Quick Wear: The paranoid beauty grabs the waist and spoils her

"very nice."

Yin Nanxiang whispered to herself, her fingertips lovingly stroking the warm body of the "Meng Xiwu" bracelet on her wrist. The light purple-blue light flickered quietly on her fair wrist, strangely fitting in with her cold temperament.

Having received such a satisfying foundation-building gift and having successfully broken through the realm, she felt so happy that even the coldness that kept strangers away from her seemed to have melted away a little.

In the next few days, she devoted herself to consolidating her cultivation in the foundation-building period, thoroughly polishing the second level of the "Xuanyuan Heart Sutra", and her control over the power of ice and thunder also reached a higher level.

During a break in her practice, she remembered that she hadn't seen her master for a few days.

She was not a clingy person, but perhaps it was the personal guidance and gifts given by her master that day that gave her a subtle sense of closeness in her subconscious.

She went to Liuyun Palace twice. The palace door was closed. Outside the door, a faint spiritual handwriting was floating. It was the lazy and casual handwriting of Jiang Ruochen:

"I'm in retreat, please don't disturb me."

Nan Xiang saw this and quietly withdrew, not wanting to disturb him any further. It was common for her master to be in seclusion, so she didn't dwell on it, instead devoting more energy to her own cultivation.

After her cultivation was stabilized, she decided to visit other places in Xuantian Sect.

Working in isolation all day is not a good idea. Broadening your horizons and learning from others are also part of spiritual practice.

One day, she strolled to the general dining hall of Xuantian Sect.

Unlike the novelty of her first visit and her subsequent disgust, this time she was more peaceful. She just wanted to change the environment and see if there was any spiritual food that suited her taste to replenish her qi and blood.

The cafeteria was still bustling with activity, with disciples from various peaks bustling about. Nan Xiang prepared a simple meal—spiritual rice, a few stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a brocade spiritual chicken drumstick, popular for its perfectly roasted, golden color—and found a quiet spot by the window.

As soon as she picked up the chopsticks, she noticed a pair of eyes vaguely falling on her...plate?

Nan Xiang frowned slightly and looked up. A little way across from her, a female cultivator dressed in Yuyin Peak attire sat. She had a round face with a hint of baby fat, and large eyes. She stared unblinkingly at the shiny brocade chicken drumstick on her plate, her eyes filled with undisguised desire. She even swallowed unconsciously.

Seeing Nan Xiang looking at her, the round-faced female cultivator lowered her head suddenly like a frightened little rabbit, and the tips of her ears turned red.

Nan Xiang: "..." She silently withdrew her gaze.

However, after a few breaths, that gaze came back.

This happened three times before Nan Xiang finally had no choice but to put down her chopsticks.

Although she was aloof and didn't like dealing with strangers, being stared at like that while eating really affected her appetite.

Just as she was about to ask, the round-faced female cultivator seemed to muster up great courage. She suddenly stood up and trotted over to Nan Xiang's desk. Her round face flushed crimson as she stammered,

"I'm sorry! Senior Sister! I didn't mean to stare at you! Really, really..."

Her eyes drifted uncontrollably towards the chicken leg again, and her voice became smaller and smaller.

"...Yes, Senior Sister, your chicken thigh looks so delicious..."

Looking closely, this female cultivator seemed to be very blessed, with a round and fair complexion, clear and bright eyes, and a kind of innocence that seemed to be ignorant of the world. One could tell at a glance that she was well protected and had never experienced the hardships of life.

Nan Xiang's displeasure faded a little, and her tone was calm but still polite:

"No problem. Who are you?"

"Ah! My name is Fan Tong! From Yuyin Peak!"

Seeing that Nan Xiang was not angry, the round-faced female cultivator immediately breathed a sigh of relief and introduced herself quickly. Her round eyes looked at Nan Xiang curiously, and suddenly she seemed to have discovered something and opened her eyes wide.

"Are you... Senior Sister Yin Nanxiang from Zizhu Peak? The only direct disciple of Lord Su Yun! The one with the dual top-level spiritual roots of ice and thunder!"

Her tone was full of surprise and admiration, as if she had met some extraordinary person.

Nan Xiang nodded slightly: "I am Yin Nanxiang."

"It's really you!"

Fan Tong was so excited that he almost jumped up, but then he remembered his own gaffe and scratched his head in embarrassment. His eyes once again glanced uncontrollably at the chicken drumstick and he muttered softly:

"Senior Sister Yin...um...can I, can I trade something for this chicken leg?"

She seemed afraid that Nan Xiang would misunderstand, so she hurriedly explained:

"I came late today, and the brocade chicken legs at the window are all sold out... This is the best thing in the cafeteria! It's all my master's fault. He insisted on testing me on the new piece I learned, which delayed me..."

Her tone was filled with regret and grievance, like a child who didn't get any candy.

At this time, the two female disciples who were sitting with Fan Tong also hurried over and bowed to Nan Xiang with an awkward look on their faces to apologize:

"Greetings, Uncle Master Yin. Senior Sister Fan Tong is a simple-minded person and didn't mean to be rude. Please don't take offense, Uncle Master."

They obviously recognized Nan Xiang's identity and were extremely respectful.

After being reminded by his junior sister, Fan Tong suddenly realized what was happening and counted on his fingers:

"That's right! Lord Su Yun is my great-grandmaster's junior fellow apprentice! So I should call you... Uncle-Master! Hello, Uncle-Master Yin!"

She belatedly bowed, looking quite naive.

Nan Xiang looked at Fan Tong, a man with a round face and round eyes and a rich expression. His clear and innocent eyes, which were full of "want to eat", made her feel a little... interesting.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile flashed across her usually cold face, like the first melting of ice and snow and the ripples of spring water.

