Volume 4 Chapter 38

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Volume 4 Chapter 38: The Event

"Uncle, I want to take part in the competition."

Ting’er looked directly at Xu Qingfan and said softly.

Although Ting’er rarely spoke a full sentence to Xu Qingfan, he felt only surprise, not joy.

Now, with Jiuhua’s elders somewhat aware of Ting’er’s abilities, and Xu Qingfan having explained her transformation to Zhang Hualing, they would not treat her as an enemy during the competition, at least not openly.

However, Xu Qingfan still hoped Ting’er would not participate.

It’s not that he doubted her abilities. Even if Ting’er was not the best among the participants, her skills were remarkable. Her black magic fire was more powerful than Xu Qingfan’s own abilities, and he believed she could possibly win unless a prodigy like Feng Qingtian showed up.

But because Ting’er’s magic was so dominating, Xu Qingfan was hesitant and somewhat afraid it might bring her harm.

The harm wasn’t about physical injury during the event, as few could match her power at Jiuhua. Xu Qingfan was concerned that her overwhelming power might cause panic among other disciples, and if Ting’er noticed this fear, it might have unforeseen consequences.

Even though Ting’er had been cultivating with Xu Qingfan for fifty years and had unmatched strength, he still saw her as the helpless little girl standing by her father’s body so long ago. He instinctively shielded her from others, fearing she would get hurt.

So when Ting’er suggested taking part in the sect’s grand competition, Xu Qingfan instinctively wanted to oppose.

But when Xu Qingfan saw Ting’er’s gaze, he was taken aback. In Ting’er’s cool gaze was a rare, complex emotion; a mix of determination and longing.

In that instant, Xu Qingfan understood what Ting’er was thinking, even thoughts Ting’er herself might not realize.

Ting’er wanted to join the competition not just to test her skills against her peers, but possibly more because she wanted to leave Xu Qingfan’s secluded cave and interact with people outside.

Over the years, especially after Liu Huaxiang’s passing, Ting’er and Xu Qingfan had returned to the cave in the back mountain, living there for thirty years. During this time, Xu Qingfan mostly focused on his training, and the only companion Ting’er had was Little Green, the speechless demon beast who couldn’t understand emotions. Over time, even someone like Ting’er, naturally withdrawn, would long for scenes bustling with people, wouldn’t she?

This longing was hidden deep inside Ting’er’s heart, and it seemed even Ting’er herself wasn’t aware of it.

Before meeting Xu Qingfan, Ting’er was also solitary, but she had countless people from the Barbarian tribe as company. After Xu Qingfan brought her to Jiuhua Mountain, aside from teaching her the immortal arts, he unintentionally isolated her from the outside world, bringing Ting’er endless loneliness.

"I’ve always wanted to change Ting’er’s quiet and reclusive nature, but there hasn’t been much progress. Perhaps the main reason isn’t Ting’er’s stubbornness, but rather that I’ve been protecting her too closely? Maybe letting her interact more with the outside world would lead to a better change?"

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan nodded slightly and said, "Alright, you can participate in this grand competition. However, while I trust your control over your powers, I must remind you that your dark magic fire is very powerful and can hurt others if you’re not careful, so try to avoid it. Also, if possible, during the competition, try not to show your strengths too clearly. Leave some dignity for the others, okay?"

Upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s agreement, a barely noticeable hint of joy flashed in the depths of Ting’er’s eyes, and then she nodded slightly to show she understood.

Seeing Ting’er like this, Xu Qingfan sighed softly in his heart, then pointed at Ting’er with his hand. Instantly, the space around Ting’er’s face warped slightly before returning to normal. Now, the eerie black flames that originally covered her face vanished, making her skin appear even whiter and cleaner, creating a breathtaking beauty.

This didn’t mean that Xu Qingfan could actually remove the black flame patterns on Ting’er’s face. It was merely a small illusion. However, Xu Qingfan had reached the middle stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage, so any cultivator below the Condensed Core Stage would not notice Xu Qingfan’s illusion.

After finishing all this, Xu Qingfan smiled and said, "This illusion should last about a month. Don’t remove it, okay?"

Ting’er nodded slightly and softly replied, "Understood."

Xu Qingfan added, "There are about ten days until the big competition within the sect. Go back and prepare well. As for the competition entry, I’ll arrange it for you."

Ting’er nodded again, said nothing more, and simply turned around with Little Green to return to her room.

"Ting’er, I hope my decision this time won’t harm you. I hope this competition within the sect will be helpful to you."

Watching Ting’er’s small figure walk away, Xu Qingfan sighed quietly in his heart, thinking.

As long as Ting’er doesn’t fully reveal her strength, Xu Qingfan used his illusions to cover the black flame pattern on Ting’er’s face. In theory, even if Ting’er participated in the big competition, there shouldn’t be any unexpected occurrences. Yet, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy in his heart.

Suddenly, Xu Qingfan gave a self-deprecating smile, shook his head, and thought, "What am I worried about? Ting’er is no longer a child. She should experience things herself. Taking care of everything for her might not be beneficial for her future growth. If Martial Uncle Liu were still around, he would probably scold me for being so fussy and hindering the younger generation, wouldn’t he?"

With a sense of self-mockery, Xu Qingfan turned back and returned to his room to continue cultivating.

