Tempting The God - Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Spiritual Root
“Sister Luyi, I do not want to take this test,” Shen Jixue said with a frown.
She caught Luyi’s sleeve as the other woman started to leave, pleading in a low voice.
“I definitely won’t test for anything. Waiting here is just a waste of time. I should go back and help instead.”
They had already planned to rescue the Lady of the Manor and leave tomorrow night, but Lin Mozhi had suddenly become stubborn, insisting she come here to test her spiritual root.
When she refused, he had even instructed Luyi to tie her up and bring her if necessary.
“No,” Luyi replied with a flat refusal, leaving no room for negotiation.
“The Master told me to keep an eye on you. Do not even think about slipping away. Just finish the test honestly.”
Shen Jixue turned back helplessly.
There were about thirty people ahead of her.
The testing moved quickly; it would likely be her turn in about fifteen minutes.
She rubbed her fingers together.
She had originally prepared to take action tomorrow night, but being dragged here for this test complicated things.
The original “Shen Weixue” possessed a Heaven grade Ice Spiritual Root.
If it was discovered at this critical juncture, it would undoubtedly cause complications.
Not only would the Xuanxiao Sect set their sights on her, but the others in the Lin family would likely not let the matter rest easily.
“Come, come, everyone line up,” Steward Zhang stood at the front of the hall maintaining order.
“Once you enter, place your hand on the crystal in the hall. One at a time, no pushing.”
However, the servants in line were thrilled by the sudden opportunity to test their roots.
They chatted incessantly, and his voice was drowned out by their excitement.
“Silence!”
Steward Zhang’s shout finally quieted the chattering crowd outside.
He said nothing more and turned back into the hall.
“Next.”
“Next…”
The voices calling people inside drifted out continuously.
Most people came out looking dejected.
Only a few did not return, presumably because they had tested for some level of talent.
The young servant in front of Shen Jixue went in and did not come out.
Immediately after, she heard Steward Zhang call, “Next.”
Luyi gave her a gentle push.
“Go on.”
Shen Jixue’s eyes darkened slightly as she walked inside.
Since there was no escaping it, she would face whatever came.
It wouldn’t be impossible to move their plan up to tonight.
If necessary, she would simply discard this body and find a new one.
Changyuan’s next reincarnation wouldn’t happen that quickly anyway.
Inside the hall, besides the man and woman sitting at the head of the room and the members of the Lin family, several servants who had been at the front of the line stood behind.
Their faces were flushed with joy; they had likely been registered by the Xuanxiao Sect.
Shen Jixue kept her head down and bowed to those in the high seats.
No one present paid her much attention.
Lin Shuiyu sat upright in his seat, maintaining his dignity as the head of the household before the servants.
Lin Momei was immersed in the superiority of being the most talented among them.
Lin Molan remained timid, clutching her handkerchief and looking down as she pondered something unknown.
Lin Mozhu had been terrified by the previous “phantom blades” and had not yet recovered.
He sat in his chair looking shaken, his eyes darting around suspiciously as if fearing something else might fly out from the surroundings.
Only Lady Lin raised her eyes slightly, giving Shen Jixue a meaningful look.
Gu Huai pointed casually at the Spirit Testing Stone in front of him.
“Just place your hand on it.”
Yun Xinghua, who was holding the register, gave Shen Jixue a small, reassuring smile.
Shen Jixue cleared her mind, stepped forward, and placed her hand on the stone, which was emitting a faint white glow.
In an instant, the Spirit Testing Stone erupted with a powerful light blue light.
The blue grew paler and paler until it became a blinding white, so bright that everyone had to shield their eyes.
The teacup in Lin Shuiyu’s hand nearly fell.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
A flash of undetectable malice crossed Lady Lin’s face as she silently gripped the armrest of her chair.
The others had never seen such a light before and did not understand what it represented.
Shen Jixue withdrew her hand.
The light gradually faded to reveal her features.
Her originally calm expression was now replaced by surprise, making her look no different from the others who had tested positive for a spiritual root.
Gu Huai stood up abruptly and strode toward Shen Jixue, his excitement hard to hide.
“I never expected to find such a treasure of a junior sister in a place like this!”
Yun Xinghua picked up the register and asked with a smile, “May I ask your name, miss?”
Shen Jixue blinked, appearing as though she hadn’t processed the situation yet.
She replied blankly, “My name is Shen Weixue.”
“I shall have to call you Junior Sister Shen from now on,” Gu Huai said with a laugh, patting her shoulder jokingly.
“Junior Sister, when you achieve the Dao in the future, do not forget Sister Yun and me.”
Yun Xinghua also smiled, offering her gentle congratulations.
“Congratulations, Miss Shen. It is a Heaven grade Ice Spiritual Root.”
The hall erupted in noise.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Shen Jixue.
A Heaven grade single root, and an Ice element at that.
This was truly a meteoric rise.
Among the nine types of spiritual roots, the five elements were the most common.
Among the four mutated roots, Lightning was the strongest, followed by Ice.
The Heaven grade Gold and Fire dual root that everyone had envied just moments ago now seemed insignificant.
Lin Momei’s face was cold to the extreme.
When she had placed her hand on the stone, it had glowed with a brilliant fire red light.
Gu Huai and Yun Xinghua had shown admiration then.
Unfortunately, a faint flicker of gold had appeared at the end, causing them to frown slightly.
They had still congratulated her, saying she would surely be an inner disciple once she joined the sect.
At that time, the looks directed at her were full of wonder and envy, which had satisfied her deeply.
But now, seeing Gu Huai and Yun Xinghua so happy felt like a slap in the face.
