Chapter 84
Mission: Persuade the Tribulation-Transcending Demonic Dragon in the Mysterious Bird Real
The following day, the grand competition opened at the Shengming Sect Seeking the Way Square.
At the very front was a high platform, below which were ten arenas, and below those were the seats for the disciples of each sect.
At this moment, a thousand spirit swords were soaring into the air above the plaza, their cold light stretching across the sky.
Ten thousand swords resounded and roared in unison, weaving into a silvery, sky-piercing sword net. The sword energy surged like clouds and waves, suppressing the surrounding wind and clouds, and its sharpness pierced straight to the heavens.
"...That's how it is, sigh."
"Sister, do you think the Holy Bright Sect clashes with our Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?"
Shen Shu'an stared blankly at the sword formation above, looking completely lost.
Goodness, how come I never noticed this guy talked so much before?
I finally managed to get a full night's sleep yesterday morning, afternoon, and evening, but I never expected to still be talking about it today.
The entire story goes on to describe the opening ceremony of the competition.
Shen Shu'an smiled faintly, a helpless smile appearing on her face.
Moreover, and most importantly, what is all this about? She can't understand it at all.
Shen Shuan held her head, wondering what it meant to be trapped every three steps, used in a spell every five steps, and even being ambushed and knocked unconscious in the middle of the night by an illusion spell.
Just as they were about to reach the Holy Bright Sect, a bolt of golden lightning struck his master.
Then Master heroically "sacrificed" himself and is now recuperating in the sect's Jishe Hall?
Hmm, something's not right here.
Xuan Yi and Shen Wanqiu were both staring blankly. Although the sword formation performance above was magnificent, both of them could only hear Qiao Pingsheng's babbling in their ears.
"Oh dear, my senior brother has collapsed."
"Ouch, my senior sister has collapsed too."
"Alas, my junior brother wasn't spared either."
Finally, even Master fell!
Shen Shu'an, Shen Wanqiu, and Xuan Yi: "???"
Shen Wanqiu took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and looked at Qiao Pingsheng.
"Fellow Daoist Qiao, it's been two years since we last met. You've become much more talkative these days."
She remembered the last time she saw him was in Sweet Fruit Town.
At that time, he disguised himself as an ordinary person and told fortunes for the villagers in a town. He spoke very little, and his facial expressions were not as lively and varied as they are now. He exuded only the word "caution".
That day, she happened to pass by while on a mission outside the sect. Before he could even see her face clearly, he stepped back. Later, when he realized it was her, he gave a wry smile and told her not to come any closer.
Shen Wanqiu lowered her eyes and recalled that it was an autumn day.
At that time, she had only recently reached the Golden Core stage, while he was still at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, you'd better not come near me. Getting close to me will bring you misfortune."
As she finished speaking with difficulty, she suddenly looked up and met a pair of eyes that seemed to be smiling but were actually filled with tears.
When the sadness in his eyes was noticed, he covered his face, turned away without saying another word, and left in a hurry.
It's as if, because misfortune is chasing after them, they have a responsibility to lead it away.
Just a glimpse of his back evokes a myriad of emotions in one's heart—heartache, pity… and so many others, too many to describe.
Although the handwriting and language in our recent correspondence have been lighter, how come today, how come, is it like this?
Shen Wanqiu looked at Qiao Pingsheng, who was pouring out his grievances to her even though he was separated from Xuan Yi.
However, upon closer inspection, he suddenly noticed the "Complete Collection of Forbidden Spells" in the other person's hands.
Shen Wanqiu: "?"
Shen Wanqiu's body trembled, wondering if he was seeing things. He raised his hand to rub his eyes and looked again.
But the next second, as the sword formation performance ended, on the high platform in front, the Holy Bright Sect Master, Void Mirror Divine Lord, waved his hand and said with boundless pride—
"Alright, the grand competition of my Holy Bright Sect shall now officially begin."
"I won't say any more. Disciples, step onto the arena!"
As the resounding female voice faded, a roar erupted across the Holy Bright Sect's arena: "Yes!"
Ten thousand people shouted in unison, and then many disciples flew out of their seats and flipped onto the arena in front.
Shen Shu'an: "?"
Shen Shuan scratched his head and nudged Xuan Yi beside him. "Xuan Yi, tell Brother Qiao to stop talking."
She hadn't even really looked at the sword formation yet, and her brain was already about to crash.
Shen Shu'an lowered her head and took out the number plate she had received. She and her sister were both participating disciples in the friendly match, and it wasn't their turn today.
However, there will also be an exhibition match today, featuring Hu Xiaotian and Jiao Rulian from the Lingyu Immortal Sect.
The exhibition matches feature a different sect each day, giving everyone a chance to showcase their strengths and attract disciples, making it very fair.