"This chicken leg is for you."

Nan Xiang spoke, her voice still light.

When Fan Tong heard this, his eyes instantly lit up like stars:

"Really? Thank you, Master Yin..."

"but,"

Nan Xiang changed the subject and looked at her.

"Since you proposed the exchange, then let's do as you say. Bring me something in exchange."

She wasn't stingy about the chicken leg; it was just her nature. She wasn't used to unprovoked gifts and appreciated the principle of equal exchange. Besides, Fan Tong seemed quite interesting.

Fan Tong was stunned for a moment, then nodded hurriedly:

"Okay, okay! Change! Must change!"

She immediately rummaged through her storage bag and finally pulled out a emerald green bamboo flute with delicate sound holes. She handed it to Nan Xiang.

"Uncle Master Yin, this is the 'Pure Heart Flute' I made myself. Playing it can calm the mind and aid in cultivation! Although it's not of high rank, it's my best asset! I'll trade it for a chicken drumstick!"

Nan Xiang took the bamboo flute that still carried the girl's body temperature. It felt warm to the touch and she could feel the peaceful wood-type spiritual energy contained in it.

She nodded: "Yes."

Fan Tong cheered immediately, carefully picked up the coveted brocade chicken leg, and smiled so hard that his teeth were showing.

She sat down opposite Nan Xiang in a familiar manner, eating the chicken leg in small bites while tentatively chatting with Nan Xiang.

Perhaps it was because he felt that this legendary genius uncle was not as cold and unapproachable as he appeared.

To Nan Xiang's surprise, although Fan Tong was a little noisy, he was cheerful and sincere, spoke in an interesting way, and had a wide range of knowledge, especially when it came to all kinds of news and gossip within the sect.

With the help of this thick skin and delicious food, the two of them actually had a great time talking to each other after the meal and initially established a friendship as dining companions and sharing gossip.

During the chat, Fan Tong mentioned the upcoming "Freshman Assessment Competition".

"Uncle Yin, you definitely want to participate, right? It only happens once every three years!"

Fan Tong gnawed on a chicken leg and spoke incoherently.

Nan Xiang was slightly startled: "Freshman Assessment Competition?"

She had indeed never heard her master mention it.

"Yes! It's a competition to test the cultivation achievements of our three batches of beginner disciples!"

Seeing Nan Xiang's bewildered expression, Fan Tong's eyes widened even more.

"Didn't Lord Su Yun tell you?"

She murmured softly:

"How can Your Excellency be a Master? You didn't even tell me..."

Before she could finish her words, Nan Xiang raised her hand and gently covered her mouth. Nan Xiang's expression was calm, but her tone was protective:

"Master has his own arrangements."

Fan Tong blinked, watching Nan Xiang defending her master. He felt vaguely that something was amiss between the master and disciple, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He swallowed his doubts and continued to explain enthusiastically:

"This assessment has only one content: all new disciples will be sent to the Misty Forest outside Xuantian Sect. That place is huge, and it's at the junction of several states, and there are many spiritual beasts in it!"

"The rules are to hunt spirit beasts. Different levels of spirit beasts get different scores, and the more powerful the beast, the higher the score! Each of us has a scoring jade token that automatically records the score. If you encounter danger and can't bear it, you crush the jade token and you will be teleported out immediately, but your score will be invalidated."

"As for the final score, half is based on the points scored for hunting spirit beasts, and the other half..."

Fan Tong lowered his voice mysteriously.

"Let's see who can grab more jade tokens from others!"

Nan Xiang's eyes moved slightly.

Hunting spirit beasts tests one's personal strength, while snatching jade tokens means competition and cooperation, and even... conspiracy and intrigue.

This assessment is interesting.

"When does it start?"

"There are still two months left!"

Fan Tong said, "Master, you've just established your foundation, so this is a good time to prepare! With your strength, you'll definitely be able to get into the top three!"

After parting with Fan Tong, Nan Xiang thought about going to her master to ask about the assessment competition.

However, for four consecutive days, the door of Liuyun Hall remained closed.

It was not until the evening of the fourth day that Nan Xiang sensed that the spiritual words outside the hall had dissipated and the hall door had quietly opened.

She walked into the hall and saw Jiang Ruochen lazily leaning on the couch, looking as if he had just woken up or just finished a retreat. His black hair was disheveled, his clothes were slightly open, and his fingertips were twirling a strand of hair out of boredom.

"Master."

Nanxiang saluted.

"Ok?"

Jiang Ruochen responded lazily, his eyes half-opened.

"Is the foundation stable?"

"Yes."

Nan Xiang nodded and got straight to the point.

"I heard that the sect will have a freshman assessment competition in two months, and I'd like to go to the Misty Forest. I've come to inform Master."

Jiang Ruochen's fingers that were playing with his hair paused slightly.

Misty forest?

That place is not very safe for disciples who have just established their foundation.

He raised his eyes to look at Nan Xiang. The girl stood there with an upright posture, her eyes clear and firm, with the courage of a newborn calf that is not afraid of a tiger, and a desire for experience.

After a moment of silence, the worry and resistance in his heart quietly dissipated under her bright gaze.

"The Misty Forest is indeed a good place for training."

He let down his hair, and his tone returned to his usual casual tone, but with a hint of barely perceptible indulgence.

"In that case, I will take you out for a walk, so that you can hone your skills and strive to make further progress before the competition."

Nan Xiang heard this, and her cold eyes lit up instantly:

"Master, are you going together?"

This is a pleasant surprise! With Master's support and guidance, I will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort!

"Ah."

Jiang Ruochen replied lazily, as if he had just decided on a trivial matter.