But Yun Xian's face has always been thicker than the city wall.
Anyone could see that the clan leader's face had turned as green as spinach, and he was just about to point his finger at someone and say, "Get out of here!" But as long as he didn't say that, Yun Xian could continue to walk to the bottom of the arena as if nothing had happened, and in the process, he bumped Zhong Changyao's shoulder and said, "Hey, fellow Daoist, what a coincidence? You're here for the martial arts competition to win a bride too?"
Zhong Changyao: "..."
The Fox Clan leader: "..."
Originally, Zhong Changyao was the center of attention when he entered the arena, and he was the most popular choice. He should have been the focus and center of the scene, but now he has been interrupted again and again, and few people remember him anymore.
Nonsense! Su Chi alone is worth the price of admission, okay?! But why does Shu Jiuwei still look expressionless? Which one does she like?
"If it were me, I would choose Qi Xingye. Although Buddhists have to eat vegetarian food every day, but..."
"You've been chosen? Will Master Mingguang let you in? Monks aren't allowed to marry, and judging by the robes he's wearing, he's clearly not yet a layman!"
"Although Su Chi is aloof, she is truly beautiful. However, such beauty can be very stressful."
"No one chose Yun Xian? I think she's great! Even though sword cultivators are often poor, I'm rich! I'll definitely be happy every day with her!"
Zhong Changyao gritted his teeth. The wound he had been given by Yun Xian in front of the swordsmith's door was still aching. The people behind him were whispering, but no one mentioned his name.
Beside him stood Yun Xian, calm and composed, holding a sword. The sword seemed to have been reforged, the blade was sharp and light, with a blood-colored magic stone embedded in the hilt, and a talisman array engraved on it, shining brightly.
That swordsmith actually helped her forge a sword again?! Why? They were clearly kicked out together, so how could she have such an opportunity?
Zhong Changyao thought it must be her background that helped her. Why was she so lucky? Born a daughter of Jiange, every person she met during the battles was a worthless one. They were either Mingguang disciples or the current sect leader. Even the witch, who should have favored him, had a special regard for her. Meanwhile, he had to start from scratch. How unfair was heaven!
But he had already tolerated everything. He had never laid a hand on Yun Xian. Without her, everything was going smoothly. Why did she have to go against him at every turn?! Wasn't she satisfied?!
As Zhong Changyao's heart surged, the red bead on his wrist began to flicker slightly, suppressing the strange black energy that was climbing up his body.
Yun Xian truly had no idea that she had accidentally made Zhong Changyao uneasy again, making him want to shout to the heavens, "My fate is in my own hands!" She looked at Shu Jiuwei on the high platform and whispered, "Is Jiuwei immobilized?"
"Yes." Su Chi said, "There is a formation aura above."
"...ridiculous." Qi Zhiye frowned and said, "No wonder he didn't dare let my master get close and sat so far away. He dared to do such a thing, and he was afraid of being discovered?"
He always frowned when he spoke, as if nothing in the world could make him happy. But later Yun Xian realized that it was most likely because Qi Zhiye himself knew that if he didn't keep a sullen face, people would stare at him, so he had no choice but to resort to this measure.
Su Chi did not have this worry. Ordinary people did not dare to look at his face casually.
Yun Xian glanced at the person beside him and said, "Brother Qi, well, did you forget to tell Master Mingguang in advance..."
Looking at Master Mingguang's expression, he had a vaguely angry look. After returning from the martial arts competition, Qi Xingye would probably have thirty more bumps on his head and would have to wear a hat for a month.
Qi Zhiye was startled: “.”
Oh no. I totally forgot!
The fox clan leader was kicked hard in front of everyone. Although his old face was a little gloomy, he still felt at ease when he looked at Zhong Changyao below the ring.
The people he personally selected were naturally excellent. Could they be worse than these dishonest and undisciplined people? A strong opponent would only highlight Zhong Changyao's strengths.
The demon race respects strength and admires the strong. If he can pass five levels and kill six generals, at least Shu Jiuwei will not be so resistant.
"Now that everyone is here..." The clan leader glanced at the entrance at least a dozen times while saying this, and said with extreme caution: "Let the martial arts competition begin!"
The other end.
