Chapter 65 : Lost in Thought
"Host, what are you doing?!" The system's shocked cry was so shrill it woke Jiang Mo from her momentary trance.
The little white tiger quickly withdrew her head, extremely embarrassed—perhaps influenced by her animal nature, the little white tiger had been quite concerned and distressed about the burns on Senior Sister's hand. In a moment of absent-mindedness, she had somehow found herself licking the wound. Not only was the system frightened into a shrill scream, but she herself was startled when she came to her senses, let alone Senior Sister who had looked over.
It wasn't me, I didn't do anything... The baby tiger nervously shrank her neck, curling into a ball on the chair, keeping her head down and not daring to meet those clear, transparent glassy eyes.
Though uncertain of Yun Qingyue's reaction, Jiang Mo suddenly heard the system make a surprised sound.
However, the baby tiger was too self-conscious to raise her head or respond, continuing to bury her face and pretend she hadn't heard.
But the system wouldn't let her off so easily. The light orb floated over, squeezing in front of her eyes, and exclaimed with three parts amazement and three parts delight: "Host, stop hiding. Quick, look up! The wound on Senior Sister's hand is healing!"
Really?!
The little white tiger quickly raised her head, looking directly at Yun Qingyue's hand. Indeed, the string of small blisters on her fair hand was subsiding, healing at a visible rate. She was also delighted, though uncertain whether the rapid healing was due to her lick or simply the powerful recovery abilities of a Golden Core cultivator.
Unclear and with no way to ask, the little white tiger hesitated and didn't dare take credit. Her tail swished, and she secretly glanced at Yun Qingyue's expression, but unfortunately, her Senior Sister's countenance remained as cool as ever, revealing nothing.
This small episode seemed to pass, except for the system busily searching its database for information about white tiger saliva's healing properties. However, the newly deployed system baby was too low-level, lacking sufficient permissions to find any data. Finally, with a flash of inspiration, it suddenly remembered the large white tiger in the marketplace and contacted the seller for information.
Though Jiang Mo was also curious, with the system actively investigating, she didn't concern herself further.
Meanwhile, after Yun Qingyue's victory, this round of her five matches concluded with a perfect record. She had secured her place in the top ten of the competition and a spot in the subsequent Three Sect Martial Arts Competition, so whether she stayed for the remaining matches was inconsequential.
However, since her master was present, she naturally couldn't leave early. Moreover, only the elite remained in the competition by now, so observing in advance to understand opponents' techniques wasn't a bad idea. She stayed behind Master Qingyu to continue watching.
Among Mount Mingxia's competitors, only three still had hopes of entering the top ten. Besides Yun Qingyue with her five consecutive victories securing a top ten spot, Zhong Heng had also performed well today, already winning two consecutive matches. If he won his final match, entering the top ten would be almost certain, especially since two of the senior disciples from the five peaks had already lost once, hadn't they?
As Mount Mingxia's personal disciples, Yun Qingyue and Zhong Heng entering the top ten was expected. However, the third person surprised everyone—Chu Yang, an Outer Sect disciple who had already won three matches and similarly needed just one more victory to potentially enter the top ten.
Now it was Chu Yang's final match, as well as Zhong Heng's. Having already competed against each other, they naturally wouldn't be opponents again, but both had good luck, drawing opponents who weren't senior disciples—those formidable enemies difficult to overcome. Especially Chu Yang—in five matches, he hadn't drawn a single senior disciple; the only formidable opponent who defeated him was Zhong Heng.
Hearing that he had been selected to compete again, Zhong Heng quickly recovered from his meditation. His previous victory had been relatively easy without much impact on his injuries, and this brief respite had already restored his energy.
With bright, spirited eyes, he quickly rose, bowing to his master: "Master, your disciple will go now."
Qingyu nodded, still with just two words for him: "Go then."
