Chapter 46 The Great Disciple's Grandson is in Trouble, and the Team Leader Makes His Appearance
The observation platform is circular and suspended above the vast canyon. Observers can look down and see the canyon from afar. If they are afraid of missing any details, they can also watch the images projected by hundreds of projection stones on the platform.
Below the observation platform is the suspended platform, which is connected to the cliff face of the canyon. The disciples of the participating sects must first go to the suspended platform. The team leader will then ascend the cloud ladder to the first-class seats in the floating seats, while the participants will descend the steps to the entrance of the canyon to wait for the secret realm to open.
The suspended platform, as a branching point, became the gathering place for the participating sects.
Ji Mingran, Shen Qingluo, Guan Wangzhen, and Zhu Shibai had gathered here early on, but the Jin siblings were nowhere to be seen.
Zhu Shibai put down the sect's jade token, a hint of worry appearing on his clear face: "There has been no reply. The disciples observing on the observation platform also said they did not see them."
"They told me last night they were going to cultivate in the bamboo forest, and they gathered here this morning." Ji Mingran looked at the Class A seats in the floating seating area. The seats were almost full, except for the middle seats which were still empty. Since there were still seats available, she said to the others, "Let's wait a little longer."
Both the observation platform above and the entrance to the canyon below were packed with people. Guan Wangzhen was happy to join in the fun and didn't find it boring. He was willing to wait and look around. Suddenly, he grabbed Shen Qingluo's sleeve and said, "Hey, hey, that person looks a bit like you. Could he be from the Shen family?"
Everyone looked in the direction of Guan Wangzhen and saw a group of elegantly dressed cultivators surrounding a white-haired, dignified old woman as she walked towards the cloud ladder. Beside her was a handsome, spirited young man in a lotus-colored robe.
As the group from Dingsheng Sect looked over, the young man in the lotus-colored robe also happened to look over.
"Sister? Sister!" The boy in the lotus-colored robe looked confused at first, then overjoyed. He flashed to Shen Qingluo's side and excitedly hugged her: "You really came to the spiritual cultivation world! I was so worried when I heard you were missing. Then I heard you also came to the spiritual cultivation world. Thank goodness, thank goodness you're alright!"
He looked Shen Qingluo up and down carefully, and said with concern, "Since you came to cultivate spiritually, why didn't you tell me? I could have taken you home."
“Ningzhuang.” Shen Qingluo’s usually cold and aloof face softened, but the smile vanished as her gaze shifted from the young man’s face to the white-haired old man beside him.
“Grandmother…” Shen Qingluo murmured.
The dignified old man she called grandmother glanced at her lightly, his brows furrowed slightly, and headed straight for the cloud ladder. The rest of the Shen family members surrounding her lowered their eyes and consciously split into two groups: one group followed the old man closely, while the other group waited for Shen Ningzhuang in place.
"Hey, Grandmother, wait for me. Sister, I'm off now, see you at the competition!" Shen Ningzhuang waved to Shen Qingluo, turned around and chased after his grandmother, and the crowd waiting for him also hurriedly followed.
Guan Wangzhen's eyes darted back and forth between Shen Qingluo and the rest of the Shen family, and he whispered, "So you really don't have a good relationship with your family."
Shen Qingluo's gaze was fixed on the backs of the Shen family members, but the next second Ji Mingran suddenly turned and stood in front of her, his face completely blocking her view and obscuring the Shen family members' backs.
She asked directly, "Is it that you don't like them, or that they don't like you?"
Shen Qinglu was taken aback. Meeting the dark, bright eyes before her, she said in a complicated tone, "I can't explain it."
"Oh, I understand." Ji Mingran nodded, looking like he understood.
Guan Wangzhen couldn't contain himself, but considering Shen Qingluo's feelings, he leaned close to Ji Mingran's ear and whispered, "What do you understand?"
Zhu Shibai tilted his ear slightly.
Ji Mingran also lowered his voice: "It means the usual thing."
Guan Wangzhen: "What do you mean, 'usually'?"
Ji Mingran smiled: "It means it's okay to offend them."
After waiting for a while, seeing several more imposing cultivators ascend to the first-class seats on the observation platform, Ji Mingran had no choice but to discuss with Shen Qingluo and the others that he would go to the observation platform to continue contacting the Jin siblings, while they would wait at the entrance of the canyon to avoid missing the opening of the secret realm.
The four planned to split up, and a surge of people appeared. Several sword lights descended from the sky, and from within the sword lights emerged several cultivators with extraordinary bearing.
The leader had a square and resolute face, bright eyes, and a steady and powerful gait. He cupped his hands in greeting and said in a loud voice, "Everyone, the spiritual cultivation competition is about to begin. The platform will be removed soon. Please go to the observation platform or the entrance to the canyon first, so as not to delay."
“Yes, Venerable Chongjue.” The white-haired, youthful-looking Taoist priest, surrounded by several red cranes, responded loudly from the other end of the platform, “I have arrived just in time.”
"True Man Xiuhe, you've come too." Venerable Chongjue and the white-haired, youthful-looking man gathered from both ends and ascended the cloud ladder together.
