Chapter 71: Sparks and Thunder All the Way

There is no right or wrong in the arena.

—Suzaku South, Azure Profound Sect—

Once the disciples arrived at the Azure Profound Sect, they were visibly thrilled.

As the leader among the Four Great Sects, the Azure Profound Sect was a dream destination for any cultivator with ambition. Renowned for its artifact refiners, it had become the most sought-after place of enlightenment among young cultivators. Unfortunately, due to its unique selection process, not everyone had the chance to join.

Many disciples who had once hoped to join the Azure Profound Sect but had ended up in other sects were eager to take this opportunity to feast their eyes.

“No wonder they’re number one—look at those pavilions and towers. Understated but grand. You can just tell this place is teeming with elites.”

“Tch, I think the Returning Immortal Sect is better. This place looks kind of shabby,” someone muttered skeptically.

They were quickly drowned out by others: “What do you know? Not every sect is like your Crimson Sky Sect, always going for flashy aesthetics.”

“Where’s the Azure Profound Sect’s Pearl-Seeking Instrument? I want to see Master Yuan’s legendary work.”

“I heard it’s in the main courtyard. We’ll probably get a chance to see it later.”

The reception grounds were bustling with disciples in all kinds of sect robes, chattering excitedly.

Azure Profound Sect disciples, having returned to home ground, naturally didn’t mingle with the others.

Their chief body cultivator, Gu Qingyu, leaned against a wall and gave the crowd a cursory glance. “A bunch of country bumpkins.”

“They’re too noisy,” said Yuan Hui, chief artifact refiner. “The Second Elder really shouldn’t have let them in so casually.”

Jiang Yuechen looked around. “Where’s the person in charge?”

Feng Yunyin lifted his chin toward a direction. “With the Second Elder.”

Up in the Cloudrise Pavilion, the breeze stirred the ancient bells, producing a crisp, clear sound.

A white-haired man in long robes stood by the dark wooden railing, hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he gazed down at the gathered disciples.

“These young ones have such spirited energy. If only our own disciples had that youthful fire,” said the Second Elder of the Azure Profound Sect.

Ying You smiled faintly. “It’s just a matter of different sect styles.”

The Second Elder turned to him. “How did we fare in the first illusion round?”

“Everything went smoothly,” Ying You replied calmly. “We’ll do our best to keep first place in the coming rounds.”

The elder nodded. “Good. Your cohort’s qualifications are quite decent. Stay alert during the trials—don’t underestimate others, and don’t get caught up in unnecessary disputes with the other sects.”

“Yes, Elder.”

With a wave, the Second Elder dismissed him. “I’m busy today. You go receive them and show them to their lodgings. I’ll handle the rest.”

Ying You left Cloudrise Pavilion and returned to the group. The rest of Azure Profound Sect’s chief team immediately followed him.

Since no elder had come to greet the guests, it naturally fell to the chief team to guide the way.

The surrounding disciples fell silent and turned their attention toward Ying You.

As he read from the housing allocation roster, whispering voices spread below.

“That’s the Azure Profound Sect’s chief sword cultivator, right? Didn’t get a good look at him back at the Returning Immortal Sect. He’s got the face to match the name, never mind the spirit root.”

“I heard he’s the Second Elder’s only disciple—insane talent, and he’s bonded with a famous sword. The top sword cultivator this year is between him and Lu Feishuang from the Crimson Sky Sect.”

The mention of Lu Feishuang made people glance over at her team. Dressed in tight-fitting blue robes and gripping her sword, Lu Feishuang didn’t react to the attention. Instead, she was intently watching Ying You.

As Ying You finished reading the names of the Clear Thought Sect disciples, he looked up briefly and met Lu Feishuang’s gaze.

Even that brief glance sparked tension—an invisible clash of sword intent hung in the air.

“Yikes… Lu Feishuang’s no pushover either. Born into a family of sword cultivators, with a heavenly spiritual root and a bonded sword. Looks like the fight for first place in the sword rankings this year is going to be brutal.”

