“Hey, that's the Sect Master of the Zhaixing Sect.” Yao Dai looked up.
Wen Li followed her gaze. The Grand Elder and the Sect Master—both usually unseen—had appeared and were seated at the very center of the high platform, while the Second Elder, Feng Yun, delivered the opening remarks.
“Today is our Zhaixing Sect's internal competition. Disciples will draw lots to determine their opponents. Those who draw matching numbers will enter the stage to spar. Stops short of causing harm; no taking lives!”
Wen Li looked toward the high platform from afar and asked Xie Tinglan, who was standing beside her, “Can you tell their cultivation levels?”
Xie Tinglan frowned, stayed quiet for a few seconds, and shook his head. “No.”
Wen Li recalled that as a Third-Grade Cultivation Kingdom, the Cangling Kingdom was required by the Daoist Alliance of the Five Provinces to have at least one Mid-Stage Soul Formation cultivator and three Early-Stage Soul Formation cultivators. Since the Zhaixing Sect, Ziyang Sect, and Wulei Sect formed a tripartite power in Cangling Kingdom, it meant each of the three sects likely possessed one Early-Stage Soul Formation cultivator.
So where was the remaining Mid-Stage Soul Formation cultivator?
“Number 15!”
Wen Li looked at the number 15 in her hand. Finding it too tedious to drag things out, she displayed her Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivation as soon as she stepped onto the stage. Her opponent recognized her and immediately raised his hand.
“I forfeit!” He was only at the Thirteenth Level of Qi Refinement. How was he supposed to fight her? What could he possibly fight with?
When the youthful version of Xie Tinglan stepped up later, he followed suit and directly revealed his Mid-Stage Golden Core cultivation.
After all, under full public view, he had no desire to embarrass himself on stage in a four-year-old body.
As a result, almost everyone surrendered the moment they stepped up, without even waiting for either of them to speak.
“Wen Li wins!”
“Xie Tinglan wins!”
These two announcements repeated seven or eight times.
On the high platform, wearing a purple-gold crown and an exquisite light-brown sect robe, the Sect Master of the Zhaixing Sect glanced sideways at Wen Li and Xie Tinglan. “Are these the two you mentioned?”
Feng Yun, standing to his right, nodded. “Indeed, it is them.”
“Their cultivation levels are quite impressive.” The Sect Master nodded. “This time, the Wulei Sect and Ziyang Sect have also recruited many rogue cultivators. I heard one of them is at the Golden Core realm as well. Make sure our disciples exercise caution.”
Feng Yun nodded. “Understood.”
The Sect Master glanced at Wang Xianlin among the disciples. “How is your disciple doing?”
“It seems his talent has reached its limit.” Feng Yun let out a soft sigh. “Cultivation, in the end, depends heavily on immortal affinity.”
The Sect Master nodded. “Let him lead the team this time for some experience. As for opening the secret realm, you shall handle it.”
“Understood.”
Feng Yun remembered something and asked, “I heard the Young Sect Master is returning from the Xuanbing Kingdom soon?”
“Mhm, soon.” At the mention of his son, relief and pride shone in the Sect Master's eyes. “He said he'd return as soon as he finds a gift for me.”
Feng Yun nodded. “The Young Sect Master possesses extraordinary talent. Being valued by the Xuandu Sect, he is bound to achieve great things in the future.”
Such words were pleasing to anyone's ears, and the Sect Master smiled, continuing to watch the disciples' matches below.
The internal competition only took one morning.
Without even having to lift a finger, both Wen Li and Xie Tinglan directly joined the Zhaixing Sect team set for the Trial Realm.
The Zhaixing Sect disciple they had met previously, Wang Xianlin, was leading the squad.
The remaining sixteen were made up of ten new disciples and six inner disciples.
The highest cultivation belonged to Xie Tinglan, at Mid-Stage Golden Core.
Below him were three new disciples, including Wen Li, at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.
As for Yao Dai, Wen Li had previously approached the Second Elder to ask about adding a special slot for her. He had originally said it was against the rules, but with a formidable asset like Xie Tinglan on board, granting an extra spot wasn't out of the question after all.
Standing on the high platform, the Sect Master proclaimed in a resonant voice, “This time, you represent our Zhaixing Sect in Cangling Kingdom's Rising Stars Trial Competition. Here are some supplies prepared by the sect, including pills, talismans, and maps of the secret realm. Once inside, exercise utmost caution and support one another. We shall all await your triumphant return to celebrate!”
