Life as an outer disciple in Guiyuan Sect was unbelievably comfortable.
In a single word: relaxing. Wang Xiaoxiao only needed to show up for scheduled sword training sessions. The rest of the time? Sleep, lounge—and no one cared.
But she couldn't slack off too much—getting expelled would be a disaster. So, she locked herself in her room for two months, diving into meditation and breathing techniques. Instead of tiring herself out with endless practice, she used talismans to set up a Spirit-Gathering Array that funneled ambient spiritual energy into her body. Efficient and effortless.
In just those two months, she soared from Qi Refinement Level 3 to Level 5.
Every month, the sect held ranking exams. Thanks to years of real-world hardship, she knew one simple truth: people only remember those who rank first or last.
So she made it her mission to stay firmly in the middle—never outstanding, never hopeless.
One morning, Wang Xiaoxiao awoke and took a deliberate breath—still clearing her energy flow—when Du Chun dragged her to the back mountain, excitement bubbling over.
"Senior Brother Chong and Senior Brother Xi are here to pick the new inner disciples. Elder Zhao wants us out there now."
She blinked. "Oh."
"You were sleeping again, weren't you?" he teased, surveying her tired, slow movements.
By now, the entire outer sect knew her name—not because she was exceptional, but because she slept more than she did anything else.
She followed the line of recruits uphill, uninterested in the selection process. She hadn't ranked anywhere near the top ten—let alone had a chance.
But curiosity dragged her forward, and Du Chun elbowed them ahead. "That's Senior Brother Xi up front, and behind him is Senior Brother Chong."
She recognized Xi Lan from before. Following him, she spotted Chong Yue, white robes flowing, an ornate folding fan in hand—his appearance exotically charming.
"That's Chong Yue?" she asked.
Du Chun nearly babbled, "Isn't he handsome? Everyone in the sect's outer disciples would marry him if they could!"
She raised an eyebrow. "They'll be disappointed."
"Why?"
She shrugged casually, "His mind is unstable—he might go into qi deviation at any moment."
He scoffed. "You're joking."
She wasn't. In the sect's novel history, Chong Yue actually fell into demonic cultivation due to a fractured mind.
He heard her. His eyes narrowed.
How did she know?
Next to him, Xi Lan chuckled. "That's the outer disciple I told you about."
Chong Yue glanced over. "That short one?"
Xi Lan gently chided, "Be nicer to a girl, Second Senior Brother."
Chong Yue scoffed. "She basically cursed me with qi deviation—can't I call her short?"
Xi Lan shook his head. He regarded girls as precious—they deserved respect. Chong Yue clearly disagreed.
But his curiosity was piqued: how could she discern so much about him from just a few words?
Later, after Xi Lan and Chong Yue helped select the inner sect disciples, they climbed to the main peak to report to Sect Master Qin Panda.
They bowed. "Master."
Qin Panda stood, cloak billowing, his expression unreadable. "I hear Xuantiang Sect recently accepted someone with a supreme water spiritual root."
Chong Yue blinked. "A supreme water root?"
"Apparently Yun Hen brought her from the mortal realm," the master sighed. "Such a rare talent, and Xuantiang got there first."
He scowled. "Shall I even get you to win any glory?"
Xi Lan ignored it, as usual.
Frankly, the master had given up on the upcoming Grand Tournament. Guiyuan Sect had talent, but they kept losing—internal strife spoiled every chance. Lin Qimo and Chong Yue were always bickering. Gu Yuchuan was half-awake, lethargic. Xi Lan was the most grounded.
"Why so lively today?" came Lin Qimo, swaggering in.
The master scolded him. "Must you keep causing trouble—dragging that outer disciple around like she's your lifeline?"
Lin Qimo protested, "No one else talks to me! She actually keeps me company."
She was different. No kowtowing to direct disciples. He liked that.
The master paused. "Since I called you, I have one question: would you rather we accept a junior sister or a junior brother?"
The Grand Tournament was nine months away and they needed fresh disciples.
"Junior sister!" Lin Qimo piped up. "Every other sect has one—why not us?"
Chong Yue scoffed. Xi Lan piped in: "No sons. Sons like him annoy everyone. I like girls."
The master nodded slowly. "Perhaps it's time."
He continued, "Any suggestions?"
He pondered. "There are some promising outer disciples... and a few inner disciples with high-grade roots..."
Lin Qimo and Xi Lan spoke together: "Wang Xiaoxiao."
Xi Lan smiled. "Master, I think she's the one—she's unpredictable, chaotic, and interesting."
That was enough for the master.
Completely clueless, Wang Xiaoxiao had plopped down to nap when her jade slip glowed with a summons from the sect master.
"Yikes!" she flopped out of bed.
The sect master?
After two months, she was only on first-name terms with outer disciples and elders. Why summon her?
Still, she yawned and sloppily dressed. No sword servo—Guiyuan had stairs, about nine hundred of them. She climbed step by step, rubbing her eyes.
It felt oddly majestic—like she was heading to a throne.
At the top, she bowed to the master and her new senior brothers. Too exhausted to meet their eyes.
The master studied her. Finally, he asked warmly, "Do you want to become a direct disciple?"
Her heart thumped—what had she done to deserve this?
She stayed silent. The master assumed it was shyness, so he nodded. "These are your senior brothers—the ones you've met."
She looked at Lin Qimo—yes, just days ago they'd been wandering the foothills. Now he was her senior.
She remained silent. He winked.
No one guessed she didn't want this at all.
The master continued, "Prepare your things. Tomorrow, you move into the inner courtyard. Don't forget."
She inhaled, plastered on a hideous smile, and replied, "Yes, Sect Master."
He beamed, thinking she was touched. Maybe she didn't have raw talent—but at least she had… gratitude.