Chapter 207: Changing Players, Taking the Bait

“Latest news from the Immortal Sect Grand Competition’s Five Elements Ranking: Qian Songshi has unexpectedly claimed the position of Chief Disciple, ranking fifth on the Magnolia Ranking. He boasts that he will challenge the three strongest Chief Disciples, creating the most formidable Chief Disciple showdown in the history of the competition…”

“Qian Songshi’s dual Spiritual Roots are extraordinarily unique. He intends to compete with the Second Seat of the Returning Immortal Sect. Rumor has it that his dual Spiritual Roots are similar to Lian Mu’s Three Spirit Roots, both enhanced by secret techniques…”

“Shen Wuxie of the Clear Thought Sect has learned of Lian Mu’s enhancement method and plans to share this technique with all disciples of the Clear Thought Sect…”

In a corner of the competition arena, Guan Shize held an image-recording stone, which displayed numerous messages of unknown origin.

Lian Mu, leaning against a tree, glanced at it and raised an eyebrow. “Where did you get this?”

“It came from disciples of other sects. I bought a copy,” Guan Shize replied. “The Immortal Sect Grand Competition is full of well-informed disciples who gather various intelligence to sell to those in need.”

Ji Mingyue glanced at the arena where Wen Yun was arguing with Shen Wuxie, while Baili Que and Xu Xianxing were sneaking snacks on the side. She suddenly felt that these people were less reliable than Guan Shize.

Lian Mu mused, “Shen Wuxie… it seems he’s taken the bait.”

“His brain must have been chewed by pigs. Knowing is one thing, but leaking information to others is another. If he ever gets something valuable, he probably won’t be able to keep it,” Ji Mingyue said. “Is he really Shen Wusang’s brother?”

Guan Shize commented, “This Shen Chief Disciple is too straightforward, while the second Shen Chief Disciple is deep and reserved. I suppose they complement each other.”

Both Shen Wuxie and Shen Wusang share the surname Shen. To distinguish between them, other disciples privately refer to them as Shen the First and Shen the Second, ranked by age. The same applies to other Chief Disciples with the same surname.

“But what do you mean by ‘taking the bait’?” Guan Shize asked.

Ji Mingyue explained, “Exactly what it sounds like. The Clear Thought Sect has always believed that Lian Mu relies on secret pills to enhance her strength, so Lian Mu and I set a trap. Now the fish has bitten.”

Lian Mu added, “Shen Wuxie threatened me in the Illusion Realm, trying to steal my pills. I handed them over, and it seems he thinks he’s struck gold.”

“Does Feng Huanyin know about this?” Guan Shize asked. “he’s the strongest alchemy cultivator on the White Plum List. If he…”

“Don’t worry,” Ji Mingyue interrupted. “What I gave him isn’t something he can detect.”

They had their own plans, and Guan Shize knew better than to pry into Chief team affairs. Ordinary disciples like him should avoid getting involved to prevent trouble.

Lian Mu asked, “Do you have any other news?”

“Of course, they call me ‘Mr. Know-it-all’ for a reason,” Guan Shize said.

Lian Mu inquired, “Anything about the next Illusion Realm?”

Guan Shize looked embarrassed. “Well… that’s a tough one. The details about the next Illusion Realm are tightly guarded by the elders. But it’s said that the Crimson Sky Sect’s leader mocked the Azure Profound Sect’s artifact refiners in front of their elders. Sect Master Hua found out and changed the Illusion Realm, making it completely different from previous ones. That’s all I know.”

“Also, before the next Illusion Realm begins, the leaders of the three major sects will come to observe. Perhaps our sect master will come too.”

Lian Mu nodded, and Ji Mingyue said, “Before the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, the Crimson Sky Sect tried to ally with the Azure Profound Sect. Now they’re not even pretending. I’ve always wondered how the Crimson Sky Sect leader survived with that mouth of his. Wasn’t he beaten to death in his youth?”

Lian Mu thought for a moment and said, “Maybe he was very strong when he was young, and those who opposed him were beaten to death.”

Although the Crimson Sky Sect leader had a sharp tongue, he was no weakling.

Ji Mingyue sighed, “If only our sect master could come, the Returning Immortal Sect wouldn’t have to…”

“It’s fine,” Lian Mu reassured. “Even if the sect master doesn’t come, it doesn’t mean our sect is without people. Let’s focus on improving our strength, so in the future, we can defeat anyone we encounter. Guan Shize, I promised to spar with you. There’s no time like the present.”

Guan Shize was taken aback. “Huh? So suddenly?”

“You’re in the top ten for apprenticeship seats. Don’t embarrass your master,” Lian Mu said. “I’ve recently had some insights, so let me see how much you’ve improved.”

Thinking of his master, who didn’t mind his Spiritual Root’s grade, Guan Shize’s hesitation vanished. He gathered his courage. “Alright!”

He could embarrass himself, but he couldn’t embarrass his master!

The two found an open space to spar. Ji Mingyue stood by with her arms crossed, watching. When Lian Mu removed her outer robe, Ji Mingyue noticed the bruises on her wrist and narrowed her eyes.

Guan Shize held his sword and faced Lian Mu. However, before he could lift his head, Lian Mu had already flashed behind him with astonishing speed.

Guan Shize was startled. He quickly turned, expecting an attack from behind, concentrating all his defenses on that moment. But Lian Mu didn’t attack as he anticipated. Instead, she flashed again, striking the back of his neck.

