As the scent of flowers lingered in the air, Lu Fanzhi poked Luo Jinxiao and whispered, “Jinxiao, how did you get so close with Senior Aunt Qu?”
Luo Jinxiao snapped out of her thoughts, shook her head, and replied, “Not really close. I just wanted to thank her for helping me.”
She no longer feared the woman known later as the demoness. Perhaps it was because Qu Weiyin had never shown the malice the rumors claimed; she was just eccentric and enigmatic.
Since joining the Wuhui Sect, Qu Weiyin had consistently assisted her. The descriptions of her as murderous and bloodthirsty seemed more like labels imposed by others.
What had she endured to become the terrifying figure of her previous life, driven to madness?
Luo Jinxiao admitted her feelings toward Qu Weiyin were complex, mingling fear with gratitude and curiosity.
The thoughts were fleeting. Soon, her focus shifted to winning the competition without revealing her current cultivation level. In her past life, she never obtained a satisfactory spiritual weapon. Now, given a second chance at life, she couldn’t pass up such a golden opportunity.
In the days leading up to the competition, Luo Jinxiao attended classes with others but retreated alone to the secluded mountains for training. The Wuhui Sect proved to be a blessed place for cultivation, rich in spiritual energy. Though her Yin-aligned spiritual veins were hard to cultivate, she gradually mastered the technique of merging her two types of spiritual energy, making them more fluid and versatile.
In her free time, she snuck into the library, poring over piles of cultivation manuals just like in her previous life, losing herself in study without disturbance.
The competition day arrived quickly. Luo Jinxiao rose early while the sky was still a deep blue, and the morning mist had yet to lift. Upon reaching the training platform, the vast white jade stage lay shrouded in mountain fog, resembling a heavenly realm.
Some disciples were already there, nervously sparring with each other. Among them was Baili Qingzhou, muttering strange incantations while wielding a sword.
Luo Jinxiao watched with interest but couldn’t make sense of his actions. “Jinxiao, why are you here so early?” Lu Fanzhi asked, appearing behind her, brimming with excitement rather than nerves.
“Couldn’t sleep, so I came early. How’s your preparation going?” Luo Jinxiao replied with a smile.
Lu Fanzhi shook her head, rubbing her shoulders. “I’m not aiming for a spiritual weapon anyway. My master seems more anxious than I am, drilling me in swordplay since yesterday until I was exhausted.”
Luo Jinxiao looked up to see a gentle-looking man nearby, constructing the platform for the competition with spiritual power.
“Today, my master is overseeing things, but I hear some elders and senior brothers and sisters are coming to watch, so be careful,” Lu Fanzhi warned, her eyes filled with concern.
Luo Jinxiao patted her shoulder, reassuring her.
As more people arrived, the mist dissipated with the sunrise, and warm light filtered through the clouds, enveloping everyone in a cozy glow. The once vast white jade stage became crowded.
The annual new disciples’ competition was a highlight for the sect, drawing nearly the entire Wuhui Sect to watch. Luo Jinxiao spotted Luo Ning waving at her from a distance, her expression grimly determined.
Luo Jinxiao returned the gesture with equal solemnity.
The competition was conducted one-on-one. For fairness, spiritual beasts and talismans were prohibited; only personal weapons were allowed. Luo Jinxiao felt reassured as she touched the sword at her side.
“First match, Baili Qingzhou versus Situ Xue,” announced Chang Siyu, his amplified voice echoing across the jade stage.
Baili Qingzhou, trembling, took his sword and stepped forward. Situ Xue, the timid girl from before, appeared even more nervous, entering barehanded.
Both were at the second stage of Foundation Establishment, evenly matched. At Chang Siyu’s signal, they clashed, their spiritual powers colliding in a lackluster exchange.
Baili Qingzhou seemed reluctant to attack, only probing cautiously, while Situ Xue dodged continuously, nearly bursting into tears.
The cheers from the audience gradually faded.
Luo Jinxiao found it the longest and most tedious match, ending only when Situ Xue burst into tears and conceded.
She sighed, feeling bored.
Fortunately, the subsequent matches were more serious, filled with thrilling exchanges. Blades and swords flashed, creating an intense atmosphere that kept the audience cheering.
“Next match, Luo Jinxiao versus Ke Xiu,” Chang Siyu called, glancing at Luo Jinxiao with disdain as his gaze found her in the crowd.
