"You're really a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root?"
Inside the Divine Pill Pavilion, Steward Fu frowned, his strange gaze making Li Chen feel uncomfortable all over.
"That shouldn't be."
"A Nine-Rank Spiritual Root shouldn't complete Qi Induction so quickly."
Steward Fu stroked his chin, his face full of suspicion.
Around them, several clerks turned their gazes towards Li Chen, whispering in surprise.
Li Chen also felt a little uncertain in his heart.
According to Steward Fu, a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root holder would need at least two years to complete Qi Induction and transform into a Qi Refining (1st level) Cultivator.
Han Mao was an Eight-Rank Spiritual Root, and he had spent over a year, almost two years, to become a Cultivator.
Could it be that the Purple Void Sect's Spiritual Root Measuring Pillar was broken, and he wasn't actually a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root, but rather a Seven-Rank Spiritual Root or a Six-Rank Spiritual Root?
At this moment, Li Chen was somewhat excited.
After all, he only took half a year to complete Qi Induction, transforming from a Mortal into a Cultivator, a process much faster than Han Mao and the other clerks at the Divine Pill Pavilion.
Meeting Steward Fu's surprised gaze, Li Chen cautiously probed, "Steward Fu, is the Purple Void Sect's Spiritual Root Measuring Pillar broken? Should we test my Spiritual Root again?"
Steward Fu was about to nod when an ethereal voice came from upstairs.
"No need to test."
"The Purple Void Sect's Spiritual Root Measuring Pillar cannot have a problem. Besides, I have also checked with my Divine Sense; you are indeed a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root."
"The reason you were able to complete Qi Induction and transform from a Mortal into a Cultivator within half a year is not because of your Spiritual Root, but because your Divine Soul is naturally stronger than ordinary people, so your Qi Induction was faster than others."
"Don't be complacent. There are many true Geniuses who complete Qi Induction within a single day."
Linglong Fairy stepped down from upstairs.
She wore a light blue immortal dress, and a wreath woven from fresh flowers still adorned her head, the flowers seemingly never withering.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master."
Although Linglong Fairy's figure was delicate and her face youthful, when she appeared, everyone lowered their heads.
Li Chen gave a self-deprecating smile, then followed the others in cupping his hands and bowing, "Greetings, Pavilion Master."
He hadn't seen Linglong Fairy in half a year.
As soon as Linglong Fairy appeared, she shattered the glimmer of hope in Li Chen's heart.
The Purple Void Sect's Spiritual Root Measuring Pillar was not faulty; he, Li Chen, was still that useless Nine-Rank Spiritual Root.
However, Li Chen was not disheartened and quickly adjusted his mindset.
So what if it's a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root?
This humble Li has a System.
With the System's assistance, as long as he doesn't die prematurely, he is destined for greatness!
Linglong Fairy's footsteps were light, making no sound as she walked.
She stopped in front of Li Chen, looking up at his stern and resolute face, her dark eyes becoming incredibly deep, as if seeing through Li Chen's inner thoughts.
"You are not discouraged."
"I can feel that your heart is filled with fighting spirit."
"But you are clearly the lowest-grade Nine-Rank Spiritual Root in the Cultivation World. Can you tell me why you are so confident in yourself?"
Linglong Fairy's voice was pleasant to the ear, but Li Chen's heart trembled violently.
This Linglong Fairy!
Li Chen immediately suppressed the shock in his heart, straightened his back, and looked at Linglong Fairy.
Meeting Linglong Fairy's dark and profound eyes, Li Chen smiled freely and spoke calmly, "It's true that a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root is the lowest-grade Aptitude in the Cultivation World, but a Nine-Rank Spiritual Root can still cultivate, can't it?"
"As long as one can cultivate, the immortal path is not cut off."
"There is still a path ahead, so I naturally won't be disheartened. Even if there is no path, I can try to forge one, for paths are made by people walking them."
As soon as Li Chen spoke these words, everyone fell silent.
Inside the Divine Pill Pavilion, Han Mao nervously watched Li Chen, his palms slick with cold sweat.
Everyone else was also very nervous.
After all, this was Linglong Fairy, one of the few Foundation Establishment cultivators in Yin Mountain Market, and a powerful expert even in the Yan Country Cultivation World.
Don't let Linglong Fairy's delicate appearance deceive you; she is actually the leader of a powerful force, an existence that countless low-level Cultivators look up to.
