In the early morning of Tianyuan City, before the mist had fully dissipated, this massive city located in the heart of the Central Province had already completely awakened.
As the hub connecting the northern, southern, eastern, and western regions, Tianyuan City was already prosperous. Today, with the official opening of the Five Sects Tournament, the entire city was plunged into a near-fanatical clamor.
Tens of thousands of cultivators poured out from inns and cave dwellings, converging into a mighty stream of people surging toward the massive Martial Arts Arena suspended in mid-air at the center of the city.
Compared to the boiling noise of the outside world, the courtyard where the Piaomiao Sect was located seemed a bit too quiet.
In contrast to the Tianyan Sect, which was wealthy enough to book the entire top floor of the Tianbao Pavilion, or the Lingxiao Sect, which had moved directly into the City Lord’s Mansion, the Piaomiao Sect’s situation in recent years had indeed been a bit strained. They could only settle for these humble quarters.
Inside a room, before a bronze mirror.
Wu Yan was tidying her Daoist robe.
This was the Flowing Cloud Water-Sleeve Robe specially made by the Piaomiao Sect. It was entirely plain white, with only a few light blue cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar. A white silk ribbon was tied around her waist, outlining Wu Yan’s slender and flexible waistline.
Although this outfit looked ethereal, it was perhaps a bit too plain—even shabby—for a grand gathering in the Cultivation World, where magnificence and majesty were highly valued.
“Tsk.”
Wu Yan (Inner) stood behind Wu Yan, her hands constantly passing through Wu Yan’s long hair, attempting to tie it into a pair of pigtails.
“Is this Piaomiao Sect so poor they can’t even put food on the table? These clothes are so plain they look like funeral white. If it were me back in the day, I would have found this fabric too coarse even to wipe my sword.”
Wu Yan slightly adjusted her collar in the mirror. Her expression was calm as she replied indifferently in her mind, ‘Cultivation is about the heart, not outward appearances. Besides, we aren’t the main characters of this Grand Competition anyway. It is better to keep a low profile.’
“Low profile?” Wu Yan (Inner) let out a cold laugh, carrying a hint of malice as if she wanted to see the world in chaos. “Little Wu Yan, you’re out here to compete, so why stay low-key? And have you forgotten that Ji Xuerou woman? Don’t forget what I told you last time.”
Wu Yan’s fingers paused slightly on the Storage Bag at her waist.
Thinking of that woman in the gold and white palace dress, who was as beautiful as a celestial being, Wu Yan could not help but feel a headache coming on.
Who could have imagined that to break the situation, she had been forced to use that move, Illusion Sword · Mirror Flower Poem? Although she had saved someone, Ji Xuerou had seen through it.
Even though it was only for an instant, it was clear that Ji Xuerou remembered it vividly.
“Whatever comes, I will face it.” Wu Yan gave her cuffs one last tug and turned to push open the door.
—
Outside, the sunlight was a bit dazzling.
A graceful figure was waiting quietly under the corridor.
It was Yu Qingyao.
Today, Yu Qingyao was also wearing the Piaomiao Sect’s Flowing Cloud Water-Sleeve Robe. However, her temperament was naturally gentle and lovely, so the plain clothes actually complemented her snow-white skin and picturesque features.
She held that long sword that never left her side, staring blankly at the busy traffic below.
Hearing the door open, Yu Qingyao instantly snapped back to attention and turned her head.
The way she looked at Wu Yan was like a pool of spring water.
“Senior Sister,” she called out. Her voice was not loud, but it possessed a soft sweetness that Wu Yan had never heard before.
Wu Yan walked forward, feeling an uncontrollable urge to rub her head. She reached halfway but pulled her hand back; she decided against it, thinking it wouldn’t be good if someone else saw.
“Why are you up so early? Did you not rest well last night?”
“I went to bed early, so I naturally woke up early.” Yu Qingyao’s gaze lingered on Wu Yan for a moment. A flash of imperceptible worry flickered in the depths of her eyes, but she quickly hid it. “I was thinking about the Grand Competition.”
“Let’s go,” Wu Yan said softly. “Don’t keep Master waiting.”
Yu Qingyao nodded, but instead of following behind as usual, she took a quick half-step to walk side-by-side with Wu Yan.
