A figure in purple flashed out from the crowd.
Clad in a purple silken dress, she exuded an ethereal, noble air. A long, matching cape danced in the wind behind her, creating the impression of a phoenix—proud and aloof.
Crimson lips and pearly-white teeth! Bright, luminous eyes!
A cascade of black hair, smooth as a celestial waterfall, tumbled down her back to her waist, cinched by a soft and lustrous purple sash around her slender figure. Her long, graceful legs, veiled within the purple dress, offered a tantalizing hint of what lay beneath.
With each graceful step, she brought a delicate, refreshing fragrance.
The mont she appeared, it was as if every other woman on Cyan Nether Main Peak paled in comparison.
In her slender, pale hand, she held a slim, green sword. Her long lashes trembled as she stared down at Hong Renjie lying on the ground. Wrinkling her delicate nose, she spoke. "Our Cyan Nether Sword Sect has existed for hundreds of years. Why do you think we hold this grand promotion tournant every three years? It's ant to promote communication and improvent among disciples, not for you all to slaughter each other. Look at your actions just now. I am ashad to have you as a fellow disciple."
As the young woman in purple spoke, an unthawable frost seed to settle between her brows.
"S-Senior Sister Luoo..."
Hong Renjie coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood. The sharp sword edge wavered before his eyes, filling him with imnse pressure.
The young woman in purple snorted. "You have lost today's battle. Since you've lost, you should accept defeat. Go back, cultivate diligently, and win back your honor in the future. Don't resort to sneak attacks like this again. We disciples of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect carry ourselves with integrity. Did you all hear clearly?"
The young woman in purple's gaze swept over the crowd.
Everyone who t her gaze felt as if they'd received a sharp blow to the heart. They stared at her, stunned, and nodded repeatedly, not daring to show the slightest defiance.
'It's her?'
Hong Yu finally got a clear look at her face and recognized her.
It was none other than the young woman in purple he had accidentally run into at Liger Ravine!
The thought of the young woman in purple made Hong Yu's expression change drastically. 'This is bad,' he thought frantically. 'That little pervert Huhu swiped her bodice! If she thinks I put him up to it, I'm in deep trouble!'
'This is a woman who could slice through a powerful Ancient Thunder Talisman with a single strike!'
'And judging by everyone's attitude, her status must be incredibly high. If soone like that decides to co after , aren't I finished? Completely screwed?'
Just as Hong Yu was wondering how he could slip away, the young woman in purple suddenly turned. The small sword in her hand quivered and pointed right at him.
'I'm done for!'
Hong Yu wailed internally.
Just as he thought she had found him out and was about to punish him, her aim went past him, pointing directly at a young man in the crowd who was crouched down, trying to sneak away. Her crisp voice held a trace of fury. "Feng Xue Xin, you bastard! How long are you going to keep hiding from ?"
"Huh?"
Hong Yu froze.
Blinking, Hong Yu stared in astonishnt.
He saw the young woman in purple, sword in one hand, dragging Feng Xue Xin out of the crowd by his ear with the other.
'Holy hell, what is going on?'
Hong Yu felt like his brain was short-circuiting.
'Feng Xue Xin was the head of the True Disciples! Even though he just lost to Hong Renjie, that was only because he conceded. If they had truly fought to the death, it's hard to say who would have won!'
'But this was that sa formidable master, being dragged out like a helpless chick. What in the world was happening?'
"Let go! Milady, please let go!" Feng Xue Xin begged, his face a mask of misery.
The young woman in purple huffed, wrinkling her delicate nose. "So, are you going to keep hiding from ?"
"Milady, I wasn't hiding from you!"
Seeing she was about to yank his ear again, Feng Xue Xin quickly added, "I really wasn't! I've been away for the last six months looking for tasty things to eat. I just got back right as the tournant was starting, so I didn't have ti to find you!"
"Hmph. I'll buy that for now. I'll let you off this ti. But if there's a next ti, watch out. I'll forge a chain and keep you tied up so you can't go anywhere."
The young woman in purple snorted triumphantly and dusted off her slender hands. Seeing Feng Xue Xin rubbing his ear, her bright eyes blinked and she said in a pained tone, "Fengfeng, did I hurt you? Look, it's all red! Let blow on it for you! Honestly, don't you know how fragile your ears are? Why don't you take better care of yourself?"
Feng Xue Xin: "..."
Hong Yu: "..."
Everyone who heard her: "..."
'Damn it! You're the one who did that to his ear, aren't you? How can you act like you had nothing to do with it and start blaming the victim?'
Of course, after witnessing the young woman's terrifying sword strike, no one dared to actually say this out loud.
"Junior Brother Hong, are you all right?"
Ling Tian and Tie Shou were the first to get onto the stage and help Hong Yu up.
Leaning weakly on Tie Shou's shoulder, Hong Yu shook his head with a wry smile. "I'm just exhausted. It's nothing serious."
"You're insane, you know that?" Ling Tian said. "Look at your eye. What happened?"
Hong Yu's left eye was squeezed shut, and a horrifying trail of bloody tears slid from it. It had been the first thing to draw Ling Tian's attention.
Hong Yu just smiled. "It's just a small injury. It'll heal after a few days of rest." The Cyan Eyes were connected to the Profound Celestial Tower; he had no intention of revealing that secret.
Ling Tian paused. He might not be the most tactful person, but he wasn't an idiot. He nodded and didn't press the matter.
Hong Yu looked at Tie Shou. "Tie Shou, who is she?"
"Her?"
A strange expression appeared on Tie Shou's face—sothing between a grin and a grimace, as if he were trying to suppress a laugh. He lowered his voice. "Her na is Luoo Xiaoguai. I heard she and Brother Xin were raised together by one of the Sword Sect's Elders. They've been together since they were kids, and supposedly they were betrothed as children! Oh, right, I think you'll be more familiar with her other title..."
