Was the master being teased?
The Vermilion Bird transformed into a small, fiery red bird and nestled in Bai Ran's arms.
She looked around, her forehead furrowed with questions.
The woman's name was Gu Qingcheng, the Sect Master of the Divine Sound Sect.
There were five major sects in the Central Realm, dividing it into five territories. Within the regions governed by these five major sects, numerous smaller forces were scattered.
Among the five major sects, the Divine Sound Sect ranked third.
The refined man was named Shi Xu. The sect he led was the Longmen Sect, ranked fourth.
As more people ascended from the lower realms to the upper realm, fewer people came up from the lower realms.
The Central Realm was now facing a talent crisis.
Therefore, the sect masters of the five sects conspired to create a formation broadcast. Whenever someone ascended from the lower realms, a voice would echo throughout the entire Central Realm.
Various forces would dispatch people to contend for the newcomer's allegiance.
Shi Xu listened to Gu Qingcheng and nodded, "That would be good."
They would first test this young lady's strength. If she was of mediocre talent, she indeed wouldn't be worth the competition of the major sects.
Gu Qingcheng smiled and produced a crystal-clear stone.
"Beauty, channel your spiritual energy into it."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ran placed her hand on the testing stone and slowly channeled her spiritual energy.
Sect Master Xiong stood by nervously, his eyes fixed on her actions.
Just as Bai Ran hesitated about whether to channel less energy, the testing stone suddenly erupted with an extremely intense white light.
"Light attribute!" This time, even Gu Qingcheng couldn't maintain her composure.
This woman was actually of the light attribute!
It was known that the number of light attribute cultivators in the entire Central Realm could be counted on one hand!
Sect Master Xiong's gaze towards Bai Ran grew increasingly fervent. Damn it! He had to snatch this little girl!
However, the white light within the testing stone suddenly changed, becoming murky.
The previously transparent stone was now a hazy gray.
"What is this?" Shi Xu looked at the testing stone in confusion, having never seen such a color.
When the testing stone assessed talent, no matter how much spiritual energy the tester input, it was insufficient to affect the final result.
The testing stone would only identify the tester's attribute talent.
Fire attribute was red, metal attribute was yellow, wood attribute was green, water attribute was blue, earth attribute was brown, wind attribute was cyan, and thunder attribute was purple.
In addition to the seven basic attributes, there were also the exceptionally rare light, dark, and space attributes.
However, they, the sect masters, truly didn't know what attribute gray represented.
But the testing stone's transformation was not yet over.
"It changed again!" Sect Master Xiong pointed at the testing stone, his voice trembling with excitement.
The gray within the testing stone gradually deepened and turned black.
"This, this, this! What is this!" Sect Master Xiong's mouth gaped open, his heart almost stopping from fright.
"Dark attribute!" Gu Qingcheng swallowed, her body trembling with excitement.
The light and dark attributes could actually converge in one person!
Seeing the intense gazes of the three, Bai Ran suddenly felt an urge to escape.
"Beauty, with your unparalleled appearance, it would be a pity not to join my Divine Sound Sect!" Gu Qingcheng licked her lips and looked at Bai Ran eagerly.
"No! She should join my Longmen Sect!" Shi Xu, usually refined and composed, couldn't hold back anymore.
Sect Master Xiong was instantly agitated.
"Damn it! I'd like to see who dares to snatch her from me!" His spiritual energy surged, and he glared at the two sect masters with ill intentions.
Under the oppressive spiritual pressure, Bai Ran found it hard to breathe.
"Little girl, it's best you choose yourself," Sect Master Xiong noticed Bai Ran's discomfort and immediately withdrew his spiritual energy.
He couldn't exactly force her to come with him.
Divine Sound Sect, Longmen Sect, Quetian Sect...
Under their covetous gazes, Bai Ran finally spoke.
"This junior wishes to enter the Quetian Sect," she said, neither humble nor arrogant, without a ripple of emotion.
Upon hearing this, Sect Master Xiong was so excited he almost jumped.
"Good! Good! Hahahaha! Little girl, you have good taste!"
Gu Qingcheng immediately deflated, but only for a moment. She then enthusiastically grasped Bai Ran's hand again.
"Beauty! How about we become sworn sisters!"
The meat that was already in her mouth, how could she let it slip away!
The Vermilion Bird was stunned, blinking its eyes and staring blankly at the beaming Gu Qingcheng.
What was this woman talking about?
Why did everyone want to snatch her master so badly?
Master was hers alone! No! A beast's!
The Vermilion Bird flapped its wings vigorously in Bai Ran's arms but was gently tapped on the head and quieted down.
Bai Ran awkwardly withdrew her hand, finding Gu Qingcheng's enthusiasm a bit overwhelming.
"Sect Master Gu, you are too kind. How could this junior be worthy of being called sisters with a Sect Master?"
"Oh, stop with the pleasantries, I've decided you're my sister!"
With that, she vanished in a flash, leaving Sect Master Xiong stomping his feet in annoyance.
Shi Xu was thin-skinned and couldn't call Bai Ran brother.
"If you need anything, the Longmen Sect will always stand by your side." With that, he also departed.
Only Sect Master Xiong and Bai Ran remained.
"Little girl, I still don't know your name,"
Bai Ran looked at him and said, "Bai Ran."
"Bai Ran, a good name!" Elder Xiong, though appearing rough and burly, was a very righteous person.
"I was just about to ask, your little bird looks a bit special."
Elder Xiong tapped the Vermilion Bird's head, full of curiosity.
The Vermilion Bird, upon hearing this, flapped its wings angrily, "You're the little bird! Your whole family are little birds!"
"Good heavens! This little bird can talk?" Elder Xiong stared at the flapping Vermilion Bird in a daze.
Wait! It could talk!
Could it be... a divine beast!
"You little chick is actually a divine beast!" he exclaimed at the Vermilion Bird, incredulous.
No longer able to tolerate it, the Vermilion Bird bit Elder Xiong's finger with fury.
"Ah! Little girl! Why does it bite too!" Elder Xiong withdrew his hand in pain and blew on it.
Bai Ran gently patted the Vermilion Bird's head, "Perhaps she doesn't like your address."
The Vermilion Bird glared fiercely at Elder Xiong, as if wanting to fight him to the death.
Divine beast, light and dark attributes...
Elder Xiong felt a bit apprehensive, wondering what kind of storm this little girl would stir up at the Quetian Sect.
Oh well, how bad could it get? Could she really overturn the heavens?
"Let's go! I'll take you back to the sect!" Elder Xiong said with a beaming smile.
Meeting his gaze, Bai Ran was startled and realized something was wrong. Before Bai Ran could refuse,
The familiar routine began again. Sect Master Xiong grabbed her and soared into the sky towards the Quetian Sect.
The Vermilion Bird flew along pitifully behind.
Master!
This is bad!
My master has been kidnapped!