Chapter 97: Matriarchal Cultivation World (18)

In the center of the trial grounds, not many disciples remained at this moment. Only about half of those who had climbed the Azure Cloud Ladder earlier were left.

Liu Changning stood at the back of this group, led by a Golden Core cultivator.

“Senior sister, your talent is extraordinary. It’s the first time Long Huan has seen someone shatter the spirit testing stone during the spirit root test.”

Liu Changning lifted her eyelids. The blue-robed male cultivator in front of her was the one who had approached her earlier on the Azure Cloud Ladder.

His eyebrows were curved, his full lips displaying a very natural smile, with deep dimples in his cheeks, showing no trace of flattery.

When his black eyes looked over, they were filled with sincerity and genuine feeling, making one feel as if bathed in spring breeze.

A handsome and refined young man, as elegant as jade.

If other women saw this, they might soften their speech by a degree or two.

Unfortunately, the old cadre’s eyes only saw a pitch-black little bird, balding to the point of losing feathers. She gave the male cultivator who spoke to her a cursory glance, then moved her gaze away as if nothing had happened.

She said distantly, “Young master’s talent is also very high. On the path of cultivation, talent is but one aspect; opportunity, diligence, and temperament are all very important. The young master’s words are too flattering.”

As soon as these words fell, the faces of the Nascent Soul elders sitting at the high seat, who had been paying attention to Liu Changning’s every move, all showed satisfied expressions.

The earlier speculation by the elders of the ten great sects that this woman was the chosen one had now been confirmed. Although their faces showed no particular reaction, their eyes were filled with excitement.

It is said that those who passed the spirit stone test were led by elite disciples from various major sects and had already walked up to the white jade wall platform where the elders were seated.

On the flat ground built with jade slabs, ten elders sat on purple sandalwood chairs, with the air of immortals, kind eyes, and benevolent brows.

Qiu Changhuan, while moving forward with the queue, inconspicuously fell half a step behind, misaligning with Liu Changning by half a body, and continued to make conversation.

He obediently trailed at her side and said, “Thank you for the guidance, senior sister. Changhuan will surely keep it in mind.”

A barely noticeable blush appeared on his fair face, and Qiu Changhuan looked expectantly at the female cultivator beside him.

Seeing that she didn’t respond, he hesitated for a moment, then asked uncertainly, “Senior sister’s qualifications are outstanding. Have you decided which sect you want to join?”

Liu Changning lowered her head. At this moment, Pei Ziyuan’s mocking laughter echoed in her sea of consciousness: “Tsk tsk tsk! This boy keeps calling ‘senior sister’ left and right. In this sovereign’s view, it would be better if he called her ‘good sister’.”

Liu Changning narrowed her eyes, her eyelids lowering to completely hide the deepening color of her eyes. Her thin lips opened and closed, savoring the words “good sister”.

If it were under the bedsheets, with disheveled black hair, Pei Ziyuan’s eyes full of pleading, desperately calling out “good sister” would indeed be wonderful.

The little black bird was still jealous, its beady eyes full of resentment, suddenly raised to meet Liu Changning’s gaze filled with lingering affection.

Its feathers stood on end, with only a single cowlick on its head drooping softly.

It coldly snorted and said, “So you like this kind of gentle and refined male cultivator. However, there’s one thing this sovereign needs to remind you of: this Changhuan might not be as gentle as he appears on the surface. Do you believe it?”

Liu Changning stroked the cowlick on its head and replied in a low voice. Her cold, clear voice floated in his fiery sea of consciousness.

The comfortable bird body trembled slightly.

“I believe you, don’t worry, senior. In this world, there’s only one man who can make Liu Cangyu lower her gaze and linger. What do others matter to me, even if they wear a different face?”

Their eyes met, and Pei Ziyuan saw his own ugly black face reflected in her tea-colored eyes.

Feeling uncomfortable, he averted his gaze and asked, “Oh? You blockhead actually have a man you fancy?”

He thought she wouldn’t answer, but unexpectedly, her icy voice lingered in his mind.

“Mm, he’s an extremely proud man, though I haven’t seen his true appearance yet. But love arises unknowingly and runs deep. From then on, other men pale in comparison to him.”

The little black bird was stunned for a moment, flapping its wings twice. Its consciousness, affected by the cold aura, once again embarrassingly emitted comfortable chirping sounds.

Liu Changning stroked the cowlick on its head and chuckled softly.

“Speaking of which, the old ancestor also knows that person…”

The little black bird raised its head, its small eyes as big as mung beans staring unblinkingly at Liu Changning, its ears already perking up quietly.

Liu Changning said in a hoarse voice, “He is Pei Ziyuan, the master of the Secluded Immortal Palace, and your… master. With my sincere affection, the old ancestor must help me.”

The little black bird rotated its mung bean-sized eyes, its face under the black feathers showing a hint of discomfort. It turned its gaze away and coldly snorted, “Wishful thinking!”

No one knew that just now, as the three words “Pei Ziyuan” fell into its sea of consciousness, the heart of the hundred-year-old virgin bird trembled, and a surge of warmth rose for unknown reasons.

It suspiciously raised its eyes, glaring at the culprit. A ray of sunlight happened to fall on her snow-white face, and such an otherworldly face unexpectedly crashed into its mind.

Many years later, this became the most vividly painted turning point on the path of heartlessness.

The little black bird stared blankly, its cowlick standing straight up.

Liu Changning was used to the little phoenix’s tsundere demeanor. Her slender white fingers twirled the black cowlick into circles, wrapping it around her fair finger.

Black and white intertwined; if it weren’t a beast in bird form, it would have been quite an ambiguous scene.

Waiting by Liu Changning’s side for a while, she remained silent.

Qiu Changhuan turned his head, the bangs on his forehead hiding those eyes that flashed with a hint of blue light.

He discreetly observed the ordinary-looking beast in Liu Changning’s arms.

A flash of odd color passed through his eyes. Such an ugly thing, yet Liu Cangyu seemed to like it very much.

Strange!

Though his heart felt odd, Jing Huan, currently going by the name “Qiu Changhuan”, didn’t show even a hint of his true colors.

He smiled, his eyes curving. He charmingly smiled at the little black bird in Liu Changning’s arms and asked, “Senior sister seems to love spirit beasts so much. Could it be that you want to join the Beast Taming Sect?”