Chapter 20: Competition
A faint floral fragrance lingered in the air as Lu Fanzhi nudged Luo Jinxiao gently, whispering, “Jinxiao, how did you get so close to Junior Shishu Qu?”
Luo Jinxiao came back to her senses and shook her head. “We’re not that close. I just thanked her for helping me.”
She was no longer so afraid of this woman who would later be known as the Demon Lord. Perhaps it was because Qu Weiyin had never shown the kind of viciousness described in the rumors. She was just a little eccentric and unpredictable.
Moreover, Qu Weiyin had been helping her ever since they entered the Wuhui Sect.
Murderous, cruel, bloodthirsty… these rumors didn’t seem to fit her at all, as if they had been forcefully imposed.
What had she been through to become the terrifying madwoman Luo Jinxiao had seen in her past life?
Luo Jinxiao admitted that her current feelings towards Qu Weiyin were quite complicated. She was somewhat afraid, yet also grateful and curious.
She pondered for a moment before putting these thoughts aside. The most important thing now was to win the competition without revealing her true cultivation level. In her previous life, she never had a weapon that suited her. Now, given a second chance, she couldn’t afford to miss such a great opportunity.
For the next few days, apart from attending classes, Luo Jinxiao secluded herself in the deep mountains to cultivate. The Wuhui Sect truly lived up to its reputation as a haven for cultivation, with abundant spiritual energy. It was said that cultivating with extremely Yin spiritual roots was difficult, but she gradually discovered the method. She even managed to fuse the two types of spiritual energy within her body, making her control over them more flexible and effortless.
In her free time, she would sneak into the Scripture Library and immerse herself in the mountains of cultivation manuals and ancient texts, just like she did in her past life. Often, she would lose herself in her studies, undisturbed and perfectly content.
The day of the competition arrived quickly. Luo Jinxiao woke up particularly early. The sky was still a deep blue, and the thick fog had yet to dissipate, blurring everything beyond a few steps. With a steamed bun in her mouth, she arrived at the training ground. The vast white jade platform was hidden amidst the mist and mountains, its outline hazy and dreamlike, resembling a Celestial Realm.
A few disciples had already arrived and were nervously sparring with each other. Among them were a few familiar faces. Baili Qingzhou was practicing with a sword, muttering strange spells under his breath.
Luo Jinxiao watched him with interest for a while but couldn’t make sense of what he was doing. “Jinxiao, you’re early,” Lu Fanzhi appeared behind her, looking excited rather than nervous.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I came early. How are your preparations going?” Luo Jinxiao asked with a smile.
Lu Fanzhi shook her head, massaging her shoulders. “I’m not aiming for any spiritual weapons anyway. It’s my master who seems more worried than I am. He’s been dragging me around since yesterday, making me practice sword techniques over and over again. I’m half dead from exhaustion.”
Luo Jinxiao looked up and saw a handsome young man with delicate features standing in the distance, manipulating his spiritual energy to construct the platform for the competition.
“My Master will be watching today, but I heard that several elders and senior disciples will be coming too. You’d better be careful.” Lu Fanzhi said, her eyes filled with concern.
Luo Jinxiao patted her shoulder to indicate she was fine.
As more and more people arrived, the fog gradually dissipated with the rising sun. The morning sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting a cool and refreshing light that bathed them in a warm glow. The originally spacious white jade platform was now crowded with people.
The annual new disciples’ competition was an enjoyable event for the older disciples, so almost the entire Wuhui Sect had turned out to watch the excitement. Luo Jinxiao saw Luo Ning in the distance, who waved her fist with a determined expression.
Luo Jinxiao returned the gesture with equal determination, raising her fist in solidarity.
The competition was held in a one-on-one format. For fairness, the use of spirit beasts and talismans was forbidden, and participants were only allowed to carry a single personal weapon. Luo Jinxiao touched the sword in her hand, feeling a sense of reassurance.
“First match, Baili Qingzhou versus Situ Xue.” Chang Siyu had taken his place on the platform, his amplified voice booming across the white jade stage.
Baili Qingzhou, holding his sword, walked forward with trembling legs. Situ Xue was the timid girl Luo Jinxiao had seen before. She seemed even more nervous now, stepping onto the platform bare-handed.
Both were at the second level of Qi Refining, their strength evenly matched. As soon as Chang Siyu gave the signal, they channeled their spiritual energy, their movements hesitant and lacking in spirit.
Perhaps because his opponent seemed so weak, Baili Qingzhou hesitated to attack, merely circling and probing. Situ Xue, on the other hand, only knew how to dodge, and seemed on the verge of tears.
The cheers from the audience gradually died down.
This was the longest match Luo Jinxiao had ever watched. The two of them fumbled around on the platform for half an hour before it finally ended with Situ Xue bursting into tears and admitting defeat.
Luo Jinxiao’s lips twitched, suddenly feeling bored.
Fortunately, the following matches were much more engaging. The two sides exchanged blows with great fervor, the stage a flurry of blades and shadows, dazzling to the eye. The atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers and shouts of excitement.
“Luo Jinxiao, Ke Xiu.” When Chang Siyu called Luo Jinxiao’s name, he looked up at her, his gaze full of disdain as it pierced through the crowd and landed on her.
