Chapter 175: Where’s His Brain?
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“Ahem, it’s a fine day today; everyone can disperse now,” said one elder.
“Oh no, the fire in my artifact refining furnace isn’t out yet. I must get back to my refining!” said another.
“If you’re all leaving, then I’ll leave too.”
In the blink of an eye, the elders all vanished as if their feet had been greased.
Yu Zhao turned her gaze to Li Fei. This time, Li Fei was quick to react. Holding the identity token with both hands, he respectfully handed it to her.
“Senior Sister Yu, the first round of the personal competition will take place in ten days at the Martial Arena, located a hundred miles from the Aspiration Pavilion.”
Yu Zhao nodded and accepted the token.
Li Fei continued, “There’s a resting area for the disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect inside the Aspiration Pavilion. Would Senior Sister Yu like to rest there for a while?”
“Much appreciated.”
“You’re too kind, Senior Sister Yu.”
Li Fei called over a fellow disciple to take over his registration duties and personally led Yu Zhao into the Aspiration Pavilion.
As Yu Zhao left, the base of the mountain erupted into a cacophony of chatter. Everyone was talking about Yu Zhao, who had risen to prominence out of nowhere. Meanwhile, Si Tu Xuan, once the center of attention, was now thoroughly ignored.
Si Tu Xuan narrowed his eyes, his expression shifting unpredictably.
“Golden Core, late stage… and under twenty years old. Very well, Yu Zhao. You’ve certainly piqued my interest. Let’s see how strong you really are.”
Under Li Fei’s guidance, Yu Zhao entered the rooms designated for the Five Elements Dao Sect to rest and prepare for the upcoming competition in ten days.
Thousands of miles away, a flying boat was speeding toward the Aspiration Pavilion. Towering as high as a five-story building, the flying boat was inscribed with intricate, profound array patterns. It glided through the misty clouds, its luminous spiritual energy giving it a magnificent appearance.
On the deck, Zhou Jin Yue stood, her eyebrows perfectly shaped like a painting. Even the simple disciple robe she wore couldn’t hide her captivating beauty.
Hearing approaching footsteps, Zhou Jin Yue paused for a moment before turning around.
“Daoist Zhou,” came the greeting.
She inclined her head slightly. “Daoist Li.”
Li Jing Rang, the eldest senior brother of Tai Bai Academy, stepped forward and stood beside her. Zhou Jin Yue’s eyebrows knit briefly in displeasure.
The Tai Bai Academy and the Five Elements Dao Sect had crossed paths during their journey, prompting their elders to decide on traveling together. Zhou Jin Yue had only exchanged a few words with Li Jing Rang, their acquaintance being rather superficial. On the other hand, Ye Cong Xin, her fellow sect member, seemed to get along quite well with the Tai Bai disciples. Zhou Jin Yue had often seen them gathered, chatting amiably.
Why isn’t Li Jing Rang off discussing poetry with Ye Cong Xin today? Why come to her instead? she wondered. Her thoughts were interrupted when Li Jing Rang spoke.
“Daoist Zhou, is there some misunderstanding between you and Junior Sister Ye from Lone Moon Peak? I believe it’s better to clear up any differences to maintain harmony among sect members.”
Understanding flickered in Zhou Jin Yue’s eyes before her face darkened.
“None of your business.”
She had no intention of explaining anything to Li Jing Rang. Matters between her and Ye Cong Xin were not something an outsider from Tai Bai Academy had any right to meddle in.
Li Jing Rang blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting her curt response. “I meant no harm, I just…”
Zhou Jin Yue cut him off impatiently. “Daoist Li, whether your intentions are good or bad, this has nothing to do with you. Please refrain from sowing discord between me and your junior sister.”
Annoyed, she inwardly cursed her bad luck and turned to leave. However, Li Jing Rang persisted.
“Daoist Zhou, are you avoiding the topic because you’re guilty of something? As the grand senior sister of your sect, you should be impartial. Anything less is a dereliction of duty!”
