Chapter 78

At Luoxian Plaza, the grand venue of the Luoxian Tournament, the atmosphere was electric.

The place was packed, a sea of people flowing in from all directions. The energy was palpable, with countless young cultivators full of enthusiasm, eagerly awaiting their chance to shine and make a name for themselves across the four peaks.

“So many people! It’s so lively!” Shen Xian’er, never one to be shy—especially with the promise of good food—was even more cheerful and animated than usual.

“Of course there are,” Lan Caicai replied gently, holding Xian’er’s hand. “The Luoxian Tournament is only held once every ten years. Not only do the disciples within the sect participate, but many who are out traveling also return just to be part of this grand event.”

She patiently explained the significance of the occasion to Xian’er.

“Even the senior brothers and sisters who’ve gone out will come back?” Xian’er’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she began scanning the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone returning from the outside world.

Though the sect boasted a hundred thousand disciples, on regular days, fewer than half that number actually remained within the sect. The rest were scattered across the world, performing duties or cultivating elsewhere—some hadn’t returned in seven or eight years. But on this day, many would come back to bask in the warmth of home.

“Senior sister, where’s my senior brother?” Xian’er suddenly asked, puzzled that her beloved senior brother hadn't shown up.

“Junior brother Han Luo is probably just delayed by something. I’m sure he’ll arrive soon,” Lan Caicai offered reassuringly.

“Really?” Xian’er’s excitement dimmed slightly, her earlier energy waning.

“Come on,” Du Ming interjected, glancing around. “Let’s head inside. If we stay here, we might not be able to get in later. Your senior brother will find us when he arrives.”

Indeed, the area around them was becoming increasingly crowded—though not simply due to the event itself, but because Shen Xian’er was present. With her Grade Seven spiritual root and cultivation at the peak of the Spirit Tempering Realm, she was hailed as the most talented individual in the sect. Any one of her titles was enough to draw attention. Both returning senior disciples and those from other peaks within Luoxian Sect were eager to see the prodigious genius with their own eyes.

However, not everyone seemed impressed.

“She’s cute, sure,” murmured a disciple from Qianren Peak to his companions, “but she doesn’t seem to have even the slightest competitive spirit. In the world of cultivation, that’s a dangerous weakness.”

Qianren Peak was known for producing battle-hardened cultivators, especially under their peak master Yun Qianren—a former veteran of the Golden Battlefield, renowned for his combat prowess. His disciples were all too familiar with the brutal nature of the cultivation world.

“I heard she barely cultivates and just lounges around with the senior sisters on Piaomiao peak, eating and playing all day. Who knows if that’s true?” another muttered, clearly worried.

With established disciples like Dan Chenzi and Ye Qingqing about to leave the sect, it would soon be up to their generation to carry the torch. But the current ‘top talent’ was just a naive little girl, which made them uneasy.

“Well, can you blame her?” someone added with a sigh. “There are so many beautiful senior sisters on Piaomiao peak. Of course she wants to stay there. But if she had come to our Qianren Peak instead, I bet she’d have already surpassed Chi Xiao and become the undisputed number one in the sect.”

The speaker’s words weren’t unfounded. With proper discipline, Shen Xian’er’s potential was limitless.

“You said what? Surpass who?” a cold, terrifying voice boomed from behind them. It was Chi Xiao.

Her voice was like a death knell from the fiery depths of hell, sending the bold disciple crashing to his knees on the spot.

“I-I-I didn’t mean anything, Senior Sister Chi Xiao! I didn’t say a word!”

Chi Xiao was known as one of the top contenders for the title of the sect’s strongest, and her brutal methods had earned her a fearsome reputation. Especially among the male disciples, who lived in constant fear. Some didn’t even dare speak to the Piaomiao peak sisters for fear of being caught by Chi Xiao and “paired off”—and if the pairing failed, they were in for a beating.

“Hmph.” Chi Xiao let out a disdainful snort, her crimson-gold eyes radiating overwhelming dominance. Despite being a woman, her presence was more imposing than most men.

She ignored the trembling disciple and strode confidently toward Shen Xian’er.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Du Ming, Senior Sister Lan Caicai,” she said respectfully. Though she didn’t get along with her peers—especially the male ones—Chi Xiao showed proper manners to her seniors.

Du Ming, fanning himself idly, chuckled. “So it’s Junior Sister Chi Xiao. I’ve heard a lot about you. Judging from your aura alone, I’d bet ten thousand spirit stones on you.”

Chi Xiao’s many nicknames—Blazing Demon, Madwoman, Demon Queen—were all brutally blunt and memorable. And from Du Ming’s perspective, she did indeed look like the type to bring misfortune to any future husband. Still, he had to admit, anyone who could tame this wild horse would be “blessed” for life.

“My thanks for the kind words, Senior Brother,” Chi Xiao replied with a formal fist salute, then turned to Lan Caicai.

As their eyes met, an invisible spark ignited between them, a sharp tension rising.

Both were cut from the same cloth—fierce, competitive, and utterly unyielding.

The surrounding disciples instinctively stepped back, including Du Ming himself. After all, these two were no ordinary women. Lan Caicai had repeatedly challenged Ye Qingqing and lost, yet never gave up. Chi Xiao, on the other hand, was the unrivaled leader among the younger female disciples.

Two tigers locked eyes—one wrong move and a fight could break out.

“Ahem…” At that moment, Lu Long appeared behind Chi Xiao and lightly poked her, silently reminding her this wasn’t the time to brawl. The competition hadn’t even started yet.

“I’ve heard much about you, Sister Lan. It’s an honor to finally meet you,” Chi Xiao said, still brimming with fierce energy but choosing respect for now. Her master often praised Lan Caicai’s spirit and urged them to learn from her.

Lan Caicai gave a faint smile. “Likewise, Junior Sister Chi Xiao. If you ask me…” She glanced at the nearby male disciples. “You’re doing a great job. These brats need someone to keep them in line.”

Her sudden praise stunned the crowd. This was a complete shift from her usual demeanor.

The onlookers immediately took three more steps back.

The worst-case scenario had occurred.

The two tigers didn’t fight. They joined forces.

Now the little lambs—namely, the rest of the male disciples—were doomed.

“This isn’t the place for talking,” Du Ming said suddenly, his words like those of a savior. In that moment, he was a beacon of hope for all the men present.

“Agreed,” Chi Xiao nodded, and with a wave of her hand, the Piaomiao peak sisters parted the crowd like a tide.

Leading the group, Chi Xiao marched into Luoxian Plaza like a returning general, bold and unstoppable.