Chapter 162

Chapter 162: The Enviable Number One Sect

Another excited Spirit Voice Transmission rang out as a massive flying boat slid into view: “Heavenly Sword Sect arriving, last ranking: second place!”

Dong Fang Xu had planned to step outside and enjoy the cheers, but the name everyone shouted was Heavenly Sword Sect. He snapped his sleeve and turned back into the boat: “Bad luck!”

Red-faced with anger, he grumbled: “They are only one spot above us, so what are they showing off for? After this tournament, we will trample you underfoot!”

On Heavenly Sword Sect’s flying boat, Sect Leader Ming Xi and Young Sect Leader Mei Mei stood straight at the prow, bodies tall and steady as pines. The breeze tugged at their robes, yet they did not move. No matter how loud the cheers below, neither face relaxed; both stayed solemn.

For the last several Sect Grand Tournaments, Heavenly Sword Sect had firmly held second place in the Cultivation World. From top to bottom, their people were upright and trained with fierce discipline, hearts fixed on the Dao. In one phrase, they were so upright it bordered on obsession.

But the number one sect, Flying Cloud Sect, was simply too strong, so Heavenly Sword Sect could only sit at second.

People pointed at the sky as another flying boat approached, their voices breaking with excitement: “They are here! They are here!”

A giant flag snapped in the wind above the boat with three bold characters: Flying Cloud Sect.

This was the undisputed number one sect in the Cultivation World.

The Spirit Voice Transmission boomed again: “Flying Cloud Sect arriving! Last ranking: first place!”

At once, the cultivators on Fengling Terrace erupted, cheers rolling like waves. Countless cultivators from many sects stared at the boat with envy and heat in their eyes.

They chanted in unison: “Flying Cloud Sect! Flying Cloud Sect! Flying Cloud Sect!”

They shouted another name with equal passion: “Master Ling Xiao! Master Ling Xiao! Master Ling Xiao!”

It was not only the glory of Flying Cloud Sect; it was also because of the number one cultivator, Master Ling Xiao. The two together cemented an unshakable status.

Inside Flying Cloud Sect’s boat, the Disciples and Elders were used to such scenes and wore calm faces.

Bai Mu Mu stood with Shen Dao Chen as he pointed out the different arenas on Fengling Terrace, speaking with a smile to encourage her. “Your performance while leading the training teams has been excellent,” he praised. At that, a strange look flickered in his eyes, but he hid it quickly.

Each team she led finished its missions well, but there was one flaw: every time, some Disciples died by accident. In the past few months, more than ten Disciples had been lost. Training brought both chance and danger; it could only be said they were unlucky, not that anyone else was to blame. [He sighed to himself.] He looked at Bai Mu Mu again, and his gaze turned warm.

“Your strength has already broken through to Late Golden Core,” he said, “and with the Cold Echo Pearl’s help and your Senior Brothers supporting you, taking first place should not be a problem.”

“Father, do not worry. I am confident. But what about you?” Bai Mu Mu looped her arm through his and teased: “Father still has to join the Elder contest. Are you ready?”

“You child, your father is not old,” Shen Dao Chen scolded lightly, then added, “Besides, your Master is here. With your Master, the Elder contest is just a formality.”

In truth, the Elder contest served as an opening performance. The Elders only exchanged a few moves and stopped; these old veterans all knew one another’s strength. The main stage of the Sect Grand Tournament should be left to the rising generation.

“All right, go find your Master and your Senior Brothers,” Shen Dao Chen said, waving her along.

“Yes, your daughter obeys,” Bai Mu Mu answered sweetly.

As she turned, her expression shifted into something that could chill the heart. For months she had been busy leading training and had barely spent time with Feng He Yun and the others. She could clearly feel them pulling away from her, their goodwill toward her dropping.

[So what? I will be the one who wins in the end.]

She smoothed her hair, a crooked smile at her lips, then walked into Master Ling Xiao’s room as if nothing were wrong.

She raised her voice in a gentle tone, greeting each person the same as always: “Master, Senior Brothers.”

Master Ling Xiao opened his eyes from meditation: “Mu Mu has arrived?”

“Disciple greets Master,” she said, bowing.

After this brief exchange, the room fell silent. The air turned strange.

Master Ling Xiao frowned at the group—Feng He Yun and the others kept their mouths shut. His voice cooled: “Your Junior Sister greeted you. Why did you not answer?”

Bai Mu Mu looked at them, wronged and puzzled: “Senior Brothers, did I offend you somehow?”

Under Master Ling Xiao’s oppressive gaze, Feng He Yun forced a smile: “No, we were just distracted, that is all.” He shot meaningful looks at the others.

Only Luo Chu cooperated: “Yes, Junior Sister, do not overthink it.”

Wen Xuan and Lu Shi Qing, the two who had fought, now sat side by side with their heads lowered. They only hummed in response.

Ever since returning from Shen Sang Ruo’s cave-dwelling, Wen Xuan had been like this—depressed and empty. The gentle, graceful Young Master of the past now wore sorrow between his brows. Lu Shi Qing looked even worse, his face thin and his lips pale. If he had not promised Master Ling Xiao again and again that he would give his all at the Sect Grand Tournament, they would not have let him come at all.

“I believe my Senior Brothers did not do it on purpose. Master, please let this matter go,” Bai Mu Mu spoke up for them.

Master Ling Xiao said no more.

Feng He Yun and Luo Chu looked at Bai Mu Mu. She still seemed as pure and kind as before, and for a moment their feelings tangled inside them. But when they remembered what she had done—maybe only to win more of their attention—she had still driven Shen Sang Ruo away. Any fresh guilt in their hearts vanished.

It could only be like this for now; they could not treat her as they once did.

Bai Mu Mu acted as if she did not notice their complicated eyes. She sat in her place and prepared to meditate.

Just then, Wen Xuan raised his head and stepped to stand before her: “Junior Sister, come outside with me. I have something to say.”

Her expression was so normal it felt abnormal. She agreed at once: “All right, Second Senior Brother, let us go.”

They left the room, out of everyone’s sight.

Only then did Bai Mu Mu ask: “Second Senior Brother, what do you want to say?”