Chapter 54 The Quota: "Who is it that Zhenyang Peak sent up?"...

"I want to participate in this Immortal Sect Competition."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yizhan was momentarily stunned.

During his years in the Kunlun Mountains, he was always mindful of his surroundings. He would never stand if he could sit, and he would never get involved in anything that didn't require his effort. He had no interest in any competitions or trials, and he didn't put much effort into improving his cultivation. Although he had the sword techniques and mental cultivation methods that others coveted in his mind, his motto was to only exert three-tenths of his effort in everything and just get by.

But his junior sister was different; she was not like him. From the moment she entered Kunlun, she diligently studied and practiced regardless of the weather, her cultivation advancing by leaps and bounds. However, because Zhenyang Peak had little contact with the outside world, no one knew how dazzling his junior sister was. From the moment Jiang Yuhuo placed her hand in his palm in the snowy ruins that year, he had remained on Zhenyang Peak, watching his junior sister gradually be forged into a sharp sword.

Will the precious sword hidden beneath its scabbard eventually be revealed to the world?

If he could, he would even prefer that she didn't become so sharp, but simply be an ordinary, carefree immortal, living a life of ease on Zhenyang Peak.

Wen Yizhan's mood suddenly plummeted, and the smile on his lips froze. "It's a pity that your senior brother can't go with you."

The Immortal Clan Grand Competition is held every five years, hosted in rotation by Kunlun, Tianque, and the three major immortal clans. This year's competition is being held at Tianque Mountain, far away in the easternmost part of the Central Continent. Mo Yujiang's purification ritual takes at least a month, and the Tianque Grand Competition is at the end of this month; he won't be able to make it in time. More importantly, the thought of her standing in the competition arena, being watched by countless eyes, filled with curiosity and discussion… many people trying to befriend her, and perhaps she would reciprocate with one or two people, made Wen Yizhan feel uneasy.

Jiang Yuhuo knew he had a mission and hadn't intended for him to accompany her, but hearing this still warmed her heart, and a smile appeared on her lips. "Senior brother, don't worry. By the time you return from Moyu River, I may already be at Zhenyang Peak."

If nothing unexpected happens during the competition, the final winner will be decided within a few days.

The reward that Tianque is offering to the winner this time is a Spirit-Subduing Wood. This wood grows in the Netherworld Waters, is black and heavy, and can channel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for its own use. It possesses immense power; though it looks like just a piece of wood, it is in reality a deadly weapon. Of course, anything that can channel spiritual energy can also channel evil energy.

Jiang Yuhuo had seen descriptions and images of this wood in artifact catalogs. If she wasn't mistaken, the dove-shaped staff that Jia Qianyang held back then was made of spirit-summoning wood. Because spirit-summoning wood grows in water, it also has a unique characteristic: a special way of communicating among itself. It can sense the location of all individuals in the group and transmit information without being disturbed by distance.

In this way, if she could obtain a Spirit-Summoning Wood, she would be able to track down the location of all the Spirit-Summoning Woods in the world.

No matter how many roads she had to travel or how many years it took, she would search one by one until she finally found Jia Qianyang.

Therefore, even if it costs her everything, she is willing to give it a try.

Wen Yizhan perked up slightly. "I know your swordsmanship, so I don't need to worry about it. However, the Grand Competition is held every five years. If you can't win once, there will be countless more. You've only been in the Immortal Sect for a short time, so please don't be too competitive and push yourself too hard."

Wen Yizhan assumed that she had mastered swordsmanship and wanted to test her skills.

Jiang Yuhuo nodded in agreement, but she knew very well that there would be no more. The rewards for each competition were different, and for her, this was the only time.

On the way back, Wen Yizhan walked ahead, nagging her junior sister about what to bring and what to be careful about when going out.

“Those people are all very cunning, junior sister, you must never trust anyone easily.”

"If someone bothers you, just use your sword to chase them away. Remember the move your senior brother taught you?"

"Also, don't let anyone know that your forehead jade is used to suppress heat symptoms. Those people are very wicked and will specifically look for your weaknesses."

"This trip is quite far, so I should bring some elixirs and talismans..."

Jiang Yuhuo was listening at first, but then he started to ponder the sword moves he had just learned.

"Junior sister, are you even listening to me?"

"Junior sister..."

"River Fishing Lights!"

Jiang Yuhuo was brought back to her senses by the shout and realized that Wen Yizhan had stopped at some point and was looking at her with an unhappy expression.

"What's wrong, senior brother?"

