After entering the sect's gates, Liu Yichen followed protocol to complete his registration. During this time, he inquired about Zhu Xiaotian's whereabouts and learned that Zhu was an inner disciple. However, he was told he would have to wait until the entrance examination in three days to meet him. Frustration gnawed at Liu Yichen—how could he endure these three days?
Just as he was wallowing in his distress, the pouch at his side grew warm. Opening it, he found a letter from Xun'er, pleading for help. She was trapped at the Moonlit Pool. Liu Yichen's heart clenched. He hesitated for a moment, his mind racing through the potential dangers—what if the Moonlit Pool was a forbidden area? Trespassing could lead to severe punishment. But the thought of Xun'er in danger spurred him into action. A surge of anger and determination propelled him forward.
Crushing the letter in his hand, he dashed toward the Moonlit Pool. The wind whistled past his ears like a sharp whistle as he sprinted out of the outer sect. His hurried footsteps echoed on the stone pavement, each step sending a clear vibration through his body. The scenery blurred as he ran, his focus solely on the Moonlit Pool ahead.
The Moonlit Pool lay deep within the sect, its waters shimmering with a faint blue glow. Towering ancient trees surrounded it, and moss-covered boulders dotted the banks. As Liu Yichen stepped into the area, he overheard hushed whispers behind him. The sound was like the chittering of mice in a corner. Glancing sideways, he spotted two yellow-robed youths hiding behind a thick tree, peeking out at him with a mix of curiosity and glee.
"That guy's got some guts, daring to barge into the Moonlit Pool!" one of them whispered, his tone laced with disbelief.
"Heh, this is going to be fun. Senior Sister Qin Wanrou is infamous for guarding this place. She doesn't even let birds near it. This guy's going to get beaten to a pulp!" the other snickered, clearly relishing the impending drama. "Not to mention, Senior Sister Qin's admirers are all formidable figures in the sect. If they find out someone dared to offend her, they'll make sure he regrets it. This guy's in for a world of pain!"
Liu Yichen sneered but paid no heed to their gossip. His eyes scanned the Moonlit Pool, his heart burning with anxiety. He needed to find Xun'er immediately. His brows furrowed as he quickened his pace toward the deeper part of the pool.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a graceful figure in the distance. The silhouette was slender and elegant, with cascading black hair. Even from behind, the figure exuded an aura that captivated him.
"Xun'er!" Liu Yichen's heart leaped with joy. Without a second thought, he rushed toward the figure.
"Who are you?" A cold, feminine voice rang out, laced with anger. The voice was like icy water dripping onto stone.
Liu Yichen's heart raced. He closed the distance in a few strides and, without hesitation, wrapped his arms around the figure from behind. In that moment, the world seemed to fall silent. He could hear his own heartbeat clearly. The woman in his arms was soft and warm, her body exuding a faint, intoxicating fragrance.
"Xun'er, I'm sorry I'm late. You've suffered because of me…" Liu Yichen murmured.
The woman in his arms stiffened, then whirled around. Her beautiful eyes blazed with fury, like two icy swords piercing through him. The air around them grew heavy and cold.
"Who are you? How dare you!" Liu Yichen was stunned. He finally saw her face clearly—it wasn't Xun'er. Instead, it was a breathtaking beauty he had never seen before. Her skin was as pale as snow, with faint blue veins visible beneath. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her eyes, though usually calm as autumn waters, now burned with rage.
She wore a light blue robe, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, enhancing her ethereal beauty. She looked like a lotus emerging from the water, pure and untouchable.
Liu Yichen was momentarily entranced.
"Miss, I apologize! I mistook you for someone else!" Liu Yichen quickly released her and took a step back, bowing in apology. In his heart, he couldn't help but think: This woman is stunning, even more so than Xun'er, with an air of icy elegance.
"Mistaken identity?" The woman sneered, her voice as cold as frost. "Do you take me for a fool? How dare you act so brazenly in broad daylight! What are your true intentions?"
Liu Yichen realized his mistake. The Moonlit Pool was a place where female disciples bathed. His intrusion and impulsive act had clearly angered her.
"Miss, please calm down. I truly didn't mean any harm. I was only trying to save someone…" Liu Yichen tried to explain, but her icy glare cut him off.
"Save someone? Who? Keep lying!" Her voice grew colder, and the air around her seemed to freeze. Liu Yichen could feel the chill pricking his skin like needles.
"You're clearly trying to take advantage of me! I am Qin Wanrou, an outer disciple. You will pay for what you've done today!"
