Chapter 881 The Proud Daughter of Heaven
"Liu Qing, Chen Jiaxin, Liao Rumeng, Yan Min, Song Zhian... Yu Mili..."
On the high platform, Senior Sister Yuan recited the names of nearly a hundred young ladies in one breath.
The cheers of the young women echoed from the audience from time to time. Among them were young women who looked up expectantly, but whose eyes dimmed when Senior Sister Yuan finished reading.
However, Song Zhian and Yu Mili are not included in this list.
Both girls achieved above-average or even excellent results in these three rounds, so there was no reason for them not to be selected.
Song Zhian's selection did not surprise Lu Jinghong, Sha Ergou, and others at all.
At most, Yu Mili was a bit in jeopardy before the third level, but in the third level, she achieved excellent results by virtue of her "good sleep" and "lucid dreaming", which can be considered as the last stone hanging in the air being put down smoothly.
Yu Mili's overall performance in these three stages is considered average to good among this group of young women.
Leaving aside the fact that Ouyang Rong was helped by a mastermind behind the scenes in the third level, Song Zhian's overall performance was outstanding, as can be seen from the order in which her name was called.
Fifth in order.
After reading out the entire list of the new batch of Yue women, Senior Sister Yuan paused for a moment.
Below the stage, some were happy, while others were sad.
Lu Jinghong and Sha Ergou cast smiling glances at the two women.
Ouyang Rong's eyes also held a hint of a smile, but it was before Song and Yu's names were announced, and when Senior Sister Yuan announced the first name.
The young man in the felt hat maintained his blank expression, gazing at the dense crowd inside the dripping cave in the dim light.
I wonder what they're silently searching for.
As soon as Senior Sister Yuan's voice rang out, the noise inside the Dripping Water Cave immediately subsided.
"Next is the selection of those to enter the Bamboo Hall. In addition, the Sixth Lady and several senior uncles discussed and selected a group of suitable young ladies who were not selected as the new Yue Maidens to enter the Bamboo Hall. They can also stay in the Sword Marsh to pursue the way of the sword."
Upon hearing this, the audience fell silent for a moment, then some of the dejected young women showed a hint of joy. However, they quickly lowered their heads again under the sidelong glances of their companions, fidgeting with their fingers in anticipation.
This shows that the requirements for being selected as a new Yue woman are extremely picky and demanding.
Judging from the entry requirements alone, a young lady who can be selected for the Bamboo Hall may not necessarily be selected for the New Yue Women, but a young lady who can be selected for the New Yue Women will definitely be able to enter the Bamboo Hall.
Senior Sister Yuan paused briefly, and after the room fell silent again, she took the scroll handed to her by the writer Yue Nu, unfolded it, and began to read the new name.
“Lu Jinghong, Ahong, Nan Jun, Tong Lei, Xie Wan…” When she reached the end of the list, the cold-faced Yue woman paused and finally announced a name: “…Sha Ergou.”
Sha Ergou, who had been scratching his head with a wry smile, paused for a moment, looked around, and asked his friends:
"Missing...missing me? You must have heard my name correctly."
Song Zhian nodded silently at him.
"Finally made it... I think I'm the first one, even ahead of Ah Hong in the order, which means I'm the most outstanding overall among this batch from Zhutang..."
Lu Jinghong's face was filled with undisguised joy, but as he looked around, he seemed to notice something, and his smile faded somewhat.
Yu Xiaoniangzi, who was usually talkative and lively, showed no joy on her face. She glanced sideways at the quiet young man next to Sha Ergou who gave her the feeling of an older brother.
"Wait a minute." Sha Ergou hadn't been happy for long before he realized what was going on and asked anxiously, "I'm the last one, what about Brother Liu? Did they call Brother Liu's name? I was able to get in, why couldn't Brother Liu? Brother Liu is clearly better than me, why didn't he get in..."
The atmosphere in the five-person room was somewhat silent.
Ouyang Rong is not included.
The other four were selected.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong silently searched the area but couldn't find A Qing. There were too many people inside the Dripping Water Cave, and it wasn't convenient to shout loudly...
When he came to his senses and looked away, he found that his four friends were all looking at him with complicated and indescribable expressions, and the atmosphere was quiet.
He raised his hand to adjust his felt hat, lowered his eyes, and was about to speak when Song Zhian said in a gentle voice:
"It should be bone age. Brother Liu's grades aren't outstanding, but they're above average, even better than Brother Sha's. So, the only disadvantage is his bone age, which seems to be the oldest. He's definitely suffering a lot because of this, it's such a pity..."
Lady Yu was also very unhappy and muttered:
"Yeah, yeah, they're perfectly fine. I don't know why they're so strict about bone age. Why not just bring in those with suitable bone ages from the start? They've already been brought from Peach Blossom Town, so their bone ages should be acceptable. I just don't understand..."
