Chapter 40

Chu Xingzhi was so infuriated that he immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready to confront Ming Xuan head-on. Just as he was about to draw his sword, Ye Qiao arched her eyebrows and exaggeratedly exclaimed first, “Come quick, someone from the Wenjian Sect is starting a fight!”

This preemptive move caught Chu Xingzhi off guard, leaving him awkwardly holding his sword, uncertain whether to draw it or not.

“You…” He began angrily, but Xue Yu, beside him, somberly interjected, “It’s okay. The mighty Wenjian Sect picking on weaklings like us is quite normal.”

Chu Xingzhi was on the verge of cursing aloud.

Weaklings?

The core disciples from the five sects participating in the tournament were all roughly equal in strength. If not for the Eternal Bright Sect’s long-standing bottom rank, they wouldn’t be mocked so harshly. If they were weaklings, then none of the other core disciples would stand a chance either.

Xue Yu’s words struck a nerve with Chu Xingzhi.

Mu Zhongxi turned his eyes away, covering his chest, and spoke gently, “That’s right, little sister. You’re new here and don’t understand. As strong as the Wenjian Sect may seem, they just tend to look down on each of us equally. It’s nothing. We’ve gotten used to it over the years.”

“…” Is this some kind of overacting from the disciples of the Eternal Bright Sect?!

Chu Xingzhi’s eyes widened.

“Mu Zhongxi,” he gritted his teeth, one word at a time, “if you have the guts, fight me.”

Who dared to look down on them?

Especially Mu Zhongxi—wasn’t he the most hot-tempered one before?

Chu Xingzhi didn’t know how these people had turned into this. He was close to losing his mind. Seeing this, his junior brother and sister hurriedly restrained him. “Second senior brother, calm down. Fighting with swords before the tournament starts is not allowed.”

The little sister subtly reminded him, “You’ll be punished with detention and deducted points.”

Chu Xingzhi struggled to calm down.

“Don’t get angry,” the junior brother hastily added. “What’s there to say to these useless people? We can always settle it inside the secret realm during the tournament.”

Chu Xingzhi was somewhat comforted. He pursed his lips and glared at them, “Just you wait. I won’t let this go.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. You’re making a lot of sense,” Ye Qiao replied, unfazed, smiling amiably, nodding along. Then she added, “Let’s go sleep.”

The Wenjian Sect disciples, who had just been busy mocking the Eternal Bright Sect, were collectively dumbfounded by her nonchalant remarks.

They were left gasping for breath, nearly choked on their own words, feeling utterly humiliated.

After thoroughly infuriating the disciples of the Wenjian Sect, Ye Qiao immediately left the scene, fearing retaliation.

Mu Zhongxi was almost jumping with excitement as they departed.

He danced around excitedly, “Hahaha, too bad no one else saw Chu Xingzhi’s expression. It was priceless.”

“I should have recorded it with a memory stone.”

They had encountered the Wenjian Sect numerous times during their mountain training sessions, and friction between them was inevitable. Each verbal spat had ended in defeat for the Eternal Bright Sect. However, this time, Ye Qiao’s comments had left Chu Xingzhi at a loss for words, feeling bitter and helpless.

Onlookers, who were somewhat unclear about the situation, discussed it among themselves.

“Looking down on the other four sects, tsk tsk, who gave them the nerve?”

Sometimes the power of public opinion was unbeatable; rumors that spread widely could easily turn into perceived truths.

By nightfall, with the incident escalating, Chu Xingzhi’s threat to trample on the other four sects during the tournament had spread like wildfire.

What started as friction between two sects quickly turned into an issue involving all five.

“Is the Wenjian Sect really that arrogant?” Si Miaoyan voice carried a hint of puzzlement. “While they may have high hopes this year, it doesn’t mean the other four sects are pushovers, right?”

How could they dare act so arrogantly when the tournament hadn’t even begun yet?

Who gave the Wenjian Sect the audacity?

Upon receiving the news, Chu Xingzhi was left puzzled.

Ha.

When did he ever look down on the other four sects?

After hearing about this incident, an elder from the Wenjian Sect arrived promptly and sternly rebuked Chu Xingzhi, “You already think little of the other sects’ core disciples before the competition even begins. Who taught you such behavior?”

Chu Xingzhi opened his mouth, stunned, “Isn’t this just the usual banter before a competition?”

The elder’s displeasure grew stronger. “Even so, you shouldn’t trample on the reputation of the other four sects. Take Zhou Xingyun from the Eternal Bright Sect, for instance—even our sect’s Ye Qinghan can only match him fifty-fifty.”

“Even before the Great Competition began, such divisive words were spreading. Do you lack brains?

Chu Xingzhi was even more wronged; he was only mocking the Changming Sect.

“Before the Great Competition, just stay quiet here and don’t go out to tarnish our sect.” The elder’s face darkened as he reprimanded sternly.

Chu Xingzhi was scolded upside down, making him even angrier, unable to understand how things had developed into this mess.

