Everyone says the boy is bad

“How slow!”

Nian Yun’er gazed at the ceiling, her lips pursed into a pout, as she sat on the long bench, her small feet swinging incessantly.

“Heh heh, Yun’er,” Qi Keshou consoled, “Luo Bingyan, as a Palace Master, must be incredibly busy with daily affairs. Isn’t your father the same?”

“Well, that’s just perfect then,” Nian Yun’er retorted, rolling her eyes. “If she’s truly like Father, we’ll be making beds in this hall tonight.”

With a sigh, she bent down and lay directly on the bench.

Nian Yun’er recalled vividly the times her father would always refuse to play with her, citing various excuses. Instinctively, her small hand reached towards her Qiankun pouch, preparing to pull out her ‘little black book’.

“Elder Qi, it has been a long time. Your cultivation has advanced considerably.”

The voice echoed from beyond the hall, its speaker still unseen.

Qi Keshou recognized the speaker instantly. He quickly rose to his feet and hastened towards the hall’s entrance.

Yet, just as he reached the threshold, the voice startlingly emanated from directly behind him.

“Little sister, you’re truly adorable. How old are you?”

Whipping around, Qi Keshou found a woman playfully cupping Nian Yun’er’s chin, her face adorned with a warm, beaming smile.

A tremor of alarm shot through Qi Keshou. How had Palace Master Luo entered? He hadn’t felt even the faintest ripple of spiritual energy. Palace Master Luo’s power was truly immeasurably profound.

He could not help but recall the battle above Tianliu City eight years prior. Palace Master Luo’s feat of repelling ten thousand sects with a single sword stroke had long since resounded across the entire continent.

All cultivators across the continent yearned to uncover the secrets of Palace Master Luo’s cultivation. There were even rumors that she had obtained a divine inheritance during a great mortal tribulation, or perhaps acquired an ancient wonder. A myriad of astonishing legends surrounded her.

“Little sister, what is your name?” Luo Bingyan asked, scooping up Nian Yun’er. She scrutinized the child carefully, her face still beaming with delight.

After a moment of careful appraisal of Luo Bingyan’s appearance, Nian Yun’er blurted out, “Big sister, you’re truly beautiful.”

Qi Keshou stood by, utterly speechless. It was hardly appropriate for him to interject at this moment. Women, after all, enjoyed being called young and beautiful. Yet, standing there, watching the older and younger woman exchange compliments, he felt an indescribable sense of vexation.

He was only three years older than Nian Yinfeng, yet Nian Yinfeng was always addressed as ‘boy’ by Luo Bingyan.

Now, Nian Yun’er was calling Luo Bingyan ‘big sister’.

And Luo Bingyan was calling Nian Yun’er ‘little sister’.

Witnessing this scene, Qi Keshou could only sigh inwardly. ‘Women, ah…’

“Big sister, my name is Nian Yun’er, and I am eight years old this year,” Nian Yun’er crisply stated.

A subtle twitch at the corner of Qi Keshou’s eye betrayed his surprise. He never imagined this mischievous little one could display such a docile demeanor. Was it truly a case of one thing conquering another? It seemed bringing Yun’er here to seek tutelage might indeed have been the right decision.

“Eight? Oh, eight? What a coincidence, she’s the same age as that brat Wugou,” Luo Bingyan murmured, gently setting Nian Yun’er down. Finding the little girl’s upturned nose utterly adorable, she playfully flicked it.

“Brat?” Nian Yun’er tilted her head, puzzled.

Luo Bingyan turned, her gaze settling on Qi Keshou. With a faint smile, she asked, “Does that mean Young Nian intends for this girl to be mine?”

“Heh heh.” Qi Keshou could barely maintain his composure. How could he not discern the unmistakable mockery in Palace Master Luo’s tone? Yet, at this moment, he felt an invisible, crushing pressure emanating from her. All the well-rehearsed arguments he had prepared earlier suddenly vanished from his mind, leaving him utterly dumbfounded. He was a stark contrast to his usual slick demeanor.

“Hmph!”

Luo Bingyan let out a soft huff, then slowly stated, “This girl can stay. Since Young Nian was confident enough to send his daughter here without so much as a greeting, she must possess exceptional talent. However, Saint Water Palace has its rules. While the selection process can be waived, she must still visit the Skill Transmission Pavilion.”

“Of course.” A wave of delight surged through Qi Keshou’s heart. It seemed Palace Master Luo had a tough exterior but a soft heart. Saint Water Palace’s selection system had remained unwavering for centuries, yet now it was being broken for Nian Yun’er. It appeared the favor Palace Master Luo owed the Nian family all those years ago was indeed considerable.

“You may leave now; my mood is not particularly pleasant,” Luo Bingyan coldly stated. As the Palace Master of Saint Water Palace and the strongest cultivator in the mortal realm, she detested being manipulated, by anyone.

“Thank you, Palace Master Luo, I shall depart immediately.” Qi Keshou bowed respectfully, then cast a series of rapid winks towards Nian Yun’er, who stood beside Luo Bingyan.

