But I Was the One Who Came First

When the Law Enforcement Hall's Grand Elder's warning echoed across the main peak, Jiang Ye was comfortably lying on a rattan chair in the courtyard with his legs crossed, drinking spiritual wine he had swiped from Gu Changqing.

He had already heard the gist of these utterly ridiculous rumors over the past few days from Ye Ningning, the “little fangirl” who ran over every day to bring food and drinks.

Jiang Ye scoffed at this, but he actually felt a hint of interest toward Peak Master Nangong Yue.

According to the normal game plot, players wouldn't see her appear until the late-stage destruction of the Azure Mystic Sect, making her identity extremely mysterious.

Perhaps the late-game plot explained her identity, but did Jiang Ye look like someone who actually read the story?

Logically speaking, an arrogant Nascent Soul stage sword cultivator powerhouse like her would never tolerate such melodramatic rumors about a long-lost daughter.

Even if she didn't issue a sect-wide announcement to clarify things, she should have at least called Bai Zhirou over for a lecture.

Yet she did absolutely nothing. In the end, it was only when the Law Enforcement Hall's Grand Elder realized the rumors were getting out of hand that he stepped in to suppress them.

“I don't get it.”

Too lazy to waste his precious brain cells, Jiang Ye pushed it to the back of his mind.

Perhaps he would... forget about it after a while?

He raised the wine gourd in his hand and toasted the air.

“Nothing to do today. Just drinking wine and watching the show.”

...

On the morning of the outer sect tournament, Ye Ningning ran over to Bai Zhirou's courtyard early in the morning.

In the dim morning light, Bai Zhirou, dressed in a white dress, was methodically practicing the sword moves and movement techniques she had trained hard in over the past few days. Her graceful posture made her look like a fairy descending to earth, causing Ye Ningning, who was squatting on a distant rock, to watch with shining eyes, completely dazed.

Swish!

A cold sword light sliced through the sky.

Gu Qingxue, dressed in white with an aura as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice, landed steadily on the open ground.

Bai Zhirou had just sheathed her sword and was panting slightly.

Ye Ningning hurriedly ran forward and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Senior Sister Gu! Good morning, Junior Sister Bai!”

Bai Zhirou broke into a smile and softly greeted her.

Gu Qingxue nodded slightly and said in a gentle voice, “It is getting late, and the tournament is about to begin. I will fly you directly to the main peak.”

Bai Zhirou wanted to politely decline and say she could walk there herself.

However, Gu Qingxue's flying sword, which radiated a chilly aura, had already floated down beside her feet in an extremely overbearing manner.

Gu Qingxue also stepped directly onto the flying sword, leaving no room for refusal.

Left with no choice, Bai Zhirou gave a helpless smile, turned, and waved at Ye Ningning. “Then... Senior Sister Ye, see you at the main peak later.”

“Get on, and hold on tight,” Gu Qingxue's cold voice called out.

With a blushing face, Bai Zhirou practicedly reached out her hands and wrapped them around Gu Qingxue's slender, willow-like waist.

Whoosh—!

The long sword soared into the sky, turning into a stream of light as it sped away.

Standing where she was, Ye Ningning watched their departing figures, bit her lip, and muttered in a low voice:

“But I was the one who came first...”

Jiang Ye: “Little Bai! I feel like something is wrong with this Ye Ningning. The way she looks at you is like a total fangirl!”

Bai Zhirou: “...”

Senior, what on earth are you blabbering about?!

The Azure Mystic Sect, Main Peak Plaza.

Dozens of massive bluestone arenas stood as neatly as a chessboard in the center of the vast plaza.

In the surrounding midair, countless Dharma Boats and magic treasures floated densely, packed with disciples from various peaks who had come to watch the event.

On the field, the three major factions were clearly divided.

On the far left was a massive, extremely luxurious white jade Dharma Boat, packed with hundreds of disciples.

That was the faction of Dao Mystic Peak. They specialized in various spells and possessed the strongest overall strength, so their display was naturally the grandest and most showy.

On the row of Dharma Boats on the far right, the disciples were each riding various bizarre and ferocious demon beasts. Their constant roars created a fierce and formidable aura.

This was clearly the force of Beast-Taming Peak.

Meanwhile, in the middle position, only a few scattered Dharma Boats floated, their scale far inferior to the other two peaks. This was the faction of Hidden Sword Peak.

