Chapter Sixty-Six: Why Not Use a Prefix?

All the cultivators lined up in an orderly fashion. Those who had not found the Ice Condensation Grass stood off to the side, each displaying their talents and cultivation, hoping to gain entry into the Hidden Snow Sect by merit alone. Only a rare few, deeming their aptitude insufficient, departed quietly.

Chen Xiang was a little taken aback by the scene. He had not expected the Hidden Snow Sect to be so popular; even after failing the first trial, many were unwilling to give up.

After each cultivator handed over their Ice Condensation Grass, a disciple of the Hidden Snow Sect would wave a crystal before them. If the crystal showed no reaction, they were permitted to proceed to the second trial. This was to prevent anyone from secretly keeping the herb for themselves; the crystal, specially refined, could sense the presence of Ice Condensation Grass within a certain range, and no spatial artifact could conceal it.

The process moved swiftly, and before long, it was Chen Xiang's turn.

In his row, two female disciples with striking appearances were handling the records. With a faint, confident smile, Chen Xiang strode forward.

One woman sat while the other stood. The seated disciple had already reached the second level of the Nascent Soul stage, while the standing one was at the seventh layer of the Core Formation stage.

The seated woman, without looking up, asked, “Name and number of Ice Condensation Grass collected?”

Chen Xiang replied courteously, “I am the Gentleman Thief, Chu Liuxiang. In total, I have gathered twelve stalks of Ice Condensation Grass.”

As he spoke, he presented the twelve stalks he had picked along the way.

“What?” The female disciple was startled by Chen Xiang’s words, and upon seeing the herbs in his hand, her disbelief grew.

“Lingyu, what are you calling out for?” a nearby elder admonished.

Lingyu’s exclamation had drawn the attention of everyone present.

She came to her senses, stood up, and bowed respectfully to the dais. “Forgive me, Elder, Lingyu lost composure! It’s just that this fellow cultivator has picked twelve stalks of Ice Condensation Grass, so I could not help myself…”

“Twelve stalks?” The crowd was shocked. All eyes turned to Chen Xiang, and seeing the twelve stalks in his hand, they were convinced.

“My goodness! It really is twelve stalks!”

“What sort of luck does he have to find so many?”

“This young man must be favored by the heavens!”

The cultivators were all astounded. Twelve stalks meant twelve passes; gathered together, the privilege must be extraordinary.

“Oh? Twelve stalks?” Even the elder was surprised.

The elders on the high platform of the Hidden Snow Sect could not help but cast their gaze over.

Chen Xiang felt somewhat speechless—was it really necessary to make such a fuss over twelve stalks? Should he tell them that he had a few hundred more left for brushing his teeth?

He was unaware of the value; twelve stalks were enough to refine several batches of Ice Condensation Pills, equal to a year’s salary for more than ten inner disciples. That he alone could pick so many was indeed remarkable.

The elder’s expression shifted, but he kept his composure and finally said to Lingyu, “Carry on, but give this young man better treatment!” He even signaled to her with his eyes.

“Yes!” Lingyu replied respectfully, knowing well the elder’s intent.

All those waiting their turn were full of envy and resentment—such privilege for so much Ice Condensation Grass! Some who had not passed the trial beat their chests in regret; why had they not befriended this youth sooner? With just one stalk from him, they could have advanced.

Lingyu sat down again and looked closely at Chen Xiang. Upon seeing his face, she exclaimed, “It’s you?”

“Hm?” Chen Xiang was puzzled. “Have we met before, Senior Sister?”

He had seen her before, when entering the valley, glimpsed behind the platform; naturally, he paid attention to beauty. But he had only seen her—when had she met him?

Lingyu was momentarily surprised, then recovered, and smiled gently. “Heh, we don’t know each other. Your unusual attire simply piqued my curiosity, so I observed you when you entered the valley days ago, nothing more.”

“Oh, I see.” Chen Xiang nodded in understanding, thinking to himself that his outfit was indeed distinctive—a Northeast military coat, limited edition by the system, enough to charm countless old gentlemen.

“Forgive me, I didn’t quite catch your name before. Would you mind repeating it?” Lingyu’s clear eyes looked apologetically at Chen Xiang.

Chen Xiang’s lips twitched—how could such a bold, renowned name be overlooked? But seeing her beauty, he let it slide.

“I am Chu Liuxiang, the Gentleman Thief. Pleased to make your acquaintance!” Chen Xiang smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

“Uh… alright, Chu Liuxiang it is.” Lingyu paused, her lips twitching, then she omitted the honorific.

“It’s Gentleman Thief!” Chen Xiang insisted.

“No need for the honorific,” Lingyu replied.

“Here is your identity token.” Lingyu wrote on a snow-white token and handed it to Chen Xiang.

Chen Xiang took the token with some difficulty. Why was the honorific always omitted? In Tianxuan City, in the Hidden Snow Sect—how could the heroes of Liangshan live like this?

Lingyu’s companion took the inspection crystal and waved it before Chen Xiang. When there was no reaction, she put it away.

“Ali, take Mister Chu to the second trial. I’ll manage things here. Mister Chu, just leave the Ice Condensation Grass with me,” Lingyu said to the woman holding the crystal, then addressed Chen Xiang directly.

“Yes, Senior Sister!” the woman called Ali replied.

She placed the crystal on the table and smiled at Chen Xiang. “Mister Chu, please follow me.”

“Thank you, miss.” Chen Xiang placed the herbs on the table and responded with gracious courtesy.

As Chen Xiang departed, the next cultivator stepped forward.

Lingyu returned to her previous indifferent demeanor, placing the Ice Condensation Grass into a jade box as she asked, “Name and number of Ice Condensation Grass collected?”

“Zeng Dawei, one stalk!”

“Here is your identity token.” Lingyu handed him a green token, took the herb, and recorded the next name.

Ali led Chen Xiang toward the other side of the Ice Frost Valley, stopping only when they reached a crystalline, water-blue tower. A few cultivators who had passed the trial were already gathered here, having arrived on their own.

The Rainbow Skin Eel followed closely behind Chen Xiang. He explained that it was his demon pet, so no one stopped him, though it could not accompany him in the trial.

The Rainbow Skin Eel could only endure its role as Chen Xiang’s pet for this occasion.

In front of the tower, Ali turned to Chen Xiang with a gentle smile. “Mister Chu, this is the second trial. Here, your spiritual sense will be tested. For cultivators, spiritual sense is vital; although cultivation generally increases it, there are limits.”

“This tower is a treasure left by the founding ancestor of the Hidden Snow Sect. It tempers the spirit, but is also dangerous. It is ten stories high; typically, Core Formation cultivators reach the second floor, which is considered normal. However, to pass, Core Formation cultivators must reach the third floor! So, Mister Chu, please prepare yourself.”

“To be continued…”