Chapter 89 : Difficulty Choosing
After drawing lots, the competitions weren't urgent, scheduled for the next day, still to be held at Little Spirit Peak's plaza.
Everyone left Lingyun Hall, once again gathering in small groups. Zhong Heng approached Yun Qingyue, his face full of gloom: "Senior Sister, who did you draw as your opponent? I ended up with Buddha Sect's Tan Zhi, who's reportedly very formidable. Meeting such a strong opponent in the first round is truly unfortunate. I don't know if I can win—if I lose, I'll have to compete in the second round."
Yun Qingyue maintained her usual calm expression. As her gaze swept across the crowd, she unexpectedly met You Yi's eyes. He must have already identified his opponent, for he smiled slightly and bowed with clasped hands, appearing quite courteous.
Zhong Heng followed her gaze and, seeing You Yi's gesture, gave a light snort: "Putting on airs."
Yun Qingyue withdrew her gaze and replied: "He is my opponent."
Zhong Heng was momentarily stunned, then looked back, but You Yi had already turned away to speak with his fellow disciples. He clicked his tongue, and though he disdained Tiandao Sect's pretentiousness, he had to acknowledge that as the second-ranked figure among Tiandao Sect's younger generation, You Yi's cultivation was indeed profound. Rumor had it that he had advanced to Nascent Soul ten years ago, while Senior Sister had only reached Nascent Soul a month ago—how could they compare?!
Though worried inside, the second disciple didn't show it on his face. After some thought, he informed Yun Qingyue: "I've heard that You Yi just turned fifty this year, possesses a mutated wind spiritual root, and has been at Nascent Soul for ten years, so his cultivation must be quite profound. His magical treasure is a folding fan called the 'Mountain River Fan,' but few have witnessed him in action, so no one knows what secrets that fan holds..."
Unlike Yun Qingyue, who had remained in the sect for years, Zhong Heng had spent much time traveling outside, giving him more information sources. Having heard some news about You Yi, he now shared it with his Senior Sister.
Yun Qingyue listened attentively and thanked him, but her expression remained unchanged—true, You Yi had advanced to Nascent Soul ten years earlier, but at the Nascent Soul realm, further breakthroughs didn't happen overnight. In ten years, even a sect prodigy would struggle to advance from early-stage to mid-stage Nascent Soul. Even if he had advanced, it was only a minor realm difference; she still had a fighting chance.
As the two walked a few more steps, Zhong Heng suddenly stopped and exclaimed "Eh?", causing Yun Qingyue to turn to him questioningly.
Zhong Heng looked at her with surprise: "Senior Sister, where's Jianbing? Aren't you two inseparable these days? Did you just leave her behind in Lingyun Hall?"
Yun Qingyue started, instinctively looking back toward Lingyun Hall, only to see a small figure following right behind her. Meeting her gaze, the little white tiger's face was full of grief, the perfect image of an abandoned little thing.
Zhong Heng looked from his Senior Sister to Jianbing, unsure what had happened. Seeing the awkward atmosphere, he tried to ease it, and noticing how his Senior Sister often carried the little white tiger, he reached out to pick her up. But just as his hand approached, the little white tiger's furry paw pressed against it, her milk-sweet voice full of disdain: "Don't want you."
Yun Qingyue had no choice but to bend down and pick up the little white tiger herself. Zhong Heng wasn't annoyed at being rejected, and instead clicked his tongue: "I was the one who remembered you first, yet you scorn me?! But wait, Jianbing can speak?"
Zhong Heng had returned to the sect later, by which time the little white tiger had already been wearing the golden bell, so he knew nothing about her background.
Yun Qingyue didn't explain further, simply saying: "Divine beasts are naturally spiritually aware, so of course she can."
The two continued talking as they walked back, not wasting their time. Zhong Heng rarely had opportunities to receive instruction from their master, and since Yun Qingyue had always been the one to explain and resolve his doubts, he took this chance to discuss all the cultivation problems he had recently encountered. Yun Qingyue could answer about eight or nine out of ten of them, so they continued their conversation all the way back to the guest quarters on Mount Tianyang, where the topic had still not concluded.
