Chapter 61 - 26: A Change in Status, Everyone’s Respect

Chapter 61: Chapter 26: A Change in Status, Everyone’s Respect

The blunt and direct answer made Su Linyin falter. But she quickly composed herself and said calmly, "Are you aware, then, that the second assessment is based on a point system? With only ten spots available for the Inner Sect, the competition is already fierce. If you give your points to Dong Hao, you’ll have no chance of earning an ’excellent’ rating for yourself."

Jiang Xuan had, of course, already considered this. It was precisely why he had entertained the idea of becoming a Kitchen Apprentice. In the future, he could change his class to Gourmet and use Spiritual Food to cultivate without restraint, rapidly increasing his strength.

’As long as I’m strong enough, I can make it into the top ten even while carrying Dong Hao.’

Of course, Jiang Xuan wouldn’t voice these thoughts to anyone. Hearing Su Linyin’s words, he simply said, "My Talent is mediocre, and I have no powerful backer. Even if I didn’t give my points to Dong Hao, I doubt I could break into the top ten."

Su Linyin’s brow furrowed at his words, but she quickly adopted a serious expression. "Brother Jiang, you’re being too modest. In my opinion, you’re not just our equal—you far surpass us."

"We have our families’ resources backing us and even received early guidance on the Mystical Techniques of our Taoist Skills. That’s the only reason we were able to open thirty-six acupoints in just three to five days."

"But you, with no resources and no one to rely on, managed to catch up to us through sheer effort. That is the greatest proof of your astounding aptitude."

"Both my mother and I are certain that you have the strength to earn an ’excellent’ rating and enter the Inner Sect."

"Our Su Family feels a great sense of guilt over what happened to Uncle Jiang all those years ago, and we are willing to help you out." She didn’t try to hide anything, adding candidly, "Of course, we have our own selfish reasons for doing this as well."

"My mother hopes that once you enter the Inner Sect, you and I can support and look out for one another."

"..." Jiang Xuan said, "You flatter me."

Jiang Xuan didn’t believe a word she said.

In his eyes, Su Linyin was no different from Dong Hao. They both wanted to use his strength to propel themselves into the Inner Sect.

But Dong Hao had given him real, tangible help before. In fact, Dong Hao was responsible for half the effort that earned him his ’excellent’ rating. Jiang Xuan had to acknowledge that debt, which made it difficult to refuse him.

Su Linyin, on the other hand, had done nothing for him. He certainly wasn’t going to waste his own points and do all the work for someone else’s benefit just because of a few pretty words.

"I think my current cultivation pace is just fine."

With that, Jiang Xuan cupped his hands in a gesture of farewell, turned, and walked away.

To Jiang Xuan’s surprise, Su Linyin showed no sign of anger at his blunt refusal and departure. Instead, she seemed amused, waving at his retreating back and calling out, "Take care, Brother Jiang! I do hope you’ll reconsider my proposal."

Her composed, unhurried attitude was not what Jiang Xuan had expected at all. But given the nature of their relationship, he couldn’t very well turn around and question her about it.

While he couldn’t bring himself to ask, Zhou Lin, who had been standing by, had no such reservations. Gazing after Jiang Xuan’s distant figure, her heart churning with complicated feelings, she asked instinctively, "Miss, Jiang Xuan refused. What are we going to do now?"

"We don’t have to do anything," Su Linyin said.

"Huh?"

Seeing Zhou Lin’s surprised expression, Su Linyin gave a knowing smile. Her thoughts drifted back to the previous night and the conversation she’d had with her mother, Su Wanyi.

When she’d learned the day before that Jiang Xuan had received an "excellent" rating, she had been utterly shocked, unable to hide the look on her face. Upon returning home, her mother, Su Wanyi, had immediately noticed her lack of composure.

Upon hearing what Jiang Xuan had done, Su Wanyi had raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "It seems I’ve underestimated that boy."

But unlike Su Linyin’s disquiet, Su Wanyi had devised a complete strategy in a matter of moments. Today’s invitation was merely the first step of her plan.

Back then, just like Zhou Lin now, she couldn’t help but ask her mother what they should do if he refused the invitation.

"You don’t need to do anything." At the time, Su Wanyi, dressed in a black, palace-style gown, was leaning leisurely against a railing. "He has refused the Su Family’s attempts to recruit him many times in the past. I always assumed it was because he harbored a grudge against us. Now it seems he’s simply confident in his outstanding Talent and has a proud spirit, making him unwilling to serve under anyone."

"A person with such a proud and aloof nature, especially after just earning an ’excellent’ rating and being in the spotlight, would never accept an outcome where he helps Dong Hao get into the Inner Sect, only to fail himself."

"Without our invitation today, he would have had no other choice and might have had to just hold his nose and accept it."

"But we’ve given him an escape route. The closer the second assessment gets, the more anxious he’ll become."

"All we need to do now is wait..." She had casually plucked a few flowers from the edge of the pond and scattered them into the water, watching the petals drift with the current. Her tone was placid. "Of course, while we wait, we must also work on building a better relationship with him so he can see our sincerity. Just leave these things to me. You needn’t worry about it; just focus on your cultivation."

As she recalled this, Su Linyin’s cheeks grew warm, and a complicated look flashed in her eyes.

After hearing her mother’s scheme that day, her mind had been in turmoil, and she couldn’t help but ask one more question. "Mother, the plan is brilliant, but what if... what if Jiang Xuan still makes it into the top ten in the second assessment on his own?"

"Your mind is in turmoil." Su Wanyi had glanced at her coolly, her voice calm. "If your mind were clear, you would know that a lone boy who was ranked fortieth last time has absolutely no chance of breaking into the top ten. But if he does succeed... then we will have to change our approach. At that point, perhaps you could consider him..."