Se-hyeon? The Se-hyeon who said, "You're so naughty"?

[But you'll awaken the Myriad Flower Divine Bone later. Looks like you'll need Marrow Cleansing.]

[I can't get Marrow Cleansing medicine! Don't forget, your Host is flat broke. I think we should head to the Mortal Realm's imperial palace and follow a palace-intrigue plot. That'd be easier. Anyway, we need to stay far away from Ran Zirou. I'm not fighting a fool.]

Next, Li Zi began discussing with the system what they would need to do if they followed a household-intrigue plot.

The big shots on the dais were getting headaches from the pair's muttering.

Finally, the presiding Junior Master's Uncle shouted in a booming voice, "Quiet!"

His voice rang like bells and drums, humming in their ears.

The disciples trembled with fright and hurriedly put away their weapons.

The solemn, imposing Sect Master rose.

"Elders, are there any disciples who have caught your eye?"

[Host, I've got gossip!]

The Sect Master paused.

Ji Zheng, the Eldest Senior Brother, had been about to whisper to the Fifth Elder. He opened his mouth, then closed it again and waited for the gossip.

[Just now, Ran Zirou threw herself into Ji Zheng's arms and cried like pear blossoms drenched in rain. She melted that straight-laced man's heart in an instant. He's probably about to ask the Fifth Elder to take her as a Direct Disciple.]

Every elder's gaze snapped toward Ji Zheng and the Fifth Elder.

Ji Zheng gave a dry laugh and scratched the back of his head.

"Well, Master, I think taking her in would just mean setting out one more pair of chopsticks."

Li Zi clicked her tongue. [He's really taking her? This Sect must be starving if it'll swallow anything.]

Everyone's face darkened.

After Li Zi's jab, they almost felt as though their Sect really would swallow anything.

The system agreed. [Exactly! Look at the Medicine King Sect. They only accept people with a talent for medicine and a Fire-Wood Dual Spiritual Root. The Flame Hall and Thunder God Hall only accept people with a single Spiritual Root of their respective elements. At least they have standards. Our Spirit Sword Sect even takes in people with crummy Mixed Spiritual Roots.]

Li Zi protested, [I have a Mixed Spiritual Root too.]

[You're different. You awaken a Divine Bone later. That's incredible. Ran Zirou's just pretty.]

Li Zi thought back to the original plot.

[No, she's not just pretty. She's got a way with words, and she can force a kiss on a man, too. She forced a kiss on Ji Zheng, then seduced him into bed for Dual Cultivation. Scary stuff.]

The system nodded. [Ji Zheng is Ran Zirou's first man. Soon after entering the Sect, she seduces him into bed. The problem is, Ji Zheng has the Extreme Yang Physique. If he masters the Blazing Flame Sword, he could even carve out a broad, sunlit road to immortality on his own.]

[If he could practice Dual Cultivation with someone who has the Extreme Yin Physique, his cultivation speed would be astonishing. What a shame Ran Zirou ruins such a promising talent. Once he loses his Primordial Yang, his Cultivation stagnates.]

The system and Li Zi sighed at length and observed a few seconds of silence for Ji Zheng.

Suddenly, the Fifth Elder stood and pointed across the distance at Li Zi.

"Your name is Li Zi, yes? Come. Be my Direct Disciple."

Everything matched up.

Ji Zheng did indeed have the Extreme Yang Physique. Paired with fire-attribute Swordsmanship, it let him cultivate at extraordinary speed. He was the disciple the Fifth Elder valued most, someone who might one day become the Sect's first Tribulation-Transcending Ancestor.

He said gravely to Ji Zheng, "Did you hear that? You can transcend the tribulation and attain immortality! Don't ruin your Dao Path over a woman."

Ji Zheng was drenched in sweat.

He did have some affection for Li Zi, but it was nowhere near enough to make him throw away his future for her.

"I'll heed your teachings, Master."

He lowered his eyes and stood obediently beside his master, completely ignoring the flirtatious look Ran Zirou sent him.

Meanwhile, the Fifth Elder's words had sent the entire crowd into an uproar.

Ran Zirou had been putting on her innocent-lotus act for Li Zi.

Looking pure and guileless, she said with concern, "Little sister Li Zi, I truly didn't mean to look down on you. I was just so worried about you. We're close, and I want you to enter the Sect. If you misunderstood me, then I'll apologize."

"I just met a senior brother. He said he could plead with his master to take me under an elder's wing. I could bring you in with me..."

She was already certain she could become the Fifth Elder's disciple.

Her words carried a note of boasting, too.

Quite a few disciples looked at her with envy.

Then the Fifth Elder spoke.

The smile visibly froze on her face.

What was going on?

He hadn't taken her as his disciple. He had chosen Li Zi instead?

Li Zi was stunned too.

She was only here to make up the numbers!

How had she suddenly passed?

Was her palace-intrigue plan dead before it had even begun?

Was the Fifth Elder all right?

The disciples stared at Li Zi, dumbfounded.

She had been right under their noses the whole time. Plain-looking, with barely any spiritual energy, she was an utterly ordinary eight-year-old child.

No, why?

Why her?

On what grounds?

Ran Zirou snapped. Pointing straight at Li Zi, she demanded, "She has a Mixed Spiritual Root and hasn't even stepped through the door of Immortal Cultivation. Elder, why would you take her as your disciple?"

The Fifth Elder was a handsome, middle-aged man. Tall and straight as jade, his robes fluttering, he delivered a few inscrutable words.

"A jewel buried in dust."

Tears welled in Ran Zirou's large eyes, but the jealousy and bitterness beneath them spoiled much of her spotless innocence.

By the time anyone looked her way, she had hidden every other emotion, leaving only grievance and anger she dared not voice.

"A jewel? Elder, could you have mistaken her for one?"

The Fifth Elder's expression did not change, but his voice grew heavier.

"Are you saying these old eyes cannot see?"

As his words fell, Ran Zirou felt ten thousand pounds settle on her shoulders. Even the air around her pressed against her lungs.

She spat blood. Her legs buckled, and she dropped to her knees.