My Host Only Marries the Strong

“Eleven?”

The eyes of the disciples below lit up with longing as they gazed at Jingxing.

Even the quiet Echo couldn’t help but write approvingly in her log: Eleven is perfect! ‘One life, one world, one pair’—it just had to be eleven!

Jingxing spoke in a gentle tone, “I have consulted with the various masters, and the rewards for this assessment will be unique.”

“Together with eleven masters, I have hand-selected treasures—ranging from cultivation manuals and magical artifacts to rare spiritual objects—and placed them in treasure chests.”

“You are to head to the Westle Continent to seek them out. Any disciple who brings a chest back may keep the treasure within and will be granted entry to the Insight Academy Secret Realm.”

Manuals, artifacts, spiritual objects, and the Secret Realm!

Every single item was enough to make the students’ hearts race.

The Insight Academy Palace held a vast heritage; any technique or weapon deemed worthy by the masters to be an assessment reward had to be at least of the superior grade!

An elder standing beside the masters stroked his beard and smiled. “Before you set off, we shall inform you of the contents of these chests so you may have a goal in mind. We wouldn’t want a disciple with a water spiritual root coming back with a fire-attribute treasure.”

The elder continued, “As the Master of Tianyan Peak, my treasure chest is marked with the word ‘Tianyan.’ Inside is a volume of a superior-grade Heart Scripture. It is suitable for any spiritual root.”

‘This is not a primary cultivation method, but a supplement; practicing it ensures a permanent state of mental stability, allowing one to see through demonic barriers and remain fearless in the face of inner demons.”

Upon hearing this, even Seraphine raised an eyebrow. She thought to herself, What a grand gesture!

Such a peerless scripture was a rare find in the world. If it appeared anywhere else in the Five Continents, it would be enough to trigger a bloody upheaval.

Following the elder, Master Mingyan spoke with a stern face. “The Mingyan Academy chest is marked with a flame emblem. Inside are two Candlefire Golden Lotuses. I hope a disciple with a fire spiritual root finds them and uses them well.”

Below the platform, Shi Yingyue, the Saintess of the Red Lotus Sect, exchanged a determined look with the Holy Son.

Having missed out on the Candlefire Golden Lotus once before in the Secret Realm, they were resolute. To fail again when two were right before their eyes would be truly humiliating.

The Master of the Sword Hall then said slowly, “Our chest is engraved with twin swords. Inside is a supreme-grade precious sword. It will recognize its master through a drop of blood, regardless of their spiritual root.”

Seraphine heard Siyi let out a low sigh. She glanced at Siyi and smirked. Siyi didn’t need it herself, but she had a disciple, Xue Mengtao, who had joined the Sword Hall and was currently in dire need of a good blade.

As for herself and Echo, they lacked neither manuals nor weapons. But as for Error…… Seraphine looked in her direction.

Outside the crowd, the tall, red-clad figure with a head full of flowers was particularly eye-catching. A sword was tucked into her waist—wait.

Seraphine paused, suppressing the urge to click her tongue. She thought, In the future, that sword shouldn’t be called ‘Nine Heavens’ anymore. It should be ‘Finders-Keepers Heavens’ . Whoever finds it, uses it.

The masters on the high platform continued to describe their treasures.

When it came to Pine Child’s turn, everyone held their breath. They remembered the lesson from when they first entered the academy—ignoring the small details had cost them dearly then.

Though Pine Child was a demon cultivator, demons lived long lives; who knew what ancient inheritance might be waiting?

Everyone pricked up their ears in silence.

Pine Child, who was barely as tall as a person’s waist, stood with her hands behind her back.

In her androgynous voice, she said, “I was born and raised in this Academy and attained the Dao here. I haven’t traveled much. I simply found an orb in the treasury that might be of some use and placed it in the chest. The Prospect Peak chest is marked with an ‘Old Pine.’ Please, help yourselves.”

An orb?

The crowd looked baffled.

An orb?

Seraphine instinctively looked at her waist. She was, after all…… quite fond of orbs.

It’s an orb!

Error nodded. She and Pine Child had searched through many cupboards to find that small red orb.

It was about the same size as the ‘Friend Orb.’ The moment she saw it, she thought of her Master and the Friend Bead.

Her Master was associated with red, just like this orb. Since the Friend Orb had its own orb, her Master should have one too. A matching pair.