She intentionally or unintentionally leaned closer to Wu Yan’s side, as if she were confirming something.
‘Damn it, what does this little ungrateful wolf want?! Why is she always rubbing against this side!’
Seeing the place she had always occupied being taken over, Wu Yan (Inner) was so angry her teeth itched. She reached out, wanting to pull out Yu Qingyao’s heart, but her hand passed right through because she couldn’t touch her. This only made her more furious.
—
The Tianyuan Martial Arena.
When Wu Yan and the disciples of the Piaomiao Sect arrived, the place was already a sea of people.
The massive Martial Arts Arena was not built on the ground. Instead, it was formed by nine giant floating islands joined together. It was surrounded by complex defensive arrays with flowing spiritual light, creating a magnificent sight.
In the spectator stands, rouge cultivators and disciples of great families from all over the world had already filled every seat. The clamor reached the clouds.
“Look! It’s the people from Ten Thousand Beast Mountain!”
Following a startled cry, the sky to the southeast suddenly darkened.
Dozens of massive flying Monster Beasts arrived, blotting out the sun. They were the signature mounts of Ten Thousand Beast Mountain—Blazing Flame Thunder Vultures. On the back of each Thunder Vulture stood several burly, bare-chested body cultivators. Their bodies were covered in totem-like patterns, and a wild aura instantly swept across the field.
“Roar—!”
The leading giant beast let out a roar. The sound waves spread out like a physical force, turning the faces of many low-level cultivators pale.
Immediately after, a brilliant golden light erupted from the east.
“Tianyan Sect! The Tianyan Sect is here!”
Unlike the savagery of Ten Thousand Beast Mountain, the Tianyan Sect’s appearance was full of mystery. A giant Flying Boat made entirely of spiritual jade slowly emerged from the clouds. The boat was covered in fluttering merchant flags, and there were even musicians playing celestial music.
Wu Yan’s sharp eyes immediately spotted a small figure standing at the bow of the Flying Boat, waving her hand frantically.
Bai Zhiqiu, carrying her signature large abacus on her back, was winking toward the Piaomiao Sect. Her mouth seemed to be forming the words, “Remember to check the odds!”
Wu Yan curled her lips in a helpless smile.
Afterward, the Daoists of the Taiqing Sect arrived riding on auspicious clouds. Each held a Whisking Dust and maintained an air of moral integrity. Wu Yan almost failed to recognize the leader as Xie Wenyuan, who had looked so miserable in the Secret Realm.
Queyue Palace was the most mysterious. They did not ride swords or boats. Instead, accompanied by a burst of cold moonlight, they suddenly appeared out of thin air in their designated seats.
They were all female cultivators, all wearing veils that covered their faces, leaving only their eyes visible, making people afraid to look directly at them.
Finally, the Lingxiao Sect made its entrance.
Thousands upon thousands of sword lights descended from the sky, like the Milky Way hanging upside down. Every disciple of the Lingxiao Sect stood upon a flying sword. Their Sword Chi joined together, forming a suffocating and sharp momentum in the air.
At the very front of that sword formation, a figure dressed in a golden and white palace robe stood with her hands behind her back.
Ji Xuerou.
She had not tied her hair back today. Her long golden hair danced wildly in the wind, and the Sword Seal between her brows flickered with an intimidating light.
She was like a divine sword drawn from its scabbard, her sharpness fully exposed. Anyone who looked at her would feel a stinging pain in their eyes.
As the Lingxiao Sect took their seats, the aura of the five top sects completely dominated the arena.
In comparison, the Piaomiao Sect, situated in the peripheral seats, appeared exceptionally small.
Xia Lingshuang sat at the very front of the Piaomiao Sect’s section. She was expressionless, her back held perfectly straight.
‘Master has it quite hard.’
Standing behind Xia Lingshuang, Wu Yan could clearly feel the tension radiating from her, like a tightly wound string.
Suddenly, an undisguised gaze pierced through the noisy crowd and nailed itself accurately onto Wu Yan from across half the Martial Arts Arena.
It was Ji Xuerou.
Her gaze was not filled with killing intent as Wu Yan (Inner) had described, nor was there any overbearing pressure.
On the contrary, the look in her eyes was as clear as water yet as deep as a pool, carrying a sense of pure, rational inquiry.
Wu Yan’s heart skipped a beat.
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