Chapter 35: The Initial Awakening of the Azure Phoenix Bloodline and Jiang Churan's Invitation

The system notification chime suddenly rang out.

【Ding! Congratulations to the host for a successful investment. Investment project: Teaching Qiu Zishi a Heaven-rank low-grade martial technique and guiding him to reach the "Micro-Insight" realm.】

【Reward special feedback: Half a year of martial cultivation.】

【Do you wish to claim it now?】

"No."

Li Wudao was surprised; he had not expected a reward of six months of cultivation. This was a valuable asset that would save him half a year of arduous training, enough to advance at least one minor realm. However, he certainly could not use it right now, lest he invite suspicion.

"As expected, teaching martial arts publicly is a lucrative endeavor," Li Wudao thought with secret delight.

He had merely spent two hours explaining his insights into martial techniques and had gained half a year of cultivation out of thin air. Furthermore, he had earned a favor from Qiu Zishi—a double win!

Suddenly, he looked toward where Qi Xingyu had been standing, but the Seventh Prince was already gone.

"He runs fast," Li Wudao sneered.

He wasn't sure if he should call the prince cautious or cowardly. In truth, even if Qi Xingyu hadn't left, there was little Li Wudao could have done to him. On second thought, he realized the prince must have felt ashamed after his scheme failed and had no face left to stay.

Meanwhile, outside the martial arts arena, Qi Xingyu was striding rapidly toward Lieyang Peak, his face as dark as water.

"Damn that Li Wudao! How can he have such terrifying comprehension?" he cursed, seething with frustration.

A moment later, a thought occurred to him, and a triumphant, cold sneer touched his lips.

"So what if your comprehension is strong? You've only mastered a few more techniques. I will be entering the True Essence Realm in a matter of days. I will still crush you in the Newcomer Tournament!"

His own talent was impressive, and with the dual support of the royal dynasty and Lieyang Peak, raising his realm was not difficult. At his age, few could break through to the True Essence Realm, and his strength would rival that of inner-sect disciples who had been training for two years. Martial techniques could increase combat power, but they were insufficient when faced with absolute suppression of cultivation realms.

"Kid, enjoy your moments of glory for a few more days. At the tournament, I will show you who the true genius is!" Clenching his fists in confidence, Qi Xingyu strode away with a cold laugh.

...

Inside the arena, the gossip spread by Wu Shan was merely a minor episode that quickly concluded. The disciples gazed at Li Wudao on the stage with adoration, their cheers ringing out loudly. Having witnessed Qiu Zishi’s breakthrough, even the senior disciples were moved and deeply impressed. Li Wudao was a prodigy of comprehension; even their own masters lacked such rare and invaluable insights.

"Senior Brother Li, I offer ten low-grade spirit stones! Please, teach me!"

"I offer fifteen! Just give me a little guidance."

"I offer one hundred!"

The bids grew higher and higher. Even formidable core disciples joined the fray, shouting with intense excitement. Some were even willing to pay five hundred spirit stones just to listen to Li Wudao’s teachings. By the end, the arena was in an uproar. A sea of disciples surged toward his stage, their eyes burning with the fervor one might reserve for a priceless treasure.

Li Wudao was caught off guard; the effect was far beyond his expectations. However, how could he possibly teach over a thousand disciples? Even if he spent one hour on each, he would cough up blood from exhaustion before finishing.

"Sigh," Li Wudao thought with a secret sigh as he looked at the near-manic crowd. Sometimes, being too prominent was a burden; there were too many things to consider.

"Ahem, everyone, please settle down."

Scanning the expectant gazes, he felt a headache coming on. "I appreciate your support and recognition, but I do not teach martial arts based on the amount of spirit stones offered. It is all about 'fate,' and a single stone is merely a gesture."

Li Wudao bowed slightly, keeping his tone as calm as possible. "I enjoy making friends, and I teach not for profit, but to form good connections. Time is limited, however, so I will guide only three more people today before ending the session."

Seeing the disciples' expressions shift, he quickly added, "Rest assured, I will set aside time to return to the arena periodically. Everyone will have a chance; it is only a matter of time."

Upon hearing this, the anxious disciples finally relaxed and wore smiles again. Li Wudao wiped cold sweat from his brow. If he hadn't reacted quickly, he feared he might not have been able to leave the arena at all today. These people were too enthusiastic—no different from fanatics—and their gazes felt as though they wanted to devour him.

Though Li Wudao claimed he chose people by fate, he had actually activated his Haotian Eyes. His energy was limited, and since his primary goal was to earn system rebates, he couldn't waste time on the mediocre.

Soon, he identified three suitable candidates:

The first was a core disciple who had entered the sect two years prior.
【Name: Yan Yang】
【Age: 18】
【Talent: Profound-grade mid-tier】
【Realm: True Essence Realm, late stage】
【Special Constitution: None】
【Luck: Heaven-rank high-grade】

An hour later, Yan Yang had achieved a small success in his technique and departed in high spirits, while Li Wudao received a handsome rebate. The second was a newly arrived inner-sect disciple named Ding Menglei, who possessed Heaven-rank luck and a stunning beauty that drew many gazes. The third was named Bu Yongnian, who possessed an Earth Spirit Body.