Zhong Heng didn't mind, once again stepping onto his sword and flying to the arena. As he exchanged names with his opponent, on another arena some distance away, Chu Yang also stood proudly, announcing to his opponent: "Chu Yang of Mount Mingxia requests Senior Brother's guidance."
The arena matches quickly began. In this round, two of the five arenas featured Mount Mingxia disciples. As Peak Master, Qingyu should have paid more attention to the new disciple who had fought his way up from the Outer Sect, but her expression remained indifferent, her gaze fixed solely on Zhong Heng's arena, as if she hadn't even heard the name announcement from the neighboring arena where her Mount Mingxia disciple was competing—even if she rarely taught her disciples, they were still her disciples, and someone as cold-natured as Qingyu would be even less likely to spare attention for others.
As for Yun Qingyue, though her attention was mostly on Zhong Heng's arena, her gaze occasionally glanced toward Chu Yang's arena. As she watched, she noticed something amiss—Chu Yang was clearly stronger than his opponent yet unwilling to defeat him quickly, instead seeming to show off his skills on the arena.
Yun Qingyue's beautiful eyes shifted, noticing her master beside her, a thoughtful look in her glassy eyes.
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Zhong Heng ultimately won his battle. Disregarding that his opponent had blasted him into a disheveled state, he excitedly ran back to the high platform and bowed to Qingyu: "Master, your disciple has not disappointed your expectations; I have won this match as well."
His skin was quite thick; Peak Master Qingyu had never actually stated she expected him to win, yet he claimed expectations for himself.
Fortunately, Peak Master Qingyu wasn't the type to completely deny her disciple face. She nodded slightly in praise: "Not bad. You haven't wasted your years of diligent cultivation. Hereafter, you should remain humble and vigilant, striving for even better results."
Zhong Heng immediately bowed to receive her command, looking extremely pleased.
At that moment, Chu Yang, who had been entangled with his opponent for a long time on the arena below, finally defeated his opponent with a single move, claiming victory as announced by the presiding elder. He stood on the arena with his sword, somewhat proud, almost able to feel the appreciation in the observing elders' eyes.
But their appreciation wasn't what he sought; his gaze lifted slightly toward the high platform where the Sect Leader and Peak Masters were seated.
At this moment on the high platform, someone indeed mentioned him—it was Peak Master Qingxu of Mount Luoxing. Tall and imposing but with a handsome beard, he stroked his whiskers and said: "This Chu Yang is quite talented, fighting all the way from the Outer Sect until now, and still having a chance to enter the top ten." Looking toward Qingyu, he continued: "This young man has a proud disposition, refusing to apprentice under an elder; he must be aiming for us old fellows. Qingyu, if you have no interest in taking another disciple, why not give him to your senior brother?"
Peak Master Qingyu had absolutely no interest in taking disciples. Though she had earlier focused her attention entirely on Zhong Heng's arena, she wasn't completely unaware of Chu Yang's skill-flaunting performance on the adjacent arena.
This wasn't unusual; for "old fellows" of several hundred or thousand years, the small thoughts of young people were completely transparent. A prospective disciple's intentions weren't bad for them either; as long as their talent was sufficient and their character flawless, taking a few more disciples was no issue—in fact, except for Peak Master Qingyu, the other Peak Masters had taken many more disciples, though the path of cultivation was never smooth, and countless had perished midway.
At this moment, Peak Master Qingyu merely raised her eyes slightly and said: "As you wish." Then added: "I'll leave first."
When she said she was leaving, she truly rose to depart. Both her disciples' matches had concluded, and she hadn't even taken the Outer Sect disciple who might enter the top ten to heart, so naturally there was no reason to stay longer.
Seeing this, Qingxu let out an "Ah," but before he could detain her, Peak Master Qingyu had already transformed into a streak of light, disappearing with her two disciples and one divine beast. He could only turn to look at Qingxiao, calling out: "Sect Leader Brother..."
Qingxiao wasn't concerned either, waving his hand and saying: "Let her go. If you want to take a disciple, then take him."
