Chapter 47

The commotion created by the five was so great that the lights in the neighboring sect’s courtyards were all turned on, and the direct disciples poked their heads out to see what was happening.

“…”

Song Hansheng, who was still wallowing in the shame of being last, was unable to sleep and was jolted awake by the sound of the gongs. He was momentarily stunned.

The next moment, Mu Chongxi’s deep voice rang out, “The Yueqing Sect owes money and won’t pay!” It almost made him fall to the ground.

Ah, Ye Qiao!!

He had known that the Everbright Sect had changed, but he never expected that this group would be so shameless as to come right to their doorstep.

Song Hansheng was so angry his nose was almost crooked. He had to quickly borrow money from his fellow disciples to make them shut up.

Otherwise, the next day, the news on the jade slip forum might be #Yueqing Sect’s Top Disciple Owes Debt and Won’t Pay#.

Song Hansheng scrambled together spirit stones with difficulty. Just as he was about to cover his face and send the money to Ye Qiao, Yun Hen appeared.

“Master.” Song Hansheng’s face turned red.

He was purely enraged by Ye Qiao’s shameless behavior.

Yun Hen listened to the noise outside with a complex expression and sighed, “Give me the spirit stones. I’ll talk to Ye Qiao.”

Given that someone was willing to take the humiliation for him, Song Hansheng naturally agreed without hesitation.

With the personalities of the Everbright Sect members, he would probably be mocked again. Seeing that his master seemed fearless and unaware, Song Hansheng decisively handed the spirit stones to Yun Hen.

When Ye Qiao saw who had come, she elongated her tone, “Oh, Sect Master Yun.”

“So, is it because Song Hansheng dared not come out to confront us directly that he sent you to handle it?”

Yun Hen furrowed his brows, oddly detecting a hint of sarcasm from her “Oh~”.

He coldly tossed the mustard seed bag over.

Ming Xuan caught it and, without changing his expression, said, “Thanks.”

Indeed, shamelessness was the ultimate weapon; this debt-collecting speed was impressive.

“Let’s go, let’s go. We’re going to the restaurant.” Ming Xuan said as he turned to leave.

“I want roast chicken.”

Life in the Everbright Sect had been so tough that eating steamed buns every day was making them sick. They hadn’t had time to explore Floating Life City due to preparations for the competition, so now that they finally had some free time, they were going to enjoy a good meal.

The group chatted animatedly, completely ignoring Yun Hen.

“Ye Qiao,” Yun Hen suddenly said, “Is this how the Everbright Sect teaches you to disrespect your seniors?”

Ye Qiao paused, wanting to see what he would say next, so she unusually remained silent.

Yun Hen continued slowly, “As long as you’re willing to admit your mistakes and leave the Everbright Sect, I’ll consider leaving a spot for you after the competition ends.”

Mu Chongxi stroked his chin, “A spot? As a direct disciple?”

Yun Hen was almost laughing from anger.

Direct disciple? How could that be.

Direct disciples start with high-quality spiritual roots. Even if Ye Qiao performed well, he wouldn’t consider such matters.

Xue Yu, who was skilled in reading people’s expressions, saw Yun Hen’s face and understood. He smiled, “Perhaps your sect would be better off getting some sleep to face reality?”

“Hey, hey, hey, old man, even though our Everbright Sect is a bit poor,” Mu Chongxi pointed to the people present, “we are still direct disciples.”

“Do you understand what a direct disciple is? In other words, we are the future hope of the cultivation world.”

The importance of direct disciples could be seen from the five sects competition. Only those with the best talent among their generation were eligible. It seemed Yun Hen had a head injury.

Who would abandon their direct disciples to become an inner disciple in the Yueqing Sect?

Ming Xuan’s expression became one of forced amusement, “Sometimes I envy your sect’s confidence. You know, since I haven’t broken through to the Golden Core, I’ve been quite self-conscious. But now I realize, self-consciousness is also a virtue.”

Ye Qiao responded, “I’m a disciple your Yueqing Sect will never have.”

