He saw him lightly rest his fingertips on Jiang Lu's wrist, focusing as he probed into the meridians within her body. His brows gradually furrowed, tinged with uncertainty and surprise.
Something felt wrong. He gave Jiang Lu a strange look. Ordinary cultivators with Mixed Spiritual Roots had narrow, clogged meridians, their spiritual energy sluggish and obstructed. Cultivation was difficult enough to begin with, and their progress was agonizingly slow.
Yet the meridians in her body were broad and unobstructed, branching in every direction. They were supple yet resilient, and spiritual energy flowed through them smoothly without hindrance. Their capacity far surpassed that of cultivators at the same level.
The wider one's meridians, the faster one could absorb spiritual energy, and the more uniquely blessed one's foundation for cultivation would be.
He raised his eyes, his gaze landing strangely on Jiang Lu. "What is the purity of your Spiritual Roots?"
Jiang Lu lowered her head slightly, her long lashes trembling. Her eyes carried just the right amount of shyness and embarrassment. "To be honest, this disciple does not know."
Elder Ye choked at her answer, his heart instantly filled with a jumble of emotions.
She did not even know the purity of her own Spiritual Roots, yet her cultivation speed was outrageously fast. Advancing so rashly, was she not afraid that her spiritual energy would clash, her foundation would become unstable, and she would accidentally suffer qi deviation?
"Then would you like to test them?"
He suddenly asked.
A test?
Jiang Lu immediately shook her head. She did not know whether the test would reveal the peculiarity of her Spiritual Roots. Things were quite good as they were now, so she had better not.
Seeing her refuse without the slightest hesitation, the interest in Elder Ye's eyes deepened.
This little girl neither fought nor competed. She cautiously avoided risks in all things, hiding her talents and guarding her heart at every turn.
Only someone harboring a great secret and carrying an extraordinary fortuitous encounter would proceed so carefully and avoid matters at every turn.
He had never been one to get to the bottom of things or pry into others' secrets, and he had not intended to investigate her past.
But on second thought, he had been alone for many years and happened to lack a personal disciple who suited his heart.
If he took this girl under his wing and taught her day and night, then as they spent their days and nights together in the future, every secret on her would sooner or later come to light.
The more he thought about it, the more appropriate it seemed. Elder Ye's gaze settled on Jiang Lu as he examined her closely, growing more satisfied the longer he looked.
Her age was just right, and her temperament had not yet fully taken shape. Even if her disposition went astray in the future, he could personally teach her and set her straight.
As for talent, she appeared to have Mixed Spiritual Roots, but her terrifying cultivation speed and broad, rare meridians had long overturned conventional conclusions. There was simply no talk of her having useless Spiritual Roots. Her true talent was far from fully uncovered.
As for strength, at merely the Qi Refinement, Fourth Level, she could independently refine second-rank pills. Her swordsmanship was nimble and practiced, her use of spells exquisite. She far surpassed cultivators of the same level, possessed a calm disposition and solid combat power, and lacked nothing at all.
What suited his heart most was this girl's steady, down-to-earth nature. They were exceptionally kindred spirits.
Those familiar with him: ???
Could a person really be so shameless?
Who did not know Ye Qing's great name? He was famously fond of stirring up trouble. Low-key? What did those two words have to do with him?
Seeing the foolish grin on his face, Jiang Lu took two steps back. Why did she feel as though she had been targeted?
Elder Ye cleared his throat twice and composed himself. His eyes carried a trace of self-satisfaction and pride, as though accepting her as a disciple would be a heaven-sent opportunity. He slowly said, "Little girl, how about I become your master?"
Master?
Jiang Lu took another two steps back, recalling one saying: free things were the most expensive! Anything gained for nothing was a trap!
Could he have ulterior motives?
Elder Ye saw not the slightest joy or excitement on her face. Instead, it was filled with vigilance, suspicion, and wariness. His previously pleasant mood instantly darkened by more than half, leaving him both helpless and aggrieved.
Was he really that untrustworthy?
"Hey! What kind of expression is that, little girl? You should know that countless people want to become my disciple. It is your good fortune that I have taken a liking to you, all right?"
At his words, alarm bells rang even louder in Jiang Lu's heart.
Here it came!
Here it came!
The scammer's script had arrived!
The next step would definitely be: "I find everyone else beneath my notice, but you alone are fated with me."
Sure enough, Elder Ye's unhurried voice followed, carrying a touch of melancholy and certainty:
"Among the countless cultivators in this world, so many have begged me bitterly to take them as disciples, yet I ignored every one of them. You alone please my eye; you and I are fated by destiny. Why are you so unable to recognize a good person's heart?"
