Chapter 52 Who is the man next to the master in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition?

As soon as Fu Yunshu emerged from seclusion, Yin Lisheng lost all interest in proctoring any entrance examinations.

Song Wenzhuo knew that the master and disciple must miss each other terribly after not seeing each other for twenty years, so he didn't mention having Yin Lisheng continue to proctor the exam. Anyway, with Yu Jiangheng and a few others present, there shouldn't be any problems.

He came to listen to Xuefeng's story for another reason.

"The Immortal Sect Grand Competition?"

Fu Yunshu pushed the brewed tea in front of Song Wenzhuo with her right hand, and with her left hand, she picked up a piece of peach blossom cake made by Yin Lisheng from the dish.

"Thank you, Grandmaster Uncle," Song Wenzhuo took a small sip. "The Immortal Sect Grand Competition is held once every fifty years. Disciples under the age of one hundred from all sects can participate. You never went in previous years, but this year Junior Uncle will probably participate, so I thought I'd come and ask you about it."

“If Master doesn’t go, I won’t go either,” Yin Lisheng said without changing his expression.

Song Wenzhuo: "..." You're tearing me down so quickly? You still remember what happened two years ago?

His gaze swept over Yin Lisheng. Since entering the room, Yin Lisheng hadn't spared him a single glance, staring straight at his grandmaster for most of the day. Was he really that clingy?

“Li Sheng,” Fu Yunshu said helplessly, “you must not be so presumptuous.”

“Alright,” Yin Lisheng admitted his mistake very quickly, “Sect Master, I apologize, it was my rudeness.”

"It's nothing," Song Wenzhuo said, having already seen through his true colors, and didn't bother to argue.

"Where is it being held this year?" Fu Yunshu asked.

“Nine Yang Sect,” Song Wenzhuo said, taking out an invitation. “This time, Gu Yuan and I will be leading the team.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to go,” Fu Yunshu said, propping his hand up. “Shi Jin of the Nine Yang Sect has always disliked our Qingyuan Sect. If I go, I can at least annoy him.”

Song Wenzhuo found it funny; even his grandmaster uncle had such a childlike side.

He quickly took his leave, leaving the two of them alone.

After everyone left, Fu Yunshu was somewhat distracted. If he remembered correctly, in the original novel, he seemed to have died during the Immortal Sect Grand Competition.

Although the situation is completely different now, and he certainly wouldn't attempt ascension at this time, he was still momentarily stunned upon hearing about it.

Yin Lisheng rested his head on Fu Yunshu's lap, "What is Master thinking about?"

"I was wondering why you're still so clingy?" Fu Yunshu chuckled.

Yin Lisheng wrapped her arms around his waist, "I only cling to Master."

Fu Yunshu didn't push him away, and said, "Let's go to the Immortal Sect Competition together. All the scions of famous families and the chosen ones of heaven will be gathered together. It will be a good opportunity for me to see your progress over the past twenty years."

He looked down at Yin Lisheng and said, "I believe my apprentice is no worse than anyone else."

Yin Lisheng laughed loudly, "This disciple will certainly live up to Master's expectations."

…………

Amidst swirling clouds and mist, the flying boat sped along.

On the deck, Qiu Nan and Yan Shuangwan were discussing the upcoming Immortal Sect Competition with great interest; Yin Simiao lay lazily in her chair, occasionally chiming in with a few words; Yu Jiangheng was not present because Song Wenzhuo had called him away to discuss matters.

Yin Lisheng followed behind Fu Yunshu, his gaze occasionally falling on his master's back, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Fu Yunshu noticed his gaze, turned around and glanced at him, then smiled and said, "Li Sheng, why are you staring at your teacher?"

Yin Lisheng's ears turned slightly red, and he said in a low voice, "This disciple just thinks that Master is exceptionally handsome."

Fu Yunshu chuckled and shook his head: "You silly child."

