With matters of a pure heart, Liu Daoyuan wasn't particularly concerned.

What he valued more was one's aptitude for cultivation.

"How is this young man's aptitude?" Liu Daoyuan asked.

Jian Jiu didn't speak, simply gesturing for Liu Daoyuan to investigate for himself.

Liu Daoyuan placed his palm above Li Qinghai's chest, allowing strands of spiritual energy to descend.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Liu Daoyuan's frown deepened.

"Five-element mixed spiritual roots." Liu Daoyuan withdrew his hand, shaking his head slightly.

"Jian Jiu, even if this young man has good character, he will ultimately struggle to achieve greatness. Even if you pour resources into him, he will only barely reach Foundation Establishment in his lifetime."

"I invited the sect master here to ask you to pass on the secret technique to him."

"Secret technique?" Liu Daoyuan was momentarily stunned, then immediately refused.

"Impossible, that secret technique is an unparalleled legacy brought back by the founder from the upper realm, it cannot be easily passed on to an unknown boy."

"Sect master, while the secret technique is indeed precious and rare, it is only suitable for cultivation by those with five-element spiritual roots. No one in the sect has been able to master it. Wouldn't it be better to let him try than to let it gather dust in a secret chamber? As for the boy's background, you can rest assured, I, Jian Jiu, have a good eye for people."

*Cough cough cough...*

Jian Jiu spoke with urgency, aggravating his internal injuries, causing him to cough violently, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Liu Daoyuan's heart softened, and he sighed helplessly.

"Jian Jiu, I naturally trust you. But the matter of passing on the secret technique is of great importance and not something I can decide alone. Can I observe this young man for a while?"

"Of course, no problem." Jian Jiu smiled slightly, full of confidence in Li Qinghai.

"Your injuries?" Liu Daoyuan shifted the topic, showing concern.

"From battling with Yin Laomo, my foundation is somewhat damaged. I need to retreat for a while. I entrust this young man to you, senior brother."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Liu Daoyuan pondered slightly, "He is, after all, of mixed spiritual root aptitude. If I give him special attention, it might attract unwanted attention, which wouldn't be good for the boy. According to sect rules, he should be placed in the outer sect as a servant."

"Endure hardship to become a superior person. There's no problem with that, I believe he can overcome it."

"Very well, let it be so."

***

After a few pleasantries, Liu Daoyuan left.

Returning to his mountain peak, he sat in a chair, frowning slightly, seemingly pondering something.

At this moment, a five or six-year-old girl ran over.

The little girl had two pigtails, bouncing like two rattles as she ran, lively and adorable.

"Father, why did you sneak out without me? It's so boring staying on the mountain alone. When can I go down the mountain to train?"

Looking at the girl before him, Liu Daoyuan felt both fondness and helplessness.

She was always clamoring to go down the mountain to train, which gave him a headache.

With her innocent demeanor, she might even help count money if someone sold her.

He needed to find something for her to do.

Suddenly, Liu Daoyuan's eyes lit up.

Jian Jiu had just entrusted that young man to him, and as the sect master and a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, he couldn't personally watch over an outer disciple.

He was just thinking of finding a suitable disciple to secretly observe and assess the boy's character.

Now he could let his daughter do it.

"Father, what are you thinking about? I'm talking to you." The little girl pouted, dissatisfied.

"Yaoyao, Father has a fun task for you." Liu Daoyuan said with a smile.

"What task?"

"Go spy on a young man, see what he's doing, and report back to me."

Liu Yaoyao blinked, finding it interesting, and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, which young man, where is he?"

"Let me ask your Uncle Jian Jiu."

Liu Daoyuan took out a sound transmission token, "Jian Jiu, where did you place that young man?"

Soon, Jian Jiu's voice came from the token.

"Outer sect, Green Bamboo Residence."

Liu Daoyuan smiled slightly; Jian Jiu indeed valued that young man highly.

Though Green Bamboo Residence was in the outer area, it was close to the inner area.

Its spiritual energy concentration made it one of the best cultivation spots in the outer area.

Liu Daoyuan turned to Liu Yaoyao.

"You heard that, right? At Green Bamboo Residence. Go check it out when you have time, but remember not to expose yourself, remember..."

"Got it, I know."

Liu Yaoyao turned and ran off, disappearing in a flash.

Liu Daoyuan shook his head helplessly; he hadn't even finished speaking.

But there was no need to give too many instructions. After all, in the sect, no one would dare harm Liu Yaoyao.

***

At this moment.

In Green Bamboo Residence.

Li Qinghai lay quietly on a wooden bed.

Then, his eyes moved slightly and slowly opened.

"Where is this?"

Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, Li Qinghai muttered.

Suddenly, Li Qinghai remembered something, his eyes widening.

"Wait, I'm not dead?!"

Li Qinghai sat up abruptly, patting his limbs and feeling his body.

His limbs were intact.

His body was healthy.

Li Qinghai was dumbfounded.

He muttered to himself in a daze.

"How am I not dead?"

"This isn't scientific?"

"Wasn't that Yin Laomo supposed to be powerful?"

Hmm?

The Book of Good Fortune seemed to have unread text.

Li Qinghai sensed it.

On the fourth page, a few lines of text appeared.

[You survived a great battle, your luck is extraordinary.]

[Your cycle of fortune has changed.]

[In your next reincarnation, you will gain the fortune of the Child of Destiny!]

What the heck?

Child of Destiny?

Isn't that the protagonist's halo?

I need to die immediately.

Li Qinghai's excited heart, trembling hands.

His eyes darted around, looking for something to end his life.

But he quickly calmed down.

Because he suddenly remembered, suicide would result in soul annihilation...

What's that?

Li Qinghai saw some items on a small wooden table not far away.

He jumped off the bed, walked to the table, and examined them one by one.

A manual, "Qi Condensing Technique."

A Spirit Stone, low grade.

A bottle of pills, Fasting Pills.

An identity token, one side inscribed with Azure Cloud Sect, the other with Outer Disciple.

And a set of outer disciple clothing.

Li Qinghai had read many cultivation novels.

Seeing these items, he immediately made a judgment.

Not only was he not dead, but he had been brought back to the sect by a cultivator.

Outer disciple?

That meant his aptitude was poor.

But that wasn't a problem.

Once he died, in the next life, he'd have the blessing of the Child of Destiny.

Starting off ahead of the pack, what could other cultivators compare with?

Since he was in the sect, dying would be easy.

I'll just provoke a big shot outside and let them slap me to death.

Li Qinghai chuckled.

Just as he was about to leave.

Suddenly, the Book of Good Fortune reacted again.