Sun Elder went to handle the check-in procedures. The Piaomiao Sect was assigned a quiet courtyard. Although the location was a bit remote, it was peaceful.
As night fell and the lights began to glow, Wu Yan was in her room organizing her belongings. Outside the window, the lights stretched out like a dragon all the way to the horizon.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
A rapid knocking sounded. Before Wu Yan could respond, the door was pushed open a crack with a *creak*.
“Fellow Daoist Wu, long time no see!”
A quirky voice rang out, and Wu Yan knew who it was without even looking.
‘This swindler is really persistent. How do I always run into her!’ Yan grumbled.
The newcomer was Bai Zhiqiu. She was still carrying her signature large abacus as she slipped into the room like a light cat. Closing the door behind her, she hopped over to Wu Yan with a bright smile on her face.
“Is Fellow Daoist Wu not welcoming me?” Seeing Wu Yan’s helpless expression, Bai Zhiqiu giggled and leaned in closer, her brownish-black eyes full of mischief. “And here I thought Fellow Daoist Wu and I were good friends who had gone through life and death together.”
‘This little vixen is as annoying as ever!’ Yan complained, lightly wrapping her arms around Wu Yan’s neck from behind.
“Alright, Miss Bai, stop joking.” Wu Yan leaned back slightly to avoid the abacus that was about to poke her waist. “I am naturally happy to see you.”
Bai Zhiqiu chuckled and, without making herself a stranger, placed the abacus on the table and pulled a scroll emitting a faint golden light from her sleeve.
“Hehe, it wasn’t in vain that I snuck into your Piaomiao Sect’s stronghold to deliver information to you!”
Bai Zhiqiu spread the scroll out. Three large words were written on the cover: [Heaven’s Pride List].
“Heaven’s Pride List?” Wu Yan asked, puzzled.
“That’s right! The Heaven’s Pride List! This was just made by my boring uncle who calls himself ‘Baixiaosheng.’ It’s still fresh!”
Bai Zhiqiu unrolled the scroll further while explaining, “Every time there’s a large-scale competition like this, my uncle makes a copy of the Heaven’s Pride List. It’s specifically for reviewing the strength and betting odds of various geniuses! This thing is super popular; everyone buys a copy before placing their bets!”
The first person to appear on the scroll was someone Wu Yan knew.
Ji Xuerou.
[Heaven’s Pride List]
First Place: Ji Xuerou, Lingxiao Sect.
Comment: Supreme Sword Bone, Glass Sword Heart. Truly the number one of the younger generation.
Cultivation: Golden Core Peak.
“Hmph, that Ji Xuerou does have some skill.” Even Yan had to admit that Ji Xuerou was a top-tier troublemaker, both in her previous life and this one. Back in the secret realm, Yan had only broken the seal to help that idiot Wu Yan a little bit, and she had almost been spotted by that woman’s Glass eyes.
Wu Yan stared at the name, momentarily lost in thought. Ji Xuerou was indeed a powerful opponent. Back then, when Wu Yan had burned her soul and reached the Mid Nascent Soul Stage, Ji Xuerou had still been able to keep up with her attack rhythm.
When Wu Yan’s gaze moved down to the second place, her brow furrowed slightly, and she looked at the young girl clicking her abacus beads with a strange expression.
Second Place: Bai Zhiqiu, Tianyan Sect.
Comment: Tianyan Divine Calculation, seeking good fortune and avoiding calamity. Her calculations never miss, and her formations are a perfect blend of offense and defense. Her strength is unfathomable and might even surpass Ji Xuerou (this part was added after payment of five mid-grade Spirit Stones).
Cultivation: Mid Golden Core.
“What’s wrong?” Being stared at by Wu Yan with such an odd look, even Bai Zhiqiu felt a bit embarrassed. “I am a rare talent seen only once in a century in the Tianyan Sect! It’s reasonable to be ranked second, right?”
“Then what about this part about the five Spirit Stones?”
“This is the first edition! The final version won’t have that line!”
Wu Yan shook her head helplessly and continued looking down. The top ten names on the list were all from the five major sects. It wasn’t until the twelfth place that she saw herself.
Twelfth Place: Wu Yan, Piaomiao Sect.
Comment: Once a notorious Female Devil, she now seems to have turned over a new leaf. She even assisted Ji Xuerou in defeating a Nascent Soul monster beast in the Cangwu Secret Realm, hence her position here.
Cultivation: Early Golden Core.
It seemed the outside world attributed most of the credit for killing the Demonic Ape to Ji Xuerou.
“Twelfth place…” Wu Yan mused.
“I strongly requested my uncle to put you there!” Bai Zhiqiu suddenly leaned her head toward Wu Yan and blinked as if seeking credit. “Originally, my uncle wanted to rank you sixth. I was worried you’d be targeted if you were ranked too high, so I specifically told him to put you at twelfth! How about it, Fellow Daoist Wu? Am I a good friend or what?”
The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be blown down by the wind. This ranking actually suited her perfectly.
“Thank you, Miss Bai. I am very satisfied with this position.” Wu Yan smiled gently at Bai Zhiqiu, causing the girl’s slightly chubby face to flush red.
“You can just call me Zhiqiu.”
“Then Zhiqiu, you can just call me by my name. Calling me ‘Fellow Daoist’ feels a bit distant.”
“Alright, Wu Yan. I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow!”
The girl left quickly like a gust of wind, leaving only a faint fragrance in the air. Wu Yan walked to the window and watched the departing figure, her gaze softening slightly.
She gripped the Heaven’s Pride List in her hand a bit tighter.
The wind was rising in Tianyuan, and old friends were meeting again. This Grand Competition would likely be much more lively than she had imagined.
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