With Yan Zhao’s keen eyesight, everything that had just occurred was naturally captured in her gaze.
She looked at the little cat who was deliberately acting piteous in front of her, curled her lips slightly, and asked, “How did they bully you?”
Hua Ying replied with a straight face, “I simply used my own abilities to eliminate the senior brothers and sisters, yet they actually said I cheated.”
She lowered her head, raising her sleeve to wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes. “It would be one thing if they only spoke of me, but they actually suspected Senior Sister of being my accomplice. They kept claiming that Senior Sister has no regard for the sect’s rules and is intent on throwing the sect into chaos.”
The trembling disciples thought: We didn’t! We haven’t! You’re talking nonsense!
“They are so excessive, actually insulting Senior Sister like this,” Hua Ying appeared as if she were about to burst into tears. “Unlike me, who only knows how to feel distressed for Senior Sister.”
Everyone: “…”
Yan Zhao reached out and very lightly pinched Hua Ying’s cheek. “Alright.”
She lowered her head, her cold voice carrying a hint of subtle amusement. “Stop acting; the performance is getting a bit over-the-top. Be good, let me handle this.”
Hua Ying knew when to stop and stood obediently behind Yan Zhao, no longer fanning the flames.
Seeing that she had fallen silent, the Elder finally walked over. He first nodded toward Yan Zhao and said, “Martial Niece Yan Zhao.”
Though he called her “Martial Niece,” in terms of status within the Liuyun Sect, Yan Zhao held far more weight than an Outer Sect Elder like him.
Yan Zhao nodded slightly and asked, “Has the Elder clarified the cause and effect of this matter?”
Facing Yan Zhao, the Elder’s state was clearly more tense. He replied with a solemn expression, “Naturally. It was merely the nonsensical ramblings of some disciples; Martial Niece need not take it to heart.”
“How should they be punished?” Yan Zhao asked again.
“This…” The Elder’s expression froze; he clearly hadn’t considered this aspect.
He felt that it was just a case of juniors speaking out of turn in a fit of agitation and that a few words of reprimand would suffice. Did he really need to impose a formal punishment?
Seeing this, Yan Zhao arched an eyebrow.
“Can one bite back recklessly just because their skills are inferior?” she spoke coldly. “If they can frame a fellow disciple without evidence today, will they harbor resentment and resort to murder tomorrow?”
Word by word, sentence by sentence, her voice was like frost and swords. The disciples who had just been clamoring about Hua Ying cheating turned ashen-faced upon hearing this.
She then turned her gaze to the Elder beside her, her voice sinking slightly. “What does the Elder think?”
The Elder, of course, could only nod in agreement. “Martial Niece makes a valid point.”
He coughed heavily, and his spiritual power overflowed, condensing into chains that bound all the disciples who had spoken insolently.
“The lot of you shall be punished by reflecting at the foot of Contemplation Cliff for one month.”
The Elder turned to look at Yan Zhao. “What does Martial Niece think of this?”
The woman lazily lifted her gaze, casting a cold, indifferent glance over the disciples who looked like eggplants hit by frost and let out a sneer: “Acceptable.”
Ooh, Senior Sister is so cool!
Looking at Yan Zhao’s back as she dominated the scene, Hua Ying excitedly said to the system, “Today is another day where I want to snuggle with Senior Sister!”
System: Then go for it. All talk and no action.
Hua Ying curled her lip. “What does a three-year-old system like you know? We are enjoying the process of ‘love growing over time’.”
System: I think you’re just chicken, my dear.
Hua Ying silently activated the mute mode.
System: 【…】 You dog!
After resolving those messy affairs, Yan Zhao intended to return to Chuanyun Peak.
After walking a certain distance, she suddenly felt as though something was missing from her side.
Turning around, she realized the little half-demon was still standing in place, lost in thought, wandering through the heavens in her mind.
“Hua Ying,” she called her name.
Hua Ying had just cut off the connection with the system and looked up blankly by reflex.
Yan Zhao’s eyes crinkled slightly as she reached out a slender, fair hand.
She said, “Come here.”
Hua Ying was stunned for a moment. Upon realizing what was happening, she joyfully ran toward Yan Zhao and placed her hand in hers.
When their finger pads touched, Yan Zhao couldn’t help but glance down.
Her own fingers were long with distinct knuckles. They weren’t soft like a typical lady’s but carried slight calluses.
In contrast, the little half-demon’s hand was like a soft cloud, enveloping her entire palm.
With their fingers interlaced, it was as if they could clearly feel the skeletal structure and pulse of the other.
Yan Zhao felt that her heart also seemed to soften bit by bit amidst such unfamiliar intimacy.
On the day it was the turn for the inner disciples’ Great Competition, Hua Ying also woke up very early.
There was no helping it she silently wiped a tear of hardship who told Yan Zhao’s match to be scheduled as the very first one?
Unlike the first day, the spectator stands were full in no time, and many disciples who didn’t have seats simply sat cross-legged on the ground.
Seeing such a grand occasion, Hua Ying could only marvel in her heart that Senior Sister truly was the number one “top star” of the Liuyun Sect.
Coincidentally, Yan Zhao’s opponent was an old acquaintance, Wei Jun.
The bruising on Wei Jun’s eye had already vanished. Dressed in white and holding a folding fan, he had returned to his “gentlemanly” facade.
He smiled, masking the loathing in his eyes. “Senior Sister Yan Zhao, please.”
Yan Zhao dusted off the floating ash on her sword and said coldly, “Junior Brother, please.”
The two drew their swords almost simultaneously. Boundless spiritual power erupted, and countless sword shadows instantly shrouded the entire arena, moving so fast it made one’s head spin.
But the result came very quickly as well.
Unsurprisingly, Yan Zhao’s sword was pointed at Wei Jun’s throat.
However, Wei Jun’s face did not show any signs of resentment. He merely smiled. “Senior Sister is indeed formidable; I cannot beat you no matter what.”
Yan Zhao retracted her White Jade Sword and gave him a strange look.
In the past, Wei Jun was stubborn and would never admit defeat so cleanly.
Perhaps because he looked a bit more agreeable this way, Yan Zhao, out of her sense of responsibility as the Eldest Senior Sister, added a sentence: “The path of immortality is boundless and the capable are numerous; why must you fixate your goals solely on me?”
Wei Jun lowered his eyes, dark shadows swirling within them. He replied submissively, “What Senior Sister says is true.”
He turned and walked off the arena. In the eyes hidden from Yan Zhao, malice rose and fell, with occasional wisps of black energy flitting through.
He understood those principles, of course.
But Yan Zhao had already become his heart’s demon.
She had to be eliminated!
“Senior Sister!” Hua Ying squeezed out from the crowd, flashing a huge smile at Yan Zhao.
She held a small jade bottle, bringing it before Yan Zhao’s eyes. “Senior Sister won and I advanced; we must celebrate properly!”
Yan Zhao asked curiously, “What is this?”
Hua Ying pulled out the stopper, and a wisp of faint, intoxicating fragrance drifted through the air.
She laughed with a spirited and cunning glint in her eyes. “It’s top-grade spiritual wine that I traded from the Sect Master!”
Yan Zhao fell silent for a moment, as if she could already see the image of a certain “little drunk cat.” She said hesitantly, “How about… we switch it for something else?”
“No, no,” Hua Ying shook her head vigorously, her attitude very persistent. “I want this one.”
Only by getting drunk can I get things done, hehehe!