Chapter 15 Part 3
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Chapter 15: The Reasons Behind It Are Very Warm-Hearted (3)
The competition proceeded smoothly over the next few days.
In the beginning, Qiongming Peak was underestimated; most people thought they would only make it to the third round.
But, as it turned out, even their third-round opponents posed no threat.
An experienced Golden Core cultivator?
No matter what schemes they had, I would defeat them with a single sword!
It was so easy.
Just like walking down a broad street filled with people, all they had to do was exert a little strength, and they could push through to the end.
But when the 32-strong competition officially opened, Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei began to face some real challenges.
The wide boulevard was gone. What awaited them was a winding, narrow path.
Now, they had to put in all their strength to avoid being pushed out.
Only Yu Ying remained relaxed.
Her cultivation base suppression allowed her to bulldoze through her opponents like a force of nature.
Things were looking great!
However, the only issue Bai Lian had was Tong Yao.
For every opponent she defeated, Tong Yao would giggle happily and run to Bai Lian, her purple twin-tailed ponytail swishing behind her.
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, I won again!”
Tong Yao said, her head tilted upward, her expression clearly saying, “Compliment me, compliment me quickly!”
And that’s exactly what she was thinking.
I, Tong Yao, am the one worthy of Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian’s trust.
As for Xiao Jinse, Su Youwei, Yu Ying, Ling Xuan, and the jade rabbit… they’re nothing!
Bai Lian chuckled, patting Tong Yao’s head.
Seeing the detailed dossier of participants Tong Yao had prepared, Bai Lian decided not to burst her confidence.
“Good job!” she said with a smile.
Tong Yao left, content.
But the next day, a shocking piece of news arrived.
In the 8-4 match, Tong Yao, who had been dominating, lost her rhythm after a brief glance at Bai Lian in the arena.
Despite her best efforts to turn the tide, her opponent seized the moment and struck her hard.
The final blow came.
Surrounded by dozens of Imperial Golden Charms, Tong Yao collapsed from exhaustion.
“Lost.”
Tong Yao, sitting on the stage in a duck-like pose, burst into loud sobs.
Master Qin of Qingyu Peak saw this and was shaken by her reaction.
Why was there such a difference between Tong Yao and Bai Lian?
Shame.
What a shame!
The viewing area of Qingyu Peak was filled with sighs.
“How could this happen!?”
“She fell, Elder Martial Sister Tong has fallen! (Crying)”
“The undefeatable Elder Martial Sister Tong has fallen!”
Bai Lian tapped her forehead.
She had thought Tong Yao would have a high chance of making it into the top four. Who would have thought she didn’t even make it to the semifinals?
But it wasn’t her fault, right?
She didn’t force Tong Yao to look at her.
Well, whatever.
Seeing Tong Yao wail, Bai Lian gently leaped onto the stage.
“Now you understand the consequences of self-satisfaction?”
She crouched in front of Tong Yao.
The purple-haired girl rubbed her eyes forcefully, sniffed, and reluctantly lowered her head.
“Come down with me first,” Bai Lian said, picking Tong Yao up.
With Bai Lian there, no one ridiculed Tong Yao. But still, Tong Yao felt heartbroken.
She had vowed to win the championship.
But now…
Even though she was in Bai Lian’s embrace, she couldn’t speak a word.
Tong Yao could only silently hope that Xiao Jinse and the others would fall too.
When everyone else was “weak,” she would have nothing to fear.
But, of course, heaven did not fulfill her wishes.
After Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei struggled through tough matches, Yu Ying defeated the respected Elder Martial Sister Zeng Mengyu with unstoppable force.
“No!”
Tong Yao cried out in her heart, while the “dealer” and Bai Xiaosheng both shouted aloud.
“Who can tell me what is going on?”
Yunluo Peak’s square was suddenly thrown into chaos, like a pot of boiling porridge.
A large crowd chased after the “dealer,” and soon, the steward had to intervene, arresting several individuals.
The bright sky seemed to be covered in heavy snow.
“Oh no!”
“Is she just a disciple with a ‘Good’ grade?”
“I’m so stupid! I knew Martial Sister Bai Lian’s Martial Sister had only recently started cultivating, but I forgot she stood behind Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
“From now on, this place will be known as Yu Ying Square!”
As the crowd came to their senses, they were amazed to discover that three out of the four finalists in this grand competition were from Qiongming Peak.
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian is awesome!”
Bai Lian sighed in relief.
If the fourth Martial Sister could win the championship, she wouldn’t have to go and admit her mistakes to her Master.
That would have been far too embarrassing.
But although she was happy, Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei weren’t as pleased.
Their repeated victories against tough opponents weren’t just because of their strength, but because both of them were determined.
They wanted to distinguish themselves in this great competition!
Only the victor would get closer to Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian.
But the lottery had dealt them a cruel blow.
The first semifinal:
Su Youwei vs. Yu Ying.
The second semifinal:
Xiao Jinse vs. Tang Chenyue.
Their duel was gone.
Their battle was gone.
Su Youwei, filled with pride, still couldn’t believe she’d be able to beat the Fourth Martial Sister.
“Go for it. Make it to the finals. Don’t lose – it would be embarrassing.”
Su Youwei walked up to Xiao Jinse and forced a smile.
“…”
Xiao Jinse raised her hand.
She couldn’t speak.
Could she let the Fourth Martial Sister intentionally lose to Su Youwei?
She couldn’t do that.
Bai Lian couldn’t do that either.
With a helpless sigh, she resigned herself to the fact that she’d have to wait until the competition was over to act as a referee, letting the second and third Martial Sisters fight.
“What’s the meaning of fighting each other?”
The change came that night.
Bai Lian was soaking her feet, her mind full of worries when suddenly the fourth Martial Sister knocked on her door.
“Elder Martial Sister.”
“The Fourth Martial Sister,” Bai Lian said, putting her book down. “What brings you here so late?”
Yu Ying’s lips twitched.
After a moment of hesitation, she made up her mind, “Elder Martial Sister, I’ve decided to abstain.”
Abstain?
Bai Lian quickly understood: the fourth Martial Sister was making way for the third Martial Sister.
“You don’t have to do this,” she said gently.
Yu Ying shook her head lightly. “I don’t care about being the champion, but the Second and Third Elder Martial Sisters have been looking forward to this duel for so long.”
Bai Lian shared her own plan, “Once the big competition is over, I will—”
Yu Ying shook her head again. “It will be too late.”
Bai Lian fell silent.
Half an hour later, she looked up at Yu Ying.
“Have you made up your mind?”
“Hmm.” Yu Ying nodded with determination.
Her gaze was clear, her expression calm and wise, as if she had already figured everything out.
Bai Lian sighed. “If this is your decision, then I support you.”
Yu Ying’s face broke into a smile. “With Elder Martial Sister’s support, I can now face the Second and Third Martial Sisters without fear.”
Bai Lian’s lips curved into a faint smile.
The Fourth Martial Sister—what a person she was.
“Elder Martial Sister, I’ll take my leave now.”
As Yu Ying turned to leave, Bai Lian stood up immediately, walked behind her, and suddenly opened her arms to hug her.
“…”
Yu Ying froze, feeling the soft warmth of Bai Lian’s embrace.
There.
Her back.
So warm. Warm to the heart.
Ah…
Her brain felt like it was about to catch fire.
“Martial… Sister…”
“There’s no need to push yourself too hard,” Bai Lian whispered behind her.
Yu Ying could only nod, like a rusty machine.