Error’s green eyes drifted toward where Seraphine and Echo were. She thought: For the sake of this kind and beautiful dragon, she would let Nine Heavens stay with her for a bit longer. It really was quite useful for slicing spirit beast meat!

The masters on stage looked at Pine Child with varying degrees of helplessness.

Jingxing smiled and said, “It was my mistake; I should have checked the contents beforehand. However, it doesn’t matter.”

“Regardless of whether the treasure is a match for the finder, bringing back Master Pine’s chest will grant an additional year of cultivation in the Secret Realm.”

Among the disciples, those who were already well-equipped with manuals and weapons finally showed interest.

Seraphine’s lips curved slightly as she stroked the jade orb at her waist.

A little orb.

Echo scanned Seraphine’s fingers and sighed inwardly: So close, and yet I can’t touch them. What a pity. Seraphine’spalms are so nice to touch.

After the ten masters had spoken, it was finally Jingxing’s turn. The surroundings fell into a heavy silence.

The hopeful gazes of over five hundred cultivators fell upon the man recognized as the first under the Heavenly Dao. Their blood boiled with anticipation.

What treasure would the Venerable offer?

Jingxing smiled warmly. “The matter of the demon cultivators weighs heavily on my heart. I wish your cultivation could advance a thousand miles in a single day to ease my worries. After much consideration, I have found the best way to boost your strength.”

Everyone held their breath as he continued, “I have extracted a portion of my own cultivation and sealed it within a treasure chest. To me, this is but a drop in the ocean, but to all of you, it will be immensely useful.”

Seraphine’s face turned pale instantly. “Elder Uncle?” she whispered in shock.

No wonder Jingxing looked so frail; he had actually extracted his own cultivation! Such an act was extremely self-harming and unnatural.

Cultivation was already an act of defying heaven; the body was secondary to the mind.

If one gained power so easily from another, their mental state would surely falter compared to those who struggled through bitter practice.

Such an imbalance often birthed inner demons, leading to certain doom under the heavenly tribulation.

Amidst the uproar, a man dressed in glittering gold sighed. “A pity. If it were a physical object, it could have fetched a massive price. This overwhelming fortune has nothing to do with me after all.”

Those standing near him looked at him with twitching lips.

Siyi sent a voice transmission to Seraphine: “Venerable Jing’s lifespan is running short; that is why he is taking such a risk. Sigh.”

Seraphine frowned, remaining silent.

Jingxing spoke again, “When I first proposed this, the other masters disagreed. But I do not regret my choice. However, if the disciple who finds the chest does not wish to accept the cultivation, they may return the chest to me.”

“In exchange, I will open the Treasure Pavilion and allow them to choose any one item they desire.”

The disciples below showed a mix of expressions as they bowed and voiced their agreement.

Jingxing nodded. “The eleven jade chests are already hidden across the Westle Continent. This assessment will last for two years. Once the twelve disciples currently in the Secret Realm emerge, they too will head to Westle.”

“Before you depart, you may collect spirit stones and medicinal pills from your respective halls.”

“The assessment begins.”

Having finished the announcement, exhaustion finally washed over Jingxing’s face. He nodded toward Seraphine before transforming into a streak of light and vanishing.

As the crowd bowed to his departure, the golden-clad Zhao Hangyi stood up and called out, “Masters, is there a limit? Can a disciple only obtain one chest?”

Master Tianyan laughed. “Finding even one is a feat. If your luck is heaven-sent and you find two or more within two years, that is simply a testament to your ability.”

Zhao Hangyi fanned himself and bowed. “Thank you for clarifying, Master.”

Tianyan added, “If any of you find a chest but are unhappy with its contents, you may trade with others. But remember: once the chest is opened, the deal is sealed. There is no going back.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Any other questions?” Tianyan asked.

Echo thought: Master Tianyan really is a teacher who loves answering questions.

From behind the orb, a voice that made the System tremble slightly asked, “Master, can only students of the Insight Academy open these chests? What if someone else finds them first?”

Tianyan stroked his beard. “Anyone can open them. Cultivators carry their own fate. If a rogue cultivator in Westle finds one by chance, it is their destiny. If any chests remain in Westle after two years, we will not reclaim them.”

Siyi nodded. If this news spread, Westle would surely become a chaotic battlefield. In the face of demons, the righteous path should be united; if a lucky soul in the Five Continents gained an opportunity, so be it.