A month after the sect competition ended, the disciples from various peaks who had filled the guest quarters had long since returned. Those still residing there were likely the elites participating in the Three Sect Martial Arts Competition. Perhaps to help these elites cultivate more smoothly, a spirit-gathering formation had been added outside each residence.
Mount Tianyang was already rich in spiritual energy, and with the spirit-gathering formation's assistance, cultivating there was far better than returning to one's own dwelling for seclusion. Disciples like Zhong Heng, who had just won a place in the sect competition, especially needed spiritual energy to increase their strength, so he hadn't returned to Mount Mingxia this month but had remained in the guest quarters to cultivate.
After hearing him speak, the little white tiger compared this to how Senior Sister had been taken by Peak Master Qingyu to a separate courtyard for seclusion, feeling that this differential treatment was truly biased. But since the person receiving preferential treatment was Senior Sister, she didn't want to say anything—after all, there was a difference between the head disciple and an ordinary personal disciple.
However, soon enough, the little white tiger had no energy to sigh for others—Zhong Heng had accumulated many questions during his month of cultivation, and now finally had the chance to seek Senior Sister's guidance. Naturally thirsty for knowledge, he held nothing back, and so the two siblings stood in the courtyard continuing their conversation. Occasionally, Yun Qingyue would offer pointers, and Zhong Heng would draw his heavy sword to demonstrate, showing he was learning quickly and attentively.
In this situation, the little white tiger was once again neglected. She snorted with dissatisfaction, then leaped from Senior Sister's arms and ran away.
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The platform matches would begin tomorrow, and tonight Yun Qingyue didn't insist on cultivating. She rarely lay down on the bed, looking at the small figure facing away from her in anger, her eyes curving slightly.
Cultivators don't need sleep; simply circulating spiritual energy through a complete cycle naturally refreshes and eliminates fatigue.
Divine beasts similarly don't need sleep, though they often sleep for thousands of years—but that's merely a way to pass time and increase cultivation when bored. In fact, their bodies are exceptionally strong, requiring no sleep to restore energy; only cubs tend to be more fond of sleep. However, the cub lying on the bed obviously wasn't asleep, occasionally twitching her ears or swishing her tail, deliberately making a show of it.
Yun Qingyue naturally noticed the little white tiger's discomfort and realized she had somewhat neglected her these past two days. Looking at the small, sulking back, she extended a finger to poke it, finding the furry softness quite pleasant.
The little white tiger's body contracted slightly at the poke, but she didn't turn around, instead moving forward slightly, putting more distance between them.
Amusement grew in Yun Qingyue's eyes as she found herself with rare leisure to tease the tiger, unwilling to give up despite the little white tiger's prideful small gestures. Since the little white tiger hadn't moved far, she extended her hand again to poke her back, then, not waiting for the little white tiger to continue her act, grasped her round tiger ear... the fur on her ears was finer and softer, more pleasant to touch than the fur on her body.
Perhaps due to her ice spiritual root, Yun Qingyue had a somewhat cold temperament, and even her fingertips seemed cooler than normal. As soon as she touched the little white tiger's ear, which felt slightly cool, the tiger instinctively twitched her ear to avoid contact, but the other didn't withdraw her hand.
Yun Qingyue stroked the tiger's head again and finally spoke: "Are you angry?"
The little white tiger ignored her, snorting again from her nose, her dissatisfied attitude completely evident.
The next moment, Yun Qingyue pulled her into her arms, and the familiar cold fragrance instantly surrounded her. In her ear came Yun Qingyue's clear, pleasant voice: "I'm sorry. Next time I won't forget you again."
Inhaling the familiar cold fragrance and hearing Senior Sister's promise, the little white tiger instantly calmed down. But being somewhat proud, she didn't want Senior Sister to think she was so easily appeased, so she relaxed her body but still didn't make a sound. Only her tail moved, silently curling around Senior Sister's clothing hem, as if this could bring her closer to Senior Sister.