In just two breaths, her sword was at Guan Shize’s throat, the outcome decided.

“You’re not quite there yet.”

Guan Shize didn’t dare move. “…”

Was it that he wasn’t good enough, or was it that she had improved too quickly? They weren’t even on the same level.

The two flashes had happened almost in the blink of an eye, comparable to the speed of a talisman cultivator using a fifth-level teleportation talisman.

Guan Shize couldn’t help but ask, “Lian Mu, you didn’t use a talisman, did you?”

Lian Mu sheathed her sword and adjusted her stance. “No.”

“Where did you learn this?” Guan Shize asked in shock.

Lian Mu replied, “I was beaten into it. For you to reach this level of speed increase is actually easier than for me. You have a Wind Spirit Root, which is a significant advantage. In martial arts, speed is unbeatable. If you can’t surpass others in other areas, perhaps you can focus on speed. Master it to the extreme, and whether in attack or retreat, you’ll have an edge.”

This was the lesson she learned from the battle at the Flying Sea Pavilion. The Golden-eyed Woman also had Three Spirit Roots, and aside from cultivation foundation, their biggest difference was speed. The opponent’s wind vortex truly maximized the Wind Spirit Root’s speed to the extreme.

She didn’t have a Wind Spirit Root, so what she learned could only be taught to Guan Shize. Baili Que, with a wind-type Heavenly Spiritual Root, was already formidable and didn’t need her instruction.

As for herself… she was purely honed by Xuan Che.

She spent her days hiding indoors. Murong Yi had let her be, but Xuan Che would occasionally have a fit and chase her down. Unable to defeat this millennia-old monster, she could only run. Over time, her speed improved, even surpassing the period when Murong Yi was chasing her.

“But… my master never taught me this,” Guan Shize said. “For disciples with ordinary Spiritual Roots like us, the master advises us to play it safe and only focus on speed. What if…”

Lian Mu replied, “If you play it safe, progress will be slow. After all, there’s a saying that fortune comes with risk. Ultimately, it depends on your choice.”

Guan Shize hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll give it a try.”

Lian Mu’s skills were clearly honed through experience. As someone with Three Spirit Roots, she could handle risks, so why couldn’t he?

“Alright, I’ll teach you a technique. Master it, and you’ll surpass most people,” Lian Mu said.

The two of them huddled together, exchanging insights and sparring until the morning passed.

Guan Shize was drenched in sweat but full of enthusiasm. “I’ll practice diligently!”

Ji Mingyue tossed each of them a Grain Abstinence Pill. “Fill your stomachs and take a break.”

Guan Shize sat cross-legged on the ground, reflecting on the earlier sparring. Meanwhile, disciples from other sects also finished their practice and rushed to find shade.

“Team Leader, you’re back!”

A surprised shout came from the Azure Profound Sect, drawing everyone’s attention, and soon, no one could look away.

Ying You, dressed in simple clothes, walked toward the Azure Profound Sect’s resting area. He was as composed and steady as ever, showing no signs of fatigue from his severe injuries, indicating a good recovery.

For a moment, the expressions of the Clear Thought Sect and Crimson Sky Sect’s Chief teams were complex and indescribable.

The most eye-catching feature was Ying You’s white hair.

It was clear that although he had recovered, the cost had been significant. No one knew what that white hair symbolized, as his status among the Chief Disciples was such that no one dared to speculate openly.

Lian Mu glanced in that direction but quickly looked away, pretending to be a nonentity.

“Team Leader, are you alright? We’ve been worried about you.”

The Azure Profound Sect’s Chief team immediately gathered around him.

Ying You said, “Don’t call me Team Leader now. Xiao Chen is the Team Leader.”

Gu Qingyu, a burly man, had tears in his eyes. “We thought… Ting Zhou, I won’t argue with Feng Yunyi anymore. Once you’re rested, come back and be our Team Leader again.”

Yuan Huai added, “Without you, that brat Qian Songshi almost drove us crazy.”

Feng Yunyi choked up, “It’s good that you’re alright.”

Ying You smiled slightly. “I know you’ve had it tough. I made some pastries for you to wash away the bitter taste of the Grain Abstinence Pills.”

At the Clear Thought Sect’s resting area, Shen Wuxie watched this scene with a twinge of envy. “Why are other teams’ leaders so considerate, even bringing food for their teammates after a match? Tang Wuxun, can’t you learn from him?”

Tang Wuxun almost spat out the water he had just drunk but managed to hold it in. “How about I give you two slaps instead?”

Shen Wuxie rolled his eyes. “Keep them for yourself.”

After speaking, he couldn’t help but touch his neck, recalling the sensation of Ying You’s sword cutting his throat.

Shen Wuxie snorted coldly, muttering, “I can’t beat you, but I can still take it out on your fellow disciples. Once I become as strong as Lian Mu, you’ll all be under my feet…”

Feng Huanyin asked, “What did you say?”

Shen Wuxie’s spine stiffened. He blinked and snapped, “Nothing. Mind your own business, will you?”

With that, he quickly left.

Feng Huanyin frowned, feeling an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

She turned to Tang Wuxun and said:

“This temporary change in the Azure Profound Sect is a good opportunity. I think we should also consider giving the Chief Disciple talisman cultivator position to someone more capable.”