Ignoring his attitude, Luo Jinxiao tightened her grip on her sword and strode onto the stage. Her armguards secured her flowing sleeves, giving her a neat, agile appearance. Her black hair was tied high, cascading behind her, exuding elegance.
As she stepped onto the stage, laughter and mocking whispers arose, though not malicious, they were dismissive.
Her opponent was a tall woman with sharp eyes and a commanding presence. Despite Luo Jinxiao’s own height, the woman towered over her, raising an eyebrow condescendingly.
Luo Jinxiao grinned, then straightened up, gripping her sword firmly at her side.
At the sound of the drums, the woman launched a spiritual energy-formed lightning bolt at Luo Jinxiao, exploding at her feet, sending dust flying. Luo Jinxiao quickly retreated, dodging without using any spiritual power.
The woman’s assault was fierce, her pale blue spiritual energy crackling like lightning on the stage, while Luo Jinxiao seemed trapped within.
A high terrace with several seats was occupied by elders, watching intently.
“Elder Liu, this girl is your disciple? She seems rather average. I thought, after years without taking a student, you’d choose someone exceptionally talented,” the female elder from the other day teased.
“Elder Mei, talent is a blessing for the disciple. If a less talented one wins the competition, it’s a testament to us as teachers,” Elder Liu replied, unfazed by her sarcasm, eyes closed.
Elder Mei frowned, looking at Luo Jinxiao, still trapped in the arena. “But your disciple doesn’t seem likely to win.”
“The competition isn’t over. Don’t jump to conclusions,” Elder Liu said, opening his eyes briefly to glance at Luo Jinxiao before closing them again.
Elder Mei was about to retort when Qu Chengzhou’s warning cut her off, “As elders, maintain your decorum.”
His words silenced them, and just then, an uproar erupted from the jade stage. The elders looked up to see the tall woman, who had been dominating, suddenly thrown off the stage, landing heavily, unable to rise.
No one seemed to have expected this outcome. Gui Jiu, overseeing the match, quickly used spiritual power to carry the woman for treatment.
Luo Jinxiao, unexpectedly victorious, stood amidst a shocked silence, soon replaced by a clamor of disbelief.
Luo Jinxiao calmly flexed her wrist. Though her opponent was strong, her moves were overly flashy and imprecise. The barrage of lightning bolts failed to hit their mark.
She had barely used her spiritual power, delivering a single, precise strike to her opponent’s chest.
“Tenth match, Luo Jinxiao wins,” Chang Siyu announced reluctantly. Elder Liu, hearing this, opened his eyes, looking pleased, nodding at Elder Mei, who nearly fell off her seat in frustration.
“Weiyin, you’re here,” Elder He suddenly said.
Qu Weiyin had appeared behind them unnoticed. She nodded in greeting to the elders, avoiding Qu Chengzhou’s gaze.
Everyone knew of the discord between the Qu uncle and niece, so they changed the subject, discussing who should lead the new disciples to the Celestial Realm.
Qu Weiyin stood like a statue, her eyes briefly catching Luo Jinxiao in the crowd.
It seemed she had won a match.
The girl’s face was radiant in the sunlight, skin like snow, her smile captivating and lively.
Qu Weiyin paused, then looked elsewhere.
“This year may be more dangerous. Perhaps Weiyin should lead the group? If one isn’t enough, Gui Jiu can assist. He’s meticulous and can be of help,” Qu Chengzhou suggested, drawing Qu Weiyin’s attention back.
She frowned at him, her emotions churning, and quickly looked away, “I decline.”
“Why refuse?” Qu Chengzhou asked, lowering his voice.
“Busy,” Qu Weiyin replied tersely.
Qu Chengzhou’s gaze was inscrutable, and he fell silent.
The elders quickly shifted the topic again. Elder He, twirling his beard, lamented, “The path to the Celestial Realm is fraught with demonic obstacles. Most of our higher cultivators are absent. If we go, the Wuhui Sect will be short-handed. What should we do?”
“Perhaps, Elder Qu could personally lead them, and let the losing disciples join too. Even if they don’t gain a spiritual weapon, it would be an experience,” another elder suggested.
Before Qu Chengzhou could respond, Qu Weiyin interrupted their conversation.
“No need to trouble Elder Qu,” she said, her long lashes shading her eyes. “I will go.”
Comment