Innate Wood Spirit Physique

Then Green Cloud Master led the way, with everyone following close behind as they headed toward the Heavenly Ladder. The disciples outside knew better than to get in their way and hurriedly made room for the powerful figures of Qingyun Sect.

A moment later, they arrived before the Heavenly Ladder.

"Hua Min'er, you've climbed the Heavenly Ladder before. Go on up by yourself." Green Cloud Master pointed at the ladder, then turned to Hua Min'er and spoke softly.

"Yes, Sect Master." Hua Min'er hurriedly bowed, then stepped out from the crowd and prepared to climb the Heavenly Ladder.

As if fate itself had willed it, Hua Min'er gave the crowd one last glance. Then her eyes fixed on someone, unable to look away. There, among the people, stood the figure etched into her mind, smiling at her. As if he had noticed her looking, the figure's owner smiled even more broadly and gave her a slight nod.

Hua Min'er wanted to call out to him, but when she saw the figure shake his head, she hurriedly stopped herself. Then she looked at him, full of confusion. The figure pointed at the Heavenly Ladder behind her, then nodded gently, his expression full of encouragement. Hua Min'er smiled sweetly, understanding what he meant: he wanted her to finish the test first, and then they could talk. With that thought, she stepped toward the Heavenly Ladder.

Everyone watched the two of them with mild surprise, but as Hua Min'er climbed the Heavenly Ladder's steps, they soon forgot about it and focused on her ascent up the Heavenly Road.

"Haha, I remember the last time we were all gathered here, too. Time flies—more than ten years have passed in the blink of an eye." Gu Yuan laughed heartily, unable to hold back a sigh.

"That's right. Someone was tested then, too. We witnessed quite a sight that time. What a pity—the heavens would not tolerate it, and a genius perished just like that." Yuan Ming sighed, lamenting the tragic fate of a genius.

"Heh, and that was a genius?" Huang Se sneered mockingly.

"Hmph!" Yuan Ming ignored him and snorted.

"Say, Hua Min'er is different from Ling Tian. She's already at the twenty-fourth level of Qi Refining, and it's only been two or three months. She's truly amazing! Congratulations, Sister Feidie. Qingdie Peak has really struck gold this time." Wu Yun, herself a female peak master, was on good terms with Ye Feidie and hurried to congratulate her.

"Not at all, Sister Wu. You're too kind." Ye Feidie smiled faintly and replied calmly.

"Heh, I wonder when our Qingshi Peak will get a genius." The voice was deep and booming, making everything nearby tremble. Who else could it be but Xiong Xiong?

"Old Bear, a genius would be wasted at your Qingshi Peak. Hahaha!" Gu Yuan teased Xiong Xiong.

"Hahaha..."

Everyone burst into laughter. Even Leng Jian, who was usually so aloof, had the faintest smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Wow, she really made it onto the green steps!" a disciple cried out.

"Pfft, what a country bumpkin. We've already seen this at Qingdie Peak. Wait, the fifth step is blue?!" One disciple scoffed at the other, but a moment later, he too cried out in shock.

"She only looks a little strained. I bet she can keep going," one disciple said.

"Look, the fifth step is blue!" A disciple was so excited that his voice trembled.

"Six steps!" His voice rang with even greater excitement.

"Eight steps!" The shout came out at the top of his lungs.

"Blue." The voice sounded a little numb. After being shocked so many times, they had finally built up a bit of immunity.

"Two blue steps!"

"What step is she on now?" A disciple with his head bowed after being thoroughly humbled tugged at the disciple beside him and asked.

"Four!" the disciple being tugged at murmured.

"Phew, Hua Min'er's finally stopped. Watching her climb that Heavenly Ladder is exhausting." One disciple let out a long breath, as if he had been the one climbing it.

"Haha, Blue Sixth Stage! A genius—no, a super-genius!" The disciple was so excited he could barely get the words out.

"Congratulations, Peak Master Ye, on encountering a rare prodigy, one not seen in a thousand years." When Hua Min'er returned after reaching the Blue Sixth Stage, several peak masters hurried to congratulate Ye Feidie, their words thick with envy.