Jiang Lu: The scammer accusation was confirmed!
But scamming people in Medicine King Pavilion—did he have a death wish?
The branch pavilion master had definitely been tricked by him!
Though the branch pavilion master was not weak, this was a scam specifically aimed at people like them!
It was a pig-butchering scam!
She knew this kind well!
Being deceived was perfectly normal. She had to hurry and warn him!
If you cannot find it by searching the book title, try searching for the author instead. Perhaps it was merely renamed!
Jiang Lu was immersed in the logic of her former life, forgetting that this was the Immortal Cultivation Realm. Scammers would not be foolish enough to achieve their goals in such a manner.
She had simply been scammed too many times in her previous life, triggering a reflexive response.
After saying that, she kept a wary eye on him while gradually backing away. Then she turned and ran for it.
Elder Ye was utterly bewildered. Was this how taking on disciples worked now?
He immediately followed, only to see her run toward Water Old Man, panting for breath.
"Pavilion Master Chi, something has happened! You have been scammed!"
Chi Miao had just been about to swallow the water in his mouth. At her words, he spat it all out.
He turned his head in astonishment and looked toward the voice.
A little girl stood in the hall, her forehead covered in fine sweat from running, her breathing unsteady and her face filled with urgency.
Behind the girl, the attendants all lowered their heads and held their breath, pretending nothing had happened. At the very rear, Elder Ye slowly strolled over, his expression indescribable.
What sort of combination was this?
He froze for a moment before coming back to himself, his tone carrying a trace of confusion.
"Me? Scammed?"
Chi Miao held a teacup in his left hand and pointed at himself with the index finger of his right, disbelief written across his face.
Jiang Lu nodded.
Then she looked at Elder Ye behind him, stretched out her hand, and pointed straight at him.
"He is a scammer!"
Elder Ye, who had followed along to watch the show, had not even wiped the smile from his lips before seeing Jiang Lu point at him. His mouth twitched, and his face swiftly darkened.
Since when had he become a scammer?
The surrounding attendants all lowered their heads and hunched their shoulders, holding their breath. Their eyes watched their noses, their noses watched their hearts, and they pretended to vanish completely.
They dared not look or listen. Whoever witnessed today's earth-shattering farce would be the one to suffer...
Chi Miao then revealed an expression of delighted spectatorship, only for it to meet Elder Ye's slightly darkened face.
He cleared his throat, gave a light cough, and quietly asked Jiang Lu why she said such a thing.
Jiang Lu recounted what had just happened.
The more she spoke, the more teasing Chi Miao's gaze became as he looked at Elder Ye.
Oh my, what a mess this had become. He wanted her as his disciple, yet she had mistaken him for a scammer.
Hahaha!
If those old fellows learned of this, they would laugh their teeth out.
Chi Miao then looked at Jiang Lu even more kindly. Since she was a disciple Elder Ye had set his sights on, although he did not know why Elder Ye had taken an interest in a disciple with Mixed Spiritual Roots, she must have some redeeming quality.
"Do you know who he is?"
Jiang Lu shook her head. He had not told her, so how could she possibly know who he was?
"Elder Ye, honestly. Who takes on a disciple without introducing himself?" No wonder she had taken him for a scammer.
He did not speak the latter half aloud, but Elder Ye read its meaning from his teasing expression.
His eyes widened, his face full of indignation.
He had never taken on a disciple before. How was he supposed to know what to do?
Chi Miao curled his lips, looking utterly helpless, then turned to Jiang Lu.
"You little one, he is no scammer. What he said was true. Many cultivators want to become his disciple, and his standards are very high. He really does not think much of ordinary people."
After saying that, he paused and leaned closer to Jiang Lu, speaking quietly.
"Besides, his strength is extraordinary. Ordinary people do not dare provoke him, and he has some weight behind his words within Medicine King Pavilion."
After saying that, he winked at her.
Since entering, although Jiang Lu had misunderstood Elder Ye, Elder Ye had never shown even the slightest sign of deciding this disciple was not worth having. Chi Miao thus knew Elder Ye was very satisfied with Jiang Lu.
He did not mind saying a few good words for her. That way, Elder Ye would remember his favor as well.
Jiang Lu fell silent at his words.
So he was not a scammer...
Then had she not made a laughingstock of herself this time?
Elder Ye saw Jiang Lu's embarrassment and stepped forward, his tone tempting.
"Little girl, do you want to become my disciple? My only disciple. All my good things will be yours in the future."
After saying that, he winked at Jiang Lu.
Jiang Lu looked at him, then at Chi Miao. Perhaps having a master would not be so bad after all.
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