For disciples from the Lower Realm, the first step toward entering the Cultivation Sect was a spiritual root test.
Disciples from the various sects of the Lower Realm lined up and stepped onto the Spirit Testing Platform one by one.
Cultivators were rarely unattractive. Even among those from the Lower Realm, both the men and women were good-looking.
Su Ying drew a deep breath and marveled to the system in her mind: [These Young Hunks are so handsome. How did I not notice them the last few times?]
The system felt that if it had facial features, its mouth would definitely be twitching right now. [Host, that was because you were focused on following the plot.]
[True.] Su Ying agreed. In the past, this had always been an important part of Ling Xian's storyline and seemed to have little to do with her.
Thus, after finishing her punishment of facing the wall in reflection, she would return to her own courtyard to laze around.
[But if you'd told me there were so many vibrant Young Hunks here, I definitely wouldn't have missed out.] Su Ying blamed her past regrets on the system's failure to inform her.
[Host, one second you were looking for your young fellow cultivator Chu Yu, and the next you changed your mind just like that.] Unaware that someone had long been listening to their conversation, the system freely griped. Women really were fickle.
[Handsome men are there to be admired. What, do you have a problem with that?]
[No, no. A man-crazy woman is not to be trifled with.]
Su Ying snorted inwardly. [Hmph. I'm destined to get nothing, so can't I at least look? Wow, this one's really handsome too. A level-three spiritual root-mm, he's the future of the cultivation sects.]
According to this book's setting, a spiritual root of level two or higher was equivalent to a ticket into the Cultivation Sect. However, most disciples from the Lower Realm could not even reach level two.
Listening to their conversation, Chu Yu's Violet Eyes darkened. A chilling murderous intent brewed in their depths, making the shifting violet within them even more bewitching.
His future cook actually liked looking at other men?
Were his looks not enough to outshine the countless cultivators here?
The murderous intent swirling in Chu Yu's eyes grew stronger. Perhaps he needed not only to cut off this woman's legs, but also to gouge out her eyes.
Then she would never have another chance to look at other men.
While Su Ying bickered with the system and watched the Young Hunks coming and going, even considering whether to take another junior disciple along, Ling Xian's eyes lit up beside her.
She had spotted Chu Yu among the many disciples from the Lower Realm.
His Violet Eyes gleamed in the early morning light, their shifting brilliance instantly capturing all her attention.
What a beautiful young man...
Ling Xian's heart began pounding faster and faster. Once her gaze landed on the young man's face, she could no longer tear it away.
"Little junior sister, what are you looking at?" Ping Qingyun had stopped picking on Su Ying for the moment and was gazing eagerly at Ling Xian instead.
"Eldest senior brother, look at that junior disciple from the Lower Realm. His eyes are so beautiful." Ling Xian pointed toward Chu Yu.
Ping Qingyun followed her gaze and glanced over. "Oh. He's Master Daoyang's disciple."
Su Ying had little interest in their conversation at first, but the mention of Master Daoyang instantly put her on alert, and she followed their gazes.
Well, would you look at that. It was Chu Yu.
[Holy shit, the female lead is going to steal my man! What do I do? I can't let her flirt her way into taking such an adorable Young Hunk!] Su Ying said.
The system gloated. [Host, just accept your fate. She's the female lead, complete with a protagonist's halo. Every male character who sees her becomes helplessly infatuated. You can't beat her.]
[Does the original author have a pig's brain? Fine, let all these old hunks love her, but—sob, sob—my Young Hunk! You'd better show some backbone and not let Ling Xian hook you. Otherwise, you'll most likely die young.]
[Host, you can't beat the protagonist's halo,] the system said cheerfully. That was what she got for losing herself in handsome men!
All the good-looking male supporting characters in this novel belonged to the female lead. She ought to focus on carrying out her mission and free herself sooner.
That way, it could free itself sooner too.
[Pah, pah, pah! You jinx!] Su Ying continued bickering with the system, though she was already feeling somewhat discouraged.
Going by the established pattern, everyone who caught Ling Xian's attention would eventually end up like Ping Qingyun.
That was because Ling Xian carried a certain Gu Curse.
The moment those men fell in love with her, the Gu Curse would seep into their bodies, and they would eventually die because they could not have the female lead.
The only one who had neither won the female lead nor died was Feng Moyuan, the immensely powerful demon king. Even he, however, had lost a layer of skin to that Gu Curse...
While Su Ying was thinking about the plot, it became Chu Yu's turn to step onto the platform.
When the elder read out Chu Yu's name, the little deer in Ling Xian's heart nearly leaped out of her chest. "I've never seen such beautiful eyes before. His name sounds lovely too."
She murmured it softly, but Ping Qingyun heard her clearly.
He instantly clenched his fists in jealousy. "Little junior sister, don't let these slick, powdered pretty boys fool you. If you ask me, our master is the most handsome man in the entire Cultivation Sect."
Ling Xian nodded, then shook her head, saying delicately, "Master's beauty is different from this young cultivator's."
Su Ying said inwardly, [Chu Yu is way better-looking than Xiao Muchen, okay? That guy spends every day pretending to be some untouchable flower on a lofty peak. What's the appeal? I don't know why so many female cultivators are obsessed with him. Ugh, there's definitely something wrong with them.]
The system reminded her mercilessly, [Host, you're one of the people obsessed with him-and the worst of the lot.]
[Oh, give me a break. I was doing my mission. Have you ever seen me spare him another glance after the mission?] Su Ying retorted.
[And that's why you've started your fifth attempt at the mission.]
Su Ying was about to argue, but when she saw Chu Yu step onto the platform, she could not help holding her breath.
Today, Chu Yu had changed into a white sect uniform and tied his hair into a high topknot. His appearance was simple and unadorned, yet his exquisite, beautiful face still made the female cultivators present draw sharp breaths.
Noticing him looking in her direction, Su Ying made an encouraging gesture.
Seeing this, Ping Qingyun sneered. "Junior sister Su Ying, he isn't looking at you. Don't flatter yourself."
"Senior brother Qingyun, if he isn't looking at me, who is he looking at? Besides, we know each other. I'm just saying hello." Su Ying kept her expression calm, maintaining her supporting female character's persona.
The supporting female character was fanatical only about Xiao Muchen and indifferent toward everyone else.
Hearing this, Ling Xian asked timidly, "Senior sister, do you know this young cultivator?"
Su Ying ignored her. After all, Ling Xian was her greatest rival in love.
Ling Xian bit her lower lip in embarrassment, and Ping Qingyun snapped angrily, "Didn't you hear little junior sister asking you a question?"
"Forget it, eldest senior brother. It's all my fault. I wasn't capable enough to protect senior sister Su Ying. If we hadn't accidentally entered that Demonic Cultivator's barrier, Master wouldn't have punished her afterward. She has every right to be angry with me. It's all right." Ling Xian tugged pitifully at Ping Qingyun's sleeve, looking as though she had suffered a tremendous injustice.
"She's incompetent, yet she loves charging around recklessly. How does she have the nerve to blame you?" Ping Qingyun defended her. "Don't be sad. Ignore her."
[The scent of green tea is overpowering.] Su Ying delivered her verdict on the scene, her gaze fixed on Chu Yu without ever straying.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chu Yu placed his hand on the Spirit Testing Platform.
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