Chapter 154: Late Again — Dizzy, Weak, and Half-Dead…

Early the next morning, disciples from the Four Great Sects gathered to check the results of the trial.

Among the crowd, hardly anyone looked energetic. Most had dark circles under their eyes or were limping—each looking more miserable than the last.

Even the top disciples didn’t look much better, especially those from Crimson Sky Sect and Clear Thought Sect. The commotion from last night had echoed throughout the entire Clear Thought Sect.

Lu Feishuang from Crimson Sky Sect had even drawn upon the power of her Spiritual Root to summon heavenly thunder. For two full hours during the trial, lightning and thunder raged across the skies.

“This Entry Trial was brutal. Thank the heavens it was time-limited—otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it to the next Illusion Realm.”

“Strange thing is, whatever I fought last night… it felt like it was copying my moves. The longer we fought, the more it felt like I was fighting myself.”

“Venerable Elder is here!”

Several Venerable Elders flew in on swords and landed on Biyun Platform. Leading them was none other than Mei Chengyu.

As soon as she touched down, Mei Chengyu beamed and said, “Well done, everyone. I’m Mei Chengyu, the new Venerable Elder overseeing this competition. Friends from Crimson Sky Sect should already know me. If you want to learn more, feel free to ask them.”

The moment the Crimson Sky Sect disciples saw her face, they collectively sucked in a breath.

The Returning Immortal Sect was standing nearby and overheard. Unable to help himself, Bai Li Que turned to glance at them.

He edged closer to Shen Wusang from Crimson Sky Sect and whispered, “Is your Venerable Elder Mei really that powerful?”

Though the Returning Immortal Sect and Crimson Sky Sect didn’t get along, Bai Li Que and Shen Wusang were acquainted, so he asked casually.

Shen Wusang’s expression didn’t change, but his slightly furrowed brow betrayed a hint of tension. “She’s Crimson Sky Sect’s top-ranked sword cultivator Venerable Elder, and the daughter of the former Sect Master of Penglai Sect. Her punches hurt. Best not to get on her bad side.”

Bai Li Que nodded. “We’d never dare offend a Venerable Elder.”

Shen Wusang added kindly, “I meant you should tell Lian Mu from your sect not to piss her off.”

Bai Li Que: “?”

Hearing Lian Mu’s name, Xu Xianxing and the others subtly leaned in, ears perked.

Shen Wusang pointed to the empty spot in the Returning Immortal Sect’s formation. “Haven’t you noticed? Lian Mu’s late. Daring to be late to Venerable Elder Mei’s assembly? That’s not going to end well.”

Only then did the Returning Immortal Sect disciples realize—Lian Mu hadn’t shown up again.

“…”

They were so used to her absences that it hadn’t even registered.

Wen Yun said, “Thanks for the heads-up, Shen Wusang. You’re way nicer than your brother.”

Lu Feishuang shot a glance their way. Shen Wusang stiffened and quietly stepped away, saying no more.

The Returning Immortal Sect disciples also shut their mouths. Since no one else had noticed, they’d just pretend they didn’t either.

On the platform, Mei Chengyu’s gaze swept over the crowd, pausing briefly on the Returning Immortal Sect’s group. Not seeing the person she was looking for, she said nothing and moved on, finally stopping at the Azure Profound Sect.

“Last night’s trial—those who placed in the top three will earn extra merit on the Five Paths Ranking. Here is the list. If anyone has objections, feel free to speak up now.” With a flick of her finger, a red scroll unfurled in midair, slowly rolling open from bottom to top.

It had barely reached halfway when people began speculating.

“Who took first place?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Of course it’s Azure Profound Sect’s top disciple. I live near him—he barely lifted a finger. Took care of it in one move.”

“Looks like the ranking’s based on the number of moves used. That shadow thing could even mimic techniques!”

Because it was a timed trial, few had actually managed to slay the demon race creature. So this time, rankings were based on the number of moves used. That meant the gap between top disciples and regular cultivators wasn’t as wide. In fact, some top disciples ranked lower than ordinary team members.

Sword cultivators and body cultivators, known for their brawling prowess, ended up lower on the list, while artifact refiners and alchemy cultivators—who usually struggled in combat—rose to the top.

Ji Mingyue spotted her name and couldn’t help but marvel, “Can’t believe I actually ranked higher than Lu Feishuang.”

Xu Xianxing, his face bruised and one leg limping, added, “I even beat Changsun Li.”

“Why don’t I see Lian Mu’s name?” Wen Yun asked.

Bai Li Que replied, “Probably somewhere around the top twenty. She’s not bad these days.”

As the red scroll neared the top, everyone grew increasingly curious about the top three.

Then, when third place was revealed, someone blurted out in disbelief, “What?! Shen Wuxie is third?!”

In the Clear Thought Sect’s ranks, Shen Wuxie stood proudly. “Well? This Young Master’s just that good. You so-called sword cultivators and body cultivators can’t compare.”

Wen Yun clicked his tongue. “Tch.”

Mei Chengyu chuckled and released an image-recording stone. “Since everyone’s so curious, let’s all take a look at how the top three handled themselves.”