As always, Yin Simiao was fearless. After hearing the conversation between the two, she couldn't help but tease, "Immortal Venerable Huaiwei, your disciple is really clingy. After twenty years apart, he's like a piece of chewing gum that you can't shake off."

Yin Lisheng glanced at Yin Simiao indifferently and said calmly, "If you're envious, you can find a Jiang Heng to stick with you."

Yin Simiao choked, speechless. Yan Shuangwan chuckled to herself, while Qiu Nan lazily yawned and said, "Alright, alright, you two stop bickering. Jiuyang Gate is just ahead."

Upon hearing this, everyone composed themselves and turned their gazes toward the majestic mountain gate in the distance.

As the host of this Immortal Sect Competition, the Nine Yang Sect had already prepared a welcoming array in front of its mountain gate. Dozens of Nine Yang Sect disciples stood in neat rows on both sides, exuding a magnificent aura.

As Song Wenzhuo led everyone to land, Shi Jin, the leader of the Nine Yang Sect, had already come forward with a fake smile on his face: "Sect Master Song, Immortal Venerable Huaiwei, Peak Master Gu, it's been many years, and you all still look as dashing as ever."

Song Wenzhu smiled faintly, his tone distant: "Sect Leader Shi is too kind. I hope you will forgive me for disturbing you this time."

Shi Jin laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over Yin Lisheng and the others behind Song Wenzhuo. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it: "The disciples of Qingyuan Sect are all outstanding individuals. I'm sure they will put on a spectacular performance in this competition."

Song Wenzhu smiled noncommittally and did not reply. Seeing this, Shi Jin also said nothing more and turned to lead the group into the Jiuyang Gate.

Yin Lisheng followed behind Fu Yunshu, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. Suddenly, he spotted two familiar figures in the crowd. He paused for a moment, then recognized them as Lin Yan and Lu Huai, whom he had rescued at Huayang Academy.

Lin Yan and Lu Huai obviously saw Yin Lisheng as well, and a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes, but due to the occasion, they did not go up to greet him.

Yin Lisheng withdrew his gaze and whispered to Yin Simiao beside him, "Brother Simiao, why are those two here too?"

Yin Simiao followed his gaze and smiled, "Oh, you mean Lin Yan and Lu Huai? They've been accepted as disciples by Peak Master Wen of Fu Peak, and they're out here to broaden their horizons."

Yin Lisheng was taken aback. Newly initiated disciples were not strong enough to participate in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition. It seemed that Peak Master Wen valued the two of them highly.

Fu Yunshu noticed Yin Lisheng's distraction and asked in a low voice, "Lisheng, what's wrong?"

Yin Lisheng snapped out of his daze and shook his head: "It's nothing, I just saw two people I know."

Fu Yunshu didn't ask any more questions. Yin Lisheng had grown up, and they hadn't seen each other for twenty years, so it was normal that he didn't know about many people and things.

He just felt a little empty inside, for some reason.

The Qingyuan Sect members were arranged to stay in the guest courtyard specially prepared by the Jiuyang Sect, with Fu Yunshu and Yin Lisheng staying in the same courtyard.

After settling in, Fu Yunshu called Yin Lisheng over and said, "Just do your best."

Yin Lisheng nodded: "Disciple understands, Master, please rest assured, disciple will handle this carefully."

Seeing how serious he was, Fu Yunshu felt gratified. She reached out and ruffled his hair, smiling as she said, "You're very good. I don't really have any advice for you. Don't worry about the rankings. Just have fun."

Yin Lisheng felt a warmth in his heart and whispered, "Thank you, Master."

Fu Yunshu smiled, turned and went inside. Yin Lisheng stood in the courtyard, watching his master's back, savoring his actions, a sense of satisfaction welling up in his heart.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the pounding in his heart, and turned to go back to his room.

…………

The next day, the Immortal Sect Competition officially began. The martial arts arena of the Nine Yang Sect was bustling with activity and excitement.