…

It seemed as if in the blink of an eye, ten days passed by quickly. The day Zhang Hualing announced the big competition within the sect was happening as usual marked exactly a year.

On this day, Xu Qingfan ended his meditation earlier than usual. He stood quietly in the courtyard, gazing at the stars and moon that hadn’t fully disappeared. His thoughts seemed to return to sixty years ago. Back then, he and his senior brother Yue Qingru were preparing to participate in the big competition just like Ting’er was now. The tension and apprehension from those times were still vivid, as if it all happened yesterday. Yet, in the blink of an eye, a cycle of sixty years had gone by. The once naive youth, who looked up to the elders on the main stage with admiration, never believing he could reach such heights, was now the fourth most important figure of Jiuhua Mountain, responsible for all the affairs of the big competition.

To use a cliché, it would be, "Reflecting on the past experiences, Xu Qingfan felt a surge of emotions." Although cliché, it perfectly describes Xu Qingfan’s current state of mind.

The disciples who participated in the big competition with Xu Qingfan back then, even those Jiuhua disciples who were his rivals, such as Feng Qingtian, Jin Qinghan, Lv Qingshang, Dongfang Qingling, Li Yuhan, and Sheng Yushan, all reached the Condensed Core Stage and became elders of Jiuhua Mountain. It’s unclear if they too reminisce with the same emotions as Xu Qingfan.

Reflecting on the past experiences of success and failure, joy and sadness, Xu Qingfan suddenly felt a disjointed sense of time, uncertain for a moment whether he was in the past or present.

In these memories, the sky was turning white, and the stars and moon were fading. "Creak…" A sound of a door opening suddenly came from behind Xu Qingfan.

Xu Qingfan turned to look, and it was Ting’er coming out of the room.

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly at Ting’er and asked, "Ting’er, are you ready?"

After seeing Ting’er nod, Xu Qingfan said with a smile, "Then let’s go."

As he spoke, a cloud suddenly appeared under Xu Qingfan’s feet, lifting him towards Linghua Hall at the front of the mountain. Ting’er also flew swiftly on her "Nimbus Cloud," closely following behind. Their speed was so fast that they disappeared into the back of Jiuhua Mountain in no time.

…

In Xu Qingfan’s view, the significance of this internal competition was not only to select outstanding disciples and increase everyone’s combat experience, but it also held a more important meaning: boosting the morale of all cultivators on Jiuhua Mountain.

Since the rebellion by Zhou Huahai and the attack by Zhang Xusheng fifty years ago, Jiuhua Mountain had suffered greatly. The spirits of its disciples and even elders were low. In the first ten years of Jiuhua Mountain’s closure, it was as if every disciple felt aimless. No one even bothered to repair the damaged buildings and scenery of Jiuhua, making the place seem lifeless.

But now, with the start of the internal competition, the plaza in front of Linghua Hall at the front of Jiuhua Mountain seemed lively once more. Whether or not they had registered for the competition, Jiuhua disciples gathered there, laughing and discussing, debating who among the participating disciples would win or lose, and who would ultimately triumph. Although everyone had their own favorite, it seemed no one could convince another, yet the disciples remained deeply interested in these debates.

Additionally, with Jiuhua now regaining its magical scenery from the past, at first glance, it seems as if Jiuhua Mountain has returned to its former glory of sixty years ago.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, Xu Qingfan and Ting’er arrived at the square in front of Jiuhua Mountain.

As the two landed on the ground, the crowd around them turned their attention towards them, or more precisely, towards Ting’er.

With the dark flame patterns on Ting’er’s face concealed by Xu Qingfan, she appeared as a breathtaking beauty capable of toppling empires. Although she lacked a bit of mysterious allure, she gained a serene purity. Upon seeing Ting’er, everyone couldn’t help but ignore Xu Qingfan by her side and stared at Ting’er incessantly. Some male disciples, with less self-control, even gazed at Ting’er without blinking, becoming dazed.

After a long while, the crowd finally realized that the extraordinary beauty was accompanied by none other than Xu Qingfan, Jiuhua Mountain’s Deacon Elder. Embarrassed, they all bowed to Xu Qingfan in greeting, their heads hung low with shame. Yet, the corners of their eyes couldn’t resist sneaking glances at Ting’er, making Xu Qingfan smile wryly.

Seeing Ting’er appear somewhat puzzled under so many gazes, with a hint of anger in her eyes, Xu Qingfan gently patted her shoulder and softly said, "You should wait here for the competition to start. I have to head to the main stage."

Noticing a flicker of confusion in Ting’er’s eyes, a sense of reluctance passed through Xu Qingfan’s heart. Still, recalling his decision for Ting’er to face these situations alone to foster change in her character, he suppressed his tender feelings, and couldn’t help but advise, "If possible, try to make a few friends."

After speaking, Xu Qingfan didn’t look at Ting’er again. Riding on the clouds, he was about to fly towards the main stage, but just as he took off, he turned back to Ting’er once more and said, "Those guys who were drooling over you earlier, don’t pay any attention to them even if they try talking to you, understand?"

Only after Ting’er nodded did Xu Qingfan leave with peace of mind.

On the main stage, Jin Qinghan, Lv Qingshang, Dongfang Qingling, and other acquaintances were already seated in their places, having waited for some time.