Love & Redemption
Chapter 177: Volume 4 Hua Meng’s Sudden Rift - 34 Conference (Part 6)

Chapter 177: Volume 4 Hua Meng’s Sudden Rift Chapter 34 Conference (Part 6)

If one had claimed Xuanji’s victories in the first two rounds were sheer luck, no one could say the same after she beautifully clinched the third. Some disciples from other sects had requested to examine Bengyu, suspecting she had tampered with the sword since effortlessly breaking opponents’ weapons was not something an average person could do, especially someone who appeared as delicate as her.

Yet, to their disappointment, despite Bengyu’s sharpness, when they used it to chop other weapons, they could not cut through as easily as she did. They failed to realize that Bengyu only unleashed its true Divine Power in Xuanji’s hands. To others, it was nothing more than a slightly sharper treasure sword, with nothing out of the ordinary.

Now only five competitors remained; Shaoyang Sect was only left with Xuanji, and Lize Palace with that disciple who could summon spiritual beasts. The remaining competitors were two from Fuyu Island and one from Dianjing Valley. The Fuyu Island disciples, who Linglong had described as unremarkable, were shining brightly in this Flower Pinning Conference. Perhaps it was due to the advantage of the terrain or their hidden strength, but regardless, their victories were convincing.

By early morning, the Martial Arts Arena was packed with spectators. After today’s matches, the finals would take place the next day, thus attracting more and more onlookers. Perhaps because the Flower Pinning Conference had proceeded without incident thus far, Fuyu Island’s management had slightly relaxed their strict inspection of visitors coming onto the island. Although certain of victory in the Flower Pinning Conference, Xuanji was still startled by the bustling crowd that morning.

"Uncle Dongfang has allowed so many people onto Fuyu Island!" She leaned on the wooden building’s railing, looking down at a sea of heads, "Standing down there, you actually can’t see anything."

"Humph, nowadays, it’s always the crowd seekers who are the majority. In the future, when you wander the world, boasting that you’ve seen the Flower Pinning Conference makes for good bragging material," Linglong said, as she secured Xuanji’s loose hair bun firmly and braided the stray hairs so they wouldn’t get blown into her eyes by the wind.

While they were talking, Yu Sifeng and Zhong Minyan came up, and Linglong quickly waved to them, "Over here, over here! I’ve snagged a spot for you both! The best view!"

Knowing she liked to fuss over these little things, Zhong Minyan smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, admiring as she did Xuanji’s hair, he said tenderly, "I never knew your hands were so skilled, this bun is well done." He looked up at her own bun and reached out to touch it.

Linglong rolled her eyes, scolding him, "Stop it! If you really want it, I’ll do one for you later, I guarantee you’ll be even more charming than Xuanji!"

"Spare me..." He chuckled. Seeing Xuanji turn around, the clear distinction between the black and white of her eyes sweeping over his face, he felt a tingling sensation. He lowered his head to avoid her gaze and tidied the stray hairs by Linglong’s ear, saying softly, "Getting up so early, you didn’t eat anything, right? I brought some pastries, let’s eat them together later."

Linglong playfully scolded him, then chuckled along. Xuanji knew when those two started teasing each other, they were oblivious to others, so she quickly stepped aside, not wanting to be in the way. Turning back, she saw Yu Sifeng and Liu Yihuan sitting together with Ting Nu, looking serious and seemingly discussing something; she walked over and curiously asked, "Brother Liu, you rarely come this early. Is it to watch my match?"

Liu Yihuan chuckled and replied, "Of course. I’ve never been late for a single match of Little Xuanji’s. I expect a delightful victory today, too!"

Yu Sifeng beckoned to her, "Xuanji, come here." Xuanji walked over and sat beside him, only to hear him say in a deep voice, "If you draw lots today and end up facing someone from Lize Palace, don’t be polite, let Tengshe deal with him." Xuanji was startled and asked, "Why? Why say this all of a sudden..."

Yu Sifeng said softly, "That person is not an ordinary disciple. Lize Palace deliberately sent someone who doesn’t meet the competition criteria to cause trouble. Although we don’t know what they’re up to, you must be careful."

Xuanji looked at Ting Nu and Liu Yihuan, both of whom nodded silently. Ting Nu said, "Brother Liu’s Heavenly Eye has not fully recovered, but he discerned that man is no ordinary disciple, fearing he might be someone of Elder status. That spiritual beast last time was just a slight test. You are the only one participating in the Flower Pinning Conference this time, so we suspect he may have been sent by Lize Palace to target you, but we lack conclusive evidence. In any case, be cautious."

Quietly contemplating, Yu Sifeng added, "Xuanji, I apologize, this trouble is my doing..." She hurriedly shook her head, gripping his hand tightly, and urgently said, "Why would you say that? I—I enjoy solving the troubles you cause!"

Liu Yihuan "oh oh" chimed in triumphantly, teasing, "So intimate, so sweet! There’s still some time before the competition starts, how about we step aside and let you two whisper sweet nothings?"

Xuanji’s face turned crimson, and she said in a low voice, "Brother Liu is really shameless with age!"

