Aside from the two personal disciples, the other disciples only knew they were participating in the secret realm to win glory for the sect, eagerly taking part in the internal selection tournament one after another.
In the end, Cheng Yue, Ming Ran, and a slightly older senior brother were chosen.
Ming Ran originally wasn't qualified, but she broke through to the Golden Core Rank the day before the tournament and mastered the third layer of Seven Continents Twelve Swords, fighting her way through to secure the final spot.
Cheng Yue's inclusion was even more unexpected for Song Yao.
This girl was usually quiet and didn't talk much. Aside from the time she had gifted Song Yao a sword in the sword tomb, the two had barely interacted.
Who would have thought she possessed such strength?
Before their departure, Second Elder gathered everyone together and spoke solemnly, “This Grand Sect Tournament is unlike our internal sparring. Disciples from all walks of life will be gathered, and underhanded tricks will be endless. Remember, you must not stir up trouble. Prioritize peace in everything, do your best, and never push yourselves too hard, let alone initiate conflicts with others.”
Jiang Jin and Ming Ran were incredibly fired up.
Hot, sharp determination burned in the youths' eyes as they stood tall and straight. “Don't worry, Second Elder. We will definitely go all out to slay the evil creatures, seize the treasures of the secret realm, and not let everyone down.”
Second Elder didn't smile at all. His brow furrowed even deeper as he waved his hand. “Treasures and rankings are secondary. The most important thing is for you to return safely.”
His gaze swept over them, finally landing on the slightly older disciple. “Chen He, you are older than them. You will lead the team this time. You must ensure everyone's safety.”
Chen He quickly cupped his hands. “Rest assured, Master.”
“Furthermore, the Myriad Bones Forest secret realm is within the territory of Beiyao Sect. Although the three great sects will send people to keep watch, this secret realm has restrictions that prevent us from entering. Everything will depend on yourselves...”
Second Elder gave a few more instructions and was about to dismiss them when his eyes suddenly met Song Yao's, who was standing in the corner with a face full of anticipation.
Second Elder: “...”
He cleared his throat and felt forced to add, “Also, Lin Mu is a pill cultivator and isn't skilled in spells. You must protect her well.”
Ming Ran: “?”
Cheng Yue: “?”
Chen He had been in closed-door cultivation practicing his sword before this. He only knew that Song Yao and Jiang Jin had been accepted as personal disciples by the Hall Master, but he didn't know the exact reason.
Hearing this, he replied, “Don't worry, this disciple will definitely protect Seventh Senior Sister.”
...
Beiyao Sect was quite far from Nine Saints Hall. Ninth Elder would lead the way to escort the participating disciples and also oversee the situation in the secret realm.
To prevent the incident of the chicks and ducklings jumping off the cliff from happening again, before leaving, Song Yao sent Lin Shui, the chicks, the ducklings, and the little fish to Baicao Peak, entrusting them all to Seventh Elder and He Yu.
Seventh Elder's eyes welled with tears as he patted his chest, promising to take good care of her "children" and telling her to take care of herself and return safely.
He Yu, despite being heavily in debt, managed to scrape together a few bottles of pills for her to take along.
Even Fifth Elder sent Ning Zhou over to bring her some steamed buns, mantou, and cured meat to eat on the road.
Song Yao felt an odd sensation, as if she were the hope of the entire village.
Her usually calm, unruffled emotions stirred slightly.
If she hadn't experienced her past life...
And if the people of Nine Saints Hall didn't hate Song Yao so much, this place would indeed be a wonderful home.
...
During their journey of about a day and a night, Song Yao spent the entire time sleeping on the spiritual boat while hugging her pill manual.
After Ninth Elder finished guiding the others in their sword practice, he returned to the cabin and said in disbelief, “She just ate and slept like this, and yet she became the champion of the annual grand tournament?”