…

People with some brains quickly investigated the origin of the rumors. Ultimately, it was the Senior Brother of the Chengfeng Sect who clarified it. He smiled thoughtfully, ‘Ah, it seems like this year’s Great Competition will be very interesting.’

The Great Competition was already lively before it even began; wouldn’t it be even more exciting once it started?

“Ye Qiao?” Duan Hengdao was studying the artifact in his hands. His drawing paused as he heard the familiar name, and his eyes lit up.

“Do you know her?” The Senior Brother narrowed his eyes.

“Of course.” Duan Hengdao gestured, “Not only that, strictly speaking, I’m looking forward to her arrival.”

“A mid-grade spiritual root cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage?!” He tapped his junior’s head and sneered, “Looking forward to her arrival is not as good as looking forward to that girl from the Yueqing Sect who achieved Golden Core in just over a month.”

In just over a month to Golden Core, that Yun Que is obviously extraordinary.

The Senior Brother disdainfully said, “Did you go out for experience and damage your brain? Looking forward to a Foundation Establishment?”

Duan Hengdao was displeased and brushed off the Senior Brother’s hand, “That’s not it.”

“She’s very impressive.”

Duan Hengdao still remembered Ye Qiao’s bold moves; he earnestly warned his Senior Brother, “Anyway, we need to be careful of her once we enter the secret realm.”

The Senior Brother patted his head, sighed helplessly, and became even more convinced that his junior brother was ill.

…

After a night of chaos, they finally gathered. Perhaps due to the malicious rumors, the disciples from the Wenjian Sect settled down after three days of rest and were ready to collectively enter the intended secret realm.

Previously, apart from the Wenjian Sect, they basically didn’t leave the courtyard and didn’t encounter anyone else.

But after gathering, they inevitably met the disciples from the Yueqing Sect.

Song Hansheng walked at the forefront. Before boarding the flying boat, passing by Ye Qiao, he maliciously said, “Ye Qiao…”

Ye Qiao stepped back half a step, wary, “What? The competition hasn’t started yet, and you’re already trying to get close to me?”

Song Hansheng: “?? Who the hell wants to get close to you?”

“Second Senior Sister.”

A familiar voice sounded, and this time, Ye Qiao’s stomach churned. Honestly, when she wanted to annoy people, no one could leave her speechless.

Only the female protagonist could.

The familiar Second Senior Sister was called out again by Yun Que, but this time, she was accompanied by three flower protectors.

It must be said… the female protagonist’s charm is infinite.

Apart from Su Zhuozhai, who had some connections with the original owner, there was actually a man accompanying her, taking on a protective stance.

“Ye Qiao Little sister.” Seeing that it really was her, Zhai Chen’s mood became complicated.

The two hadn’t seen each other for more than half a year. The last time was because of a swarm of Fuyao grass; the other left the mountain in anger.

But what Zhai Chen didn’t expect was that she could actually enter the Changming Sect.

And as a disciple of direct transmission, no matter how one looked at it, it was somewhat incredible.

“Wow.” Ming Xuan’s voice suddenly rose, hands crossed over his chest, relying on his height advantage to block Ye Qiao straight on. He looked directly into Zhai Chen’s eyes. “Don’t you have your own Little sister? Why are you giving such disgusting looks to our Little sister?”

Zhai Chen’s expression grew cold. “Ming Xuan, just because you’re from the Ming family doesn’t mean I’m afraid of you.”

Ming Xuan was fearless. “Then let’s see in the secret realm. Right now, please keep your distance from my Little sister, thanks.”

“Ye Qiao.” Su Zhuo, who had been silent all along, spoke up. He stared at Ye Qiao for a while. It seemed that he had finally accepted the fact that his senior sister, who had grown up together, had joined the Changming Sect. His voice grew cold, “I hope you won’t regret this decision.”

“After entering the secret realm, I won’t show any mercy.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qiao couldn’t help but burst into laughter without mercy.

It feels as if he cared as much about the original owner as before.

If there was a little bit of heartache for the original owner, he wouldn’t use the herbs he worked so hard to get to please Yun Que.

She shook her head at Su Zhuo’s words, laughing at him and responding with a resolute and forceful middle finger.

Zhou Xingyun frowned, not understanding what her gesture meant.

He listened on the sidelines for a long time, and he finally understood what grievances and grievances there were between the younger sister and the Yueqing Sect, but he never intervened. After all, his own affairs should be left to his younger sister to solve.

If it’s not done well, it’s not too late for him to act.

Not only did Zhou Xingyun not understand Ye Qiao’s actions, the other three were also lost in thought.

Is this… some special gesture of casting?

No.

Lose people but not lose battle, they have to give face to the younger sister.

So, the five people of the Changming Sect raised a middle finger to them all together.

The people of the Yueqing Sect:…

For some reason, I feel insulted.

“What do you mean? Insult us?” Su Zhuo seemed to have seen Ye Qiao raise his middle finger before. At that time, it was against the teacher, and he always felt that it was not a good omen.

“Oh.” Ye Qiao was sincere and sincere, “How could it be? This is a new casting gesture of our Changming Sect.”

– No, please, which sect is so bold, the casting gesture is vertical, what?