Chapter 176: Thanks, Senior Sister
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
“Stop! Cultivator Jin Yue, there’s no need to be so harsh!”
Li Jing Ran had finally reached his breaking point. Junior Sister Cong Xin was gentle and sensitive, and Zhou Jin Yue’s intense pressure was becoming too much for her. He had tried to protect her, but his efforts only seemed to make things worse. For her sake, he was willing to back down.
“We’ll end this now,” he declared, frustration evident in the tight set of his jaw. He tried to maintain his dignity, but it only made Zhou Jin Yue laugh.
“You think you can just storm in here, accuse me, and then walk away with a simple statement? Do you have no respect for me, Zhou Jin Yue, or for our sect, the Five Elements Sect?”
“You… you didn’t lose anything,” Li Jing Ran stammered, recalling how she had treated him before.
“Just because I didn’t lose anything doesn’t mean you can disrespect me!” Zhou Jin Yue snapped, her voice cold and sharp. Her authority as the senior sister was unmistakable, and even Zhang Jun, who was usually playful, fell silent, sensing the tension.
The ones feeling the most pressure at that moment were Ye Cong Xin and Li Jing Ran.
Ye Cong Xin was furious. She had hoped to win over Li Jing Ran for his wealth and high status at Taibai Academy, but now, he just seemed like a fool—intelligent on the outside but naive deep down.
He was on the Five Elements Sect’s flying boat, under the watchful eyes of its leaders and elders, yet he still dared to challenge its senior sister. How stubborn and foolish!
Li Jing Ran, on the other hand, had no idea he had made a mistake. He thought Zhou Jin Yue was being tyrannical and unfair. She must be jealous of Junior Sister Cong Xin’s charm—not necessarily her looks, but definitely her talent! He believed Zhou Jin Yue was trying to suppress Junior Sister Cong Xin out of envy. How shameful!
Li Jing Ran looked around at the disciples gathered on the deck, more than three hundred from both the Five Elements Sect and Taibai Academy. He opened his mouth as if to speak but then closed it. Some things were better left unsaid in front of such a large crowd.
“Jin Yue, the elder from Taibai Academy asked me to intervene. What if we both apologize? Split it fifty-fifty?” Ji Yuan, the leader of the Five Elements Sect, quietly suggested to Zhou Jin Yue, his tone sly.
Zhou Jin Yue’s eyes sparkled as she whispered back, “I’ll take seventy percent, you get thirty.”
“Deal!”
Just as everyone braced for a dramatic confrontation, Zhou Jin Yue’s demeanor softened, and her intimidating presence faded.
“If Junior Sister Cong Xin says this was all a misunderstanding, I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and let it go. But, Cultivator Jing Ran, you should be more careful with your words and actions in the future.”
The sudden shift left everyone stunned. They watched as Zhou Jin Yue quickly walked away. Zhang Jun glanced around before hurrying after her, his tone full of respect and affection.
“Senior Sister~ my most respected and beloved Senior Sister~”
“Quiet. You get ten percent.”
“Thank you, Senior Sister, for your kindness!” Zhang Jun beamed as he followed Zhou Jin Yue to receive their reward from their clever master.
The other disciples from both sects exchanged silent glances.
“Junior Sister, come with me,” Fang Cheng Lang’s firm voice suddenly broke the silence.
Ye Cong Xin, relieved to have avoided further trouble, felt a pang of worry but kept her expression neutral as she agreed.
Su Ming and Quan Ye wanted to follow, but Lan Zi Yu stopped them.
“Senior Brother Fang probably needs to discuss something important with Junior Sister. It’s best not to get involved.”
Having taken on more responsibilities, Lan Zi Yu had grown more composed. In the past, he might not have held back Su Ming; he could have even joined in to see what was happening. Pressure really does drive growth.
Quan Ye clenched his fists, visibly disturbed. “If Senior Brother is calling her now, it can’t be for anything good!”
Lan Zi Yu silently agreed but kept his thoughts to himself. Instead, he redirected their attention.
“This whole mess isn’t really about Junior Sister or Senior Sister Jin Yue. It’s about those guys from Taibai Academy.”
Quan Ye’s eyes widened with realization. “You’re right! Ever since they started talking to Junior Sister, I knew they were up to something. They’re probably trying to stir up trouble and ruin our chances in the competition! They’re playing dirty! When the sect competition comes, I’m going to show them what I’m made of!”
Lan Zi Yu let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Quan Ye’s focus had shifted. Yet, he couldn’t help feeling anxious as he watched the direction Fang Cheng Lang and Ye Cong Xin had taken, wondering what Senior Brother might be discussing with Junior Sister.
However, both Lan Zi Yu and Quan Ye were wrong in their assumptions.
When Fang Cheng Lang pulled Ye Cong Xin aside, he wasn’t harsh with her. Instead, he encouraged her to mingle more with disciples from other sects.
Back in her room, Ye Cong Xin reflected on Fang Cheng Lang’s advice. She was confused. He had been so calm, almost unnervingly so. He seemed like a locked book, completely unreadable.
“System, check Fang Cheng Lang’s favorability level.”
Ding! Fang Cheng Lang’s current favorability level is 30 points.
“Thirty points?” Ye Cong Xin was taken aback. Fang Cheng Lang’s favorability towards her had increased, not decreased. Had she been misunderstanding him? Maybe Fang Cheng Lang’s words were simply direct, without any hidden meanings.
Yet, this clarity only made Ye Cong Xin feel more uneasy. Fang Cheng Lang’s unpredictable nature made her feel like she was losing control of the situation. Even with the system’s reading of his feelings, she couldn’t be completely sure about his true intentions.
Ding! The system’s favorability values are accurate. Please trust the system, Host.
The system’s voice reassured her.
Ye Cong Xin bit her lip. The system had always been reliable. She should trust it! It had never been wrong before!
She repeated these affirmations until she felt more settled. Moving forward, she decided to be even more vigilant.
Ten days later, Yu Zhao woke up just in time. Today was the start of the individual competition.
She stepped outside to find the courtyard unusually quiet; the sect competition had a different schedule, and most of the Five Elements Sect disciples were absent.
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Yu Zhao locked her door and headed towards the mountain gate. She hadn’t gone far when she saw Silent by the roadside.
“Silent.”
The monk smiled warmly, his prayer beads in hand as he gave a slight bow.
“Were you waiting here for me?”
“Yes. In recent days, Yu Zhao’s name has become quite popular at the Achievement Pavilion.”
Silent had always recognized Yu Zhao’s remarkable talent, which was why he had proposed they team up initially. He hadn’t realized before that Yu Zhao belonged to the Five Elements Sect. Knowing she might be facing the individual competition alone, Silent had decided to wait for her here, ready to offer his support.
Yu Zhao was touched by his thoughtfulness and thanked him sincerely. Together, they walked towards the venue for the individual competition.