Qin Fanfan, who had been eavesdropping, almost went over to give these brats a thumbs up.

Well said!!

Shameless old men, daring to pry into their sect’s affairs! Unbelievable!

“It doesn’t seem like a good idea.” Xue Yu hesitated, feeling that their group might end up getting collectively scolded.

“It’s fine.” Zhou Xingyun, who had been relatively quiet, finally spoke up, “We’re in second place.”

Implying that since they had just secured second place for their sect, their master wouldn’t punish them for something like this.

With the senior brother’s statement, all reservations were cast aside.

Ming Xuan took out two talismans from his mustard seed bag. “I have amplification talismans. We’ll use these to make the announcements.”

“I’ll do it! Let me shout!” Mu Chongxi was extremely excited.

“Sleep, damn it, and let’s get lively!”

…

As the moon rose above the willow tips, the usually quiet courtyards of the five sects suddenly became lively.

Mu Chongxi led the way, shouting loudly, “The Yueqing Sect owes money and won’t pay!”

Xue Yu nonchalantly added, “May lightning strike them.”

Ming Xuan chimed in, “Worse than pigs and dogs.”

Ye Qiao added, “Despicable and heartless.”

Zhou Xingyun chuckled. It seemed they were even using idioms now.

Mu Chongxi was leading with the slogans, while the others followed with gongs and drums. The noise was so loud that it woke up the disciples from the other sects.

The first secret realm had just ended, and all the direct disciples were exhausted, collapsing into sleep as soon as they returned to their quarters.

They had been sleeping soundly until the sudden noise startled them awake.

“What’s going on?”

Could it be that the Demon Lord had invaded the cultivation world?

…

Qin Fanfan, startled from his near-death state, heard the loud drumming and the familiar shouts from the disciples outside. He wiped his face and took a deep breath.

He felt as though the face he had just regained was now completely lost.

After finally getting second place, could these brats not behave themselves?!

—

Yun Hen’s face turned a deep, liver-like color from anger. Just as he was about to lose his temper and take action, Qin Fanfan quickly adjusted his almost-smiling expression and put on a sorrowful look.

He rushed over and spoke before Yun Hen could explode, saying, “Yun Dao Friend.”

“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry.” Qin Fanfan looked apologetic. “My several useless disciples have caused you trouble, but perhaps it’s because they were too happy about getting second place tonight. Please understand.”

Yun Hen’s heart was stabbed again.

Who doesn’t know that their sect is the bottom of the rankings?

He maintained a stern face, forcing a cold smile and uttering two gloomy words, “Is that so?”

“It is,” Qin Fanfan said, fearing that Yun Hen might get even more upset, and quickly kicked Mu Chongxi. “Fortunately, Sect Master Yun isn’t nitpicking with you. Hurry up and leave.”

Yun Hen, now burning with frustration, could only watch as the five people left as if nothing had happened.

Yun Hen pressed his aching chest, seriously suspecting that this old man had purposely waited for Ye Qiao and the others to say enough before coming out at the last moment when he couldn’t bear it any longer and was about to act.

…

Meanwhile, at the Asking Sword Sect, they were still up late discussing strategies.

“Be careful of the Yue Qing Sect in the next match,” Ye Qinghan said, recalling Ming Xuan’s four-square formation in the recording stone, and then added, “And also Ming Xuan.”

It’s already rare to find talisman practitioners in the cultivation world, and the problem is that all the talented ones go to the Yue Qing Sect.

It’s as if, in the eyes of those talisman practitioners, the Yue Qing Sect is the only place where true talisman practitioners should go.

As the saying goes, the droughts kill the crops and the floods drown them. The Yue Qing Sect has four talisman practitioners, while the other four sects have only one each, and only the Chang Ming Sect has one.

Ye Qinghan didn’t understand.

Among the five major sects, why is the Asking Sword Sect inferior to the Chang Ming Sect and the Yue Qing Sect?

Ming Xuan’s formation, which even Qin Huai could be trapped by, shows how troublesome it is. If possible, it’s better not to have any conflicts with talisman practitioners in the next match.