Sha Ergou asked urgently, "If you're not selected, does that mean...?"
Just then, Senior Sister Yuan's cold voice came from the high platform;
"Those whose names are called, stay. The rest of you, leave immediately."
Two Yue women came and led the dozen or so men and women who were not selected away from Drip Cave.
Ouyang Rong was among them.
He simply waved goodbye to the four people standing there.
He turned and followed the Yue woman out without looking back.
The other candidates, besides him, all looked dejected and resentful.
They knew that once they stepped out of that door, everything would be different. They would have to descend the mountain and fall into the mortal world, while their former companions would become the high and mighty Yue Maidens of Yunmeng...
Leaving the Dripping Water Cave, they arrived at a dark passageway outside the cave. Ouyang Rong remained expressionless.
I had expected this all along.
On the contrary, the feeling of being comforted by the four people felt a little strange.
In fact, Ouyang Rong had already made plans during the third trial at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
If one can walk more than a hundred steps and win the championship among this group of Bamboo Hall youths, even if the influence of bone age is disregarded, the overall score should be enough to pass the Bamboo Hall assessment and be exceptionally selected.
However, it is really unnecessary.
A few days ago, he used the [108 Bells] to break through the Hall of Mental Cultivation and deepened a certain ideological imprint on Lady Zhi Shuang... Now he is making such a dazzling appearance and winning the top prize in the Hall of Mental Cultivation's assessment... It is easy to attract unnecessary attention.
The main reason was that Ouyang Rong was unsure of what score A Qing would achieve in the third round. Therefore, whether it was for him or for Song, Yu, and the other three to adjust the number of steps in the white mist, Ouyang Rong was somewhat restrained and cautious... worried that he might steal A Qing's victory.
However, Aqing was even better than he had imagined, probably walking over a hundred steps. If he had known this, it wouldn't have mattered if he and his four friends had achieved even higher step counts...
But all of this is hindsight.
Actually, the current outcome isn't bad at all.
The only slightly troublesome thing is that Lady Zhi Shuang seems to have forgotten about her "Brother A Qing" again.
I forgot to make the promises and arrangements I made to him.
However, this was somewhat of his fault. Lady Zhi Shuang should be in seclusion recuperating from her injuries right now, as she didn't even attend the assessment ceremony for the new Yue woman. It's likely that she's in a condition where it's inconvenient for her to see people...
As if struck by a thought, Ouyang Rong, who had stopped and was waiting in the passageway with the others, silently touched the bamboo tube at his waist.
A snow-white longsword lay quietly and obediently in a sword case hidden within a painting.
His expression was inscrutable as he stared at the tightly closed stone door ahead, lost in thought.
There were about twenty boys and girls in their group who were not selected.
Five of the boys, like Ouyang Rong, failed the Bamboo Hall assessment. The other ten or so girls failed both the New Yue Girl selection and the backup Bamboo Hall selection, a double blow indeed.
In the dimly lit passageway, apart from the Yue women guarding them, everyone had their heads down, creating a tense atmosphere.
A Yue woman turned her head, saw this scene, and gently instructed:
"Wait here for now. When they come out, we'll take a boat back to the path where we live. Someone will arrange for you to leave the mountain gate later."
She paused, then added:
"Don't worry, since you've already been here once, we won't just abandon you down the mountain. Actually, our sect has made quite a few arrangements down the mountain and needs manpower. These are some good opportunities, so you can make the most of them... You're all still young, there's no need to be discouraged."
A few young boys and girls murmured "Yes, sir," but the atmosphere inside the passageway remained somewhat quiet.
No matter how much they tried to comfort her, from then on they were separated by the mountain and the earth, in a sense, "separated by the mortal and the immortal."
About half an hour later.
The stone gate opened.
A group of young women emerged from the Dripping Water Cave, their faces beaming with joy. They chattered excitedly in small groups, full of energy and enthusiasm.
This atmosphere of anticipation and high spirits contrasted sharply with the somber atmosphere among the twenty or so unsuccessful candidates in the passageway.
Ouyang Rong touched his chest.
He took the half of the Qingyan Late Peach out while everyone in the passageway wasn't looking.
At this moment, the group inside the Dripping Water Cave dispersed and walked out one after another. Ouyang Rong took a few steps forward, pressed his back against the wall, and watched the young women who came out, searching for something among them.
"Brother Liu."
Just then, a familiar shout came from inside.
It belongs to Sha Ergou.
Song Zhian and Yu Xiaoniangzi, who were beside him, also saw Ouyang Rong and walked over.
Lu Jinghong followed slowly behind.
Miss Yu asked curiously:
"Brother Liu, are you waiting for us to go back together?"
"Um."