Xue Lingxiu dismounted from the carriage and walked up the white jade steps with the group of elders who had come to greet him. He said with a smile, "Your Highness is treating me with such respect that I, Xue, feel ashamed of myself. There's no need to be so rude. Just treat me normally."
Liu Chang, who was accompanying him, saw that he was as clear-headed as a mirror and could lie so calmly. He couldn't help but twitch his lips again: "Hehe... Hehe... My Sword Sect has always been warm and hospitable. Little friend Xue, there is no need to belittle yourself..."
How could they mobilize so many people just to welcome Xue Lingxiu?!
Yun Xian truly is a wise person, yet she still pretends to be so innocent all the time! If she doesn't show up to the Sword Sect's banquet alone, it would be disrespectful and invite gossip. But what's the point of inviting Xue Lingxiu?! Even if she comes alone, who wouldn't be better than this powerless young master, Qi Zhiye, Su Chi, or even Ji Rongxue before him?
Liu Xu slowed down her pace, walked side by side with Xue Lingxiu, and asked quietly, "Master Xue, do you still remember me?"
"Why don't you remember?" Xue Lingxiu said, "Miss Liu Xu, how are you?"
The scar on Liu Xu's face moved slightly. She looked a little happy, but she didn't dare to be too happy. She asked in a low voice, "Where did Yun Xian go?"
As they reached the training grounds, they happened to run into a few Sword Sect disciples gathered with their backs to the entrance. They were openly slacking off, looking at something, and laughing with a cackle, cackle, cackle, with great glee.
"This is so funny! How could this happen in the world?! If I were him, I would never dare to set foot in the demon tribe again in my life."
"Shu Jiuwei held a martial arts competition to find a husband, and Zhong Changyao, who claimed to marry her in an upright manner, was eliminated in the first round... He'll probably go home that night and secretly cry, biting the corner of his quilt! Hahahaha!"
"More than that! He was pinned to the ground by Yun Xian in the first round. The Fox Clan leader even arranged a few more rounds to save him. Then he was knocked unconscious by Qi Zhiye and continued to be pinned to the ground by Su Chi. There's no need to clean up the ring, Yao Jun has already cleaned it!"
"Wow! Such smooth floor movements! He didn't even have time to draw his sword! He might as well learn dancing instead of sword fighting. I see he's so flexible."
Everyone: “…………”
Liu Chang had never expected that a disciple would dare to bring the projection stone to the training ground in broad daylight. He immediately shouted angrily, "Everyone, stand up!"
The disciples were so frightened that they dropped their melon seeds all over the floor. They stood up and accepted the criticism with shamefaced expressions.
Liu Chang saw that the projection stone screen was showing the scene of a martial arts competition to win a bride. Zhong Changyao, who was supposed to be the chosen one, had long disappeared. On the ring, Yun Xian was fighting fiercely with Qi Zhiye. The golden light and sword light were entangled, and the fight was stopped at the right time, without losing its gracefulness and sharpness. The people below had completely forgotten that this was a martial arts competition to win a bride. They watched intently and praised it again and again.
Liu Chang almost had a heart attack.
You didn't come to the Sword Sect's banquet, but went to a martial arts competition to find a bride?! Are you sane?! What does Shu Jiuwei's situation have to do with you?!
Xue Lingxiu let out a soft laugh.
Liu Chang knew that his smile was meant for him. With the guests present, he couldn't possibly punish them. He simply said with a stern face, "You have been disrespectful to our distinguished guests and have left your post without permission. Go down and receive your punishment!"
“…”
The plan had changed, but the situation could not change. Xue Lingxiu was welcomed into the reception room. After a long period of mutual respect and boring repetitive conversation, Liu Chang finally expressed the purpose of his banquet.
They had already learned a lot about the incident in the Body-Building Sect, and now the invitation was actually for the so-called "demon".
"These things are too terrifying. If left unchecked, there will be endless trouble." Liu Chang said, "Young Master Yun did have some misunderstandings with our Sword Sect before, but when faced with such a major issue, we must all unite as one. The matter of the demon has spread to the Northern Realm, so we naturally cannot sit idly by."
