With a graceful bow toward Jiang Beiran, Liu Zijin parted her vermilion lips and spoke softly, "In three days, I will undergo my first trial mission outside the sect. I wish to invite Senior Brother to serve as our Iron Seal." As soon as Liu Zijin finished speaking, three options appeared before Jiang Beiran.
[Option 1: Immediately reply, "A small matter, of course, no problem." Reward: Primordial Chaos Body (Earth Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 2: "May I ask what kind of trial mission Junior Sister has received?" Reward: Tyrant’s Tranquil Claw (Mysterious Grade, High Tier)] [Option 3: "Too busy with studies, farewell!" Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1] When Jiang Beiran saw the Earth Grade, Mid Tier reward, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Without even glancing at Option 2, he immediately chose Option 3 and replied, "Apologies, Junior Sister, but I’ve been quite busy with my studies lately. Moreover, as you just heard, Hall Master Cheng has summoned me for a game of chess.
That hall master is a true chess fanatic—once we start, he won’t let me leave for four or five days. So, I must ask you to find someone else for this task."
"Farewell!"
With a cupped-fist salute, he turned and strode away.
[Option mission completed. Reward: Medicine Skill +1] "Senior Brother Jiang, when has Hall Master Cheng ever played chess with you for more than a day?
I—" Seeing that the errand-running Junior Brother was about to ruin his grand escape, Jiang Beiran quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and dragged him toward Blue Heart Hall.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
The dragged Junior Brother’s eyes held one part pain, one part confusion, two parts resentment, and seven parts unwillingness!
‘Such a beautiful Junior Sister! Let me look at her a little longer!’
Alas, his strength was no match for Jiang Beiran’s, so he could only be hauled away helplessly.
‘I… was rejected?’
Liu Zijin stood frozen in place, watching Jiang Beiran flee as if his life depended on it. Strangely, she felt her heartbeat inexplicably quicken.
‘Is this what rejection feels like? No one has ever refused me before in my life. This Senior Brother… is so different. No, now’s not the time to think about this.’
Snapping back to reality, Liu Zijin sprinted after him, calling out, "Senior Brother Jiang, don’t leave in such a hurry! I haven’t finished speaking yet, Senior Brother Jiang~" But what puzzled her was that, although Senior Brother appeared to be walking normally, he was somehow faster than her running. No matter how hard she chased, she couldn’t catch up.
Just as Jiang Beiran was about to vanish from sight, Liu Zijin suddenly spotted a graceful figure in green robes walking toward her. She quickly shouted, "Qiuyao! Stop that Senior Brother!
Don’t let him leave!" Fang Qiuyao had come here with Liu Zijin, but unlike her, she lacked patience. After waiting for a short while, she had excused herself with the "I’m thirsty" tactic to wander elsewhere.
Now, having just returned, she heard Zijin’s urgent plea to stop the Senior Brother walking toward her. This scene instantly painted all sorts of scenarios in Fang Qiuyao’s mind—her beloved sister must have suffered all kinds of unreasonable and outrageous treatment from this man.
"Scoundrel! What did you do to my Zijin-jie!?"
With a shing, Fang Qiuyao drew her White Rainbow Sword and thrust it straight at Jiang Beiran.
‘Truly worthy of a Junior Sister who offers Earth Grade, Mid Tier rewards—even escaping is this difficult!’
Dodging the sword thrust with a sidestep, Jiang Beiran saw Fang Qiuyao preparing another strike and hastily cried, "Misunderstanding! It’s a misunderstanding!"
"I don’t believe a word of it!"
Fang Qiuyao retorted, channeling the Heart Returning Technique for another stab. But then, she heard Liu Zijin’s voice from behind.
"Qiuyao, stop this nonsense! Senior Brother Jiang hasn’t done anything to me."
Only then did Fang Qiuyao realize she might have misunderstood. She turned to Liu Zijin in confusion. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Beiran dragged his Junior Brother and resumed his escape.