Yun Qingyue may or may not have noticed, but the little white tiger's prideful demeanor was completely transparent to her. Finding it somewhat amusing, she thought for a moment and again extended her finger, but this time didn't touch the little white tiger's ear, instead scratching under her chin.
Before long, the little white tiger couldn't resist letting out a comfortable purr, just like a cat.
In the darkness, a light laugh seemed to sound.
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The night passed quickly, and the next day the martial arts competition officially began, with disciples expertly gathering once more at Little Spirit Peak plaza.
Different from the previous sect competition, this time all participants were sect elites, few in number and not requiring many platforms. Thus, the entire plaza had only three platforms, corresponding to the three rounds. Anyone with slight knowledge of formation arrays would notice that the quality of these platforms was far superior to those in the sect competition, with restrictions even in the air above.
After all, Nascent Soul True Lords already possessed the ability to hover in the air, and most disciples watching the competition had lower cultivation. If two True Lords were to duel in mid-air, a careless strike might cause countless casualties among the spectators below.
After hearing this, the little white tiger looked up at the clear blue sky, seeing nothing, and wondered what these restrictions actually looked like.
Similar to the end of the previous sect competition, today almost all the Sect Leader, Peak Masters, and various peak elders had arrived, with dozens either seated or standing on the high platform. The elders from Tiandao Sect and Buddha Sect who had escorted their disciples were also present, occupying positions on the high platform, though their numbers and presence were somewhat weaker compared to the host, Xuanqing Sect.
Yun Qingyue, carrying the little white tiger, glanced at her master on the high platform, then at the surging crowd in the plaza, before looking down at the little white tiger: "Let's go watch from the high platform. There are too many people down here."
However, the little white tiger refused, her paw pressing firmly on Senior Sister's hand: "I don't want to go there. It's so boring up there."
Zhong Heng, who was with them, added: "Today, with all the Sect Leader and Peak Masters gathered, plus elders from other sects, we'd have to act like perfect statues up there, worried about being disrespectful with every move... Senior Sister, I don't want to be a statue."
As he spoke, he suddenly noticed something, his form flashing before disappearing, only to reappear with a paper package in his hands, emitting an enticing aroma.
Yun Qingyue's gaze swept over the package, and she couldn't help asking: "What is that?"
Zhong Heng opened the package for the human and tiger while matter-of-factly answering: "Snacks, of course. With so many matches coming up, eating snacks while watching the platform—isn't that fun?"
The paper package did indeed contain snacks, seemingly some kind of roasted nuts, though the little white tiger didn't recognize them. They smelled more fragrant than any nut snacks she knew. Scanning the surroundings, she discovered these snacks were being sold, along with pastries, dried meat, and even candied haws.
Perhaps following the little white tiger's gaze to the candied haws, Zhong Heng enthusiastically said: "Those are candied haws, said to be a snack from the mortal realm. That disciple likely comes from there. Does Jianbing want some? If you do, I'll buy them for you."
Undeniably, compared to nuts or dried meat, the bright red candied haws looked much more attractive and more likely to catch a cub's eye. Though tigers eat meat and probably wouldn't like candied haws, there was nothing wrong with buying some to taste or simply to look at. Besides, candied haws in the cultivation world probably didn't contain hawthorn.
Zhong Heng was about to go buy the candied haws when Yun Qingyue stopped him, somewhat resignedly: "Junior Brother, don't be too relaxed. You'll be competing soon too." Don't act like you're just here to watch the excitement.
However, Zhong Heng didn't mind, simply saying: "Senior Sister, I drew the fifteenth match—we might not even get to it today."
The fifteenth match, being the last one, indeed might not happen today. If the earlier matches were mostly between opponents of vastly different strengths, the outcomes would be predictable and the matches quick. But if the competitors were evenly matched, a single platform match could last three days and nights. After all, this wasn't an internal sect competition where courtesy might prevail—in matches against disciples from other sects, no matter how polite the words, no one would show mercy in action.
