Chapter 110: The Eve of the Grand Competition

In the eighth month of the 774th year of the Yunhai Calendar, the Moonlight Sect was preparing for its once-every-thirty-years disciples’ arena competition, set to begin in just three days. During this time, the entire sect—from top to bottom—became exceptionally busy. The sect placed great importance on this event, ordering all disciples training outside to return if they could make it back in time.

The Moonlight Sect was a totemic sect under the Yunhai Dynasty and, though it shared the fifth-grade rank with the Lan Hui Sect and the Ancient Yi Sect, their combined strength could not match that of the Moonlight Sect. Because of this, within the Yunhai Dynasty, the Lan Hui Sect, Ancient Yi Sect, and even the royal family all held the Moonlight Sect in deep respect.

Without the Moonlight Sect, the Yunhai Dynasty might have long since been swallowed by other nations. For the sect’s once-every-thirty-years arena competition, the Lan Hui Sect, Ancient Yi Sect, and the Yunhai royal family always sent their top figures accompanied by their prodigious disciples to witness the event. This year was no exception.

Although the Moonlight Sect maintained a lofty status within the Yunhai Dynasty, its guiding principle was always to give three parts respect when receiving one part respect from others. As a result, their hospitality and etiquette were impeccable, never allowing guests to feel even a trace of disrespect.

Hence, three days before the arena competition commenced, Ji Mo and her fourth senior brother, Su Ye, were drawn by lot by Lei Wei to be dispatched, alongside disciples from the other four peaks, to greet the arriving guests.

Lei Wei had only one disciple at the Foundation Establishment stage—Ji Mo—so she could not shirk her duties. As for Su Ye, he had just drawn the short straw during the lot drawing and could only hold his nose and accept his misfortune. On the way to Spirit Sword Peak, he could not help but complain, “Junior sister, why is it that, with three other senior brothers and sisters above us, I’m the one who got stuck with the duty the moment I returned?”

“Fourth senior brother, aren’t we in the same boat?” Ji Mo glanced at him with slight exasperation.

“Tch, how is that the same? I’m the youngest. There are two senior sisters and one senior brother above me, yet I’m the one sent out to do the hard labor. Doesn’t that seem utterly unfair?” Su Ye was clearly fishing for a reason to grumble.

“Fourth senior brother, I guess Master just forgets you as soon as you leave home. Now that they’ve finally caught you, they have to find something to keep you busy, or they’d feel restless,” Ji Mo said, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Heh heh, naughty girl, you’ve got some nerve—not only making up stories about me but dragging Master into it as well. You deserve a beating,” Su Ye chuckled, his figure flashing like a phantom. In an instant, he was beside Ji Mo, tapping her with a fan. Ji Mo tried her best to dodge but still got hit squarely.

“Fourth senior brother, as my elder, aren’t you ashamed to bully me?” Ji Mo rubbed her forehead, which throbbed faintly from the blow, shooting a furious glare at Su Ye. The little golden creature perched on her shoulder clapped its paws gleefully, clearly enjoying seeing Ji Mo being teased.

“Damn you, Little Gold, always siding with outsiders. Just wait until tomorrow—I’ll teach you a lesson,” Ji Mo said, slapping the creature away. Little Gold somersaulted in mid-air and darted back, glaring angrily at her.

“Ji Mo, is that you?” As the two and the little beast bantered past Misty Peak, a sudden voice called out, making Ji Mo stop and turn. She saw Jiang Ping, dressed in a pale green robe, flying toward them with two youths—one male, one female—both at the Condensation Core stage.

“Greetings, Senior Sister Jiang,” Ji Mo greeted her indifferently.

“Ji Mo, it’s so good to see you again,” Jiang Ping said cheerfully. She maneuvered her ribbons and came to Ji Mo’s side, naturally reaching out to take her hand. Ji Mo subtly sidestepped, evading her grasp. For some reason, no matter when, she never felt close to this senior sister.

“Junior sister, is this the legendary disciple Ji Mo from Thunder Peak?” A young man in blue behind Jiang Ping glanced at Ji Mo with a hint of dissatisfaction in his expression.

“That’s her. Oh, I almost forgot—Ji Mo, let me introduce you. These are Senior Brother Zhou and Senior Sister Yun from Misty Peak,” Jiang Ping said somewhat awkwardly as she pointed to her senior siblings.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Zhou, Senior Sister Yun,” Ji Mo greeted them calmly.

“What kind of greeting is that? Though you’re not from Thunder Peak, at least you’re our junior fellow disciples, and your cultivation is far below ours. You don’t even bow your waist when greeting us—is that the rule in Thunder Peak? Having someone like you represent our Moonlight Sect to receive distinguished guests is a disgrace to the sect,” the senior sister from Misty Peak snapped sharply, clearly displeased by Ji Mo’s indifferent demeanor.

