Chapter 165: The Bootlicking Immortal Lord Who Wants to Live Off a Woman (31)

High above, Shen Xiuyan kept a close eye on Su Mingyue’s every move.

Hearing their conversation, he couldn’t help but grow anxious.

He glanced around—good, the Spiritual Pressure he released was working perfectly. No one dared to look back at him.

Silently, he split off a wisp of divine sense, transformed it into the shape of a young man, and walked back.

Sect Master Xia, who was relatively close by, sensed a familiar fluctuation and glanced suspiciously at the Ancestral Master. But after a moment, he shook his head, thinking he was imagining things.

Once the drawing of lots and team assignments were completed smoothly, Sect Master Xia spoke again, “Now, please take some time to rest and adjust to your best state. The Grand Competition will officially begin tomorrow.”

On the way back to Biluo Peak, Wang Gang slung an arm around his junior brother’s neck and grinned. “Where’d you run off to just now? Did you catch a glimpse of the Ancestral Master?”

Shen Xiuyan shook his head. “Nope.”

Wang Gang scratched his chin in disappointment. “Me neither. First, we were too far away. Second, with that kind of Spiritual Pressure, I didn’t even dare to lift my head. What about you two, Senior Sisters?”

“Spiritual Pressure?” Su Mingyue had been meaning to ask. “You guys keep talking about Spiritual Pressure, but… I didn’t feel anything at all.”

“Huh?” Wang Gang was baffled. No way—was he the only one who felt it?

Both of them turned to look at Ning Cui.

Ning Cui’s mouth twitched. Seriously, Senior Sister, do you really not have a clue?

She sighed. “There was Spiritual Pressure. Maybe the Ancestral Master is familiar with you, so he selectively ignored you.”

Wang Gang scratched his head. “That’s even possible?”

But he forgot—Su Mingyue wasn’t the only one close to the Ancestral Master. Ning Cui had arrived two days earlier, so she should’ve been even more familiar with him. So why did she still feel the Spiritual Pressure?

But his curiosity got the better of him. “What does the Ancestral Master look like, anyway? Come on, Senior Sister, give me a hint.”

Su Mingyue smiled. “He’s good-looking. Really good-looking. You’ll see for yourself tomorrow. The Ancestral Master won’t get mad—he’s super nice.”

Wang Gang grinned like a fool. “Really? With you saying that, I’ll dare to sneak a closer look tomorrow.”

Ning Cui: “…”

Seriously, Senior Sister? You really think he’s easygoing?

The Ancestral Master picks favorites, okay?!

And Wang Gang, just because she said it, you believe it?

Aren’t you worried you’ll die tomorrow?

Ning Cui was speechless.

At least the quiet little junior brother beside her gave her a shred of comfort. At least someone on their peak was normal. Unlike Wang Gang, he wasn’t stupidly curious about the Ancestral Master’s face or eager to risk his life just to sneak a peek.

Shen “Ancestral Master” Xiuyan himself, meanwhile, had no curiosity about his own appearance. He saw it every day—more than enough.

The next morning, before the warm light of dawn had touched the earth, the sky still inky black and dotted with stars, a chilly wind brushed across their cheeks. Yet the disciples were already crowding beneath the platform, waiting for the Grand Competition to officially begin.

As the sky gradually brightened, sect leaders from minor sects began to arrive one after another.

By then, the early-arriving disciples were already numb from waiting.

But what could they do? As members of the lowest-ranking sects, arriving early was expected—both to temper their minds and to show respect.

Half an hour after the minor sect leaders arrived, sect leaders from slightly larger sects began to show up.

From the high platform, greetings were exchanged. The minor sect leaders smiled warmly, as if the long wait hadn’t affected them at all—truly a masterclass in keeping a good attitude.

As time went on, the status of the arriving guests grew higher and higher.

Finally, Sect Master Xia arrived, exchanging pleasantries with everyone, a smile on his face.

The crowd patiently returned to their seats, waiting for the most esteemed figure to appear.

Little did they know, that exalted person had already been there for quite some time.

Shen Xiuyan had been sitting on this cold platform for hours. Cold? Not really. But the wind was about to blow his brain loose.

Shen “Good Guy” Xiuyan noticed the wind picking up and gave Wang Gang a look. The two of them flanked Su Mingyue, shielding her from the wind. The result? They were both getting blasted while Su Mingyue sat in the middle, looking around like nothing was happening.

Wang Gang had been putting in effort for a while now, but he didn’t seem annoyed at all. In fact, he felt like applauding his junior brother.

He thought the kid had taken one more step toward the path of living off a woman. If he were Su Mingyue, he’d be moved to tears.

And honestly, he wasn’t wrong. When the sect leaders began to arrive, Su Mingyue took Shen Xiuyan’s hand and said, “You don’t have to block the wind for me. I’m not even cold.”

Shen Xiuyan shook his head. “No way. Even if you don’t feel cold now, too much wind is still uncomfortable. Just sit tight between us. We’re getting blown either way—might as well spare one person.”

Ning Cui couldn’t help but rub her shoulders. Yeah, the wind was pretty uncomfortable after a while.

But seriously, if you’re going to block the wind, can’t you include her too?

What, does she not exist?

This double standard felt way too familiar…

Wait. Hold on.

Ning Cui suddenly realized—could it be that the little junior brother likes Su Mingyue? All his actions screamed “sucking up”!

Oh my god, that’s bold.

He dares to compete with the Ancestral Master?

Ning Cui discreetly watched Su Mingyue’s expression—and saw a hint of being touched.

Oh no. Looks like someone’s about to steal her away.

Ancestral Master, where are you?! Hurry up and show yourself!

She didn’t want the sweet romance she’d just started shipping to fall apart already.

Shen Xiuyan, seeing that it was about time, once again found an excuse to slip away.

Just then, colorful auspicious clouds appeared in the sky, and with them, the Ancestral Master descended.

This time, he didn’t release any Spiritual Pressure, allowing the disciples below to finally breathe. The bolder ones even started lifting their heads.

They quietly studied the figure standing atop the high platform.

Just one glance.

Hiss~

The hem of his ink-black robe trailed along the floor, accentuating his tall, striking figure. At a glance, he gave off an aura as cold and distant as ice.

Even from this far away, one could tell—he was a beauty beyond compare.

With looks like that, even Mei Lan, hailed as the number one beauty in the Cultivation World, would pale slightly standing next to him.

No wonder, after all these thousands of years, there’s never been a single rumor of the Ancestral Master taking a Dao Companion.

With a face like that, just waking up and seeing himself in the mirror every day would make any other beauty in the world feel dull by comparison. What kind of Dao Companion could possibly match him?

The Sect Leaders all stood and greeted him, “Ancestral Master!”

“Mm.” Shen Xiuyan took his seat, then turned to Sect Master Xia and said, “Where are Mingyue and Ning Cui? Have them come forward.”