Only someone as magnanimous as Qingxu could speak so directly about taking another's prospective disciple. And only someone as indifferent to all matters as Qingyu would readily give away a good seedling. Thus the matter was settled, and Qingxu excitedly went to receive his new disciple.
As for Chu Yang, who had specially shown off his skills today only to have Mount Luoxing's Peak Master come to accept him as a disciple instead, the disappointment and frustration in his heart, yet being unable to refuse, was another complex matter.
Meanwhile, the little white tiger was bewilderedly taken away, suddenly finding herself in a tranquil courtyard atop Mount Tianyang.
Mount Tianyang was the main peak and home to the Sect Leader's lineage, but this didn't mean Mount Tianyang was separated from the other peaks. Especially for high-ranking figures like the Peak Masters—though they presided over their own peaks year-round, each also had a fixed residence on Mount Tianyang. Even after younger generations matured and old Peak Masters retired, many came to cultivate on Mount Tianyang, as the spiritual energy was more abundant there, wasn't it?
The place where Qingyu now brought her disciples and Jianbing was her residence on Mount Tianyang. She had previously asked Yun Qingyue to come here on business, but for Zhong Heng and the little white tiger, this was their first visit.
After so many matches, Peak Master Qingyu seemed to finally remember to give her disciples some special instruction, so she had casually brought her two disciples along.
Such opportunities were rare, and Zhong Heng and Yun Qingyue naturally accepted with pleasure. Zhong Heng in particular, who seldom received such special attention, had a stomach full of questions to ask. Only the little white tiger, who had been brought along casually, was bored. She first listened in for a while, but since she couldn't understand Peak Master Qingyu's specialized instruction at all, she could only pass the time by sharpening her claws and playing with her tail.
But she wasn't a cat after all, and her own tail wasn't that entertaining, so she eventually sneaked away.
Peak Master Qingyu's courtyard wasn't small. From the outside it appeared ordinary, but inside, enhanced by formations, it easily created a compound with at least five courtyards. Within were pavilions, towers, small bridges flowing water, as well as exotic flowers and plants—the most basic configuration. Beyond these were a quiet room set with top-tier spirit gathering formations, a practice arena with damage shielding, and spirit springs with spiritual energy so dense it formed mist, among other features.
The little white tiger didn't consider herself an outsider at all. After sneaking out, she wandered around, exploring while waiting for the system—indeed, Peak Master Qingyu's move to bring the tiger along had been so swift that the system, caught off guard, had been left behind again.
But having come to a new place, who knew how long it would take the system to find her?
The little white tiger's sneaking away hadn't attracted anyone's attention, or rather, everyone knew she had sneaked away but weren't concerned about her wandering astray or encountering danger, so they paid it no mind.
Zhong Heng seized the opportunity to seek guidance, had his stomach full of questions answered, received instruction on a few moves from Qingyu, and was then sent away. When only Qingyu and Yun Qingyue remained in the practice arena, Qingyu didn't rush to instruct her disciple. She looked at her senior disciple and asked: "You seem preoccupied today. Is there something you wish to tell your master?"
Facing her trusted master, Yun Qingyue naturally concealed nothing. After a brief pause, she said: "Master, a few days ago I happened to see some moves that seemed quite familiar. May I ask for your guidance on this?"
Hearing this, Qingyu didn't think much of it and nodded: "Show me, and I'll take a look."
Yun Qingyue then drew her sword, and as she swung it, displayed a sword momentum entirely different from her own sword way. This wasn't a simple sword technique but a kind of sword intent on the verge of formation. However, since it wasn't her own comprehension, her execution resembled the form but not the spirit, and its power fell far short of her own ice sword intent.
Qingyu's attitude was initially casual, but at some point her eyes had narrowed, her expression growing three degrees colder than usual. Before Yun Qingyue could complete the technique, she sternly called for her to stop and asked: "Where did you see these?"
Yun Qingyue sheathed her sword and answered truthfully: "From Chu Yang."