Chapter 10: The Jinxed One

At this moment, the three of them had once again set out on their journey, slowly making their way along the dirt road outside the imperial city.

“I advise you to stop with the pointless fortune-telling. Not only is it always the opposite of what actually happens, but you don’t even look old and wise enough. Anyone who wants their fortune told would see you’re just a young girl and immediately doubt your credibility,” Qin Xirui remarked bluntly.

“That’s right, that’s right. If you want to know the future, just ask the Heavenly Dao directly. Why beat around the bush like this? It’s not straightforward at all,” Jiang Baiqiu chimed in, pointing out.

Bu Weiwei felt quite dejected, her voice trembling as she spoke, “I was accurate when I did readings in Bu family village, but once I left—everything just turned out wrong. It’s always like this. Whenever I’m full of confidence, something goes wrong.”

“I’ve been unlucky since I was a child… When I was born, the midwife didn’t hold me properly and I was flung out, hitting my head on the wall. If my fate hadn’t been so strong, I would have died then and there!”

“When I was three, my mother fell asleep while holding me and accidentally pinned me under her. I almost didn’t wake up!”

“At six, wild cats came to the village. I went to look at them, but since I smelled like my dog Da Huang, they scratched me all over. When I got home, Da Huang smelled the wild cat scent on me and bit my butt three times without recognizing me!”

“At ten, I fell and broke a leg. Just months after it healed, I jumped down from bed—it was only two feet high! Two feet!—and broke it again!”

“At twelve, despairing over my bleak life, I sneaked to the pharmacy and bought a box of arsenic. But just as I was about to swallow it, I found a toenail chunk inside! I threw up for an entire day!”

“After my suicide attempt, my father gently told me not to be too sad. He said I was unlucky because my body was sealed with a Nine-Tailed Fox demon. Once I grow up and enter the Immortal Sect to awaken it, I’ll gain infinite power, control it, and fight alongside it!”

Bu Weiwei clenched her fists and said, “And the truly unlucky, the broken and flawed, their fortune-telling is always accurate!”

You must be Naruto Uzumaki.

But honestly, this child’s life was truly miserable. With luck like that, it was no wonder a casual strike could take down the great treasure of the Da Qi emperor.

Qin Xi turned to Jiang Baiqiu and asked, “Is there really some kind of sealed monster inside her?”

Jiang Baiqiu, being descended from the Sage of Confucius and highly sensitive to ‘auras,’ could easily discern such things. After examining Bu Weiwei up and down, she said, “This child is very unlucky.”

“Could what she said be true?”

“No, she’s just really unlucky.”

Jiang Baiqiu added, “It seems the Heavenly Dao doesn’t favor her much.”

“…That’s so tragic. I’ll go comfort her.”

Qin Xi approached Bu Weiwei and patted her shoulder, giving her a thumbs-up. “Don’t worry, effort after birth can never overcome innate shortcomings!”

“Thank you… Wait, what are you saying?”

“Nah, the last topic was too heavy. Let’s talk about something else,” Qin Xi deflected.

“…Are you both planning to take the Great Thousand Sect’s entrance exam?” Bu Weiwei, trying to rebuild her confidence, pinned her hopes on passing that test.

“Yeah, since we happened to come across the Great Thousand Sect’s exam, why not try our luck? It would be a waste not to,” Qin Xi answered casually.

But the deeper reason was clear: without a major sect as backing, they were doomed.

Leaving aside the Da Qi Empire, without joining an Immortal Sect, where would spiritual stones come from?

Resources for cultivation were usually obtained either by passing imperial exams to become officials or by joining a sect.

The dynasties favored officials who rose from humble origins by granting them access to cultivation resources.

But now, there was only a month left.

Qin Xi felt that preparing for the imperial exams in just one month would only make them the bottom of the pack. And competing with locals for those spots? Forget it.

So the only way out was to take the Immortal Sect’s entrance exam, join a major sect, and preferably become an inner disciple or direct disciple, so they could borrow a few thousand spiritual stones from their master.

Two thousand low-grade spiritual stones… Even foundation-stage cultivators would struggle to repay that amount; by then, they’d need to find a golden core master.

“What about her?” Bu Weiwei tilted her head and looked at Jiang Baiqiu.

“She’s taking it with me,” Qin Xi replied, taking over the conversation.

“Are there any requirements for these sects?”

“In theory, having a spiritual root is enough to apply. Even if you don’t know whether you have one, you can just register and try. But the Great Thousand Sect’s exam is notoriously difficult—countless prodigies showcase their talents each time, but only about a hundred manage to pass.”

Spiritual root…

Qin Xi glanced at Jiang Baiqiu, but she was already watching him.

Of course she had a spiritual root…

It just couldn’t show easily…

He wasn’t sure if the Great Thousand Sect, one of the top ten Heavenly Stem Immortal Sects, could protect both Jiang Baiqiu, who carried two great thunder spirits, and himself.

Prince Zisha and the Sage of Confucius’ spiritual root.

Without noticing Qin Xi and Jiang Baiqiu’s oddities, Bu Weiwei continued talking to herself, “There are only a few days left until the Great Thousand Sect’s grand examination. If we want to get to Yuebei City now, we’ll probably have to take a flying boat.”

“Flying boat?” Hearing that, Qin Xi pictured a large flying ship. Such things were common in the cultivation world.

“Yes. The nearest flying boat guild from the imperial city isn’t far. The only problem is… it seems we don’t have enough money for tickets.”

Bu Weiwei pulled out her entire savings: “The cheapest cabin costs 100 copper coins, but I only have 25 left.”

Qin Xi also had no choice but to take out a small pouch sewn into his pants: “I secretly saved some copper coins too.”

“About a few dozen, but still not enough for three of us… together, it’s about one person’s fare.”

Qin Xi looked at Jiang Baiqiu, silently signaling her not to take up a seat once they got on.

But Jiang Baiqiu seemed not to hear and turned her head, whistling casually.

“Whatever, everything will work out in the end. Let’s go.”

…

The Da Qi Imperial City Flying Boat Guild.

Though called the imperial city’s flying boat guild, it was actually located far out in the suburbs—like an airport in the old world.

“To Yuebei City? You’re in luck!” The ticket seller gave a twisted smile.

“Why? Is there a discount?” Qin Xi immediately grew suspicious of this strange enthusiasm.

“No, it’s just that our flying boat recently launched a new package! Families can ride together for only 100 copper coins!”

“That’s a great deal?”

“Yes, but this isn’t a regular ticket… the ride isn’t as comfortable.”

Being this poor, they had no right to care about comfort, so Qin Xi nodded, “Then buy three tickets for 100 copper coins.”

“Great!”

…

Half an hour before departure.

On both sides of the ship’s hull, three wing-like sails hung high. Gold-threaded dragons and phoenixes were embroidered on the canvas. When the wind rose, the sails swelled like real wings, drawing in spiritual energy from heaven and earth to propel the flying boat.

At the stern, a huge cloud-patterned propeller spun. Unlike traditional rudders, it was powered by spiritual energy, allowing the ship to glide through the air as smoothly as on land.

But Qin Xi didn’t marvel at the flying boat’s splendor.

Looking at it, he finally understood why it was so cheap.

This damn thing was a standing ticket!

The massive flying boat’s upper structure was ornate, but the hull was like a honeycomb, carved with many square compartments.

These compartments had no seats. Passengers had to stand inside the squares, tie themselves to the boat with ropes, and tightly grip the handles provided.

The family ticket he bought was for this exact spot.

“Damn, what a budget airline—this is like a green train in the sky,” Qin Xi muttered, twitching at the irony.