Even the gazes falling on Shen Jixue were more intense than the ones she had received.
Her second sister was dead.
The most radiant person today should have been her.
Lin Momei clenched her teeth, staring at the envied Shen Jixue for a moment, wishing she could kill her then and there.
How dare a mere lowly servant outshine her?
As phrases like “extraordinary talent,” “future powerhouse,” and “limitless potential” reached her ears, they should have fueled her jealousy even more.
Instead, she became strangely calm.
She glanced at her mother, who was sitting beside her rubbing her teacup.
She knew her mother, who was convinced that Lin Mozhi was responsible for the second sister’s death, would never let this servant enter the Xuanxiao Sect.
Originally, her mother had been wary of the people from the sect and planned to wait until they left before persuading her father to take action.
Lin Mozhi could have lived for a few more days.
Now, it seemed she would vanish along with Lin Mozhi tonight.
A deep bond between master and servant, journeying to the underworld together.
What a touching story.
Lin Momei smoothed her skirt and hid a slow smile.
After a Heaven grade Ice Root appeared, Gu Huai and Yun Xinghua lost interest in the remaining tests.
Fortunately, there weren’t many people left, and the testing concluded within half an hour.
Lin Shuiyu stood up and smiled, clasping his hands.
“You have worked hard today, fellow Daoists. It is getting late. Why not stay for a simple meal? Allow me to fulfill my duty as a host.”
Gu Huai already disliked Lin Shuiyu and had no desire to stay.
He waved his hand and said, “We appreciate the kind offer, Senior, but it is not necessary.”
Such a blunt refusal was quite embarrassing for Lin Shuiyu, but he didn’t actually want them to stay either.
After a few insincere attempts to persuade them, he dropped the subject.
Yun Xinghua flipped through the register and raised her voice.
“Those recorded in this book must be at the West City Gate tomorrow at the hour of Chen (T/N: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM) to board the cloud vessel. You will return to the sect with us. Do not be late. If there is an emergency, you can find Senior Brother Gu and me at the Yunlai Inn.”
Everyone bowed in acknowledgment.
Shen Jixue, standing in an inconspicuous spot, also responded.
She looked up to see Yun Xinghua walking toward her through the crowd.
The older woman smiled and took her hand, saying softly, “Miss Shen, why don’t you move to the inn with us tonight? It would be good for you to meet Senior Sister Yu, and it will be much more convenient for our departure tomorrow.”
“That’s right,” Gu Huai added, coming over.
“You can come back with us and meet your fellow brothers and sisters first.”
The two looked expectant, but after a moment of hesitation, Shen Jixue shook her head.
Her clear eyes were full of sincerity.
“Immortal Masters, I am truly sorry. I must report this to the Eldest Young Master before I can make a decision.”
Gu Huai frowned, his expression turning arrogant.
“With your talent, why would you need anyone else’s permission to join our Xuanxiao Sect?”
“The Young Master treats me very well,” Shen Jixue said, shaking her head quickly.
Unable to explain in front of so many people, she pleaded, “I will definitely be there on time tomorrow morning. I will not cause any trouble for the Immortal Masters.”
“Very well,” Yun Xinghua interrupted as Gu Huai was about to say more.
She nodded.
“You may go.”
She paused and gave Shen Jixue’s hand a gentle, smiling squeeze.
“If you do not show up tomorrow morning, we will come to fetch you.”
The human heart was a terrifying thing, especially among cultivators.
The more one understood what talent meant, the stronger the jealousy toward a genius could become.
Furthermore, the second daughter of the Lin family had just died.
The third daughter should have been the most talented today, but she had been outshone by a servant they considered “lowly.”
Once in the sect, she would be further overshadowed.
Lin Shuiyu was ruthless.
If he could treat his own child so cruelly, what of Shen Jixue? It was highly likely he would do something to clear the path for his own children.
This was why Yun Xinghua and Gu Huai had suggested Shen Jixue go to the inn tonight.
Her final sentence served the same purpose.
On the surface it was a reminder, but in truth, it was a warning to the Lin family that Shen Jixue now had the Xuanxiao Sect backing her, so they should not think of any wicked schemes.
“Thank you, Immortal Master.”
Shen Jixue naturally understood.
She smiled, said her goodbyes, and went straight back to the Songhe Courtyard.
As soon as she left, Gu Huai became even more impatient.
He bid them farewell and left.
Lin Shuiyu saw them out of the manor and stood at the gate for a while, watching them disappear around the street corner before turning back.
Lady Lin stepped forward and took his arm, sighing softly.
“Husband, if that girl is truly allowed to enter the Xuanxiao Sect, I fear that you, I, and the entire Lin family will be in danger.”
“I understand.”
His face remained calm, but a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
He gave orders in a low voice.
“Close the gates early today. Tell everyone to return to their courtyards. Keep a close eye on the servants and make sure no one comes out. No one is allowed to move about after dark.”
Lady Lin curled her lips in a satisfied smile and lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”
Lin Momei followed behind them, barely able to contain her smile.
Her hand holding the handkerchief was trembling slightly with excitement.
Lin Molan stole a glance at Lin Momei, then lowered her head timidly.
She followed behind like a silent shadow.
As for Lin Mozhu walking at the very back, after that display of phantom blades, he didn’t dare look at Yun Xinghua again.
However, he was secretly calculating.
There must be even more beauties in the sect.
If he could win over one or two, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
As for everything else, his father and mother would handle it.
He didn’t need to worry.
It was a pity for that little beauty, though.
Of all the people to follow, she had to follow that blind man.
It was unlikely she would survive the night.
The storm was coming.
