Mortal: I really didn't want to be reborn as Zi Ling!

"This is--"

Some people in the crowd frowned, some were puzzled, and some directly asked the people next to them.

"What is this? Why isn't it an identity token?"

"Right, shouldn't proof of identity be something like a token?"

"I don't understand. A ball counts as evidence?"

Those who didn't understand started whispering among themselves.

The murmurs spread like a tide across the square.

But the expression on Young Master Zhao's face changed in the front row.

His pupils contracted.

On that arrogant face, a look of disbelief flashed across his face, then that disbelief was quickly replaced by an extremely complex emotion: envy, disbelief, and a hint of deeply hidden jealousy.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.

Upon seeing his expression, Young Master Liu immediately became anxious.

"Brother Zhao, what exactly is this thing? Tell me!"

The young man in the dark blue robe also frowned.

He stared at the golden bead again and again, but still couldn't recognize what it was.

Among the crowd, some disciples who were familiar with Jin Qing simply called out to him.

"Brother Jin Qing! You should recognize your ancestor's belongings, shouldn't you?"

"That's right! Jin Qing, tell me quickly, what exactly is this?"

"Don't let them try to fool us with some cheap junk!"

Jin Qing stepped forward from the crowd.

He stood beside Zi Ling, looking down carefully at the golden bead. Then he raised his head and said in a tone that was hard to define as either awe or感慨:

"This is……"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Young Master Zhao.

"alright."

Young Master Zhao's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a bucket of cold water poured over the noisy square.

All eyes turned to him.

Young Master Zhao's cheek twitched.

He gave Zi Ling a deep look, his eyes filled with resentment, anger, and a hint of inexplicable frustration.

"Everyone disperse!"

He turned around and waved to the crowd around him:

"This item was Elder Jin Kui's most handy magic weapon in his early years. Later, as his cultivation improved, its power could not keep up with his level, so it was gradually phased out."

Young Master Zhao paused for a moment, as if he was carefully considering his words.

"This item has been with Elder Jin Kui for a long time, so even if this young lady is not his disciple, she has probably already gained his approval."

He looked around and silenced the murmurs that were still going on: "Everyone, disperse."

After he finished speaking, the square remained silent for three full breaths.

Then--

With a bang, the murmurs grew even louder than before.

This time, however, the questioning and scrutinizing gazes disappeared.

Instead, there was shock, envy, and curiosity, with many people even adopting a fawning expression.

Wang Heng stood there, feeling his legs go weak.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and exhaled a long breath.

He certainly believed in his daughter.

Ning'er has never lied since she was a child, let alone joke about such things.

But what if?

What if she misheard in the main hall? What if Elder Jin Kui was just speaking casually? What if—

Now none of these "what ifs" matter.

"Thank you so much, Young Master Zhao, for clearing my daughter's name!"

Wang Heng stepped forward and bowed to Young Master Zhao.

He bowed deeply, adopting a very humble posture.

Although the other party was the one who stirred up this whole thing from the beginning, now that they have said such a thing, it is as if they have helped Ning'er out of this predicament.

Moreover, this person has a powerful background. Even if we can't gain their favor, it's best not to offend them.

Young Master Zhao glanced at him and nodded slightly in return.

His gaze quickly shifted away, landing back on Zi Ling, his expression complex.

Zhou Yuan, however, thought things through more thoroughly than her husband.

She took two steps forward, bowed slightly to the surrounding crowd, and her gentle yet clear voice reached everyone's ears.

"Fellow Daoists, there was a misunderstanding just now, which caused you all to worry about my daughter."

She straightened up, looked around, and wore a polite smile: "Three days from now, at Miaoyin Pavilion, my husband and I will await your arrival. At that time, we will perform the song 'Azure Sea Tide' as an apology for what happened today."

As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the square suddenly became lively.

Those who were still in shock immediately brightened up when they heard the words "Azure Sea Tide Rises".

"Madam Wang, you flatter us! It is our honor to hear the two of you play together!"

"I will definitely be there in three days, without fail!"

"Congratulations! Miss Wang has become the Grand Elder's disciple. In three days, she will hear the two sect leaders perform the Azure Tide—double happiness!"

Compliments came one after another.

Many people have already begun to greet Mr. and Mrs. Wang Heng with clasped hands, their attitude being many times warmer than before.

Young Master Zhao frowned again as he watched this scene.

He glanced at Jin Qing, who was leading the crowd, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he kept his mouth shut.

He could see clearly that Jin Qing was the one who led the congratulations.

But he couldn't say anything.

Because he had come to believe that Zi Ling had indeed become the disciple of Elder Jin Kui.

But how can that be?

Young Master Zhao sneered inwardly.

In the world of cultivation, wealth, companions, methods, and location are all important.

Although the Miaoyin Sect's income was decent, it was nothing compared to the Zhao family's.

As for the Jin family—

He glanced discreetly at Jin Qing, who was speaking animatedly in the crowd, a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm playing on his lips.

Outsiders may not know what kind of state the Jin family is in now, but how could he not know?

But this little girl—

Young Master Zhao's gaze lingered on Zi Ling's face for a moment.

He had just discreetly probed the other party's qualifications.

Even with the Grand Elder as a backer, someone with three spiritual roots can only reach the Core Formation stage at best.

Moreover, Elder Jin Kui is extremely busy; how could he possibly have time to personally guide her cultivation?

Thinking of this, Young Master Zhao felt much better.

At this moment, Jin Qing was standing beside Zi Ling, pointing at the golden bead in her palm and talking incessantly.

"Do you all know why this thing, though a magical artifact, has been treasured and kept by the Grand Elder for hundreds of years?"

Jin Qing looked around, a signature smile on his lips, like a chatterbox with an intense desire to share.

"Because this is no ordinary magical artifact."

He extended a finger and lightly touched the top of the golden bead.

"This pearl contains 129,600 golden flame needles."

"129,600?"

Someone gasped.

"good."

Jin Qing's voice rose several decibels: "Each one is thinner than a cow's hair, and each one has undergone years of refinement by our ancestor. Once unleashed, it will be overwhelming, like a torrential downpour. Ordinary defensive spells are no different from paper in front of it!"

He got more and more excited as he spoke, his words coming out like a machine gun.

"And that's not all!"

Jin Qing pointed to the golden light inside the bead: "When our ancestor refined this item, he also added some primordial magnetic soil. After years of refinement and nurturing by the primordial magnetic soil, these golden flame needles are naturally effective against all five elements' techniques. What's even more deadly is that during the nurturing process, these tiny needles exist between solid and ethereal forms, making them extremely difficult to defend against with ordinary methods!"

"Strictly speaking, this item does indeed fall under the category of ritual implements."

Jin Qing straightened up, looked around, as if to declare an undeniable conclusion.

"But its true power has long surpassed that of most so-called magical treasures and ancient artifacts."