Although he couldn’t see his surroundings, Jiang Che had already guessed his situation.
He supposed that the not-so-bright girl in front of him had dragged him into the new disciple recruitment scene.
It seemed like he had never had good luck—he was about to collapse. In this life, he was doomed by women.
He swore that if he ever ran into another woman again, he would definitely run away!
But soon, he noticed something was off with the atmosphere around him.
The crowd below the stage held their breaths as Xiyue stepped onto the platform.
“Damn! It’s over!”
The girl muttered anxiously, quickly hiding behind Jiang Che.
Jiang Che was dumbfounded—what in the world was going on?
“Ximeng!”
Xiyue’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an intangible power, entering the ears of everyone present.
As soon as Jiang Che heard that familiar voice, his hair stood on end, and terrifying memories surged forth.
Why is it her?
“Hiding?”
A strange curve appeared at the corner of Xiyue’s mouth as she gently raised her right hand, her fingers half-clenched.
The pink-haired girl behind Jiang Che floated into the air like a chick being picked up.
“Aunt, spare me! Ximeng won’t dare ever again!”
Realizing Xiyue’s target was the girl behind him, Jiang Che instantly felt relieved.
He had thought that Xiyue, like Lin Yin, had recognized him.
But he never expected that the girl who had dragged him here was actually Xiyue’s niece—and weren’t the Royal Family forbidden from Immortal Cultivation?
On the high platform, some of the observing disciples glanced over at Xiyue.
“Who is that? She looks so powerful!”
“Are you blind? That’s the Female Emperor of the Dayan Dynasty! She single-handedly quelled the rebellion! They say on this continent, there are very few who can match her strength!”
“Really? But why can’t I sense her cultivation?”
“Well…I heard that the Royal Family has its own set of Cultivation Methods, different from Immortal Cultivation, Demonic Cultivation, Evil Cultivation, or Martial Cultivation. As for what level they can reach, rumor is it’s the peak of the human race—the Renhuang.”
On stage, Xiyue flashed a sly smile.
“Won’t dare again? Planning on there being a next time? Hurry up and get lost!”
The corners of Xiyue’s lips curled in a cold smirk, and she flung her right hand carelessly.
Ximeng’s petite body shot backwards like a kite with its string cut, hurtling away.
“Aunt, I hate you!” Her indignant shout echoed from mid-air, fading quickly into the distance.
Xiyue then turned around and said,
“Sorry to have made a scene for everyone.”
“Haha, it’s fine, it’s fine. That was your niece just now, right? She looked really cute.”
Yun Yan’s gaze swept over Jiang Che, who had been dragged in by Ximeng. A barely perceptible ripple flashed in his eyes.
But his face remained calm, and out of habit, he stroked his snowy white beard.
Why has Jiang Che come here?
This was not good news. At this moment, Jiang Che’s complexion looked much better than before, which meant Xu Qianlan must have taken good care of him recently.
But next was the Spirit Root Test.
Xu Qianlan was also worried about this, but she still pretended to be calm.
Jiang Che, on the other hand, was different. He was very calm. Although it was bad luck being dragged here, with so many people watching, Xu Qianlan shouldn’t snatch him away on the spot.
His plan wasn’t entirely ruined yet. Now it was time for the Spirit Root Test.
As long as he tested and didn’t have a Linggen, he’d be kicked out. Even if he was laughed at in public, he didn’t really care.
“A-Che?”
That voice…
Jiang Che’s body instantly stiffened, as if pinned to the spot by invisible ice needles.
The voice sounded again, overflowing with surprise and joy.
The faint wind rustling through the leaves, and the distant, low calls of spirit beasts—all seemed to vanish at that moment.
Jiang Che felt as if his heart missed a beat.
The next second, a force pulled him into a warm embrace.
That familiar body heat soothed Jiang Che’s heart.
He knew that Hu Qiao’er had arrived.
“Qiao’er-jie…”
“Mm, it’s me.”
A strangely fated encounter.
For a moment, Jiang Che was grateful for that pink-haired girl.
If it weren’t for her, he might have missed meeting Hu Qiao’er.
“Shi…Brother Che! I’m here too!”
“Wang Hao! You came as well?”
Jiang Che was a little surprised. He could understand Hu Qiao’er being here, but Wang Hao too? That was unexpected!
Hu Qiao’er let go of Jiang Che and examined him carefully.
“A-Che, you look a lot better, and maybe even a bit taller. What have you been through lately?”
At her words, Jiang Che’s mood dimmed slightly.
He had held it in for a long time; he really wanted to let it all out.
On the high platform.
“Sigh, getting old makes me soft at these reunion scenes,” Yun Yan said, wiping his eyes in an exaggerated manner, as if he had just been moved to tears.
Only Xu Qianlan was grinding her teeth—what the heck was this?!
She had never seen Jiang Che like this before.
“Come on, Zongzhu Yun, isn’t this a bit much? Just some kids—look how touched you are,” Luo Yan teased.
But then he realized that Yun Yan, this old fellow, hadn’t been watching the girl—he was watching the boy.
Yet after sizing up Jiang Che from head to toe, Luo Yan didn’t see anything special.
And he was blind, after all.
What he didn’t notice, though, was that Su Qingyue on the opposite side, and Xiyue, who had just returned to her bright bed, were both staring at Jiang Che as well.
At this moment, Wen Ping at the side reminded, “Zongzhu, it’s time to start.”
“Oh, right. Let’s begin.”
Yun Yan waved his hand, and a disciple by the bell tower struck the large Bronze Bell forcefully.
But Yun Yan really wanted to complain—why did they have to put the bell there? Every time it rang, his head ached.
As the bell rang out, no one looked at Jiang Che’s group anymore.
Just moments ago, so many had watched as a blind youth was embraced by a beautiful girl. It had certainly drawn attention.
Before the crowd, a Stone Platform suddenly rose.
An elder stepped onto the platform, and at its center a large White Jade Pillar emerged.
The elder began to speak in a hoarse voice, “Everyone, this is the Spirit Root Test Stone. I’m sure you’re all familiar with it. Those coming up next, report your names, one by one. Just place your hand on it.”
Nobody paid much attention to Jiang Che’s group anymore. They all eagerly moved forward to test their Linggen.
“A-Che, are you alright? You look a little upset.”
Jiang Che didn’t often smile, but Hu Qiao’er could still tell—if it were the old Jiang Che, he’d never let her hug him for so long, even if it had been ages since they met.
Jiang Che didn’t know how to answer. At that moment, countless words stuck in his throat.
The care from Hu Qiao’er was something he’d never felt from anyone else.
Seeing Jiang Che being held in Hu Qiao’er’s grasp, Wang Hao was a bit stunned, wondering if he should learn a thing or two from her.
“Qiao’er-jie, let’s go back—let’s return to the village.”
Jiang Che spoke hopefully. He swore to himself, in this life, he’d be an ordinary person—he’d never let Hu Qiao’er down.
But Hu Qiao’er didn’t agree right away.
“A-Che, can we wait a bit longer?”
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