Chapter 36: Scheming for Foundation Establishment
Ye Zhao Zhao spoke with the firmness of a seasoned swordsman, while Chang Le An returned her gaze with a proud, confident smile.
“Indeed, the Langya Secret Realm awakens only once every ten years. Ten years ago, when I first stepped into that hidden valley, I emerged with a bounty of treasures and spiritual herbs unlike any other disciple of the Six Great Righteous Sects!” Chang Le An declared, his eyes gleaming like polished jade in the sun.
At that time, his remarkable luck had not yet fully revealed itself. Though he had been chosen as a True Disciple by the revered True Immortal Ling Xu, dark whispers still trailed him like a lingering shadow. Some even said he carried misfortune on his back.
But then—against all odds, as a new initiate, he had outshone the famed elite of the six sects, seizing the richest harvest of spiritual herbs in that secret valley! His victory not only earned him the highest honor within the sect, but also shattered the old rumors of ill fate.
From that day on, none in the sect dared look down on him. Where once they avoided him like a dangerous duel, now they sought his company, eager to learn from a master blessed by fortune.
Now, a decade later, his Little Junior Sister had become entangled in Li Shuang’s cunning plots, her honor sullied in the eyes of the sect. Chang Le An’s heart burned with protective fury for her.
He vowed in his mind: [I will show the world that Ye Zhao Zhao is my Junior Sister. Under my protection, no one shall dare bully her!]
As for Li Shuang…
A cold smile curled on Chang Le An’s lips. That woman had made a grave mistake. In time, he would settle her debt for the sake of his beloved Junior Sister.
“The Langya Secret Realm is about to open…” Sheng Yuan murmured, his voice heavy with thought. He had been so lost in his own pressing matters that he nearly forgot this momentous event.
“Eldest Senior Brother, the sect has announced it. The Langya Secret Realm will open in just one month,” Ye Zhao Zhao said eagerly. “This time, I will register myself.”
She had missed her chance a decade ago, but now her determination burned like a forge in the heart of battle.
When she first entered the sect, the System had declared Li Shuang the most blessed in the Sword Sect. Without hesitation, Ye Zhao Zhao had let the System’s Parasitic Possession attach itself to Li Shuang.
Yet over the years, doubts began to stir in her heart. Watching the twists of fate, she sensed that Chang Le An’s fortune was even greater than Li Shuang’s.
Otherwise, how could he have led the previous expedition to the secret realm, emerging as the brightest star among the six sects?
Li Shuang’s own gains paled in comparison.
Ye Zhao Zhao had once asked about this strange discrepancy, but even the enigmatic System could offer no clear answer. The ways of luck were as mysterious as the winding paths of a mountain trail. A decade ago, the System had focused all its power on the most fortunate among the Sword Sect. As for the rest—it was as if the fates themselves were concealed by the mists of mystery.
Yet, by every measure she observed, Chang Le An’s fortune shone like a polished sword in the moonlight.
Moreover, luck did not bloom at a fixed moment. Some saw their fortunes flourish in youth, while others awakened later in life. Chang Le An now stood at the peak of his destiny.
Over the past ten years, Ye Zhao Zhao had quietly gathered a portion of Li Shuang’s fortune for herself. If she entered the secret realm now, and her luck intertwined with Chang Le An’s, the two might reap rewards as grand as a warrior’s legacy!
If they could claim the highest honor among the six sects, the sect would honor them with even greater accolades.
Perhaps then, she could mend even a small piece of the loss her heart had suffered in recent trials.
Sheng Yuan paused, then spoke, “The Langya Secret Realm is open only to cultivators under the age of fifty. Moreover, all who enter will have their cultivation locked to the Foundation Establishment Stage. This ancient domain holds spiritual herbs and ores that are as rare as legendary weapons. That is why each of the Six Great Righteous Sects sends their finest disciples to claim these treasures. Their rankings, based on their harvests, measure the strength of the sect’s young blood.”
His eyes then fixed on Chang Le An.
Chang Le An’s meteoric rise had begun with that fateful expedition into the secret realm. As a mere initiate, he had outshone many prodigies, claiming first place!
After that moment, the Third Junior Brother’s self-doubt was banished like a shadow before the rising sun.
Sheng Yuan continued, “This time, when the Langya Secret Realm opens, entry will not be granted lightly. The sect will hold a grand competition. Any disciple under fifty may join, but all cultivation will be locked to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Only the top fifty will earn the right to enter the secret realm. The final ranking reflects the strength and honor of the sect.”
“Eldest Senior Brother, we know this well,” Ye Zhao Zhao said with a touch of arrogance. “Though my combat skills may not be extensive, with Long Yan by my side, do you really think I won’t break into the top fifty?”
Long Yan stepped forward, his eyes filled with quiet pride. “With me at your side, forget about merely being in the top fifty—first place will be as effortless as a gentle breeze.”
Chang Le An, noticing Long Yan’s sudden appearance, snorted softly.
[That Sword Spirit thinks he can hide his intentions toward my Junior Sister!] he thought.
A mere Sword Spirit daring to covet Zhao Zhao!
If not for the fact that she still needed Long Yan’s aid, he might have already taken decisive action. But once she became his Dao Companion, they would have to settle such matters in earnest. The Sword Spirit must remain obedient within the Sword Dao space; there was no need for him to emerge unless absolutely necessary.
After all, bound by a master-servant contract with Ye Zhao Zhao, he held no power to resist.
“We are True Disciples, after all. Entering the top fifty should not be a challenge,” Chang Le An added. “Sometimes strength alone is not enough. Last time, I entered at the forty-third spot, yet destiny smiled upon me and I seized first place in the end. Luck—this is what truly matters!”
Chang Le An’s faith in his fortune was as firm as a mountain.
With both Ye Zhao Zhao and Chang Le An brimming with confidence, Sheng Yuan considered for a moment before nodding. “Proceed with your plans. I will not register this time. There are too many pressing matters at Spirit Void Peak that demand my attention; I cannot leave.”
As Sheng Yuan spoke, he felt a dull headache forming. Ever since Li Shuang’s departure, he had come to understand just how tangled and numerous the affairs of Spirit Void Peak truly were. [How did Li Shuang manage everything so gracefully back then?] he wondered silently.
He had never before been troubled by such thoughts.
But the thought was quickly banished. There was no use dwelling on it. Eldest Senior Sister had now embarked on the path of the Emotionless Dao, turning herself into a being as calm and imperturbable as still water. Otherwise, how could she have steeled herself to lead Little Junior Sister—and all of them—into such dangerous waters?
“Eldest Senior Brother, you bear a heavy load,” Ye Zhao Zhao and Chang Le An remarked before hurrying off to register.
As Ye Zhao Zhao glanced toward Emotionless Peak, a sudden thought crossed her mind. “Third Senior Brother, do you think Senior Sister Li will register?”
She secretly hoped that Li Shuang would step forward.
For whenever the secret realm opened, many would vanish into its perils like leaves caught in a fierce storm.
If Li Shuang dared to enter, Ye Zhao Zhao was certain she could ensure that Li Shuang’s remains would be lost forever in the mists of oblivion!
Chang Le An sneered, “She is still only at the Energy Refining Stage. How could she dare to register? Zhao Zhao, do not waste your thoughts on her. She is no longer on our level.”
A pang of regret touched Ye Zhao Zhao’s heart, but Chang Le An’s words rang with harsh truth—Li Shuang would likely not register this time.
There would always be another chance.
Once her fortunes recovered, she vowed, she would settle the score with Li Shuang once and for all.
…
Emotionless Peak
In a secluded chamber, several days before, Li Shuang slowly opened her eyes.
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