“No doubt the top two are them. As for third and fourth…”

People glanced toward the chief sword cultivators of the Clear Thought and Returning Immortal Sects.

The words weren’t finished, but everyone knew: the Returning Immortal Sect’s chief sword cultivator was firmly near the bottom of the rankings. Though both he and his Clear Thought counterpart were dual sword cultivators, the latter had a heavenly spiritual root—clearly superior—and Gong Rumei wasn’t someone to mess with.

At the same time, those very disciples were being stared at by others, yet they remained perfectly calm.

Guan Huailin knew exactly what they were thinking. He kept silent and pretended not to notice.

Xu Xianxing stood on tiptoe to see ahead, spotted Ying You, and was promptly pushed down by Baili Que.

“What are you looking at?” Baili Que asked in a low voice.

Xu Xianxing leaned in to whisper, “Ying You.”

Baili Que raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you already see him?”

Xu Xianxing: “What’s wrong with sneaking a few more glances? He’s carrying the legendary Feihong (Flying Swan) Sword. I’ve always wanted to see it in person.”

Baili Que: “…Have you noticed someone’s missing from our group?”

Xu Xianxing paused, looked back. “Where’s Lian Mu?”

Ji Mingyue added coolly, “Not just her. Guan Shize is gone too.”

Wen Yun muttered, “Probably off playing somewhere… and didn’t even take me with her.”

As they speculated, a sudden shriek pierced the air from afar.

Everyone turned to look.

Ying You paused in the middle of reading names and looked up as well.

A young woman in blue robes flew toward them on a broom, clutching another person in her hand. The broom’s tail trailed flames and left sparks in its wake as it zoomed across the sky.

Everyone: “…?”

Wen Yun’s eyes widened. “I knew she was doing something fun without me!”

Ji Mingyue: “…” Of course her entrance would be different from everyone else’s.

Xu Xianxing squinted—sure enough, Lian Mu was holding Guan Shize, who was screaming like he was on a thrill ride.

Lu Feishuang from Crimson Sky Sect spotted them too: “?”

By now, Guan Shize looked like he was about to hurl. The wind had thoroughly messed up his hair—he was a complete mess.

Lian Mu, delighted by the flight, tightened her grip. “Almost there, hang in there.”

Guan Shize was still too weak. Two hours earlier, they had been the only ones left at the Returning Immortal Sect.

Trying to show off his “improved” sword flying skills, Guan Shize had rocketed ahead on his sword.

Lian Mu, trailing behind on her broom, struggled to catch up due to the quality gap between the sword and her broom. Once she poured spiritual energy into it and lit the tail aflame, her speed skyrocketed.

Guan Shize’s early lead didn’t last. Soon, while flying over a lake, he lost control and fell in. Lian Mu had to stop and fish him out.

After that, he could no longer fly—his sword wouldn’t respond. So Lian Mu had no choice but to carry him the rest of the way.

Clearly, he hadn’t held up well, screaming all the way from Xuanwu North to Suzaku South, voice nearly gone.

Then, unsurprisingly, the two of them were late.

Lian Mu amped up the firepower on the tail of her broom and shot straight toward the Azure Profound Sect. The disciples of the Four Great Sects watched with wide eyes as she stopped midair and landed smoothly in the open space. She hopped off the broom with ease.

“Sorry, we’re late.”

Lian Mu let go of Guan Shize and tapped her fingertip on the broomstick—instantly extinguishing the flame.

Guan Shize almost couldn’t stay upright and staggered unsteadily.

Ying You glanced at her flying artifact, a flicker of doubt flashing through his eyes. “Are you… an artifact refiner?”

Lian Mu replied breezily, “I’m a sword cultivator.”

Everyone: “???”

What kind of sword cultivator doesn’t ride a sword and instead flies on that? And why is she even flying on a broom?

Lian Mu put the broom away into her spatial pouch and pulled out her sword. “It’s just a flying magical artifact.”

The understanding of both sword cultivators and artifact refiners present was thoroughly shaken.

