Early in the morning, the Longyin Sect bustled with excitement.
There was no other reason than the highly anticipated small-scale Martial Arts Tournament being held today.
If it were a typical small competition, the disciples wouldn’t pay much attention.
However, this time, the participants included the Inner Gate Junior Brother, He Qiu, who had recently been favored by the Saintess, and the Outer Gate disciple, Zhou Hang, a former Inner Gate member with solid strength.
The clash between them was bound to be interesting.
First, ever since He Qiu entered the Inner Gate, he had been plagued by rumors of nepotism.
After all, his strength didn’t match his position, and he possessed a Wasted Spirit Vein.
Therefore, everyone generally believed that He Qiu must have some unspeakable family background!
Second, a few days ago, He Qiu had danced with swords alongside the Saintess at the Cultivation Ground.
This drew immense hatred from the male cultivators.
Imagine the goddess of your dreams, whom you’ve admired day and night, proactively getting close to a pretty boy who has no strength or talent—only looks and connections…
Who wouldn’t be indignant?
Who wouldn’t be sour with jealousy?
It felt as if an outsider was using his background and looks to trample over the hard work the other disciples had put in.
‘We’ve cultivated so hard for so long, and yet we can’t compare to a piece of trash pretty boy with connections?’
Once this thought took hold, everyone began looking forward to today’s tournament.
They hoped that Zhou Hang, the capable Outer Gate disciple, would represent them and rightfully teach this obnoxious Junior Brother a lesson.
Although Zhou Hang wasn’t exactly a good person himself, more people were currently dissatisfied with He Qiu.
They didn’t care what mistakes Zhou Hang had made in the past.
Anyone would do, as long as they could make this arrogant Junior Brother look like a fool in public.
It would be satisfying and a great relief.
The location of the tournament was in the northwest of the Cultivation Ground, where a temporary arena had been cordoned off.
On both sides of the arena were high and low rows of spectator seats, an ancient-style architecture similar to the stadiums from He Qiu’s previous life.
Early this morning, the spectator seats were packed with watching disciples.
They whispered and discussed among themselves, all looking forward to the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament.
“Do you think He Qiu will be too scared to show up?”
“Definitely. Senior Zhou Hang is participating in this tournament.
Anyone from the Inner Gate who goes up against him is just unlucky!”
“I bet He Qiu really wants to run away right now, but he doesn’t dare. All of us are watching!”
“Haha!”
The disciples in the back rows of the spectator stands were laughing and chatting, treating it as something that had nothing to do with them.
The atmosphere was incredibly cheerful.
Suddenly, a faint fragrance of icy frost swept over them from behind, causing the hair on the back of their necks to stand up.
They shuddered and looked back, only to see a silver-haired woman quietly walking toward the spectator seats.
It was the Primordial Saintess — An Lingran!
Did the sun rise from the west today?
The Saintess, who usually ignored worldly affairs, had actually taken the initiative to come to the spectator seats to watch the match.
Was she planning to share the joy with the people?
Seeing the Saintess approaching step by step, the disciples didn’t dare to keep standing idly.
They hurriedly stood up and cleared a path, then consciously retreated to a distant corner.
An Lingran’s cold aura was like a natural frozen barrier.
No one had the courage to sit with her.
An Lingran didn’t say anything about this.
She found a suitable vantage point, lightly lifted her skirt, and sat down.
Then, she naturally crossed her long legs and leaned a frost-spirit sword against her lap.
She gazed coldly at the arena, her eyes flickering as if searching for a specific target…
As the famous Primordial Saintess of the Longyin Sect, An Lingran only needed a few small gestures and her naturally holy, beautiful face to fully display her noble temperament.
‘Did I arrive too early?’
An Lingran murmured to herself.
After searching several times, she couldn’t find her Junior Brother’s figure below the stage.
She sighed, closed her beautiful eyes, and began to wait quietly.
On the other side, with the Saintess personally sitting in the spectator seats, the surrounding disciples no longer dared to discuss anything.
Every one of them sat obediently, fearing they might disturb the Saintess while she rested with her eyes closed.
Just then, another woman with extraordinary temperament appeared —
“Gre—Greetings, Lady Nangong.”
Several Inner Gate disciples stepped forward and bowed, their attitudes humble.
They were disciples under Lady Nangong.
Seeing their Master come to the spectator stands, they naturally had to be sensible enough to pay their respects.
“Mm, you may rise.”
Lady Nangong’s voice was gentle and intoxicating.
However, she only glanced at those disciples before continuing her graceful steps toward the area where An Lingran was seated.
Sensing Lady Nangong’s aura approaching, An Lingran opened her eyes and looked to the side.