Song Zhian keenly noticed that Ouyang Rong seemed somewhat absent-minded, his gaze drifting towards the surrounding crowd.
However, thinking about her failure to be selected, Song Zhian didn't dwell on it and remained silent.
The five people reunited, and the atmosphere was slightly awkward.
Yu Mili couldn't wait to say it:
"Brother Liu, Senior Sister Yuan didn't say much inside. She just mentioned the rules of Jianze. She also said that today's assessment took too long, and the Six Ladies didn't have time. The seniors from the Bamboo Hall haven't arrived yet either. They can only come to see us tomorrow."
"As for where we new recruits will go, we'll assign the tasks in detail tomorrow. Senior Sister Yuan told us to go back to our original places and get some rest for the night..."
"Um."
Ouyang Rong nodded.
At this moment, he saw that the crowd around him was gradually decreasing, and the young women in the dripping cave were about to leave, but he still could not see Aqing's slender figure.
He asked casually:
"So, everyone's going back to rest tonight, right? Is that true for everyone on both islands?"
"yes."
At this moment, when almost everyone had left, Song Zhian gestured to the group to leave together along the passageway.
However, she noticed that Brother Liu's gaze was still lingering at the dripping cave behind him, and he kept glancing at the young woman who had come out. She asked:
"What is Brother Liu looking for?"
Just as Ouyang Rong was about to speak, a group of young women walked out of the dripping cave in front of him.
He and the others looked closely and realized that the face looked somewhat familiar.
All that could be seen was a group of young women surrounding a girl with pigtails.
It is Chen Jiaxin.
The girl with pigtails remained silent, occasionally glancing back at the deserted Dripping Cave. Her female followers whispered among themselves, their conversation unreadable.
Chen Jiaxin seemed preoccupied, ignoring Song Zhian, and led the young women straight past the five people.
“Chen Jiaxin…”
After they had walked away, Lu Jinghong, who maintained a normal expression, turned his head and snorted coldly.
He was determined to stand with Miss Song against the common enemy, but he was hesitant to do so in front of Chen Jiaxin.
Lu Jinghong knew very well that Chen Jiaxin was exceptionally talented and had already secured her place as the Queen's disciple. She was a true prodigy, even surpassing Miss Song... Although she had always been overshadowed by that tattooed girl, it was only because the latter was too extraordinary.
In fact, both women are the pride of heaven.
He cannot afford to offend them too much for the time being.
Song Zhian began to explain:
"They're probably waiting for Miss Liu Qing."
Ouyang Rong immediately looked at her.
As Chen Jiaxin and the others walked away, Yu Xiaoniangzi smiled and said:
"Hey, so what if you're not convinced? You're still completely suppressed by Miss Liu Qing. Senior Sister Yuan just announced in the hall that Miss Liu Qing has won all three trials this time. Her achievement of walking 122 steps in the third trial shows that her willpower and resilience far surpass everyone else. She is the undisputed champion of our year. The Great Queen has already designated her as her personal disciple."
Song Zhian, her eyes gleaming with undisguised admiration, nodded and said:
"It's undeniable that we have to admit defeat. However, it's understandable that Sister Chen is unwilling to accept this. In previous years, it wouldn't have been difficult for her to win first place. Unfortunately, this year, this prodigy named Liu Qing has emerged, completely shattering her hopes and stealing all the limelight."
Lady Yu picked up a piece of pastry, put it in her mouth, and her eyes squinted from the sweetness:
"The meeting just ended, and Miss Liu Qing, for some reason, went up to the stage and went to find Senior Sister Yuan. She whispered something to her, and Senior Sister Yuan took her away. It seems they went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation on the cliff, probably to find the Queen or her senior uncles."
"Haha, no doubt about it. As her defeated opponent, Sister Chen must be very interested in Miss Liu Qing. She's probably so curious that she's been waiting in the Dripping Water Cave until now..."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong's eyes flickered slightly.
After a short while, he did not linger any longer and left on his own.
The five of them walked back along the passageway to the place where they had disembarked earlier that day.
On the way through the passageway, Ouyang Rong remained calm and didn't think much of it, but he noticed that his four friends kept glancing at him, all paying attention to him.
The air in the five-person room was somewhat quiet.
No one spoke up.
The atmosphere was no longer as harmonious and relaxed as it had been when the five of them were together before.
Instead, it added an undeniable sense of oppressive tension.
Perhaps sensing this, Miss Yu smiled and initiated a conversation:
"Speaking of which, what does Miss Liu Qing want with Senior Sister Yuan? I remember that before the meeting ended, Senior Sister Yuan mentioned that if anyone had any difficulties or troubles, they could go directly to her."
"After the meeting, everyone took it as a polite remark and not many people went up on stage. Unexpectedly, Miss Liu Qing went up directly..."
(End of this chapter)
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