C3 The Peerless Talent Lu Xueqi

Hahaha!

The sun shone brilliantly, illuminating the vibrant red flowers and lush green grass. I, full of joy, ran forward, my feet treading over the verdant mountains.

Chen Feng sang as he made his way with purpose.

"Today, I'm off to Essence Opening City to recruit a few disciples and complete the system mission. Then, it's back to the sect for some strategic development."

Chen Feng moved swiftly, but without a Movement Martial Skill, he had to run in bursts.

"Host, let go of that fantasy. If you're aiming to develop stealthily, you're capped at a hundred years."

The system's voice came through, tinged with a mocking tone.

"I am a once-in-an-eon genius, the unrivaled number one on this small continent. It's laughable!"

Chen Feng boasted, undeterred by the system's commentary.

"Ding!"

"Ahead is a target of exceptional talent. It is recommended that you take them as your personal disciple and provide careful instruction. This will ensure the prosperity of your sect for millennia!"

Chen Feng, strolling leisurely, jumped at the sudden alert from the system.

His eyes sparkled with excitement. A personal disciple, the key to a millennium of prosperity—how extraordinary! Chen Feng scanned the area, his attention drawn by a commotion ahead.

"Big brother, check out that girl. She's stunning—I've never seen anyone so beautiful in my whole life."

The warrior with the black towel on his head leered to his companion, who wore a green towel. For ease, they referred to each other as Black Towel and Green Towel.

Green Towel paid no mind to Black Towel, instead fixating on the girl across from him, nodding incessantly with a droplet of saliva at the corner of his mouth and a sleazy grin plastered on his face.

Chen Feng, concealed behind a tree, saw the girl just as Black Towel had described. Clad in white, her skin outshone the snow, her eyes as pure as spring water, her beauty surpassing that of famed TV stars. Though she appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen, her unique presence was utterly mesmerizing.

"This girl is extraordinary."

Chen Feng sensed a profound coldness emanating from her.

Chen Feng's mind buzzed as the system relayed information directly to him.

Name: Lu Xueqi (Peerless Talent)

Skills: None

Strength: Body Refining Peak

Physique: Profound Ice Cold Body

Potential: Bone Root: 10 (Maximum: 10)

Wisdom: 10 (Maximum: 10)

Predestined Blessing: 9 (Maximum: 10)

Willpower: 9 (Maximum: 10)

Note: Originating from one of the Four Great Holy Lands, the Ice Snow Holy Land, she is the current Holy Maiden. However, her cultivation has been crippled for unknown reasons. The host is advised to welcome her into the sect for dedicated guidance.

"The host should consider taking her as a disciple. She has the potential to safeguard the prosperity of the Profound Heaven Sect for millennia," the system advised Chen Feng.

"With a Bone Root and Wisdom both at 10, she's bound to become a formidable figure as long as she survives. The Ice Snow Holy Land's loss is my gain," Chen Feng mused, comparing her impressive Bone Root score to his own, which was a mere 9. The Profound Ice Cold Body was an added bonus, signaling her extraordinary capabilities.

"Beauty, why not join us on the mountain and become my chief consort? I promise you a life of luxury and pleasure," the man with the green scarf said as he approached Lu Xueqi, his hands rubbing together eagerly, barely containing his desire to leap at her.

The man in black robes egged him on, "My elder brother is a renowned powerhouse in this region. It's an honor for him to take notice of you."

"Scram, or face death!" Lu Xueqi's voice was laced with a chilling menace, a frigid aura emanating from her.

The two men, one in black and the other in green, were momentarily taken aback but quickly regained their composure. They couldn't possibly be intimidated by a young girl.

"Darling, don't refuse the toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. If you start something and accidentally slip, it could end badly."

The two men drew their long swords from their waists, smirking at Lu Xueqi, a girl of merely sixteen or seventeen. How formidable could she be? They thought to themselves, being well-known figures around Essence Opening City, one at the fourth level and the other at the fifth level of the Body Refining Stage, they should be more powerful than this young girl.

Lu Xueqi didn't bother with words. The chill in the air around her intensified, the biting cold slowly enveloping both the man in the black scarf and his companion in the green scarf. Even Chen Feng, watching from a distance, felt the cold seeping in, much less the two men.

"Big brother, this is getting tough. Maybe we should get out of here," the man in the black scarf suggested, shivering as the coldness grew and frost formed on his eyebrows.

The man in the green scarf also shuddered, a trace of fear creeping into his heart. He thought to himself, 'What kind of monster is this, and how can she be so terrifying?'

"Let's make a run for it!" shouted the man in the green scarf, turning on his heel to flee, fearing he'd be frozen there if he didn't move quickly.

The man in the black scarf hesitated for a moment, then also turned and ran, calling out, "Big brother, wait for me!"