Seeing no more questions, the masters distributed storage pouches and dismissed the students.

Seraphine whispered to Siyi, “You all head out first. Be safe and keep a low profile. Contact me if anything happens.”

Siyi understood Seraphine’s intent and bowed. “Yes, Palace Lord.”

She watched as Seraphine walked away against the flow of the crowd.

⁂

The Study Chamber.

As Seraphine reached the gate of Jingxing’s courtyard, the doors swung open on their own.

Tea was boiling on a stone table. Jingxing sat alone, pouring two cups. He warmly invited her in.

Seraphine entered and asked in a low voice, “Elder Uncle, why did you do it?”

Thud.

The teapot was set back on the clay stove. Jingxing picked up his cup, the clear tea reflecting his face.

“I know I am being impatient,” he said softly. “But you did not experience the events of the past. You do not know the urgency in my heart.”

“Years ago, I was only at the Mahayana stage, yet I could kill Zhan Ye alongside your mother. Now I have reached the Tribulation stage, yet I can do nothing against his soul fragments. How can I not worry?”

He looked at Seraphine, his smile replaced by sorrow. “I will be lucky to survive another century. If only I had more time……”

A wave of sadness hit Seraphine. She took a sip of the tea.

Jingxing’s brewing skills were a thousand times better than Qiu Shuangshuang’s, yet she found it hard to swallow. She instinctively looked at the silver orb at her waist.

Echo emitted a faint, comforting glow, instantly steadying her heart.

Seraphine set the cup down and said firmly, “Then within this century, we will wipe out Zhan Ye and the entire Demon Domain together.”

The ‘Orb’ had said that with a hundred years, she could ascend. Seraphine believed her.

In just a few years, she had already reached the Nascent Soul stage. Who else in the world could compare?

Jingxing’s eyes brightened. “Your mother was just as spirited and arrogant back then. Fine! We shall eradicate the Demon Lord within this century!” He clinked his cup against hers.

After a moment, Seraphine asked hesitantly, “Elder Uncle…… what is your true cultivation level now?”

“Don’t worry, I only dropped one level.” Jingxing said nonchalantly. “And the extraction didn’t hurt me as much as it seemed. If the injury was thirty percent, I simply acted as if it were a hundred.”

Seraphine blinked, realization dawning on her. “You’re faking the severity of the injury to lure the demon cultivators into the Academy to steal the soul fragment?”

“Exactly.” Jingxing nodded. “I will spread the word. We’ll see if they take the bait.” He smiled at her. “Seraphine, you are steadfast, and Echo is pure of heart. You two are the best candidates for my chest. If you are willing, keep an eye out in Westle.”

Seraphine smiled. “I already have my eye on a certain chest…… we’ll see what fate decides. Also, Elder Uncle, I have something I need you to identify.”

She took out the phoenix collar.

Jingxing paused, examining it closely. “This…… looks like your mother’s collar.” he said in surprise.

“My mother’s?” Seraphine’s grip tightened. “How could it be in the hands of a demon cultivator?”

“It lacks her personal seal. It might be a forgery. Your guess was likely right—the demons want to lure you to the Demon Domain.”

“Seraphine, be extremely cautious in Westle. I set the assessment there hoping you could find the soul fragments, but nothing is worth more than your life.”

“I understand. Thank you, Elder Uncle.” Seraphine tucked the collar away and headed for the docks.

With the Academy now nearly empty, Seraphine chose not to use their spirit boats.

Instead, she had Error transform into her true form and rode the dragon toward Westle.

Once they were clear of the Academy’s barrier and surrounded only by clouds, Echo drifted out of the silk pouch and settled seriously in front of Seraphine.

“I have something to say to you.” To emphasize her seriousness, Echo had even manifested a tiny pair of silver-wire glasses to wear on her orb.

Seraphine chuckled. “Speak.”

Echo folded her matchstick arms behind her back, her eyes turning into serious ovals behind the glasses. “I don’t like you taking other people’s cultivation. If you want some, take mine. I can give you as much as you need.”

Seraphine’s lips curled, but before she could respond, Echo continued, “If you’re in such a hurry to level up, then let’s not rush to find the Phoenix Codex. Let’s just start Dual Cultivation right now. If we can’t win with quality, we’ll win with quantity. What do you think?”

[Author’s Note]

Seraphine: ……

Seraphine: You’ve certainly…… improved.