26 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Half Summer Novel Chapter 26 This entrance test, though not an official recruitment of disciples, still took place at the Qingfeng Square, the location traditionally used for disciple recruitment in the Windflower Immortal Sect. Qingfeng Square is situated outside the southern gate of the Windflower Immortal Sect and serves as the primary ingress and egress for most disciples of the sect. The batch of disciples sent here, despite having some connections within the sect, ultimately need to demonstrate talent that commands respect to silence public murmurs if they wish to enter the inner sect. Among these new sprouts, the luckiest had to be Yan Zhu Guang. While the other disciples taking the test were from affiliated families of the Windflower Immortal Sect and had some familiarity with the sect, she was merely a menial disciple from a small sect. Fortunately, her luck was ample as she caught the eye of Lian Ji Xian Zi, earning the privilege to participate in this exclusive recruitment event with these new prospects. When Yun Mi Xue, the Lian Ji Xian Zi, gracefully arrived on a cloud, countless gazes converged on them, with the majority settling on Yan Zhu Guang, whom she had brought along. Those attending the small recruitment gathering—affiliated family cultivators, representatives from other sects who had not yet departed after the sect master's succession ceremony, disciples from the Windflower Immortal Sect joining for the excitement, and even passing cultivators—discussed fervently. Perhaps because they deemed a girl originating from a small sect's menial role insignificant, the gazes cast upon Yan Zhu Guang were unrestrained, tinged with disdain. Yan Zhu Guang maintained an impassive face beside Yun Mi Xue, unperturbed by the stares and even a bit nostalgic. In her previous life, she had frequently encountered such gazes. Even when she ascended to her position, those who boasted superior lineage still belittled her in private. But what did it matter? No matter how arrogant or envious they were behind her back, they could only bow respectfully and look up to her in her presence. Yan Zhu Guang was indifferent, yet Yun Mi Xue, catching these glances to her side, felt a touch of discomfort. Her genteel upbringing forbade her from showing displeasure in public, so she could only pat Yan Zhu Guang’s head reassuringly. Yan Zhu Guang took her hand from her head and held it, smiling at Yun Mi Xue to show she wasn't bothered. Seeing this, Yun Mi Xue returned a confident smile, offering encouragement. Their interaction in public only fueled further speculation. There seemed to be more to this little menial disciple than merely gaining Yun Mi Xue's favor. What exceptional quality did she possess? Was it her excessively striking beauty? Today, Yan Zhu Guang donned a crimson dress embroidered with small orange-yellow flowers—a choice by Yun Mi Xue—suiting her looks better than the previous white attire, making her appear radiantly beautiful with a touch of playfulness, indeed charming and attractive. But surely, a titled eldest sister and a Nascent Soul ancestor like Lian Ji Xian Zi wouldn't be so superficial, right? Early brilliance doesn’t guarantee late success. This girl looked no more than twelve; who could say if she'd grow into her looks? Even in the immortal cultivation world, filled with beauties, such superficial judgments don’t hold. Beyond looks, what else distinguished this menial disciple? Her cultivation level? She was merely at the fourth layer of Qi Refining. Among those her age here for the talent test, some were stronger, and younger ones matched her level. It wasn’t particularly impressive. These cultivators seemed to have forgotten that Yan Zhu Guang was a menial disciple from a small sect. How could her resources compare to these young heirs raised with elixirs and spiritual stones? If they knew Yan Zhu Guang reached a level in just a month that took these privileged youths years to attain, one wonders how they’d react. However, Yan Zhu Guang disdained to explain to these people, and Yun Mi Xue, knowing Yan Zhu Guang’s background, wasn't the boastful type either. So the matter remained between them. Yun Mi Xue escorted Yan Zhu Guang to the group of youths about to undergo the entrance test. She nodded to Yan Zhu Guang before flying to her seat on the viewing stand. As Yan Zhu Guang stood by the group, Yun Mi Xue had barely walked away when the boys and girls immediately scattered, putting distance between them, as if avoiding a plague, lest they catch something. These youths, each well-regarded and cherished in their families, were the least inclined to hide their feelings, making the atmosphere at the small gathering awkward. Though their elders didn’t see the children's actions as wrong, since Yun Mi Xue personally brought this person, they couldn’t appear "ignorant" and thus feigned irritation. "These children have truly been spoiled." "Indeed, I must remember to teach them a lesson." "The young lady is new here; they should be more welcoming." Though these were words of reprimand, they merely glanced off. Yun Mi Xue wasn’t foolish and discerned their tone, feeling a bit displeased. Seeing Yan Zhu Guang stand isolated by the group of youths, her determined facade betraying no hint of confusion or distress, Yun Mi Xue felt a pang of sympathy. She was just a ten-year-old girl, yet due to her past as a menial disciple, she faced such disparagement? Yun Mi Xue almost wanted to personally rush down and protect Yan Zhu Guang. Who said that being kind to others meant you couldn't be protective of your own? Yun Mi Xue suppressed this impulse, knowing this wasn't the right time. One day, she would make it known that Yan Zhu Guang was under her