After the test was over, Ling Huang naturally dismantled the barrier.

"You did amazing, junior brother. Congratulations," Liu Sisi walked over, her expression proud. She seemed even more excited than Ning, who had passed the test.

"I just got lucky," Ning meant it. The majority of the plants that his master had asked to identify were not anything new, and for those that were, Ning just winged it using his cliché trope knowledge, which in hindsight probably saved his skin.

Plus, Ning always considered himself lucky. Anyone who could transmigrate would obviously not be unlucky. Otherwise, they would not have obtained such an opportunity in the first place.

Still, it seems ever since I got the lotus in my palm, I have been feeling particularly lucky...

Ning narrowed his eyes, before glancing at another senior of his.

"Hmph! I guess you at least have some skills. Especially since you were able to stun even master. It's the first time I have seen him so dumbfounded." Xia Zemin couldn't help but let out a low chuckle, remembering the wide-eyed look of his master.

It was a treat seeing his master, who always seemed so knowledgeable, be stumped, especially in that very questionable manner.

I guess I could accept this new junior.

Of course, instead of saying what he thought, in a classic arrogant guy manner, he spoke with a huff, "At least it seems you won't drag master's name down with your incompetence."

Liu Sisi snickered. "Well, I feel that someone who failed in their first test doesn't qualify to say so."

"Y-You..." Xia Zemin's face turned red upon hearing that.

"Both of you, stop bickering and learn from your junior brother. He got higher scores than both of you by a landslide during your tests. Focus on studying more rather than always fighting," Ling Huang couldn't stand it anymore and stopped his two unruly disciples.

Ning, on the other hand, experienced the feeling of being the neighbor's kid, whom your Asian parents often compare you to.

Seeing the dark faces of his seniors, Ning felt somewhat good...

"For now, Sisi and fourth, both of you can go to your residence."

Hearing that, Ning and Liu Sisi departed, saying, "As per the master's wish."

Before closing the door, Ning could hear some voices.

"Second, it seems your courage has grown a lot since you have been away from sect. You can even make fun of me. Come, let's see how you have been progressing..."

"U-umm, Master. I suddenly had a bout of insight. I want to go to ponder upon it..."

"Hehe."

The last thing Ning heard was the sadistic laugh of his master.

...

"So, what did you get for your reward, junior brother?" Liu Sisi couldn't help but ask.

"It's this." Ning handed the token and explained the reward.

"Hmm. I see. There was indeed a genius surnamed Luo who was said to have mastered the sutra." Even though Liu Sisi seemed like an airhead, she was unexpectedly knowledgeable about various matters regarding the sect.

"Where is the senior Luo then?" Ning was curious. After all, someone like that should be in a high enough position.

"He died." Just these two words sobered him up.

"Relying on his genius, that guy provoked someone strong, and ultimately was killed."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Ning sighed upon hearing that. Unless one was the protagonist, there was only one outcome of provoking someone strong without the corresponding strength, and that was death.

Protagonist syndrome is dangerous indeed...

"Junior brother, you don't need to worry too much. After all, our master may not look like it, but he is quite strong. So, even if you provoke someone, they would give some face to the master." Seeing Ning lost in thought, Liu Sisi also comforted her junior.

"Moreover, your senior sister is still here."

Ning was surprised to hear that. It seemed even though Liu Sisi was small, she was weak, and acted a bit silly, she could still look like a reliable senior sometimes.

"Well, I will rely on my senior sister then." Ning nodded seriously.

After getting along for a month, it was not hard for Ning to see that this senior sister of his had an extraordinary background.

A mortal who had not awakened her spiritual roots but could still be accepted as a disciple of a renowned alchemist damn well spoke volumes of her true background. Especially since he knew that this senior sister was rich and had quite a few mid-grade spiritual stones to spend...

Still, it's not like he was planning to offend anyone anytime soon. That was the job of the protagonist.

"That's good then." Liu Sisi smiled.

Then she turned around and spoke with a sweet smile, "Also, junior brother, did you just think something bad just now?"

"How could that be?"

...

Since it was his first time going so far from the sect, Ning prepared his recovery pills, tents, poisons, weapons, and light armor for good measure.

Looking in the mirror, Ning was satisfied. His robe hid the armor pretty well, and it was not as uncomfortable as he thought it would be.

It was just light armor, but it was still quite durable. Plus, it was better than nothing.

It was only basic etiquette to gear up to go anywhere in this world. After all, this world was quite dangerous.

...

I take it back.

This world was not just 'quite' dangerous but incredibly dangerous.

Red Horn Town was south of the Pure Qi sect at a distance of 200 miles. And the journey was far from the ease he had imagined it to be.

Along the way, Ning was attacked several times by low-level monsters. While strong monsters usually had a certain area they resided in, low-level monsters were often vagabonds who attacked anything that passed by.

Oh, how he missed not dealing with constant ambushes and just skipping all the bullshit trying to kill him.

But alas, it was not meant to be.

Ning was frankly tired of the endless horde of monsters. Even with Turtle Breathing, some keen beasts still managed to spot him and initiate a duel.

Although it was not entirely without respite.

As they say with trials come tribulations, and with tribulations comes improvement, and during his journey, he was able to improve his proficiency in Bone Forging Fist to the great accomplishment level, so that was an unexpected gain.

It took Ning two days to arrive at Red Horn Town using Shadow Steps to its fullest. He could have arrived faster, but the encounters with various animals delayed him.

Around a hundred years ago, a small spiritual spring appeared in this place. It attracted quite a lot of attention because a spiritual spring with an aura meant that there might be something special hidden here.

Unfortunately, when someone from the sect came to check up on this spring, they found nothing.

In the end, the Pure Qi sect let an inner sect disciple preside over the spiritual spring. After all, it was better than nothing.

Just like that, the Luo family was born. After a generation's worth of effort, they cultivated a twenty-acre spiritual field near the spiritual spring.

Normally, this family would become just another cultivation family under the sect, but with the appearance of the genius surnamed Luo, they also gained a period of fame that eventually amounted to nothing.

The information about the town came to his mind as he walked around spotting a naturally formed rock that resembled a red horn.

At least, now I know where the name comes from...

Besides that, the town appeared quite normal. Just for good measure, Ning walked around and asked some questions here and there about the Luo Family and the situation of the town as a whole.

Ning also finally confirmed everything was normal in the town. So ignoring those weird gazes that he was getting, he finally came to the main residence of the Luo family.

"Excuse me, can you tell your patriarch that an inner sect disciple of the Pure Qi sect has come to pay his respect?" Ning politely asked the guard.

After all, he was the one who needed the help of the family. It would not be wise to provoke them.

"I-I see. I will quickly call the lord." The guard seemed flustered seeing the inner sect token, as he hurriedly walked inside.

Ning nodded.

It wasn't long before a middle-aged man appeared out of the door in a hurry and said something incomprehensible.

"We have been waiting for you."

Huh?