From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 6 A Road Full of Thorns

Following Deacon Ma through the bustling crowd, I felt a mix of emotions. Recalling all the encounters I had since transmigrated to this world, I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

"We've arrived." Steward Ma's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up at the majestic palace before me, its carved beams and painted rafters exuding grandeur. This was the "Shangyun Hall," the residence of the outer disciples of the Qingyun Sect. Upon entering the hall, Deacon Ma handed me a wooden token and a set of blue disciple robes, saying, "These are your identity token and disciple robes; please keep them safe. The cultivation technique jade slips are on the first floor of the library behind the hall; you can choose freely. If you encounter any problems during your cultivation, you can come here to find me." With that, he turned and left, leaving me alone in the empty hall.

I changed into my disciple's robes, took a deep breath, and headed towards the library. The library had three floors, with carved railings and jade steps, exuding an antique charm. The first floor alone held tens of thousands of books, dazzling the eye. Following the signs, I found the bookshelf storing cultivation techniques, only to discover that most disciples were browsing through techniques at the mid-level Yellow rank or higher. I searched for a long time before finally finding a few low-level Yellow rank techniques, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Just as I was hesitating over which book to choose, I heard a few sneers behind me: "Isn't this Xiao Yao, who stole the show at the martial arts arena today? What, you're here to look at low-level Yellow-rank techniques too? Hahaha..."

I turned my head and saw that it was Wang Fugui who was speaking, with Elder Li beside him. Both of them had a mocking and disdainful look on their faces. Wang Fugui walked up to me and said in a sarcastic tone, "Xiao Yao, I advise you to give up as soon as possible. With your talent, even if you enter the Qingyun Sect, you are destined to be nothing but a piece of trash!"

I suppressed my anger, looked at them coldly, and said, "My affairs are none of your concern."

Elder Li snorted coldly and said, "You ignorant fool, do you think you're safe once you enter the Qingyun Sect? Let me tell you, the Qingyun Sect is not a place for you to run wild!" After saying that, he and Wang Fugui strode away, leaving only their chilling laughter echoing in the library.

I gripped the jade slip containing the cultivation technique tightly in my hand, a raging fire burning in my heart. I would never let them succeed!

"To gain greater power, I must put in more effort than ordinary people." I secretly vowed in my heart, "One day, I will make you all look at me with new eyes!"

I resolutely stepped out of the library, only to bump into a young man in a blue robe at the entrance. He had striking features and was exceptionally handsome, but his expression was cold and aloof, radiating an aura that kept strangers at bay. He glanced at me, a barely perceptible chill flashing in his eyes, before brushing past me, leaving behind only a cold utterance:

"You're in the way."

His cold words were like a bucket of cold water poured over my head. I stood there, stunned, filled with confusion and resentment. Who was this person? Why was he so rude to me?

I suppressed my displeasure and returned to my lodgings, opening the low-level Yellow-rank cultivation manual I had chosen, "The Azure Wood Technique." After reading it, I realized that although this manual was not of high rank, its strength lay in its balanced and moderate approach, making it suitable for a beginner like me with no foundation. I calmed my mind and began to cultivate according to the descriptions in the manual.

The path of cultivation is far more difficult than I imagined. My spiritual root aptitude is extremely poor, making cultivation twice as difficult and progressing very slowly. To compensate for the lack of cultivation resources, I have to go out early and return late every day to complete various tasks issued by the sect in exchange for meager contribution points.

These tasks were mostly trivial, such as tending to the spirit fields, cleaning the animal pens, and even washing dishes in the canteen. Not only were they hard work, but the pay was also pitifully low. However, I still gritted my teeth and persevered because I knew that only in this way could I obtain the pills and cultivation techniques I needed for cultivation.

That day, I accepted a mission to gather spiritual herbs in the back mountain. The spiritual energy in the back mountain was richer, but it was also more dangerous, with monsters frequently appearing. I carefully made my way through the dense forest when suddenly, a foul stench swept over me, and a huge black bear appeared before me, its gaping maw revealing sharp fangs.

I was startled, realizing I had encountered a powerful demonic beast. I quickly drew my longsword, ready to fight. However, my cultivation level was far too low, and I was no match for the black bear. After a few rounds, it slapped me away with one of its paws, sending me crashing to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

I struggled to stand up, only to find myself severely injured and unable to move. The black bear drew closer, its eyes gleaming with bloodlust. In despair, I closed my eyes, awaiting death.

