I, Who Hate Marine So Much, Have Become A Future Nika?

Chapter 32: This is a Trial

Zhong Cang's potential to become an inner disciple was so astonishing that it almost made You Tao's eyes pop out.

It's not surprising that he was so surprised, because the gap between inner disciples and outer disciples is too large.

There are tens of thousands of outer disciples in the Cloud Firmament Sect, and if you count some dependents and miscellaneous tasks, there are even millions.

With such a large number of people, outer disciples are only slightly better off than independent cultivators. Most of them have to rely on themselves.

But inner disciples are different. They are the true core of the Cloud Firmament Sect and receive careful cultivation from various peak masters and island lords.

Every inner disciple has the potential for Foundation Building and can be considered strong in Foundation Building.

From another perspective, you can also see the difference between outer and inner disciples.

Zhong Cang's uncle, Zhong Kangping, and You Tao's father are both at the ninth level of Qi Refining, but they are still outer disciples, not inner disciples.

Becoming an inner disciple is equivalent to passing the imperial examination in the previous life. It is a complete transformation, like a chicken ascending to heaven.

Although the probability of Zhong Cang becoming an inner disciple is not one hundred percent, in You Tao's opinion, he only has a one-fifth chance of becoming an inner disciple.

Even so, You Tao knows one thing: it is urgent to get closer to Zhong Cang, and this is not something he can decide.

"We can't hide Zhong Cang's situation from father anymore..."

...

Yan Lingdie felt bitter in her heart and her mind went blank after experiencing a great increase in strength but still suffering defeat.

Shui Bo and You Tao were shocked by Zhong Cang's strength.

But as the focus of everyone's attention, Zhong Cang, who emerged victorious, did not show any joy.

He didn't forget one thing.

He is at the fourth level of Qi Refining, while Yan Lingdie is only at the third level of Qi Refining.

Knowing how difficult it was to fight against someone at the mid-stage of Qi Refining when he was at the early stage, Zhong Cang is clear that when Yan Lingdie advances to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, she will definitely be able to turn the tables.

This also made Zhong Cang feel a sense of urgency.

"I must continue to cultivate diligently!"

...

After the battle, Yan Lingdie, who was unwilling to accept defeat, gritted her teeth and challenged Zhong Cang several more times.

However, the combination of Sword Heart stacking and Gale Whirlwind Slash was too powerful, causing all of Yan Lingdie's challenges to end in failure.

In the end, Yan Lingdie, who came over with great joy, left with tears in her eyes.

The True Intent Inheritance is also highly valued in the cultivation world. The Enlightenment Tea and Bodhi Sinking Jade are not ordinary items. Despite obtaining so many resources, Yan Lingdie still failed. This makes her afraid to face her own mother and feel even more anxious.

She couldn't help but panic.

Although she is young and her parents dote on her, as a member of a cultivation family, the intelligent Yan Lingdie knows that there is not only a vast amount of resources here, but also immense competitive pressure.

The Yan family has more than one legitimate daughter.

Being defeated consecutively by a commoner will subject her to great criticism and raise doubts about her value as a cultivator.

This sense of panic and fear made her return to her small courtyard and cultivate like crazy.

On the other hand, Yan Lingdie's mother sensed that her daughter had returned but hadn't come to see her for a long time, which made her realize that something was amiss.

Furrowing her brows, she walked to Yan Lingdie's small courtyard.

Instead of going in immediately, outside the door, the young girl's anxiety and frustration were clearly sensed by the elegantly dressed young woman, causing her eyebrows to furrow even more.

Yan Lingdie, due to her low cultivation level, did not notice the arrival of the young woman.

However, Shui Bo noticed and took a glance at Yan Lingdie, who was practicing with all her might. He sighed and left the small courtyard, respectfully bowing to the young woman.

"Madam, you've come..."

"Butterfly has lost again? Why?"

