I Became a Rare Species in the Immortal Cultivation World

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 26: The Responsibility of the Celestial Maiden

Lin Feng meditated until evening before waking. The horrific wounds covering his body had completely healed. Except for his lightning-scorched clothes hanging in tatters, no injuries remained visible. Even old scars from past hunts had vanished, leaving his entire being revitalized.

"Lin Feng, are you alright?" You You inquired.

Lin Feng’s eyes gleamed with contained excitement as he clasped his fists respectfully. "By your grace, Noble Lady, I’ve successfully achieved Foundation Building."

"What?" What chicken?

"You built your foundation!" Yin Fan exclaimed nearby, shock coloring his features. Foundation Building cultivators were rare treasures – scarcely seen in all Shangyang City, let alone the entire Fengtian Kingdom.

"Correct." Lin Feng’s nod brimmed with enthusiasm. "Though my past cultivation attempts never yielded spiritual energy, the foundation remained. Your spellcasting not only granted me spiritual roots but propelled my breakthrough into Foundation Building." Hence the lightning tribulation – his ascension trial.

You You blinked in confusion, vaguely grasping this meant Lin Feng had leveled up in cultivation. Assuming this related to his prior training, she dismissed it. Finding no abnormalities in his condition, she finally broached the celestial maiden subject.

Through Lin Feng’s explanation, she understood the critical omission in their earlier world briefing. Only women naturally possessed spiritual roots here, yet female cultivators remained scarce – hence their initial surprise at mistaking her for one. Men required externally-bestowed spiritual roots to cultivate. Rare women who could grant this boon became celestial maidens.

All sect leaders without exception were celestial maidens, Lin Feng emphasized.

"You must belong to some great sect, Noble Lady," Lin Feng reasoned. "Perhaps an accident caused your memory loss. Your disciples must be scouring the world for you." A missing celestial maiden could shake the entire immortal cultivation world.

"What if…" You You’s cheek twitched. "I’m not from any sect?" As a dimensional transplantee, no search parties sought her.

Lin Feng paused, considering this novel possibility. "Then you’d be a newly awakened celestial maiden," he concluded.

"New ones get recruited?"

"Typically born into immortal clans," Lin Feng explained. "Such prominent families form sects around their celestial maidens. If the clan’s weak, they ally with greater powers or join existing sects."

"So celestial maidens become permanent sect leaders?" You You groaned at the lifelong responsibility.

"Can’t one just grant roots without managing sects?"

Lin Feng’s expression turned grave. "Disciples owe their cultivation path to celestial maidens. Betraying you would betray the Great Dao itself. Though amnesiac, your sect surely searches tirelessly."

Suddenly Lin Feng knelt solemnly. "My Lin family may be minor, but we’ll devote everything to return you to your rightful sect!"

"Actually…" You You scratched her neck awkwardly. "I don’t have amnesia. Just recently discovered my root-granting ability. Not some lost sect leader. Believe me?"

Lin Feng froze. The watching teammates gaped.

"Not lying, just… complicated explanations." You You fumbled. Dimension-hopping defied easy description. "Sorry…"

"We believe!" Lin Feng’s eyes burned with devotion. "You’re heaven’s gift to the human world. Your actions need no justification. I pledge eternal service!"

You You’s heart warmed at acquiring such an ardent follower.

"Th-thanks." She turned to distant teammates. "Why are they avoiding me?"

"Lowly status fears rudeness," Lin Feng explained. Clan-born like him shouldn’t normally meet celestial maidens.

"Nonsense! I’ll grant everyone roots!" You You proposed. Brotherhood deserved shared cultivation.

"Impossible!" Lin Feng objected. "Sects enforce strict Selection rules. Only top Qualifications merit spiritual roots – future sect protectors."

"But our team’s great!"

"Your kindness humbles us, but unqualified disciples would shame you." Lin Feng insisted. New celestial maidens already faced disadvantages without clan backing. Recruiting strange people first would invite ridicule.

"Wait until proper recruitment," he suggested. "Then accept them under pretexts."

The teammates nodded fiercely, their determined expressions screaming they’d endure any hardship rather than cause her grievance.

You You: "…"

Suddenly the weight of responsibility crushed heavier.

o(╯□╰)o