In the plot of the original story “Nine Heaven Summit,” the male protagonist Mu Cengxiao shone brilliantly at the sect assessment competition, stealing all the limelight and causing the previous first-place winner Hua Yue to become jealous. Not long after this, Mu Cengxiao went to Gufeng Mountain with the other inner sect disciples who had passed the assessment to gather herbs.

During the herb gathering process, Mu Cengxiao and Hua Yue got into a dispute. Hua Yue pursued and tried to kill Mu Cengxiao, and their fighting commotion disturbed a Crimson Fire Flood Dragon at a deep pool on the mountain. Seeing the situation turn bad, Hua Yue grabbed his sword and fled, while Mu Cengxiao was forced into a desperate situation and counter-killed that ferocious spiritual beast, gaining a massive wave of experience points. Not only that, he also took away the Crimson Fire Flood Dragon’s cub with him, raising it until it became a companion that fought alongside him.

The Crimson Fire Flood Dragon appeared multiple times in the original story later on, so this plot segment was quite important. It’s just that when Zanxing read this part back then, she couldn’t help but complain – this was killing someone’s mother and then squeezing out every last drop of blood! Did the Crimson Fire Flood Dragon know that Mu Cengxiao was its mother’s killer? How could they still fight side by side with this kind of relationship, still be companions? Wasn’t it disgusting?

However, now Mu Cengxiao hadn’t shone brilliantly at the sect assessment competition, and Hua Yue didn’t even seem to have noticed Mu Cengxiao’s existence. These two had no grudges between them, so they wouldn’t get into a dispute after entering the mountain, wouldn’t disturb that Crimson Fire Flood Dragon, and Mu Cengxiao wouldn’t gain an additional “battle companion.”

The main plotline seemed to have changed here.

Zanxing looked at her palm. It wasn’t an illusion – the flower-shaped red mark on her palm was indeed much deeper than what she had seen at noon in the dining hall.

Was it because the plot had its first divergence here?

She looked for a while, then withdrew her palm, drank all the tea in her cup in one gulp, and stood up.

If she didn’t change the plot, with this damned original storyline, sooner or later she would have to return to being that cannon fodder tool person. If she fought hard for it, perhaps she could still carve out a new path.

Since that was the case, she might as well take the gamble.

…

In a small wooden building next to the cliff edge, the terrace was covered with snow-white carpets, and the long table was filled with fine wine and fruits.

Although the dormitory buildings were all the same small wooden structures, their locations were different. This wooden building was right by the cliff edge. At night, moonlight spilled over, and clouds steamed and rose. If decorated with glazed lamp cups, it would be like the Nine Palaces of Penglai.

The wooden buildings were randomly assigned, but naturally, if one had spirit stones, disciples could also accommodate each other. This particular wooden building in this location was one that Hua Yue had exchanged for with the original disciple using three hundred spirit stones.

At this moment, he sat on the soft couch on the terrace, holding a cup in one hand and embracing a beauty with the other, his expression particularly satisfied.

Today, he had easily passed the sect assessment, so he was naturally in high spirits. Seeing the beauty in his arms looking worried, he couldn’t help but reach out to pinch her face and laugh: “No need to look so gloomy. I heard that Xuan Lingzi will be selecting a personal disciple soon. Once I become Xuan Lingzi’s disciple, my status in the Taiyan Sect will naturally be extraordinary. At that time, I’ll put in a few good words with the Sect Master, and you’ll be able to enter the inner sect.”

Duan Xiangrao raised her head, her gaze earnest: “Really?”

Hua Yue brought her hand close to his lips and kissed it: “Would I lie to you?”

Speaking of which, there were quite a few female disciples in the Taiyan Sect, and many were clear and refined, looking moving, but each one was extremely aloof, speaking indifferently. In comparison, someone like Duan Xiangrao, who was so charming and understanding, was more to his liking. Duan Xiangrao’s cultivation wasn’t low – originally, with her strength, passing the sect assessment should have been a sure thing. Who knew that at the crucial moment, Yang Zanxing would emerge as such a stomach-turning dark horse, making all her efforts go to waste.

“I’m truly unwilling to accept today’s events.” When Duan Xiangrao spoke of this matter, her tone became venomous. “One assessment, and she stole all the limelight!”

Hua Yue comforted her: “That ugly woman, even if she stole all the limelight, only made others aware of her ugliness. Why should you care?”

Duan Xiangrao leaned against his chest, her eyes darkening slightly as she said softly: “How could I care about having my limelight stolen? What I care about is you. I’m just a woman – having my limelight stolen is one thing, but what if Young Master Hua had your limelight stolen? What then?”

“Me?” Hua Yue sounded like he had heard an amusing joke. “By her? You underestimate me.”

Duan Xiangrao sat up straight and stared at Hua Yue: “I won’t hide it from you – I know Yang Zanxing. It was before the Lianshan Flower selection competition, when she came to participate with her fiancé. I heard Yang Zanxing’s fiancé mention that before arriving at Pingyang Town, Yang Zanxing’s cultivation had just reached the Refining Qi stage.”

“Refining Qi?” Hua Yue’s brow furrowed: “She’s now at Foundation Establishment First Level.”

“Exactly. Each breakthrough in cultivation takes at least several months, at most several years, and some even find it difficult to break through for decades or centuries. Yang Zanxing has an ordinary bone structure and no good teacher to guide her, so how could she progress so rapidly? Calling her a genius wouldn’t be excessive.” Duan Xiangrao guided him persuasively.

“You mean…” Hua Yue’s expression became grave.

“She must be hiding some secret. Perhaps she possesses a secret treasure, which allowed her to advance by leaps and bounds in such a short time.” Duan Xiangrao looked at Hua Yue with concern: “She’s currently at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, not as strong as you, but in a few more days, with the help of a secret treasure, she might be able to surpass you. Just as she was able to replace me as an inner sect disciple today, who knows if someday in the future she won’t replace you as a personal disciple?”

These words made Hua Yue’s face change dramatically. He suddenly slapped the table and stood up: “How outrageous!”

“Young Master Hua, please calm your anger.” Duan Xiangrao, timely, stood up and massaged his shoulders: “I was just speculating wildly – it can’t be taken seriously.”

“No, what you said makes sense.” Hua Yue raised his hand: “To advance three levels in such a short time – this woman is indeed suspicious.”

The corner of Duan Xiangrao’s mouth lifted slightly as she asked nonchalantly: “Then, Young Master Hua, what do you plan to do?”

“Simple. In three days, all newly admitted inner sect disciples will enter Gufeng Mountain to gather herbs.” A sinister glint flashed in Hua Yue’s eyes: “The mountain has many fierce beasts and demon flowers. If a new disciple accidentally encounters danger, it’s only natural.”

“Possessing a secret treasure, she still has to see if she can protect it.” He sneered coldly.

…

Zanxing had no idea that she had inexplicably gained another new enemy. After the sect assessment, the Taiyan Sect probably wanted to let the new disciples rest and recuperate, so they didn’t continue holding public classes. However, everyone was given a copy of “The Thousand Things Illustrated Guide of Gufeng Mountain” to familiarize themselves with and memorize. Zanxing opened it and looked – it recorded illustrated guides of various flowers, birds, insects, and beasts on Gufeng Mountain, probably prepared specifically to prevent new disciples from stepping on landmines.

Though it was called “thousand things,” there were actually over a thousand entries. Zanxing seized every moment to memorize for three straight days, finally managing to get a vague impression, though she couldn’t guarantee how long she could remember it. Cramming for exams at the last minute was never something to pin too much hope on.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed, and the day to enter the mountain arrived.