Zhong Heng quickly returned with candied haws for the little white tiger. The crystal-clear ice candy coated bright red fruits, looking extremely appealing. The little white tiger accepted them with curiosity, taking a bite to find that the inside wasn't hawthorn, and the taste was far better.
The greedy little tiger's eyes brightened, but she didn't rush to take a second bite, instead raising the candied haw to Yun Qingyue's face, wanting to share.
Yun Qingyue smiled, but as she didn't like such things, she shook her head to decline.
Zhong Heng also laughed nearby: "If Jianbing likes it, she should eat it herself. I have more here." He offered another stick of candied haws, though these weren't bought for Yun Qingyue—he could hardly imagine his Senior Sister eating candied haws.
The little white tiger was unhappy at this and pushed Zhong Heng's candied haws away. But seeing Senior Sister shake her head, she didn't insist further. Just as she was about to withdraw the candied haw to eat herself, the bell in the plaza began to ring.
"Dong—Dong—Dong—"
The deep, solemn bell sounds resonated through half the sect, announcing that today's competition was about to begin.
The excitement in Little Spirit Peak plaza subsided slightly, and Zhong Heng set aside his playful demeanor, seriously asking Yun Qingyue: "Which match is Senior Sister's competition with You Yi?"
Yun Qingyue glanced at the platform, seeing that the names of the first match opponents had already appeared: "The seventh match."
The seventh match—whether it would happen today depended on how the earlier matches progressed.
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Reality proved that on the Three Sect Martial Arts Competition platform, no one was willing to drag out a match for three days and nights. Not only would it be exhausting, but all participants were sect elites, heaven's proud children—none would admit inferiority, nor would they drag things out to make their victory unsatisfying. Almost everyone chose to give their all, naturally making the matches swift.
In just one morning, the first six matches concluded, with victories and defeats for all three sects. As the formal matches ended, the second and third round platforms were subsequently activated.
Leaving aside how the latter two rounds progressed and who was ultimately eliminated, the seventh match of the formal round was the confrontation between Yun Qingyue and Tiandao Sect's You Yi. One was Mount Mingxia's head disciple, who had just advanced to Nascent Soul; the other was Tiandao Sect's second-ranked disciple among peers, older and with a longer time at Nascent Soul, his cultivation only higher than Yun Qingyue's, never lower.
Such a strong versus strong confrontation naturally excited the crowd, with disciples even secretly betting on the outcome.
Yun Qingyue and Zhong Heng mingled in the plaza, and with their high cultivation, they heard all the disciples' little actions. But these were just harmless minor matters—even if a large majority bet on You Yi winning, it didn't concern them.
Before mounting the platform, Yun Qingyue once again handed the little white tiger to Zhong Heng. As she turned, she heard the little white tiger's milk-sweet voice say to her: "Senior Sister, you can do it! Senior Sister will definitely win!"
Yun Qingyue didn't look back, but her tightly pressed lips seemed to curve slightly, and without any visible movement, she ascended the platform.
On the platform, after the opponents greeted each other and exchanged names, they waited only for the elder supervising the platform to give the signal before engaging.
Below the platform, Zhong Heng raised the little white tiger to meet her eyes: "Why does Jianbing call my Senior Sister 'Senior Sister'?"
Though the question sounded convoluted, its meaning was clear, but the little white tiger didn't want to engage with him and rolled her eyes. But thinking about it, calling her "Senior Sister" in her heart was one thing, but others hearing it would inevitably lead to questions.
But if not "Senior Sister," what should she call her?
Qingyue? Yue-yue? Ah Qing? Ah Yue?
The little white tiger fell into selection difficulty, while above on the platform, the two had already begun their duel the moment the elder stepped down. When the little white tiger heard the commotion and looked up, she saw You Yi holding a folding fan glowing with phosphorescence, sweeping it to send a breeze carrying wind blades toward Yun Qingyue. This move wasn't particularly powerful, seemingly an opening gesture and probe.
Zhong Heng murmured: "Gentle breeze..."
