The Azure Cloud Sect's Probe
Lu Ping felt that Little B understood his sophistication best.
However, the situation is unclear right now, so it's best to play it safe for now.
Lu Ping chose A.
[You chose A.]
[You dutifully performed the ritual.]
"Outer Sect Disciple Lu Ping greets the Sect Master."
Shen Yaoxin did not accept your greeting.
[Even without moving his body, he shifted half a foot to the side, avoiding direct contact with you.]
"Fellow Daoist Lu, you're too kind."
[Shen Yaoxin's voice was very soft, yet it drowned out the sound of the wind at the edge of the cliff.]
"The outer Azure Cloud Sect cannot accommodate such a great figure as you, Fellow Daoist. Tonight, the wind is gentle and the moon is bright. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lu would be so inclined as to accompany me on a journey to the Nine Heavens?"
[The fierce winds from the heavens are so powerful that even Nascent Soul Cultivator wouldn't dare to withstand them with their bare hands. He's assessing your strength.]
[This is all an open conspiracy.]
You looked up and met Shen Yaoxin's gaze.
"Since the Sect Master has invited me, how could I dare refuse?"
[Shen Yaoxin waved his sleeve, and Escape Light shot up from the ground, soaring straight into the sky.]
[You also didn't use any flying magic Law Treasure; your figure soared into the sky, following closely behind.]
High in the sky, the wind howled like knives.
[Shen Yaoxin was enveloped in a layer of azure light, which pushed away all the gale-force winds.]
[He didn't look at you, but his Divine Sense swept over you.]
[Hundred-Forged Medicine Body Formula, activated.]
[Your internal Qi and Blood is churning, with faint sounds of tigers and leopards roaring within you.]
[You haven't even activated the defensive capabilities of the Formless Myriad-Breath Cloak.]
[You tread upon the fierce wind as if walking on flat ground.]
Shen Yaoxin's expression shifted, revealing a hint of surprise.
He did not recognize the Hundred-Forged Medicine Body Formula.
[Or rather, he couldn't confirm how a normal Nascent Soul Cultivator could have refined the Hundred-Forged Medicine Body Formula.]
[The Hundred-Forged Medicine Body Formula is a cultivation Cultivation Method for puppets.]
"Lu Daoyou has a handsome physique."
Shen Yaoxin stopped and stood above the sea of clouds.
"I recently acquired a sword move, and after practicing it for a long time, I still feel it's lacking something."
"I would like to ask Fellow Daoist Lu for his evaluation."
[A: He humbly declined, indicating that his cultivation level was too low and he dared not presume to show off his limited skills before the sect Sect Master.]
[B: Raises hand in invitation: "Sect Master, please make your move."]
[C: Pulls out payment QR code: "Appraisal is possible, charged per word. The guide price for Spirit Transformation level character is 100,000 Spirit Stones per word."]
Lu Ping looked at Little A.
Shen Yaoxin clearly came prepared; if they disagreed, would he just stand by and do nothing?
Lu Ping chose B.
[You chose B.]
[You remained nonchalant, saying casually,]
"Sect Master, please make your move."
[Shen Yaoxin pointed his fingers as if making a sword.]
A streak of azure Sword Light condensed at his fingertips, then floated lightly towards you.
[The Sword Light moved extremely slowly, yet it locked down all the energy around you.]
[This is a test from the Spirit Transformation, and also a test of your bottom line. If you fail to withstand it, you will be considered an unauthorized Evil Cultivator and executed on the spot. Only if you succeed will you have the right to negotiate.]
[You didn't use 'I’ll Make Three Points'.]
[Shen Yaoxin is testing you, so you don't need to go all out directly.]
[Thousand Mechanisms Falling Blossoms Instruction, activated.]
[Hundreds upon hundreds of Spirit Stones flashed and disappeared, then struck Shen Yaoxin's Protective Gang Qi directly.]
The Spirit Stone shattered upon impact.