Nian Yun’er naturally understood the meaning behind Elder Qi’s gestures. Her eyes involuntarily glanced towards the lower right, but soon after, she offered a subtle nod.

Seeing this, Qi Keshou’s heart settled. Yun’er was intelligent and had been independent since childhood; there should be no issues.

Without hesitation, he turned and exited the hall’s door, never once glancing back.

Nian Yun’er ran out, watching Elder Qi until he passed through the market gate.

“Yun’er, I will have someone arrange accommodations for you today. Tomorrow, you will enter the Skill Transmission Pavilion.”

Nian Yun’er turned and nodded dutifully. Just as Qi Keshou had sensed earlier, facing Luo Bingyan, she dared not display her usual mischievousness.

“Come with me.” Luo Bingyan extended a hand towards Nian Yun’er, trying her best to offer a gentle smile. “Don’t be afraid. Here in Saint Water Palace, no one would dare harm you.”

Nian Yun’er gazed blankly at Luo Bingyan. The ‘big sister’ before her, with her bare face, was like that of a celestial being, inspiring an irresistible desire to draw close. Slowly, Nian Yun’er also extended her own small hand.

As Palace Master Luo drew near, Nian Yun’er caught a delicate fragrance. It was a pleasant scent, profoundly comforting.

“Yun’er, you must have a Fire-elemental spirit root, correct?”

“Mhm, they said I have a full Fire-elemental spirit root.”

“Oh, is that so? Truly worthy of Nian Cangsheng’s descendant…”

That night, Nian Yun’er resided in a manor within the Dijie Quarter. However, she did not sleep well. For some unknown reason, tiger roars echoed nearby throughout the night, their cries exceptionally mournful. Nian Yun’er remained awake for the latter half of the night, terrified.

“Nian Yun’er, what a fine name.”

Zhu Manzhi wore a look of profound delight. He had been quite dissatisfied with this month’s selections, as the chosen disciples were merely of mediocre or worse aptitude, a truly disappointing outcome.

Yet, to his surprise, Palace Master Luo had sent someone to present him with a child early that very morning.

Initially, he was rather displeased. This was clearly breaking the rules of Saint Water Palace.

However, after that ‘fire stone’ emitted its breathtaking, dazzling red glow…

Zhu Manzhi incessantly muttered, “Rules are rigid, but people are adaptable.”

His expression shifted so swiftly that Zhu Youji, observing from the side, could barely suppress his laughter.

“Truly, Palace Master Luo! Her discerning eye is far superior to that of an old man like me, with one foot already in the grave, haha!”

Zhu Manzhi was overjoyed now. He had been so busy until late last night that he hadn’t cracked a single smile, which indicated just how truly dreadful this month’s disciples’ talents were.

This was also attributed to the exceptional brilliance of last month’s disciples. Zhu Manzhi’s standards had been raised too high, and now, anything less than a top-grade spirit root simply couldn’t catch his eye.

‘Eight years old, the same as Wugou,’ Zhu Manzhi thought, smiling. ‘Even their talents match. I suppose they could become good playmates.’ However, a moment later, he shook his head vigorously, as if trying to banish the thought from his mind.

‘No, no, absolutely not. She must not get close to that boy, otherwise, such a promising sprout will be ruined.’

Indeed, Wugou had truly caused Zhu Manzhi endless worry over the past month. Seeing such a precious unpolished jade covered in dust, he couldn’t bear it.

Even though the boy was cultivating the ‘Imperial Jade Cauldron Body Tempering Art’ bestowed by Palace Master Luo, Zhu Manzhi still hoped Wugou could prove his talent and strength on his own.

If Wugou could live up to his expectations and successfully form a Golden Core, perhaps Palace Master Luo might just abandon that particular idea.

“Sigh…” At this thought, Zhu Manzhi let out a deep sigh.

Zhu Youji naturally understood his master’s thoughts. However, everyone has their own aspirations. That boy Wugou was indeed too lazy, so perhaps cultivating the ‘Imperial Jade Cauldron Body Tempering Art’ might even be a good thing for him.

“Grandpa Zhu, does that Wugou also have a congenital full Fire-elemental spirit root?”

Nian Yun’er was very curious. Over the past two days, she had heard both Big Sister Luo and now this Elder of the Skill Transmission Pavilion mention the name Wugou.

She surmised that the child named Wugou must be a very formidable individual.

“Heh heh, Yun’er,” Zhu Manzhi began, “after I take you to the Qi Refining Hall later, under no circumstances should you bother with that boy. Just cultivate peacefully. Your talent is extraordinary, and forming a Foundation is certainly within your grasp.”

“With your Fire-elemental spirit root, those old fogeys in the Alchemy Pavilion will undoubtedly scramble to claim you in the future. Your path is different from others from the very beginning, so never be swayed by others. Cultivate diligently, and you will not have wasted Palace Master Luo’s efforts in cultivating you.”

“Alright, alright,” Nian Yun’er replied. Although she found Zhu Manzhi’s attitude towards Wugou strange, the elderly man was speaking to her with such kindness and warmth that it seemed best to humor him for now.