When she was very, very young, Shen Lingxi was chosen as one of the Saintess Candidates.
However, after learning that Shen Lingxi had been selected as a Saintess Candidate, her parents were filled with worry.
Shen Lingxi did not understand. ‘Isn’t this a good thing?’
The Shen family was very poor. Her parents were farmers who worked for a landlord, busy from dawn till dusk without a moment’s rest. Over the course of a year, they could only barely manage to keep themselves fed, with hardly any money left in their pockets.
Because most of the grain had to be handed over to the landlord, only one small portion belonged to the Shen family.
Therefore, if they encountered a major drought or disaster, the family had to live through incredibly tight days, sometimes even resorting to begging in the city.
Although their lives were poor and bitter, Shen Lingxi’s parents were cheerful and open-minded.
They only hoped that Shen Lingxi would grow up happily and then find a desirable husband to marry.
As for whether this husband had money, they did not care.
They only hoped that this man would treat Shen Lingxi well.
Shen Lingxi’s parents thought that their lives would continue like this forever, until one day, a group of people dressed in magnificent clothes burst into their home.
Neither Father Shen nor Mother Shen had seen much of the world, so they did not recognize the visitors. It was only later, when they described the clothing and the emblems to the village chief, that they realized how powerful these people were.
They were the disciples and Elders who had descended from Saintess Mountain.
“You two, do not be nervous. We are from Saintess Mountain.”
The leader was an old man with a warm attitude and a face full of smiles. One could tell at a glance that he was easy to talk to.
Saintess Mountain?
Father and Mother Shen looked at each other. At that moment, they had not yet realized the true strength of Saintess Mountain; they only had a vague idea that these people were even more powerful than the landlord.
Moreover, the old man leading them had a very good attitude, much easier to talk to than the fierce landlord.
Father and Mother Shen finally lowered their guard.
Seeing that the parents were no longer as guarded as they were at the beginning, the Elder offered an apology.
“Please do not take offense. These children have never been down the mountain, so they do not know proper etiquette. For their sudden intrusion, I shall offer an apology on their behalf.”
This gesture left Father and Mother Shen feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. A figure with a status higher than the landlord was actually apologizing to them?!
They hurriedly bowed in the same manner as the Elder to return the gesture.
“Oh, look at my memory. I haven’t introduced myself yet. My surname is Li, and I am an Elder of Saintess Mountain. You may call me Elder Li.”
Father and Mother Shen completely lowered their guard now. Father Shen gave Mother Shen a look, urging her to quickly brew a cup of tea for Elder Li to taste.
Mother Shen understood immediately. She rose, bowed, and retreated to the kitchen.
Only then did Father Shen ask, “I wonder, for what matter has Elder Li come today?”
“Haha, I have come specifically to congratulate you,” Elder Li said with a warm smile.
“Congratulate us?” Father Shen was full of confusion.
He thought back carefully, but it seemed there was nothing in their home worth celebrating.
Elder Li laughed again. “Your daughter — Shen Lingxi — has been selected as a Saintess Candidate for Saintess Mountain. That is why I have come to offer my congratulations.”
A Saintess Candidate?!
Although Father Shen did not know the meaning of the title, it sounded very impressive, and he immediately beamed with joy.
“Elder… Elder Li, how was my young daughter chosen as a Saintess Candidate?”
“Oh, it is like this. Our group was ordered by the Great Elder of Saintess Mountain to travel down the mountain and search everywhere for a Saintess. While passing through the village, we saw a girl with excellent natural talent. She possesses a heaven-sent gift and even the appearance of a Saintess. After making some inquiries, we learned that she was a daughter of the Shen family named Lingxi. Thus, I brought my disciples to visit and offer our congratulations.”
Elder Li explained everything politely and methodically.
Although his voice was old, it was like a spring breeze, making people feel incredibly comfortable.
Father Shen thought of the arrogant and overbearing landlord and mused secretly, ‘Comparing people to people truly is infuriating.’
Compared to Elder Li, that landlord was like an uncultured turtle.
“Here, this is a small token of my appreciation.”
Elder Li took a bag from his robe, stood up, and specifically walked over to Father Shen, offering it with both hands respectfully.
When Father Shen opened it, his eyes instantly lit up. His throat moved as he swallowed. He blinked, looking at Elder Li and then at the contents of the bag.
“Elder Li, this… this… there are at least ten High-grade Spirit Stones in this bag. This won’t do, it won’t do! We cannot accept this. Please, take it back.”
The Shen family’s annual expenses were only half a Lower-grade Spirit Stone. Elder Li giving them ten High-grade Spirit Stones all at once made the Shen family instant millionaires.
One must know that one High-grade Spirit Stone was equal to 100 Middle-grade Spirit Stones, and one Middle-grade Spirit Stone was equal to 100 Lower-grade Spirit Stones. Therefore, converting ten High-grade Spirit Stones into Lower-grade Spirit Stones resulted in a full 100,000 Lower-grade Spirit Stones. It was enough to ensure that the impoverished Shen family would never have to worry about food or clothing again.
Such a massive windfall left Father Shen at a loss for what to do.
“Sigh, you are mistaken.”
Elder Li shook his head slightly and said, “Shen Lingxi will be the Saintess of Saintess Mountain in the future. She will be below only one person and above 10,000. As her father, you will be the father of the Saintess. Do not refuse this small token.”
Father Shen was still somewhat hesitant, and his hand did not reach out to take it for a long time.
Seeing this, Elder Li smiled. “It’s not as if you are selling your daughter. There is no need to be embarrassed. Quickly, take it.”
Father Shen smiled and finally tucked it into his robe. Thinking about it, it wasn’t as if he was selling his daughter to a brothel.
“In a few days, I will send people to arrange a grand ceremony to welcome our future Saintess.”
“I still have other matters to attend to, so I shall depart first with my disciples.”
Just as Elder Li stood up to leave, Mother Shen happened to come out carrying a large tray of tea.
“Eh? You’re leaving already? Won’t you have some tea?” Mother Shen saw this and shouted in a rush.
“Oh, then it would be rude to refuse. I shall have a cup.”
Elder Li took a cup of tea from the tray, bowed to both Father and Mother Shen, and then drained it in one gulp.
Seeing Elder Li acting so politely and respectfully, Father and Mother Shen felt very pleased.
Then, the parents escorted Elder Li and his group out.
Shortly after leaving the Shen house, Elder Li suddenly leaned against a tree and began to vomit. He even stuck his withered fingers into his mouth, seemingly wanting to throw up everything he had just drunk.
When the disciples behind Elder Li saw this scene, they were not surprised at all. One by one, they turned a blind eye to it.
After vomiting for a while, Elder Li led his disciples back onto the road. He needed to find a place to stay and write a letter to the Great Elder, informing him that this was already the eleventh Saintess Candidate he had found this month.
He thought that his performance speed was likely the highest among the many Elders.
After all, the highest number of Saintess Candidates found last month was only eight. He had already exceeded the quota.