Wen Yizhan shook her head, "Forget it, you won't listen to me anyway, I'll help you pack."

While tidying up, they discovered an extra handkerchief belonging to Jiang Yuhuo, an indigo handkerchief embroidered with bamboo joints.

With just one glance, Wen Yizhan knew that this was not Jiang Yuhuo's thing.

Wen Yizhan's usually bright eyes dimmed, and countless thoughts raced through his mind. He casually picked up the fine fabric, a smile on his face, and said, "Junior Sister, it seems you brought back quite a few good things this time you came down the mountain. This handkerchief looks nice, and I happen to be short of one. Why don't you give it to me?"

Jiang Yuhuo was climbing on the bookshelf looking for a book when she heard this. She turned around, remembered that the handkerchief hadn't been washed yet, and resolutely refused, "No, that's the handkerchief of that senior brother from Lingxiao Peak."

Wen Yizhan's hands clenched involuntarily.

Jiang Yuhuo: "He only lent it to me temporarily. I'll return it to this senior brother after washing it. If you want a handkerchief, I'll bring one for you when I go down the mountain this time."

Jiang Yuhuo glanced at it only once before continuing to flip through the books, clearly not caring about the handkerchief.

Wen Yizhan breathed a silent sigh of relief.

If it were, if it were... that kind of thing where men and women pledge their love, he would definitely skin that brat Lingxiao Peak alive!

Thankfully, it wasn't.

"I wonder what the name of that senior brother from Lingxiao Peak is?" Wen Yizhan asked again.

Jiang Yuhuo looked up from the book, thought for a while, and said, "Lin... Lin Wuwang, I think that's his name."

"Ah, so it was him." Wen Yizhan smiled.

"Does Senior Brother know him?"

"Of course...we know each other, we're all acquaintances." Wen Yizhan gave a forced smile, and with a tuck of his hand, the handkerchief ended up in his pocket. "Junior sister, I'll keep this handkerchief for now, and I'll return it to you on my way another day."

Jiang Yuhuo also thought it was a good idea. Since he was an acquaintance of hers, it was better to leave it to him, saving her the trouble of making the trip.

It wasn't until long after Wen Yizhan's figure disappeared that I heard this.

Jiang Yuhuo looked up from her book. She suddenly remembered that Wen Yizhan was about to return to Moyujiang. What was he doing?

That handkerchief will most likely be stolen by him.

*

The day before they were to depart for the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, a minor commotion broke out on Kunlun Mountain. Several peak masters gathered in the council hall and discussed the matter for a long time without reaching a conclusion.

The number of participants in the Immortal Sect Competition is limited. According to the rules, each peak can send one disciple to participate. In previous years, Zhenyang Peak did not participate in the Immortal Sect Competition. Therefore, the quota of this peak would be borrowed by other peaks, especially Chongyuan Peak, which has many disciples. Every time, it is assumed that the quota of Zhenyang Peak will be borrowed to directly select two disciples to participate. However, this time, Zhenyang Peak submitted the jade certificate of the participating disciple.

This angered the disciple from Chongyuan Peak who had finally managed to stand out from his fellow disciples.

"Why should they? Everyone knows the level of the Zhenyang Peak disciples. They always hide away during missions and don't even dare to challenge ordinary demons. How could they possibly get a ranking in the Immortal Sect Competition? Zhenyang Peak is just trying to trip us up because they can't stand Chongyuan Peak using their quota!"

"Yes, it's a real pity to let a disciple of Zhenyang Peak waste a spot."

“That’s right. I’ve watched Ning Yu grow up. She’s very intelligent and has cultivated diligently for decades. She’s a very promising talent.”

"Who is it that Zhenyang Peak sent up?"

"...She's a girl who's been learning for seven years."

"Well, Old Zhang hasn't really stayed at Zhenyang Peak these past few years. What could she possibly learn? If you ask me, we should just do what we do every year and let the disciples from Chongyuan Peak go."

"No, I mean, do you guys even remember the selection rules? Just because Old Zhang isn't here doesn't mean you can treat your apprentices like this. If he comes back and finds out, just you wait and see, he'll tear your peak down."

"Okay, then what do you suggest we do?"

"You should at least call her over and ask her if she really wants to participate, or if she's just upset that her spot is being taken."

...

The peak masters discussed among themselves, but ultimately decided to ask the disciples of Zhenyang Peak who wanted to participate in the competition in person first.

And so, Jiang Yuhuo was summoned to the council hall located on the main peak of Kunlun.