Zhu Shibai introduced Ji Mingran and the others: "The one who came by sword is Venerable Chongjue, the sect master of Hongqi Sect, and the other is True Man Xiuhe, the great elder of Beast Taming Sect. This spiritual cultivation competition is hosted by Hongqi Sect. Venerable Chongjue's arrival means that the competition is about to begin."
Ji Mingran remained silent. She had already seen Meng Yingyang standing beside Venerable Chongjue, following behind him.
Although the cloud ladder was long, it was no challenge for the cultivators. In just a few moments, they arrived at the observation platform.
As Venerable Chongjue walked, he said to True Man Xiuhe, "Beside me is my disciple, Meng Yingyang, who is also participating in this competition."
Logically, the disciples participating in the competition should wait at the entrance of the canyon. However, some disciples are led by their sect leader or team leader to the first-class seats on the viewing platform to show their faces. The unspoken meaning is clear: these disciples are likely to become representatives of the sect in the future and gradually take over the important affairs of the sect.
Master Xiuhe carefully examined Meng Yingyang, memorized his appearance, and smiled, "Not bad, not bad, Venerable Chongjue has taken on a good disciple."
Venerable Chongjue's gaze swept over the first-class seats. Apart from himself and the True Man Xiuhe beside him, there was one empty seat.
"Which sect has not yet arrived?" he asked Meng Yingyang, turning his head to look at him.
Meng Yingyang recognized the emblem: "Dingsheng Sect".
The Class A seats are located in the center of the viewing platform, closest to the canyon and the projection stone, offering a clear view of the competition. The specific seating arrangement in Class A is based on the overall strength of the sects. The Ten Daoist Sects naturally occupy a prominent position. Although the Dingsheng Sect is no longer among the Ten Daoist Sects and its power has declined significantly, as the initiating sect of the Spiritual Cultivation Competition and the sect that contributed the most rare treasures, its position remains close to the center, second only to the Ten Daoist Sects.
“Yuan Liu is not here yet, which is not like his usual behavior.” Venerable Chongjue had met Yuan Liu as the sect leader of Dingsheng Sect and was deeply impressed by him. He was young, but he was steady and tactful in his dealings. Being late like today should not happen to him.
Venerable Chongjue took his seat and said briefly, "The competition is about to begin. Go and invite them."
"Yes," Meng Yingyang replied. He returned to the cloud ladder of the observation platform and gestured to the Hongqi Sect disciple standing next to the suona-shaped spiritual artifact. The Hongqi Sect disciple nodded and grasped the suona spiritual artifact. Immediately, a sound rang out on the observation platform, spreading and echoing loudly. Even the participating disciples gathered and waiting at the entrance of the canyon could hear it clearly.
"Of all the leaders, only Dingsheng Sect has not yet arrived. Please come to the observation platform immediately."
"Of all the leaders, only Dingsheng Sect has not yet arrived. Please come to the observation platform immediately."
"Of all the leaders, only Dingsheng Sect has not yet arrived. Please come to the observation platform immediately."
Whether on the observation platform or among the cultivators in the canyon below, everyone was shocked upon hearing this and began whispering among themselves:
"No way, are they really waiting for them to compete?"
"The powerful figures from other sects have all arrived. We're just waiting for them. Why put on airs?"
Such urging, which became common knowledge, was ostensibly a reminder, but in reality a public accusation, causing the cultivators present to feel dissatisfied with the Dingsheng Sect.
They were just a minor, insignificant sect. Venerable Chongjue didn't think he needed to give them any face.
Furthermore, Venerable Chongjue's eyes darkened, and he reached for his teacup, using the act of drinking tea to conceal the fierceness in his eyes. Hongqi Sect was determined to win this year's Spiritual Cultivation Competition, and these clowns who came out to make a ruckus at this crucial moment should have their arrogance dampened and be taught a lesson.
After waiting for a while and still seeing no one, Meng Yingyang signaled to the disciple with the amplifying magic device again, this time urging him with an even louder voice than before.
"Where is the leader of the Dingsheng Sect?"
The voice pressed for an answer three times, as if determined not to give up until the person was found.
However, just as the third question was being asked, a familiar, cheerful voice came from below the ladder.
"Here."
Meng Yingyang's pupils dilated in disbelief. He abruptly turned his head toward the source of the sound and saw a gray-robed girl calmly climbing the steps and appearing in his line of sight.
It's her? How could it be her?!
Meng Yingyang quickly glanced behind the girl, but saw no other figure beside her.
How could this be? Meng Yingyang had never imagined that she would appear here. She didn't even have the possibility of becoming a participant, let alone a team leader.
Even though she came by boat with the disciples of Dingsheng Sect who were participating in the examination, even though she was on good terms with them, even though she appeared near the residences that the participants were allowed to stay in.
He also believes that it might be because she gets along well with her fellow disciples, after all, she is indeed a carefree and cheerful person.
But she is only at the Qi Refining stage, and there is absolutely no way she could represent the sect in the competition, so how could she become the team leader?
