Chapter 17: Visitors from Zedi Sect

As for anything extra, giving it was a kindness, and not giving it was only natural. To desire too much was greed taking root in one’s thoughts.

What she should do was remember the kindness and abide by what was natural.

Zhao Ji saw the little girl’s expression and shook his head.

“You’re still too young.”

He took out a small porcelain bottle from his robe.

“Here, this is some bruise ointment. An inner court Senior Brother gave it to me last time as a reward for tending the yard. It’s no match for an Elixir, but it’s very good for ordinary injuries. I have to go home this afternoon, so I won’t stay long. Take care of yourself.”

As he was leaving, Zhao Ji suddenly turned back.

“Oh! Shen Qingyi, if you dare trade the ointment I gave you for Spirit Pearls, you’re finished!”

Shen Qingyi awkwardly scratched her nose. She really had thought about that idea…

Not only because she was short on Spirit Pearls, but also because she realized she seemed to be getting more resistant to the cold lately. The redness and swelling on her hands were nothing compared to before.

“Shen Qingyi!”

The days passed one by one like this.

Finally, it was the month before the Lingdao Sect’s test.

Elder Qi and Qi Linger were already making preparations.

Shen Qingyi was also a little nervous. Although she had worked hard during this time and saved nearly three Low-Grade Spirit Stones, the Teleportation Array fee to reach the Lingdao Sect started at a minimum of ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and that didn’t even include other expenses.

What Shen Qingyi didn’t expect was that before she could even think of asking Elder Qi for help, their small yard received several distinguished guests. One of them was something of an “acquaintance” to her.

Feng Luo had come to this Market District under his Sect’s orders.

Although Zedi Sect was the leading power among the Sects in this area, not all talented disciples enrolled or were willing to join Zedi Sect. Some Cultivators were unwilling.

Facing such situations, Zedi Sect had initially tried suppression, but the results weren’t very good. Later, they tried changing their approach. In recent years, they relaxed their oversight, allowing those Cultivators unwilling to join Zedi Sect who wanted to venture out to leave. They even permitted some of their own talented disciples to join major Sects. Surprisingly, this yielded better results.

In the Cultivation World, strength was what commanded respect. Those disciple offspring who left Zedi Sect of the North Binding Realm, if they rose to prominence in the future, most would remember their roots to some extent.

This approach actually benefited both them and the North Binding Realm’s development more.

So, every time this period came around, for those disciple offspring with hope of joining a major Sect, Zedi Sect would send its disciples to offer early congratulations.

In this small Market District, the Sect Elders had heard there were several promising seedlings, including Qi Linger, who had a very good chance of entering a major Sect.

Feng Luo had accepted this mission and came to the Academy.

He just hadn’t expected to encounter Shen Qingyi here.

Seeing her again, he almost didn’t recognize the girl before him. She had grown taller, her skin was much fairer and rosier—she was nothing like the sallow, skinny, and lifeless person from before.

If not for the fact that Shen Qingyi’s aura hadn’t changed much, he really wouldn’t have connected her to that little girl.

After completing his congratulatory mission, Feng Luo glanced at Shen Qingyi, who was standing guard not far away.

“You’ve been staying here all these days?”

Shen Qingyi nodded.

Zhao Ji looked at the two of them, sensing they might be acquaintances.

But wasn’t Shen Qingyi alone and without anyone to rely on?

The male Cultivator before him, although he was just an Outer Sect Disciple of Zedi Sect, was still far stronger than him.

Zedi Sect might not compare to those major powers, but not just anyone had the qualifications to enter.

If Shen Qingyi had a connection with him, why didn’t she ask him for help, instead staying here…

Zhao Ji couldn’t figure it out.

Feng Luo pursed his lips, as if thinking of something, and frowned slightly.

“Are you going back?”

Shen Qingyi shook her head slightly.

“Not for now.”

Feng Luo looked around at the surroundings.

“Alright.”

Zedi Sect might not be a better place for this girl than this small Academy before them.