But before he could take two steps, Liu Zijin called out, "Senior Brother Jiang, please let me finish speaking first. You can refuse me afterward if you still wish." The commotion had already drawn a crowd of Blue Heart Hall disciples.
Now, hearing the heart-wrenching plea in Liu Zijin’s melodious voice, their chivalrous spirits soared, and they swiftly surrounded Jiang Beiran, their eyes burning with fury.
‘This is a disaster!’
With no escape route left, Jiang Beiran felt like his soul was splitting in two. Where was all this "righteous heroism" from these brats on normal days? With a helpless sigh, he released his nearly suffocated Junior Brother and turned to face Liu Zijin.
Seeing him stop, Liu Zijin hurried forward and bowed again.
"I sincerely apologize for the trouble, but this trial mission is extremely important to me. I truly hope you can assist us."
Her words left the surrounding disciples dumbfounded. Some of the older ones were even more baffled.
‘Since when was Jiang Beiran this famous?’
As fellow Blue Heart Hall disciples living nearby, it was impossible not to recognize Jiang Beiran. But their strongest impression of him was that he had remained an unaffiliated disciple for five whole years—in other words, no master wanted him. What kind of skill could someone like that possibly have?
Yet here was such a beautiful Junior Sister pleading with him so earnestly. Hearing Liu Zijin’s sincerity, even Jiang Beiran’s heart softened momentarily. But the thought of that Earth Grade, Mid Tier reward quickly hardened his resolve again.
Cupping his hands, he replied, "Junior Sister, I apologize, but I have urgent matters to attend to and truly cannot spare the time." Before Liu Zijin could respond, Fang Qiuyao stepped forward.
"Senior Brother, are you using such a flimsy excuse because you’re scared?"
The crowd’s attention shifted from Liu Zijin to Fang Qiuyao, their minds instantly filled with, ‘This Junior Sister is also so pretty!’ Fang Qiuyao’s beauty was different from Liu Zijin’s. She resembled the girl next door—delicate arched brows, a small upturned nose, a face as fair as jade, and a complexion like morning blossoms.
She wore no makeup, save for a string of luminous pearls around her neck, casting a soft glow that made her seem even more radiant. As soon as Fang Qiuyao finished speaking, three new options appeared before Jiang Beiran.
[Option 1: Immediately reply, "Joke! How could I possibly be scared?" Reward: Universe-in-Sleeve (Earth Grade, Low Tier)] [Option 2: "I know Junior Sister is using reverse psychology, but it won’t work on me." Reward: Sun Moon Universe Sword (Mysterious Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 3: "That’s right." Reward: Random Basic Attribute Point +1] ‘Good heavens!
Another Earth Grade, Low Tier reward! Damn it, this is the end of me!’ Jiang Beiran was on the verge of tears.
Who would’ve thought both the Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix would appear here today? This was going to be the death of him! Without hesitation, he chose Option 3 and nodded at Fang Qiuyao.
"That’s right."
[Option mission completed. Reward: Spirit +1] "You—!"
Fang Qiuyao’s beautiful eyes narrowed. She had prepared countless arguments to dismantle whatever excuse Senior Brother Jiang might give, but she never expected him to openly admit it in front of everyone!
"Hmph!"
Pouting angrily, she returned to Liu Zijin’s side.
"Let’s go, Zijin-jie. If he won’t be our Iron Seal, plenty of others will."
But Liu Zijin shook her head.
"Qiuyao, don’t say that. We were the ones who imposed on him first. If he refuses, he must have his reasons. How can we be angry over that?"
"Oh… I understand," Fang Qiuyao muttered, still pouting.
Seeing Liu Zijin’s reasonableness, Jiang Beiran sighed in relief, thinking the matter was finally over and he could make his escape. But just as the crowd began dispersing, a figure suddenly descended from the sky, landing between Jiang Beiran and Liu Zijin.
(End of Chapter)