The woman in white was named Ning Shuang. She was a disciple of Elder Xu from the Green Mountain Sword Sect and the opponent who would be competing against Yan Zhao.
Ning Shuang had a delicate countenance and a gentle temperament; she looked more like a daughter from a prestigious family than a sword cultivator.
After meeting Hua Ying’s gaze, Ning Shuang gave a gentle smile. She lowered her head and said to Mo Lulu, “You, you always like to push yourself until your spiritual power is completely exhausted before you’ll admit defeat.”
She supported Mo Lulu as they walked down from the competition stage, not forgetting to nag her as they went.
Mo Lulu leaned into her embrace with full dependence, muttering something in a small voice as if she were indignant, which coaxed a helpless yet doting laugh out of Ning Shuang.
Hua Ying felt “lemon” (sour/jealous). Looking at their progress, they seemed much further along than she was.
“What is it?” Yan Zhao looked up at her. “Aren’t you happy even after winning the match?”
Hua Ying tugged at the corner of her clothes and whispered, “Senior Sister, then… give me some praise.”
Yan Zhao fell silent. Hua Ying waited until she grew a bit discouraged, hanging her head listlessly.
“Your ears are showing,” Yan Zhao reminded her.
Hua Ying hurriedly reached out to cover them, but she was intercepted halfway.
Yan Zhao rubbed her soft cat ears with gentle movements, acting as if she were offering both comfort and a reward.
The beautiful Senior Sister curled her red lips, a smile gradually melting into those deep, ink-like pupils.
She lowered her head slightly and looked at Hua Ying.
Her clear, chilly voice softened by several degrees, sounding alluring without her even realizing it.
“Ying Ying is truly amazing.”
That one sentence left Hua Ying lightheaded for half an hour.
Thank you; the joy of being a “simp cat” is just that simple and unadorned.
Crazy for Senior Sister, wild for Senior Sister, banging her head against a big wall for Senior Sister!
Hua Ying was busy relishing that single compliment from her Senior Sister, so she didn’t even pay close attention to the next few matches.
By the time she snapped out of it, the Green Mountain Sword Sect had already been declared the winner of those rounds.
According to the current situation, the wins and losses of the two sects were tied. Everything now depended on the crucial results of the matches between the personal disciples.
The first to take the stage was Wei Jun.
Heaven knows what kind of secret technique Yan Zhao had used, but the bruises on Wei Jun’s eyes wouldn’t fade after half a day; even the Second Elder was helpless against them.
He could only trudge onto the stage with those “panda eyes” under the strange looks of the crowd.
Although Wei Jun’s character wasn’t great a pure hypocrite his sword skills and cultivation did have some commendable points.
The Green Mountain disciple opposite him was a young boy with high talent. However, perhaps due to his youth and lack of combat experience, he began to show signs of decline after fighting Wei Jun for half an hour.
Wei Jun pursued the victory, and after several moves, the winner was decided.
“I accept your concession.” Wei Jun withdrew his sword and nodded arrogantly to the young boy. With his sleeves fluttering in the wind, he really did have a bit of the “immortal expert” aura from the back.
Unfortunately, as soon as he turned around, those panda eyes which looked hilarious no matter how you sliced it made people want to burst out laughing.
When passing by Yan Zhao, Wei Jun said with a fake smile, “Senior Sister Yan Zhao, I hope you don’t lose face for our Liuyun Sect next.”
Hua Ying secretly rolled her eyes.
Yan Zhao glanced at him, her expression still calm and unruffled. She simply said coolly, “Junior Brother would do better to heal the injuries on his face before saying such a thing.”
Hua Ying couldn’t hold it back and laughed quite arrogantly: “Hahahahaha!”
Exactly!
He should look at who was currently being whispered about behind their back, causing all sorts of rumors and losing all face. Did he really think winning one match gave him the right to act all powerful?
Wei Jun’s face turned a shade between green and red. He gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Hua Ying.