Chu Xingzhi is the most provocative person among all the direct disciples.

Previously, Ming Xuan had been favored by a group of elders due to his top-grade spiritual root and status as a talisman practitioner from the Ming family. Now, after so many years without breaking through to the Golden Core stage, Chu Xingzhi would definitely seize the chance to mock him.

However, after being warned by the senior brother, he could only restrain his temper and said, “I understand.”

They reviewed until late at night when suddenly, outside, there was a noisy clamor of gongs and drums, quite lively. Sword cultivators have sensitive hearing, and Chu Xingzhi blinked and asked, “Who is it?”

Ye Qinghan recognized the sound, “It’s from the Chang Ming Sect.”

Well.

Not surprising at all.

The little sister was puzzled, “Are they celebrating their second place?”

They didn’t even make a fuss when they were first.

Ye Qinghan listened carefully and said expressionlessly, “No.”

“They are demanding repayment.”

“?” Is there such a thing as demanding repayment in this way?

Chu Xingzhi couldn’t help but laugh, “Who’s so unlucky to get involved with Ye Qiao?”

Ye Qinghan felt somewhat implied. He hadn’t given the spirit stones to Ye Qiao yet, and at this moment, he was a bit relieved he hadn’t provoked her before the match.

Otherwise, would he be the next one to face the gongs and drums?

Just imagining that scene made Ye Qinghan’s expression quite interesting.

…

The next match was in the Ancient Battlefield, with formations appearing one after another. To enhance their self-defense capabilities, Ming Xuan was specially pulled for intensive training, while the other senior brothers were also working hard.

Ming Xuan lazily murmured, “The terrain and environment of the ancient battlefield are ever-changing, with the danger of stepping into formations at any moment. That’s where the role of talisman practitioners comes in.”

In their Chang Ming Sect, he was the only talisman practitioner, so he had to gather quickly. If he arrived late and his senior brothers and sisters were trapped in formations, what would he do?

Thus, Ming Xuan, who bore the responsibility for the next match, resumed his endless talisman drawing mode.

Ye Qiao, to relieve some pressure on Ming Xuan, went back to her room, took out a wolf hair brush, and began to think about what to draw.

Because she often helped transcribe books, she had paid special attention to the patterns and drawings of various talismans.

Why not try drawing the Four-Square Talisman?

The Four-Square Talisman that second senior brother used in the secret realm was so impressive. Ye Qiao straightened up, recalled the patterns recorded in the talisman book, and as soon as she started drawing, she realized that the Four-Square Talisman was more complex than any she had drawn before, each detail exquisitely intricate.

One wrong move could ruin it.

After wasting five sheets of talisman paper, Ye Qiao pressed her lips together, adjusted her mood, and went to Ming Xuan to ask for a Four-Square Talisman to copy.

Although Ming Xuan was puzzled, he didn’t ask further and directly gave it to her.

He just thought Ye Qiao wanted it for self-defense in the next secret realm.

He himself didn’t have many of these; drawing such talismans was difficult, and he had only managed to produce three, with countless failures in between.

But she was Ye Qiao.

…

Ye Qiao didn’t have obsessive-compulsive tendencies. She would learn if she could and comfort herself if she couldn’t. She wasn’t a professional talisman practitioner.

After another ten failures, Ye Qiao finally grasped some mysterious feeling of starting the Four-Square Talisman. Her fingertips smoothly connected the spiritual consciousness, and the complex and ancient patterns emerged. During the process, her hands were steady, and she didn’t even dare to blink.

When she finished, Ye Qiao’s spiritual consciousness was fuzzy, and her eyes felt dry.

A mark fell at the corner of the talisman, surrounded by a layer of golden light.

— Another blessing from Heaven’s Dao.

Ye Qiao picked it up and let out a slow breath.

She succeeded.

Ming Xuan, who was deeply engrossed in drawing talismans, was startled awake by such a commotion, “Who?”

Damn.

