Tianxin Mountain.
There were a total of 108 Tianxiang players present, with only three absent; everyone else had gathered in the plaza.
Some Senior Sisters, the npc disciples, were also watching from the side.
The Tianxiang Sect’s plaza wasn’t a martial arena—rather, it resembled a kind of review stage.
In fact, all of Tianxin Mountain lacked any kind of martial arena.
But on closer thought, it made sense.
Tianxiang disciples didn’t practice offensive techniques, so what use was there in building a martial arena?
For this sect competition, out of the 108 members, only ten had signed up.
“Those whose names I call, step forward.”
On stage, Shen Qingqing had shed her wrapped chest dress for a flowing pink gown as ethereal as an Immortal Fairy’s.
The ornate patterns of the gown and the sheer gauze pressed closely against her skin, yet not a hint of temptation could be felt.
Instead, a sense arose—a beauty to be admired from afar, never to be profaned.
Ribbons danced, her looks could topple cities, and with that icy-cool air like a fairy from the moon, she left countless Tianxiang players utterly spellbound.
“Another day spent lost in Sister Shen’s beauty.”
“Damn, why won’t the game company get a clue and release some exclusive Shen Qingqing merch? They’d make a killing, no joke.”
“Eh, can’t be helped. The devs can’t find the right person, and merchants can’t get authorization at all.”
“Exactly! Plus, with so few Immortal Realm players, merchants aren’t willing to take the risk.”
“What do you mean ‘too few players’? It’s the spots that are limited. The forums already have a million registered users, tons of people waiting outside to play.”
“Heard that some rich guys are offering sky-high prices for game helmets.”
“Price doesn’t matter if the helmet is account-bound and can’t be traded, right?”
“Sister, we’re off-topic, off-topic. Let’s talk more about Sister Shen.”
“I’m Shen Qingqing’s loyal dog.”
“Spare us the fake-mom routine.”
“Hey, I’m different. I dream every night that I become one of Sister Shen’s devoted admirers.”
“Tsk, I’ve had enough of you lot.”
“Chen Xiaoyan, Xianyun, Chongchong, A Curtain of Dreams, Youyou Won’t Heal, Peerless Tianxiang, Heal with a Hammer, I Want to Be a DPS Healer, Youyou Won’t Heal, Dried Salted Fish.”
As Shen Qingqing continued reading, her face grew darker. The first few names were fine, but what was with those names at the end?
No matter how illiterate their parents were, there’s no way they’d give such trash names.
Forget it, their family matters were none of her business.
The ten stepped forward and stood in a row.
“If your name wasn’t called, move aside.”
The remaining ninety-five quickly scattered to the edge of the plaza, watching the show as quietly as the npc Senior Sisters.
“The bigshots are duking it out. Us little newbies are only fit to be spectators.”
“Otherwise, you wanna get up there and arm wrestle with the pros?”
“I haven’t even cleared the level 10 dungeon—how could I compete with those who’ve done the level 20 one?”
“Hey, who do you think will win among the ten bigshots?”
That question instantly drew disdainful looks from all around.
“Please, sister, can you not spout such nonsense? Other than Chen Hundred Thousand—er, I mean, Big Bro Chen, who else could it be?”
“But I’ve heard that Youyou Won’t Heal has become quite a name recently.”
“That’s all just hype. For a modern person, you sure don’t see through things—think about who’s backing her.”
“Well, Chen Xiaoyan has backing too, doesn’t that count as hype?”
“Huh? Aren’t you a little naive? Why don’t you let Youyou Won’t Heal try carrying someone through Abyssal Canyon?”
“I’m from Wushuang Tower. You guys don’t know, but back during that guild war in Peaceful Town, Chen Xiaoyan’s healing was terrifying—you haven’t seen it, but I have.”
“Xueyan Pavilion knew about that guild war too, but we missed it because of a traitor. Chief Mu Qingxue and I didn’t make it.”
“It’s fine, you’ll get your chance soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just what I said.”
That Wushuang Tower player gave the Xueyan Pavilion player a sly smile, but didn’t explain.
“Wow, looks like Xueyan Pavilion and Wushuang Tower are about to clash again—can’t wait for the show!”
