Chapter 194: She’s a Monster, Isn’t She?
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“Honestly, I think Hundred Flowers Valley is just too far away. Senior Sister Yu, why not stay at our Aspiration Pavilion for a while? Elder Sacrificial Blade has been asking about you every day recently.”
“She’s been staying at Aspiration Pavilion for so long already. I say she should come to our Tai Bai Academy next.”
“But I heard that your Eldest Senior Brother, Li Jing Rang, has been writing roundabout poems mocking Yu Zhao.”
“Slander! That’s outright slander!”
Once someone from Hundred Flowers Valley began the discussion, the other disciples quickly added their own remarks. The room soon filled with the buzz of overlapping voices as everyone talked over one another.
Bang!
“Enough! Quiet down, all of you! Listen to me for a second!”
Mu Ye, clearly fed up with the noise, slammed her hand down on the table. She had arrived earlier than Silence, managing to snag the seat closest to the table.
The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to Mu Ye, waiting to hear what she had to say.
“Ahem! I’ve decided—Yu Zhao should come to our Green Wood Sect as a guest. That way, nobody needs to argue anymore.”
Mu Ye’s face was serious, as if she genuinely believed she was offering a fair compromise. Unfortunately, nobody in the room bought it.
“Young Sect Master Mu, that joke isn’t funny at all!”
“You decide? Can you even make such a decision?”
“Exactly! Senior Sister Yu hasn’t even said a word yet!”
Mu Ye was left flustered by the crowd’s jeers, managing only an awkward smile.
At this moment, Ji Han Zhou raised his hand. “Everyone, calm down. Since Senior Sister Yu is right here, why not hear her thoughts directly? We should respect her decision.”
He then turned to Yu Zhao, his expression sincere. “Senior Sister Yu, whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
Tch! What a cunning beauty trap!
The crowd collectively cursed him in their hearts. Initially, they had thought Ji Han Zhou, being the last to arrive, posed no threat. It turned out he was the most devious of them all.
Still, his suggestion made sense, and all eyes turned to Yu Zhao, eagerly awaiting her response.
Yu Zhao met their expectant gazes, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.
In that moment, she truly felt the stark contrast between her two lives.
In her past life, she had desperately sought love and approval, only to realize it was nothing more than condescending charity from those above her—a twisted and unequal affection.
It was only by becoming truly powerful that one could earn genuine respect.
To transcend emotions and focus solely on oneself was to follow the Path of Emotional Detachment, a principle that seemed unfeeling yet brimmed with purpose.
As Yu Zhao reflected, a sudden clarity struck her. Her eyes grew vacant as waves of spiritual energy rippled around her.
The crowd: !!!
“Yu Zhao… Is she… having an epiphany?”
“Weren’t we just discussing where she should visit? What about that is worth such deep thought? I don’t get it—I really don’t!”
“She’s a monster, isn’t she?”
Every disciple present was a prodigy in their respective sects, yet their confidence wavered in the face of Yu Zhao’s sudden enlightenment.
One moment, they were having a casual conversation, and the next, she was comprehending higher truths. It felt like blatant mockery.
Mu Ye had witnessed something similar when she first met Yu Zhao at Dragon Roar Valley, where Yu Zhao had experienced an epiphany before. The memory had left a lasting impression.
But she hadn’t expected to see it happen again.
“Yu Zhao is in the middle of an epiphany. She doesn’t have time to answer your questions. Now, leave.”
Mu Ye stood up and began ushering the others out. Though they wouldn’t dare interrupt Yu Zhao’s enlightenment in front of everyone, she wasn’t about to take any chances.
The group, understanding the gravity of the situation, tactfully left. They needed to report back quickly—Yu Zhao’s value far surpassed their sect leaders’ expectations. Negotiations would require their leaders’ personal involvement.
“Why are you two still here?”
Mu Ye’s sharp gaze fell on Silence and Ji Han Zhou.
Silence grinned. “I’m waiting for Junior Brother Ji.”
Ji Han Zhou: ?
He and Silence barely knew each other. Why was she waiting for him?
“And you? What are you waiting for?”
Faced with Mu Ye’s intimidating stance, Ji Han Zhou muttered meekly, “I’ll leave right now.”
After chasing away the last two, Mu Ye crossed her arms and let out a triumphant huff, standing guard by Yu Zhao’s side like a door god.
“With me here, no one’s disturbing Yu Zhao!”
…
Yu Zhao woke up early the next morning.
The sky above held only a few scattered stars, and the moon hung like a curved blade. All around, silence reigned.
Just as she was marveling at the tranquility, Mu Ye’s cheerful voice broke the stillness near her ear. “Yu Zhao, you’re awake already? I was just debating whether to wake you later when the individual matches began!”
Turning her head, Yu Zhao met Mu Ye’s sparkling eyes. “Thank you,” she said sincerely.
Although immersed in a moment of enlightenment, Yu Zhao knew that Mu Ye had stayed by her side, never leaving.
“No need for thanks.” Mu Ye waved her hand dismissively, then leaned closer, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. “You’re like a fat piece of meat right now. I can’t let anyone else snatch you away.”
Recognizing the hidden warning in Mu Ye’s words, Yu Zhao smiled faintly. “I’m well aware.”
Her exceptional performance in the individual matches and her precarious status within her sect made her an enticing target for others. The unexpected number of visitors seeking her out today was surprising, but she had no intention of disappointing them. For now, she had no plans to leave the Five Elements Dao Sect.
Her recent enlightenment had brought her some gains, further strengthening her divine soul. However, it wasn’t enough to push her to the Nascent Soul stage. After the journey to the Floating Island, she intended to return to the sect and apply to enter the Nine Abyss Secret Realm.
The Five Elements Dao Sect controlled five major secret realms. Yu Zhao had once been granted the opportunity to explore the Thorny Secret Realm, only to have it forcibly taken by Quan Ye. Of the four remaining realms, the water-aligned Nine Abyss Secret Realm was perfectly suited to her needs and could aid her breakthrough.
Mu Ye sighed. “Looks like our Green Wood Sect has no chance.”
Before Yu Zhao could offer comfort, Mu Ye quickly brightened. “But it’s good you’re staying with the Five Elements Dao Sect. At least that madman Wang Qian won’t be bothering you.”
Yu Zhao’s brows furrowed. “Has he been pestering you again?”
“Not exactly pestering,” Mu Ye replied, wrinkling her nose in frustration. “Ever since losing to me during that assessment, he’s been acting weird—challenging me every few days. If I refuse, he throws tantrums, crying and yelling, disturbing everyone.”
“What does Sect Master Wu Sang say?”
“The Sect Master asked Elder Wang to restrain him, but you know how Elder Wang spoils him like a doting father. He’s utterly ineffective. I’ve been avoiding Wang Qian altogether in the sect.”
“Make sure someone keeps an eye on him. Don’t let your guard down.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got people watching him,” Mu Ye reassured. Even she found Wang Qian’s behavior strange and stayed vigilant.
As dawn broke, Yu Zhao stepped onto the stage for the round of ten-to-five matches.
Her opponent this time was none other than Yao Wu Ji.
Yao Wu Ji radiated confidence. “Yu Zhao, from the first day I stood on this stage, I’ve been looking forward to this match. Today, my wish is finally fulfilled.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Yu Zhao replied calmly.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” Yao Wu Ji said with a mischievous grin. “Don’t hold back because of our friendship. I’ll use every means necessary to win!”