The number of people from Sword Peak was pitifully small, totaling barely a hundred.

Even though many veteran disciples had specifically come to support them today, compared to the massive groups of two to three hundred people from the other two peaks, they still appeared weak and outnumbered.

Right at that moment!

A brilliant sword light descended from the sky, landing straight onto Sword Peak's Dharma Boat.

This sword light instantly drew the attention of the vast majority of the crowd.

The sword light faded.

Two breathtakingly beautiful fairies stood side by side at the bow of the boat.

Gu Qingxue, dressed in white, had a cold and proud aura like an inviolable flower on the peak of a snowy mountain. Beside her, Bai Zhirou wore a simple, elegant green training robe. Her face was incomparably delicate, and her eyes were as clear as spring water, exuding a pure, untainted innocence.

The entire Main Peak Plaza instantly erupted into a wave of disbelieving whispers:

“Hiss—! Who is that beautiful junior sister next to Fairy Gu? Since when did our Azure Mystic Sect have another fairy of such beauty?!”

“Seeing her standing with Gu Qingxue, could she be... the illegitimate daughter who has been causing such a stir lately, Bai Zhirou?!”

“Bullshit! Are you blind? Didn't they say she's a monster who can tear demon beasts apart with her bare hands? Rumor has it she's built like an ox, has a full beard, and looks like a man in a dress!”

“Damn! I heard she has green skin, fangs, stands eight feet tall, and has armpit hair long enough to braid! How on earth is this the same person?!”

On Sword Peak's Dharma Boat, the disciples immediately swarmed forward to greet them with immense enthusiasm:

“Greetings, Senior Sister Gu! Junior Sister Bai is here!”

Thanks to the three demon beasts Bai Zhirou had previously slaughtered to host a feast for the entire peak, many disciples had broken through in their cultivation after eating. Consequently, their gratitude toward this junior sister had reached its peak.

That was why they had all come today to show their support for Junior Sister Bai! After all, for this outer sect tournament, Sword Peak had only a pitiful twenty or so newly joined disciples, making them look very weak.

Just as the entire venue was whispering about Bai Zhirou's looks,

A resonant chime of a bell echoed through the air.

“The outer sect tournament has officially begun!”

A refined yet powerful voice rang across the entire venue.

Everyone looked up.

Without anyone noticing, a handsome man with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, dressed in a magnificent purple-and-gold robe, was standing in midair above the largest central arena with his hands behind his back.

The moment he appeared, countless female disciples around the arena instantly let out infatuated screams:

“Ahhh! It's the Holy Son! Senior Brother Holy Son is so handsome!!”

“Not only is he handsome, but I heard Senior Brother Holy Son officially broke through to the mid Golden Core stage a few days ago. His strength is unfathomable!”

“He's truly both handsome and powerful!”

Standing high in the air, the Holy Son flipped his wrist and conjured a circular magic treasure that radiated a blinding light, suspending it in midair.

He spoke again, his voice warm yet reaching every corner of the plaza:

“Will all registered outer sect disciples please present your identity tokens.”

Following his instructions, Bai Zhirou untied her outer sect token from her waist.

Hundreds of tokens seemed to receive some sort of summons, instantly flying out of their owners' hands. They turned into a sky full of flowing lights, shooting in unison toward the slowly spinning circular magic treasure high in the air.

Hundreds of spiritual lights swirled and scrambled wildly inside the magic treasure, presenting an incredibly spectacular sight.

Right at this moment, a notification box popped up on Jiang Ye's game panel:

【Adventure Quest: Azure Mystic Sect Outer Sect Tournament】

【Current Progress: 0%】

【Reward: Pending (Green)】

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected to trigger an Adventure Quest. Not bad, not bad at all. He would have to play this well.

A moment later, the hundreds of tokens flew back into the hands of their respective disciples. However, each token now carried a faint glow of a different color.

The Holy Son's voice rang out once more:

“Those who have received tokens of the same color will be opponents in the first round. Please proceed to the arena of the corresponding color for your duel.”

“Remember, this is a tournament between fellow disciples. Stop when appropriate on the arena; you must absolutely not harm anyone's life.”

Having said this, the Holy Son's tone softened slightly:

“Junior brothers and sisters, do not force yourselves. If you are outmatched, concede as early as possible. Do not damage the foundation of your cultivation over a battle of pride, for that would not be worth the loss.”