Lu Xueqi watched them go, feeling no urge to pursue. Two mere ants at the Body Refining Stage were hardly worth her attention. She turned to where Chen Feng was hiding and called out coldly, "How long do you plan to skulk in the shadows?"

The coldness radiating from Lu Xueqi intensified, and with a flick of her wrist, a long sword exuding a frosty aura materialized in her hand.

Chen Feng ducked his head, marveling at the sword that appeared from thin air. "Truly a Peerless Talent from the Ice Snow Holy Land, even possessing a storage ring," he mused.

Storage rings were exceedingly rare, with only a handful in the entire Purple Chu Kingdom. Even storage bags, though not as convenient as storage rings, were scarce and prized for their ability to hold items.

"I mean no harm; there's no need for alarm," Chen Feng announced, straightening his robe and stepping forward to approach Lu Xueqi.

Despite Chen Feng's emergence, Lu Xueqi maintained her guard. She appraised him cautiously, sensing that the man before her was like an unsheathed sword, emanating an aura of latent danger.

Chen Feng straightened his sect leader's robe and stepped out, walking slowly toward Lu Xueqi. As she watched him approach, her guard remained up, scrutinizing Chen Feng with a cautious eye. She could sense a palpable threat emanating from him, like an unsheathed sword ready to strike.

"I didn't expect to find such a genius as yourself in Essence Opening City," Lu Xueqi said coolly, her hand deftly slipping the sword back into her storage ring.

"Our paths have crossed for a reason. I've come here today to offer you an opportunity. I am willing to take you as my personal disciple. Would you accept?" Chen Feng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor calm and detached, resembling a sage from beyond this world.

Lu Xueqi let out a laugh, bright and clear as if a myriad of flowers were blossoming at once. Chen Feng found himself nearly entranced by her beauty; he hadn't expected the first woman he'd meet in this world to be so stunning.

Quickly regaining his composure, Chen Feng knew better than to continue gazing at her, lest he risk angering her and jeopardizing the mission the system had assigned him.

"You? Worthy?" Lu Xueqi's face was etched with scorn.

"Lu Xueqi, once the Saintess of the Ice Snow Holy Land, if you wish to reclaim your past glory, you must accept me as your master. I can grant you a transformational fortune, and on this continent, only I am fit to be your teacher."

Chen Feng knew he had to play the part convincingly to have any hope of taking such a Peerless Talent as his disciple. The geniuses from the larger realms were notoriously proud; they would not easily consider someone from a less significant place.

"Who are you?" Lu Xueqi demanded, her face clouding with suspicion. She wondered if he was an assassin sent by the Holy Land, her expression turning deadly.

Her long sword reappeared in her hand, and she lunged at Chen Feng with a swift, decisive thrust. The blade's icy gleam cut through the air, a chill threatening to engulf Chen Feng. But her speed, though impressive, was no match for Chen Feng's. As a cultivator at the Body Refining Peak and a Peerless Talent who had mastered both Sword Intent and Jianxin, he was quicker still.

With a swift motion, Chen Feng caught the sword's tip between two fingers, channeling his spiritual energy to dispel the cold. He offered her a faint smile and introduced himself, "I am Chen Feng, Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Sect from Kunlun Mountain. You need not fear; I am not your enemy, and I have no ties to the Ice Snow Holy Land."

With a deft pinch, Chen Feng caught the tip of the sword between two fingers, circulating the spiritual energy within his body to dispel the chill. He offered a slight smile and said, "I am Chen Feng, the Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Sect from Kunlun Mountain. I know your skills are not extraordinary, so there's no need for concern. I have no connection whatsoever with the Ice Snow Holy Land."

Lu Xueqi was taken aback. She hadn't employed any Movement Martial Skill, yet it seemed impossible that her sword could be caught so effortlessly. The man before her was clearly no ordinary individual; his power was indeed fearsome.

She was familiar with sects above Grade Three on the Holy Profound Continent, so perhaps the Profound Heaven Sect was below that level? Considering this was the South Domain, it made sense. Besides, Essence Opening City only housed Grade Seven Sects. How powerful could the Profound Heaven Sect really be?

"You wish to take me as your personal disciple, but I'm afraid you're not qualified."

Lu Xueqi sheathed her long sword, choosing not to attack again. This man's strength was beyond her current ability to contend with. It was wiser to ascertain his intentions before making any further plans.

Chen Feng let out a hearty laugh and said scornfully, "Ignorance! Do you think you're impressive just because you're the Holy Maiden of the Ice Snow Holy Land? The Ice Snow Holy Land is considered sacred, yet its strongest is merely a saint. You underestimate the South Domain, but are you aware of its former glory?"

Chen Feng calmly regarded Lu Xueqi before continuing, "Ten thousand years ago, the South Domain was the main battlefield of a great war. The Almighty shattered the Spirit Vein of the South Domain and disrupted its laws, causing the spiritual energy here to dwindle over time. This led to the South Domain's decline. There was a time when its prosperity rivaled that of Central State."