“So that’s why Big Bro Xiaoyan has been recruiting me lately, huh?”
……
Besides gossiping and snacking, some players went over to greet the npc disciples.
Lately, many Tianxiang players had tried approaching these beautiful Senior Sisters.
Most failed.
Only a handful succeeded.
While the Senior Sisters couldn’t quite match Shen Qingqing’s peerless looks, they were not far behind.
Each one, if transported to the real world, would be campus belles or department queens without question.
Of course, apart from the monstrous Chongchong, the rest of the female players in Tianxiang were relatively normal.
Even without romance, sticking close is always an option, right?
Build up rapport, then whimper and cling to their thigh for a carry.
Some even had other motives.
Take Chen Xiaoyan’s extraordinary skills, for example.
If they could acquire her freakish recovery abilities, they might become the next Tianxiang bigshot themselves.
But things didn’t go as planned—whenever the npc Senior Sisters heard their descriptions of the skills, their faces changed slightly.
They shook their heads, saying they didn’t know either.
This left the players stunned.
Even the Tianxiang npc disciples didn’t know—did Chen Xiaoyan really learn those skills here?
Could it be, as the world chat rumors claimed, that she’s an insider?
The heaven-defying skills on Chen Xiaoyan were shrouded in mystery, leaving Tianxiang players without a clue.
Little did they know, the matter of players asking about Chen Xiaoyan’s skills quickly spread through the Tianxiang disciples’ circles.
The players might not realize it, but skills like Bathing in Rainlight, Spinning Umbrella, Umbrella Dance Heal—they knew exactly what those meant.
Those were Healing Secret Arts reserved for the Elders, forbidden techniques only the Sect Master and Elders had the right to learn.
So here was the question.
How had Chen Xiaoyan, a new disciple, mastered these secret techniques?
“I’ve seen Sister Xiaoyan going to Tianxin Pavilion every day to meet with the Sect Master. Do you think the Sect Master is grooming her as the heir?”
“That’s likely.”
“That’s the only explanation for why the Sect Master would teach her secret arts.”
“Everyone, if Chen Xiaoyan really is the Sect Master’s chosen heir, then she’s a True Disciple of Tianxiang. From now on, we must address her accordingly—don’t forget your manners.”
“Don’t worry, Senior Sister Yan Xiaoyu.”
Game Panel: (Yan Xiaoyu, Level 40)
Real Panel: Yan Xiaoyu, Qiling Initial Stage, Age: 55.
Yan Xiaoyu, Senior Sister Yan Xiaoyu of Tianxiang Sect, had been a disciple for forty years.
She was once the Courtesan Queen of the capital, extraordinarily skilled in music, song, and dance.
Forty years ago, before joining Tianxiang Sect, Yan Xiaoyu was a master of the four arts—qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and, with her beauty that could make fish sink and birds fall, and her poised demeanor, she was a sensation throughout the capital.
But sometimes, fame is its own danger.
Especially for a woman without the means to protect herself, she was utterly helpless against a pack of wolves.
Then one day, a ray of light descended on the capital.
By chance, Yan Xiaoyu was on the street, guarded by a few Prince’s Mansion attendants.
She was like a trembling little white rabbit under their watch.
At that moment, a beam of light fell from the sky, turning into an Immortal Fairy of unparalleled beauty.
Yan Xiaoyu had never seen such a beautiful woman—she was utterly entranced.
“Your constitution is not bad. Would you like to join my Tianxiang?” The Immortal Fairy’s voice was cold, piercing straight to the heart.
What did Tianxiang represent?
Every woman in the world knew, and so did Yan Xiaoyu.
At that moment, she trembled with excitement.
She could finally escape the Prince’s Mansion, that den of nightmares.
But the Prince’s Mansion attendants’ faces changed drastically, and they hurried forward to stop them.
“Wait, Immortal Fairy, Miss Yan is the Prince’s Concubine—it’s not convenient for her to go to Tianxin Mountain.”
“Concubine?” The Immortal Fairy was taken aback, then quickly reached out and tapped Yan Xiaoyu’s forehead to investigate.
She flew into a rage.
Outrageous! Such a promising candidate, yet she had already lost her primal yin.
But what made her even angrier was yet to come.