Chapter 23: Cheers!

Gazing tenderly at Tian Ling’er dancing gracefully on the stage, Zhang Xiaofan pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, “Qian Mo, I am truly grateful to you, whether it’s for guiding me in my cultivation or for dealing with Qi Hao.”

In Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes, beneath Qian Mo’s magnificent exterior still lay a veil of mystery that could not be pierced; yet, the help he had received was unparalleled. In this world, there was no kindness without reason. He simply did not know what the latter wished to gain from him.

Qian Mo’s continued assistance was only because his own task was not yet fulfilled. If he were to barge into the place where the Book of Heaven was kept, the unfolding of events might become far more complicated. Yet, if he could rely on Zhang Xiaofan’s protagonist’s aura, things would certainly be much simpler and more effortless.

More importantly, he found Zhang Xiaofan agreeable; had it been otherwise, he would not have cared whether he lived or died.

Hearing Qian Mo’s calm tone, Zhang Xiaofan could not help but think of the Blood Devouring Pearl, but soon pushed the thought aside. He asked, “Qian Mo, I’ve heard that Qi Hao is the most renowned disciple among our sect’s younger generation, his cultivation is profound…”

“Senior Brother Zhang, rather than concerning yourself with me, perhaps you should consider how to win Senior Sister Tian’s trust. In your eyes, Qi Hao is a paragon among the younger generation, but in mine, he is no different from swine or dogs.”

Zhang Xiaofan shuddered and quickly turned to stare at Qian Mo. In that instant, he clearly sensed an aura of terrifying power emanating from Qian Mo, like a primordial beast poised to devour.

Had anyone else heard Qian Mo’s assessment of Qi Hao, they would have scoffed or even cursed him as arrogant. Yet Zhang Xiaofan did not doubt him in the least, and his trust in Qian Mo only deepened…

“Junior Brother Zhang, so here you are.”

At that moment, a young man’s voice sounded behind him. Zhang Xiaofan turned around and saw Zeng Shushu, whom he had just met that morning.

Zeng Shushu wore a radiant smile, his demeanor relaxed. After sizing up Zhang Xiaofan, his gaze landed on Qian Mo at his side.

“Greetings, Junior Brother Qian,” Zeng Shushu said with a grin.

Qian Mo only nodded slightly, not speaking, his gaze remaining on the platform.

Sensing that Qian Mo was not keen to interact, Zhang Xiaofan cleared his throat and said, “Senior Brother Zeng, aren’t you supposed to be competing? How do you have time to find me?”

Unbothered by Qian Mo’s indifference, Zeng Shushu replied cheerfully, “I’ve already competed. With nothing else to do, I saw you here and thought I’d come say hello.”

Through years of cultivation, Zhang Xiaofan’s abilities now surpassed Zeng Shushu’s by a fair margin, so he was not surprised. “How did it go?”

With a flourish, Zeng Shushu snapped his fan shut and said with a roguish smile, “Just a narrow victory, nothing much.”

Zhang Xiaofan noted his casual, debonair manner, which hardly seemed like someone who had just finished a contest. Clearly, this fellow was not as simple as he appeared.

As if reading Zhang Xiaofan’s thoughts, Zeng Shushu waved his fan and smiled, “With my meager cultivation, I’m hardly a match for anyone. I never expected to win so easily.”

Zhang Xiaofan was only half convinced. All who participated in the Seven Peaks Tournament were elites among elites. If victory were truly so easy, it would mean the Qingyun mentors were sorely lacking.

Just as Zhang Xiaofan was about to speak, the distant toll of bells and drums rang out—another contest was about to begin.

Zeng Shushu glanced at the source of the sound, his face alight with excitement. Tugging at Zhang Xiaofan, he said, “Come, let me take you to see the most popular figure in this grand trial within Qingyun Sect.”

Zhang Xiaofan paused, his expression turning thoughtful. He cast a subtle glance at Tian Ling’er on the high platform, while a faint smile played about Qian Mo’s lips as he recalled the bashful beauty he had teased the night before.

“Could it be Senior Brother Qi Hao of Dragon Head Peak?”

