Chapter 270
Ambition, Despair
Chapter 270 Ambition, Despair
After the Spring Festival, Qingxiao Sect began to make full preparations for the Battle of Magic. From Qingxiao Mountain to Xunxian Town, and then to the various peaks of Taikun Mountain, no one could avoid talking about the Battle of Magic.
This year's competition started in February and lasted until June, when the top 64 were determined. The entire competition consisted of one-on-one battles.
Disciples can register until mid-June, which gives those who are training outside time and prevents the competition from feeling rushed.
A large number of aristocratic families, merchants, and officials have come to Qingxiao Sect. Now Qingxiao Sect is above the dynasty, and any disciple with talent is worth winning over.
Because Qingxiao Sect allows pilgrims to visit the mountain, many people use their status as pilgrims to observe the strength of Qingxiao Sect disciples, including those from other cultivation sects in the martial arts world today.
When the winter snow in the world completely melts away, it's like a revival.
Inside a courtyard on Ziyang Peak.
Qiu Dahu, the leader of the Qingxia Sect, looked at his master Zhou Ya with a complicated expression.
He never expected to see his master so easily, and his master was doing better than he had anticipated.
Zhou Ya has made amends for his mistakes and regained his status as a true disciple. His current cultivation level is the fourth level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm.
Such cultivation level is nothing special within the Qingxiao Sect, but in front of Qiu Dahu, it is unfathomable.
Twenty-four-year-old Qiu Dahu was unable to reach the third level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm. Inside the Qingxia Sect, he was able to maintain the demeanor of a cultivator, but after arriving at the Qingxiao Sect, he became self-conscious.
The sheer number of Qingxiao Sect disciples filled him with awe.
It wasn't just their strength; the Qingxiao Sect disciples' manners, demeanor, and appearance made him feel ashamed of himself.
Looking at Qiu Dahu who had grown up, Zhou Ya was filled with emotion. When he heard that a pilgrim surnamed Qiu was looking for him, he immediately thought of Qiu Dahu.
"Big Tiger, how have you been these past few years?" Zhou Ya asked.
After returning to Qingxiao Sect, he kept an eye on Qingxia Sect. As long as he could find out news about Qingxia Sect, it meant that Qingxia Sect was still around.
The sect leader hadn't lied to him after all; he really did leave the Qingxia Sect to exist.
So when Qiu Dahu came to find him, he was very happy and not afraid at all that it would cause trouble.
He couldn't take the initiative to seek out the Qingxia Sect, but the fact that the Qingxia Sect came to visit him showed that he had taught them effectively.
Qiu Dahu came to his senses and said, "It's fine, we didn't encounter any trouble."
He was telling the truth. If you think about it carefully, his life was much better than before he met Zhou Ya. It's just that he was too ambitious and couldn't see any hope, so he was suffering mentally.
“Our sect’s martial arts tournament is about to begin. You can stay a while longer. Your master will take care of your food and lodging,” Zhou Ya said with a smile.
He didn't have much of a presence in Qingxiao Sect, and he only had two or three friends, so he hoped that Qiu Dahu could spend more time with him.
Our sect...
Qiu Dahu found those four words jarring, and the distance between him and Zhou Ya instantly widened.
Zhou Ya, however, did not notice this and began to talk at length about the martial arts tournament.
The names of geniuses that came out of his mouth made Qiu Dahu feel very uncomfortable.
He suddenly realized that his master wasn't as great as he thought; his master was just an ordinary person who admired others, which made him feel a sense of collapse.
Perhaps this is the true appearance of the master. Before he cultivated immortality, he could not see the world through the master's eyes.
for a long time.
Qiu Dahu asked with feigned emotion, "Master, why did you establish the Qingxia Sect in the first place? Wouldn't it have been better to just lead us into the Qingxiao Sect directly?"
Zhou Ya shook his head and said, "The journey is long and arduous. Taking you back to Qingxiao Sect would likely cause a lot of trouble. Besides, I have my own mission to carry out. I can't bring people back to the sect every time I rescue someone. What kind of person would that make me? And I don't have that kind of authority."