“Yes!”
With selection concluding today, they wouldn't set off to gather at the entrance of the Trial Realm until tomorrow.
Wen Li and her two disciples took Li Yangtian, Li Yudi, and Shuangyuan to a town at the foot of the Zhaixing Sect's mountain for a private feast.
They rented a courtyard and hired people to purchase everything required.
All that was left was a bit of preparation on their part.
“Out of the way, out of the way! Hot charcoal coming through, don't get burned!” Li Yangtian rushed over, carrying a basin of burning charcoal in a hurry.
The six of them gathered for a meal in the pavilion outside the courtyard.
Enjoying the snow and scenery while indulging in delicious food made for a delightful time.
“Wow, roasted suckling pig! Where did you get this!”
Yao Dai and Xie Tinglan couldn't tear their eyes away.
“This is a delicacy I discovered near the Zhaixing Sect over all these years. I had someone marinate this suckling pig seven days in advance just for today!” Li Yangtian gave a proud smile. “Quick, try it! It tastes best dipped in this sauce with a little garlic—simply divine!”
Wen Li said nothing, simply reaching out to tear off pieces of meat and toss them into her mouth.
At a time like this, talking more meant eating less.
“This pastry is my brother's favorite. Give it a try.”
Li Yudi and Shuangyuan smiled as they brought out a pot of wine and a plate of exquisitely transparent rabbit pastries.
“Come on, fill 'em up!”
Yao Dai stood up and called out, preparing to pour wine for Wen Li first, but Wen Li raised her hand to cover her bowl.
“Ah, leave me out of the wine. I don't drink.”
“Fair enough.” Yao Dai shuffled over to pour for the others.
Li Yudi explained, “Oh, this is rice wine that Shuangyuan and I brewed ourselves. It won't get you drunk—it's just to cut through the grease.”
Wen Li smiled and shook her head. “No, I can't touch any kind of alcohol. Drinking ruins plans, and ruins people even more.”
Seeing her put it that way, no one pressed her further.
Yao Dai bit into a chicken drumstick. “Li Yangtian, I've always been curious. Were you and your sister, Li Yudi, born on a sunny day and a rainy day respectively?”
“No, not at all.”
Li Yangtian wagged his finger. “In my case, it was simply because my mother was farming during months of torrential rain. The crops were almost drowned, so she wished for a sunny day. When my sister was born, it happened to be a months-long drought, so her name includes 'rain' to pray for rain.”
“Pfft.” Yao Dai burst out laughing. “I have to say, your names really complement each other.”
“What about your parents?” Xie Tinglan asked curiously.
Li Yudi's expression dimmed. “When my brother and I were little, there was a total crop failure. It snowed continuously for half a year, and there was no food at home. They fell ill and passed away.”
Xie Tinglan's expression changed, and he quickly spoke up, “I'm sorry, I...”
He was poor with words and didn't know how to offer comfort, but fortunately, Li Yangtian stepped in to smooth things over and lighten the mood.
“It's fine. After all these years learning cultivation and fighting at the Zhaixing Sect, living longer and longer, we can barely remember how many years have passed. We've long forgotten those childhood things.”
Having said that, he cracked a few jokes to enliven the atmosphere again, and everyone resumed having fun.
“Sixes, sixes, sixes! Fifty-fifty, drink!”
The six of them played all kinds of games until dark.
“Hiccup~”
With a flushed face, Yao Dai collapsed onto the ground near the stove. Fortunately, the stove had a protective cover, so it wasn't hot enough to burn her—just pleasantly warm.
The youthful version of Xie Tinglan was also uncharacteristically a bit tipsy. He blinked hazily, unclear whether he was zoning out or sleeping with his eyes open, serving as a cushion for Yao Dai to lean on.
It seemed the duration he could maintain his youthful appearance was growing longer and longer.
As for Li Yudi and Shuangyuan, who had claimed the rice wine wouldn't get anyone drunk, they ended up being the very first to pass out.
Wen Li, who hadn't touched a drop of wine, stood up and gazed at the moon in the sky. The snow had stopped, and the vast white expanse in the distance glowed with a soft light, quiet and peaceful under the embellishment of lights from a thousand homes.
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