Zeng Shushu gave Zhang Xiaofan a peculiar look and shook his head. “It seems, Junior Brother, you don’t know much about the inner workings of our sect. Qi Senior Brother’s cultivation is indeed renowned, but this time the most attention is on someone else.”

Relieved it was not Qi Hao, Zhang Xiaofan’s expression softened. He did not like Qi Hao, not only because of Tian Ling’er, but for reasons he could not quite explain.

“Not Senior Brother Qi Hao? Then who is it?”

With a mysterious smile, Zeng Shushu replied, “Just follow me and you’ll see. Junior Brother Qian, you too.”

Dragged along, Zhang Xiaofan glanced back to see Qian Mo nodding slightly, curiosity in his eyes as well. Together, they followed Zeng Shushu.

He led them toward the central platform among the eight arenas. Qian Mo followed behind, surveying the scene—beneath the stage, a sea of Qingyun Sect disciples were packed tightly together.

Judging by the crowd, there were no less than four or five hundred people. By Qian Mo’s estimation, at least half of all the disciples present in the square had gathered here, most of them young men.

As they drew closer, the noise swelled, and the disciples around them were all abuzz with excitement.

“Bamboo Peak has always produced beauties, but I hear this time Lu Xueqi is hailed as the most exceptional beauty in five hundred years!”

“Heh, you don’t need to tell me that. I saw her in the Jade Clarity Hall yesterday—she’s truly breathtaking. I was smitten at first sight…”

“The most famous one you’re talking about must be Senior Sister Lu from Bamboo Peak, right?”

As he asked, Zhang Xiaofan snuck a glance at Qian Mo. If he remembered correctly, the peerless beauty who seemed close to Qian Mo yesterday was none other than Senior Sister Lu Xueqi of Bamboo Peak.

Zeng Shushu, oblivious to Zhang Xiaofan’s look, glanced at the stage and said, “It hasn’t started yet, but you’ll soon see her fame. The crowd here is astonishing.”

As he spoke, Zeng Shushu led Zhang Xiaofan around the throng, but the inner circle was already packed tight by disciples, making it impossible to squeeze in. Qian Mo seemed unbothered, his calm demeanor unchanged even as his Lu Xueqi was watched by so many.

After circling for a while without finding a spot, Zeng Shushu grew anxious, muttering, “If only I’d lined up last night—now all the best spots are taken by new disciples.”

Observing Zeng Shushu, Zhang Xiaofan realized he harbored some fantasies about Senior Sister Lu Xueqi.

Yet, from Qian Mo’s reaction, the two were likely in a relationship. Now, seeing Qian Mo so composed, Zhang Xiaofan was unsure if this was good or bad—perhaps he should warn Zeng Shushu, lest Qian Mo become angry, making matters far more complicated.

Just then, Zeng Shushu’s eyes lit up as he spotted a group of disciples from Wind Returning Peak standing ahead. Without hesitation, he pulled Zhang Xiaofan forward. The Wind Returning Peak disciples, recognizing Zeng Shushu, greeted him with smiles.

Without minding them, Zeng Shushu dragged Zhang Xiaofan through, and the disciples made way for them. Qian Mo followed at a leisurely pace.

Before long, all three reached the inner circle, where the view was excellent. They could see everything at a glance. Closest to the stage sat seven or eight imposing figures—the Qingyun Sect Master Dao Xuan, Dragon Head Peak’s Head Elder Cang Song, and Bamboo Peak’s Head Elder Master Shuiyue, among others, with the unfamiliar faces likely being other elders.

Behind them stood clusters of disciples, but most eye-catching were the beautiful disciples behind Master Shuiyue of Bamboo Peak—Wen Min among them, whom they had seen the day before.

Lu Xueqi stood at Master Shuiyue’s left, her face as cold and fair as before. Her beauty drew countless admiring glances, yet Qian Mo only smiled gently, untroubled by it. After all, it was only natural.

People’s eyes were their own; he could hardly gouge them out just for looking at Lu Xueqi. If he were so inclined, he’d have become a fiend long ago.

“Xiaofan, that’s her,” Zeng Shushu nudged Zhang Xiaofan, pointing at Lu Xueqi.

Zhang Xiaofan looked and recognized her immediately—Lu Xueqi, Senior Sister of Bamboo Peak, Qian Mo’s beloved. His expression shifted slightly, and he whispered, “She’s the one you meant, the most popular figure in Qingyun Sect?”

