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Every year at the beginning of autumn, the Immortal Sect holds a trial. Those who successfully pass the trial and gain the favor of a certain elder have the opportunity to become an inner disciple by formally apprenticing under them.
In her previous life, after being schemed into becoming Xie Hengyu’s wife, A Shang, who was already not well-liked by the other disciples, became the subject of even more gossip.
Somehow, it had been rumored that Xie Hengyu did not like his spouse to show her face in public, so her cultivation pursuits were gradually set aside.
Thinking back to her past life, A Shang truly felt she had been foolish. What nonsense about Xie Hengyu not liking his wife to appear in public—it was all lies.
Didn’t Shen Yueqing, the daughter of the sect leader, always enjoy being in the public eye?
Why did Xie Hengyu still like her?
It wasn’t that he disliked his wife appearing in public; he simply disliked her.
Although A Shang didn’t have a good impression of anyone in the Immortal Sect, it was, after all, the foremost of the four great sects. Moreover, it was the only one among the four that accepted half-demons seeking the Dao.
In her previous life, she had delayed her own cultivation because of her infatuation with Xie Hengyu. This time, she would absolutely not let him affect her future again.
Half-demons can’t cultivate the Dao, is that it?
Well, she was determined to prove them all wrong. Not only would she cultivate the Dao, but she would also ascend the path to immortality.
*
A wooden token engraved with the mark of an outer disciple was placed in front of the registrar.
The registrar, who was in the middle of writing down names, instinctively looked up. When he saw the girl who had handed over the token, his writing hand paused for a moment, and a look of admiration flashed in his eyes.
A Shang: “Hello, I’m here to register.”
The girl’s cool voice reached his ears.
Yuan Bai, holding the brush, was momentarily entranced by the girl and didn’t snap out of it until a fellow disciple nudged him. He quickly glanced at the name on the wooden token and wrote it down on the registration form, then handed her a red participation badge.
“H-here you go.”
“Thank you,” A Shang said as she took the red badge and expressed her gratitude.
Even after A Shang turned and walked away, Yuan Bai’s gaze remained fixed on her retreating figure. He couldn’t help but murmur, “She’s really beautiful.”
Hearing this, the disciple beside him scoffed. “Are you out of your mind? Don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to that half-demon, A Shang.”
Yuan Bai had initially found the name A Shang somewhat familiar, as if he’d heard it somewhere before, but he couldn’t quite place it. It wasn’t until his fellow disciple mentioned the term “half-demon” that it suddenly clicked.
Half-demon A Shang!
She was the one who drugged Xie Hengyu, Senior Brother Xie, and forced him to become her cultivation partner!
Yuan Bai was shocked. He never expected such a beautiful girl to have such cunning and scheming intentions.
A Shang, with her half-fox lineage, possessed exceptional hearing. Naturally, she overheard the two disciples discussing her behind her back.
Compared to the countless criticisms she had endured in her past life, these trivial remarks no longer stirred any emotion in her. She had long since grown indifferent to such gossip.
After completing her registration, A Shang went to find the steward in charge of outer disciples to request some tasks.
As the foremost of the four great sects, the Immortal Sect had stringent requirements for its outer disciples, even though they were not personally taught by masters.
If a disciple failed to complete their assigned tasks each month, they could face severe consequences, including expulsion from the sect.
Having just arrived at the sect, A Shang wasn’t yet eligible for missions involving demon-slaying. Instead, she was assigned menial labor that required physical effort.
The steward in charge of outer disciples was a short, plump old man with a white beard. He glanced at the spirit ledger in his hand and said to A Shang, “You’ve come too late. The only task left is to gather herbs in the Ten Thousand Spirit Valley. The valley is quite remote, so it’s best to go with someone else. See if you can find a partner to accompany you.”
The Ten Thousand Spirit Valley was located in the northernmost part of the sect. Due to its remote location and the fact that there had been several incidents of spirit beasts turning demonic and attacking people, no disciple wanted to go there. However, because it was close to a spiritual vein, it nurtured many rare medicinal herbs, making it an excellent place for herb gathering.
As soon as the steward made the announcement, the disciples present exchanged uneasy glances. Not only were there often frenzied spirit beasts in the Ten Thousand Spirit Valley, but A Shang’s status as a half-demon also made no one willing to partner with her.
A Shang was used to this and was about to accept the task alone when a disciple suddenly spoke up, “I’ll go!”
He stepped forward and stood in front of A Shang, addressing the steward, “I’m willing to go with Junior Sister A Shang.”
A Shang glanced at him. He was a square-faced disciple she didn’t recognize.
The steward said, “In that case, the two of you can go together. Here’s the herb-gathering ledger.”
“Got it,” the disciple replied cheerfully, taking the ledger from the steward. He turned to A Shang and said, “Junior Sister, let’s go. My name is He Zong. You can call me Senior Brother He.”
He Zong gestured for her to lead the way, a perfectly normal smile on his face.
He Zong gestured for her to lead the way, his face wearing a perfectly normal smile.
He Zong—the name sounded somewhat familiar, probably one she had heard in her past life, though she couldn’t quite recall clearly.
The Ten Thousand Spirit Valley was quite far from the sect, so the two of them rode on a spirit beast typically used by outer disciples for travel.
Compared to A Shang’s reserved demeanor, He Zong was quite talkative. He took the initiative to handle steering the spirit beast and eagerly chatted with A Shang.
“I’ve heard from fellow disciples before that Junior Sister A Shang is very beautiful, and now that I’ve seen you, it’s absolutely true,” He Zong said with a smile as he tugged on the reins to steer.
A Shang, not particularly interested in engaging with him, closed her eyes and pretended to rest.
Just then, someone nudged her shoulder. She frowned and opened her eyes to see He Zong staring at her with a smile. “Junior Sister, are you asleep?”
A Shang suppressed her impatience and replied coldly, “Senior Brother, please focus on driving.”
Hearing the dismissive tone in her voice, He Zong smiled indifferently and said, “Alright, Junior Sister, you rest for now.”
As soon as he turned his head, a faint sneer appeared on his lips, hidden from A Shang’s view.
A mere half-demon, and she dares to act so aloof? She’ll regret it soon.
The spirit beast came to a stop on a grassy field. Sensing that the carriage had halted, A Shang opened her eyes.
“Junior Sister, we’ve arrived.”
A Shang glanced at He Zong, who was smiling at her, then shifted her gaze to the two disciples standing behind him, both wearing the same Immortal Sect robes.
One of them cast a lecherous glance at her and said to He Zong, “This one’s quite a beauty. Where did you find such a treasure?”
“A new female disciple? How come I’ve never seen her in the sect before?” the other chimed in.
Hearing their crude remarks, A Shang couldn’t help but frown. “What do you want?”
“What do we want?” He Zong chuckled. “Of course, we want Junior Sister A Shang to help us, your three senior brothers. We’re in great need of your assistance right now.”