Chapter 9: A Hundredfold Enlightenment!
“Bullfrog, I never expected you to possess Heavenly-grade talent.”
Li Wudao approached Jiang Churan’s side, feigning surprise.
The latter furrowed her brows, lost in thought.
“You lost.”
Li Wudao shrugged and grinned mischievously. “A bet’s a bet. You wouldn’t back out now, would you?”
“Do you realize how much you deserve a beating right now?”
Jiang Churan shot him a glare, her clear eyes brimming with displeasure.
As the dignified Empress, to be outwitted by a mere youth—it was infuriating!
Taking a deep breath, she said coolly, “I’ll protect you for one year, on the condition that you cause no trouble and don’t bother me unless it’s important.”
“Deal.”
Li Wudao nodded happily.
He didn’t care about the details—as long as he had a chance to be close to her, it was enough.
A whole year was a long time, enough for him to slyly develop and reap numerous rewards.
“Here’s your elixir back.”
Jiang Churan handed the pill to Li Wudao.
Since she lost, she naturally had no face to keep it.
“Keep it then. Consider it your protection fee—I wouldn’t let you act for free.”
Li Wudao didn’t take it.
He had racked his brains trying to invest in something classy for the little maid, hoping to trigger a high-tier equipment reward.
There was no way he would give it back.
“Fine, consider it another favor owed. I’ll repay you double if I get the chance.”
Jiang Churan was not pretentious and accepted the elixir.
She needed to quickly improve her strength to have a better chance of awakening the Azure Phoenix bloodline.
Heavenly-grade talent was nothing compared to the perfected Ancient Azure Phoenix bloodline—it was like comparing a firefly to a bright moon, worlds apart.
[Notification: Investment successful. Investment item: One bottle of Replenishing Pill.]
[Investment target: Daughter of Destiny. Rebate mechanism triggered. Critical reward activated.]
[Reward settlement in progress…]
[Congratulations, host. You have received a special rebate: One hundredfold comprehension.]
[One hundredfold comprehension: A clear and serene spirit, entering meditation in a single breath, able to memorize martial arts and battle skills at a glance, autonomously integrating and applying them, drawing inferences from one instance.]
Li Wudao was stunned by the sudden surprise.
In the next moment,
He felt a surge in his mind, like a great bell tolling, accompanied by a swelling and languid sensation washing over his brain. His eyes involuntarily closed, nearly falling into a deep sleep.
Ten breaths later, Li Wudao finally emerged from that special state.
When he opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings, an indescribable joy welled up inside him.
He seemed to perceive the joys and sorrows of heaven, earth, and all living things—a sensation beyond words.
One hundredfold comprehension—amazing!
Li Wudao’s mood soared, far happier than when he became a true disciple.
His guess was right.
Indeed, the higher the quality of the investment item, the better the feedback reward.
Although the Martial Emperor’s Heart Sutra was precious, it paled in comparison to a passive ability like one hundredfold comprehension.
After all, with one hundredfold comprehension, what cultivation technique could he not master?
At that moment, Jiang Churan vaguely sensed something different.
She looked Li Wudao over,
For some reason, she felt he seemed changed—more confident.
His eyes appeared deeper and brighter.
She shook her head, thinking she must be imagining things.
It was probably because Li Wudao had suddenly transformed from a silent nobody into a terrestrial-level genius, making her overly sensitive.
[Notification: Jiang Churan’s favorability +5. Current favorability: 10.]
Li Wudao raised an eyebrow—oh, an unexpected bonus.
……
Time passed little by little.
Only just over a thousand disciples remained after the assessment.
The expressions of many senior members of the Xuanyuan Sect grew gradually disappointed.
Out of thirty thousand candidates, only Li Wudao had terrestrial-level talent.
However, with Jiang Churan as a Heavenly-level prodigy, it was somewhat acceptable.
Finally,
The last disciple was called; the testing was about to conclude.
“Qi Xingyu, lower terrestrial grade, eligible to become a true disciple!”
With that announcement,
All eyes turned to the youth standing by the stone tablet.
The boy was about seventeen, dressed in expensive brocade robes, with a handsome figure and brows imbued with an unyielding arrogance. Holding a folding fan, he looked every bit the aloof noble gentleman.