protection. Mistreat her if you dare, but know that to mistreat Yan Zhu Guang, they'd first have to contend with her. While Yun Mi Xue's expression remained serene, those familiar with her knew that her current smile might not be as genuine. As the recruitment event teetered on awkwardness, the new head of the Windflower Immortal Sect, former titled Elder Brother Gu Chen, broke the silence from his seat above Qingfeng Square. His speech was measured, with a cold tone carrying an inherent authority: "Not long ago, our sect’s Lian Ji Xian Zi discovered a promising talent from a subordinate small sect and brought her back for proper cultivation." "This should have commenced earlier, but coinciding with our sect’s busy period, it was inevitably delayed until today. I thought it extravagant to recruit just one disciple, hence today's recruitment event." Gu Chen paused briefly at this point. Yun Mi Xue turned to him, and Gu Chen, maintaining his stern demeanor, nodded subtly to her. Faces of those pondering his words turned various shades of complexity, some watching intrigued, some puzzled, while the elders who earlier defended their children wore nearly green expressions. They had just lamented that their children lacked "hospitality," and now Gu Chen implied that little menial Yan Zhu Guang was the event’s main attraction, their own precious ones being mere "extras"? They wished to retaliate, but as families dependent on the Windflower Immortal Sect, not truly of the main lineage, merely branches, they could hardly muster the courage to express dissent. After deliberation, they could only silently swallow this bitter pill, pretending not to understand Gu Chen's words. Yet, some youths grasped Gu Chen's implication more directly and shot angry glances at Yan Zhu Guang. Yan Zhu Guang raised her eyebrows and returned each gaze defiantly. They wanted to confront her? Let them try; she'd fight back fiercely against any aggression. Perhaps her gaze was too fierce, for those glaring at her couldn’t hold it long before averting their eyes, feeling deeply vexed. "Well done, Master Host, use your death stare to frighten them," the system encouraged, clapping its metaphorical hands. It too could sense those glances, filled with its own indignation. Their Master Host was so formidable, yet these brats dared to look down on her? She’d make them regret it! After the previous remarks, Gu Chen called Yan Zhu Guang out: "Since this recruitment event arose because of you, why not start it off?" Yan Zhu Guang, standing at the back of the square facing the main seats, launched forward at his command, showing no hesitation among the youths blocking her path. She held firm; eventually, someone had to relent. Although reluctant, the group ahead parted for Yan Zhu Guang, allowing her to pass through smoothly. Now, Yan Zhu Guang stood at the forefront of the youths about to undergo the entrance test. When the Sect Master Gu uttered his words, she responded crisply: "Yes!" At this moment, a large, transparent jade screen rose at the forefront of Qingfeng Square. Two elders stood beneath it, each with a low table before them—a mirror and a white jade orb sat atop, for purposes unknown. Under countless eyes, Yan Zhu Guang stepped forward. The elder nearest the orb beckoned, "Step here first." Yan Zhu Guang approached him, following his instructions, placing both palms on the orb, clearing her thoughts of everything. Soon enough, the orb reacted. The elder murmured a slight noise of surprise, and the jade screen mirrored the orb's response. Upon the screen appeared a black seed, which soon sprouted, unfurled leaves, grew and soared, turning into a verdant sapling swaying gently as if caressed by a breeze within the screen’s realm. The elder twiddled his beard, smiling, "An extraordinary constitution—yours is the Wood Spirit Constitution, indeed commendable." If even one of her spiritual roots is wood-based, even among mixed roots, such talent is considered quite promising. Not only were others astonished, but Yun Mi Xue on the viewing platform was also pleasantly surprised. Previously, only Yan Zhu Guang's spiritual roots were tested, and even a single wood heavenly spirit root was exceptional. They hadn’t yet examined her constitution. A special constitution is not easy to come by, its rarity on par with a heavenly spirit root. For these two attributes to coincide is incredibly rare. "Let’s hope there isn’t a wood spirit root in her spiritual roots," came a voice from somewhere, with others echoing the sentiment. Even someone as patient as Yun Mi Xue couldn’t suppress a frown. These people’s minds seemed too steeped in negativity; why always assume the worst in others? Special elemental constitutions, although rare, demand much of the spiritual roots. If the roots and constitution don’t align, the individual is practically lost, doomed in their cultivation path unless they rid themselves of the special constitution. At this moment, having completed the constitution test, Yan Zhu Guang approached the mirror for spiritual root examination. All eyes were glued to the elder-activated mirror. Spectators watched with excitement, while fellow sect cultivators, the youths about to be tested, and the elders of those youths all silently hoped — please, let there be no wood spirit root! Perhaps what you fear indeed manifests, as from the jade screen, which hadn’t yet wiped the sapling’s image, a brilliant green light erupted, merging perfectly with the sapling, dazzling their eyes. A wood heavenly spirit root! A wood spirit constitution! The Windflower Immortal Sect has birthed a prodigious talent! Yan Zhu Guang withdrew her hands and turned, meeting the gaze of the gentle-eyed woman through layers of intense stares. She curved her lips into a confident smile.