In the Yan Country Cultivation World, Linglong Fairy is definitely a rare big shot; it is said that even the Purple Void Immortal Sect dares not offend her.
It would be false to say that Li Chen wasn't nervous, but he knew he couldn't be.
Linglong Fairy was silent for a long time, then a smile bloomed on her delicate face, as if a hundred flowers were blossoming simultaneously.
"Similar!"
"Truly very similar!"
"It's good that you have such ambition. Let me see how far you can ultimately go."
"You are already at Qi Refining (1st level). Take this bottle of Qi Cultivation Pill. If you Break through to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining within five years, I will have another reward for you."
Looking at Linglong Fairy's brilliant smile and the jade bottle she handed to him, Li Chen felt a moment of daze.
Linglong Fairy's Aptitude must be excellent, otherwise, it would be impossible for her to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator before the age of thirty.
After all, most of the True Disciples of the Purple Void Immortal Sect only achieve Foundation Establishment after the age of thirty.
What rank Spiritual Root is this Linglong Fairy?
If Linglong Fairy were to bear him a child, it would definitely have a Spiritual Root, and the Spiritual Root wouldn't be too bad.
Soon, Li Chen reacted and dared not continue to let his mind wander.
A person like Linglong Fairy was definitely not someone he could covet at his current stage; he couldn't even think about it too much.
Li Chen even suspected that Linglong Fairy possessed mind-reading or similar Spells.
Feeling the fervent, jealous gazes cast his way, Li Chen took the jade bottle from the young woman's hand and respectfully bowed to her, "Thank you, Fairy, for your guidance. I dare not disappoint your high expectations."
Linglong Fairy said nothing, merely giving Li Chen an noncommittal glance before turning and ascending the stairs.
With Linglong Fairy gone, no one dared to make a sound.
Li Chen scanned his surroundings. Except for Steward Fu, all the other clerks were looking at Li Chen with fervent gazes, their eyes filled with envy, and even more so, jealousy.
Even Little Fatty Han Mao, Li Chen keenly noticed a fleeting glint of jealousy in his eyes.
However, compared to the other clerks, the jealousy in Little Fatty's eyes quickly dissipated.
"Alright, go back to work."
"As long as you work hard, this old man and the Pavilion Master will certainly not be stingy with rewards."
"Everyone, disperse."
Steward Fu spoke, and everyone respectfully assented before dispersing.
Li Chen first went to pay his respects to Alchemist Chen.
Alchemist Chen glanced at Li Chen, then quickly lost interest, telling Li Chen to continue chopping wood.
After finishing a day's labor, Li Chen returned to the shantytown, clutching the bottle of Qi Cultivation Pill rewarded by Linglong Fairy.
On the way, Little Fatty Han Mao talked even more, and his attitude towards Li Chen became even more intimate.
"Brother Chen, I truly didn't misjudge you."
"What is your relationship with the Pavilion Master? I've been at the Divine Pill Pavilion for several years, and I've never seen the Pavilion Master smile at anyone, nor have I heard of anyone receiving a reward from her."
"Brother Chen, with the Pavilion Master's guidance, Breaking through to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining is only a matter of time, and it's not impossible to even Break through to the Late Stage of Qi Refining."
"Qi Cultivation Pill, ah, that's a Medicinal Pill used by Qi Refining (3rd level) Cultivators to Break through a Bottleneck. A bottle sells for sixty Spirit Stones!"
"Sixty Spirit Stones! Even if you sold me, I wouldn't be worth sixty Spirit Stones, and the Pavilion Master just gave it to you like that."
"Brother Chen, from now on, your little brother will follow you. I'll be at your beck and call. You must look out for your little brother…."
Little Fatty chattered on endlessly, but Li Chen was thinking about other issues.
Linglong Fairy's attitude towards him was indeed somewhat different.
Logically speaking, for a person like Linglong Fairy, it would be difficult for an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator to even meet her. If they could exchange a few words with Linglong Fairy, an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator would be happy for a long time.
Who exactly did he resemble?
Li Chen ultimately couldn't figure it out, but one thing he could confirm was that Linglong Fairy indeed harbored no ill will towards him.
His luck was good; he had just arrived in the Cultivation World and met Linglong Fairy, a noble benefactor, saving him many detours compared to other Cultivators.
Read 50 CHAPTERS ahead
on Patreon! patreon.com/ZkFlow