"There is a divine mountain in the South Domain, known as Kunlun Mountain, a sacred place of the Holy Profound Continent. In Ancient Times, Kunlun Mountain was the forefather of all mountains, the origin of the Dragon Vein. Back then, it was a haven for the mighty, home to several Great Monarchs and even more Sages."

"And what does Kunlun Mountain have to do with you?"

The Ice Snow Holy Land, as a peak sect of the continent, indeed possessed countless treasures. The great war that occurred ten thousand years ago did indeed take place in the South Domain. It was a time when the skies were filled with sacred blood, and many experts fell. With only a few saints remaining, Lu Xueqi found herself believing at least some of Chen Feng's account.

Chen Feng, fixing his gaze on Lu Xueqi, knew that his plan was halfway to success. With a little more effort, he felt he would achieve his goal. He couldn't help but admire his own quick thinking; having read many transmigration novels, he was familiar with the typical plots and knew how to keep his story vague yet convincing.

"Kunlun Mountain is the location of the Profound Heaven Sect, and the Profound Heaven Sect is the training ground of the Western Mother Queen, who was the ruler of Kunlun Mountain in ancient times," Chen Feng stated earnestly.

"What!" Lu Xueqi's face was a picture of disbelief. If the Kunlun Mountain was home to such Almighties, how powerful must its master be?

Chen Feng nodded slightly. "Indeed. Would you be willing to join my sect and become my personal disciple, accepting the teachings of Kunlun Mountain?"

Lu Xueqi, weighing Chen Feng's words, considered the truth of his claims. She decided it might be best to join first and determine the truth later—if it turned out to be false, she could always leave.

She nodded to Chen Feng and agreed, "I will."

Chen Feng, observing Lu Xueqi's expression, clearly understood her intentions. He was well aware of her thoughts and had his own calculations. Once he taught her the Tendon Altering Marrow Cleansing Sutra and the Basic Sword Spell, she would have no choice but to believe. After all, not even one or two Heaven Grade Cultivation Method secret manuals could be found in the Holy Land, which would surely demonstrate the profound depth of the Profound Heaven Sect.

"Very well, I now accept you as my personal disciple. Welcome to the Profound Heaven Sect. Treasure this opportunity," Chen Feng announced.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations to the host for completing the second mission: How can a powerful sect lack outstanding disciples? Recruit one personal disciple within one month."

"Mission reward: Unlock the sect's Merchant Shop and 100 points."

The System Merchant Shop opened.

"Congratulations to the host for completing a hidden mission: Only a non-Peerless Talent is allowed to become the host's personal disciple."

"Task Reward: The personal disciple will receive an exclusive cultivation method. Top Talents will receive a Holy Grade Cultivation Method, and Peerless Talents will receive a God Grade Cultivation Method. The reward for Demon Talents is unknown."

"Congratulations to the host for obtaining Lu Xueqi's Exclusive Cultivation Method, Profound Cold Divine Ice Sutra (Exclusive to Lu Xueqi)"

Chen Feng paused for a moment as the System's notifications continued, then burst into laughter. The System was truly formidable.

Cultivation Method: Profound Cold Divine Ice Sutra (Exclusive to Lu Xueqi)

Level: God Grade

Attributes: Embodies the Three Thousand Great Dao of Ice, capable of evolving the Profound Ice Cold Body into the Profound Ice Divine Body, with the ultimate achievement being the status of Great Monarch.

Chen Feng, looking at the description, was truly astounded. Any one of the Three Thousand Great Dao could lead to sainthood, and at its pinnacle, one could become a Great Monarch. He mused cheerfully, "This cultivation method seems to have been custom-made for Lu Xueqi." However, Chen Feng wasn't ready to pass it on to Lu Xueqi just yet. He planned to observe her for a while longer and wait until she broke through to the Golden Core Stage before imparting it. The Tendon Altering Marrow Cleansing Sutra was more than sufficient for now.

The System had unlocked another feature: the Merchant Shop. Chen Feng was curious about what it contained.

"System, open the Merchant Shop function."

A vast array of items unfolded before him, visible only to Chen Feng. Lu Xueqi, standing beside him, noticed nothing out of the ordinary, only that the Sect Master seemed to be grinning foolishly. She couldn't help but wonder whether joining this sect had been a wise decision.

Chen Feng was amazed by the variety of items available:

Pangu Axe: 100,000,000 points

Immortal Execution Sword: 66,000,000 points

Hao Tian Tower: 30,000,000 points

Tai Chi Diagram: 88,000,000 points

...

Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art: 8,888,888 points

Sun Scripture: 8,888,888 points

...

Among the items was the Dugu Sword Technique, which he had seen before, priced at 1,000,000 points, and the Marrow Cleansing Pill for 20,000 points.

Chen Feng glanced at his meager 100 points and felt a pang of despair. What could he possibly afford with that?