"What?"
Hong Yu and Ling Tian's eyes both went wide.
Tie Shou gave a mysterious smile and chuckled. "The Chief Disciple!"
"What?!"
Hong Yu and Ling Tian glanced at each other, utterly dumbfounded.
'This young woman in purple, Luoo Xiaoguai, is the mysterious, almost mythical Chief Disciple everyone talks about?'
For a mont, Hong Yu felt like his brain couldn't keep up.
'But then he rembered the way she'd dragged Feng Xue Xin around with one hand and cut down an Ancient Thunder Talisman with a single sword strike, and suddenly the title seed to fit her perfectly.'_
...
Li Tie slowly walked forward.
He scanned the crowd and announced coolly, "In the match between Hong Renjie and Hong Yu, the winner is Hong Yu! The point rankings have now changed. First place: Hong Yu. Second place: Hong Renjie. Third: Feng Xue Xin. Fourth: Ling Tian. Fifth: Hong Gang..."
Li Tie continued to read out a series of nas.
Finally, he addressed the crowd. "Guo Fei, Hong Renjie, and Hong Gang are all injured and cannot challenge anyone else. Currently, Hong Yu, Ling Tian, Tie Shou, and Feng Xue Xin, among others, still have opportunities to issue a challenge. Does anyone wish to do so?"
Hong Yu weakly shook his head. "No."
Ling Tian waved his hand dismissively. "The interesting opponents are all out of commission, and I can't beat Feng Xue Xin. I'm done."
Tie Shou shook his head with a smile.
Feng Xue Xin grimaced, wincing in pain. "I... I..."
Before he could finish, Luoo Xiaoguai dragged him aside by the ear. The Chief Disciple muttered as she walked, "'I, I' what? If you really want the spotlight that badly, you can have my position as Chief Disciple. Now cut the crap and get ready. You promised six months ago that you'd roast a thigh from a Red Jade Tyrannosaurus!"
"*Sigh*... I get it."
With his head hanging low, Feng Xue Xin nodded resentfully.
Luoo Xiaoguai placed her hands on her hips, giggling in satisfaction...
Seeing that no one else intended to fight, Li Tie nodded. "Very well. In that case, the inner sect promotion tournant is now concluded. All of you may return to your residences for now. In three days, you will assemble in the main hall. At that ti, the Sect's Elders and the Sect Leader himself will be present to bestow rewards upon those who have perford exceptionally!"
"Yes!"
After more than a month of battles, everyone was utterly exhausted.
These three days would be the perfect opportunity to rest and recover.
As for the assembly in the main hall three days later, aside from the expected rewards, it was also customary for the Sect's powerful experts to test so of the more outstanding disciples, perhaps taking them on as Registered Disciples or even accepting them as Direct Disciples.
As they were about to part ways, Feng Xue Xin smiled. "Junior Brother Hong, this is a Tier Two Healing Spirit Pill, a Rejuvenation Pill. Take it and recuperate. Get ready for the assembly in the main hall in three days!"
"Thank you, Senior Brother Feng!"
Hong Yu cupped his fists in thanks, but then he noticed Luoo Xiaoguai beside Feng Xue Xin, watching him with an unreadable, half-smiling expression.
A sudden shiver ran down Hong Yu's spine. He forced a wry smile. "Senior Sister Luoo!"
Luoo Xiaoguai nodded, then gave him a playful wink. "For Junior Brother Hong to defeat Hong Renjie with only a Mid-stage Earth Soul Realm cultivation... you truly have great talent!"
"Just luck. Hehe, just luck!"
Hong Yu scratched his head.
He felt there was an indescribable craftiness in Luoo Xiaoguai's eyes, so he responded with extre caution.
But Luoo Xiaoguai was completely unpredictable. She nodded with a beaming smile. "Junior Brother Hong, go back and get so rest. Once your injuries have healed, I'll co find you for a little sparring session... Hmm, it's been a while since I've gotten to stretch my limbs. With your great strength, Junior Brother Hong, you should be able to help relieve so of my boredom!"
Hong Yu's eye twitched. 'Damn it! You're the freaking Chief Disciple! You can destroy an Ancient Thunder Talisman with a single sword strike! Asking to spar with you... aren't you just asking for a chance to beat up?'
Hong Yu looked pleadingly at Feng Xue Xin.
Feng Xue Xin froze, then quickly raised his head to gaze at the heavens, adopting an air of complete and utter indifference.
Hong Yu then looked toward Ling Tian, Tie Shou, and the others.
These scoundrels, who were always going on about brotherhood and taking a knife for a friend, t Hong Yu's mournful gaze and imdiately scattered. One yawned and pretended not to see anything. Another rubbed his nose and yelled, "Whoops, gotta use the latrine!" before making a hasty retreat.
Luoo Xiaoguai stepped forward with a grin. She patted Hong Yu's shoulder with her pale hand, looking for all the world like a mob boss. "Don't worry, Junior Brother Hong. Big Sister will be very, *very* gentle! Hahaha..."
With a peal of laughter like silver bells, Luoo Xiaoguai waved her hand and led Feng Xue Xin and the others away.
Feng Xue Xin, Ling Tian, and the others occasionally glanced back at Hong Yu with looks of pity...
On the empty tournant stage.
Hong Yu stood all alone. His legs from the knees down were completely embedded in the hard Cyan Radiance Stone floor, driven in by the 'gentle' pats Luoo Xiaoguai had given him before she left.
Speechless, Hong Yu could only stare up at the sky...
"Damn you..."
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