Everyone burst into laughter. Liu Yihuan was about to take further verbal advantage when suddenly the four-cornered Kui skin drums began to beat, indicating it was time to draw lots. Xuanji stood up, ready to jump down from the wooden building, when Yu Sifeng suddenly pulled her back from behind. Turning around in surprise, she felt a warmth on her lips— he had gently kissed her.

In broad daylight, such a bold move drew a burst of gasps from the crowd. Xuanji’s heart thumped wildly, gazing at him with eyes wide, she stammered, "You... how could you..." He just smiled slightly, let go of her hand, and said softly, "I just felt like doing it. Xuanji, I’ll be waiting for your return."

Xuanji nodded solemnly, returned a smile, and then flipped over to jump off the wooden building, joining the other five competitors to draw lots.

Linglong’s jaw was still hanging open in shock. Seeing Yu Sifeng walk back nonchalantly, she stammered, "You... you really are... very... bold!" Yu Sifeng glanced at Zhong Minyan with a smile, lightly touching his lips, and murmured, "Hmm, indeed quite bold."

Without dwelling on how many jaws Yu Sifeng’s remark dropped, Xuanji hadn’t seen it. She had drawn her lot from the box and was about to open it when the Vice Palace Master of Lize Palace said with a smile, "Don’t tell me by some coincidence you’ll clash with one of our disciples, Little Xuanji."

Little Xuanji! She gave him a cold glare. Hearing these words from his mouth made her skin crawl. She opened the slip of paper, and there, written neatly, were the characters for "A." She was to go first. The Vice Palace Master laughed again and asked, "What lot? Let me see."

Xuanji didn’t want to deal with him, but since he was in charge of the lot-drawing registration today, she had to reluctantly hand over the slip. The Vice Palace Master glanced at it, and with an "Oh," said, "Look at my crow’s mouth, I actually called it." He held up the registration book, laughing "hehe," and said, "Look, my sect’s Hao Feng is listed under Yichou."

So, the man was called Hao Feng. Xuanji gave him a glance and whispered, "Is this really a coincidence?"

The Vice Palace Master waved his fan and said with a smile, "All sorts of things in this world are made up of various coincidences, don’t you believe that?"

Like hell I’d believe you! Xuanji turned to leave, but he called out from behind, "Hao Feng is very formidable, Little Xuanji must be careful!"

As his voice fell, the Kui skin drum at the four corners sounded again, and the competition officially began. Xuanji immediately wanted to fly up with her sword control technique, but suddenly she felt a tight grip around her waist, as if someone had seized her. Following that, the person leaped up, riding on a cloud, and effortlessly took her up to the southern arena with him.

"Tengshe!" Xuanji turned to see that it was this trickster and couldn’t help but feel a headache, "What are you doing up here? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to get involved?"

Tengshe rubbed his nose and snorted, saying, "I feel like fighting today, what’s it to you, you gonna stop me?"

Xuanji lifted her foot to kick him down, but Tengshe hurriedly said, "Hey! Don’t bite the hand that feeds you! I’m here to help you, am I not?"

"Help?" Xuanji immediately latched onto that sensitive word.

Tengshe glanced at Hao Feng standing opposite. He was like a rock, immovable in the wind, his messy long hair blown around like writhing snakes.

"There are some interesting things nurtured within this man’s shadow, heh, I wish to see for myself."

Inside, there appeared to be an unusually formidable demon... He looked at Xuanji, although she was the War God General, in this life her flesh was only that of a little girl. Against that kind of demon, she might not be able to endure. He couldn’t let her die; they had just made a spiritual beast contract, and if she were to die, he wouldn’t live either, making this deal hugely unprofitable.

While the two of them were whispering, Valley Master Rong’s stern voice came from the center of the arena, "The duel is supposed to be one-on-one, without any assistance! Chu Xuanji, make that person leave this place immediately!"

Xuanji hurriedly explained, "Valley Master Rong, he’s not an assistant, he’s my spiritual beast! It’s just that he usually takes on a human form."

Valley Master Rong frowned and said, "Absurd! How can a spiritual beast take on human form! I understand your eagerness to win, but such a lie is hardly credible!"

Xuanji was about to say more, but Tengshe burst into laughter and said, "Hahaha! Mere mortals with mortal eyes, pitiful indeed! You fail to recognize me, well, let it pass! I’ll give you an eye-opener later." With that, he leapt from the stone pillar, not falling but floating lightly in the air like a falling leaf, standing about a zhang away from the edge of the arena. Such a display of skill instantly caused a huge commotion. Even the most formidable cultivators needed to control an object to fly in the air, but for someone like him to stand or lie as he wished, without falling, was unheard of.

Tengshe half-reclined in midair, propping up his head, and said, "I’ll just watch from here, that won’t be a problem, right?"

Valley Master Rong, too, was taken aback by this feat and slowly nodded, saying in a deep voice, "If you... truly are a spiritual beast, then naturally it is not a problem."

Tengshe whistled and laughed, "Let’s start then, Little Xuanji!"

Listening to everyone calling her Little Xuanji, he had learned to imitate them quite effectively. Xuanji glared at him and then turned around, slowly drawing out Bengyu.

***********

Today, I read a fascinating story called "Marrying a Vampire."

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Book Number: 1016937

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