Meanwhile, on a quiet street corner in Yunqi City, several direct disciples of the Tianyan Sect sat in a circle, each with a worried expression.
This newcomer competition is practically incompatible with the fate of their Tianyan Sect.
First, the proud Senior Brother Gu was beaten so badly by Shen Zhaozhao, a senior brother who appeared out of nowhere, that his Dao heart was shattered, and he slunk back to the sect to go into seclusion. Then, Senior Brother Lin, who had the highest cultivation, was knocked off the stage by Shen Zhaozhao with a single sword strike, losing all face.
Now it's even more outrageous; even the divine senses of the sect leader and Lingxiao Zhenren have inexplicably dissipated.
Currently, apart from two or three who are barely at the fourth or fifth level of Foundation Establishment, the rest of them are all newbies who have just established their foundation, plus Yun Wan'er, who is at the ninth level of Qi Refining.
A lot of people?
What's the use of having a lot of people?
Pei Lang, that little tyrant of the Crimson Cloud Sect, is a Foundation Establishment level eight talisman cultivator. A few Thousand Needle Rain Talismans thrown at him would be enough to wipe out their entire group on the spot.
What's more, there's also Shen Zhaozhao, who just soared to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment and is a heretic, standing next to Pei Lang.
A cloud of despair hung over everyone.
Just then, in this deathly still moment, a gentle and soft voice rang out, like a pebble thrown into stagnant water.
The speaker was a female cultivator dressed in an elegant moon-white dress, with a beautiful face. She was Liu Qingyi, the personal disciple of the head of the weapon-refining pavilion of the Tianyan Sect.
Her gaze swept over her dejected fellow disciples, and she said gently, "Fellow disciples, don't be so discouraged."
"If none of my Tianyan Sect members make it to the finals of this new talent competition, wouldn't we become a laughing stock in the entire Lingzhou?"
She paused, her voice gentle yet carrying a comforting power: "Our cultivation level may not be as high as Pei Lang's, but our sect's foundation remains strong. Before we left, the pills, magic tools, and talismans bestowed upon us by our master and the elders were all top-tier items in Lingzhou."
"If we work together and rely on these external forces, we may be able to contend with Pei Lang in the secret realm and gain a chance of survival."
Yun Wan'er stood aside, listening to Liu Qingyi's words, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
These words should have been spoken by her; she was the master's most beloved disciple and should be the core of uniting people's hearts at this moment. However, Liu Qingyi was used to playing the good guy and overstepped her bounds.
Liu Qingyi seemed oblivious to Yun Wan'er's fleeting emotion. Instead, she smiled gently at her, then changed the subject with a sincere look in her eyes: "Besides, even if we are fortunate enough to advance to the finals, with our strength, I'm afraid we would be no match for Junior Sister Zhao Zhao or Pei Langzhi."
"Instead of that... let's give all the crystal cores we obtained in the secret realm to Junior Sister Wan'er alone."
Yun Wan'er was startled, almost thinking she had misheard.
Liu Qingyi continued, "Junior Sister Wan'er and Junior Sister Zhao Zhao have a deep connection."
"If Junior Sister Wan'er can advance with enough crystal cores and face Junior Sister Zhao Zhao directly, perhaps... this special 'fortuitous encounter' can become an opportunity for Junior Sister Wan'er to break through the bottleneck and establish her foundation in one fell swoop."
"After all, the sect leader has always praised Junior Sister Wan'er's talent, it's just that the opportunity hasn't come yet."
Yun Wan'er's watery eyes suddenly burst with amazing light, and a huge wave of joy overwhelmed her!
She bit her lower lip hard, barely managing to suppress the cheer that was about to burst out, and quickly switched her expression back to that of a flattered and shy girl: "But, but Senior Sister, how can Wan'er... how can she monopolize what her fellow disciples have worked so hard to obtain..."
"Junior Sister Wan'er, there's no need to refuse!"
A straightforward junior brother immediately interrupted her: "Senior Sister Liu is right. Even if we fight our way into the finals, it will be useless against Shen Zhaozhao or Pei Lang. We might as well give this opportunity to Junior Sister Wan'er!"
"That's right. The sect leader values Junior Sister so much, she must be a prodigy. Giving her this crystal core is well worth it!"
"Junior sister, just accept it with peace of mind. When you break through in the future, you'll bring glory to our Tianyan Sect!"
The crowd chattered excitedly, as if they could already see Yun Wan'er shining brightly in the finals and washing away their shame.
Seeing this, Liu Qingyi smiled gently: "In that case, everyone should go and prepare. Make sure you have enough pills and talismans. Meet at the entrance of the secret realm at dusk, and don't be late."
The crowd dispersed in response, each going to replenish their supplies.
Yun Wan'er was a sword cultivator, so she didn't need to make extra purchases like talisman cultivators or alchemists. She strolled alone on the somewhat desolate streets of Yunqi City.
The elation of surviving the ordeal and the excitement of about to obtain a large number of crystal cores intertwined in her heart, making her steps a little lighter.
However, just as she turned into a quieter alley, a cold and sticky aura suddenly came from behind her!
"Hmm!"
Yun Wan'er felt a tightness around her waist. Before she could even cry out, she was instantly pulled into the depths of a dimly lit street corner.
In a panic, she instinctively tried to struggle by circulating her spiritual power, but the moment she saw the face of the person restraining her, all her movements and screams were stuck in her throat.
In the dim light, a face with a somewhat sinister yet handsome appearance was right in front of me.
The newcomer was dressed in a dark, patterned outfit that accentuated his muscular physique. His thin lips held a half-smile, carrying an eerie and dangerous air, as he observed her startled expression with great interest.
Yun Wan'er's tense body suddenly relaxed. After the great shock, an unbelievable joy surged up, along with a hint of barely perceptible coquettishness: "Brother Wushang?!"
The young master of the Demon Realm, Ye Wushang, chuckled softly, his fingertips lightly brushing against Yun Wan'er's chilled cheek, his eyes filled with amusement: "Little Wan'er, it's been a few years, and you've grown quite bold? Daring to wander around in a place like this all by yourself?"
"However, I've heard that you haven't had a very pleasant time at the Heavenly Evolution Sect?"
He leaned closer, his warm breath almost brushing against Yun Wan'er's earlobe, carrying a dangerously seductive tone: "Where's your backer?"
Upon hearing Ye Wushang's words, Yun Wan'er's eyes immediately reddened, and her voice trembled with unbearable humiliation: "Brother Wushang... It's been so long since we last met. Is this all you've come to mock Wan'er?"
Ye Wushang chuckled softly, the sound particularly chilling in the dimly lit alley corner.
His hand, with its distinct knuckles and calloused skin, did not leave Yun Wan'er's cheek; instead, he caressed it even more tenderly. He tilted his head slightly, his bewitching eyes fixed on Yun Wan'er: "Irony? How could I bear to?"
"I'm just curious, do you... feel even the slightest bit of regret now?"
"Do you regret not choosing to live a carefree life with me, instead choosing the seemingly righteous but now crushing path of the Heavenly Evolution Sect?"
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