Love & Redemption
Chapter 94: Volume 3 The Heartless Xuanji - 1 Change (1)

Chapter 94: Volume 3 The Heartless Xuanji Chapter 1 Change (1)

The slots for the Flower Pinning Conference were quickly settled, and since the Xuanyuan Sect did not join this year, the competition among the Five Great Sects was reduced to four. Consequently, the age restriction for participants had to be adjusted, and three more competitors were added from each sect. As a result, many disciples under eighteen now also had the chance to take part in this year’s Flower Pinning Conference.

Early that day, Xuanji and Yu Sifeng were called to the main hall and informed that they, too, were on the list of disciples participating in this year’s conference.

As Chu Lei added names to the list, he said, "This year is an exception. Even if you participate, there’s no need to be bent on winning; consider it an experience."

After he finished, he looked up at Xuanji. As expected, she was first taken aback, then quickly showed an impatient expression, grumbling, "I have to participate too? But I really don’t want to..."

"Like it or not, you have no choice," sighed Chu Lei. "As I said, winning or losing isn’t the point; it’s about experiencing the atmosphere of the conference, which is beneficial for your cultivation practice."

What does fighting have to do with cultivation? Xuanji couldn’t understand, but it seemed everyone else enjoyed it as if it were just for the excitement.

"I’ve also registered your sister Linglong," Chu Lei said in a low voice, pausing before adding, "If... they can still make it back."

Xuanji’s heart sank, and she suddenly didn’t feel like saying anything anymore, overwhelmed with sadness.

Chu Lei also felt a twinge in his heart. After a while, he waved his hand, "Go on, you don’t need to worry too much."

Xuanji noticed although her father maintained a calm expression, deep shadows lingered in his eyes, and a few more strands of white had suddenly appeared at his temples. She realized he was actually the most anxious of all, but as the leader of a sect, he couldn’t afford to be visibly upset; he was merely enduring.

Biting her lip, she suddenly said softly, "I’ll go to Gao Mountain again to look for them!"

No sooner had she spoken than she turned to leave. Chu Lei quickly stopped her, "Don’t be rash! It’s no use going now. The situation is complicated and uncertain; you must not take any more risks!"

"What if they are still waiting for us in some corner of Gao Mountain?"

The mere thought of Linglong and Zhong Minyan, ragged and possibly gravely injured, desperately waiting for rescue, made Xuanji feel as though a knife was mercilessly cutting through her heart. Although she knew another search would be futile—as she and Yu Sifeng had already thoroughly scoured Gao Mountain—she still held on to hope that perhaps in some undiscovered cave, they might find traces of them.

Chu Lei said with a sigh, "After so much time, even the worst of injuries would have healed. Do not act on your own!"

Their argument quickly caught the attention of others nearby. The Vice Palace Master was discussing Si Feng’s participation in the Flower Pinning Conference with him and only glanced back at Xuanji, remaining silent. Valley Master Rong and Dongfang Qingqi both stepped forward to persuade her.

"Little Xuanji, listen to your father. If you go, your fate is uncertain. Do you want to make your father lose both his daughters at once?"

Dongfang Qingqi patted her shoulder and shook his head subtly.

Valley Master Rong said gravely, "The evil spirits of Gao Mountain have been eliminated, so there should be no danger. They must be on their way back by now. At this juncture, it would be unwise to complicate matters."

Xuanji stared blankly at the vermillion pen in Chu Lei’s hand, then suddenly said, "Why do you all pretend not to know about the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain incident? Those demons... they’ve destroyed a Divine Artifact and are causing chaos with the Bifang Bird at their side... Maybe they’re the ones who took Linglong..."

She dared not voice that last word, for it would have torn her tongue to shreds.

Everyone fell silent. Dongfang Qingqi awkwardly coughed and said with an embarrassed smile, "Little Xuanji, these matters are not for mortal intervention..."

Before he could finish, the Vice Palace Master laughed strangely and spoke in a coy voice, "The Island Master is being modest. Cultivators are hardly mortals. Miss Chu, let me tell you why they pretend not to know—it’s because the matter is connected to the very foundation of the Five Great Sects..."