Luo Jinxiao ignored his attitude, tightened her grip on her sword, and strode onto the stage. She used her wrist guard to secure her flowing sleeves, looking neat and efficient. Her black hair was tied up high, falling behind her, giving her an elegant and clean appearance.
As she took the stage, a wave of snickers rippled through the crowd. No one applauded. Even if they didn’t harbor any ill intentions, they were all watching her as if she were a joke.
Her opponent was a tall young woman with sharp eyebrows and a piercing gaze. Luo Jinxiao wasn’t short herself, but this woman towered over her by a head and a half. She raised an eyebrow at Luo Jinxiao, looking down at her with an air of superiority.
Luo Jinxiao smirked, then immediately stood straight, her right hand gripping the sword hilt at her side.
As the drum sounded, the woman raised her hand, sending a bolt of spiritual lightning exploding at Luo Jinxiao’s feet, kicking up a cloud of dust. Luo Jinxiao quickly retreated, dodging with her body alone, without using a single ounce of spiritual energy.
The woman’s attacks were relentless, her pale blue spiritual energy crackling across the stage like entwined lightning bolts, with Luo Jinxiao seemingly trapped within.
On a raised platform outside the white jade stage, several elders sat, their eyes glued to the match.
“Elder Liu, is this the disciple you took in? Judging by her current performance, her strength is rather mediocre. I thought that since you hadn’t taken on a disciple for so many years, you would have chosen one with exceptional talent.” The female elder from before leaned over and chuckled.
“Elder Mei, you misunderstand. Having great talent is a disciple’s own fortune. If a disciple with mediocre talent wins the competition, that is a testament to our skills as Masters.” Elder Liu, unfazed by the sarcasm in her words, replied with his eyes closed.
Elder Mei was displeased. She sat up straight and looked at Luo Jinxiao, who was still trapped in the barrage of attacks. “But your disciple doesn’t seem to have any chance of winning.”
“The match is not over yet. Don’t jump to conclusions.” Elder Liu opened his eyes slightly, glanced at Luo Jinxiao, then closed them again, seemingly at ease.
Just as Elder Mei was about to retort, Qu Chengzhou warned, “We are all elders here. Let’s conduct ourselves with decorum.”
His words silenced everyone. At that moment, a gasp erupted from the crowd around the white jade stage. The elders looked up and saw the tall woman, who had the upper hand just moments ago, now thrown off the stage, lying on the ground in a disoriented heap, unable to get up.
The crowd seemed stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened. It was Gui Jiu, who had been attentively observing the match, who reacted first. He swiftly approached the fallen woman and used his spiritual energy to lift and escort her for treatment.
Luo Jinxiao had somehow won the match. A hush fell over the stage, followed by a wave of confused murmurs and outright disbelief. No one seemed to believe what they had just witnessed.
Luo Jinxiao calmly flexed her wrist. Although her opponent wasn’t weak, her moves were too flashy and lacked precision. Dozens of lightning strikes had surrounded her, yet not a single one hit its mark.
Luo Jinxiao had barely used any spiritual energy. A single, well-aimed palm strike to her opponent’s chest had been enough.
“The tenth match, Luo Jinxiao wins.” Chang Siyu finally announced reluctantly. Elder Liu, hearing this from a distance, opened his eyes, looking pleased. He even nodded cheerfully at Elder Mei, who nearly fell off her seat in frustration.
“Weiyin, you’re here.” Elder He spoke up.
Qu Weiyin had appeared behind them at some point. She nodded and greeted the elders, without even glancing at Qu Chengzhou.
Everyone knew about the strained relationship between Qu Chengzhou and his niece, so they didn’t dwell on it. They changed the topic, discussing who should lead the new disciples to the Upper Celestial Realm in a few days.
Qu Weiyin paid no attention to their conversation. She stood still as a statue, her narrow eyes flickering as her gaze fell upon Luo Jinxiao, who was standing amongst the other disciples.
So, she had won a match.
The girl’s face was radiant in the sunlight, her skin as white as snow, her smile even more captivating.
Qu Weiyin paused, then glanced at the other disciples.
“It’s rather dangerous this year. Why don’t we have Weiyin lead them? If one person isn’t enough, Gui Jiu can accompany her. That young man is meticulous and can assist you.”
Qu Chengzhou’s words snapped Qu Weiyin out of her thoughts. She frowned at him, her heart churning with unspoken emotions. She quickly averted her gaze. “This disciple declines.”
“Why not?” Qu Chengzhou asked, his voice low.
“Busy,” Qu Weiyin replied curtly.
Qu Chengzhou looked at her, his expression unreadable. He didn’t press the matter further.
The other elders hurriedly steered the conversation in a different direction. Elder He stroked his beard and sighed. “The path to the Upper Celestial Realm is filled with demonic obstacles lately. It’s quite dangerous. Most of our stronger disciples are away on missions. If we take on the task ourselves, Wuhui Sect will be short-handed. What should we do?”
“Why not let Elder Qu lead personally and take along the new disciples who didn’t win? They might not get a spiritual weapon, but it will be a valuable experience.” Another elder suggested.
Before Qu Chengzhou could respond, Qu Weiyin, who had been silently observing until now, suddenly spoke, interrupting their discussion.
“There’s no need to trouble Elder Qu.” She raised her head, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions in her eyes. “This disciple will go.”