Tang Jianming, the chief artifact refiner of the Crimson Sky Sect, couldn’t help but glance at Xu Xianxing and mutter, “Is that thing made by your sect’s artifact refiner? I didn’t expect your Returning Immortal Sect…”

Xu Xianxing: “……”

Ying You looked them over and said gently, “As long as you’re safe, it’s fine. There are often flying magical beasts around Vermilion Bird South. Next time, try to stay with the group to avoid ambushes.”

Under the odd stares from those around them, Lian Mu pulled Guan Shize into the team.

Wen Yun: “Wow, you had something that fun and didn’t even tell us! I want one too!”

Lian Mu spotted a business opportunity and seized it immediately. “Sure, ten thousand spirit stones per broom.”

Guan Shize’s eyelid twitched—he bought his for five hundred, and she’s charging Wen Yun ten thousand?

Lian Mu always priced based on the person. Xu Xianxing had long seen through her, so he said, “I want one too.”

Baili Que glanced at Ji Mingyue.

Ji Mingyue: “What are you looking at me for? I’m not buying one. I’ll just ride Lian Mu’s.”

Baili Que was relieved. He wasn’t buying one either—he’d just bum a ride from Xu Xianxing.

The surrounding crowd who heard all this: “……”

People actually want that kind of thing?

“Heh, your Returning Immortal Sect sword cultivators are really shabby. Don’t you know how to ride swords? Flying around on that thing—don’t you find it embarrassing?” said Shen Wuxie from the Clear Thought Sect. This time, he’d learned his lesson and made sure to speak from a safe distance.

Wen Yun: “You don’t know crap. Just admit you’re jealous.”

Shen Wuxie: “???”

Shen Wuxie curled his lip. “As if I’d want to play with that thing!”

The two of them were at it again. Tang Wuxun could only rub his forehead helplessly: “……”

Just two hours ago, they were still getting bullied. Now they’re already picking new fights. Haven’t learned a thing.

Tang Wuxun took a deep breath and went over to drag Shen Wuxie back.

Up ahead, Ying You had finished reading off the lodging assignments. The Crimson Sky Sect was first to leave. As Lu Feishuang walked away, she cast a glance toward the Returning Immortal Sect’s team, eyes landing on Lian Mu.

“Who is she?” she asked.

The Crimson Sky Sect’s chief body cultivator, Zhangsun Li, replied, “She should be their second-seat sword cultivator. I think her name is Lian Mu.”

Lu Feishuang’s voice was cold. “Lian Mu? Interesting.”

“She’s the sword cultivator who took the lead in humiliating us artifact refiners.”

Lu Feishuang’s gaze darkened slightly. “So it was her… I’ll remember that.”

At that moment, Lian Mu—who was chatting with Guan Shize—felt the weight of that gaze. She turned her head and met Lu Feishuang’s eyes directly.

Lu Feishuang turned and left, her blue robes fluttering in the wind, back straight and proud.

“What are you looking for?” Guan Shize asked.

Lian Mu turned back. “Nothing. That was Lu Feishuang from the Crimson Sky Sect. I think she was watching me just now.”

Guan Shize’s heart skipped a beat. “Not good. She’s got her eyes on you. If she steps into the next illusion trial herself because of the last round…”

“She probably won’t,” Lian Mu said. “People like Lu Feishuang are proud. Her sights are likely set on the chief cultivators of other sects—she wouldn’t bother dealing with a second-seat like me personally.”

Guan Shize: “Still, be careful. The Crimson Sky Sect people are notoriously arrogant and hot-tempered. If they feel wronged, they always take revenge. They won’t let this go.”

Lian Mu: “Don’t worry about me. Sure, their chief team is strong, but their formation team is mediocre. They ambushed us in the first round—so in the next few rounds, we’ll target their weakest teams. Bully the weak with strength, outnumber the few with many.”

Guan Shize: “Uh… Isn’t that a bit too blatant?”

Lian Mu patted him on the shoulder. “That’s where you don’t get it. If you can’t win fair, then play dirty. In the arena, there’s no good or evil—only winning or losing.”