Chapter 81: The Mindset of the Strong

Within the Celestial Pavilion, a burst of innocent laughter echoed through the vast hall as Elder Elm set down an ancient scroll, shaking his head helplessly.

“Thank you, Granduncle!”

The lively commotion outside seemed to catch Xun Qing’s ear, and she spoke with a bright, playful smile.

“All right, Qing girl, why don’t you go and have a look?” Elder Elm glanced towards the outer door, his eyes steady yet brimming with indulgent affection as he rose to his feet.

“Then I’ll go!” she replied gleefully, clearly eager to witness Tianming’s comeuppance. As she spoke, she clung coquettishly to Elder Elm’s arm, making it quite impossible for him to refuse.

“Go, but remember not to take things too far.” Elder Elm’s gentle gaze lingered on her as he nodded repeatedly. But before he could finish speaking, Xun Qing had already dashed out, unable to contain her excitement.

“What a handful,” Elder Elm muttered, shaking his head again. Yet his expression soon grew grave, his sharp gaze fixing upon a certain spot in the room.

“Are you truly going to send him to compete in the Four Sects Tournament?” After a silent pause, Elder Elm suddenly spoke, though the hall was empty save for himself—a rather uncanny scene.

At his words, a golden, vein-like figure materialized out of thin air. If Tianming were here, he would recognize the one who had vanished as they descended the stairs: Sect Master Xiao Tianji.

“A true strong one is forged through adversity,” said Xiao Tianji, his tone steady. “If he is always sheltered, how will he ever shoulder great responsibilities?”

“Tempering is all well and good, but have you considered the rampant threat of the Dark Demons? What if something unforeseen happens?” Elder Elm nodded, his tone heavy.

Sighing at Elder Elm’s concern, Xiao Tianji replied, “If he should fall so soon, then perhaps he is not the one of great destiny we seek.” After a moment’s reflection, he added with a hint of emotion, “Let us hope you’re right.”

With nothing more to say, Elder Elm picked up the ancient scroll once again. Xiao Tianji watched him, murmuring to himself, “Can he truly bear this burden?” He seemed to recall something, and in the next instant, vanished without a trace.

...

While the commotion below brewed, a petite figure clothed in violet slipped out through the crack of the Celestial Pavilion’s gate. Peeking at Tianming’s back, Xun Qing quickly hid behind a massive golden pillar.

“I don’t think you understand my meaning,” Tianming said with a smile, shaking his head at Quan Ruixin’s rallying display.

At his words, the outer disciples quieted, showing remarkable cooperation.

“Then what do you mean?” Quan Ruixin asked, unable to grasp his intent.

“Simply put, you’re not qualified.” Tianming paused, then emphasized his words with a decisive shake of his finger.

“You look down on me?” Quan Ruixin’s voice was low and incredulous, as though he couldn’t believe such words would come from Tianming’s mouth.

“So what if he looks down on you? You couldn’t even defeat me, and yet you want to challenge Senior Brother Tianming!” Heng Cheng couldn’t help but cut in.

“You—!” Quan Ruixin was so infuriated by Heng Cheng’s intervention that his face flushed red. He turned an indignant gaze on Tianming, his eyes filled with bitter unwillingness.

Behind the golden pillar, Xun Qing stamped her fist in frustration as she watched Tianming gain the upper hand. But the pillar was so solid that she only succeeded in hurting her hand, biting her lip to stifle a cry as she nursed her pain.

“Is this all you can do as an inner disciple—bully with your status? You dare not even accept a challenge from an outer disciple. What right do you have to stand here?” At that moment, a group of more than a dozen came forward. Among them was a sharp-eyed youth with a prominent hooked nose, who stepped up beside Quan Ruixin, calling out, “Senior Brother Quan!”

Quan Ruixin nodded, comforted by the support. He turned back to Tianming, his eyes narrowing.

“Afraid? To be honest, I don’t even consider you worthy of my effort. Take my advice: weigh your own strength before issuing challenges. Not everyone is yours for the challenging—least of all me.” Tianming’s gaze swept past the young disciples, and he shook his head.

“What did you just say?” At these words, the group behind Quan Ruixin surged forward.

“Impudence!” Heng Cheng leveled his spear, a surge of Second Grade Spirit Void Realm power rippling out in an instant.

The disparity in cultivation was too great for these outer disciples, most in the Foundation Establishment ranks, to endure. Especially under the might of a Heaven-Grade weapon, they staggered back several steps, their gathered essence radiating in a burst of multicolored light, and only then did they regain some composure.

...

“Why is that? Is it because you’re an inner disciple, because you have influential connections, or because you’re eligible for the Four Sects Tournament?” Quan Ruixin’s face was grim as he shielded himself with white essence, his frustration plain.

They were both Tenth Grade Foundation Establishment, yet why must he, Quan Ruixin, cower beneath an inner disciple? He could not accept it.

Watching Quan Ruixin’s struggle, Tianming glanced at Heng Cheng, then approached Quan Ruixin and laid a hand on his shoulder. “What sets us apart is my mindset—a heart aspiring to true strength. Yours is not. Ask yourself: is jealousy all you possess? If so, how could you ever compete with me?”

Only when Quan Ruixin’s aura had settled did Tianming withdraw.

There’s a saying—when a wall is about to collapse, everyone pushes. It wasn’t that Tianming feared accepting the challenge; he merely didn’t wish to sow enmity among his peers. He remembered well the lessons from previous conflicts, and if he could avoid further discord, he would.

Quan Ruixin snorted at the gesture, his expression one of surprise—as if he’d realized something—but he gave no sign of gratitude.

“I admit you have a point, but what if I insist? Surely you know that when the Human Ranking challenges the Heaven Ranking, refusal is not an option.” Quan Ruixin’s tone grew calmer, as if recalling something significant.

“Oh? I wasn’t aware I’d made it onto the Heaven Ranking.” Tianming arched a brow, puzzled. As far as he remembered, he’d never issued a challenge. Well, perhaps there was that one incident, but it hadn’t been a real bout with Chu Qingchen, so surely it didn’t count.

“Didn’t you know? Because the sect has chosen you for the competition, your name now occupies the three hundredth spot on the Heaven Ranking. Do you still have the right to refuse?” Surprised by Tianming’s reaction, Quan Ruixin explained.

“Well then, since you’re so eager to gift me your spirit stones, I’ll gladly accept.” Tianming nodded with a smile.

Though Quan Ruixin still pressed for a challenge, Tianming saw it merely as an excuse to withdraw with dignity.

“Is that so? Though I admire you, I will end the fight in a single move.” Quan Ruixin’s composure returned, yet his words held a mysterious air.

“I hope you can,” Tianming replied with a light laugh, shaking his head. After all, who would end the fight in one move was yet to be determined.

“What’s going on with them?” Behind the golden pillar, Xun Qing watched in confusion, baffled by the exchange.

She was not alone—Heng Cheng and the gathered crowd also looked on in astonishment. Moments ago, the pair seemed on the verge of conflict, yet now, they spoke as if old friends reunited after many years, trading blows in jest.

It was all quite perplexing for those who watched...