"Ridiculous!" Valley Master Rong suddenly became furious, standing up swiftly and flinging his sleeve, he said harshly, "I would kindly ask the Vice Palace Master not to bring chaos to people’s hearts, and to accumulate virtues with his words!"

His words were incredibly stern, almost explicitly accusing him of sowing discord among the crowd. For a moment, everyone was speechless, and the atmosphere inside the room became extremely oppressive. Xuanji looked around, unsure whether it was appropriate to continue her questioning at this juncture.

The Vice Palace Master, however, didn’t appear to be upset by the rebuke; instead, he clapped his hands and laughed, "Valley Master Rong is quite right, I was just talking nonsense, not worthy of attention. Miss Chu can just pretend she heard nothing."

His demeanor remained joking and casual, which irritated Valley Master Rong even more, prompting him to glare at the Vice Palace Master, snort disdainfully, and leave with a sweep of his sleeve.

"Aye, why leave so soon? Could it be that my nonsense drove you away?"

The Vice Palace Master continued his foolish antics. Chu Lei shook his head in secret while Dongfang Qingqi quietly admonished him, "Vice Palace Master, that was too harsh."

Giggling, the Vice Palace Master responded, "I’m always the harsh one. Perhaps from now on, I should just hold my nose and live cautiously, keeping quiet unless I really need to speak. If I say something offensive, I’ll just retreat quickly!"

Seeing such a prominent figure from one of the major sects speaking so vulgarly left everyone speechless. He laughed as he rose to his feet, mimicking Valley Master Rong’s actions with a sweep of his sleeve, turned his back, and walked out, while saying, "Si Feng, you stay and keep them company, I’ll take my leave now to avoid any further annoyance."

Yu Sifeng was caught between laughter and tears, but found no good moment to interject, so he could only hastily agree.

Unable to resist, Dongfang Qingqi spoke out, "Vice Palace Master, one should be magnanimous where possible, why say so much?"

Reaching the doorway and still chuckling, the Vice Palace Master replied, "Do I really talk too much? Talking a lot is good, it’s much better than silently doing so much, yet appearing to be an honest person. At a time like this, clinging to secrets, thinking they can solve everything in the dark—when the truth comes out, that will be the real joke. Ha ha! Ha ha!"

Chu Lei and Dongfang Qingqi were shocked by his unbridled speech, but he had already vanished outside the door.

In the end, Xuanji didn’t clear up anything. She turned back to see Yu Sifeng giving her a slight nod, and she followed suit. Then she said to Chu Lei, "Father, Si Feng and I would still like to go check out Gao Mountain. We’ll be back soon, so don’t worry."

Caught up in his thoughts, Chu Lei hadn’t really heard her and simply nodded. Xuanji was thrilled and immediately dashed off with Yu Sifeng.

"Si Feng, you’re also participating in the Flower Pinning Conference, right?" she asked while they ran.

Yu Sifeng nodded, "The older disciples of our sect have already participated, and it’s difficult to choose among the younger ones, so the Vice Palace Master asked me to give it a try. But..."

"But what?"

He smiled slightly, "But I don’t think I can win; we shouldn’t underestimate our senior brothers."

"Do you want to win?" Xuanji asked curiously, "I really don’t want to, and I don’t want to participate in the Flower Pinning Conference either. Fighting with a few people, what’s the point?"

Laughing, Yu Sifeng replied, "Not wanting to is one thing, but since we’re participating, we should do our best. Otherwise, it’s meaningless."

Xuanji paused for a moment, then realized he made sense. Despite her complaints, if she had to face something, she should do her best—otherwise, it would be a waste of her own time.

"Mm! Si Feng is always right!" she nodded, "Then I’ll do my best too. I shouldn’t lose if it comes to fighting."

That’s not called fighting... Yu Sifeng laughed to himself. (To be continued. For more updates, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available, support the authors, support genuine reading!)