“Qi… This lad can’t be a disciple of the royal family of the Great Qi Dynasty, can he?”
“I recall that Sect Master Cheng took in a disciple some years ago named Qi Xinghai. I wonder if they’re related?”
On the stands, several peak masters exchanged curious glances.
“As you guessed, this boy is indeed Xinghai’s younger brother. He informed me of this matter just a few days ago.”
Cheng Yuanliang was an elderly man with half-white hair and a lean face, his eyes sharp as those of an eagle.
“So don’t pay him any special attention later—he’s my disciple.”
Cheng Yuanliang stroked his beard with a tone full of pride.
“Old Cheng, that’s not very fair.”
“Yeah, last time you stole a genius, now you’re taking another. That’s too much.”
The other peak masters were disheartened; such a promising youth was lost to them again.
But there was nothing to be done—after all, they were brothers. They couldn’t forcibly separate them.
“Oh, the last one to appear. Not bad acting. I’ll give you 99 points—saving one point so you don’t get conceited.”
Li Wudao chuckled, entertained by the last act. The final contestant always had a story.
At this moment,
Qi Xingyu strode forward like a refined young noble, gentle and handsome, walking confidently toward the qualified zone, stirring the hearts of many young girls.
“This guy’s eyes keep glancing this way…”
Li Wudao felt something was off—this youth seemed to be looking toward him.
Under everyone’s gaze,
Qi Xingyu bypassed Li Wudao and went straight to Jiang Churan.
He gently flicked his folding fan and smiled like a spring breeze, his voice magnetic as he said,
“Greetings, Immortal Jiang. My name is Qi Xingyu. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Nearby, many girls had fallen head over heels, staring at Qi Xingyu with dreamy expressions.
Family members, who could understand?
Not only was he talented and from a good background, but handsome and gentle as well—a dream lover incarnate.
Immediately, the girls shot Jiang Churan unfriendly looks, filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
They sighed in unison, wishing that person were them.
“Well, kid, you came prepared. No wonder your eyes kept looking my way—figures you set your sights on Jiang little miss.”
Li Wudao raised an eyebrow, eyes flicking between Qi Xingyu and Jiang Churan, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
Handsome guy, beautiful girl.
He was curious what sparks would fly between them.
However, Jiang Churan’s reaction shocked everyone.
“If that’s the case, you’re happy too soon. I don’t want to know you.”
The girl barely glanced at him before turning away, her tone cold and distant.
The atmosphere froze instantly, silence reigning.
Everyone exchanged strange looks, never expecting such a handsome prodigy to be so thoroughly snubbed.
Qi Xingyu was stunned on the spot, his face shifting between pale and flushed.
With his status and talent, it was usually effortless to win over girls.
He hadn’t anticipated being rejected so decisively today.
Beside him, Li Wudao was nearly bursting with laughter, his face red and mouth twitching.
He looked at Qi Xingyu with a hint of pity, thinking how awkward the situation was—so awkward it could split the floorboards.
“What are you laughing at?”
Qi Xingyu glared at him, his expression darkening.
He had long noticed the youth beside Jiang Churan, watching their interaction from afar, feeling uneasy.
Having now made a public fool of himself, he was even more frustrated.
“I was just remembering something happy.”
Li Wudao scratched his head.
“What happy thing?”
Qi Xingyu’s expression soured, pressing for an answer, as if the matter wouldn’t end without satisfaction.
“Uh… Laifu was born.”
Li Wudao replied weakly.
“Laifu? Who’s that?”
Qi Xingyu frowned, sensing something strange.
Li Wudao smiled, “It’s my dog.”
“Pfft—”
Jiang Churan covered the corner of her mouth, blinking, a faint blush coloring her pretty face, quite alluring.
Realizing something, she quickly composed herself, restoring her calm.
Silently, she cursed inwardly,
That brat Li Wudao was truly insufferable—he almost made her laugh out loud. Where was the dignity of the Empress?
“You little brat, I am the seventh prince of the Great Qi Dynasty, and you dare mock me?!”
Qi Xingyu’s lip twitched as his fists clenched tightly, rage reaching its peak.
As the seventh prince of the Great Qi Dynasty, his status was noble, and few dared to treat him so disrespectfully.