Qin Wanrou's fierce protection of the Moonlit Pool stemmed from a deeply personal experience. When she first joined the sect, her mediocre talent had made her the target of ridicule and neglect. She often came to the Moonlit Pool alone to cry in secret. One day, an elderly man appeared by the pool. Sensing her despair, he gifted her a spiritual pearl and told her that if she devoted herself to protecting the pool's tranquility and purity, she would receive an extraordinary opportunity. From that day on, Qin Wanrou vowed to guard the Moonlit Pool with her life. It was her sanctuary, the place where her fate had begun to change. She would allow no one to disrupt its peace.
Liu Yichen's heart sank. He hadn't expected to stumble into a forbidden area and provoke such a formidable opponent. He considered fleeing, but the murderous intent in Qin Wanrou's eyes told him that escaping wouldn't be easy. A chill ran down his spine, and his teeth chattered involuntarily.
Qin Wanrou slowly raised her delicate hand, a cold blue light gathering at her fingertips…
"You…" The blue light at her fingertips suddenly intensified, forming a sharp ice sword that shot toward Liu Yichen's chest with bone-chilling coldness.
The icy blade grazed his cheek like a frozen razor. Liu Yichen's heart pounded in terror. Qin Wanrou's attack was lethal! At the last moment, he instinctively struck out with his palm, releasing a surge of profound energy that collided with the ice sword.
"Boom!" The impact sent shards of ice flying in all directions, and a cold mist filled the air. Liu Yichen was thrown back, his internal energy churning. A metallic taste rose in his throat, but he forced it down.
He stared at Qin Wanrou in horror. Her strength was terrifying!
Qin Wanrou's brows furrowed slightly, but her expression quickly returned to its icy calm. "It seems you have some skill. But that won't change your fate today. You'll learn the price of trespassing and disrespecting me!"
Before she finished speaking, a brilliant constellation of seven stars materialized above her head, radiating immense pressure. Liu Yichen felt as if a mountain were pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
A Seven-Star Profound Warrior! Qin Wanrou was a Seven-Star Profound Warrior, while he was only a Three-Star Profound Warrior. The gap between them was insurmountable.
Fear washed over Liu Yichen like a tidal wave. He knew he was in deep trouble. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stay calm. He had to escape!
"System, activate the lottery!" Liu Yichen silently called out, placing all his hopes on the Profound Spirit System.
A spinning wheel appeared before his eyes, flashing through various skills, items, and pills. Liu Yichen's heart raced as he waited for the result.
"Ding! Congratulations, you've obtained…" The system's voice paused.
"What is it?" Liu Yichen asked urgently, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Qin Wanrou's murderous aura intensified. She raised her hand again, the seven stars above her glowing brighter…
"Ding! Congratulations, you've obtained… 'Thank you for playing!'" Liu Yichen's heart turned to ice. He thought of all the effort he had put into his training, the nights spent cultivating, and his concern for Xun'er. Was this how it would end? The system's lottery was a cruel joke!
"System, try again!" Liu Yichen clenched his teeth, refusing to give up.
The wheel spun once more, but the result was the same.
"Again!" Liu Yichen roared, his voice filled with desperation.
Three consecutive "Thank you for playing" messages left Liu Yichen in despair. He felt as if he had fallen into an endless abyss.
Was this truly the end?
But just as he was about to lose all hope, the system's voice chimed again.
"Ding! Congratulations, you've obtained the Yi Jin Secret Manual and the Lingbo Microsteps technique!" Liu Yichen's body trembled as if he had grasped a lifeline. Joy surged through him as he imagined the future where he would become a peerless expert, earning the respect of those who had once looked down on him.
Though he didn't know what the Yi Jin Secret Manual was, the Lingbo Microsteps sounded incredibly powerful! Without hesitation, he activated the technique.
"Ding! Lingbo Microsteps successfully activated!" Instantly, a mysterious energy flowed through his limbs, making his body feel as light as a feather. He took a step and found himself gliding several meters effortlessly, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.
"This… this speed is incredible!" Liu Yichen was ecstatic. The Lingbo Microsteps was a lifesaver!
Just then, Qin Wanrou's icy voice rang out again, filled with killing intent.
"Trying to escape? Not so easy!" The stars above her shone brighter, and the pressure around her intensified. She raised her hand, and a cold blue light, now crackling with faint lightning, gathered at her fingertips.
Liu Yichen didn't dare to face her head-on. Using the Lingbo Microsteps, he darted behind her, catching her off guard. Seizing the opportunity, he activated the technique again and appeared at the entrance of the Moonlit Pool.
"Haha, the Lingbo Microsteps is amazing!" Liu Yichen laughed triumphantly, reveling in his newfound power and the joy of survival.
Meanwhile, inside the Moonlit Pool, Qin Wanrou stared at the empty space before her, her exquisite face showing a flicker of surprise. But the fury in her eyes only grew stronger.
She slowly raised her arm, the lightning at her fingertips crackling with a sharp, menacing sound.