Zeng Shushu nodded, utterly entranced. “She may not be the most popular yet—she’s not been here long, and her cultivation is said to be unfathomable—but in terms of beauty, she’s unmatched.”

Zhang Xiaofan frowned, noting Zeng Shushu’s demeanor. He dared not look at Qian Mo, and hurriedly cautioned, “Senior Brother Zeng, Senior Sister Lu is indeed extraordinarily beautiful, but I advise you not to harbor improper thoughts…”

At this, Zeng Shushu coughed awkwardly, “Ahem… Xiaofan, I’m not the only one. Just look at the eyes of our fellow disciples.”

Zhang Xiaofan glanced around. Indeed, every young male disciple nearby was staring at the group of beauties from Bamboo Peak, especially Lu Xueqi, who drew the most attention.

Yet, the young women seemed well accustomed to such scrutiny, remaining composed. Lu Xueqi, in particular, showed no expression, her frosty countenance ignoring the gazes behind her.

“…Qian Mo?” Zhang Xiaofan looked at Qian Mo, noting the faint, serene smile on his lips, and ventured to speak.

“It is only human nature,” Qian Mo replied succinctly, betraying no emotion. His eyes were fixed on the figure on stage, filled with tenderness and admiration, heedless of others’ opinions.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded almost imperceptibly, feeling relief. Meanwhile, Zeng Shushu, his gaze darting about, swallowed nervously and whispered, “Look around—among disciples our age, there are at least three or four hundred here. With our shallow cultivation, it’s easy to be swayed by beauty.”

Turning to Zhang Xiaofan, Zeng Shushu added, “Junior Brother, why do you keep looking at Qian Mo instead of at them? Don’t tell me… you have some special inclination?”

Zhang Xiaofan twitched his lips and ignored him.

Then, suddenly, the raucous crowd fell silent. Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Xueqi stepped forward. Master Shuiyue, seated in the chair, gave her a slight nod. In a calm tone, Shuiyue said, “Go.”

Lu Xueqi replied softly, forming a spell with her right hand. Her bright eyes looked toward the arena. From beneath the white jade tiles, clouds began to gather, and in an instant, she was borne aloft, rising gracefully onto the stage.

A gentle breeze stirred, and the white clouds swirled like the softest, most beautiful silk. Lu Xueqi’s robes fluttered, her skin snowy and flawless, her beauty so otherworldly it seemed a celestial fairy had descended to the mortal realm—evoking both adoration and awe.

Moments later, thunderous applause erupted from below. The disciples cheered and whistled, especially the men. Zhang Xiaofan was amazed; he had not expected Senior Sister Lu to be so popular.

It was hard to imagine such beauty existed in the world. Even he felt his heart stir as he gazed at her, though he quickly suppressed it.

He was acutely aware that some things could be done, but others should not even be contemplated, lest he plunge into an abyss.

Master Shuiyue, whose face was usually cold, now wore a rare, almost imperceptible smile at the popularity of her disciple.

After a moment, a young disciple ascended the stage. He was upright and composed, his eyes brimming with excitement. He bowed to Lu Xueqi and said, “Senior Sister Lu, I am Fang Chao from Dragon Head Peak. It’s a great honor to spar with you today.”

“Hiss, hiss…” A chorus of hisses rose from the crowd.

Lu Xueqi’s expression was icy. Just as she looked up, her gaze faltered for a heartbeat before fixing on Fang Chao—or rather, on the young man among the crowd behind him.

Qian Mo nodded slightly, offering a gentle smile. Lu Xueqi thought of his irreverent behavior the night before and shot him a flirtatious, exasperated look, her gaze growing even colder than usual.

Yet, to the disciples watching, this fleeting interaction was enough to leave their jaws on the floor.

“My goddess—does she actually like someone like Fang Chao?”

“That’s impossible! Fang Chao is skilled, but there are plenty of disciples better than him. How could Lu Xueqi be interested in him?”

In the crowd, Zeng Shushu, recovering from his surprise, turned to Zhang Xiaofan and asked in confusion, “Xiaofan, did you notice? It seemed like Lu Xueqi was looking in our direction just now?”