Elder Nangong, Lady Nangong…
“Greetings, Elder Nangong.”
An Lingran sat up straight, leaned forward slightly, and gave a simple salute.
Although she didn’t know what wind had blown this Grand Elder here today, she still stood up to greet her.
Even as the Saintess, she was still a disciple of the Longyin Sect.
She had to show proper etiquette when meeting an elder of higher seniority.
Most importantly, An Lingran respected this elegant and quiet female elder.
She had once received guidance from Lady Nangong in the library regarding some cultivation difficulties.
She acknowledged Lady Nangong’s strength and foundation as an elder.
“There is no need for such formality, Lingran.”
Lady Nangong showed a hint of appreciation, then looked at the seat next to An Lingran and asked with a smile, “I wonder, may I sit with the Saintess to watch the tournament?”
There was a hint of a smile in her beautiful eyes.
An Lingran knew that Lady Nangong was joking with her.
This female elder actually had a rather strange personality.
Although everyone said Lady Nangong was gentle and broad-minded, having patience for everyone, that was actually an exaggeration.
Lady Nangong’s gentleness toward ordinary disciples was only superficial.
In reality, she wasn’t patient with everyone and usually had a cold and arrogant side.
But that wasn’t Lady Nangong’s entire personality.
After truly interacting with her, An Lingran discovered that once this female elder appreciated or recognized one’s abilities, she wouldn’t be as cold and detached as she appeared.
In private conversations, she would often joke and tease her favorite disciples.
All in all, while An Lingran wasn’t good at dealing with Lady Nangong’s personality, she still respected the woman.
“You must be joking. Please, feel free.”
Taking a step back, An Lingran invited Lady Nangong to sit beside her.
After Lady Nangong sat down, An Lingran followed suit.
They sat side by side, watching the upcoming match in the arena.
“I heard that Lingran has a new Junior Brother recently? One taken in by An Daosheng?”
“Yes.”
“Is his name He Qiu?”
“Yes.”
“He comes from a background of a Mortal Cultivator scholar?”
“Mm.”
“I heard he has a Wasted Spirit Vein?”
“As it stands… yes.”
“Then, how does Lingran view him?”
“…”
An Lingran didn’t expect Lady Nangong to ask so many questions and was momentarily speechless.
However, thinking carefully, her sword dance for He Qiu at the Cultivation Ground a few days ago must have spread.
It was only natural for Elder Nangong to pay attention to her.
After thinking for a moment, An Lingran opened her heart and answered patiently.
“Junior Brother He Qiu is quiet and polite. Although he comes from a scholar and Mortal Cultivator background, he does not lack the spirit of youth. He is diligent and hardworking in his cultivation. It is a pity that his Spirit Vein has a natural Void Attribute, making it unsuitable for cultivation. However, what is admirable is that he has never been discouraged or yielded to fate. He always faces reality with optimism and takes things seriously…”
Once the valve for expressing her inner thoughts was opened, it could no longer be closed.
An Lingran spoke enthusiastically, not noticing how much she was saying.
Actually, she hadn’t intended to say so much at first.
She only wanted to give a brief evaluation of He Qiu.
But for some reason, after saying one thing, she wanted to explain the next, eventually losing control.
During this time, Nangong Qiongxiao listened quietly, carefully observing every expression, every look, every sigh of regret, and every gratified smile on An Lingran’s face.
Not long after, An Lingran finally finished her praise.
Nangong Qiongxiao took a breath and said leisurely, “I can see that Lingran likes this Junior Brother very much?”
“…!”
With just those words, the girl’s gaze suddenly froze.
Her jade-like lips parted slightly, and she was stunned for several seconds.
The moment she heard the word ‘like,’ a strange sense of panic flashed through An Lingran’s heart.
She felt an urge to hurriedly refute Lady Nangong and argue her point, but she ultimately held back.
Reason won out.
Fortunately, this instability wasn’t severe.
After less than two seconds, An Lingran calmed down.
Then, she cleared her throat, turned her face away calmly, and said in a cold tone, “As a Senior Sister, the word ‘like’ is somewhat inappropriate. Elder Nangong may interpret it as appreciation or recognition.”
“I see…”
Nangong Qiongxiao took out a jade fan, snapped it open in front of her chest, and covered the corner of her mouth with it, smiling slightly.
“It seems I misspoke just now. Please don’t take it to heart, Lady Saintess.”
“…”
An Lingran’s willow-like brows furrowed slightly.
Seeing Lady Nangong’s silent, smiling eyes, she was speechless for a long time.
Whenever Lady Nangong used the title ‘Lady Saintess,’ An Lingran knew the former was teasing her.
After all, what sect elder would address their own disciple as ‘Your Highness’ in such a manner?