Chapter 30
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This chapter is edited by Farouq Omileye. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 30: The Actors Are in Place
As the bleak autumn wind blew through the low woods, people came out to the wide open space in the forest one after another.
Thanks to the day-to-day “Persecution” chaired by Tong Yao, anything that could be linked to Bai Lian now attracted a lot of attention. Onlookers would only be late, never absent!
Listening to the whispers in her ears, Tong Yao, standing on the edge of the challenge arena, remembered the in-depth education Martial Sister Bai Lian had given her.
That night, she broadened her horizons.
That night, she realized there were still new ways to play the game.
After some maneuvering, Elder Martial Brother Gong Juren’s reputation grew day by day. Naturally, Martial Sister Bai Lian, who was even more powerful than him, won the title of “Uncrowned King.”
“We don’t discuss immortals.”
“We will follow Martial Sister Bai Lian forever.”
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian is the strongest!”
This made Tong Yao feel that she had grown up rapidly.
She used to steal her master’s wine, and if caught, she would get a beating. But now, she realized her mistake. If she flattered her master first and then stole the wine, she wouldn’t get beaten—at most, she’d only get a scolding.
At the age of 14, she could finally say with pride: she was an adult!
“Martial Sister Bai Lian is really smart!”
A word, an action, or even a glance from Bai Lian could make others feel enlightened. This magical power gradually made Tong Yao stop thinking of Bai Lian as merely a goal.
I can’t catch up.
It was better to serve Martial Sister Bai Lian. Once Bai Lian reconstructed heaven on earth, perhaps she could earn a position, like the Eastern God Emperor.
—
A Stir in the Arena
“There it is!”
Suddenly, a cry of surprise drew everyone’s attention.
Tong Yao snapped out of her thoughts and looked around.
“Where, where?”
Unfortunately, she was too short. Surrounded by a sea of black hair, she reluctantly jumped onto the challenge arena.
The commotion came from the entrance to the forest. A dozen people lined up in two loose rows. Leading them was a man with a lifeless expression, arms crossed over his chest.
“Bah!”
Tong Yao resisted the urge to spit.
She thought it was Martial Sister Bai Lian, but instead, it was the people who had bullied Bai Lian’s Martial Sisters.
—
Jiang Haochuan’s Dilemma
Jiang Haochuan, walking in front, looked as dejected as death.
In truth, he wanted to hide in the back. But as the strongest among them, he had to lead the team.
What an injustice!
He recalled what had happened ten days ago.
When his friend was beaten, he intended to help. Conflicts weren’t uncommon among cultivators. But as soon as he arrived, he saw Martial Sister Bai Lian storming over in anger.
That’s when he learned his good friend had blackmailed Bai Lian’s younger Martial Sister.
Holy crap.
He hadn’t known his friend was up to such dirty tricks.
I made friends too carelessly!
Still, he was lucky. Martial Sister Bai Lian was magnanimous. If it had been Chen Lu, he might have been sent to a mine for three years.
—
A Plan to Lose
Jiang Haochuan decided he would fight but not too hard. Losing deliberately after a difficult battle would make him look better.
The only issue? Mixing fake with real was hard.
“Admit defeat quickly!”
“How dare you challenge Martial Sister Bai Lian?”
Standing awkwardly near the arena, Jiang Haochuan sighed. He knew that admitting defeat outright would invite harsher criticism.
Ah, a group of duplicitous men and women!
—
Bai Lian Arrives
“Ah, ah, it’s Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian’s hands are so beautiful. I love them!”
The crowd erupted in cheers as Bai Lian approached the arena.
Xiao Jinse was unfazed, but Su Youwei, as a newcomer, muttered under her breath:
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian’s hand is mine. Don’t dream!”
She looked up and saw Tong Yao with her purple ponytail heading over.
Danger!
Tong Yao exclaimed, “Martial Sister Bai Lian, I’ve arranged everything! You just need to let your younger Martial Sister teach them a lesson!”
Bai Lian, suppressing her exasperation, managed, “Thank you.”
Encouraged, Tong Yao eagerly asked, “Martial Sister Bai Lian, do you want to scold them first and set rules for them?”
—
The Task
At that moment, new options appeared before Bai Lian:
1. Yell at the Yunluo Peak disciples (Reward: Calming Pill).
2. Laugh it off (Reward: Light Skill +2).
Bai Lian glanced at the ten disciples. They seemed ordinary enough. She smiled and replied, “There’s no need. Since they’ve come to fight, I won’t get angry.”
[Task completed. Light Skill +2.]
—
Preparing for Battle
Bai Lian turned to Jiang Haochuan.
“Have you decided the order of battle?”
He shook his head.
“Then discuss it and start when ready.”
She turned to her younger Martial Sisters.
“Who wants to fight first?”
“Me!” Su Youwei raised her hand without hesitation.
She had figured it out: if the Second Martial Sister went first, she’d hit too hard, and the opponents might admit defeat immediately. That would ruin her chance for a proper match.
Xiao Jinse nodded silently. The third Martial Sister deserved to vent her anger first.
—
The Match Begins
Soon, Jiang Haochuan’s team settled their battle order.
Under Tong Yao’s guidance as referee, Su Youwei stepped onto the stage with her opponent.
Watching nervously, Jiang Haochuan clenched his teeth.
Sorry, everyone. I must play a fake match!
