Everyone present was stunned, their eyes wide open, staring intently at the figure on the stage. They couldn't believe what they were seeing, and felt a chill run down their spines, as if an electric current was shooting up their backs.
"What... what is Bai Ying's background? She actually got first place just like I said."
Among the crowd, a middle-aged cultivator looked shocked, his voice trembling involuntarily, his words filled with disbelief.
"Guo Lintian died at her hands! Doesn't that mean she's even more powerful than a cultivator who has one foot in the Nascent Soul stage?"
Another young monk chimed in, his face filled with awe and shock, his eyes flashing with a complex light.
“I just clearly sensed that she has already entered the Nascent Soul stage. Although it is only the early stage of Nascent Soul, I can’t even imagine reaching this level at such a young age! Moreover, she is ruthless and decisive, unlike those cultivators who are pampered and carefully protected in the sect.”
"Are you sure she's only a teenager? How could she have achieved so much at such a young age?"
“It’s absolutely true! She was just reunited with the Bai family a few days ago. Her parents lost her years ago and later adopted another girl who is now seventeen. Bai Ying should be the same age as her.”
Instantly, everyone's gazes turned like spotlights, all focused on the direction of the Bai family, especially on Bai Di.
Bai Ying shone brightly on the stage, like a dazzling star; while Bai Di, standing among the Bai family members, appeared utterly ordinary, like a dull pebble. Her cultivation was still at the Foundation Establishment stage, a world apart from the radiant Bai Ying.
The crowd couldn't help but whisper among themselves, sighing in amazement:
"I never imagined that our daughter, who was raised away from home, would be so exceptionally talented, while the one the Bai family raised with such care was so mediocre. It's as if the Bai family has found a treasure."
"Yes, Bai Di's cultivation level is really too low. Among all the members of the Bai family, none have ever struggled to cultivate like her. It seems that only biological children can truly inherit the Bai family bloodline. The difference is too great."
A monk curled his lip, his tone tinged with contempt and disdain. His gaze darted back and forth between the white flute and the white firefly on the stage. The undisguised contrast and mockery were like a cold wind, sweeping through the crowd.
Bai Di stood quietly in place, those harsh words clearly piercing her ears, each word like an incomparably sharp blade, straight into her heart.
Her breathing became rapid and heavy, her body trembled slightly uncontrollably, and her hands unconsciously clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms. The excruciating pain did nothing to dispel the deep-seated agony and humiliation in her heart.
Her face flushed red and then paled, overwhelmed by a wave of intense shame, making her wish she could disappear into the ground.
The Bai family cultivators stood there dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.
Their eyes were fixed on the spirited Bai Ying on the stage, their gazes filled with shock and confusion. They simply couldn't reconcile this radiant, exceptionally talented girl before them with the seemingly ordinary Bai Ying they had previously perceived.
The eldest elder of the Bai family practically bulged his eyes out of their sockets.
He knew Bai Ying had good aptitude and might become very strong if properly nurtured, but he didn't expect her to be this strong!
The figure they had once overlooked now shone like a brilliant star, hanging high in the sky, forcing them to look up at it.
"How can she be so amazing?"
The cultivators of the Bai family kept repeating this sentence in their hearts, and each of them was extremely shocked.
These days, they have been spending every day with Bai Ying, and some have even cultivated with her under the stone tablet. However, at that time, none of them realized that this seemingly ordinary girl was actually hiding such great strength.
"If I had known she was this capable, I should have gotten closer to her and built a good relationship with her."
The young cultivator who spoke was filled with regret, his eyes brimming with disappointment and resentment. He bit his lip tightly, his mind replaying the scenes of his time with Bai Ying, wishing he could turn back time and have a chance to make up for the missed opportunities.
“Yes, when Bai Ying said she could win, I laughed at her for overestimating herself. Who would have thought she actually had the ability? But then again, we can’t entirely blame ourselves. Even her own family was kept in the dark.” Another cultivator muttered softly, deliberately keeping his voice low, but his eyes kept glancing at Bai Ying’s parents and brother, his words clearly carrying a hint of reproach.
The crowd couldn't help but turn their heads and begin to whisper among themselves. They simply couldn't understand how Bai Ying's parents and brother, as her closest relatives, could be completely unaware of their daughter and sister's true cultivation levels.
"Could it be that they haven't had a proper conversation with Bai Ying even once these past few days?"
"Of course not! Didn't you see Bai Yanfeng mocking Bai Ying when she was about to go on stage? Senior Bai Ying also scolded her for being arrogant. It turns out they don't understand their own family at all."
Bai Ying's face, which had been full of shock, was gradually replaced by embarrassment. His eyes were fixed on Bai Ying, both shocked by her abilities and resentful that she hadn't said anything, making him look so foolish.
Zhou Ying's face clearly showed a sense of relief. She closed her eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and her tense shoulders relaxed. Although she didn't spend much time with Bai Ying and their relationship wasn't particularly close, deep down she never wanted to see Bai Ying suffer any mishap on the stage. Now, seeing Bai Ying standing unharmed on the stage, shining brightly, her heart was filled with relief, and she silently murmured, "It's so good that she survived."
Bai Yanfeng snorted coldly and said, "What's so great about her? Xiao Di is still the best. This Bai Ying didn't even tell her parents such an important matter, causing us to worry about her and making Dad look bad in front of everyone, being pointed at and gossiped about by so many people."
They clearly don't treat us like family; I have no idea what they're up to.
He crossed his arms, a slight sneer playing on his lips.
As Bai Ying listened to Bai Yanfeng's words, his already dim eyes dimmed even further.
He also lamented the unfairness of fate; Xiao Di, whom they had raised with their own hands, had only mediocre talent, while Bai Ying was so amazing! If he could, he truly wished that Xiao Di was the one who was amazing.
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