Chapter 19
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Chapter 19: Guess If I Will Beat You!
The scene outside the Aurora Boat was chaotic.
Disciples of the Duxian Sect, alerted by the commotion, warily observed Xia Qingqing, the woman shouting in the open space below.
Another challenger for Martial Sister Bai Lian.
Such events were almost routine now. Bai Lian’s fame drew attention like a beacon, and every so often, someone would come forward to test her.
Tong Yao shook her head in exasperation.
It’s only a matter of time before this foolish woman kneels before Martial Sister Bai Lian, humbled and admitting her inferiority.
Tong Yao’s faith in Bai Lian was absolute. Still, she hesitated as she considered the potential fallout.
The Tianji Sect…
It was no secret that their strength surpassed the Duxian Sect. Xia Qingqing’s affiliations and the presence of the Saint and Holy Son of the Biluo Sect complicated matters further.
Tong Yao clenched her fists.
Jealousy. That’s all this is—jealousy of Martial Sister Bai Lian’s beauty and strength!
If only Tong Yao were stronger, she’d drive these troublemakers away herself. Lacking the power to act directly, she resolved to call for reinforcements.
Meanwhile, inside the Aurora Boat, Si Yunshang stirred from her restless sleep.
The noise outside had woken her. She rubbed her sore shoulders, silently blaming “Chen Lu” for being overly aggressive with the shoulder restraint.
Curious, Si Yunshang approached the porthole.
Her breath hitched when she saw the commotion below.
Trouble… for Bai Lian?
Her heart raced as she spotted Bai Lian descending gracefully from the deck of the Aurora Boat.
Fairy Bai Lian!
Si Yunshang’s mind blanked, erasing all other figures from her vision. Even Qing Luan, trailing closely behind Bai Lian, became an irrelevant blur.
This was her second time seeing Bai Lian, and it felt entirely different from the first. Now she was merely a spectator, free to observe Bai Lian in her natural element.
The crowd hushed as Bai Lian’s presence commanded attention.
Even Qing Luan was overwhelmed by the sudden focus.
Standing beside Bai Lian, Qing Luan felt the weight of countless eyes. The hostility emanating from the opposing cultivators was palpable, and the strongest among them had reached the Nascent Soul Stage.
Is this what it’s like to be Martial Sister Bai Lian?
Qing Luan’s body tensed as if engulfed by an inferno. She wanted to retreat, to escape the oppressive heat of attention.
But Bai Lian’s unshakable calm gave her courage.
Bai Lian’s poise, her serene confidence, was a beacon of strength.
This is what makes her Martial Sister Bai Lian!
Inspired, Qing Luan took a bold step forward.
She decided she would endure the heat, the pressure—everything. She wouldn’t falter.
How do I know if I’m worthy unless I try?
Her resolve solidified, Qing Luan advanced to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bai Lian.
For a moment, it felt as though she’d broken through a barrier, stepping into a vast and boundless world.
The open space fell silent, save for Xia Qingqing’s sneering voice cutting through the stillness.
“So you’ve come out at last, Bai Lian. I hope you’re ready to prove whether your reputation matches your strength!”
The air crackled with tension.
Bai Lian’s lips curved into a faint smile as she replied coolly, “Guess if I will beat you.”
Her words, calm yet domineering, sent a ripple through the crowd.
Qing Luan stood tall, her gaze cold and unwavering as she swept her eyes over the disciples of the Tianji and Biluo Sects.
I will surpass them!
This thought burned fiercely in her heart. She knew her ambition stemmed from immaturity, but that was fine. Her desire to grow had already stripped away the mask of excuses she once used to conceal her true potential.
When Qing Luan let go of her obsession with surpassing Martial Sister Bai Lian, her path became clearer, simpler.
“…”
But the same couldn’t be said for the others.
Xia Qingqing and the Saint of the Biluo Sect halted their bickering as their eyes locked on Qing Luan.
The Saint’s expression hardened.
This woman…
Qing Luan of the Yunluo Peak.
Her demeanor and the fact that she was accompanying Bai Lian stirred the ire of Xia Qingqing and the Saint alike.
To them, Qing Luan’s proud posture seemed to declare, Bai Lian is mine.
Even Bai Lian’s closer Martial Sisters didn’t act so presumptuously.
Hateful woman!
The tension thickened, the air warming with barely restrained hostility.
Bai Lian finally broke the silence.
“What can I do for you?” she asked Xia Qingqing calmly.
Xia Qingqing hesitated, her earlier bravado faltering.
“You, I… I haven’t thought about it yet,” she stammered.
“Ah?”
The disciples of the Tianji Sect exchanged incredulous looks.
This was your grand challenge?
They had rushed to Xia Qingqing’s side, armed with their most precious weapons, only to be let down.
Bai Lian shifted her attention to the Saint standing nearby.
“And you, Saint? What brings you here?”
“I…”
The Saint hesitated.
She couldn’t admit that she’d come merely to see Bai Lian. That would be too humiliating.
Her gaze landed on Qing Luan, and a new idea formed in her mind.
“Challenge! Yes, a challenge!”
Bai Lian blinked, surprised by the sudden declaration.
The Saint wants to challenge me?
Bai Lian barely suppressed a laugh.
The Saint clarified, “I’ve long admired Qing Luan of Yunluo Peak. I wish to discuss the Dao with her.”
Her tone was saccharine, but her glare betrayed her true intentions.
Damn woman! Guess how hard I will beat you!
The Saint’s possessiveness flared as she silently declared, Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian is mine!
Qing Luan froze, momentarily stunned.
Me?
Though her cultivation base was slightly lower than the Saint’s, Qing Luan’s pride wouldn’t allow her to back down—not while Bai Lian was watching.
She straightened her back and stepped forward.
“Good! Let’s discuss the Dao!”
Just as Qing Luan rolled up her sleeves, Bai Lian’s system presented her with three task options.
Task 1: Agree to the competition and act as the referee (Reward: the spell Mercy Universal).
Task 2: Agree to the competition and walk away (Reward: a middle-grade magic tool Double Fire Pearl).
Task 3: Stop the competition (Reward: Hard Skill +2).
Bai Lian frowned.
Judging by the rewards, letting them fight would lead to chaos. They must harbor hidden grudges.
Stepping forward, Bai Lian raised her voice.
“Tomorrow, we’ll attack the Huaxin Sect. What if one of you gets injured? Do you intend to forfeit the trial?”
Her words cut through the rising tension like a blade.
Qing Luan and the Saint glanced at each other, then looked down in shame.
They quickly waved their hands, signaling their agreement to drop the matter.
[Task completed. Hard Skill +2.]
Bai Lian exhaled in relief.
Once again, I’ve upheld peace and prevented unnecessary conflict. Truly, my greatness knows no bounds.
Inside the Aurora Boat, Si Yunshang watched the scene unfold.
Her fists clenched as she admired Bai Lian’s calm authority.
Fairy Bai Lian is as magnificent as ever.
Yet, as much as she admired Bai Lian, a pang of regret twisted in her chest.
She’s so far beyond my reach.
If there was anyone Si Yunshang couldn’t bear to leave behind, it was Bai Lian.
Another face briefly flickered in her mind: “Chen Lu.”
If only I’d met her sooner…
But it was too late for regrets.
What a pity.
