a mere small matter
Recalling her brief encounter with Lin Huaiyu today, Yun Qian pondered carefully and indeed did not sense any murderous intent or hostility from him. His smiling eyes were clear and gentle, and although his behavior was abrupt, there was no sense of sinister scheming.
However, human nature is unpredictable, and feelings are one of the most unreliable things in the world.
The future is full of uncertainties, like a game of chess shrouded in mist. Who can predict whether the next move will bring good fortune or misfortune?
The sudden appearance of a character never mentioned in the original story, who might even be connected to the legendary Nine-Tailed Fox Clan and its unfathomable divine power, is enough to make anyone wary and dare not let their guard down in the slightest.
Yun Qian's mind stirred slightly, and she retrieved the little black creature that was still amusing itself in the air, changing size, and put it back in her hair. In any case, if they were allowed to continue to provoke Su Tian of Qin Wu's inner court with such impunity, they might really have to stay and have the innkeeper repair the house today.
Although Baichuan had accumulated a considerable fortune through a century of medical practice, Yunqian absolutely forbade any unnecessary expenditures!
Suddenly taken back to the inner palace, Little Black buzzed a few times in protest. But Yun Qian was already used to its temperament and simply ignored it. Sure enough, after getting no response, Little Black gradually quieted down after a few more fussing.
Several days later, the once-in-a-century Immortal Sect Competition was finally about to begin. As the host sect chosen by the Heavenly Mandate Stele, the area in front of Tianyan Mountain was already bustling with activity and excitement.
Looking around, the various types of cultivators and their magical artifacts are dazzling.
There were sword cultivators riding their swords with flowing robes, sect elders riding magnificent spirit beasts like immortals descending to earth, formation masters who could set up shrinking formations with a wave of their hands and move several feet in one step, and many sect disciples surrounding a huge and magnificent flying treasure ship, which slowly landed in the designated area.
Amidst the dazzling lights and bustling crowds, a plain, unassuming gray carriage, pulled by an ordinary-looking old horse, slowly entered the territory of Tianyan Mountain.
Inside the carriage, Yun Qian was resting with her eyes closed, her breathing calm. Outside the carriage, two figures, one in black and one in white, sat on either side of the driver's seat. Qin Wu, dressed in black, had a cold and stern face, sat with his sword at his side, exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay. Bai Chuan, dressed in white, had a pale face, his eyes slightly closed, as if he might cough at any moment, looking frail and weak.
The old horse trotted steadily, and the three people in the carriage seemed completely unaffected by the hurried atmosphere around them, creating their own tranquil world. However, a cultivator riding a horse beside them, after passing them by a distance, suddenly reined in his horse, stopped, and frequently looked back.
The cultivator was dressed in a dark blue close-fitting outfit, with an upright posture and an air of innocence and righteousness between his brows.
The carriage swayed and wobbled for quite a while before finally "catching up" with the monk who had stopped to wait.
He looked at Bai Chuan, whose expression was the most pitiful, and couldn't help but ask, his tone filled with genuine doubt: "Are you all also going to participate in the Immortal Sect Competition?"
"Hmm." Bai Chuan nodded slightly, his voice barely audible. "We are... cough cough cough cough..." He only got halfway through his sentence before he suddenly bent over and coughed violently. His cheeks flushed an unnatural red from lack of oxygen, and he looked extremely painful, as if he was about to run out of breath at any moment.
The blue-robed cultivator was startled by the sudden turn of events, and a look of panic immediately appeared on his face. He frantically rummaged through his storage bag for healing or life-extending pills.
However, before he could find a suitable pill, Qin Wu, sitting on the other side, coldly stuffed a black pill into Bai Chuan's mouth with lightning speed.
The movements were swift and decisive, but they didn't seem to have much effect. Baichuan continued to cough violently.
"It's nothing, he's always like this, he won't die." Qin Wu raised his eyes, met the cultivator's worried gaze, and explained in a calm tone.
The cultivator looked at Bai Chuan, who was coughing so loudly it shook the heavens and earth, and then at Qin Wu, who looked completely used to it. He hesitated and asked, "Really...really?"
"Really." Qin Wu confirmed again, his face expressionless.
After a while, Baichuan's cough gradually subsided, but his face was even paler than before, as pale as fine Xuan paper. He leaned against the carriage shaft, breathing weakly.
