Chapter 200: He Admitted It, He Couldn’t Let Go of Yu Zhao
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Yu Zhao was about to kick Yao Ji off the competition platform when Yao Ji’s breathing suddenly became erratic, and her face turned unnaturally red.
Without a second thought, Yu Zhao frantically retreated.
Elder Sacrificial Blade reacted swiftly, setting up a protective formation around Yao Ji.
Then, a deafening explosion rang out. Yao Ji’s body disintegrated into a mist of blood, lingering in the confined space.
“Yao Ji… self-destructed?”
The crowd was stunned into silence.
It was just a competition—how could it escalate to this?
Could it be that Yao Ji, unable to accept the destruction of her cherished beauty, chose such an extreme method of suicide in despair?
The crowd was bewildered, their confusion palpable.
Yu Zhao’s eyes dimmed slightly. The last image in her mind was Yao Ji’s gaze before her death—not filled with hatred or madness, but a pleading regret.
It seemed Yao Ji knew what was coming but was powerless to stop it, forced to watch it unfold.
Thinking about the faint fragrance lingering around Yao Ji, Yu Zhao’s expression turned thoughtful.
“Yu Zhao wins!”
Elder Sacrificial Blade loudly declared Yu Zhao’s victory.
The crowd shifted their focus back to Yu Zhao, erupting in thunderous applause.
Amid the roaring cheers, Yu Zhao collected herself, nodding to the audience in acknowledgment. Her gaze seemed to sweep unintentionally across the crowd, landing briefly on Ye Cong Xin.
Ye Cong Xin… was it you?
Elder Sacrificial Blade carefully collected the only traces of Yao Ji left behind and announced that they would be properly laid to rest. Without delay, he began hosting the final round of the sect competition.
The teams from the Five Elements Dao Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect approached the competition platform from opposite sides.
At the forefront, Liu Zheng and Zhou Jin Yue exchanged a smile.
In perfect harmony, they attacked simultaneously.
The rest of the team quickly found their respective opponents, and the stage lit up with flashes of spiritual energy.
“Who do you think is more likely to win?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The Five Elements Dao Sect will definitely win! Senior Sister Zhou is both stunning and formidable. If she doesn’t win, it’d be outrageous!”
“But Senior Sister Liu from the Heavenly Sword Sect is also incredible. There might be an unexpected result.”
“…”
This year’s cultivation competition saw a surge of talent, the likes of which hadn’t been seen in a thousand years. The audience voiced their opinions enthusiastically.
Yu Zhao’s gaze swept over Zhou Jin Yue, Liu Zheng, Zhang Jun, and Ji Han Zhou. Everyone performed steadily. The only differences lay in individual strength and teamwork cohesion.
In these aspects, the Five Elements Dao Sect clearly held the upper hand.
Yu Zhao noticed that Ji Han Zhou had made significant progress recently, likely training day and night since returning to the Heavenly Sword Sect, without a moment’s rest.
However, having just reached the Golden Core stage, his swordsmanship could only partially compensate for the gap in cultivation. His opponent was one of the Five Elements Dao Sect’s top disciples.
In such closely matched battles, the smallest edge determined victory.
Thus, this battle was destined to end in favor of the Five Elements Dao Sect.
When Zhou Jin Yue’s arrow deflected Liu Zheng’s sword, Liu Zheng gave a bitter smile.
She had lost.
“Victory goes to the Five Elements Dao Sect!”
On the high platform, Sect Master Ji Yuan beamed like a blooming trumpet flower, continuously cupping his hands in deference to Sect Leader Chong Yang. “Thank you for going easy on us!”
Sect Leader Chong Yang was frustrated but forced to return the courtesy. “Not at all. Your sect’s disciples are simply superior.”
Sect Master Ji Yuan smacked his lips twice. “That’s undeniable, considering my senior disciple Zhou Jin Yue led the team this time. Hahaha, at least she didn’t embarrass me.”
The other sect leaders and elders were momentarily stunned, pointing at him in exasperation, shaking their heads with a smile.
Sect Leader Chong Yang felt his liver ache in anger.
This old fox wasn’t being polite—he was setting a trap, using his disciple’s achievements to praise himself!
Shameless!
Sect Master Ji Yuan was elated, even finding Master Qing Yan more agreeable than usual.
But when he thought of the few small pills hidden in his sleeve, his smile faltered slightly.
Tomorrow was the award ceremony—he couldn’t help but worry if Master Qing Yan would cause some other disturbance.
Troublesome.
…
“Cheers!”
Dozens of wine cups were raised simultaneously, filling the air with a joyful atmosphere.
Tonight’s banquet had been organized by Yan Shan, the senior disciple of Aspiration Pavilion, with help from Zhou Jin Yue and others. The attendees were all individuals with a close relationship to Yu Zhao.
Si Tu Xuan and Yao Wu Ji, seated among the sect disciples, seemed a bit uneasy at first. However, after several rounds of drinks, they gradually relaxed and joined in the revelry.
As the center of everyone’s attention, Yu Zhao became the focus of numerous toasts. Yan Shan spared no expense for the occasion, secretly bringing out some of the sect master’s rare collection of fine wine.
True to her nature, Yu Zhao never declined a drink. Before long, she could feel the alcohol taking effect. Although her expression remained composed, her usually cold eyes glistened slightly, betraying her inebriation. While her consciousness stayed clear, her thoughts began to slow.
For instance, it took her a moment to register Su Ming standing in front of her.
Her brows furrowed, and displeasure showed clearly on her face. She was about to sidestep him when Su Ming called out.
“Yu Xiao Zhao! I need to talk to you!”
His voice was loud, drawing everyone’s attention. All eyes turned toward him.
Both Zhou Jin Yue and Ji Han Zhou sprang to their feet.
“You can say whatever you need to right here,” Zhou Jin Yue said coldly.
“No, this is between me and Yu Xiao Zhao alone,” Su Ming insisted, staring intently at her.
Yu Zhao wanted to refuse outright, but the potent alcohol left her speechless for a moment.
Misunderstanding her silence as agreement, Zhou Jin Yue and the others thoughtfully made space for the two to talk.
“Senior Sister Zhou…”
“Yu Xiao Zhao!” Su Ming’s voice drowned out hers.
He spoke passionately. “Yu Xiao Zhao, come back. Ever since you left, the senior disciples have been listless, and even Master has become increasingly erratic. Everyone misses you. Just admit your mistake to Master and return.
“From now on, I’ll listen to you in everything. Whatever you say goes. Even our junior sister will have to step aside for you.
“Please, don’t be angry anymore, okay?”
It had taken great courage for Su Ming to approach Yu Zhao. After all, she had recently rejected him once already, and his pride couldn’t bear being trampled on again.
But now he had come to terms with his feelings. He couldn’t stand seeing her laugh and chat with others while shutting him out. He admitted it—he couldn’t let her go.
Whatever mistakes he had made in the past, he was willing to change. As long as Yu Zhao returned to Lone Moon Peak and their lives returned to their former happiness, sacrificing a bit of dignity didn’t matter.
When he finished, he waited anxiously for her response.
“Get lost.”
Su Ming’s expression froze. “W-what?”
“I said, get lost!”
Though Yu Zhao’s gaze was hazy, her tone was unwavering.
She was drunk, not foolish.
A few flimsy apologies weren’t enough to erase the pain of her past. To return to Lone Moon Peak, to endure the same servitude as before? Never.
From the moment she left Lone Moon Peak, she had no intention of looking back.
Su Ming’s hand clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palm as his eyes reddened.
“Why? Tell me why!”