Chapter 159: Yu Zhao Returns
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
“Sister Yu Zhao, are you sure you won’t stay a few more days?”
Outside the gates of the Green Wood Sect, Mu Ye clung to Yu Zhao’s sleeve, her large, watery eyes blinking rapidly.
Yu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not that I don’t want to stay, but if I stay any longer, I might miss the big competition back at the sect.”
“It’s fine! You can go with us when it’s time,” Mu Ye’s voice trailed off, losing its enthusiasm.
The competition in the cultivation world is divided into sect competitions and individual ones. Typically, sect disciples choose to represent their sect unless there’s a special reason not to. With Yu Zhao’s skills, she would undoubtedly be part of the Five Elements Sect’s team, and she was sure to place high in the rankings. Staying longer at the Green Wood Sect would only delay her.
Mu Ye knew all this, but she couldn’t help feeling sad at the thought of parting with her good friend. As soon as she spoke, she regretted it. She glanced at Yu Zhao out of the corner of her eye, relieved to see she wasn’t upset but feeling even more dejected as she slowly let go of her sleeve.
Yu Zhao comforted her, saying, “You’re going to the competition too, right? We’ll see each other again soon.”
“I’m just going to watch, not to compete with you,” Mu Ye sighed. While her alchemy skills were unmatched among the sect’s disciples, her combat abilities were average at best. The Green Wood Sect usually chose its competitors from the martial arts division, rarely picking disciples from the alchemy or medicine halls. This was why Yu Zhao knew the identity of Wang Qian, the young sect master, but had never met him.
“It’s not much different,” Yu Zhao said as she ruffled Mu Ye’s hair. Then, her expression turned serious. “Wang Qian, Guo Ming En, and Tian Han aren’t trustworthy. You need to be careful around them.”
“Guo Ming En and Tian Han aren’t worth worrying about, and as for Wang Qian…” Mu Ye’s eyes narrowed. “Ever since he failed the assessment, he’s been in seclusion. I doubt he’ll cause much trouble.”
“Better safe than sorry.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Mu Ye agreed, feeling more alert now. She hadn’t taken those people seriously before, but after Yu Zhao’s repeated warnings, she decided it was best to stay on guard.
After another round of heartfelt goodbyes, Yu Zhao transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the sky. Mu Ye stood alone outside the sect gates for a long time, deep in thought.
…
Back at the Five Elements Sect, on Lone Moon Peak.
“Senior Brother, did Master really say that?” Lan Zi Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Fang Cheng Lang nodded silently.
“Master might be biased toward our junior sister, but he shouldn’t make such a hasty decision when it concerns our Fourth Junior Brother’s future,” Lan Zi Yu said, his face growing more agitated. He liked their junior sister, but her health wasn’t suited for the big competition. Having her on the team would only hold them back.
“Master said that since Cui Jue is injured, the remaining members can form a team, and since Junior Sister is from Lone Moon Peak, we can’t leave her behind,” Fang Cheng Lang explained, repeating Master Qing Yan’s words. Lan Zi Yu frowned even more.
“We’re not saying we want to abandon her, but she really isn’t fit for this,” Lan Zi Yu blurted out without thinking. “It’d be better if Yu Zhao were with us instead.”
He froze, surprised at his own words. When had he started thinking Yu Zhao was stronger than their junior sister?
Fang Cheng Lang’s expression became distant as he heard Yu Zhao’s name. “Yu Zhao won’t join us.”
“Why not? Who does she think she is?” Lan Zi Yu’s initial embarrassment turned into anger as he raised his voice.
Fang Cheng Lang avoided further discussion on the matter, steering the conversation back to the original topic. “Master has already decided on the team. During the competition, you need to take care of our junior sister.”
Lan Zi Yu reluctantly agreed, though the thought of doing so during the competition filled him with dread. He sat silently across from Fang Cheng Lang, both lost in their thoughts, the tension between them thickening.
…
At the main peak of the sect.
“Senior Sister, why hasn’t Yu Zhao come back yet? Do you think she’s forgotten about the competition?” Zhang Jun paced back and forth like a restless monkey in front of Zhou Jin Yue.
Zhou Jin Yue remained calm, taking a sip of tea. “Yu Shimei isn’t the type to forget. She’s probably just been delayed. She should be on her way back by now.”
“But what if she’s late? The internal selection for the competition is about to start, and all the other teams are almost complete. Our team still needs one more person!” Zhang Jun fretted.
“She’ll make it back in time,” Zhou Jin Yue said confidently.
Zhang Jun didn’t understand where his senior sister’s confidence came from. He was anything but calm, wishing he could somehow see a thousand miles away to know where Yu Zhao was at that moment.
Just as Zhou Jin Yue was considering using force to quiet Zhang Jun’s frantic pacing, a disciple from the main peak came running over excitedly, shouting, “Senior Sister! Second Senior Brother! Yu Zhao’s back!”
“Really? Where is she?” Zhang Jun jumped up, waving his arms in excitement, even more thrilled than Zhou Jin Yue.
“She’s been stopped by Brother Quan from Lone Moon Peak on the main road. A lot of disciples have gone to watch!”
“Quan Ye? Wasn’t he supposed to be reflecting on his mistakes at the Cliff of Reflection? When did he get out?”
Now it was Zhou Jin Yue’s turn to lose her composure.
“Just today! He’d just come down from the Cliff of Reflection and ran into Yu Zhao on her way back. It looks like they’re about to fight!” The disciple hadn’t even finished speaking when Zhou Jin Yue dashed off like a bolt of lightning.
Zhang Jun chased after her, shouting, “Senior Sister, wait for me!”
…
Outside the Cliff of Reflection, disciples had gathered in layers around Yu Zhao, Quan Ye, and Ye Cong Xin, watching with amazement.
“Is that really Yu Zhao? It’s only been two years, and she’s already reached the Golden Core stage?”
“Not just Golden Core, she’s at least in the mid-stage of it!”
“I heard Quan Ye was punished and sent to the Cliff of Reflection because he injured Yu Zhao’s foundation, but from the looks of it, those rumors must be false.”
Everyone knew that recovering from a damaged foundation wasn’t something that could be done overnight. Judging by Yu Zhao’s incredible cultivation speed, she didn’t seem like someone who had been injured at all.
While the Five Elements Sect disciples were mostly surprised by Yu Zhao’s current strength, Quan Ye and Ye Cong Xin were downright furious.
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Ye Cong Xin had come to the Cliff of Reflection specifically to bring Quan Ye back to Lone Moon Peak. The disciples of Lone Moon Peak had been indifferent towards her for a long time, so she decided to start with Quan Ye, who was simple-minded and strong.
Her plan was going smoothly. Quan Ye was overjoyed to see her, and they walked towards Lone Moon Peak, chatting happily. But they had only taken a few steps when they ran into Yu Zhao, who had just returned to the sect. The powerful aura surrounding Yu Zhao had immediately set both of them on edge.
Ye Cong Xin had always believed that Yu Zhao’s departure for training was just an excuse because she was too ashamed to stay in the sect. She thought Yu Zhao was trying to retreat to advance, forcing Fang Cheng Lang and the others to accept her again. Despite Fang Cheng Lang and the others’ fluctuating attitudes, Ye Cong Xin had never taken Yu Zhao’s absence seriously.
But Yu Zhao’s return completely caught her off guard. Yu Zhao had actually become stronger! Stronger than she could have ever imagined! This caused Ye Cong Xin’s heart to burn with resentment.