Chapter 168: The Bootlicking Immortal Lord Who Wants to Live Off a Woman (Part 34)

What’s more, if all those fruits were refined into Medicinal Pills, who knows how many cultivators could use them to break through to the Golden Core stage?

And yet, only she managed to break through. Sect Master Xia, who exactly are you putting on that surprised face for?

If you’re trying to curry favor with the Ancestral Master, this is hardly the way to do it.

But who would’ve thought—the Ancestral Master actually seemed to enjoy it.

Shen Xiuyan even smiled and chimed in, “Indeed. She has great potential for cultivation.”

As if to affirm Sect Master Xia’s words, a few more fruits floated over and landed right in front of him.

Sect Master Xia happily collected them.

Let others laugh at his shamelessness—he laughed at their inability to see through the game.

Sect Master Xia had already figured it out…

After all, he’d been a sly old fox for several hundred years. Even without a Dao Companion, he could still read the signs.

It looked like the Ancestral Master had developed mortal feelings.

Wasn’t this special treatment reserved solely for Su Mingyue?

Ning Cui, standing nearby, was clearly just a background character.

Thinking back on past events, this pattern had shown up more than once.

Suddenly, Sect Master Xia had a moment of enlightenment—he now knew exactly how to win over the Ancestral Master.

But then again…

If it actually worked…

The hierarchy would be completely messed up…

Ah, whatever. Who cares about the hierarchy right now? Better to grab the benefits while they’re still on the table.

In that instant, Sect Master Xia abandoned all shame.

Su Mingyue was still reeling from the shock. She’d broken through—just like that???

When Shen Xiuyan handed her another fruit, she looked a little dazed and murmured, “Ancestral Master, I’m full…”

Shen Xiuyan paused. “You’re full? Then don’t eat anymore.”

With a wave of her sleeve, the remaining fruits on the table floated over to Sect Master Xia again.

Ning Cui: “…”

Did you forget about her again?

Even with priceless fruits in her hands, they suddenly didn’t taste so sweet.

Ning Cui was starting to reconsider her allegiance. Maybe it wasn’t too late to switch to the junior disciple’s side.

Ancestral Master, if you keep simping like this, her filter is going to shatter.

The surprise came so suddenly that Sect Master Xia could barely contain his joy. He wanted to run three laps around the arena stage below.

Why did he get all of them?

Heh, definitely not because his flattery worked.

Proud face.

In that moment, Sect Master Xia became the biggest winner of the day. Everyone watching was green with envy, but there was nothing they could do about it.

Su Mingyue looked at the fruit still in her hand and sighed. She really couldn’t eat another bite, but throwing it away? No way.

What a waste. Might as well feed it to her dad instead.

She glanced around and saw that everyone’s attention was on Sect Master Xia. Quietly, she tiptoed over to Shen Xiuyan.

“Ancestral Master, can I give this to my father?”

“Of course. No need to ask me about something so small. It was given to you—who you share it with is your choice.”

Su Mingyue beamed. “Thank you, Ancestral Master.”

She got up and bounced her way toward Elder Su, sneaking over like a little thief—so adorable it nearly melted Shen Xiuyan on the spot.

Elder Su was merely the Tenth Elder of Wu Nian Sect. On a high platform full of Sect Leaders, just being allowed to sit there was already a privilege.

So the elders were seated far in the back.

At the very end, Su Mingyue quietly approached him from behind and whispered, “Dad, I can’t eat anymore. You eat it.”

Elder Su had seen everything unfold. First, he was shocked. Then, in disbelief. Finally, he reached a state of serene detachment.

What had his daughter done to deserve such favor from the Ancestral Master?

She had truly brought honor to the family!

But in this moment, with all those emotions surging in his chest, all he could think was—

She really is my sweet little girl.

Though he was grumbling inwardly, his hands didn’t hesitate. He immediately accepted the fruit Su Mingyue handed over.

He looked at it with delight. By extension, he too had now tasted fruit personally peeled by the Ancestral Master!

Pride!

Several Sect Leaders nearby whispered among themselves.

“How could that little disciple dare give away a fruit gifted by the Ancestral Master?”

“Yeah, who is that guy anyway?”

