The day Xiao Zhici, a famously good-for-nothing spirit-root cultivator, made a dazzling impression at the trials, everyone was stunned, incredulous, and left questioning everything they believed.
So countless versions of the story began circulating:
"Did you hear? When Xiao Zhici faced the immortal sect's chief senior disciple, she threw one punch, mighty as a divine pillar, and shattered the nose of a late-stage Soul Transformation cultivator! Poor senior brother was so handsome and heroic, but now his nose and mouth are all crooked!"
"I've figured it out! When Xiao Zhici faced the single-spirit-root disciples from the various sects, the five elemental energies of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth flowed through her palms. The elites from every sect fled in disgrace, and not one of them was a match for her! Who says mixed spirit roots are useless? Turns out single spirit roots are the real trash!"
"Terrifying! Xiao Zhici commanded tens of thousands of soul soldiers and swept across the battlefield, undefeated! Even the elders and sect leaders in the stands got caught up in it. Their belts were torn to shreds, and they lost all dignity, running in every direction with their trousers held up!"
"It's true! The Upper Realm was so afraid of her strength that it sent down a tribulation of lightning. But Xiao Zhici just reached out, tore open a rift in space, and dragged over a divine soldier from the Upper Realm to take the lightning for her. Then she munched on the divine soldier, roasted until it smelled delicious!"
Xiao Zhici: "...?"
Wait, you only passed on the first half of the story. Did you make up the second half entirely?
Everyone: "She admits it! She admits it! Fellow Daoist Xiao really knows how to hide her abilities. She used to pretend to have a useless spirit root while keeping a low profile, and even now she's only telling half the story! A true master who keeps a low profile!"
Xiao Zhici: "..."
*
At the Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony, Xiao Zhici, that good-for-nothing, was once again held up as a negative example and compared with the destined male and female leads.
"Senior Brother Gu and Junior Sister Leng are truly made for each other, but that good-for-nothing Xiao Zhici is engaged to Senior Brother Gu!"
"I heard that the young lord above hasn't yet overcome his tribulation of love and is about to descend to the mortal realm for training?"
"If you ask me, Senior Brother Gu must be that lord's reincarnation. Xiao Zhici is just an obstacle in his way. Once she's kicked aside, he'll ascend with Junior Sister Leng!"
Xiao Zhici: "???"
Xiao Zhici gave a cold laugh, leaped to the center of the altar, and pointed at the imposing statue of the young lord above as she spouted nonsense:
"That nobody Gu Yuhua is just a clown. How could he possibly be the young lord?"
"After all, that lord visits my dreams every night, kisses the tips of my toes, and begs me to cast my eyes upon him!"
"But you lot are all crawling vermin. Even if that so-called young lord begged me on his knees, he still wouldn't be worthy of being my destined partner!"
Then a thunderclap bomb blew the altar apart, and she sauntered off.
Perhaps she had been too arrogant during the day, because that night, when she entered her dream, Xiao Zhici found herself in a place filled with celestial music and drifting clouds glowing in the sunset.
On the throne sat a young man of unparalleled beauty, incomparably more handsome than Gu Yuhua, whom everyone had praised to the skies that day.
After meeting a gorgeous, puppy-like young man, Xiao Zhici decided he might be worth keeping around.
She hooked a finger under his chin,
only to suddenly notice the divine mark at his temple, identifying him as the young lord.
Theme: Never forget your original aspirations.
