Chapter 16 – Nangong Yue

The prodigies of the heavens couldn't hide their disdain upon seeing Lin Jichen's pitifully weak cultivation.

Despite their own excellence, none had managed to become disciples of the Sect Master.

Yet this unkempt youth from who-knows-where had caught the Sect Master's eye.

Whispers and murmurs grew louder and more intense.

Elder Tianjian's brow furrowed, and he bellowed, "Silence!"

Peace was restored to the scene.

Though they dared not gossip any longer, their eyes still challenged Lin Jichen provocatively.

Lin Jichen chuckled wryly to himself, realizing that becoming the Sect Master's disciple wasn't going to be smooth sailing.

At the very least, he could foresee the inner palace disciples setting traps for him in the future.

But it didn't matter. He was determined to cling to this powerful support, regardless of anyone's opinion.

Elder Tianjian was surprised too, but he wouldn't question Leng Feiyan's decision.

"Elder Tianjian, please continue your lesson. I will take my disciple back to the Sword Palace. Once he reaches the crystallization stage of cultivation, he will attend your classes."

"Of course, of course," Elder Tianjian quickly agreed.

Without another word, Leng Feiyan lifted Lin Jichen into the air, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished.

In just a few breaths, Lin Jichen found himself standing atop the tallest immortal mountain.

Up close, he could see that the palace adorned with orchids and osmanthus was called the Sword Palace.

There was no one in sight inside the Sword Palace, nor on the mountain.

As if reading his mind, Leng Feiyan calmly explained:

"The Sword Palace is the core of our Tianyan Sect. Apart from hosting meetings, it is visited only by disciples who come to clean every morning. No one else."

"From today on, you will cultivate here. I will arrange for a disciple to bring you the sect's newcomer package and show you to your quarters. Tomorrow at dawn, meet me in the great hall."

With that, Leng Feiyan disappeared.

Lin Jichen scratched his head, finding his Sect Master rather aloof.

Such a favorable first impression, yet treated so coldly.

He could hardly imagine how other players would fare if they encountered Leng Feiyan.

Not long after Leng Feiyan left, a sweet voice came from outside the hall.

"I heard we have a new disciple in the inner palace, great! I'm no longer the youngest. I have a junior brother now~"

As she spoke, a blue-clad girl trotted into the hall.

Her beauty was unparalleled, her appearance as delicate as the crescent moon's halo and snow piled upon flowers.

Her petite chin, along with her thin, dainty lips, exuded an indescribable grace and elegance.

Her black hair, simply tied into an immortal's bun, accentuated her petite yet curvaceous figure.

She wore the same blue and white Sword Sect uniform as the other inner palace disciples, with a pale pink lotus embroidered on the sleeve and silver threads outlining auspicious clouds.

A pink sachet hung at her waist, and she wore deer leather boots with bells that jingled pleasantly as she walked.

Especially lively were her eyes, mischievous and playful, instantly endearing her to anyone who saw her.

"Junior brother, come and pay your respects to your senior sister."

Upon entering, the girl looked around and immediately spotted Lin Jichen in the palace.

At first sight of Lin Jichen, she froze in place as if spellbound.

Soon, her initial bold demeanor turned shy, her cheeks blushing faintly.

Her once chatty mouth suddenly fell silent.

Lin Jichen greeted her with a smile, introducing himself, "Junior brother Lin Jichen, at your service, senior sister."

The girl, caught off guard by his cooperation, covered her mouth and giggled.

Her laughter was charming and endearing.

"Not bad, not bad. My name is Nangong Yue, at the crystallization stage of cultivation. If you need anything, junior brother, your senior sister has got your back!"

She patted her chest proudly, boasting to Lin Jichen.

Lin Jichen immediately showed admiration, flattery coming naturally.

"I never imagined my senior sister would not only be more beautiful than flowers but also possess such high cultivation. I am utterly in awe."

Hearing such praise, Nangong Yue bashfully turned her head away, a blush spreading down her neck.

Perhaps feeling the need to assert her authority as a senior sister, she put her hands on her hips and tried to look stern.

"I didn't expect my junior brother to be such a flatterer!"

But far from being ashamed, Lin Jichen took it as a compliment.

"There's a saying that goes, 'To advance in cultivation, don't just focus on training. It's better to flatter than to work hard in vain.'"

Pfft~

Nangong Yue couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Her beautiful eyes curved into crescents, her serious facade gone.

【Ding! Nangong Yue's affection level towards you has increased by 10! Current affection level: 10 points (Instant Rapport)】

Seeing the game notification, Lin Jichen's heart swelled with joy.

The interactions between players and NPCs were not limited to quests.

These NPCs were living characters in the world of immortals, eventually to descend into reality.

Building good relationships and cultivating affection levels with them was all benefit and no harm.

However, raising affection levels with NPCs was notoriously difficult, even if you possessed transcendent charm.

High charm only meant a good first impression, which didn't equate to affection levels.

A good first impression simply made it easier to increase affection levels, but it also depended on your actions.

If you relied on your charm and behaved inappropriately or offensively, don't expect to raise affection levels.

Different affection levels could trigger unique hidden quests and opportunities.

There are ten levels of affection:

1~10 points: Instant Rapport; 11~20 points: Enjoyable Conversation; 21~30 points: Companions on the Journey; 31~40 points: Daily Companionship; 41~50 points: Heartfelt Connection.

Beyond that, there are different levels for relationships with the opposite and same sex:

51~60 points: Intimate Bond/Shared Adversity;

61~70 points: Mutual Affection/Brotherly Bond;

71~80 points: Harmonious Union/Unwavering Support;

81~90 points: Vows of Eternity/Brothers in Arms;

91~100 points: Undying Loyalty/Together in Life and Death.

These ten levels of affection represent the relationship with an NPC.

Generally, if you reach Mutual Affection with an NPC of the opposite sex, physical contact is allowed without rejection.

Of course, the same goes for the same sex if you're willing to cross swords.

At Harmonious Union, you can become dao companions, equivalent to being boyfriend and girlfriend, and unlock the dual cultivation mode.

The same applies to same-sex relationships.

Reaching Vows of Eternity means marriage with the NPC.

At Undying Loyalty, the NPC will stick by you through thick and thin, never to part.

Similarly, well...

But it's well-known that raising NPC affection levels is difficult. In his past life, Lin Jichen never managed to break 50 points with any NPC.

The highest he achieved was a Heartfelt Connection with a female elder from the Law Sect, after seven or eight years of selflessly helping her multiple times.

Not just him, but among all players of Tale of Immortal, those who raised an NPC's affection level above 70 were exceedingly rare.

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