Chapter Eighteen: The Grand Tournament of the Five Sects
Luo Yingying strode out of the main hall, her voice ringing out, “Enough, all of you. Our junior sister Qu doesn’t care to see your faces!” Her petite frame stood protectively in front of Qu Yiqiu, undaunted by Huo Tangsheng’s cold gaze.
“We’re leaving,” Huo Tangsheng said, not sparing them another glance as he swept his sleeve and departed. He Yuman and three male disciples quickly cast a glance at Luo Yingying, then followed behind.
“This is my fault. I failed to protect you,” Chi Yushu said apologetically.
Wu Qiu spoke up, “It’s not only Senior Brother Chi’s responsibility. As teammates, we all share the blame. We failed to shield Junior Sister Qu!”
Lin Yaoxing lowered his head slightly, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes.
“Junior Sister Qu, there’s still a year left. Perhaps we can teach you some defensive techniques. When the time comes for the tournament, you won’t lose so badly!” Luo Yingying suggested enthusiastically.
Lin Yaoxing’s eyes brightened, and he looked up, saying, “That’s a fine idea, Junior Sister Luo. With Senior Brother Chi’s guidance, she’s sure to learn a few effective ways to defend herself!”
Wu Qiu watched their lively exchange, thinking to himself, Have these two forgotten the relations between our two peaks? Even if Senior Brother Chi is willing to teach without reservation, Junior Sister Qu surely wouldn’t accept.
As expected, Qu Yiqiu looked up calmly and said, “Thank you for your kindness, brothers and sisters, but I will only take what is rightfully mine.”
The excitement faded from Luo Yingying and Lin Yaoxing, leaving them bewildered.
Chi Yushu, a perceptive soul, saw that Qu Yiqiu was unwilling and did not press further.
“In a year’s time, all five sects’ disciples will participate in the grand tournament. Even if those from the Profound Intent Sect bear ill will, they wouldn’t dare to take lives on the stage. If you can obtain a top-tier defensive artifact, Junior Sister Qu, you’ll be able to protect yourself during the tournament,” Chi Yushu advised, his expression complex as he pressed his lips together.
He happened to possess such a defensive artifact.
“I understand, thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Chi. Also, my being taken has nothing to do with any of you. Please don’t blame yourselves,” Qu Yiqiu turned to face them, suddenly beaming, “It’s getting late; I should go back and rest.”
Lin Yaoxing saw her smile and felt two streams of heat rush down from his nose, instinctively wiping it away—the vivid red startled him.
Wu Qiu and Luo Yingying weren’t as dramatic, but they too were momentarily dazed.
Chi Yushu gazed at Qu Yiqiu’s retreating figure, thinking, Beauty that surpasses ages, lotus shy of jade, a natural-born beauty.
If only her talent weren’t so poor—
...
Qu Yiqiu ignored the furtive glances around her, returning to Small Flat Peak with her usual composure.
All the way, she grumbled inwardly.
The Profound Intent Sect was truly devious. Even after losing the task, they refused to accept it and forced her to participate in the Five Sects Grand Tournament a year hence.
Normally, only the top thirty winners from each sect’s internal competition qualify for the Five Sects Grand Tournament. Most are elite disciples or direct apprentices with considerable cultivation.
She, with her abysmal mixed five spiritual roots, couldn’t even win the sect’s internal tournament. To attend the grand tournament was nothing short of courting humiliation.
Yet, in the main hall, the Profound Intent Sect accused her relic as a cheating device, unfit for the task. They claimed she had prepared it in advance, not inherited it from her parents.
With her parents absent and unable to explain, the Profound Intent disciples pressed their advantage, demanding that if she could participate in the grand tournament, they would acknowledge Tianyan Sect’s victory in this task.
Even though Master Luo knew such a demand was ill intentioned, he had no choice but to agree. After all, half a relic’s power was indeed beyond the task’s scope, its strength against evil spirits overwhelming, and with Chi Yushu shattering the task token, it was impossible to judge who had won.
To resolve it perfectly, Luo Tangyu could only have Qu Yiqiu participate in the grand tournament.
For others, it might be an honor.
For her, it was a punishment.
The words left by the Profound Intent disciples lingered in her mind.
The Five Sects Grand Tournament was not only a contest between disciples but also a display of sect strength. Each sect selected its best disciples to vie for the championship and secure their status.
Someone of Qu Yiqiu’s low cultivation going was, by all accounts, asking for a beating.
The Profound Intent disciples had schemed to use her to disgrace Tianyan Sect in the tournament!
Qu Yiqiu seethed at the thought.
The Profound Intent Sect had played their cards well, but had chosen the wrong person!
She would not let herself be humiliated on the tournament stage.
With a year to prepare, she would find ways to improve her strength.
Even if she couldn’t win first place, she wouldn’t lose face on the stage and let the Profound Intent Sect laugh at her expense.
Brooding over this, Qu Yiqiu climbed Small Flat Peak.
Zhou Chen had spotted her from the mountaintop.
He jogged down, worry etched on his face.
“Senior Sister Qu!”
Qu Yiqiu snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him.
There were still hundreds of meters between them. Calling to her from such a distance—could something have happened at Small Flat Peak?
Thinking so, she quickened her pace.
“What’s wrong? Has something happened?” she asked.
Zhou Chen, panting, replied, “Senior Sister Qu, our spirit fields are gone!”
His dark face was marked with sorrow.
Qu Yiqiu’s expression hardened. She grabbed his arm. “Come, show me the fields!”
...
Amidst the devastation, Qu Yiqiu saw Zhou Chen’s devotion.
She had only opened three neat spirit fields, without any protection or decoration.
But in the ruined soil, she could see the fields had been expanded, more spirit plants planted, and a cozy fence erected.
Unfortunately, she had paid attention too late.
All these thoughtful arrangements were destroyed.
The seedlings were dead beyond saving.
Zhou Chen opened his palm, revealing a memory stone.
“I managed to retrieve the memory stone before I lost consciousness. It holds evidence of the destruction. But those two, they’re disciples of Nine Sword Peak...” His voice weakened.
Lowly chores disciples like him knew who was untouchable.
Senior Sister Qu, faced with this, surely could do nothing...
Zhou Chen’s head drooped.
Qu Yiqiu took the memory stone from his hand, her eyes lighting up with delight.
“You did a fantastic job!!!”
Her exuberant shout made Zhou Chen lift his head.
He stared at her smile in confusion—why was she so happy when the fields had been destroyed?
“Hahaha, let’s tally up how much property we’ve lost!” Qu Yiqiu laughed, unable to restrain herself.
Almost as if possessed.
The thought flashed through Zhou Chen’s mind.
Senior Sister Qu, could it be that she’s gone mad from anger?!