Chapter 64

“Big brother, why are you looking at me like that? Have you seen me before?” The little girl in the red dress seemed to sense Wang Yu’s unusual gaze; after blinking her dark eyes, she asked him with apparent innocence.

Her voice was crisp and sweet, exceptionally pleasant to hear.

“What? Do you know my little Feng?” Liu Changlao also turned a look of surprise toward Wang Yu.

“Senior, please don’t misunderstand—I merely found this little girl so adorable I couldn’t help but glance a little longer.” Wang Yu’s thoughts raced, yet he shook his head vigorously on the surface.

“Hah! The kid’s got good taste—you think little Feng is sweet and lovely too, don’t you? She’s my own blood granddaughter.” Upon hearing this, Liu Changlao burst into laughter and suddenly found Wang Yu somewhat more agreeable.

Is the Xue Chazü a descendant of the Four Symbols Sect’s elder?

That’s far too absurd!

Or is it merely a coincidence that their appearances are similar?

Wang Yu felt puzzled, his earlier judgment now uncertain.

At this moment, Shi Hai had already accompanied Liu Changlao toward a nearby pavilion.

Wang Yu and Yu Xiaoming followed behind, while the girl named Xiao Feng skipped merrily beside the old man, every movement radiating pure innocence.

Inside the first-floor hall of the pavilion.

Liu Changlao sat down on a row of chairs; Shi Hai, after tossing out a transmission talisman, stood quietly beside him.

“By the way, Shi Shixiong, what are their elemental roots? What bloodlines did they awaken?”

“Respected Liu Changlao, one is a four-element root who awakened the Iron-Scale Crocodile bloodline, the other a three-element root who awakened the Stone-Scale Beast bloodline.” Shi Hai replied honestly.

“A four-element root qualifies for entry? When did the sect lower its admission standards? Shi Shixiong, don’t tell me you took bribes and shoved people into the sect without merit.”

“Liu Changlao, don’t slander me! This Wang brother, though a four-element root, possesses a Wind element root and his Fire element root has reached top grade.”

“What? Top-grade Fire element root? Is that him?” The old man, previously indifferent, showed a flicker of surprise; his gaze snapped back to Wang Yu.

“Senior, I indeed possess a top-grade Fire element root.” Wang Yu stepped forward quickly and replied.

“Pity—what a pity! Had you cultivated our Zhuque Mountain’s teachings with a top-grade Fire element root, you’d be like a tiger with wings. Even with a three-element root, I could have decided to admit you into the inner sect right now. But with a four-element root, your cultivation speed is far too slow—practically useless.”

Hearing this, Wang Yu was speechless, standing there awkwardly.

“Indeed, but besides his top-grade Fire element root, Wang brother has also mastered the Qi Cultivator’s Breathing Method and can even fight across ranks.” Shi Hai nodded beside him, adding another of Wang Yu’s strengths.

“The Qi Cultivator’s Breathing Method is hard to master and requires immense time—even if it grants power over low-level cultivators, to us high-level cultivators, it adds nothing to our spiritual power or lifespan. What use is it?”

“Heh, don’t say that. If you’ve refined the Breathing Method to the second stage, even Foundation Establishment cultivators must give way. At least, second-stage Guarding Warriors—neither you nor I would want to face one in battle.”

At that moment, a loud voice rang out, and a gray-robed old man entered, his frame gaunt but his eyes piercing.

That's right! If Iron Crazyman heard you say that, he'd come straight here to challenge you—he's already reached the mid-second stage of the Breathing Method. If it came to a life-or-death fight, the two of you wouldn't be a match for him.

Another melodious female voice followed.

Behind the gray-robed old man, two more figures entered—one ahead, one behind.

The first wore a colorful feather robe with a beautiful face; the second was a tall man clad in black armor, his back bearing a thick black shield, silent as stone.

“You fellows, what nonsense are you spouting? Iron Crazyman’s just tough—he’d burn to ashes with one of my flames!” Liu Changlao flew into a rage, his wine-red nose turning even redder.

“Enough, Liu Shidi. Iron Brother is our Four Symbols Sect’s only second-stage Guarding Warrior—don’t go provoking him. Besides, I have matters to attend to—hurry and assess the disciples’ aptitudes so we can gather and disperse quickly.” A man in a bright red robe entered, speaking calmly to Liu Changlao.

The man appeared no older than forty, yet half his hair was jet black, the other half crimson—strikingly bizarre.

“Gu Shixiong, why are you here? Zhuque Mountain is under my care.” Liu Changlao froze upon seeing the crimson-haired man, then hurriedly rose and bowed.

The other three also paid their respects, showing deep respect for the crimson-haired man.

“I’ve come here on the Grand Ancestor’s orders. He heard one of the new disciples possesses a top-grade Fire element root combined with Wind element, and specifically asked me to verify it—if true, to bring him to meet him.” The crimson-haired man waved his hand, then sat down calmly in the central chair.

Upon hearing this, the others were stunned, exchanging glances.

“Gu Shixiong, why did Grandmaster Li Huo give such an order?” After several changes in expression, Liu Changlao asked cautiously.

“How would I know the Grand Ancestor’s thoughts? I merely received his message and broke my seclusion to come. You—are you the disciple with both Wind and Fire element roots, and your Fire root reached top grade?” The crimson-haired man briefly explained, then turned to Wang Yu.

“Yes, Senior, I possess both Wind and Fire element roots.” Wang Yu’s scalp had gone numb—he couldn’t tell if this summons from a Jin Dan Grand Ancestor was fortune or doom.

All others fixed their gazes on Wang Yu, as if trying to see flowers bloom from his skin.

Beside him, Yu Xiaoming stood dumbfounded, his heart flooded with envy and resentment.

To attract the notice of a Jin Dan Grand Ancestor—this was clearly a tremendous opportunity.

The little girl standing behind Liu Changlao now widened her clear black-and-white eyes, her gaze darting incessantly over Wang Yu.

“I happen to have a second-stage Spirit-Testing Talisman. Stand still.”

The crimson-haired man nodded, then pulled a silver talisman from his sleeve and flicked it—it transformed into a streak of silver light and landed on Wang Yu.

“Boom.”

The silver talisman ignited, forming a half-human-tall silver disc-shaped phantom that rotated slowly, spewing multicolored threads of light that pierced through Wang Yu’s body.

Wang Yu felt his spiritual power gushing out uncontrollably; his heart trembled slightly.

“Puff.” “Puff.” “Puff.” “Puff.”

Four differently colored flames appeared on the phantom disc.

The red flame was fist-sized; the gold, blue, and green flames were each no larger than silkworm beans, flickering precariously.

But at that moment, the crimson-haired man paused, then formed a hand seal and pointed remotely at the disc phantom.

The rotating disc instantly glowed with crimson spiritual runes; the red flame, previously fist-sized, suddenly expanded slightly and its hue subtly shifted to half-red, half-purple.

“Semi-Extreme Spirit Flame.”

Liu Changlao, who had been frowning in confusion, now gasped aloud—as if witnessing something utterly impossible.