A boy was standing opposite her, glaring at her.

The peak masters explained the whole story and asked Jiang Yuhuo for his opinion.

"I'm going," Jiang Yuhuo said calmly to the group of people seated at the head of the table.

"What use are you?!" Upon hearing this, the young man's eyes widened in fury, and he almost rushed towards Jiang Yuhuo, but fortunately, he was pulled back by his fellow disciples behind him.

Ning Yu was extremely dissatisfied. From a young age, he had been hailed as a prodigy, always proud and arrogant. In the previous round of the Immortal Sect Competition, he lost to two fellow disciples and failed to get a chance to fight. For the past five years, he hadn't slacked off for a single day, all for this opportunity to participate. Sure enough, he succeeded. Although he came in second, according to past practice, the second-place winner from Chongyuan Peak could represent Kunlun. With over a hundred disciples from Chongyuan Peak, achieving second place was already an extremely high level. And Zhenyang Peak only had two disciples! What was this?

Just because the rules are like this, does that mean any good-for-nothing can take away the opportunity he worked so hard to win?

"How do you know it's no use for me to go?" Jiang Yuhuo turned her gaze to Ning Yu, calmly looking at the furious young man.

"If you truly possess strength, why have I never seen you participate in the sect's competitions? You clearly lack the ability. If you wish to go, then let's follow the rules of Chongyuan Peak's selection process and have a contest to see who is more capable of representing Kunlun in battle!"

Ning Yu drew his sword, channeling spiritual energy into it. The sword glowed faintly, and he was already in a fighting stance. "Come on, draw your sword!"

Jiang Yuhuo pressed down on the sword at her side, but did not move.

Ning Yu became even more furious, "What? You're afraid to compete with me? You know you'll lose, right?"

He then turned to the peak masters seated above him, saying, "As you all have seen, she is clearly not qualified to represent Kunlun in the battle."

Seeing that none of the other peak masters responded, the peak master of Chongyuan Peak, who was seated at the head of the table, couldn't help but preemptively rebuke, "Ning Yu, this is a council hall, not a martial arts arena. You must not be so presumptuous!"

After being reprimanded by his master, the boy dared not be arrogant anymore, but he still glared angrily at Jiang Yuhuo.

"Well? Would you like to have a match with him?" asked another peak master sitting in the seat of honor.

"I don't want to," Jiang Yuhuo replied.

"I knew it, you wouldn't dare!" Ning Yu jumped up again.

"But if you don't even dare to fight him, how can you defeat the other disciples in the competition?" The person in the upper seat tried to put pressure on Jiang Yuhuo.

“These are two different things,” Jiang Yuhuo retorted calmly, neither humble nor arrogant. “Since I am the only one from Zhenyang Peak who wants to participate, then Zhenyang Peak’s spot is mine. No matter how I perform in the competition, according to the rules, I must be the one to fight.”

She was almost certain that the enraged young man was no match for her, but what was hers didn't necessarily have to be obtained through force. In a world governed by rules, the sword of propriety was sufficient.

Seeing her calm and composed, Ning Yu felt a sudden panic. In his eyes, Jiang Yuhuo had now proven herself guilty of trying to steal his spot without any real ability; she was simply a cunning and treacherous person who abused her power. He looked to his master for help.

The peak master of Chongyuan Peak was also quite helpless. She valued this disciple, but the extra spot was not legitimate in the first place. Now that the rightful owner wanted to take it back, Chongyuan Peak should not covet it anymore, but the other party was just an unknown nobody, and it seemed that she could easily take it from him.

But as this person stood below the platform, her face was cold and indifferent, devoid of any extraneous expression. Though she was not fierce at all, a few calm words severed all pretexts. Even facing so many Kunlun Peak Masters, she showed no fear, standing ramrod straight, appearing to be a stubborn person not to be trifled with.

“Master…” Ning Yu looked over with pleading eyes.

"Immortal pills, spiritual medicines, spiritual sword techniques, even fragments of the Heavenly Pillar—whatever you want, Chongyuan Peak can trade with you. How about it?" The Chongyuan Peak Master couldn't help but advocate for his disciple.

"I won't change it." The female disciple below the steps remained firm. "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

Jiang Yuhuo walked out of the council hall in full view of everyone, neither backing down in front of a group of seniors nor giving any face to Peak Master Chongyuan, and completely offending the young man who was furious from the beginning.

The next day, she began to feel the exclusion from Kunlun.

Furthermore, Ning Yu was seen again in the departing group.