Cannon fodder in a classic cultivation story

1. Disturbed Qi

Everything around Su Jing was blurry.

She tried to look around and distinguish things, but as if someone covered her eyes, Su Jing could not sense anything.

Tension built up in her body, and Su Jing realized she had been holding her breath all this while. Desperately trying to take a deep breath, she struggled to gain control over her body.

"Aish, you shouldn't have over-exhausted your inner Qi like that."

The voice was loud enough to kick her senses awake.

Su Jing froze and rapidly breathed as a rush of air hit her lungs.

This was almost painful, scratching her dry throat. Su Jing coughed, trying to grasp onto the cold air.

"What's with her?"

"She's clearly holding on to the master to make him pity her!"

The voices around her grew more restless. Su Jing felt nauseous, and while she tried to stop the uncomfortable sensation around her throat, the first man again talked.

"It was only needed for a bit of Qi for us to see your potential - why did you enter so much in the Chaotic Sphere? Your whole Qi energy is now strained, young girl."

Immediately after, a warm sensation slowly surrounded her cold body.

Su Jing focused her eyes, and soon, the once-blurry shapes morphed into objects and people. In front of her was a man with a white, long beard cascading down his chest, seeming to be the one who talked.

She also noticed how poor her condition was - her legs hurt, her back was sweaty and painful, and her lips were dry. Her hands felt heavy, and she couldn't help but stare at the strange orb she was holding.

Glimpsing at it, Su Jing almost felt lost in its white mass. It gave her a strange feeling - as if her blank mind was reflected in it.

"This young girl should give me back the testing sphere. It may ease down your disturbed Qi."

Su Jing's trance was cut short, feeling how an odd energy was leaving her body as he took the orb. In the next moment, it turned grey in his fingers, looking like a rock.

"And remember to not overuse your roots. If you continue to do that, they will certainly turn weaker."

Su Jing, now that she had a slightly clearer head, couldn't help but get confused by his words. Roots? Was she a tree? She looked down at her hands and was sure her body was human.

"Have you understood me? You do not seem like listening to me at all."

The master stared at her, furrowing his brows.

Su Jing flinched, only now observing the aura around him - a powerful one. She unconsciously felt her heart quicken, and thus, her sight was immediately put down.

She nodded quickly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Y-yes. I understand."

The intense, disapproving glares from around bore into the back of her head, becoming unbearable for her.

"So be it then," the old man said, leaning his head slightly, "Tian Hui Sect only opens its door to the best, but fear not, the Dao is vast and ever-flowing. Your journey may take unexpected turns with enough patience."

Once more, Su Jing was puzzled by what he mentioned, but one thing was obvious - she was being turned away.

She did not belong here or in that place.

As the realization sank in, Su Jing's confusion grew. She wanted to ask him, but he turned towards someone else walking in this direction.

Her words got stuck in her throat.