Chapter 179: Why Haven’t You Acted Yet?
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Three days later.
Yu Zhao and Silence crossed paths on a narrow trail in the Aspiration Pavilion, heading together toward the training grounds. Along the way, several cultivators spotted them and quickly moved aside, avoiding them as if they were avoiding disaster.
Yu Zhao raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Why are they avoiding us?”
Silence smiled mysteriously without answering.
This only deepened Yu Zhao’s suspicion. Silence, not being deeply cultivated in his path yet, was more likely to be plotting something the quieter he became. And as expected, when they arrived at the training grounds, Yao Wu Ji excitedly approached, gesturing animatedly toward Silence.
“Silence, I really underestimated you! Who would’ve thought that someone who looks so gentle and refined could be so talented at insulting people? Teach me how to curse like that—I want to dominate everyone in a verbal battle, just like you!”
Yu Zhao glanced at Silence, who immediately averted his guilty gaze.
“Yu Zhao, you probably don’t know this yet. Here’s what happened…” Yao Wu Ji began, launching into a recount.
To summarize, while Yu Zhao was resting and meditating in her room, Silence had wandered around under the pretense of spreading Buddhist teachings. As fate would have it, he ran into Yao Ji and Ten Thousand Slayer again in Flame Blazing City. The pair had initially approached him to apologize and make peace, but somehow, the wrong thing was said, triggering Silence’s temper. What followed was an intense verbal sparring match.
Coincidentally, Yao Wu Ji had been idly strolling through the city that day and witnessed the entire exchange. She had thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle, applauding and cheering enthusiastically.
“Hahaha! Oh, right, Yu Zhao! You’ll never guess the nickname they gave Silence!” Yao Wu Ji suddenly remembered, doubling over with laughter.
Yu Zhao’s heart sank, and she tried to stop Yao Wu Ji, but it was too late. The woman cheerfully blurted out, “They called him the Stinky-Mouthed Bald Donkey! Hahaha! I can’t—I’m dying of laughter—stinky-mouthed—mmph, mmph!”
Yu Zhao quickly covered Yao Wu Ji’s mouth, giving Silence an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Silence gritted his teeth. “It’s… fine.”
But despite his words, his hand inched toward his sleeve. Alarmed, Yu Zhao realized he might pull out his wooden fish and escalate the situation. As she scrambled to think of a distraction, her eyes landed on Si Tu Xuan, who was standing not far away, dressed in luxurious robes and staring straight at them with wide, intent eyes.
Yu Zhao’s face lit up. “Daoist Si Tu!”
Si Tu Xuan, visibly relieved, nodded coolly in response and started walking toward them, his steps quickening as he approached. Silence, however, was still simmering, clearly not having forgotten the time Si Tu Xuan had called him “Not a Daoist.”
Fortunately, Si Tu Xuan seemed composed today. “Yu Daoist, Master Silence, and this is…?”
Only then did Yu Zhao realize her hand was still covering Yao Wu Ji’s mouth. She hastily removed it and introduced, “This is Yao Wu Ji.”
Si Tu Xuan greeted politely, “Yao Daoist.”
Yao Wu Ji, now fully aware of her earlier misstep, was in no mood to provoke Silence further. After all, she had witnessed his sharp tongue firsthand and had no desire to become his next target. She shot Yu Zhao a grateful look before addressing Si Tu Xuan.
“So, you’re the Young Master of the Si Tu Family?”
“Indeed,” he replied.
A sly smile curved Yao Wu Ji’s red lips. “Well then, you’d better watch out. Just because you know Yu Zhao doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on you. I’m claiming second place in the individual competition, no matter what!”
Si Tu Xuan paused, his expression shifting from casual indifference to a proud and confident resolve. “The Si Tu Family never shies away from a challenge. If you can defeat me with your skills, come at me!”
Their gazes locked, clashing like metal on stone, sparks flying in the air.
Silence didn’t bother taking out his Wooden Fish this time; instead, he stood by leisurely, watching the rising tension between the two combatants with an amused expression, as if thoroughly enjoying the show.
Yu Zhao felt a headache coming on. Originally, she had intended for Si Tu Xuan to diffuse the brewing conflict, yet here he was, squaring off against Yao Wu Ji instead. Despite her exasperation, curiosity tugged at her—she couldn’t help but wonder who would emerge victorious between the two.
One incense stick’s time later.
Yu Zhao, Yao Wu Ji, and Si Tu Xuan stood at the center of the training ground, a wide space cleared around them. On the periphery, Yao Ji and Ten Thousand Slayer had each staked out spots as far as possible from Yu Zhao, wary of being drawn into her orbit.
The first elimination round had reduced the competitors to five thousand cultivators. Most of the disqualified participants hadn’t left but instead lingered at the edges of the field, eager to watch the proceedings.
On the high platform, the Elder Sacrificial Blade stepped forward to announce the rules of the next trial. The second round was straightforward: the elders of the Aspiration Pavilion would scatter one thousand tokens across the field. Those who managed to secure a token would advance to the third round—a one-on-one duel phase.
Unlike the earlier rounds, the third trial coincided with the grand sect competition, offering participants the rare chance to showcase their talents before the most powerful figures in the cultivation world. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, driving them to compete with unrelenting fervor.
The air grew heavy with tension. Ambition and determination radiated from the gathered young cultivators, catching the sharp eye of the Elder Sacrificial Blade, who sighed inwardly. For most, withdrawing early would be the wisest choice; persisting too long only invited danger. Particularly in the third round, where duels often escalated into lethal encounters, few left the stage unscathed.
Yet, the logic was clear to all, but none were willing to retreat.
Suppressing his thoughts, the elder flicked his sleeve. Countless specks of light soared skyward, scattering like stars.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The sound of objects piercing through the air filled the training ground. Instantly, countless figures leapt upward, scrambling to seize the glowing tokens.
In one corner, Yao Ji cast a wary glance toward Yu Zhao’s direction before throwing her feather fan into the air. The fan spun several times before transforming into a white phoenix. With a shrill cry, it soared toward the tokens.
Meanwhile, in another corner, Ten Thousand Slayer locked his gaze on one of the lights. Muttering incantations under his breath, he formed hand seals. Moments later, the chosen light seemed to respond to his summons, speeding directly toward him.
While others displayed their unique skills, Yu Zhao noticed her two companions standing idle. Curious, she asked, “Why aren’t you making a move?”
Yao Wu Ji retorted, “Why haven’t you?”
“I saw you waiting, so I thought that’s how the experts do it,” Yao Wu Ji admitted, slightly flustered.
Yu Zhao blinked innocently, then opened her palm, revealing a white jade token. “I already have one.”
Yao Wu Ji and Si Tu Xuan stared at her in disbelief. She’d been standing right beside them the entire time—how had she acted without them noticing? The realization sent chills down their spines.
“If you don’t hurry, the tokens will be gone,” Yu Zhao reminded.
The two snapped their heads upward. Sure enough, the remaining lights in the sky were dwindling fast. Panicking, they sprang into action—one casting a web-like chain, the other charging forward with a spear.
Before long, both returned, tokens in hand.
After a short while, the final light vanished, the thousand tokens claimed.
“The second round is over,” announced the Elder Sacrificial Blade. “The third round will commence at the Aspiration Pavilion in ten days. Remember this well.”