Chapter 165 : Direct Advancement
Chapter 165: Direct Advancement
After chatting a while longer, the three of them set off together.
Instead of heading toward the grand main gate of Moon-Washing Peak, they went in the opposite direction, winding down along a relatively hidden stone stairway path. Before long, they arrived beneath the floating peak.
Hidden here was a small entrance unknown to outsiders, along with a simple dock capable of mooring small Cloud Vessels. The one in charge of this place was an elder known as “Old Yao.”
Old Yao appeared utterly ordinary, his cultivation fixed at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.
According to his own account, having seen no hope of forming his Golden Core in his early years, he had grown disheartened.
Relying on some past ties with Moon-Washing Peak, he secured this quiet post, intending to spend his later years in peace. His days, at least, passed comfortably enough.
However, how shrewd was Ye Jingchen? He had long sensed that this Old Yao was far from simple.
Not only had the man repeatedly, at a single glance, discerned hidden cultivation injuries and bottlenecks that even Ye Jingchen himself had failed to notice, but more frightening still, a few casual words of guidance from him would often clear Ye Jingchen’s mind entirely, sending his cultivation progress soaring.
What convinced Ye Jingchen even more was that whenever Old Yao happened to be in a good mood, he would casually toss him certain Heavenly Treasures brimming with spiritual energy, obviously priceless at a glance.
Yet he would always speak lightly of them, saying things like, “They’re just taking up space anyway,” or “These old eyes of mine can’t tell what they are. Take them and play around with them.”
After several such incidents, Ye Jingchen understood perfectly well—this seemingly retired Old Yao was absolutely a hidden expert! His cultivation might truly have stopped at Foundation Establishment, but his insight and knowledge far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators at that level.
This was unquestionably a reclusive figure worth befriending with care.
As for why he had repeatedly helped him, it was most likely because he had discerned his hidden Heavenly Spiritual Root and felt a desire to nurture talent.
Hmph! After stealing so much Destiny Luck from so many people—though never much from any single individual—the accumulation had finally produced a qualitative change within the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sect.
Under the influence of Destiny Luck, all kinds of beauties and senior figures had gravitated to his side.
“Old Yao.”
Upon approaching, Ye Jingchen concealed his thoughts and wore just the right amount of respect on his face as he performed a disciple’s greeting.
Su Ningxue and Liu Ruyan followed suit, bowing as well, their expressions showing evident respect toward this elder who guarded the remote dock.
“So it’s you little ones again,” Old Yao lifted his eyelids from his teacup and asked leisurely, “Going together to watch the Grand Competition again?”
“Yes, Old Yao,” Liu Ruyan answered on their behalf. “You’re not joining us today either?”
“One trip was enough to taste the novelty.” Old Yao waved his hand and leaned back into his wicker chair. “This old man prefers peace and quiet. Besides…” His gaze shifted toward Ye Jingchen, and a faint, inscrutable glint flickered in his cloudy eyes. “Jingchen, this old man is waiting to see you soar into the sky at the Grand Competition three years from now. When that time comes… I will personally attend to cheer for you.”
“Thank you for your auspicious words, Old Yao. This disciple will certainly strive not to disappoint!” Ye Jingchen bowed again, his tone sincere. Yet his heart stirred. Three years from now? Old Yao seemed exceedingly confident in him—almost as if he held some firm expectation.
“Hahaha, no need for such formality.” Old Yao laughed heartily and pointed into the distance. “I’m not your proper master, after all. Go on, the Cloud Vessel is parked over there. You three hurry along. If you’re late, you might not find good seats.”
The small Cloud Vessel they rode belonged to Old Yao privately. He seldom used it himself, so whenever Ye Jingchen and the others went out, they shamelessly came to borrow it. Old Yao never minded.
With Liu Ruyan steering the Cloud Vessel, the three soon arrived at the bustling Martial Arena.
As soon as the vessel landed on the platform, a short and sturdy figure nimbly squeezed through the crowd and came forward to greet them.
“Brother Ye! Senior Sister Liu! And Su… Su Junior Sister, you’re finally here!”
The little fatty wore an honest smile and spoke warmly. Though called “fat,” he was not truly obese—most cultivators had well-proportioned physiques. His slightly rounded build and shorter stature merely made him stand out in the crowd.
