Chapter 175: Where’s His Brain?
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
“The weather’s nice today. Let’s wrap it up for now,” one of the elders suggested casually.
“Oh no, I forgot I left my furnace burning! I need to go back and check on my weapon!” another elder exclaimed, rushing off.
“Yeah, I should get going too,” a third elder chimed in, clearly eager to leave the shameful predicament.
In an instant, all the elders vanished, leaving Yu Zhao standing alone with Li Fei.
Li Fei, always quick to act, immediately picked up a token and handed it to Yu Zhao with utmost respect. “Senior Sister Yu Zhao, the first round of the individual competition is scheduled for ten days from now at the Martial Field, which is a hundred miles from the Achievement Pavilion.”
Yu Zhao nodded and accepted the token.
“There’s a resting place for our sect’s disciples at the Achievement Pavilion,” Li Fei continued. “Would you like to rest there now, Senior Sister Yu Zhao?”
“Thank you,” Yu Zhao replied politely.
“No need to be so formal, Senior Sister,” Li Fei said with a smile. He then called over another disciple to take his place at the registration desk and personally escorted Yu Zhao to the designated resting area for the Five Elements Sect.
As Yu Zhao walked away, the base of the mountain buzzed with chatter. Everyone was talking about her sudden rise to prominence, while Situ Xuan, who had been a significant figure, was now nearly forgotten.
Situ Xuan narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.
“A Golden Core cultivator under twenty?” he muttered to himself, his thoughts turning dark. “Interesting. Yu Zhao, you’ve certainly caught my attention. Let’s see just how strong you really are.”
Meanwhile, far away, a flying boat was speeding toward the Achievement Pavilion. The boat, as tall as a five-story building, was covered in intricate runes that shimmered with spiritual light as it sailed through the clouds, looking majestic.
Standing on the deck was Zhou Jin Yue, her delicate features making her look as though she had stepped out of a painting. Even her simple disciple robes couldn’t diminish her stunning beauty.
She heard someone approach, their footsteps pausing briefly before continuing toward her.
“Cultivator Jin Yue,” the newcomer greeted.
Zhou Jin Yue turned slightly and acknowledged him. “Cultivator Jing Ran.”
Li Jing Ran, the senior brother from Taibai Academy, stepped up to stand beside her.
Zhou Jin Yue frowned slightly.
The Taibai Academy and the Five Elements Sect had crossed paths on their journey, and after a brief discussion, the elders decided to travel together.
Although Zhou Jin Yue had only spoken to Li Jing Ran a few times before, she didn’t feel particularly close to him.
It was Ye Cong Xin who seemed to bond well with the Taibai Academy disciples. Zhou Jin Yue had often seen them chatting together.
So why wasn’t Li Jing Ran with Ye Cong Xin today? Why had he approached her instead?
As she pondered this, Li Jing Ran broke the silence.
“Cultivator Jin Yue, is there some misunderstanding between you and Junior Sister Cong Xin? I think it would be best to clear things up so it doesn’t disrupt the harmony among our fellow disciples.”
Zhou Jin Yue’s eyes flashed with realization, then her expression soured.
“Why is that any of your concern?”
She had no desire to explain anything to Li Jing Ran. Whatever was happening between her and Ye Cong Xin was none of Taibai Academy’s business.
Li Jing Ran was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a blunt response.
“I meant no offense, I just—”
Zhou Jin Yue cut him off impatiently, “Whether you meant well or not, this issue does not concern you. I’d appreciate it if you stayed out of my matters.”
Annoyed, she cursed her bad luck internally and turned to walk away.
But Li Jing Ran wasn’t ready to drop it.
“Cultivator Jin Yue, your evasiveness suggests you might feel guilty. As a senior sister of your sect, failing to treat all disciples equally is a serious neglect of duty!”
Zhou Jin Yue spun around, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.