But now, Ji Mingran stood before him, stepping past him and walking towards the first-class seats. He could only look up as Ji Mingran ascended to the first-class seats, settling into the chairs adorned with the Five Peaks and Two Rivers pattern, in the very center where the powerful figures gathered…
Before the competition even began, the other cultivators on the viewing platform craned their necks to look towards the first-class seats, hoping to catch a glimpse of the great master's demeanor.
The late arrival of the leader of the Dingsheng Sect naturally caught everyone's attention.
"Huh? Are you sure this isn't an outer sect disciple?"
"Judging from her gait, she walks with a limp, so she's disabled."
"This kind of person is actually the leader? It's one thing for Dingsheng Sect to be shameless, but is it deliberately humiliating us?"
Amidst the buzzing of gossip, the gray-robed girl walked slowly but resolutely.
Having found his place, Ji Mingran sat down with a calm expression, grinned at the other powerful figures, and said loudly, "Our sect seems to be the furthest away. I was a little worried that I would be the last to arrive, but then I thought about it, and the other fellow cultivators live nearby and have higher cultivation levels than me, so it's perfectly normal for them to arrive first. Waiting for the sect that's furthest away is really nothing to be surprised about, isn't it?"
Ji Mingran was lying. She arrived late not because she lived far away; on the contrary, it was precisely because she lived far away and had been searching for the Jin siblings that they had set off for the Suspended Platform before dawn and waited for her until now. When she saw Venerable Chongjue ascend the cloud ladder, she followed suit, but out of habit, she did not use any magic or formations, and instead walked up on foot, which made her a little slower.
However, the fact that they lived far away was a good excuse to use it against them. Ji Mingran lied openly and honestly, his smile sincere and genuine.
Arriving late, he showed no shame whatsoever; instead, he immediately blamed Hong Qizong for arranging a residence that was too far away.
Venerable Chongjue pinched his teacup and said, "Young friend, are you a disciple of the Dingsheng Sect? Why is Yuan Liu not here?" He smiled kindly and said, "There are no seats available here."
"Oh, him? Just stand next to me." Ji Mingran curled his index finger and casually pointed to the spot behind his shoulder, saying, "Anyway, he came with me, so it doesn't matter if he arrives a little late."
The top-tier seats were attended by disciples of almost every powerful figure, yet the sect leader could only stand beside a mere Qi Refining nobody? This was a complete reversal of order.
The cultivators in the first-class seats were suspicious, but they were all people who had seen a lot, and they were also restrained by the presence of powerful figures from other sects. So they could only appear calm and composed as always, but their eyes kept glancing at Ji Mingran, scanning her from head to toe.
Venerable Chongjue maintained his composure, behaving like a kind and naive junior, and asked gently, "Oh? He can only stand beside you? I haven't asked your name yet?"
As the judge of this competition, it was most appropriate for him to speak up and ask questions on behalf of everyone.
Ji Mingran sat up straight: "Ji Mingran, disciple of Luanfeng of Dingsheng Sect."
Venerable Chongjue looked surprised: "I didn't know that Venerable Hongyan had taken on a disciple?"
“It’s normal not to know. He doesn’t take on any disciples.” Ji Mingran’s smile widened. “I’m his junior sister, Ji Mingran.”
Junior sister? Junior sister!
Ji Mingran's words caused a great stir, leaving the cultivators present in a state of surprise and uncertainty.
A disciple of Jiang Xiaoyi, who is rumored to have stolen the sect's inheritance and is infamous for thousands of years? Wasn't she missing? How come a disciple suddenly appears?
The Dingsheng Sect kept this news a complete secret; if they hadn't revealed it themselves, no one in the entire spiritual cultivation world would have known.
The appearance of Jiang Xiaoyi's new apprentice means that Jiang Xiaoyi has been found, and the legacy she took with her...
For a moment, the gazes fixed on Ji Mingran became ambiguous.
Shen Ting, an elder of the Shen family sitting directly opposite Ji Mingran, slammed his cane down heavily, making a dull thud on the ground: "A disciple who betrayed his master and stole chickens and dogs dares to sit at the same table as us."
Surrounded by unfriendly stares, Ji Mingran casually played with the sect's jade token: "The team leader is elected by each sect. It is not your place to interfere in our sect's internal affairs."
"You!" Elder Ji of the Shen family glared angrily, pointing his index finger at Ji Mingran. He was about to stand up and reprimand him, but when he saw the jade token in Ji Mingran's hand and thought of Venerable Hongyan behind him, he angrily lowered his arm: "Ignorant brat, you are disgracing the Dingsheng Sect!"
Venerable Chongjue smoothed things over, saying, "Since it's the intention of the Dingsheng Sect, it shows that you, young friend, have the ability to handle all matters related to the Spiritual Cultivation Competition on behalf of the sect." He then changed the subject, saying, "Since everyone is here, that's good. There is one matter that needs to be decided before the competition. I originally wanted to wait for Yuanliu to arrive before discussing it, but since you, young friend Ji, are the team leader, it is only natural for you to handle this matter."
It was the Kim siblings.
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