Chapter 74: Disciple and Wife p1
In the forbidden grounds of the Hanshan Sect, the peak masters and elders gathered, their expressions grim, their gazes fixed on Sect Leader Lizhu.
“Thank you all for coming. Let’s begin.”
The cultivators simultaneously began forming a complex formation, Lizhu at its center, acting as the focal point.
A vast network of shimmering, crimson runes, like flowing blood, materialized in the air, slowly descending.
For months, the Sect Leader and the peak masters had been working on this suppression formation, the Nine Layers Demon Subduing Array. Eight layers were complete. This was the final one.
Once activated, it would seal the volatile artifact, preventing its emergence.
The cultivators, hovering in mid-air, their hands forming intricate gestures, channeled their spiritual energy into the formation.
Those on the ground mirrored their movements, adding their own power.
The small cauldron at the center trembled violently, resisting the descending formation, its aura flaring.
It had tolerated the previous eight layers, treating them as a game, easily breaking free.
Now, realizing their true intentions, it wouldn’t be so easily subdued.
They were, after all, too weak.
A surge of dark grey energy erupted from the cauldron, its size increasing exponentially, its shadow falling over the assembled cultivators.
The force of the Wanhun Cauldron’s aura sent several cultivators tumbling from the sky, landing heavily on the ground.
“Is everyone alright?” Lizhu asked, her voice filled with concern.
“We’re fine, Sect Leader,” they replied in unison.
The cauldron’s aura pulsed, its power now undeniable, making them hesitate.
Elder Qianlian’s expression was grim. “The first eight layers were so easy, but the ninth… There’s something wrong.”
Cen Dianshuang agreed. “It has developed a spirit. This won’t be easy.”
The cauldron, surrounded by the formation, bobbed up and down.
If not for its master’s instructions, its spirit would have devoured these cultivators who dared to imprison it.
Lizhu, her usual casual demeanor replaced by an air of authority, said, “This isn’t working… The competition starts tomorrow. Too many eyes, too many rumors…” She sighed, shaking her head.
“Sect Leader, if we fail today, it will be difficult to contain it later.”
“Those rumors… they’re targeting our Hanshan Sect. I’ve traced them back to the Demonic Beast Realm.”
“But the Demonic Beast Realm and the Radiant Realm are separate. Why would they interfere?”
“The current Beast King is ambitious. He covets the Radiant Realm’s abundant spiritual energy. He’s trying to provoke a conflict.”
“I’ve noticed the Demonic Realm’s increased activity as well… Junior Sister Cen, look out!”
The cauldron, tired of being confined, lunged towards… Cen Dianshuang.
It had sensed its master’s aura on her, its curiosity piqued.
Why does she smell so strongly of Master? I must investigate.
Cen Dianshuang, summoning Xuan Ying, intercepted its advance, her sword’s light forcing it back.
Lizhu rushed to her side, her voice filled with concern. “Are you alright?”
Cen Dianshuang, her brow furrowed, shook her head, looking at Lizhu with confusion. “I’m fine. It didn’t seem like an attack.”
Just as she said this, a burst of energy struck her shoulder, the impact like a small stone, not painful, but… deliberate.
Lizhu shielded her, the cultivators staring at the cauldron, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion.
The cauldron’s aura pulsed again, then subsided, the earlier attack seemingly a hallucination.
The cauldron’s spirit, however, was thinking, Why are you so aggressive? I just wanted to ask if you knew where my master was!
The spirit’s thoughts echoed in Tao Ning’s mind, like a child’s frustrated whining.
Her head throbbed, assaulted by the cauldron’s complaints on one side and 520’s incessant questions about the song on the other.
Receiving no response from its master, the cauldron’s aura intensified, its desire to be released echoing through the mountains, its cries directed solely at Tao Ning, careful not to disturb the others, heeding its master’s instructions.
Tao Ning, pressing her fingers to her temples, her face a mask of long-suffering patience, muttered, “I understand now.”
520, unsure what profound realization its host had just achieved, but ever the supportive companion, asked, 【What do you understand?】
Tao Ning’s voice was heavy with the weight of newfound wisdom. “Never lie. Early childhood education is crucial. Foster independence. Don’t resist sending your children to boarding school.”
520: 【???】 What does that have to do with anything? It checked the song title again. It was a love song. When did we switch to parenting advice?
The next day, the disciple competition began, the aspiring cultivators eager to prove themselves.
The first day, usually a low-key affair, with mostly younger disciples competing, was surprisingly crowded.
The Hanshan Sect’s training grounds were filled with cultivators from various sects.