"Back then, didn't you clamor to become the sect leader and dominate the martial arts world? What, have you given up on that goal?" Upon hearing this, Qiu Dahu said seriously, "How could that be? I was just asking casually. I would never abandon the Qingxia Sect."
The word "abandon" also sounded harsh to Zhou Ya.
He suddenly realized that Qiu Dahu harbored resentment towards him!
Zhou Ya wasn't angry about this. He had a clear conscience. He kept smiling and changed the subject to keep the kid from getting into that mood.
Qiu Dahu's arrival was just a microcosm.
Nowadays, all the cultivation sects have intricate connections with Qingxiao Sect. When they send people to investigate Qingxiao Sect's strength, they are all impressed by Qingxiao Sect's grandeur.
Some were impressed and wanted to get closer to Qingxiao Sect, while others were in despair, not knowing how to surpass Qingxiao Sect.
……
noon.
Inside Hu Yan's courtyard, Duan Xiaojuan was gesturing wildly as she recounted to him the magical duel she had witnessed that morning.
Even after she finished speaking, she still seemed to want to say more.
“A battle at the fifth level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm is just like a battle between gods. I wonder when I will be able to reach the fifth level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm. By the way, Hu Yan, what is your cultivation level now? You haven’t reached the fifth level yet, have you?” Duan Xiaojuan sat down, propped her cheek with one hand, and stared at Hu Yan with bright eyes.
Hu Yan smiled and nodded, saying, "We've reached the fifth floor."
Duan Xiaojuan was not surprised. She had already accepted Hu Yan's genius status. Many people said that Hu Yan would become the strongest disciple in the future, and she was proud of that.
"So, are you going to participate in the magical duel tournament?"
“I’m not participating. My master told me to observe this time and participate again in ten years. He also gave me a task.”
"What mission?"
"He demanded that I win first place in the next magic competition."
"First place?"
Duan Xiaojuan stared wide-eyed as she looked Hu Yan up and down, her heart filled with emotion.
The fact that the sect leader dared to set such a goal shows that Hu Yan is qualified.
What will he be like ten years from now?
Duan Xiaojuan heard that if she became famous at the magical contest, many powerful families would try to win her over, or even arrange a marriage between them.
Her heart skipped a beat. Would she be unable to protect Hu Yan in the future?
"Hu Yan, you've been a disciple for so long, do you have someone you like?" Duan Xiaojuan asked, still remembering Zhu Qingling from the Zhu family.
Zhu Qingling is said to be a genius as well, and she even became a disciple of the Enforcement Hall ahead of schedule.
Hu Yan smiled helplessly and said, "How could that be? I'm focused on cultivating immortality. Don't overthink things. Look at my master, he's so powerful, yet he hasn't married or had children. What are you worried about? I will definitely keep my promise and pursue immortality with you."
These words made Duan Xiaojuan feel very uncomfortable.
She said that initially only to prevent Hu Yan from being abducted, but now it seems that the person bound by that agreement is herself.
As if remembering something, Hu Yan continued, "Next year, I plan to go down the mountain for training. Do you want to come with me?"
Upon hearing this, Duan Xiaojuan immediately perked up and asked curiously, "Shouldn't a genius like you be in seclusion cultivating and trying to transcend the tribulation? How did your master agree to let you go down the mountain?"
Hu Yan replied, "Uncle Jiang will accompany us then, so there won't be much danger."
Thank you to "Only Seeking Peach Blossom Spring" for the 1500 Qidian Coins reward!
I checked again today, and it turns out it's not the flu, but acid reflux. The stomach acid is irritating my throat, causing me to cough constantly. It's so uncomfortable. I hope the medication will be effective. Praying for improvement tomorrow. (Kuku update QAQ)
I haven't slept much these past few days. Whenever I sit or lie down, I cough and feel nauseous. Taking care of my stomach is crucial!
(End of this chapter)