Ming Ran shook out a blanket and tucked Song Yao in snugly. “My little master is just that amazing. Ninth Elder, please lower your voice. Don't wake her.”
Ninth Elder: “...”
Fine.
There was no reasoning with this cultivation-hating prodigy and her loyal follower.
He would just leave.
Chen He and Jiang Jin returned to the cabin right after.
Seeing the book in Song Yao's arms, Chen He sighed with admiration, “No wonder Seventh Senior Sister could become a personal disciple. She's so diligent. I wonder what layer she has reached in her pill-refining path exams?”
Jiang Jin: “...Hard to say. She might not have even passed yet.”
The pill-refining path was different from other cultivation paths; it required rank examinations.
The requirement for the first layer was to master the refinement of three or more types of pills, which wasn't very difficult.
But as far as he knew, Song Yao only knew how to refine one kind: the Qi-Replenishing Pill...
And its side effects were shockingly severe.
Chen He thought about it and had an epiphany. “Then Seventh Senior Sister must be planning to make a stunning debut. I've heard of people skipping ranks to take the third or fourth-layer exams directly.”
Jiang Jin: “...”
You might have a massive misunderstanding about her.
He coughed twice, didn't answer, and sat by the window.
From their interactions lately, he had already given up on the idea of making Song Yao a pill cultivator or medical cultivator.
She had a fragmented soul; reading was probably too difficult for her.
It was better for her to just stay by his side as a beautiful ornament.
He had the ability to protect her anyway.
It was just that...
He turned to look.
Ming Ran and Cheng Yue were guarding Song Yao on either side. They didn't speak, just sitting there, occasionally blocking the light or adjusting the blanket for her.
He felt a bit jealous.
She clearly did nothing, yet she seemed to effortlessly draw everyone's attention.
This feeling of being overshadowed by his sweetheart was rather unpleasant.
It gave him a strange urge... to pull her down.
...
During the Hour of the Sheep, as the sun began to tilt, the light boat landed outside the mountain gates of Beiyao Sect.
Unlike the continuous mountain peaks of Nine Saints Hall, Beiyao Sect resembled a palace constructed of jade. From the foot of the mountain to the gates, the thousand-step staircase was made entirely of solid blocks of warm white jade.
The entire sect radiated an aura of opulence.
Song Yao had visited Beiyao Sect several times in the past. Every time she came, she wanted to pry loose a brick to sell. She only gave up after being harshly scolded twice by the Sect Master of Beiyao Sect.
The others were here for the first time, and they stared in awe. “So wealthy.”
“So sacred.”
“If I'd known, I would have joined Beiyao Sect instead.”
Ninth Elder's temples throbbed. He raised his sword and tapped each of them on the head. “Stop acting like country bumpkins who have never seen the world. Get down.”
The light boat was put away, and they stood on the steps.
Disciples from various sects streamed back and forth, gathering in groups of twos and threes.
Ninth Elder was still uneasy, so he turned and gave them a few reminders of things to watch out for.
Then he looked at Song Yao and Jiang Jin. Just as he was about to say something, a clear, bright female voice floated down from high up on the jade steps.
“Cloud Sword Immortal! If I had known you were coming, I would have personally sent people to Nine Saints Hall to escort you.”
Ninth Elder turned around and saw Feng Qing, the Sect Master of Beiyao Sect, descending the jade steps with a massive entourage of disciples.
She wore a gold-embroidered jade-lotus gauze dress, with a red-gold jade-inlaid hairpin in her hair, and her jade ornaments jingled softly with every step.
Ninth Elder immediately stopped talking and cupped his hands to Feng Qing, speaking politely, “Sect Master Feng.”
“Why so formal?”
Feng Qing waved her hand, her smile deepening as she spoke in a familiar tone. “We've known each other since we were young. Since we haven't met in so long, we should find a place to have a drink and catch up. The secret realm hasn't opened yet, so let the children get familiar with the place on their own.”
Rate on N.U.
