Chapter 5: What the Hell Is Going On Here?!

A few years ago, Xiao Jihan was brought to the Xuantian Sect by Wen Youhe, who not only made an exception to accept him as a new disciple, but even personally guided spiritual energy into his body. If he had been a genius, that would have been understandable, but unfortunately, he was a pseudo-spirit root with four attributes—a true waste among wastes!

How could the proud sons of heaven, who had toiled up the Mystic Staircase to enter the sect, not harbor jealousy? At first, they thought he must have powerful connections and held some caution, but after Wen Youhe performed the spiritual initiation and never inquired about him again, their envy could no longer be contained. Their daily mockery went without saying, and under the pretense of friendly duels or guidance, they often bullied and humiliated him.

This same good-for-nothing, whom they had trampled underfoot, was suddenly taken in a few years later as the sole personal disciple of Elder Yan, instantly elevated to the status of their martial uncle. The surge of jealousy among the crowd multiplied tenfold! Yet gradually, they noticed that even as Elder Yan's personal disciple, his allowances remained as meager as those of an outer disciple, which brought them a sliver of satisfaction.

Now, seeing Xiao Jihan again, the years of resentment surged anew. The mere fact that such a waste shared the same sect as them felt like an affront! What’s more, he was the only one allowed to be in close company with Yan Shu—Elder Yan, who possessed both an innate Dao body and a mutated spirit root, a rarity in ten thousand years!

How could someone so worthless deserve to exist side by side with such a pure, ethereal, goddess-like being, whom they could only admire from afar, feeling that even a glance was sacrilege?

Xiao Jihan paid no heed to their hatred, only speaking coldly, “Move aside.”

“Move aside?” The man blocking his path laughed as if he’d heard a joke, echoed by the laughter of those behind him. He looked at Xiao Jihan and said, “It’s easy enough for me to move. If you can withstand three of my moves, I’ll let you pass.”

Without waiting for Xiao Jihan’s consent, the man summoned his weapon and lunged at him. Upon apprenticeship, a master would usually gift a disciple a suitable weapon, but Xiao Jihan had never enjoyed such favor. As the attack came, he could only hurriedly draw his entry-level, lowest-grade flying sword to defend himself.

No sooner had the sword appeared than it drew another round of derisive laughter from the crowd.

Someone sneered, “Oh my, he’s still using the outer disciples’ lowest-grade artifact.”

“He’s a waste, surely still stuck in the Qi Refining stage. What else could he use but a basic magic item? Don’t forget, only those at Foundation Establishment can use spiritual weapons!”

“Thanks for reminding me—I almost forgot, he’s not like us. He’s a waste!”

Laughter erupted all around, and even the originally silent onlookers couldn’t help but join in.

Amid the ridicule and laughter, Xiao Jihan suddenly understood the reason behind the token his so-called master, that venomous woman, had given him today. A flash of icy resolve passed through his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. No—he was still too weak. If he wanted to break free from that woman’s control, he absolutely could not reveal his true strength now!

As the spiritual weapon came slashing toward him, Xiao Jihan’s phoenix-like eyes grew cold. He raised his flying sword to block. The clash of weapons sent him staggering back several steps, blood spurting from his mouth! The sword in his hand, battered by the fierce blow, splintered with web-like cracks.

The man who attacked him withdrew his weapon and, seeing Xiao Jihan’s wretched state, gave a cruel smile. “Trash will always be trash. Even if you spend every day with Elder Yan, it doesn’t change what you are! Today, I’ll help you recognize your place!”

With that, he prepared to strike again. One of his companions quickly held him back, whispering, “Senior brother, we are forbidden from injuring our own. Teaching this waste a lesson is enough—if something really happens, the Disciplinary Hall…”

At those words, the man’s eyes flickered. He withdrew his weapon, looked down at Xiao Jihan and said coldly, “This is just a small lesson. The Xuantian Sect is no place for trash like you. If you know what’s good for you, leave. Otherwise, every time I see you, I’ll beat you!”

Xiao Jihan lowered his gaze and said nothing. The man, taking in his strikingly handsome face with its hint of femininity, snapped, “Get lost!”

Xiao Jihan raised his eyes, gave him a cold look, wiped the blood from his lips, gripped his battered flying sword, and turned to leave.

“Senior brother is worthy of the title—truly our number one!”

“Senior brother is amazing. Just two moves, and that waste was sent running like a beaten dog!”

Their voices, filled with praise for the man but laced with derision toward him, echoed behind. Xiao Jihan’s eyes darkened with suppressed fury, his hand trembling slightly on the sword.

One day, he would repay every humiliation in full!

It had to be said, spirit rice was indeed different from ordinary rice. Not only was its aroma purer and its taste sweeter, but after eating, the spiritual energy spread throughout the body, leaving one so comfortable you almost wanted to roll about on the bed in delight.

After finishing her porridge, Yan Shu used a dust-removal spell on the dishes, then left the room to return the cleaned bowls to the kitchen cupboard.

Hmm? Apart from the set she had just returned, there were no other bowls and chopsticks in the cupboard. Qin Wan was a little surprised, but quickly dismissed the thought—perhaps Xiao Jihan, eager to collect his new clothes, hadn’t yet returned his set.

In high spirits, she returned to her room to wait for Xiao Jihan’s return. This morning, she’d given him a jade slip and gained eight favor points. Now, after giving him several sets of clothes, surely she’d earn at least twenty more.

Twenty points today, twenty more tomorrow—even if five points dropped overnight, she’d still net fifteen a day. It wouldn’t take long before she reached a positive score, would it? She wasn’t asking for much; as long as the score turned positive and he lost the urge to kill her, that would be enough. But if she could reach forty or fifty, that would be even better.

Delighted by the thought, Yan Shu sat cross-legged in her room, pretending to meditate—when in truth, she was anxiously awaiting Xiao Jihan’s return.

After a long wait, at last she heard him come in. Yan Shu quickly composed herself, maintaining a cold, aloof demeanor as she waited.

From outside the door came Xiao Jihan’s voice: “Master.”

Yan Shu responded with a cool hum, stepped off the bed, and sat properly on her stool before speaking indifferently, “Come in.”

Xiao Jihan pushed open the door. Yan Shu suppressed her excitement and slowly turned to look—

A glaring red bar flashed before her eyes like a blaring alarm, nearly blinding her.

What the hell?!

What was going on?!

Why had the favor score not only failed to rise, but dropped from -80 (extreme hatred) straight to -90 (murderous intent)?!