He knew Jimo Shu had a close relationship with Yun Xian, and now he was actually trying to get firsthand information. During the Four-Way War, Liu Shi secretly colluded with the demons, and the Dao Sect went to great lengths to cover it up. Now, seeing that they were about to bring disaster upon themselves, whether the Dao Sect was doing this for their own rule or for the sake of their disciples and the people under their jurisdiction, they were still determined to do this.
Xue Lingxiu sat there, speechless.
The truly terrifying infiltration was silent and silent. Ever since he entered, Jimo Shu's magic stone had begun to behave strangely. Of course, it wasn't as scorching as when he encountered Chi You or Ji Shang, but it only showed that the demonic energy within the Sword Sect had already spread everywhere.
It seems that the aftereffects of the magic core have begun to show.
But how could he explain it? The magic core in the Spirit Spring had been taken out by everyone when they infiltrated the Sword Sect. He had assumed the Sword Sect knew this was the case, but now it seemed that even Liu Chang didn't know?
Did Liu Feiran know? Did Liu Xin know? Where did this magic core come from, and how did he gain their trust?
"Little friend Xue," Liu Chang asked, puzzled, "Why do you look like that?"
"...No. Nothing." Xue Lingxiu felt a chill on his back, not knowing what malicious gaze was watching him from behind. He simply said, "At the moment, we can't find any effective solution. We can only contain the situation after it happens. If we want to prevent it, we can only strengthen control..."
Before leaving, Xue Lingxiu was surrounded by several disciples of the Sword Sect and left.
If Liu Chang had known earlier that he was the only one coming, he would not have brought so many elders to the gate to greet him for the sake of his own reputation. Now that he had lost face, he naturally asked his disciples to give him a cold farewell, which might have been a little bit of a redemption.
Maybe, the old man's mind was not very clear, and Xue Lingxiu didn't understand what he was thinking - face is something that is lost. Once it is lost, it is lost. Trying to make up for it afterwards will only lose the substance as well, like Zhong Changyao.
Liu Xu saw him off, looking a little apologetic: "I'm sorry, Elder Liu..."
"No need." Xue Lingxiu smiled faintly: "It's easy to get confused when you get older. I know."
Several people walked to a magnificent hall. The door of the hall was not closed and the air was filled with the smell of incense. Looking in from outside, they saw a golden statue holding a knife and looking down at the earth, with an expression that seemed both stunned and angry.
"Ah." Liu Xu noticed where his gaze was directed and said, "This is the statue of our Sword Sect's founder, the Swordsmith Immortal. Disciples usually come here for their morning prayers."
Xue Lingxiu sensed something was amiss and took a few more steps into the hall. A Dao Sect disciple behind him stopped him, saying, "Fellow Daoist Xue, outsiders are forbidden to enter this place. This is the rule. Please forgive me!"
Xue Lingxiu stopped and said softly, "I was reckless."
It's not surprising that every sect has statues of their founders—except for the Lingxu Sect, whose founder has been refined into a powerful sect-protecting magic weapon. But most statues of founders have gentle faces, protecting their disciples. Could it be that the Dao Sect's statues are intentionally this way?
He was staring at the statue's face when suddenly, the statue's lips curved up and gave him a sinister smile.
In just a moment, it makes people feel as if they are plunged into ice water, and their spines are chilled.
The people behind him, including Liu Xu, didn't even notice it.
Xue Lingxiu thought.
Perhaps the magic stone is no longer needed.
He was distracted for a moment, and a piece of rice paper floated over from somewhere. Xue Lingxiu reached out to catch it, and his eyes fixed on it.
It was the same exact words he'd used against Lingxu Sect before: Dao Lipei would be utterly destroyed, but—this was within the Dao Sect! Lingxu Sect had been severely injured last time, and he must still be lying in bed. Even the bravest of them wouldn't have barged into a major sect alone just to deliver another threatening letter. So, who on earth had sent this?!
Liu Xu was stunned and asked, "What is this?!"
"I don't know!" The other disciples were also bewildered. "We didn't notice it. It seemed to appear out of thin air!"
Xue Lingxiu: “…”
He crushed the rice paper, and the black energy contained in it instantly cut his palm, and bright red blood fell to the ground. He was gloomy for a moment, and then smiled again.
Want to force him to return to the Miaoshou Sect? Okay! He wants to see what this thing wants!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com