The little white tiger heard but didn't quite understand, glancing up at him before looking back at the platform where Senior Sister had already easily avoided the attack. Then the Fuxue Sword left its sheath, a sword energy shooting out with her drawn sword, also pointing directly at You Yi, similarly a probe.
This sword-drawing move, tempered through rigorous practice, was quite powerful, but being used as a probing technique, it was easily blocked by You Yi. After these initial probes, the following duel immediately intensified. On the platform, spells flew and sword energy surged; even through the platform barrier, one could feel the immense pressure.
You Yi stood in one corner of the platform, surrounded by a faint blue aura. This blue energy differed from the vitality of wood spiritual energy, carrying a light and nimble quality. This was mutated wind spiritual energy, which gathered into wind to attack enemies with each sweep of You Yi's fan.
Initially, his fan sweep was exploratory, releasing a breeze carrying wind blades with ordinary power and speed. Now as he swept his fan again, the wind became a vortex, only finger-thick and seemingly weak and inconspicuous, but approaching closer revealed a massive suction around the vortex that could draw in and shred everything nearby.
Moreover, these vortices moved very quickly. As You Yi swept his fan repeatedly, seven or eight vortices formed on the platform. Under his control, they gradually formed a simple formation, trapping Yun Qingyue within.
Watching below the platform, Zhong Heng frowned and murmured again: "Swift wind..."
The little white tiger had no time to mind him, her tiger eyes fixed on Yun Qingyue surrounded by wind vortices. Standing on Zhong Heng's arm, her body leaned forward, appearing extremely tense.
But Yun Qingyue on the platform clearly wouldn't be defeated so easily. While You Yi had been repeatedly sweeping his fan earlier, she had also been wielding her sword. Though all her sword techniques had been dodged by You Yi using the speed advantage of his wind system, the gathered sword energy still lingered around. Now she calmly formed a hand seal, and the previously scattered sword energy, as if pulled by something, quickly connected and linked together.
Just as You Yi's vortices approached Yun Qingyue, her sword energy also formed a sword formation, which exploded without giving anyone time to react. The exploding sword energy shot outward, not only destroying the vortices but attacking the enemy with even greater speed.
Though You Yi had a wind spiritual root and his attack and flight speeds exceeded those of cultivators at the same level, even so, he couldn't avoid this. Fortunately, he wore a superior-grade magical robe—when the sword energy struck him, a pale blue treasure light flashed, and the sword energy vanished like mud into the sea, without harming him at all.
Seeing this, Xuanqing Sect disciples below the platform couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.
Some encouraged Yun Qingyue loudly: "Senior Sister Yun, hit him! Magical treasures can only withstand limited attacks. I saw his robe isn't as bright as before—a few more hits and it will surely break!"
Hearing this, Yun Qingyue didn't even move her eyebrows, again swinging her sword toward her opponent. This strike incorporated sword intent, carrying magnificent might, making people believe without doubt that if this sword truly landed squarely, You Yi's magical robe would be ruined—as the second-ranked disciple of Tiandao Sect, it wasn't that he couldn't afford a better defensive robe, but such items weren't allowed in the Three Sect Martial Arts Competition.
Ultimately, the Three Sect Martial Arts Competition was a test of strength among the younger generation of the three sects, but this strength didn't include wealth. Unless you were a weapon refiner who had crafted a higher-quality magical treasure yourself, you weren't permitted to use overly powerful magical treasures.
Otherwise, relying on sect or elder favoritism, a Nascent Soul cultivator wearing an eighth or ninth-grade magical robe would instantly become an impenetrable turtle shell, able to stand and let opponents strike without effect. And this was just defensive items—offensive high-grade magical treasures were even more problematic, potentially destroying the entire platform.
Due to rule restrictions, You Yi's robe was only fifth-grade superior quality, truly not necessarily able to withstand a sword cultivator's full-force strike imbued with sword intent. So he took a mysterious step, quickly dodging, rising into the air before sweeping his fan again at Yun Qingyue on the platform.
This time, accompanying the fierce howling wind that emerged was a mighty wind dragon, directly facing Yun Qingyue's sword might.