"Pfft—"
Duan Xianxing was the first to lose his composure, bursting into laughter. He nudged Liu Qingyang with his elbow. "Liu Qingyang, did you see that? My little junior sister is amazing, right? She managed to force a change in the competition rules!"
Liu Qingyang also grinned, bumping shoulders with Li Nanzhu as he spoke with exaggerated admiration. "Impressive! With your own strength, you made the entire Sect Competition's rules committee stay up all night to rewrite the rules! You certainly have a lot of prestige!"
Upon hearing the news, Li Nanzhu was momentarily stunned, though a flicker of regret crossed her face. "I was thinking of looking for more new loopholes in the next round."
Feng Qingping gently patted Li Nanzhu's head and smiled. "Being able to find and successfully exploit one is already a matter of immense luck and skill. I'm sure that after this, the sect leaders and elders of every sect will plug those loopholes tight. They won't give us a second chance."
Mu Wenyan looked at Li Nanzhu's slightly disappointed expression, his eyes containing a trace of a smile. "Little Junior Sister, there's no need for regret. Your ability to discover this flaw and exploit it so decisively is a remarkable feat for our sect. This postponement proves they already view you as the greatest variable and are guarding against you. This, in itself, is the highest recognition of your abilities."
Li Nanzhu listened to her eldest senior brother and fifth senior sister, nodding with a smile. "Eldest Senior Brother is right! We should take advantage of every chance we get! Anyway, we've already made a huge profit this time! We came in first in the initial round! Ten points are already in our hands! We'll just figure out something for the later parts!"
Winning with such a strong start was an unexpected joy.
With those ten points as a foundation, their Five Elements Dao Sect already held a significant advantage in total points.
Even if the rules became more stringent in the upcoming matches, they had enough capital and confidence to face them.
The disciples of the Hehuan Sect and Water Moon Sect exchanged looks, their expressions caught between tears and laughter.
Following the Five Elements Dao Sect really brought... one surprise after another!
Meanwhile, the disciples of the Sword Heart Sect, Tianyan Sect, and others looked even more miserable.
A postponement? Wasn't this clearly targeted at the Five Elements Dao Sect to prevent them from finding more shortcuts?
But in doing so, it only made them look like they were being 'forced' to change the rules by the Five Elements Dao Sect, which was quite a loss of face.
Cang Dongqing pursed her lips tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms.
A postponement... fine! It gave them time to adjust and prepare!
Next time, she would never let the Five Elements Dao Sect succeed so easily!
Li Nanyi and the others also gritted their teeth, hardening their hearts in secret.
Bu Qingwei took in everyone's reactions and sighed inwardly before continuing:
"These three days will serve as a period for each sect to rest and prepare, and also to ensure the subsequent competition rules are more refined. I hope the disciples of all sects will use this time wisely, adjust their states, and face the upcoming challenges with their best possible form!"
His words were dignified, providing a graceful exit for the various sects.
"In three days, at the hour of Chen, the second round of the team battle will take place here. For now, you are dismissed!"
Having made the announcement, Bu Qingwei said no more. After exchanging glances with the other sect leaders, he was the first to transform into a streak of light and leave the platform. Clearly, they were going to have an emergency discussion on how to 'patch' the holes.
The elders of various sects also called their disciples and departed with varying expressions.
Just as Li Nanzhu and the others were excitedly preparing to return to their residence to celebrate, a figure they were all too familiar with quietly appeared before them.
Who could it be but Feng Yi?
Everyone immediately ceased their laughter and bowed respectfully in unison.
Feng Yi's gaze slowly swept across his group of core disciples, finally landing on the slightly nervous Li Nanzhu. His face betrayed neither joy nor anger, making everyone's hearts lift slightly in suspense.
Seeing this, Mu Wenyan was about to speak up to explain for his little junior sister.
But before he could open his mouth, the corners of Feng Yi's seemingly stern face twitched upward almost imperceptibly. A flash of irrepressible praise and delight shone in his eyes. He even spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of teasing and immense satisfaction:
"Hmm... you did well."
He paused, his gaze landing on Li Nanzhu again, the trace of regret in his voice becoming more obvious:
"It is just a pity that, as the sect leader, I had to stay on the high platform and could not enter the secret realm personally to... experience such an interesting way to play. You youngsters kept all the fun for yourselves."
Everyone: "!!!"
What did the master just say?
Done well?
Regret not participating?
An interesting way to play?
The members of the Five Elements Dao Sect were all stunned, their eyes wide in disbelief. Even the usually steady Mu Wenyan had a look of astonishment on his face.
Feng Yi saw his disciples standing there like wooden statues, the smile in his eyes deepening. But then he seemed to remember something and let out a slightly dissatisfied huff, his tone suggesting they were failing to live up to his expectations:
"Hmph, what is there to be so surprised about?"
His gaze swept over them, finally settling on Li Nanzhu with a hint of reminiscence and... lingering desire.
"Back in my day..."
He stopped halfway through his sentence as if remembering something, and instead let out a soft sigh. However, the tone of regret and encouragement in his voice became even more apparent:
"Sigh... never mind. In short, you were still far too restrained and law-abiding this time!"
Everyone: "???"
Re... restrained? Law-abiding?
We almost sent our points through the roof and forced the organizers to change the rules overnight... and that's called being restrained and law-abiding?!
Duan Xianxing's jaw nearly hit the ground. Jiang Yifan and Zhu Yinxi looked at each other, seeing total disbelief in each other's eyes.
Even the corner of Mu Wenyan's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Li Nanzhu asked, "Ma... Master... were we... still too law-abiding?"
Feng Yi nodded, his tone carrying the indulgence and confidence of someone giving them free rein:
"In the future, as long as it is within the rules, feel free to let loose with any whimsical ideas or interesting plans you have! There is no need to be hesitant!"
His gaze swept over all the disciples, and his final words rang out powerfully, carrying an unquestionable protective intent:
"Even if the heavens fall, your Master is here to back you up!"
BOOM!
These words were like a clap of thunder exploding in the hearts of the Five Elements Dao Sect members!
This... this was simply the greatest indulgence and the strongest support imaginable!
"Master!!!" Duan Xianxing's voice even changed pitch in his excitement!
Even Feng Weilan couldn't help but clench his fists, his eyes shining with brilliance.
And the moment Li Nanzhu heard these words, tears almost escaped her eyes.
Such familiar words, such a familiar scene.
But she suppressed the tremor in her heart that nearly jumped out of her chest and finally nodded with a smile.
Mu Wenyan looked at his master, bowed, and said solemnly, "This disciple will follow Master's teachings! We will not fail your expectations!"
"Mhm." Feng Yi nodded in satisfaction and said no more. With a sway of his body, he dissipated on the spot like a cool breeze.
As soon as the master left—
"Wow—!"
"With Master's words, what do we have to fear!"
"Little Junior Sister! It's all up to you next!"
The members of the Five Elements Dao Sect instantly cheered and leaped for joy, surrounding Li Nanzhu. The atmosphere reached its peak!
Even the disciples of the Hehuan Sect and Water Moon Sect standing nearby were dumbfounded. So the Five Elements Dao Sect... was the same even from the sect leader down?
Rate on N.U.