“Fatty Tang!” Su Ningxue puffed out her cheeks immediately and stamped her foot in dissatisfaction. “I told you to call me Senior Sister!”
“B-but Brother Ye calls you Junior Sister too…” He scratched his head, sounding aggrieved.
“How can you compare to Senior Brother Ye?” Su Ningxue snorted, hands on her hips in full senior-sister posture. “Besides, you’re a Menial Disciple, and I’m an Outer Sect Disciple! Even if we entered the sect the same year, it’s only right for you to call me Senior Sister!”
“Alright, alright, Senior Sister Su, Senior Sister Su, is that fine?” Fatty yielded immediately, smiling broadly before adding, “I’ve already secured seats—near the front, with an excellent view! Let’s hurry in. It’s about to start.”
Ye Jingchen felt quite pleased as he looked at the attentive Fatty. This fatty, named Tang De, had met him during the comprehension test on the second day after the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony.
Whether influenced by his intangible Charm Technique aura or for some other reason, Tang De claimed that after witnessing his heroic ascent of the eight-hundredth step of the Heavenly Ladder, he had resolved to acknowledge him as his big brother and secure a solid backer within the sect.
The reason was blunt to the point of vulgarity. But Tang De was indeed useful. Born into a mortal merchant family—a standard nouveau riche household—his family dealt mostly in gold, silver, copper, and iron.
Though mortal businesses rarely involved Spirit Stones, such metals were themselves valuable materials for artifact forging.
With seemingly endless pocket money and a practiced talent for flattery, Tang De had resolved many trivial matters for him over the past dozen days, saving him considerable trouble.
A handy lackey. That was Ye Jingchen’s current evaluation of Tang De.
Led by Tang De, the group merged into the tide of people flowing into the Martial Arena.
Ye Jingchen greatly enjoyed this feeling of being surrounded and admired, especially with two beauties at his side who made other men envious. It bolstered his confidence and anticipation for the plan about to unfold.
Today, only eight matches remained in the Grand Competition, so the start time was slightly later than usual.
Yet the spectators showed little impatience, because the Qi Refining disciple named Long Tao was currently standing alongside Fang Wuqi, giving a detailed introduction to the sixteen contestants appearing today.
Interspersed with gossip and sect anecdotes, their commentary drew waves of laughter and lively discussion from below, making the atmosphere unusually animated.
Seated in the front row, however, Ye Jingchen felt nothing but disdain and irritation.
Long Tao? He had casually asked Tang De to look into him before—an incompetent who had spent six years just to barely crawl to the Qi-Refining Sixth Layer!
Though not the absolute worst given his Five Spiritual Roots aptitude, what right did such trash have to stand in the spotlight at a sect event of this scale?
Under normal circumstances, Ye Jingchen would not even bother lifting his eyelids at such a person.
Yet over these past days, this fellow’s voice had constantly buzzed in his ears like a fly, irritating him endlessly.
Trash should have the self-awareness of trash—not clamor for attention.
He forcibly suppressed this inexplicable annoyance. Today’s key figure was Nan Yuchen!
His gaze swept around like lightning, and soon he spotted Zhou Qingshu in the nearby crowd. Their eyes met briefly; Zhou Qingshu gave the slightest nod, the corner of his lips curling in a confident smile.
Ye Jingchen felt reassured, as if he could already see Nan Yuchen disgracing himself before the masses while his Destiny Luck was madly siphoned away. He adjusted his posture, ready to “appreciate” the grand spectacle he had personally orchestrated.
At that very moment, however, Long Tao’s tone shifted abruptly on the commentary platform, carrying a trace of surprise and regret.
“Uh… fellow Daoists, we have just received a somewhat regrettable piece of news. Senior Brother Guo Si, who was originally scheduled to compete today, has not fully recovered from the injuries accumulated in previous rounds. Feeling unable to present the exciting performance you all deserve, after careful consideration, he has announced his voluntary withdrawal from this round.”
He paused, his voice clearly amplified across the entire arena:
“Therefore, in accordance with the Grand Competition rules, his opponent—Nan Yuchen of Moon-Washing Peak—will skip this round and advance directly into the Top Eight!”