Chapter 3: Flaws Do Not Diminish Virtue

"Xiao Wu, what are you looking at?" Huo Yongfei felt a surge of relief seeing her sitting quietly in her spot. Thankfully, Third Brother had left as soon as she arrived, or else the two would have caused another scene.

"I'm searching for someone." Wen Jingge yawned again and reached out her hand. "Senior Brother, where are the outsiders who came to take the entrance test?"

"What’s this? Little Wenwen, are you interested in becoming a master?" The speaker was Bai Teng, head of the Oddwood Peak, the fourth in rank. She wore white robes, her features serene and gentle—a beauty of exceptional grace.

Wen Jingge blinked: "Yes. Fourth Sister, are you free? Will you walk with me?"

"Oh my! My little darling, Wenwen, your words are sweeter than honey, so obedient!" Bai Teng laughed more radiantly than a flower. "Senior Brother, we’ll head down now!"

Today was the first day of the sect’s recruitment. The peak masters were only there to lend support; their absence would make no difference.

Huo Yongfei waved them off, but just as they left, Ai Fengling, head of Lingxiao Peak, sitting at the far end, conveyed a message to him using the sect’s mind technique.

"Senior Brother! Liang Si says he wants to stay at Wanzhang Peak. I’ve given my approval."

"That’s between you and Xiao Wu. What’s wrong, reluctant to let go?" Huo Yongfei replied, "If you’re unwilling, then take him back."

"I’m just reporting it to you, Senior Brother."

"You’re a tool cultivator. Cultivation is hard—use the mind technique less."

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister seems to have suffered grave injuries at Burning Heaven Gate. Liang Si says she’s been training in the North Bamboo Forest these days, but her spiritual energy is difficult to gather. I gave her a ring—it should help her condense her strength."

Huo Yongfei’s brow furrowed. Ai Fengling owed his life to Wen Jingge; he would never harm her. The fact that they used the mind technique after meeting in person today spoke volumes about the difficulty of the situation.

"I understand."

"Senior Brother, do you want to go down and take a look?" Fan Zifan knew Huo Yongfei doted on Wen Jingge. Unable to hear the private conversation, he assumed Huo Yongfei was displeased at her departure.

"No, I’ll leave the rest to you. I’ll be at Burning Heaven Gate for a few days."

"What are you going there for!" The thought of Wen Jingge’s troubles at that place returned to him. "Alright, I know what to do."

"Oh, my little darling, what are you searching for?" Bai Teng clung to Wen Jingge like a vine. Seeing her glancing here and there, nearly bumping into Shan Hongxing, she coughed lightly, "Little Wenwen, Sister is tired from walking. Let’s rest, shall we?"

"Sister, you’ve called me ‘little darling’ twenty-four times along the way and ‘little Wenwen’ seventeen times. I can understand ‘little Wenwen,’ but ‘little darling’…" The phrase truly made her heart tremble!

"Two hundred years ago, when Master was alive, everyone called you that. But little Wenwen is older now, thin-skinned, not as close to us, so it hasn’t been used for nearly a hundred years. It’s been so long—you must have forgotten your sister!"

Wen Jingge’s cheeks flushed. "What about Brother Shan?"

"I’m not talking to you." Shan Hongxing’s expression was like an ice block; Wen Jingge could even sense a murderous aura from him.

Inner disciples and outsiders were tested separately. Over seven days, ninety disciples would be chosen. Fifteen from each peak would enter a small training realm, and ultimately, the peak masters would decide whether to accept them as disciples. Those not accepted could leave or stay in the inner court, hoping for a chance to become an elder’s apprentice.

The three stood at the boundary between inner and outer court. The testing sites displayed boards listing names and identities.

"Alright, got it." Wen Jingge nodded and stepped aside to let Shan Hongxing pass.

Shan Hongxing’s expression stiffened, as though surprised by her change, but since he didn’t move, Wen Jingge walked away herself.

"I had a dream—I must take someone as my disciple." This was the first proactive thing Wen Jingge said to Bai Teng as they wandered. "I forgot the name, only that flaws do not obscure jade’s brilliance. Uncarved jade cannot become a tool. He probably isn’t an inner disciple; I’ve looked at all those surnamed Wang, but they’re too old and of mediocre talent."

"Why the surname Wang? Maybe the jade needs you to carve it yourself!" Bai Teng smiled. "Our little darling never liked studying, perhaps it’s literal—just look for someone with ‘Yu’ in the name."

Wen Jingge hesitated, then nodded under Bai Teng’s encouragement. "Right, will you help me look again, Sister?"

"Why have you come back?" Shan Hongxing grew more frustrated seeing her rush over. "I don’t want to spar with you today."

"Little darling is searching for someone! Who could spar with you?" Bai Teng gave him a playful punch. "With your icy demeanor, only little darling would bother to spar!"

"She’s searching for someone?" Shan Hongxing snorted coldly. "Find them and chop them up to feed the dogs?"

"Hiss—" Wen Jingge’s mind jerked, suddenly picturing herself feeding dogs. She asked suspiciously, "Did I really feed your belongings to a dog?"

"Spiritual pet." Bai Teng transmitted via mind technique, laughing mischievously. "Ha! It was a pair—he and the dog both ate it, and only realized afterward."

How tragic!

Wen Jingge looked at Shan Hongxing with pity. Running away seemed the only option.

Just then, a gasp erupted from the crowd, and Bai Teng, more excited than ever, grabbed her hand and flew forward. "Look, his name is Qiao Yu! This, this is a heavenly bloodline! Little darling, could the one in your dream be him?"

"I can’t recall the face—very young, about fourteen or fifteen, dressed like a beggar, clearly penniless. Around his neck is a piece of jade, very cheap, the only valuable thing he owns."

Wen Jingge described calmly as she watched the youth place his hand on the spirit stone. The stone radiated a blue-violet glow, dazzling like the stars—a color only found in those born as sword embryos.

The last person who caused such a spectacle was none other than Wen Jingge herself.

"Little darling, wait for me!" Bai Teng called, stepping onto the platform and, under all eyes, grabbing the string of vines around Qiao Yu’s neck. The jade was cheap, impure, merely a blank piece with the edges smoothed and a hole drilled for the string.

"Uncarved jade cannot become a tool." Bai Teng smiled, returned the jade, and saw Qiao Yu clutching it tightly, as if afraid she would snatch it. "Your name is Qiao Yu—does the ‘Yu’ mean 'flawless jade'?"

"I’ve never been to school." The boy’s face was an unnatural reddish-black from years of exposure, his lips pale, lean but healthy below the neck. Seeing Bai Teng approach, the guards dared not intervene, and he relaxed a bit. "I can’t read. I think that’s what my mother said."

"Good! Then you’re the one!" Bai Teng grabbed his hand and told the chief examiner, who stood mute, "I’m taking him, he’ll be under Wanzhang Peak."

"Understood. Safe travels, Peak Masters."

Shan Hongxing lingered, frowning as Bai Teng held Qiao Yu’s hand. "When did you start following Wen the Fifth’s lead?"