As the image flickered to life, Shen Wuxie’s figure appeared before the entire crowd. The moment he spotted the shadow, he launched a flying kick that smashed the window, then whipped out a Binding Talisman and hurled it at the shadow.

The shadow mimicked his move, pulling out a Binding Talisman of its own. Shen Wuxie failed to dodge.

Both man and demon froze mid-action, talismans activating simultaneously. They collapsed to the ground together—and lay there, motionless, for two full hours.

“Passed in two moves,” Mei Chengyu said. “A bit messy, but I suppose it counts as a lucky fluke.”

The moment she finished speaking, the crowd burst into laughter.

As the image faded, Shen Wuxie’s face had turned bright red. Wen Yun seized the opportunity to mock him, “Two moves to victory—impressive! Who knew you froze yourself too?”

Shen Wuxie muttered, “…Laugh my ass.”

The second-place winner was quickly announced, but to everyone’s surprise, it turned out to be the Azure Profound Sect’s team leader.

When the playback was shown, the image of the young man cleaving through a demon beast with a single sword stroke left the crowd in awe.

“No wonder they call him the Sword Bone Genius. That strike was terrifying.”

“No wonder I saw someone fixing the buildings this morning—it was him!”

“If he’s second, then who’s first?”

Could there be someone even stronger?

The disciples all looked around, puzzled. The top disciples from every sect had already been announced—there was no one left.

Wen Yun said, “Could it be Lian Mu? Her name hasn’t come up yet.”

Xu Xianxing added, “She was even late to the assembly. Probably doesn’t take the trial seriously at all.”

Mei Chengyu smiled and announced, “The top rank in this trial goes to Lian Mu, second-seat sword cultivator of the Returning Immortal Sect.”

“……”

The room fell silent for a beat.

Mei Chengyu released the playback. After watching it, everyone once again fell into stunned silence: “……”

Zero moves? She just slept through it and still came in first?

How does she always come up with the weirdest, most shameless ways to win?!

Everyone instinctively looked around for Lian Mu, only to realize she wasn’t with the Returning Immortal Sect team.

Mei Chengyu said, “It seems our little friend Lian Mu from the Returning Immortal Sect is absent.”

The Returning Immortal Sect’s lead team members: “……”

Crap. We can’t hide it anymore.

Xu Xianxing stepped forward first and blurted out nonsense, “Venerable Elder, she suddenly fell ill. I’m afraid she won’t be able to come today.”

As soon as he finished, he gave Ji Mingyue a covert kick.

Ji Mingyue jolted and quickly added, “Yes, I examined her myself. She’s dizzy, weak all over, barely conscious—there’s no way she could make it.”

No sooner had they finished speaking than a crackling sound came from above. Everyone looked up to see Lian Mu flying toward them on a broom.

Xu Xianxing and Ji Mingyue both blacked out for a second: “……”

Couldn’t she have come just a little earlier?!

Everyone turned their heads in unison. Lian Mu hovered in midair before hopping off the broom and landing lightly. She looked up at Mei Chengyu on Biyun Platform and said, “Venerable Elder, something came up. I’m late.”

Mei Chengyu beamed. “Oh? What happened?”

Below the platform, Xu Xianxing was frantically signaling her with his eyes. Lian Mu glanced at him, then calmly made something up. “I got up too fast this morning, tripped, landed face-first, blacked out. Just woke up fifteen minutes ago.”

Everyone: “……”

Seriously?!

Mei Chengyu chuckled. “You must’ve gotten up in quite a rush. Slept earlier than anyone last night, and still managed to be late today. But since you ranked first in the trial, I’ll give you a reward.”

Lian Mu perked up. “Thank you, Venerable Elder. What kind of reward?”

Then she paused. “Wait a second—how did I end up in first place?”

“I’ll reward you with a duel against me.” Mei Chengyu patted the wine gourd at her waist, uncorked it, and took a long swig.

The disciples from Crimson Sky Sect were practically rubbing their hands in glee, eager for the show.

“Looks like Venerable Elder Mei’s going to personally test her again.”

“She slept through the trial and now gets a blessing in disguise.”

Lian Mu blinked, still not quite catching on: “?”

Mei Chengyu said, “Little friend, I remember I promised to share a drink with you. I’m not one to go back on my word.”

She tossed the wine gourd to Lian Mu. “Drink it. Then fight me.”

The gourd felt hot in Lian Mu’s hands. “…Venerable Elder, I didn’t mean to be late.”

“What, you don’t want to give me face?” Mei Chengyu’s cheeks were flushed, clearly tipsy.

Lian Mu hesitated, then took a sip. The liquor was far stronger than anything she’d ever tasted. As it burned down her throat, it felt like fire igniting in her chest, spreading heat through her entire body.

“No wonder you’re from Black Tortoise North. You can still stand after drinking my ‘A Dream of Fleeting Life’.” Mei Chengyu laughed, then summoned her sword. “In that case, let’s fight.”

Lian Mu felt a bit dizzy, but she had no choice but to draw her sword. “Please, Venerable Elder, grant me your guidance.”