After all, once you've cultivated to a certain level and your strength has increased, you should take the civil service exam if you can, and become an elder if you can.
Only when you receive the sect's stipend and continue climbing the ranks can you truly be called a cultivator!
[Ding, host, detected entry into a critical plot point: the Holy Bright Sect Grand Competition.]
[Here is the first in a series of tasks: Victory in the 'Friendly Match' of the Grand Competition for New Disciples. Our goal is to win, only victory!]
[Task Rewards: A wisp of Heavenly Fortune, and several sect rewards (Note: Automatically bound, cannot be gifted to others).]
[Mission Penalty: The host's luck in this realm has slightly decreased, and the emotion value collection rate has decreased by 20%!]
[Key Mission ②: After winning and obtaining a spot in the Secret Realm, enter the Mystic Bird Secret Realm and persuade the Tribulation-Transcending Demon Dragon within to abandon evil and return to the Dragon Clan.]
[Quest Rewards: Greatly increases the favorability of the Demon Dragon, slightly increases the favorability of the entire dragon race, and greatly increases the favorability of Bai Aoxue. (Note: Rewards may be given to the host by those involved in the quest; please strive to obtain them yourself!)]
[Mission Penalty: None.]
Shen Shu'an: "???"
Shen Shu'an's pupils dilated in shock. No, her?
A Foundation Establishment cultivator enters a secret realm to persuade a Tribulation Transcending stage demonic dragon! ? ?
"Shen Shu'an?"
"An'er?"
"Sister Shen?"
But there was no time to think further. Hearing the three voices beside her, Shen Shu'an suppressed all her emotions, looked up, and said, "It's nothing."
"But," she began, her words abruptly cut off as she looked at Qiao Pingsheng, who was standing beside Shen Wanqiu staring blankly at his older sister.
No, Qiao Pingsheng, why are you so close to my sister?
I know my sister is beautiful, but who told you to notice her beauty?
You're no longer unlucky, but you've started practicing forbidden spells. Do you think things will get any better?
Shen Shu'an felt like crying but had no tears in her heart. She remained calm on the surface, smiled slightly, stood up, and drew her fine sword from her waist.
"Come on, sister, hop on my sword, let's go see what's going on with the Lingyu Immortal Sect's exhibition match!"
Xuan Yi, standing to the side, looked at the slightly bulging jaw muscles on Shen Shu'an's cheek and couldn't help but turn his head away and curl the corners of his lips.
"Oh."
At the very front was a high platform, below which were ten arenas, and below those were the seats for the disciples of each sect.
At this moment, a thousand spirit swords were soaring into the air above the plaza, their cold light stretching across the sky.
Ten thousand swords resounded and roared in unison, weaving into a silvery, sky-piercing sword net. The sword energy surged like clouds and waves, suppressing the surrounding wind and clouds, and its sharpness pierced straight to the heavens.
"...That's how it is, sigh."
"Sister, do you think the Holy Bright Sect clashes with our Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?"
Shen Shu'an stared blankly at the sword formation above, looking completely lost.
Goodness, how come I never noticed this guy talked so much before?
I finally managed to get a full night's sleep yesterday morning, afternoon, and evening, but I never expected to still be talking about it today.
The entire story goes on to describe the opening ceremony of the competition.
Shen Shu'an smiled faintly, a helpless smile appearing on her face.
Moreover, and most importantly, what is all this about? She can't understand it at all.
Shen Shuan held her head, wondering what it meant to be trapped every three steps, used in a spell every five steps, and even being ambushed and knocked unconscious in the middle of the night by an illusion spell.
Just as they were about to reach the Holy Bright Sect, a bolt of golden lightning struck his master.
Then Master heroically "sacrificed" himself and is now recuperating in the sect's Jishe Hall?
Hmm, something's not right here.
Xuan Yi and Shen Wanqiu were both staring blankly. Although the sword formation performance above was magnificent, both of them could only hear Qiao Pingsheng's babbling in their ears.
"Oh dear, my senior brother has collapsed."
"Ouch, my senior sister has collapsed too."
"Alas, my junior brother wasn't spared either."
Finally, even Master fell!
Shen Shu'an, Shen Wanqiu, and Xuan Yi: "???"
Shen Wanqiu took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and looked at Qiao Pingsheng.
"Fellow Daoist Qiao, it's been two years since we last met. You've become much more talkative these days."
She remembered the last time she saw him was in Sweet Fruit Town.
At that time, he disguised himself as an ordinary person and told fortunes for the villagers in a town. He spoke very little, and his facial expressions were not as lively and varied as they are now. He exuded only the word "caution".
That day, she happened to pass by while on a mission outside the sect. Before he could even see her face clearly, he stepped back. Later, when he realized it was her, he gave a wry smile and told her not to come any closer.
