Chapter 86 Celestial Heart Stone

Lu Li didn't know what Sword Sect was like, but he understood a principle: the larger the sect, the more intense the internal intrigues and deceptions. Snow Granny's position in the Sword Sect was definitely not low, and she would surely protect some of Qianxue's interests.

Before crossing into the Snow Moon Continent, Lu Li had watched his fair share of palace intrigue dramas. How could he believe that these major powers were all upright and honest?

Speaking hypothetically, it was always wise to be cautious.

As Lu Li walked away, Ning Xiaoxi's body softened. She was already kneeling on the ground. Guarding the Sword Pavilion might sound simple, but every Sword Sect disciple understood the significance. If nothing unexpected happened, she would be unable to leave the Sword Pavilion for the rest of her life, akin to imprisonment, and it was a lifelong commitment.

The Sword Pavilion was a restricted area, and unauthorized individuals were not allowed to enter. While this sounded imposing, it also meant one could not leave their post arbitrarily. Therefore, guarding the Sword Pavilion was one of the most arduous tasks in the Sword Sect.

Ning Xiaoxi, who had just been contemplating how to kill Lu Li a moment ago, now completely lost interest in such thoughts. Guarding the Sword Pavilion echoed in her mind, and she pondered over these three words.

After inspecting the courtyard, Snow Granny carefully examined every detail, especially Luo Qianxue's room. Luo Qianxue's residence was well-kept, just like Lu Li's. Snow Granny saw that Qianxue had not been wronged, and she was pleased.

Lu Li naturally didn't dare to say that they had lived here for a short time; previously, they stayed at the Lu family's residence. Mentioning it would be needless provocation.

After examining the rooms and courtyard, Snow Granny sat on Qianxue's bed. She looked at Luo Qianxue seriously. Lu Li couldn't help but feel fortunate that Qianxue had been consuming the flesh of demonic beasts lately. Otherwise, Snow Granny might have felt sorry for her previous emaciated appearance.

"You resemble your mother a lot. You've suffered these years!"

"Granny, am I really Luo Qianxue, the person you've been searching for?"

"When you can cultivate, did you not feel any changes in the '洛' character on your body?"

Snow Granny looked at Luo Qianxue with affection. Lu Li could be sure that Snow Granny genuinely cared for Luo Qianxue. Some things couldn't be faked, nor did they need to be.

"I did feel it. It was hot when I cultivated! It was uncomfortable at first, but I got used to it later."

"You are Qianxue!"

Snow Granny reached out with a trembling hand and caressed Luo Qianxue's cheek. Her eyes brimmed with affection. Lu Li felt that Snow Granny regarded Qianxue as her own granddaughter.

In fact, on the back of the Divine Turtle Palace, Snow Granny had noticed Lu Li's group. When she saw Qianxue for the first time, her body trembled with excitement. She kept telling the disciples from the Flying Phoenix Palace about Qianxue's presence, right here.

The subsequent inspection was mostly to confirm that she was indeed Luo Qianxue.

"Granny, why did my parents abandon me? Why did they wait for seventeen years to come find me?"

Snow Granny's hand trembled. She could sense Qianxue's struggle and sorrow when asking this question. Anyone abandoned by their parents for seventeen years would likely feel the same.

"These years have been tough for you, child. Don't blame your parents. They love you more than anyone else. When they abandoned you back then, it was not without reluctance. However, if they hadn't left you, you might not have survived until now."

"Qianxue, the 'LUO' character on your body was left by your mother. To imprint it on you, she abandoned all her cultivation!"

Hearing this, both Luo Qianxue and Lu Li couldn't help but be shocked. Maternal love was always the greatest force in this world. Sometimes its greatness could make people shudder.

"Child, when you return to the Sword Sect and meet your parents, I think they will tell you about what happened these years!"

"But I don't want to go back!"

Luo Qianxue finally spoke, glancing at Lu Li as she did. Snow Granny also looked at Lu Li, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Lu Li directly reached out and affectionately patted Luo Qianxue's shoulder. She leaned against him, not wanting to go back, not wanting to leave here, and even more reluctant to part with her young master.

"Granny, Qianxue is willing to go back!"

Luo Qianxue was about to say more, but Lu Li interrupted her with a glance. Luo Qianxue pursed her lips, deciding not to say anything further.

"Come, let Granny examine your aptitude!"

At this point, Snow Granny didn't mention returning to the Sword Sect. She was old and experienced. How could she not see Qianxue's unwavering obedience to Lu Li?

Snow Granny took out a diamond-shaped, transparent stone. Lu Li saw this stone for the first time, and so did Luo Qianxue.

Lu Li examined the stone carefully and suddenly felt his spirit being sucked into it. 

"Granny, what is this?"

"Heavenly Heart Stone, used by the Sword Sect to test disciples' aptitude. Lu Li, you should also test it later!"

Lu Li nodded. In Donglin City, he only knew about the concept of aptitude among warriors. Here, it seemed that there was only a distinction between those who could cultivate and those who couldn't. As for aptitude, it was a rather vague concept.

The Sword Sect truly deserved to be a major sect, capable of testing aptitude.

"Granny, how is this Heavenly Heart Stone used?"

"Hold it tightly and infuse your spiritual power into it!"

After Snow Granny finished speaking, she handed the Heavenly Heart Stone to Qianxue. Qianxue looked at Lu Li, who gave her a reassuring look.

Following Snow Granny's instructions, Qianxue injected a strand of spiritual power into the Heavenly Heart Stone. Immediately, the edges of the stone lit up one after another, and the entire Heavenly Heart Stone emitted a soft white light.

Seeing this white light, Snow Granny nodded. The Heavenly Heart Stone was fully illuminated, indicating that Luo Qianxue's aptitude was evaluated as the Sword Sect's highest, the ninth level. Snow Granny, as the Sword Sect's sect master's daughter, believed this was appropriate.

If Luo Qianxue didn't have a ninth-level aptitude, she would have found it strange.

Suddenly, the white light in the Heavenly Heart Stone rapidly converged. In the blink of an eye, all the radiance gathered into one point. Then, this condensed light burst forth, and the entire Heavenly Heart Stone seemed like a star, shining as brightly as a light bulb.

Brother, Lu Li really couldn't find a better way to describe this Heavenly Heart Stone at the

 moment than comparing it to a light bulb.

"Surpassed the ninth-level aptitude, this..."

Snow Granny, now standing with excitement, trembled as she rose from her seat. For many years, the Heavenly Heart Stone used to assess disciples' aptitude had never been so bright. Even the sect master couldn't make it shine so brightly.

Luo Qianxue's aptitude had surpassed the ninth level, exceeding the Sword Sect's criteria for evaluating disciples' aptitude. Snow Granny felt that Luo Qianxue's aptitude was outstanding, surpassing expectations.

"Granny, is it okay now?"

"It's fine. Qianxue, remember, don't mention what happened today to anyone, except your parents."

Snow Granny earnestly reminded her. Luo Qianxue's aptitude was too frightening, surpassing the Sword Sect's criteria for disciples. It was better if fewer people knew about it. 

Just as Luo Qianxue was about to release the Heavenly Heart Stone and hand it to Lu Li, the stone's color changed again. Initially, it looked like a light bulb, but suddenly, it emitted a five-color halo. Then, these halos quickly merged, and the Heavenly Heart Stone suddenly dimmed, losing all its luster.