Li Jing Ran, who usually had a refined and elegant demeanor, now looked stern, filled with doubt and displeasure toward her.
Zhou Jin Yue felt disgusted, as if she had stepped into something revolting.
She had once thought Li Jing Ran was a deep and respectable person. Now, she realized she was completely mistaken.
“Li Jing Ran, do you even know Junior Sister Cong Xin well enough? What makes you think you can come here and question me like this?” Zhou Jin Yue challenged him.
“Of course I know her. Junior Sister Cong Xin is as graceful as an orchid and as brilliant as a celestial being in her talents. Despite her severe illness, she faces challenges bravely and has won everyone’s respect,” Li Jing Ran responded, his voice firm and his eyes showing a softness as he spoke of her virtues.
Zhou Jin Yue was taken aback. There was no hint of doubt or embarrassment in Li Jing Ran’s expression.
She was stunned.
As the top student of Taibai Academy, Li Jing Ran seemed too trusting. He was quick to stand up for others without bothering to verify the facts.
Where was his brain?
Had he left it behind at Taibai Academy?
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? Have anything to defend yourself with?” Li Jing Ran misread Zhou Jin Yue’s silence as guilt, thinking he had cornered her. He looked smug, as if he had won.
Zhou Jin Yue felt even more repulsed, a chilly smile creeping across her face.
“Li Jing Ran, unless I’m mistaken, aren’t you engaged? Standing up for Junior Sister Cong Xin like this, could it be you’ve taken a fancy to someone else? Are you planning to leave your fiancée?” she shot back.
If he could sling mud, so could she.
Li Jing Ran’s face flushed a deep red, as if he was choking. “Zhou Jin Yue, the relationship between Junior Sister Cong Xin and me is purely platonic. Stop spreading lies!”
“I’m just making an educated guess. If you can question me, why can’t I question you?”
The best way to deal with a rumor was not to defend oneself directly but to turn the tables and push the accuser into the spot they had hoped to put you in.
And Zhou Jin Yue felt her suspicions were more plausible than Li Jing Ran’s accusation. Given his behavior, who wouldn’t think there was something more between him and Ye Cong Xin?
She wasn’t sure about Ye Cong Xin’s intentions, but she was convinced that Li Jing Ran’s motives were not pure.
“Junior Sister Cong Xin and I share a deep connection, discussing poetry and appreciating the beauty of nature. You wouldn’t understand such refined relationships!” Li Jing Ran retorted.
Their heated argument caught the attention of the other disciples on the boat.
Zhang Jun was the first to rush over.
“Senior Sister Jin Yue, what’s happening here?” he inquired, eyeing Li Jing Ran with suspicion, his stance protective.
Before Zhou Jin Yue could reply, Lu Li, Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, and other disciples from the Five Elements Sect also gathered around her, showing their silent support.
Their presence alone spoke volumes.
Meanwhile, the Taibai Academy disciples, though not fully understanding the situation, hurried down from the boat to stand by their senior brother.
The two groups faced each other, tension mounting in the air.
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
“Senior Sister Jin Yue, Senior Brother Li, what’s this about?” asked a voice from the crowd.
Ye Cong Xin, the person at the center of the controversy, had finally arrived, albeit late.
Zhou Jin Yue raised an eyebrow. “Junior Sister Cong Xin, good timing. Cultivator Jing Ran from Taibai Academy here came over to lecture me with some odd accusations and even warned me against bullying you. I’m dumbfounded. Maybe you can help clarify this for us?”
Ye Cong Xin managed a feeble smile. “Senior Sister Jin Yue, there’s been some misunderstanding.”
“Another misunderstanding? Cultivator Jing Ran also mentioned that earlier. Can you explain what’s really going on, Junior Sister Cong Xin? Who exactly is misunderstanding whom here?”
All eyes instantly shifted to Ye Cong Xin.
She clenched her robe tightly, her complexion turning even paler as the spotlight fell on her.