“Such audacity.”

“And the Ancestral Master isn’t even mad?”

“You clearly don’t know—that’s the Tenth Elder of Wu Nian Sect. He’s also her father.”

“Ah, that explains it. Love me, love my kin. That dad’s got some serious luck, having such a capable daughter.”

“Tell me about it. I’m green with envy.”

“She just handed it over to her dad without a second thought. What a filial girl.”

“Right? If I had a fruit like that, I wouldn’t even give it to my own dad. Even if it’s peeled and slightly less potent, once refined into a Medicinal Pill, it’d still be worth a fortune.”

“Exactly!”

For the first time, Elder Su felt the burning jealousy of everyone around him. He straightened his back with pride.

What are you looking at?

This is my daughter. Mine!

His face radiated pride.

Under the envious gaze of the crowd, he took a bite of the fruit. Somehow, it tasted even better with all those jealous eyes watching.

Elder Su was so pleased he nearly kicked up his feet.

“Dad, is it good?”

Elder Su gave a big thumbs-up. “Delicious. I’ve never eaten anything better in my life.”

As he spoke, his eyes shimmered with tears.

Shen Xiuyan, who had been watching Su Mingyue closely the entire time, suddenly trembled.

Was it really *that* good?

This old man must’ve had it rough in the Cultivation World.

The next second, a whole pile of large, high-quality fruits appeared in front of Elder Su.

The sudden appearance made Elder Su’s jaw drop. He nearly slid off his chair in shock.

He looked at the Ancestral Master with trembling eyes—only to see her flash him a mysterious smile.

Elder Su was terrified.

What… what does the Ancestral Master mean by this?

Something about this whole situation felt… off.

Sect Master Xia glared furiously at Elder Su. No, seriously—he hadn’t done anything, so how had he ended up with so much?

It just wasn’t fair!

But then Sect Master Xia caught sight of Su Mingyue standing quietly behind Elder Su.

He dropped to his knees in a smooth, practiced slide.

Ahem. The Ancestral Master is nothing if not fair…

Better to keep his mouth shut—who knew when he might need to rely on Old Su in the future?

Sect Master Xia didn’t become the leader of the Wu Nian Sect by being clueless. He knew when to play it smart.

Below the stage, the Combat Trials were moving at a rapid pace, with groups of dozens taking the platform in turn. Before long, it was the Wu Nian Sect disciples’ turn.

After bidding farewell to the Ancestral Master, Su Mingyue and Ning Cui made their way to the staging area.

Whispers rippled through the crowd below.

“Look, look! The two who were standing behind the Ancestral Master are going up!”

“Wonder how strong they are, to be favored by the Ancestral Master like that.”

“Quit yapping and watch!”

The air onstage was thick with tension. With so many participants, a few exchanged glances and quickly formed an alliance, planning to take out Su Mingyue and Ning Cui first—eliminate the strong contenders early.

Once they were out of the way, the rest could fight it out among equals.

But they were sorely mistaken.

Though the two girls had been buried in cultivation, their talent was undeniable. If Su Mingyue hadn’t just broken through earlier, she might’ve been overwhelmed.

Maybe Shen Xiuyan had seen this coming—why else would he have fed Su Mingyue all those rare treasures, pushing her straight into the Golden Core Stage?

One stage of difference in cultivation was like the gap between heaven and earth. Now, even facing eight opponents at once, Su Mingyue didn’t break a sweat.

Up above, an elder from another sect chuckled dryly. “What’s with those guys? Teaming up already? Sorry about that, Sect Master Xia.”

He said “sorry,” but his face said anything but. If anything, he looked like he was enjoying the show.

This was the Grand Competition. Teaming up to take down stronger opponents was a valid strategy. Even if they knocked out the Ancestral Master’s favorite disciples, the old man couldn’t exactly throw a fit about it.

But reality didn’t play out the way he’d hoped.

When the dust settled, only three people remained standing on the massive Combat Trial stage: Wang Gang, Ning Cui, and Su Mingyue.

Su Mingyue wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. That was close. Good thing the three of them had ended up in the same group—at least she didn’t have to fight solo.

Otherwise, she’d have been run ragged.