Dozens of platforms had been set up, each overseen by a Hanshan Sect judge.
The competition was divided into three divisions: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core. Participants faced each other in single combat, the winners advancing to the next round until a champion was declared.
Held every hundred years, the competition also determined the rankings for the Heavenly Pride Ranking, a list no cultivator could resist.
This year’s ranking was being compiled by the Cloud Soaring Palace’s Young Mistress, their sect renowned for its impartiality, their disciples, while not necessarily powerful warriors, known for their unwavering objectivity.
With the Palace Mistress in seclusion, the Young Mistress, dressed in flowing purple robes, her face veiled in white silk, only her eyes visible, attracting admiring glances, led the delegation.
Her spirit weapon was unusual: a scroll, the Spirit Jade Tablet.
She was often seen writing, recording everything she observed, and in battle, the characters on the unfurled scroll would come alive, attacking her opponents.
“The Young Mistress of the Cloud Soaring Palace has arrived!” A wave of white silk, like a floating cloud, appeared, and the purple-clad figure, stepping onto it, landed gracefully on the viewing platform, her arrival as ethereal as a celestial being’s.
The other Cloud Soaring Palace disciples, their faces uncovered, their spirit weapons mostly bells or flowing red ribbons, followed.
Cultivators were rarely unattractive, and their appearance was met with appreciation, not criticism.
The arrival of the sect leaders and family heads was even more extravagant, each trying to outdo the other, their appearances delayed for dramatic effect, their presence greeted with respect and awe.
It wasn’t just the disciples competing today. It seemed the elders were also vying for attention.
Lizhu, as the host, appeared last, her robes flowing and majestic, her expression betraying no hint of yesterday’s setback.
Her priority was the competition, ensuring its smooth execution and the departure of the guests. The Wanhun Cauldron remained sealed in the forbidden grounds, under the watchful eyes of several elders.
While they were all puzzled by the cauldron’s fluctuating aura and its inability to be fully contained, they had no other choice.
After a brief welcoming speech, the competition began.
Tao Ning’s turn came early. Standing on the platform, she felt a twinge of regret at not being able to speak to Cen Dianshuang.
Another cultivator, dressed in black, jumped onto the platform, and they bowed to each other.
“Gongye Miao of the Asking Gods Sect.”
“Tao Ning of the Hanshan Sect.”
No need for boasts or threats. The judge signaled the start of the match, and they drew their weapons.
Jin Jiamu’s turn was later. Descending from the viewing platform, intending to watch Tao Ning’s match from a closer vantage point, she felt a gaze on her, subtle but persistent, as she passed by the Cloud Soaring Palace delegation.
Never one for subtlety, she turned, meeting the gaze directly.
Ling Huabi, the Young Mistress, her hand resting on her scroll, the other holding a brush, looked away.
Jin Jiamu: …Seriously? She’s still holding a grudge? It had been just a veil. She’s acting like I ripped her clothes off. I shouldn’t have helped her.
She continued her descent, eager to watch Tao Ning fight. A friend’s support was essential.
Ling Huabi, seeing her leave, let out a soft humph, marking a small “x” on the turtle she had been drawing on her Spirit Jade Tablet.
Still annoyed, she called out, “Fellow Cultivator Jin.”
Tao Ning, unaware that Ling Huabi’s veil had already been removed in this timeline, disarmed her opponent with a swift flick of her wrist, then, with a palm strike to his shoulder, sent him tumbling off the platform.
The Asking Gods Sect disciple, staggering back, looked stunned. Defeated in five moves?
The judge announced, “Tao Ning of the Hanshan Sect wins!”
Jin Jiamu, hearing the announcement, stopped, turning back to address Ling Huabi. “What can I do for you, Young Mistress?”
Ling Huabi was about to respond when a loud, mocking laugh echoed through the arena, amplified by spiritual energy, reaching every ear.
Gongye Miao, his face dark with anger, turned towards the source of the laughter. “The match is over. I lost. What’s so funny?” He raised his sword, its tip pointed at the laughing cultivator. “I challenge you! Let’s see how skilled you are!”
The man, seated among the rogue cultivators, finally stopped laughing, waving a hand dismissively. “No, no, I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at the Hanshan Sect. So… blind.”
Gongye Miao glared at him. Are you mocking me?
The man’s words caused a stir.
Lizhu, her voice cold, demanded, “Which sect are you from? Identify yourself!”
The man, his face pleasant, his demeanor that of a gentle scholar, his words, however, anything but gentle, stood up, bowing to the assembled cultivators.
“I’m but a humble rogue cultivator, my name unknown. Chu Jingtong, of the Chu clan.”
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