Shen Wanqiu lowered her eyes and recalled that it was an autumn day.
At that time, she had only recently reached the Golden Core stage, while he was still at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, you'd better not come near me. Getting close to me will bring you misfortune."
As she finished speaking with difficulty, she suddenly looked up and met a pair of eyes that seemed to be smiling but were actually filled with tears.
When the sadness in his eyes was noticed, he covered his face, turned away without saying another word, and left in a hurry.
It's as if, because misfortune is chasing after them, they have a responsibility to lead it away.
Just a glimpse of his back evokes a myriad of emotions in one's heart—heartache, pity… and so many others, too many to describe.
Although the handwriting and language in our recent correspondence have been lighter, how come today, how come, is it like this?
Shen Wanqiu looked at Qiao Pingsheng, who was pouring out his grievances to her even though he was separated from Xuan Yi.
However, upon closer inspection, he suddenly noticed the "Complete Collection of Forbidden Spells" in the other person's hands.
Shen Wanqiu: "?"
Shen Wanqiu's body trembled, wondering if he was seeing things. He raised his hand to rub his eyes and looked again.
But the next second, as the sword formation performance ended, on the high platform in front, the Holy Bright Sect Master, Void Mirror Divine Lord, waved his hand and said with boundless pride—
"Alright, the grand competition of my Holy Bright Sect shall now officially begin."
"I won't say any more. Disciples, step onto the arena!"
As the resounding female voice faded, a roar erupted across the Holy Bright Sect's arena: "Yes!"
Ten thousand people shouted in unison, and then many disciples flew out of their seats and flipped onto the arena in front.
Shen Shu'an: "?"
Shen Shuan scratched his head and nudged Xuan Yi beside him. "Xuan Yi, tell Brother Qiao to stop talking."
She hadn't even really looked at the sword formation yet, and her brain was already about to crash.
Shen Shu'an lowered her head and took out the number plate she had received. She and her sister were both participating disciples in the friendly match, and it wasn't their turn today.
However, there will also be an exhibition match today, featuring Hu Xiaotian and Jiao Rulian from the Lingyu Immortal Sect.
The exhibition matches feature a different sect each day, giving everyone a chance to showcase their strengths and attract disciples, making it very fair.
After all, once you've cultivated to a certain level and your strength has increased, you should take the civil service exam if you can, and become an elder if you can.
Only when you receive the sect's stipend and continue climbing the ranks can you truly be called a cultivator!
[Ding, host, detected entry into a critical plot point: the Holy Bright Sect Grand Competition.]
[Here is the first in a series of tasks: Victory in the 'Friendly Match' of the Grand Competition for New Disciples. Our goal is to win, only victory!]
[Task Rewards: A wisp of Heavenly Fortune, and several sect rewards (Note: Automatically bound, cannot be gifted to others).]
[Mission Penalty: The host's luck in this realm has slightly decreased, and the emotion value collection rate has decreased by 20%!]
[Key Mission ②: After winning and obtaining a spot in the Secret Realm, enter the Mystic Bird Secret Realm and persuade the Tribulation-Transcending Demon Dragon within to abandon evil and return to the Dragon Clan.]
[Quest Rewards: Greatly increases the favorability of the Demon Dragon, slightly increases the favorability of the entire dragon race, and greatly increases the favorability of Bai Aoxue. (Note: Rewards may be given to the host by those involved in the quest; please strive to obtain them yourself!)]
[Mission Penalty: None.]
Shen Shu'an: "???"
Shen Shu'an's pupils dilated in shock. No, her?
A Foundation Establishment cultivator enters a secret realm to persuade a Tribulation Transcending stage demonic dragon! ? ?
"Shen Shu'an?"
"An'er?"
"Sister Shen?"
But there was no time to think further. Hearing the three voices beside her, Shen Shu'an suppressed all her emotions, looked up, and said, "It's nothing."
"But," she began, her words abruptly cut off as she looked at Qiao Pingsheng, who was standing beside Shen Wanqiu staring blankly at his older sister.
No, Qiao Pingsheng, why are you so close to my sister?
I know my sister is beautiful, but who told you to notice her beauty?
You're no longer unlucky, but you've started practicing forbidden spells. Do you think things will get any better?
Shen Shu'an felt like crying but had no tears in her heart. She remained calm on the surface, smiled slightly, stood up, and drew her fine sword from her waist.
"Come on, sister, hop on my sword, let's go see what's going on with the Lingyu Immortal Sect's exhibition match!"
Xuan Yi, standing to the side, looked at the slightly bulging jaw muscles on Shen Shu'an's cheek and couldn't help but turn his head away and curl the corners of his lips.
"Oh."