"Thank you, fellow peak masters." Ye Feidie could no longer maintain her composure; she beamed with delight.

"Let's test her Innate Attribute first," Green Cloud Master said. There was a peculiar note in his voice. No wonder—the prodigy had slipped through his fingers.

"Yes, Sect Master," they replied hurriedly. Then everyone followed Green Cloud Master onward.

Hua Min'er looked at the owner of that figure—Ling Tian—with delight in her eyes. Naturally, she was thrilled that her talent had turned out to be so impressive. Then she glanced at the peak masters and looked at Ling Tian questioningly.

Ling Tian gave Hua Min'er a thumbs-up, just as delighted, then nodded.

Hua Min'er was even happier to receive his approval than she had been to reach the Blue Sixth Stage on the Heavenly Ladder. She nodded, then happily followed the peak masters.

They soon arrived before the Wordless Jade Wall. Following Green Cloud Master's instructions, Hua Min'er placed her hand against it. A moment later, a rich green light poured from the wall, so dense it seemed almost solid.

"Innate Wood Attribute, and an exceptionally strong one. Excellent, excellent—very suited to the cultivation techniques of Qingyun Sect." Green Cloud Master nodded in approval. Qingyun Sect's primary cultivation technique was based on the Wood Attribute of the Five Elements, making it an ideal fit for Hua Min'er.

But before Green Cloud Master could finish speaking, something unexpected happened. The rich green light on the Wordless Jade Wall rapidly gathered together, and in moments formed a halo about the size of two palms. The halo spun, drawing in the energy around it and channeling it into Hua Min'er's body.

"Could this, could this be..." Wu Yun was so astonished that her words came out in fits and starts.

Yuan Ming drew a deep breath and nodded firmly. "That's right. It's the Innate Wood Spirit Physique, a constitution found in fewer than one in ten thousand—no, one in a hundred million."

"Could this really be the legendary Innate Spirit Physique, the kind that allows one to cultivate a thousand times faster?" Ye Feidie was overwhelmed with delight, her expression full of disbelief.

"There's no mistake. Hua Min'er possesses one of the five innate spirit physiques—gold, wood, water, fire, or earth. Hers is the Innate Wood Spirit Physique." Green Cloud Master nodded, his voice carrying an even stranger note.

"Heh..." Ye Feidie didn't know what to say. She could only grin foolishly.

"Master, I have the Innate Wood Spirit Physique?" Hua Min'er didn't think much of it. She went over and tugged at Ye Feidie, who was still stunned, and asked casually, merely curious.

"Uh, yes, yes, you do. It's a legendary, wondrous physique. Hehe, Min'er, you must cultivate diligently. You can't let your physique go to waste. Though even if you barely cultivate, you'll still progress many times faster than other people. No wonder you reached the twenty-fourth level of Qi Refining in such a short time—that takes other people years." Ye Feidie came back to her senses, overjoyed. Still, she urged Hua Min'er to cultivate, though she wasn't nearly as strict with her anymore. After all, even if Hua Min'er barely cultivated, her cultivation was destined to advance at an astonishing pace.

"Mm, I know, Master." Hua Min'er answered casually, but kept glancing at Ling Tian. Then she asked, "Master, is there anything else? Can I wander around Qingyun Peak?"

"Of course. You can do whatever you like from now on. I'll chat with the peak masters and see if I can get some things for you, hehe." Ye Feidie answered casually. She had been worrying about how to ask the Sect Master for things, but with Hua Min'er's physique, she no longer needed to worry. Green Cloud Master would probably offer her something himself. The thought made Ye Feidie even happier.

"Really? Anything I want?" Hua Min'er looked at Ye Feidie, then at Ling Tian, her delight unmistakable.

"Mm-hmm, go ahead." Ye Feidie was in high spirits and was happy to indulge Hua Min'er.

"Thank you, Master. I'm off, then." With that, Hua Min'er bounced off toward Ling Tian, while Ye Feidie stayed behind to chat with the peak masters.