CChapter 163: Her Master is Master Qing Yan
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Xiu Luo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Her cultivation is weaker than mine. Why does she qualify for the competition?”
Yu Zhao replied calmly, “Her master is Master Qing Yan.”
“She’s frail, often sick, and stays indoors most of the time. She’ll drag the team down.”
Yu Zhao’s answer remained the same. “Her master is Master Qing Yan.”
“She… Alright, you don’t need to repeat it. I get it. Her master is Master Qing Yan.”
Xiu Luo lowered her head, feeling a wave of helpless frustration. Losing to Yu Zhao was something she could accept—Yu Zhao was undeniably skilled. But losing to Ye Cong Xin? That was something she couldn’t reconcile.
Compared to her, Ye Cong Xin had nothing but the title of Master Qing Yan’s disciple. Xiu Luo didn’t see any other aspect where Ye Cong Xin could outshine her.
The sect competition wasn’t just a simple test; it was a matter of honor for the sect. Yet, Master Qing Yan and his disciple were willing to risk failure by including the less capable Ye Cong Xin. Xiu Luo couldn’t hide her disappointment. In that moment, her admiration for Master Qing Yan diminished significantly.
“I warned you before.”
“What?” Xiu Luo froze, racking her memory until she recalled Yu Zhao’s advice. She had suggested Xiu Luo seek apprenticeship under another peak master or elder instead of fixating on Master Qing Yan. Back then, Xiu Luo had even been angry about it.
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she was left speechless.
“Are you free tomorrow? Come cheer for me,” Yu Zhao invited.
Xiu Luo blinked, then quickly nodded. “Yes, I’ll be there!”
Yu Zhao smiled warmly at her and turned to walk up the mountain path. Watching her retreating figure, Xiu Luo clenched her fists silently.
Yu Zhao, you must defeat them!
…
The next day, the weather was clear and bright.
The normally serene and solemn Five Elements Dao Sect was bustling with excitement. Sect Master Ji Yuan sat at the grand stage, overlooking the spirited disciples gathered at the training grounds. His heart swelled with pride, and his face glowed with satisfaction.
To his right sat Master Qing Yan, his pristine white daoist robes untouched by dust. His cold and sharp features stood out against the lively atmosphere.
The peak master of Dragon Hua Peak, Master Guan Yun, suddenly asked, “Sect Master, how many teams are participating in this selection?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan laughed heartily. “Two more than last time. A total of eight teams are competing.”
Only the most confident and daring disciples would form teams to participate in the internal selection. These individuals often became the pillars of the sect in the future, much like the peak masters and elders present today. The larger the number of participating teams, the more it signified the flourishing talent within the sect.
Hearing this, Master Guan Yun and the others smiled in satisfaction.
One elder quipped, “I heard that Master Guan Yun’s disciple, Lu Li, has teamed up with Senior Nephew Zhou this time. It seems one of the teams representing the sect in the competition is already set.”
Master Guan Yun and Sect Master Ji Yuan exchanged humble glances, both shaking their heads modestly, insisting that it was too early to draw conclusions. However, their smiles betrayed their pride.
The other peak masters and elders couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. All the participating disciples were their direct disciples, and they had high hopes for them. Yet they knew that if their teams faced Zhou Jin Yue and Lu Li’s team, their chances of winning were slim.
Moreover, one of the eight teams came from Lone Moon Peak, adding another formidable contender. The elders could already foresee the outcome.
“Junior Sister Yu, let me introduce you. This is Senior Sister Lu Li, and this is Senior Brother Pu Xing He.”
Lu Li and Pu Xing He joined the sect before Yu Zhao, and although the three of them had comparable cultivation levels, she still needed to address them as senior sister and brother.
“Senior Sister Lu.”
“Senior Brother Pu.”
Lu Li responded with a gentle smile, returning the greeting to Yu Zhao. “Junior Sister Yu.”
In contrast, Pu Xing He maintained a cold demeanor, giving a brief nod as a response.
A slight furrow appeared on Zhou Jin Yue’s brow. Although she refrained from saying anything at the moment, mindful of the occasion, she resolved to have a private word with Pu Xing He later.
The teams participating in the selection were gathered in a separate area. Yu Zhao stood near the disciples of Lone Moon Peak, which allowed her to spot Ye Cong Xin in the middle of Fang Cheng Lang’s group.
Today, Ye Cong Xin appeared deliberately dressed for the occasion, wearing an outfit starkly different from her usual style. Her sleek ponytail diminished her delicate aura, presenting a refreshing and striking look.
“Third Senior Brother, you must protect me during the selection!”
As Yu Zhao wondered whether Ye Cong Xin had changed her personality, that overly sweet, affected tone reached her ears. She let out a small scoff.
Changing appearances is easy, but true nature is hard to alter.
While Yu Zhao observed Ye Cong Xin, the disciples from Lone Moon Peak were also sneaking glances at her. Quan Ye, in particular, alternated between frowning and scowling, his fists repeatedly clenching and relaxing as if unable to decide on a course of action.
After enduring an hour-long lecture from Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming the previous day, Quan Ye still couldn’t accept that the current Yu Zhao was the same junior sister who used to cry and throw tantrums. He silently vowed to expose the imposter during the selection.
“Sect Master, the time has come, and most of the disciples have arrived,” Elder Sun from the Hall of Merit informed.
“Announce the start of the selection.”
“Yes.”
Elder Sun stepped forward, sweeping his sharp gaze over the training grounds, instantly silencing the crowd.
“The century-held grand competition of the cultivation world is approaching. This selection will determine two teams to represent the Five Elements Dao Sect. Eight teams are participating in the selection, each assigned a number from one to eight…”
Elder Sun wasted no time, laying out the rules of the selection.
At first, Yu Zhao listened intently, but her expression soon shifted to surprise. The selection process was far simpler than she anticipated. All eight teams would enter the arena simultaneously for a free-for-all battle. The order in which teams were eliminated would decide the winners.
This meant she could target Lone Moon Peak early, ensuring their defeat. If Ye Cong Xin couldn’t join the grand competition, she’d lose the chance to meet the prodigies from other sects and siphon their fortune.
Realizing this possibility, Yu Zhao felt her heart race as her fighting spirit surged.
“Senior Sister Zhou,” she whispered through a spiritual transmission.
Zhou Jin Yue turned to her, eyes gleaming with a shared sense of eagerness. Both of them glanced toward the neighboring team, their smiles filled with mischief.
The rule announcement weighed heavily on Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu. The selection process put them at a significant disadvantage.
Among the competing disciples, all at the Golden Core stage, Ye Cong Xin was the most vulnerable. Having previously experienced Yu Zhao’s illusion techniques, they knew if she teamed up with Zhou Jin Yue, their chances of being the first team eliminated were high.
Others shared Fang Cheng Lang’s concern.
“In a free-for-all, wouldn’t Junior Sister Ye be in danger?”
“That’s unlikely. Surely no one would stoop to bullying the weak.”
“Seriously? This is a selection, not a sparring session! If you’re afraid of losing, don’t bother showing up!”