In the center of the training ground stood a huge arena, surrounded by dozens of towering stone pillars, each carved with intricate runes and faintly emanating spiritual energy.

On the arena, disciples from various sects stood in neat rows, their momentum unstoppable and their fighting spirit soaring.

Several huge floating platforms floated around the arena, where the sect leaders and elders of various sects sat, looking down at the arena below with different expressions.

In the center of the Nine Yang Sect's floating platform, Sect Leader Shi Jin sat in the main seat with a smile on his face.

On the floating platform of Miaoyin Palace, Palace Master Qin Lianyue, dressed in purple, perfectly outlined her graceful figure. Her nose was delicate and straight, her cherry lips were naturally red, and her hair was casually tied up in a bun, with a few strands falling beside her fair neck, further emphasizing the black hair around her neck.

Her gaze swept over the disciples below, her eyes filled with scrutiny and expectation.

Right next to Yin Lisheng were Chu Yu and Duan Xuan. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Duan Xuan waving excitedly to Qin Lianyue, so he turned his gaze to the floating platform of Qingyuan Sect, wanting to see his master.

On the floating platform of Qingyuan Sect, Song Wenzhuo sat at the very front, looking down at the disciples with anticipation in his eyes. Gu Zhinan sat to his right, his expression indifferent, his gaze also fixed on the arena, occasionally exchanging a few words with Song Wenzhuo in low voices.

Fu Yunshu, on the left, did not focus on the arena. Instead, he turned his head and talked to a white-haired, blindfolded man.

The man was dressed in white, his long hair flowing like a waterfall and casually draped over his shoulders, giving him an exceptionally aloof and otherworldly appearance.

With a high, straight nose and lips as pale as cherry blossoms, he seemed like an immortal who had stepped out of a painting. However, his eyes were covered by a white silk ribbon, which was gently tied behind his head and swayed slightly in the wind, adding to his mystery and aloofness.

Fu Yunshu was talking to the man, and her expression was unusually gentle in front of outsiders. The corners of her lips were slightly upturned, and her eyes were filled with a smile.

As Yin Lisheng stood on the arena, a strange mix of bitterness and unease welled up in his heart.

Over the years, apart from himself, even in front of Sect Master Song, Master has rarely shown such emotions. Why would he make an exception when facing this person?

Who is that man? Why is Master so close to him?

Yin Lisheng frowned slightly, a hint of irritation creeping into his heart. He forced himself to look away from the scene on the floating platform and instead focused his attention on the upcoming competition.

However, he could not calm down completely. The image of Fu Yunshu talking with the white-haired man kept appearing in his mind, and the bitterness in his heart grew stronger.

"Li Sheng, what's wrong?" Yin Simiao, who was beside Yin Li Sheng, noticed his unusual behavior and asked in a low voice.

"Brother Simiao, do you know who that man next to my master is?"

Yin Simiao turned her gaze over and said, "White hair and blindness, that should be Lu Yanci, the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion."

Although Tianji Pavilion is one of the top four sects, it is far more mysterious than other sects.

His disciples are skilled in divination and destiny analysis, and can glimpse the secrets of heaven. Among them, the Pavilion Master Lu Yanci is rumored to be able to know the future and communicate with the heavens. Moreover, his cultivation is also remarkable. He is another Mahayana stage cultivator in the cultivation world besides Fu Yunshu.

Yin Lisheng lowered his eyes. No matter how he looked at it, this person was clearly a better match for his master than himself.

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Author's Note: I received news this evening that my father had been hit in the foot by a machine while working and had to go to the hospital for stitches. I've been dealing with this and only got back very late. I didn't want to break my attendance record, so I wrote this chapter in a rush. I'll revise it carefully tomorrow.

I've arranged to meet with the voice actor tomorrow after he finishes his work to discuss the details. He needs to assess the situation before deciding whether to accept the role. So far, things are going smoothly, and I hope for a good outcome.