"I don't know... this brother..." Bai Chuan's breath was uneven, and he spoke haltingly, "Why did you stop specifically to wait for us?"
The cultivator scratched his head sheepishly and said frankly, "I was just curious. Seeing you all walking so leisurely, seemingly without any urgency, I had no choice but to ask. With the Immortal Sect Competition approaching, everyone else is rushing around, so I took the liberty of asking."
"The Immortal Sect Grand Competition..." Bai Chuan raised his eyelids and slowly asked, "Isn't it supposed to officially start tomorrow?"
"yes."
"We've already arrived at the foot of Tianyan Mountain, so why are we in such a hurry to continue?" Bai Chuan's tone was calm and matter-of-fact.
The cultivator was taken aback upon hearing this, then thought about it seriously and found it quite reasonable, nodding honestly, "That's true."
Indeed, some people arrive early to familiarize themselves with the environment and make connections, while others take their time and arrive on time.
His Qingyun Mountain belonged to the former category, having arrived near Tianyan Mountain a month ago to prepare. That's why he was particularly curious to see Yun Qian and the other two in such a leisurely state today.
"I am Ji Yunxing, a disciple of Qingyun Mountain." Only then did Ji Yunxing remember to introduce himself. He bowed respectfully to Qin Wu and Bai Chuan from his horse, his posture upright.
"Hundred Rivers".
"Qin Wu".
The two of them briefly introduced themselves.
Upon hearing the name "Ji Yunxing," Yun Qian, who had been resting with her eyes closed inside the carriage, slowly opened them. The plot of the original book flashed through her mind; this name was indeed glossed over, that of an insignificant minor character.
Interestingly, the book mentions that Ji Yunxing seems to be Qin Wu's rival in love.
Qin Wu's rival in love?
It's hard not to be curious!
A hint of interest flashed in Yun Qian's eyes. She raised her hand and gently lifted a corner of the curtain by the car window with her fingertips to look outside.
The young man on horseback had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a handsome face, and clear, honest eyes. It was obvious at a glance that he had grown up in a righteous sect and was a person of pure and straightforward character.
Hmm, he's quite handsome, with a dashing and spirited air. Yun Qian objectively assessed him in her heart, but compared to her junior brother's aloof and otherworldly appearance, he still fell a little short.
Seemingly sensing the gaze behind her, Ji Yunxing turned around at that moment. Her gaze pierced through the lifted curtain and met a pair of clear, inquisitive eyes inside the carriage.
In just a glance, Ji Yunxing's face turned bright red, like a ripe shrimp!
He turned his head away in a panic, as if he had been burned by something, and dared not look again, muttering twice, "I...I'm sorry!"
Yun Qian raised an eyebrow, finding the reaction quite amusing. It was just a casual glance; how could it be considered "offensive"? These disciples of Qingyun Mountain were far too innocent.
"Senior Sister?" Qin Wu noticed the movement behind him, turned around to look at Yun Qian, and softened his voice, "Is there something you need?"
"It's nothing." Yun Qian shook her head, her tone natural. "I just wanted to take a look. I'm quite curious about what this young man from Qingyun Mountain looks like."
Qin Wu's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He turned his gaze to Ji Yunxing on horseback, his eyes sweeping over Ji's reddened ears and slightly awkward back, a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Seemingly having mustered her courage, Ji Yunxing turned around again. At this moment, Yun Qian had already boldly lifted the entire curtain of the car window. She clasped her hands together, rested her chin lazily on her arms, and her clear eyes stared unabashedly at Ji Yunxing, filled with pure curiosity and scrutiny.
"I...I am Ji Yunxing." He became even more nervous under their gaze, and his voice became somewhat unsteady.
"Yes, I heard you." Yun Qian smiled, her beauty even more striking in the sunlight. "My name is Yun Qian."
Looking at the boy in front of her who blushed so easily, she couldn't imagine how he would become her cold-faced junior brother's rival in love in the future.
Just imagining the possible scenarios made Yun Qian find it quite interesting. Her gaze shifted between Ji Yunxing and Qin Wu.
Qin Wuzheng looked at Ji Yunxing, his face still expressionless and cold, a stark contrast to Ji Yunxing's embarrassment.
If these two people with completely opposite personalities were to pursue the same girl in the future, the scene would certainly be quite spectacular.
Yun Qian couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the "female lead" who had not yet appeared.
