Chapter 403 - 401: Meeting the Blue Sky
Chapter 403: Chapter 401: Meeting the Blue Sky
Night Rain looked at Zhong Lin with a profound gaze; she hadn’t expected such ambition here.
An Eighth-grade Alchemist is not impressive?
“Do you know that there are only a handful of Eighth-grade Alchemists in the entire sect, and although Senior Sister Ying He is only a True Disciple, even some Elders or Saint Heirs dare not show any neglect towards her,” Night Rain said speechlessly.
Zhong Lin remained silent.
Night Rain sighed, waved her hand, and said, “Do as you wish! Just be careful, and don’t forget you belong to the Juying Association.”
“Yes, Zhong Lin would not dare forget.”
“You may go!”
Zhong Lin cupped his hands in salute and turned to leave the Listening Rain Pavilion.
Watching Zhong Lin’s departing figure, Night Rain suddenly said to the void, “Senior Sister Ying Ju, what do you think of him?”
The space rippled like water, and the next moment, a graceful figure appeared in place.
The woman was radiant, with delicate brows and enchanting eyes. She wore a pale white palace dress, exuding an ethereal quality, and her long black hair was styled in a simple yet elegant bun, giving her a heroic appearance.
The person was none other than the true master of Juying Peak, the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land True Disciple, Ying Ju.
“A decent talent with courage,” Ying Ju said blandly.
“I think he’s overly bold,” Night Rain remarked with slight dissatisfaction.
“Oh! Do you want to make a bet?”
Ying Ju glanced at Night Rain, her eyes slightly narrowed, like a playful fox.
“Forget it, I won’t,” Night Rain reflexively took a step back, quickly waving her hands, her face filled with wariness, as if remembering something unpleasant.
Ying Ju also pursed her lips, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes.
“Since he’s willing to participate in the Outer Disciple Competition, let him. Let him see reality, but since he’s a member of Juying Association, we can’t let him be bullied. I’ve heard someone has already stepped in,” Ying Ju said.
Night Rain straightened her expression and nodded, “Indeed, the rewards of the recent competitions have become increasingly generous, and many have developed thoughts they shouldn’t have.”
“Have the True Disciples made a move?”
Ying Ju lightly frowned, a chill flashing in her eyes.
“No, but the ones taking action are likely closely connected with those True Disciples.”
Upon hearing this, Ying Ju pondered for a moment, then leisurely said, “In that case, there’s no need to intervene. The path of martial arts is arduous, like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-log bridge; without exceptional talent and fortune covering the sky, one cannot cross. One must navigate this on their own, or how else can they see the open sky?”
Night Rain’s face briefly showed a worried expression, but in the end, she nodded.
…
“Zhong Lin.”
“Junior Brother Zhong.”
As soon as he returned to Liuxuan Pavilion, two familiar figures appeared before his eyes; they were none other than Chu Yu and Tang Yimei.
Their friendship had grown deeper since the medicine-seeking journey in Earth Split Canyon more than a year ago. Over this period, the two often came seeking medicine, and through them, Zhong Lin made a small fortune and acquired a lot of cultivation resources.
Thus, Zhong Lin wasn’t surprised by their arrival.
“Senior Sister Tang, Chu Yu, you’ve come.”
Zhong Lin said with a smile.
“Zhong Lin, I heard from Shulan that Senior Sister Night Rain was looking for you, is there something going on?”
The bold Chu Yu asked directly, without any reservations.
“Nothing much, Senior Sister Night Rain asked about me participating in the Outer Disciple Competition.”
“You’re participating too?”
Zhong Lin looked at Chu Yu, curious, “So you’ve signed up as well?”
“Of course, not only me, but also Senior Sister Tang, Sang Xue, Changsun Yue, Mu Yan, and Yin Hong have all joined. How could we miss such a grand event? My Overlord Spear has long been anticipating this.”
Zhong Lin turned his gaze to Tang Yimei, looking surprised.
He understood why Chu Yu would join the outer competition; before joining the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land, she was a female general leading troops to battle, and her Lifebound Weapon was the Overlord Spear, known for her love of war.
But Tang Yimei was different; she preferred peace over conflict and rarely involved herself in fighting.
Tang Yimei noticed the doubt in Zhong Lin’s eyes and said with a smile, “The Outer Disciple Competition is a grand event held once every ten years by the sect. Sparring with fellow disciples can improve one’s cultivation and practical combat skills. Besides, it’s not as dangerous as slaying demon beasts outside. Though I don’t love fighting, martial arts cultivation is full of such helplessness—it’s something I can’t miss out on.”
“But that’s not all! I’ve heard the rewards for this competition are increasingly generous, and this time there’s even a Yin Yang Melt Spirit Pill and a Mystical Artifact as prizes. Who wouldn’t want to compete for such treasures?”
Chu Yu said excitedly.
“Yin Yang Melt Spirit Pill, Mystical Artifact?”
Zhong Lin was astonished, not expecting the rewards to be so generous.
A Mystical Artifact needs no introduction; even Martial Artists in the Xuandan Realm might not own such a powerful weapon. The Donghuang Bell he was nurturing in his Dantian still had no idea when it might advance to become a Mystical Artifact. If he held a Mystical Artifact, his power would surely increase significantly.
As for the Yin Yang Melt Spirit Pill, it’s an Eighth-grade Elixir, a supreme Treasure Medicine specifically for the Xuandan Realm. After ingesting it, one could use its medicinal power to push their Xuandan to the Perfection Realm, refining a strand of Yin Yang Spirit. By then, as long as they find suitable Yin Evil Qi, they could break through to the Yin Yang Realm in one go.
“The rewards for the Outer Disciple Competition are so generous?”
“It wasn’t like this before. It started from the last term; it’s said the East Desolation Ten Domains major Holy Lands discussed hosting a Martial Arts Conference. Therefore, the sect increased support for Outer Disciple resources, seeking to go further and gain face at the Martial Arts Conference,” Tang Yimei said.
“Martial Arts Conference?”
Zhong Lin realized he was quite ignorant; now suddenly there was a Martial Arts Conference.
“I don’t know the details either; it was told to me by Senior Sister Night Rain. Unless you achieve enough in this Outer Competition, knowing would only add unnecessary worries.”
“That’s true.”
Zhong Lin nodded in understanding; without reaching a certain level of strength, one isn’t qualified to learn more.
“Senior Sister Tang, do you think Senior Sister Lou Yue can win first place this time?”
Chu Yu interrupted their conversation, asking eagerly.
“It’s hard to say.”
Tang Yimei responded seriously, “Though Senior Sister Lou Yue has reached Xuandan Perfection and achieved Third Grade in elixir-making, there are also several exceptionally talented disciples in this Outer Disciple Competition who are not inferior to Senior Sister Lou Yue.”
“How is that possible? Senior Sister Lou Yue has Sword Heart Clarity, unmatched talent in Sword Dao, and has achieved Third Grade in elixir-making, with immense power. Who can rival her?” Chu Yu exclaimed.
Hearing the name Lou Yue, Zhong Lin’s eyes flashed with Divine Light.
He had only heard her name and never met her. She was the Outer Master Sister of the entire Juying Association, with Xuandan Perfection cultivation, born with Sword Heart Clarity, and her combat power was unparalleled.