Amazing, another blessing from Heaven’s Dao.

“Xue Yu?”

Xue Yu, who was refining pills, raised his hand to prove his innocence, “Don’t slander me.”

The last time he saw a blessing from Heaven’s Dao was the previous occasion.

Ming Xuan stood up, placed his finger under his chin in a thoughtful manner, and said, “Aren’t you curious about who caused that commotion?”

He had found it strange when he saw the blessing from Heaven’s Dao before, but he didn’t know the exact location, only that a disciple from the Chang Ming Sect had received the blessing.

But now, there were only the five of them in the courtyard!

Xue Yu was indeed curious, so Ming Xuan dragged him towards the senior brother’s room.

They discovered that Zhou Xingyun was preparing to hang himself. The man even tilted his head in confusion at the two junior brothers’ erratic behavior, asking, “What are you doing?”

Ming Xuan said, “Sorry for the interruption. Continue.”

He calmly closed the door and then dragged Xue Yu towards Mu Chongxi’s courtyard.

Initially, Qin Fanfan had been quite worried about Zhou Xingyun’s penchant for hanging himself, but later he became numb to it and decided to respect each disciple’s personal preferences, letting them do as they please.

The timing of their arrival was not very good.

Their dear junior brother was currently being beaten up by Elder Duan. Such scenes were common; all sword cultivators from the Chang Ming Sect went through this.

However, whenever Mu Chongxi was beaten, Ye Qiao would usually accompany him. Today, however, she had mysteriously disappeared.

Mu Chongxi, covered in dust and dirt, had been kicked away by his opponent before he could even complete his sword move. He looked extremely miserable, “Elder.”

“Can you go a bit slower?”

Give me a chance to react!

Duan Yu, standing on his toes, said lightly, “Your speed is too slow. In a fight, who waits for your sword move to be ready before taking action? You’d already be kicked away as soon as you started your move.”

With natural sword talent like his, he’d be cherished in other sects, but in the Chang Ming Sect, that’s just not an option.

“You need to learn from Ye Qiao. Either surprise your opponent or be stealthy and develop your skills,” Elder Duan said, highly satisfied with Ye Qiao’s performance in the last match.

Xue Yu and Ming Xuan, seeing this, hypocritically sympathized with their junior brother for two seconds before sneaking away.

They were just two delicate talisman and alchemy practitioners, after all.

With the junior brother out of the picture, only the little sister remained.

…

Ye Qiao was intently examining the talisman she had drawn when the door was suddenly slammed open. She looked up in surprise, “What’s wrong?”

Must you always barge in like this? Can’t you knock properly?

Ming Xuan and Xue Yu exchanged a glance, and upon noticing what she was holding, both looked at each other in astonishment.

Finally, Ming Xuan asked with a serious face, “Was it you, little sister, who received the blessing from Heaven’s Dao?”

Yes, the lucky one.

A talisman practitioner who receives a blessing from Heaven’s Dao is recognized by the Great Dao. Such special honor can only be described as luck, right?

Afterwards, Qin Fanfan had also asked if the blessing was missed by the two of them.

Generally, blessings from Heaven’s Dao are given to talisman practitioners or alchemy practitioners. When they heard it wasn’t the two of them, Qin Fanfan immediately sneered and had them all confined to the restricted area.

The master’s original words were to make them all clear-headed and stop idling around. Some people receive blessings from Heaven’s Dao while some direct disciples are still skipping classes.

Those implied words made the four of them fall silent immediately.

Ye Qiao looked up at her two senior brothers’ serious expressions and felt a bit uneasy, “It was me.”

… What’s the matter?

Seeing her so decisively admit it, the two senior brothers exchanged another knowing look and simultaneously made a meaningful sound, “Oh?”

Is this the legendary sword and talisman dual cultivation?

It was the first time they had seen it in person.

Ming Xuan instantly became enthusiastic, threw an arm around her shoulder, and dragged her outside with a warm smile, “Come on, let’s have a heart-to-heart, little sister.”

“How many more surprises do you have that we don’t know about?”