Ji Yunxing, on horseback, seemed to have finally found a topic to break the awkward silence, and asked as if he had just realized something, "I still don't know which sect the three of you come from? Perhaps we are neighbors." He was referring to the fact that our encampments were adjacent.
"A mere minor sect, its name is not worth mentioning," Yun Qian replied casually, lowering her arm and causing the curtain to droop slightly.
Upon hearing this, Bai Chuan, perched on the carriage shaft, fell silent for a moment, his heart filled with complex emotions: The mere Cangmin Mountain is nothing to worry about…
Back in the day, a thousand years ago, Cangmin Mountain was the most prosperous sect in the cultivation world, its prestige resounding throughout the four seas. Now, it has indeed become a "mere minor sect," after all, the entire immortal mountain, at most, only has the three of them, senior and junior siblings, left.
Yun Qian spoke so calmly that Ji Yunxing believed her without giving it much thought. Instead, he sincerely comforted her, saying, "Regardless of the size of the sect, it is a good thing to be able to come to this Immortal Sect Competition to exchange ideas and learn from each other's strengths."
“Yes,” Baichuan chimed in, his tone gentle, “We came here mainly to broaden our horizons.”
Yun Qian gave Bai Chuan an approving look. This child is indeed sensible!
Originally, Ji Yunxing was just curious and stopped to ask a question, but somehow, after asking the question, he naturally slowed down his horse and followed the simple carriage.
The four traveled together, with Baichuan and Ji Yunxing exchanging a few words occasionally, and the atmosphere was fairly harmonious. Before long, they arrived at the registration point at the entrance of the Tianyan Mountain sect.
The Tianyan Mountain disciples in charge of receiving the guests were all dressed in uniform white belted outfits, with exquisite auspicious cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread on their robes, making them look capable and imposing.
Yun Qian calmly stepped down from the carriage, while Qin Wu and Bai Chuan followed quietly behind her, one on each side, their postures respectful.
"Excuse me, could you please verify your identities here?" A disciple of Tianyan Mountain pointed to two smooth stones about the size of a palm on the table, gesturing for Yun Qian to place her hand on one of them.
Yun Qian's gaze fell on the stone, with just the right amount of curiosity: "What is this?"
"This is a fragment of the Destiny Stone placed under the Destiny Stele," the Tianyan Mountain disciple explained patiently, his tone tinged with pride. "It can verify a cultivator's identity, age, sect affiliation, cultivation level, and main cultivation type."
"Oh? It's so amazing?" Yun Qian said, and then gently pressed her right hand onto the cool stone surface as instructed.
As she moved, the Destiny Stone suddenly emitted a soft yet dazzling white light! The light converged, and several lines of ancient characters clearly appeared in the air above the stone:
【Yun Qian】
Bone age: 117
[Sect: Cangmin Mountain]
[Generation: 148th generation disciple]
Cultivation Level: Unknown
[Cultivation Type: Miscellaneous Cultivation]
Yun Qian calmly looked at the lines of text in the air, her tone still unwavering, and repeated what she had just said: "Is it really that amazing?"
She remained calm, as did Qin Wu and Bai Chuan behind her, who seemed completely unfazed by what they were seeing.
However, those around them who were also queuing or waiting and happened to see these words could not remain calm!
"Cangmin Mountain?!" someone exclaimed in a low voice.
"Is that the Cangmin Mountain from a thousand years ago?!" Incredulous whispers quietly spread.
Ji Yunxing's eyes widened instantly, his mouth slightly agape, his face filled with shock and disbelief. He abruptly turned to look at Bai Chuan beside him, his voice rising slightly: "Brother Bai Chuan! You...you call this a 'mere minor sect'?!"
Bai Chuan met his shocked gaze with a calm, even somewhat innocent expression, and earnestly replied, "Our sect... has few members, it is indeed very small." Only three people in the entire sect, isn't that small? He felt his words were quite sincere.
The shock on the faces of the Yanshan disciples that day was even more complex. They were not only shaken by the reappearance of the name Cangmin Mountain, which had been dormant for many years, but also stunned by the glaring word "unknown" in the cultivation level column.
The disciples exchanged bewildered glances. One of them couldn't help but bend down to examine the Destiny Stone, muttering, "This...is this stone broken?"
Since ancient times, the Fate Stone has never failed to test a cultivator's cultivation level, so how could it fail to detect this woman's true strength?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
