Little Junior Sister, We Can’t Handle This Grind Anymore - Chapter 2

Su Yanran, after all, was just a child of ten or so. Hearing Feng Qingran’s words, she stumbled back in fright.

Feng Qingran clenched her small fists tightly, struggling to suppress the overwhelming emotions surging within her. She was shocked by the sheer intensity of her own hatred.

I’m just a transmigrator. Even if the original Feng Qingran and Su Yanran had a bitter feud in the novel, none of that has happened to me. Why am I reacting so strongly?

Was it because she had fully immersed herself in the character?

Feng Qingran decided to put as much distance between herself and Su Yanran as possible. After all, in every story, the villainess and the female lead were natural enemies—nothing good ever came from them crossing paths.

She turned and walked out of the square. As a failed candidate, there was no reason for her to stay and waste time with Su Yanran.

But just as she took a few steps, Su Yanran’s timid voice called out from behind, “Sister… is there some misunderstanding between us?”

Feng Qingran ignored her and kept walking.

Seeing this, Su Yanran panicked. An instinctive feeling told her she couldn’t let Feng Qingran leave.

However, just as she was about to chase after her, a stern voice boomed across the square.

“All eliminated disciples, please leave the square immediately. Those who passed the exam, remain calm—the sect leaders are on their way.”

After the announcement, the examiner motioned for Su Yanran to stand beside him.

As the top scorer of the exam and a rare ice spirit root wielder, Su Yanran was a hot commodity every sect wanted to snatch. Naturally, he had to secure her first.

Su Yanran hesitated for a moment before walking over, but an inexplicable sense of loss weighed heavily on her.

Once outside the square, Feng Qingran felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

See? Staying alive means staying far away from the female lead!

But as she looked at the road ahead, she hesitated. Even if she avoided Su Yanran, as long as she held onto the jade bracelet, the female lead would come after her sooner or later.

If she wanted to stand against Su Yanran, she had to step onto the path of cultivation.

Right now, her only option was to become a rogue cultivator.

While she wasn’t short on resources, going rogue meant risking her life at every turn.

Damn it!

Rejecting her felt great in the moment, but now I’m screwed.

Just as Feng Qingran was lost in thought, a face suddenly appeared right in front of hers.

“Little girl, I see extraordinary bone structure in you—perfect to be my personal disciple. How about coming back to the Lingyun Sect with me?”

The man looked to be in his thirties, with handsome features, a wine gourd hanging at his waist, and slightly disheveled hair—as if he’d just woken up from a nap.

Feng Qingran racked her brain but couldn’t recall any mention of a “Lingyun Sect” in the novel.

“Uncle, I have a five-element spirit root. I can’t even sense spiritual energy, let alone absorb it.”

The five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) were in constant conflict. No matter which element she tried to cultivate, the opposing ones would dissipate the energy.

In cultivation terms:

• • A single spirit root was the best, called a Celestial Spirit Root.

• • Dual spirit roots were next, called Earth Spirit Roots.

• • Three made a Mystic Spirit Root.

• • Four were Yellow Spirit Roots.

• • And five? That was basically a dead end—no sect would take her.

At least she had the jade bracelet, which contained a cultivation method specifically for five-element spirit roots. She needed to find a secluded spot to bind it as soon as possible.

When Ye Wentian heard “five-element spirit root,” he activated his Heavenly Eye to inspect Feng Qingran.

The more he looked, the more shocked he became.

How could such a monstrous talent exist in the lower realm?!

“I’ll take you! Let’s do the apprenticeship ceremony now!” Ye Wentian practically vibrated with excitement, as if afraid she’d slip away.

Feng Qingran: ???

This guy screams “scammer.”

Do cultivation worlds have con artists too?

She took a small step back, ready to bolt.

Misreading her hesitation, Ye Wentian doubled down. “Little girl, even if you never reach Foundation Establishment, Lingyun Sect will never cast you out. You can stay until your natural lifespan ends!”

“Plus, with you, our sect would only have ten members total. Simple relationships, no strict rules—and your senior brothers and sisters are all kind-hearted. They won’t fight you for resources…”

(Cultivators only truly embarked on the immortal path after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, which extended their lifespan to 500 years.)

Feng Qingran grew even warier. Nothing in life comes this easy. A sect with only nine members offering such terms?

This has to be a scam ring.

Ye Wentian noticed her edging away and panicked, thinking his offers weren’t enticing enough.

“Little disciple, name your conditions! Anything!” His eyes practically sparkled.

“You’re really willing to take in someone with a five-element spirit root?” Feng Qingran tested.

Thinking she lacked confidence in her talent, Ye Wentian hesitated. How do I explain she actually has a Supreme Immortal Spirit Root?

The lower realm’s method of testing spirit roots was wrong. The correct classification was based on purity—the higher the purity, the greater the talent.

The proper rankings were:

• • Low-grade

• • Mid-grade

• • High-grade

• • Supreme-grade

• • Saint-grade

• • Divine-grade

Moreover, spirit root grades could be improved later through certain methods.

And his potential disciple was even more special—she had a Heavenly Moon Saint Body. Paired with a Supreme Immortal Spirit Root, her cultivation speed would be terrifying.

Of course, the more spirit roots one had, the more painful and prolonged the Qi Refining stage would be. But once she broke through to Foundation Establishment, her path would be smooth sailing.

“Little disciple, cultivation is about defying the heavens. Poor talent isn’t your fault—as long as you work hard, the future is limitless! Take the Inkbrush Sage, for example. He ascended relying solely on his unpredictable talismans, and he didn’t even have a spirit root!”

Feng Qingran smiled sweetly. “Uncle, who’s the Inkbrush Sage?”

Ye Wentian froze.

Shit. Wrong continent. The Inkbrush Sage isn’t from this world!

“The Inkbrush Sage ascended centuries ago—it’s normal you haven’t heard of him. But our sect’s boundary tablet has talismans drawn by him. Here, look!” He pulled out a golden token, continuing his bluff.

Feng Qingran’s expression shifted slightly.

That token… looks familiar.