.  

Although Xiao Yuqing expressed confidence, she remained unsure whether the spiritual bead he provided would truly work.  

Standing on the stone steps of the hall, Shanshui waved at her. “Miss Zhengzheng, over here!”  

As Yu Zhengzheng noticed the elderly woman standing beside Shanshui, a bad feeling crept over her.  

Could it be that they were going to be the first to take the test again?  

Xiao Yuqing seemed to sense her anxiety. He gently patted her arm. “Trust me, nothing will happen.”  

Since he had said so, Yu Zhengzheng felt it inappropriate to display her unease further. Forcing a calm demeanor, she replied, “I believe you.”  

By the time they pushed through the crowd to the front, Shanshui was chatting with Xiang Feng. Xiang Feng ruffled Shanshui’s hair with a smile. “Got it. Next time I visit the human realm, I’ll bring you lotus-leaf roast chicken.”  

Shanshui bargained with a pout. “Master, I want two!”  

Xiang Feng nodded. “Alright.”  

Watching this harmonious interaction between the master and apprentice, Yu Zhengzheng couldn’t help but feel a chill run down her spine.  

She had a psychological shadow regarding Xiang Feng—not just because he had once stabbed her.  

The members of the Ghost Sect were all notorious villains of the Six Realms, infamous for heinous crimes. Xiang Feng, despite his refined appearance, was among the most vicious.  

Thousands of years ago, the most prominent sect in the cultivation world wasn’t the Imperial Spirit Sect but Lingbi Palace, an all-female sect also based in Qingcheng Mountain.  

After Xiang Feng’s family was annihilated and he was hunted by enemies, the palace master of Lingbi Palace saved him and made an exception by taking him in as her final disciple.  

However, Xiang Feng repaid her kindness with betrayal. Consumed by his inner demons, he massacred thousands of female disciples in Lingbi Palace in an attempt to possess the palace master. In the end, the palace master, unable to bear the humiliation, took her own life at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, marking the fall of the once-great sect.  

Shanshui, naive as she was, would probably still count money for Xiang Feng after being sold off by him.  

Yu Zhengzheng sighed internally. Given her own precarious situation, why was she even worrying about this?  

Unaware of her concerns, Shanshui beamed brightly. “Miss Zhengzheng, you’re in the second group. Please wait here for a moment; it’ll be your turn soon.”  

Yu Zhengzheng nodded, though her gaze never left the curved blade in Xiang Feng’s hand.  

The first group’s testing proceeded quickly, but the last female cultivator hesitated at the front of the hall, trembling and refusing to extend her hand.  

The elderly woman, growing impatient, grabbed the female cultivator’s hand and pressed it against the spiritual bead. A faint blue glow emitted from the bead, signifying a water spiritual root of yin nature.  

Before the elderly woman could speak, Xiang Feng raised his curved blade and casually slashed across the cultivator’s spine.  

A gut-wrenching scream tore through the air as crimson blood sprayed from her back. The woman’s eyes widened in horror before she collapsed into a pool of blood.  

Her dying gasps echoed through the Holy Spirit Hall, resembling the mournful cries of a slaughtered animal, fading into silence.  

Not only Yu Zhengzheng but all the cultivators present were horrified.  

Among them, some had snuck in, replacing qualified cultivators, while others were either coerced or came willingly. The Ghost Sect, however, cared little about these details.  

Even those with spiritual roots who didn’t meet the required yang attributes faced immediate execution.  

When the first group ended, it was Yu Zhengzheng’s group’s turn. The two sisters from the Imperial Spirit Sect went first, both passing quickly with their fire spiritual roots.  

Next were two male disciples from Penglai Mountain, who also passed without issue.  

As only three remained, Yu Jiangjiang smiled sweetly at Yu Zhengzheng, her expression meaningful. “Sister, don’t worry. I’ll go first.”  

With that, she approached and placed her palm on the spiritual bead.  

A vibrant crimson glow radiated from the bead. The elderly woman nodded approvingly. “So young, and already at the Golden Core stage. Such potent fire energy—it’s remarkable.”  

Elated by the praise, Yu Jiangjiang feigned modesty while lifting her wrist. “It’s all thanks to the silkworm bracelet Father gave me. Without it, I couldn’t have advanced to the Golden Core stage so quickly.”  

On her wrist were four strands of translucent silkworm silk. The other cultivators in the hall looked on with envy, even the Imperial Spirit Sect sisters.  

Silkworm silk, a rare treasure unavailable even for purchase with spiritual stones, was something most hadn’t even seen before.  

The elderly woman examined her bracelet closely before nodding slightly. “Indeed, it is silkworm silk.”  

Basking in admiration, Yu Jiangjiang lowered her arm and stepped back with a satisfied smile. She stood beside Yu Zhengzheng, grasping her hand encouragingly. “Don’t worry, Sister. Everything will be fine!”  

Xiao Yuqing wanted to give Yu Zhengzheng more time to calm down, but she waved him off, stepping up before him.  

The last female cultivator in the previous group had died tragically. There was no way she would be the last to go this time—it was far too ominous.  

The spiritual bead, no larger than a red bean, was carefully hidden in her fingers. Taking a deep breath, her pale hand rested on the bead.  

A faint cherry-red glow appeared, weak but undeniably signifying a yang fire spiritual root.  

Xiang Feng glanced at her thoughtfully, his hand, gripping the curved blade, lowering slightly.  

Just as Yu Zhengzheng was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Yu Jiangjiang shrieked, “My silkworm bracelet—it’s gone!”  

The Imperial Spirit Sect sisters quickly chimed in, “It was just there! Could someone have stolen it?”  

Yu Jiangjiang’s eyes reddened as tears rolled down her cheeks. “How could it be? I only touched Sister just now, and she would never steal my bracelet…”  

Her words were more damning than an accusation, causing everyone to look at Yu Zhengzheng with disdain, as if the thief was already confirmed.  

The Imperial Spirit Sect sisters stoked the fire further. “But isn’t Miss Yu a pure wood root? How did she test for fire just now?”  

At that, the elderly woman’s face darkened. Before Yu Zhengzheng could respond, her hand was pried open, revealing the concealed spiritual bead.  

“Cheating. According to the rules, failure to pass results in execution!”  

Shanshui panicked and jumped in front of Yu Zhengzheng, shielding her like a mother hen. “No! Miss Zhengzheng wouldn’t cheat!”  

The elderly woman reached out to push Shanshui aside but was stopped by the blade of Xiang Feng’s Crimson Dawn sword.  

With his snow-white complexion and dark, smiling eyes, he said lightly, “Kids don’t understand the rules. Don’t be angry.”  

“Let her retest. That should silence everyone.”  

His tone was commanding, leaving no room for debate. Though the elderly woman was far older, her spiritual power was inferior. In the Ghost Sect, strength dictated authority, so she could only comply begrudgingly.  

Yu Zhengzheng stared at Xiang Feng, her legs weak. He clearly wanted her to die without protest.  

The Holy Spirit Hall was filled with mocking laughter.  

People ridiculed her for being shameless enough to steal from her sister, while others derided her as a useless wood root destined to die. All eyes were on her, waiting for her inevitable demise at Xiang Feng’s hands.  

Gritting her teeth, Yu Zhengzheng still couldn’t bring herself to extend her hand. The elderly woman grabbed her palm and pressed it onto the spiritual bead.