Hearing Gu Qi say “Master’s coming,” Ning Ying quickly shut her mouth, hoping Master hadn’t heard her scandalous words just now.
The great beauty with silver hair and white robes descended from the clouds, his lashes slightly lifting as he cast a faint glance at her, then addressed everyone: “Fellow Daoists, the Sword Trial Conference is about to begin. Why not follow me to the seating area to observe?”
The people present, out of respect for the Immortal Lord, didn’t continue pestering Sang Jinse any further. They exchanged a few pleasantries with Yun Qingyuan before following him to a high platform shrouded in mist. Several plain-featured servant disciples presented fine wines and spiritual fruits to entertain the distinguished guests from various sects.
“These spiritual fruits are no ordinary items,” remarked the Qingyu Sect Master. “For cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage, consuming them can greatly enhance cultivation. Even I feel a hint of enlightenment after taking one. Sect Leader Yun has been most generous.”
The Ghost Lord of Senluo Temple, who hadn’t involved himself in the Sang Jinse affair, sat quietly in a corner of the high platform upon arriving at Yaoyue Sect, his face concealed beneath a dark hood. Now, raising a wine glass with pale, slender fingers, he said in an icy voice, “The wine is good.”
The Lianhua Sect elder didn’t drink alcohol; before him was a cup of fine spiritual tea. After taking a light sip, he gave a slight nod of approval.
Amidst harmonious conversations and laughter, the Sword Trial Conference officially began.
Dozens of inner disciples danced gracefully to the music, their feathered garments fluttering, their ornaments sparkling like stars against the moon. The sharp gleam of swords complemented their gentle movements, drawing waves of cheers and applause.
Ning Ying applauded sincerely from below, diligently playing her role as a background character.
Just as she was looking up to watch the beautiful senior sisters, someone tapped her shoulder. Senior Sister Sang whispered in her ear: “Junior Sister Ning, the drawing results are out. You’re up first.”
Ning Ying was startled.
Going first would inevitably draw attention from all sides. How could she keep a low profile and hide her cultivation like this?
Encouraged by Sang Jinse, Ning Ying stepped onto the competition platform and saw a somewhat familiar youth in green robes standing opposite her.
She thought for a moment and remembered he was the Dao Son of Shaoyue Sect, Sikong Qin, if she recalled correctly. He was also a prodigy—under twenty years old and already a Golden Core stage cultivator. Though he primarily cultivated support abilities and wasn’t skilled in combat, he had numerous protective treasures, emphasizing financial power. If it came to a real fight, he’d be a troublesome opponent.
Sikong Qin sized up Ning Ying, cupped his hands, and said, “For Senior Sister Sang’s sake, I won’t make your loss too embarrassing.”
Though he appeared polite, his words revealed absolute confidence.
After all, in everyone’s eyes, Ning Ying was merely a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. Once a cultivator condenses a Golden Core, their body undergoes a qualitative change. Not only can they live up to a thousand years, but they can also use various divine powers that ordinary people can hardly imagine. The gap between the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment stages is difficult to bridge.
Ning Ying said: “Fellow Daoist, no need to go easy on me.”
She meant it seriously.
With her Grand Ascension strength, if she actually fought and her opponent didn’t go all out, she feared accidentally injuring them.
Sikong Qin did go easy on her.
He produced an ancient zither and began playing a melancholy melody, attempting to “confuse” Ning Ying’s mind and win the battle without drawing blood.
This technique was passed down directly from his Shaoyue Sect master. As long as the zither music wasn’t interrupted, it was invincible against cultivators of the same level, plunging them into a confused state where they forgot they were fighting—controlling them for at least several seconds.
However, contrary to his expectations, the young girl opposite him stood leisurely in place, nodded appreciatively, and commented, “You play the zither quite well. It sounds nice.”
Sikong Qin’s eyes flew wide open as he stared at the Foundation Establishment junior sister in disbelief.
His signature move—useless against her???
“Why did you stop playing?” Ning Ying genuinely thought it sounded nice. “Keep going.”
Sikong Qin: “???”
He felt somewhat mocked.
Just then, he noticed Yun Qingyuan’s approving gaze from the high platform and suddenly understood—
Junior Sister Ning was the Immortal Lord’s true disciple. She probably possessed magic tools bestowed by the Immortal Lord. Being immune to his zither music could be considered understandable.
Sikong Qin composed himself and began to get serious.
If she had artifacts refined by the Immortal Lord, he did need to be cautious.
However, magic tools…
He had them too!
Sikong Qin took out a huge immortal seal from his storage pouch, formed hand seals, and manipulated it to crash down toward Ning Ying’s head!
He controlled his strength, trying not to kill anyone.
“Junior Sister, be careful!”
From below, Sang Jinse shouted worriedly. Her gaze toward Sikong Qin was quite disappointed—it was just a competition, and he was going this hard against her junior sister!
And he’d said it was for her sake, hah.
Sang Jinse silently crossed Sikong Qin off her fish pond list.
Beside her, Gu Qi’s expression wasn’t good either. He was already prepared to forcibly break the platform barrier and rescue her.
Amidst her senior siblings’ concerned gazes, Ning Ying looked up at the immortal seal hurtling down with a whistling wind. She sighed inwardly.
Should she pretend to be injured and overwhelmed now, letting the seal smash her off the stage?
Ning Ying thought for a moment and decided that would be too theatrical. After all, her Master was watching from the platform. Exchanging a few moves with the opponent before pretending to be defeated would be more natural.
So she made a show of drawing her sword, symbolically blocking in front of herself, mobilizing none of her cultivation whatsoever—just going through the motions.
The Chongming sword hummed softly, longing for battle. Sensing her life-bound sword’s battle intent, Ning Ying quickly communicated with it: “Take it easy. I’ll take you fighting another day.”
Though Chongming was reluctant, it did not go against its master’s wishes. It suppressed all its sword intent and sharpness, meeting the descending immortal seal head-on in a rigid collision.
Then came a “crack.”
That Golden Core stage immortal seal, carrying immense pressure, split down the middle, becoming rubble scattered on the ground.
Sikong Qin: “???”
That immortal seal was an artifact his master had given him, compensating for a music cultivator’s combat weakness—his strongest attack. Even Nascent Soul cultivators had to avoid its edge. And now… it had broken this easily?
The crowd: “!!!”
“The Immortal Lord’s personal disciple—terrifyingly powerful!”
No one was happier than Ning Ying’s senior siblings.
Gu Qi: “Hahahaha, yes!”
Sang Jinse: “Well done, Junior Sister!”
The two even raised their cheering banner high, excitedly waving it, instantly drawing countless gazes.
Ning Ying: “!!!”
Help! Not to mention the blinding red-green fluorescent color scheme—”Marrying Master” was too embarrassing… Was it too late to find a crack in the ground to crawl into?
With his most powerful offensive magic tool destroyed and noticing Sang Jinse’s cold gaze upon him, Sikong Qin had already lost his will to fight. “…I concede!”
Amidst the crowd’s attention, Yun Qingyuan rose and announced in his clear, sharp voice: “This match, Ning Ying wins.”
He paused briefly, then looked at her through the mist and sea of people, his gaze tender, a hint of smile coloring his cold tone: “If you have thoughts about your master, you might first try winning first place in the Sword Trial Conference. There are Supreme Elders who wish to advocate for you.”
Ning Ying: “???”
Alright, understood. She absolutely must not come in first.