"Hey, don’t look at me like that; I’m serious! Hehe, what do you think of my sister? She's a super beauty! If you're interested, I can help you out!" The little girl with a ponytail pointed her chin toward a big tree, devouring one of Ding Sheng's meat pies in a few bites, her chubby hands swiftly grabbing a second one.

Ding Sheng was speechless.

This little girl was quite peculiar.

To be honest, Ding Sheng had helped because he couldn't stand Li Yilin's arrogance, but it was also the mysterious girl's beautiful, determined eyes and the fragile bond of the two sisters that tugged at his heartstrings, reminding him of the hardships he and Ding Ke'er had endured together. That’s why he had risked himself under the banner of the Sword Asking Sect.

However, Ding Sheng did not hold much hope for the mysterious girl passing the Sword Asking Sect's test.

She had no martial arts foundation and was extremely frail, far weaker than Ding Sheng had been in the past. She had almost no chance of succeeding.

In just five days, the fate of these sisters might turn even more tragic.

As they spoke, a gentle footstep approached from behind. The mysterious girl had finished cleaning herself in the puddle, wearing Ding Sheng's long robe, and walked barefoot out from behind the tree.

Ding Sheng instinctively turned around and was stunned.

Approaching him was an extraordinarily beautiful girl.

Her hair, once tangled and dirty like a wild grass patch, was now sleek and black, cascading down to her waist, droplets of water glistening at the ends, reflecting colorful hues. Her face was as pale as the most perfect white jade, and although slightly gaunt, it could not conceal a beauty that could "make a city fall with a smile, a nation with a laugh."

Since Ding Sheng's robe was slightly oversized, it revealed an inch of her white, flawless skin at the collar, and her delicate collarbone was as perfect as jade without a single blemish.

The gray robe masked her scars, while her bare feet dazzled, with perfectly shaped toes and elegantly curved ankles and calves, lightly treading on the soft green grass, creating a scene that seemed otherworldly.

Ding Sheng considered himself to have strong self-control, but at that moment, he couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

Seeing Ding Sheng’s astonished expression, the mysterious girl’s eyes flickered with a hint of delight.

“Big brother, big brother…” The little girl, Miaomiao, giggled, waving her chubby little finger in front of Ding Sheng's eyes with a mischievous look, “You’re so lecherous, your drool is about to fall to the ground!”

“Uh…” Ding Sheng finally snapped back to reality.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The mysterious girl gracefully approached and slightly bowed to Ding Sheng, her red lips parting, “Thank you, kind sir, for saving me and for the clothing.” As she spoke, her slender fingers playfully tapped Miaomiao’s forehead, teasing her, “You little rascal, always so naughty!”

Miaomiao, pouting and rubbing her forehead, squinted and teased, “Sister, this isn’t like you, who never shows any warmth to other men!”

This little girl was simply an extraordinarily precocious little imp.

After that, they sat quietly by the washing pool for a while.

Ding Sheng explained in detail the process of the Sword Asking Sect's recruitment ceremony set for three days later. Before leaving, he handed over all his food to the sisters, thought for a moment, and left them fifty taels of silver, saying, “If you want to join the Sword Asking Sect, it won't be easy. Keep this silver for emergencies. When you go up the mountain, rent a house in the front and prepare well.”

Having said that, Ding Sheng turned to leave.

A chance meeting could be considered fate, but he was just a mere servant and could only help the two unfortunate sisters to this extent.

The mysterious girl was indeed stunningly beautiful, but Ding Sheng wasn’t the type to be captivated by a pretty face. He was focused on becoming stronger, reaching the pinnacle, and mastering his own fate, so he had no ulterior motives toward the girl.

This straightforward farewell left the sisters looking at him with newfound respect.

Miaomiao's large eyes sparkled with curiosity.

The mysterious girl gazed at Ding Sheng’s departing figure, hesitating to speak, and finally softly said, “Sir, my name is Xie Yu.”

Even she didn’t know why she had shared her name with a stranger she had only met once.

Ding Sheng paused slightly, then laughed heartily and strode away.

Xie Yu, what a lovely and unique name.

As she watched Ding Sheng’s stylish and decisive departure, her beautiful eyes shone even brighter.

The sunset was blood-red, the green mountains picturesque, and the handsome young man vanished into the distance.

This captivating scene unwittingly etched itself deeply into the girl’s heart.

Time flew by quickly.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

Finally, it was time for the Sword Asking Sect to open its doors to recruit disciples.

On this day, Ding Sheng got up early, freshened up, practiced a set of sword techniques to calm his mind, and then left the slums as he usually did.

Morning mist hung like fog, and the birds chirped sweetly.

The front mountain of the Sword Asking Sect was now bustling, a scene of excitement everywhere.

Chapter Twelve: The First Challenge of Joining the Sect

The Sword Asking Sect was the largest martial arts sect within a thousand miles.

Countless talented young men wanted to join the sect.

Therefore, there were throngs of youth coming to take the entrance test, accompanied by guards and emissaries from surrounding powers, as well as disciples and staff of the Sword Asking Sect, all busy with preparations.

When the “Sword Asking Bell” rang ten times, the entrance test would officially begin.

Ding Sheng did not linger at the front mountain but made his way to the washing pool at the foot of the mountain.

After spending an hour completing his duties for the day, he earnestly practiced his sword techniques for another hour, then jumped into the washing pool for a refreshing bath. He changed into clean robes and adjusted his body to its best condition before retracing his steps along the mountain path toward the Sword Asking Sect.

When he arrived at the square at the mountain gate, the recruitment ceremony had already been underway for more than an hour.

The vast square was filled with people, a cacophony of noise.

The entrance test of the Sword Asking Sect had developed into a highly systematic process over more than a thousand years, consisting of six major categories: bone age test, attribute test, meridian test, comprehension test, physique test, and endurance test. Each category was presided over by disciples and elders of the Sword Asking Sect, and there were several testing points to expedite the process.

In just the past hour, over a thousand youths who had come to apprentice had been ruthlessly eliminated.