Hua Ying shrunk behind Yan Zhao, timidly grabbing her arm. “Senior Sister, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh so loudly. Senior Brother Wei Jun isn’t angry, is he?”
Yan Zhao looked down.
The little half-demon was clutching her sleeve, her exposed knuckles slender and white as scallions.
She was a cat who had small courage but loved to cause trouble.
She let out a light laugh. “Of course not.”
“Junior Brother Wei has always been broad-minded; he wouldn’t mind such small matters. Right, Junior Brother?”
What could Wei Jun say? He could only swallow his bitterness, gritting his teeth as he spoke: “Senior Sister is right.”
Watching Wei Jun’s dejected departure, Hua Ying felt extremely comfortable, yet she still said, “Senior Brother Wei’s gaze just now looked so scary; I’m a little afraid.”
Hearing this, Yan Zhao fell into serious thought for a moment.
Wei Jun’s eyes were swollen like steamed buns; could anyone even tell what kind of “gaze” he had?
“What is there to fear?” She lifted her head slightly, revealing the elegant lines of her long neck. “I am here; he cannot harm you.”
Just like the first time Hua Ying had met Yan Zhao, when she had stepped on Wei Jun’s chest and called him trash.
Her brows were cold and clear, her red dress swayed; she was indifferent yet unrestrained.
After a few more duels, it was finally time for the set between Yan Zhao and Ning Shuang.
The final match. The most crucial one that would decide the overall victory.
Hua Ying felt that watching from the spectator stands wasn’t satisfying enough, so she ran directly to the front of the competition stage and found a clean spot to sit cross-legged.
Looking at the crowded people nearby, Yan Zhao frowned. “You don’t even find it dirty. Bathe a few more times when we return to the room.”
“Senior Sister!” Hua Ying widened her eyes and raised her voice in disbelief. “I already know the Dust-Cleansing Spell!”
The little cat’s temper was also soft; she scratched with her clawless paw pads, “meowing” at her in what she thought was a fierce manner.
Yan Zhao couldn’t help but smile.
“Fine. Wait for me to return.”
With a light tap of her toes, she landed on the competition stage holding her White Jade Sword.
Ning Shuang followed suit.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on them. This was the most critical match and the one most anticipated.
Ever since Yan Zhao began her cultivation, her reputation had soared; the name of “genius” had long spread throughout the immortal world.
Attaining the Great Circle of the Golden Core stage at such a young age meant there were very few among her peers who could stand beside her.
Ning Shuang was one of them.
The two were close in age and similar in realm, though they had never crossed paths before. The disciples of both sects were eager to know who was stronger and who was weaker; their burning gazes were so intense they seemed ready to pierce through the stage.
However, the atmosphere between the two was not as tense as everyone imagined.
Ning Shuang smiled slightly at Yan Zhao and said unhurriedly, “I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Yan’s reputation. To be able to receive some guidance from you today is truly my honor.”
Yan Zhao remained laconic as usual, only nodding. “Fellow Daoist Ning Shuang is too kind.”
She stroked the brand-new red tassel hanging from the White Jade Sword and glanced at Hua Ying, who was watching expectantly from below the stage. Her eyes curved imperceptibly.
Yan Zhao unsheathed her sword. “Please.”
Ning Shuang didn’t move yet. Following Yan Zhao’s gaze from just now, she smiled tenderly. “Is that your Junior Sister, Fellow Daoist Yan?”
“I also have a Junior Sister the little girl who just fought your Junior Sister,” Ning Shuang couldn’t help but shake her head when mentioning Mo Lulu. “She’s stubborn, but usually quite well-behaved. She’s just very clingy; if she doesn’t see me for a moment, she throws a tantrum.”
Though she called it a complaint, there was a smile at the corners of her mouth, and her gaze was so soft it seemed it could melt into water.
Yan Zhao: ? What exactly are you showing off?