Shen Yaoxin was taken aback again; he didn't understand what you were doing.
[I'm the Client, triggering this.]
[Damage increased tenfold, damage received reduced tenfold.]
[Bully at Home, triggered.]
[Within the same sect, damage dealt to opponents of a higher cultivation level is increased fivefold.]
[Fifteen times the damage, awesome!]
Shen Yaoxin felt a sudden, inexplicable tremor; the previously smooth Sword Light froze slightly.
[You extend your right hand, fingers spread, directly meeting the divine sword light.]
[Bring your five fingers together.]
[Click.]
[The cyan Sword Light, like a piece of cheap glass, was crushed in your palm.]
[The Sword Qi the Spirit Transformation stage overflowed, yet it didn't even scratch your skin.]
Shen Yaoxin's eye twitched uncontrollably a few times.
[Reverse Engineering, in effect.]
[The Artisan Spirit is now in effect.]
[Countless sword principles are dismantled and reassembled in your mind.]
[Although your talent in Sword Dao is almost zero, your Nascent Soul Realm insight, coupled with Trait and theoretical knowledge, already make you comparable to a typical Sword Dao prodigy.]
You patted the remnants of Spiritual Qi off your hands and looked at Shen Yaoxin.
"The Sect Master's sword technique aims to simplify complexity, using a single Sword Light to interpret the Space Principle and block all of the opponent's escape routes."
Unfortunately, there are three shortcomings...
[You start to speak fluently.]
[As Shen Yaoxin listened, his expression shifted rapidly; his mind was racing.]
[He only used one-third of his strength in this strike. But he knew very well that even if he used his full power, he might not be able to capture you.]
[What's most terrifying is that you caught the sword barehanded and also pointed out the fatal flaw in his move.]
[Such vision and such a physique are definitely not those of Outer Sect Disciple.]
[The entire Azure Cloud Sect, at the Spirit Transformation, might be able to defeat you.]
[But it's not worth sacrificing the sect's resources for an unfathomable "old monster" who has been diligently in seclusion for the past year.]
The old fox's face changed faster than turning the pages of a book.
[Shen Yaoxin's sharp aura vanished instantly, replaced by a smile of regret for not having met sooner.]
"Fellow Daoist Lu's words are truly insightful; I, Shen, have learned a great deal."
He sighed.
"The External Affairs Hall has been far too careless in its work, allowing a true dragon like Fellow Daoist Lu to be relegated to the outer sect. This is truly a dereliction of duty on my part."
"From this day forward, Fellow Daoist Lu will be an elder of my Azure Cloud Sect. What are your thoughts, Fellow Daoist Lu?"
[Options pop up.]
[A: He declined the appointment, stating that he was used to a free and unrestrained life.]
[B: Know when to stop, agree.]
[C: He put his arm around Shen Yaoxin's shoulder: "Old Shen, your vision is too narrow. Why don't you give me your position Sect Master, and I'll promote you to vice president? We can go to Baodi City together to ring the bell for the IPO!"]
Lu Ping chose B without hesitation.
It's foolish not to take free resources.
[You chose B.]
You nodded, your tone calm.
"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Master. I only ask for a quiet place to cultivate in seclusion; it would be disrespectful to refuse the title of Elder."
[Having received your promise, Shen Yaoxin immediately handed you an Elder Token.]
In the world of cultivation, the strong are always respected.
[As long as you're not here to cause trouble, the Azure Cloud Sect can afford to grant you the empty title of Elder.]
[Shen Yaoxin didn't mention the Mystic Marrow Jade, nor did he ask about your relationship with Han Shishan.]
[What was originally intended as an act of retribution turned into Sword Dao exchange and the appointment of elders.]
After exchanging a few more polite words, Shen Yaoxin took his leave.
[You return to Han Shishan's cave abode.]
[The test of the Spirit Transformation Stage has thus come to an end.]
[Your status has changed from Outer Sect Disciple to elder.]