Zhou Jin Yue stopped abruptly and turned around.
Li Jing Rang’s refined features and upright posture exuded an air of elegance and scholarly grace. Even just standing there, he seemed warm as jade, cultured, and dashing.
At this moment, his face was solemn, his eyes filled with doubt and disapproval toward Zhou Jin Yue.
Zhou Jin Yue felt as if she had stepped on something filthy—utterly revolted. When she first met Li Jing Rang, she thought he was someone with great depth. Now, she realized how completely wrong she had been.
“Li Jing Rang, do you even understand Ye Cong Xin? What gives you the right to question me?”
“Of course I do. Ye Junior Sister is as graceful as an orchid, her talent unparalleled, and despite her grave illness, she remains steadfast and resilient, earning admiration.”
When Li Jing Rang spoke these words of high praise, his expression was resolute, and his gaze was full of tenderness.
Zhou Jin Yue couldn’t detect even the slightest hint of unease on his face. She was stunned.
As the head disciple of Tai Bai Academy, Li Jing Rang so easily trusted others without even verifying the facts. He couldn’t wait to stand up for someone else. Where was his brain? Did he leave it back at the academy?
“What’s wrong? Speechless? Do you have anything else to say in your defense?”
Li Jing Rang, seeing her silence, assumed he had torn away Zhou Jin Yue’s facade of hypocrisy. His smug expression made her feel even more nauseated.
Zhou Jin Yue smirked coldly. “Li Jing Rang, as far as I remember, aren’t you engaged? Now you’re standing up for Ye Cong Xin—are you falling for her and planning to abandon your fiancée?”
So, he wanted to play dirty? She could too.
Li Jing Rang looked as if someone had grabbed him by the throat. His face turned visibly red. “Zhou Jin Yue! Ye Junior Sister and I are innocent. Don’t spew baseless accusations!”
“This is a reasonable suspicion. If you can question me, why can’t I question you?”
The best way to counter rumors wasn’t self-defense but to sidestep the trap set by the opponent and kick them into it instead. Besides, Zhou Jin Yue thought her accusation was far more convincing. Seeing Li Jing Rang’s flustered appearance, who would believe there was nothing between him and Ye Cong Xin?
She couldn’t speak for Ye Cong Xin, but it was clear that Li Jing Rang’s intentions weren’t pure.
“Ye Junior Sister and I share a profound connection like mountains and streams; we discuss poetry and art, not things vulgar people like you could comprehend!”
Their heated exchange finally drew the attention of the other disciples on the ship.
Zhang Jun was the first to rush over. “Senior Sister Zhou, what’s going on?”
He questioned her while casting a wary and slightly hostile glance at Li Jing Rang.
Zhou Jin Yue was about to reply when other disciples from Five Elements Dao Sect, including Lu Li, Fang Cheng Lang, and Lan Zi Yu, came over to stand behind her. They said nothing but silently showed their support.
The disciples from Tai Bai Academy, noticing the commotion, hurried over to bolster their own eldest senior brother, even though they had no idea what had happened.
Two distinct groups formed, the tension so palpable it seemed a single spark could ignite conflict.
“What are you two doing?” A soft voice broke through the confrontation. As the focus of the dispute, Ye Cong Xin finally arrived, albeit slowly.
Zhou Jin Yue raised an eyebrow. “Ye Junior Sister, just in time. Tai Bai Academy’s Li Daoist here suddenly came to me, said a lot of incomprehensible things, and even warned me not to bully you. Your senior sister is at a loss for words. Would you care to explain on my behalf?”
Ye Cong Xin forced a smile. “Senior Sister Zhou, there must be some misunderstanding.”
“Another misunderstanding? Li Daoist just asked if there was a misunderstanding between you and me. Why don’t you clarify? Who exactly has misunderstood whom?”
All eyes turned to Ye Cong Xin.
Her fingers clenched the hem of her robe, and her face grew even paler.