However, the expected pain did not come. I opened my eyes and found that the black bear had been cleaved in two by a sharp sword aura. A familiar figure appeared in front of me, slowly walking towards me, each step feeling like it was treading on my heart.

"You..." I said weakly, but he picked me up in one go.

"Don't speak, I'll take you back."

"Master Ma...Master Ma?" I called out his name weakly, the figure in front of me overlapping with the cold profile in my memory.

"Don't speak." He was as sparing with words as ever, but he spoke in a gentle tone I had never experienced before.

He took me back to his place, gently placed me on the bed, and began to check my injuries.

"It's alright, just some superficial injuries." He said calmly after checking, but his tone carried a hint of barely perceptible concern.

I was puzzled. Why was Steward Ma suddenly so concerned about me? Wasn't he always so cold to me?

As if reading my mind, he took out medicine from his storage bag and said, "You are the disciple I brought back, so naturally I have to take responsibility for you."

His tone remained indifferent, but I sensed a different meaning in it. I suppressed my doubts and obediently let him apply the medicine for me.

Deacon Ma not only healed my injuries but also taught me some unique cultivation methods. He told me that although my spiritual root was of poor quality, I could make up for it through hard work. He taught me how to utilize the surrounding spiritual energy, how to absorb spiritual power more effectively, and how to unleash the maximum power of my cultivation techniques.

Under his guidance, my strength improved by leaps and bounds. In just one month, my cultivation level broke through to the third level of Qi Refining. This was something I never dared to dream of before.

"Thank you so much, Master!" I knelt down in front of him, expressing my heartfelt gratitude.

He glanced at me indifferently and said, "Get up. There's no need for such formalities between us."

I stood up, looking at his stern profile, my heart filled with gratitude and admiration. I knew that without him, I might have died long ago under the claws of that black bear.

I cultivated even harder, hoping that one day I could become as powerful as him. However, as my cultivation improved, I gradually realized that the path to immortality was not always smooth sailing.

That day, I overheard Elder Li and Wang Fugui plotting something. Their tone was chilling, and they occasionally let out a terrifying laugh. My heart tightened, and I quietly moved closer, wanting to hear more clearly…

I held my breath, suppressing my breathing to a minimum, and slowly moved my feet, trying to hear more clearly.

"That good-for-nothing is now completely obedient to Steward Ma. If we can't touch Steward Ma, surely we can handle this good-for-nothing?" Wang Fugui's sinister voice came from the crack in the wall, sending chills down my spine.

"Hmph, this secret realm trial will be her death day!" Elder Li laughed coldly, as if he could already see me dying.

The Secret Realm Trial! My heart skipped a beat. It was the sect's annual grand event, a crucial path for disciples to gain opportunities and enhance their strength. However, the secret realm was fraught with danger; a single misstep could cost one's life. Elder Li and Wang Fugui actually intended to attack me within the secret realm!

I clenched my fists, a burning rage raging within me. I couldn't just sit here and wait to die; I had to expose their conspiracy!

I took a deep breath, turned, and left. I was going to tell my master and the sect leader about this, and make sure Elder Li and Wang Fugui received the punishment they deserved!

I found my master and told him everything I had heard. After listening to my story, my master frowned, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"You've done very well. I will report this to the sect leader, and he will make the final decision," the master said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of comfort and encouragement.

I nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. I knew that as long as my master and the sect leader were there, Elder Li and Wang Fugui wouldn't be able to do whatever they wanted.

Sure enough, within a few days, the sect leader summoned all the elders and disciples and publicly announced the crimes of Elder Li and Wang Fugui. It turned out that they had not only conspired to murder their fellow disciples, but also embezzled sect resources and even colluded with the Demonic Sect—their crimes were heinous!

Ultimately, Elder Li and Wang Fugui were expelled from the sect, and their conspiracy completely failed. Because I exposed their crimes, I was rewarded by the sect and became incredibly famous.

However, I knew this was merely the calm before the storm. Elder Li and Wang Fugui, after being expelled from the sect, did not give up. They secretly contacted their accomplices and launched a frenzied revenge against me…

"You little bitch, how long do you think you can hide?" A chilling voice rang in my ear, filled with deep-seated hatred. I whirled around, but only saw a dark shadow flash by and disappear into the night…