There was no need to ask. The elegantly dressed young woman also knew the reason behind Butterfly's frustration and anxiety.

However, she witnessed Yan Lingdie learning the Huan Yan Tian Ling technique and being able to summon a guardian deity.

Because of this, she couldn't understand how her daughter, who possessed a guardian deity, could lose to a commoner.

"The difference in cultivation level, Zhong Cang has already reached the fourth level of Qi Refining... and his swordsmanship, his swordsmanship is very strong."

After stating the reason, Shui Bo hesitated for a moment before suggesting, "Madam, how about not letting Miss compete against Zhong Cang? Losing continuously to Zhong Cang has become a psychological obstacle for Miss and is detrimental to her emotional growth."

"Moreover, continuous contact like this can easily breed feelings."

Initially, Shui Bo didn't care about Yan Lingdie's contact with Zhong Cang. In his opinion, Zhong Cang was just a small hill on Yan Lingdie's cultivation path, one that she could quickly overcome.

The extremely brief contact time made Shui Bo feel that nothing would happen between them.

However, after watching their duels for nearly a month, he was surprised to find that his young miss didn't leave Zhong Cang behind as he had expected. Instead, they had back-and-forth battles, with Zhong Cang mostly having the upper hand.

This situation made him feel a hint of a love-hate relationship.

But he knew very well that the Yan family would never tolerate their legitimate daughter falling in love with a common cultivator.

Even if that common cultivator had the qualifications to become an inner disciple, it still wouldn't be allowed—there were differences even among inner disciples.

Not wanting Yan Lingdie to be heartbroken, he planned to completely cut off any signs of affection before things happened.

However, his suggestion was not accepted by the lady in palace attire.

"No need, I believe Xiaodie can win."

"Sigh, but..."

Feeling that Shui Bo wanted to say something, the cold lady glanced at him.

This glance made him swallow the words he wanted to say.

However, after suppressing Shui Bo's words with her imposing manner, Zhen Ji didn't ignore his feelings. She calmly explained, "I have investigated Zhong Cang. He has been at the third level of Qi Refining for a long time. His breakthrough this time is the biggest one he has had in recent years."

"On the other hand, Xiaodie can reach the fourth level of Qi Refining in one or two months."

"One is stagnant, the other is advancing rapidly. There is no possibility of Xiaodie failing in the next encounter."

"As for feelings, Xiaodie has to experience them... Now, with me watching, no matter what happens, she won't suffer."

Hearing this, Shui Bo understood that Zhen Ji still firmly believed that Yan Lingdie could surpass Zhong Cang.

As for their prolonged contact, she saw it as a test.

Not only a test of their progress in cultivation, but also a test of Yan Lingdie's emotions.

After thinking for a moment, Shui Bo also felt that this was indeed the best for Yan Lingdie.

If Xiaodie didn't develop feelings for Zhong Cang, there was nothing more to say.

If she did, the lady who was constantly watching them could separate them at any time.

Although this might make Xiaodie sad, it would only be sadness and not a loss.

And it was impossible to completely prevent Xiaodie from interacting with men from outside.

After all, she was a canary raised in a cage, not a Flood Dragon that could freely swim in the clear sky and deep sea.

Yan Lingdie would always go out and explore.

Instead of letting her be deceived by some "bad" men during her travels, it was better to let her see the "ugly" side of some men in advance.

As for how to define "bad" and "ugly," it naturally couldn't be based on popular standards.

...

At the same time, the two people who thought this was a good idea subconsciously ignored one thing—Zhong Cang's reaction.

No, it couldn't be said that they ignored it, but rather they didn't care.

Whether it was Zhen Ji or Shui Bo, they didn't care if Zhong Cang would be injured in this trial, nor did they think he could escape the control of the Yan family.

Zhen Ji even thought that her daughter's contact with Zhong Cang would last at most two months.

After two months, the advanced Yan Lingdie would completely leave Zhong Cang behind.

(End of this chapter)