By the time he finished with the last person, dusk was approaching. Most disciples, knowing there was no chance left for the day, had dispersed, leaving only a few behind. After exchanging pleasantries, Li Wudao prepared to leave, feeling quite satisfied.

He yawned and stretched as he stepped off the stage. Teaching was truly exhausting; when faced with some of the more dim-witted questions, he had felt the urge to hit someone. Still, he had made a tidy profit today—a silver lining to the toil.

"Oh? You haven't left yet?"

At the entrance of the arena, Li Wudao was surprised to see a graceful figure waiting. As the evening breeze picked up, Jiang Churan stood alone. The sunset glow illuminated her exquisite face, and her flowing white robes made her appear like an ethereal fairy from a moon palace.

"You... you aren't waiting for me, are you?" Li Wudao stared at her flawless face, mumbling to himself. This girl usually avoided him like the plague; why was she waiting for him now? This didn't seem like the behavior of his little maid. Something was fishy! In an instant, his mind began churning with suspicious thoughts.

"Yes," Jiang Churan replied softly, her voice clear and tranquil.

Seeing this, Li Wudao felt even more unsettled. He frowned, his expression strange. "Junior Sister Jiang, do you need something from me?"

Jiang Churan was silent for a moment, then she nodded and shook her head.

"???" Li Wudao was baffled.

The girl looked around, and after ensuring no other disciples were near, she spoke quietly. "Li Wudao, you must find a way to place in the top ten of the upcoming Newcomer Tournament."

"Why?" Li Wudao asked, confused.

Jiang Churan was patient, her voice melodic as she explained, "The sect recently discovered a small, unexplored secret realm filled with treasures. The Sect Master has decided to use it as the reward for the top ten. Everything obtained inside belongs to the individual; there is no need to turn it over to the sect."

Li Wudao’s eyes lit up; that was a decent reward.

"According to the Sect Master, the realm also houses the legacy of a powerful expert, along with various rare materials and medicinal pills..." As she spoke, Jiang Churan cleared her throat, her bright, beautiful eyes fixed on the young man’s face. In truth, this was all from her own experience in her past life, but she couldn't tell him the truth, so she attributed it to Murong Yan. "The Sect Master has told me the location of the legacy. If you can enter the realm, I will lend you a hand. How about we split the resources we find?"

"Sounds promising. I thank you in advance, Junior Sister Jiang," Li Wudao said, rubbing his chin with a grin. He wouldn't turn down cultivation resources delivered to his doorstep.

"No need for thanks. I owe you; this will count as repaying half of the debt I owe you." Jiang Churan spoke, her eyes flickering with complexity. As a future empress, she possessed a natural pride, and having accepted Li Wudao’s favors multiple times, she had always felt uneasy. Now that the secret realm was opening, she finally had a chance to repay some of that debt.

"What is your current cultivation level?" Jiang Churan asked.

"Blood-Moving Realm, peak stage," Li Wudao replied truthfully.

"That's acceptable. It seems you have been training hard lately," Jiang Churan nodded in approval. Her expression then turned slightly serious. "Your current strength should be enough to reach the top ten, but you lack what is needed to obtain the legacy within the realm. The legacy site is guarded by several third-tier spirit beasts. I do not fear them, but it would be difficult for me to protect you at the same time."

Her tone deepened. "For now, come train by my side. I will do my best to improve your combat power so that you can protect yourself."

"That's all for today. Tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon, come to the arena. I will personally oversee your training and teach you some combat techniques."

Listening to the girl dictate his schedule, Li Wudao was speechless. He hadn't said a word, yet she had already decided everything. What kind of situation was this? Honestly, he felt a bit indignant. She had quite the nerve—was "acceptable" the only way to describe his peak Blood-Moving Realm cultivation?

A glimmer flashed in Li Wudao's pupils as he looked at the girl. He decided to see what his little maid was relying on.

【Name: Jiang Churan】
【Age: 15】
【Talent: Heaven-grade low-tier】
【Realm: True Essence Realm, mid-stage】
【Special Constitution: Ancient Azure Luan Bloodline (Partially awakened)】
【Luck: Emperor-grade high-grade (Daughter of Luck)】

Li Wudao was stunned after reading this.

*Holy crap—*

She was already at the mid-stage of the True Essence Realm?! Her cultivation speed was faster than a rocket. Even as a cheater, he felt it was absurd and felt inferior.

Suddenly, Li Wudao’s gaze locked onto the "Special Constitution" section. He realized the truth and offered a wry smile. No wonder; his little maid had quietly awakened the bloodline of the ancient Azure Luan. It was a divine beast bloodline, after all. If the partial awakening alone provided such a breakthrough speed, what would happen if it were fully awakened? Would she fly to the sky and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the sun?

"Understood. I will be there on time tomorrow," Li Wudao sighed and agreed. He had reason to suspect that he might not actually be able to defeat her right now.

*Damn it,* he thought. This was the Daughter of Destiny—her strength was unreasonably tyrannical.