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As the results of the lottery were announced, a stone monument displayed the competition details.
Name: Ye Qingning
Sect: Penglai Sect
Competition Number: 1
Opponent: Pending
Ye Qingning and the system were stuck for three seconds, staring at the number “1” on the slip of paper.
The strange part was that she had clearly not drawn the number one previously.
However, she had intentionally lost the previous competition.
The reason was simple. Luo Yun Sect was a small, obscure sect, and it wasn’t uncommon for talented disciples from such poor sects to be hunted down or eliminated.
In short, top-tier sects might allow their own disciples to shine, but they would never allow lesser sects to have talented disciples who surpassed theirs.
That’s why she had chosen to hide her talent, avoiding unnecessary trouble. After all, at the time, Luo Yun Sect couldn’t protect her.
Besides, she was the fake daughter of the Ye family in the book. She wasn’t the female lead nor the second male lead, and at least before completing her mission, she needed to stay hidden and live cautiously.
Thus, she chose to develop quietly, never taking unnecessary risks.
In the daily sect competitions, it was fine. She didn’t need to hide anything, as most of the disciples in a small sect were mediocre.
However, in a grand sect competition like this one, it would ultimately come down to the talented disciples of the four major sects fighting it out. This was a competition where she would definitely not reveal her true abilities.
That’s why, before, Ye Hanyue had no idea that Xie Jibai became the sect master of Luo Yun Sect thanks to her help. Since they weren’t in the same sect, she had concealed herself outside.
In Ye Hanyue’s eyes, she had only been flattering Xie Jibai during their daily interactions and saving his life in the Demon Abyss. That’s why Xie Jibai was fond of her and chose her as his Dao partner.
Ye Hanyue never thought that she was the most outstanding disciple, whether in the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage. So why would she believe she could win Xie Jibai’s favor?
Even though Ye Hanyue knew about the Ye family’s schemes and understood that she had a special constitution—the Demon Spirit Body—that would greatly enhance her strength once she began cultivating, she still didn’t think much of her. After all, before she became a living puppet, she wasn’t anyone extraordinary.
Ye Qingning suspected that Ye Hanyue didn’t know about the Ye family’s schemes and saw her only as a puppet meant to take her place.
Otherwise, knowing Ye Hanyue’s impulsive nature, she would have surely exposed her as a Demon Spirit Body to the outside world, making things even harder for her.
At that moment, Ye Qingning wasn’t sure whether the Ye family had disclosed their schemes to Ye Hanyue after she was freed from the curse. However, she knew that as a disciple of the first major sect, she could rely on the saying “being backed by a big tree makes it easier to enjoy the shade.”
This time, in the grand competition, she wasn’t going to lose intentionally like before. She was going to win.
As Ye Qingning was deep in thought, Bai Wei, Si Qian, and Si Nan had also drawn their respective numbers.
“Ning Ning, don’t worry. The earlier you finish, the sooner you can relax. Don’t get too nervous. I’m number seventeen, and Senior Sisters are number thirty-four and fifty-nine. All of us are among the first group, so I believe with your strength, even if you’re the first one to compete, you’ll do just fine!” Bai Wei’s recognition of Ye Qingning’s strength was unwavering, and her words came from the heart. No matter what number Ye Qingning drew, she believed she would win.
Si Qian, with her carefree nature, didn’t think there was anything wrong with being number one. As a swordswoman, she was used to fighting and immediately agreed.
“I think number one is great! Once you’re done, you can watch everyone else’s match without the nerves of waiting. Ye Shimei, just relax. With your abilities, you’ll definitely defeat your opponent!”
Si Nan, usually quiet and reserved, nodded in agreement. “Ye Shimei, don’t worry about the draw order. Just focus on the match.”
Ye Qingning knew that the three were trying to comfort her and was warmed by their kindness.
In the past, she had been focused on winning over Xie Jibai, with no friends by her side, let alone anyone who cared about her feelings.
Warm Tip: If you can’t find the book name, try searching for the author’s name. It might have been renamed!
“Senior Sisters, don’t worry, I’m fine. After the competition, I’ll treat you all to a meal at Xianwei Restaurant. I made some spirit stones recently when helping someone through a lightning tribulation, so we haven’t celebrated properly yet.”
Si Qian, upon hearing that there would be good food, jumped up in excitement. “Xianwei Restaurant! Shimei, you’re the best! I’ve heard their crispy, bone-free fish is amazing! I’m already drooling!”
“And White Shimei, you queued up to buy the spirit ice tea the other day. After the competition, I’ll queue up and get some for you!” Ye Qingning smiled and nodded, feeling grateful for their friendship.
The four of them had drawn numbers in the first hundred, so they all headed towards the waiting area for the competition.
The waiting area had two hundred seats, and the first one hundred contestants were allowed to wait there before their matches.
As there were so many participants, Ye Qingning didn’t see anyone else who had drawn number one when they left the lottery square.
But once they arrived at the waiting area, they quickly found out who their opponents were.
As Ye Qingning and the others arrived, the other contestants who had drawn numbers in the first hundred began to arrive as well.
Some gathered in groups of two or three, either whispering to each other, resting with closed eyes, or giving disdainful looks to their opponents. The atmosphere became tense.
The four of them sat together, and Si Qian kept discussing the delicacies of Xianwei Restaurant with Bai Wei as if the outcome of the competition didn’t matter at all.
This was also what Ye Qingning admired about the sword-wielding girl—Si Qian was open-minded and carefree, never letting herself get bogged down in internal conflicts.
At this moment, two disciples from Wuliang Sect walked into the waiting area.
A young female cultivator, with a delicate face, whispered to the male cultivator beside her, “Chu Shixiong, smile a little. Penglai Sect is the top sect, but not all of their disciples are that impressive.”
“Sure, the one who drew number one, this Penglai disciple, looks good, but her strength is nowhere near yours. You, Shixiong, are one of the best among the inner disciples. Winning the pre-selection should be easy!”
“Regardless of who she’s up against, I believe you’ll win, Chu Shixiong!”
The male cultivator had slender eyes, and when he heard the girl’s words, his expression softened slightly.
It seemed that his confidence had been restored, and he gave a faint smile. “That’s true, but we must still be cautious.”
The system, overhearing this, immediately felt dissatisfied.
What did “still cautious” mean? Being too confident wasn’t always a good thing. Who was he underestimating?
Si Qian and Bai Wei also stopped talking and watched the male cultivator, inwardly thinking, “You’ll be crying soon enough.”
About half an hour later, all the Golden Core stage disciples had drawn their numbers.
An elder stepped onto the competition stage, looking over the contestants. “The lottery results have been posted. The pre-selection round for the Golden Core stage begins now. The disciple who drew number one, please step onto the stage for the competition!”
Ye Qingning stood up and stepped onto the stage. The Wuliang Sect male cultivator followed closely behind.
After they both took their places, the elder responsible for the competition reiterated the rules. “In this grand competition, you may not take each other’s lives. If one party concedes, the other must stop. Violating this rule will result in severe punishment!”
“Understood.”
Both contestants responded in unison, and the elder nodded slightly, stepping aside. “Begin!”
The male cultivator from Wuliang Sect didn’t rush to attack. Instead, he greeted her first. “Wuliang Sect, Chu Tianhe. Please, guide me.”
Ye Qingning nodded and returned the greeting. “Penglai Sect, Ye Qingning. Please, enlighten me.”
As soon as her words ended, the Wuliang Sect male cultivator, wielding his long sword, made a swift move. A chilling gleam appeared on the blade as it flew toward her, its tip glowing with a sharp, cold light that seemed ready to split the air.