“When did Thunder Peak’s people ever take orders from Misty Peak?” Su Ye, who had been quietly observing since Jiang Ping and the others appeared, suddenly frowned and coldly rebuked the Misty Peak senior sister. “If you’re familiar, get lost immediately.”

“You…” The Misty Peak senior sister came from a prestigious background and was known for her talent and high status within Misty Peak. She was usually arrogant and had never been so openly disrespected by peer disciples of the Moonlight Sect. Now, being scolded so harshly by Su Ye, her anger flared. Before she could retort, a terrifying pressure suddenly burst forth from Su Ye.

At the emergence of this aura, the Misty Peak senior sister’s heart froze, her blood seeming to coagulate, leaving her powerless to resist. She could not utter a single harsh word, her eyes full of shock and fear.

Lei Wei had only accepted five disciples, including Ji Mo. Except for the fourth senior brother, Su Ye, the others enjoyed soaring reputations within the sect. Su Ye’s reputation was less prominent because, after entering the Foundation Establishment stage, he spent most years training outside and rarely returned to the sect. He had even missed the sect’s second grand competition.

Apart from Lei Wei and a few who vaguely understood his capabilities, others knew very little about him. Now, with just his aura alone, he had suppressed two talents from Misty Peak simultaneously. This was terrifying and shocking. Fortunately, there were few people present, or countless eyes would have fallen from their sockets.

The Misty Peak senior sister and Senior Brother Zhou were both shocked and angry but dared not utter another harsh word in Su Ye’s presence. Fortunately, Su Ye did not intend to confront them physically; considering they were fellow disciples, after quelling the Misty Peak senior sister’s arrogance, he withdrew his pressure.

The Misty Peak senior sister’s face turned pale as she glanced at Su Ye with hatred, snorted, and strode forward without looking back. The young man surnamed Zhou hurried after her. Jiang Ping’s expression grew complicated as she looked at Su Ye, then at Ji Mo, and hesitated before speaking, “Ji Mo, I…”

“Heh, it’s nothing. You’d better hurry and catch up,” Ji Mo said lightly with a faint smile, unconcerned. Jiang Ping looked at her deeply and, flicking her ribbons, followed Zhou and Yun after them.

“Fourth senior brother, is this the way you said you’d help me reason things out?” Ji Mo turned her gaze to Su Ye after the trio left, her eyes filled with surprise. At the same time, she recalled Feng Chengying’s evaluation of Su Ye and felt it was utterly accurate.

“Reasoning depends on who you’re dealing with. People like them, arrogant and self-important, if sent into the outside world, would die without even knowing how,” Su Ye snorted in disdain at Zhou and Yun’s behavior.

“The outside world? Senior brother, have you been training only within the Yunhai Dynasty all these years, or have you traveled the various countries?” Ji Mo asked with lively interest.

“Traveling the countries? That’s not wrong. I joined the sect at seven years old and am now one hundred and ten. In these hundred and ten years, I’ve spent less than twenty years within the sect; the rest of the time was outside. I’ve been to many nations and seen many true prodigies. The talents of our Moonlight Sect, when placed in the wider world, really aren’t all that,” Su Ye casually remarked.

Ji Mo nodded in agreement without realizing it, only to have Su Ye glance at her and add, “Don’t nod. The so-called prodigies I mentioned don’t include your generation.”

“Not include our generation?” Ji Mo blinked in surprise.

“Exactly. Your generation seems to have gathered the essence of countless years of our Moonlight Sect. Take you, for example—you may only be at the early Foundation Establishment stage, but I’ve found that even ordinary Condensation Core cultivators would be courting trouble if they fought you. You truly deserve to be called a favored child of heaven.”

“Cough, cough, senior brother, you flatter me,” Ji Mo quickly coughed twice.

“Tch, strong is strong; there’s no need to hide it. If you were the only prodigy, it would be one thing, but that Jiang Ping just now—her combat power is also formidable. Though I’ve never seen her fight, I get the feeling that even in the Haofeng Dynasty, few could match her. And there’s also Mu Baiyun, who’s said to be on par with her. I doubt he’s any less impressive,” Su Ye said, a hint of surprise and puzzlement crossing his face.

If only Ji Mo were such a freak, that would be one thing. But in a fifth-grade sect, to have so many prodigies emerge at once is truly unusual. Could it be that the Moonlight Sect was about to enter an era of unparalleled prosperity?

“Senior brother, you seem to have forgotten to mention one person,” Ji Mo said with a slight smile.

“Who?” Su Ye was momentarily taken aback.

“Yourself!” Ji Mo said as she quickly flew back several dozen paces.

“Naughty girl, teasing your senior brother again—just wait and see!” Su Ye smirked, flicking his fan lightly. Although Ji Mo had already retreated dozens of yards away, the fan still struck her hard.

(To be continued…)