Chapter 177 – Inner Sect Ranking Competition

  Jun De opened the barrier around his residence as soon as he sensed Bai Xuelian’s presence. She stood at the gate with her arms crossed, while her blue robes stirred in the evening breeze. Her expression was calm, but even colder than usual.

  He regarded her for a moment before speaking.

  “Xuelian, why are you here so late?”

  Bai Xuelian frowned and pushed her way past him into his courtyard before turning around to confront him.

  “Jun De, do you have anything you wish to tell me?” She asked, her voice cool but with a hard edge.

  His heart lurched as his mind immediately flashed to Mei Lian and Lin Yue, along with the things they had done in the privacy of their bedroom. It was something that he couldn’t bring up in front of her, no matter what.

  Jun De tried to keep his expression calm as he replied.

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  Bai Xuelian took a step toward him, and her eyes were sharp enough to pin him in place.

  “When I was in seclusion, the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was easier than I had expected. It was still extremely taxing and difficult, but better than it should have been. The Sect Master told me why.”

  Jun De let out a relieved breath before he could stifle it. Even his shoulders dropped a bit in visible relief, although Bai Xuelian mistook it for defeat or resignation.

  ‘That’s much better than the alternative.’ Jun De thought happily.

  “Ah, so that’s what this is about. I wanted to tell you, after the Ironvein Quarry Sect, but Elder Mu Yanyu has forbidden me from speaking about it. She warned me that speaking of my constitution openly could put those around me at risk.”

  Jun De paused before continuing.

  “I wasn’t deliberately attempting to deceive you, Xuelian. I just didn’t want to place you in danger. The fewer people who know, the easier it is to keep it a secret. I apologize for the deception, and I understand that you deserve to know the truth.”

  Bai Xuelian’s expression softened, and she sat with him late into the night as he explained everything he knew about his Constitution and the effect it had on her.

  “Jun De, I am not ignorant. I know you are close to others. Cultivation is my priority; it always has been. I did not join the Tranquil Mountain Sect to chase after romance or compete with others for your affection. I joined to ascend.”

  Bai Xuelian placed her hand on his.

  “My feelings for you are real, but I will not allow my emotions to hinder my progress or distract me from what is important.” She left when the sun rose, satisfied with what he had said, but determined to speak about it further with Elder Mu.

  Time slipped by quietly within the Tranquil Mountain Sect as Jun De cultivated, studied and refined his skills.

  Bai Xuelian grew more comfortable in her cultivation, while Zhao Wuxian continued to train at the peak of Qi Condensation.

  Before long, the anticipated event that had been delayed due to the conflict with the Demonic Cultivators had finally arrived.

  The Inner Sect Ranking Competition wasn’t merely a contest to compare cultivation, or a fight to achieve a high rank. While there was a significant amount of sparring that remained the most visible and widely cheered portion, it was far from the only trial.

  The Disciples would be evaluated across a wide variety of disciplines, including Pill Refining, Artifact creation and comprehension of obscure techniques.

  If a Disciple was in the Qi Condensation Realm, for example, they could still achieve the same rank as a Foundation Establishment if they were exceptionally gifted in formations or pill refining. A cultivator that knew nothing but how to cultivate was still valued, but earning a Rank looked at all aspects of Sect life.

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  Skill, comprehension, and contribution to the Sect mattered just as much, or even more, than the cultivation realm they had achieved.

  The days before the Inner Sect Ranking Competition had the Tranquil Mountain alive with excitement and activity. Flags fluttered from every building, platforms were erected along with stands to host the audience, and Elders were assigned duties as examiners.

  Inner Sect Disciples emerged from months, or even years, of seclusion to demonstrate to the Sect how much they had improved.

  One thing that had changed this year was the fact that the Inner Sect Ranking Competition was now open to visitors and observers from the Outer Sect. It was typically highly restricted, but that rule had been relaxed, and the Outer Sect Disciples were just as excited as everyone else about the event.

  The announcement had come from Lu Qingchen, the Sect Master, himself. He had declared that in the spirit of unifying the orthodox powers of the Southern Continent, the Sect would be opening its gates to honoured guests for the duration of the competition.

  One after another, visitors arrived at the Tranquil Mountain Sect, their presence adding to the tumult in the normally serene Sect.

  The very first to arrive was none other than Han Zhengwu, the Nascent Soul Realm City Lord of Yunlai City. His approach was impossible to miss, and his image had been etched in the minds of every Disciple who had fought against the Demonic Cultivators.

  He travelled on a massive flying ship that cut through the sky like a drifting meteor. Its hull was carved from reinforced spiritual wood and broad enough to house hundreds of guests. Banners embroidered with the crest of Yunlai City streamed dramatically in the wind behind it.

  This was the same ship that had fallen a year before in an attack by the Demonic Cultivators, and its renewal symbolized the unyielding spirit of Yunlai City.

  As it descended, the clouds parted as if bowing out of the way, and the Sect’s protective array flickered to allow it entry.

  Disciples poured out of their residences, standing on walkways, balconies and even cliffsides to watch the ship land. Even the Inner Sect Disciples couldn’t hide their curiosity at seeing a Nascent Soul powerhouse visit.

  When the ship finally stopped above the landing platform, hundreds of figures stood upon its deck. Leading them was City Lord Han Zhengwu, standing upright and steady as a mountain. His injuries had healed, and he looked to be full of vitality.

  At his side was his daughter, Han Yueqin, her husband, Shen Jiuyang, and Shen Ruolan, who looked radiant in her blue Outer Sect Robes.

  They weren’t alone, as they had a full escort of cultivators from the City Lord’s Mansion, along with members of the Shen Clan. Even Clan Head Shen Hongda was present, standing with his hands clasped behind his back as he observed the Sect with sharp eyes.

  The instant the ship anchored itself, the Sect Master, Lu Qinchen, rose into the sky to welcome them personally.

  The two men greeted each other as longtime comrades.

  “Brother Han. It has been too long.” Lu Qingchen said warmly, and his voice carried enough for the onlookers to hear.

  “Brother Lu. Your mountain remains as majestic as ever!” Han Zhengqu replied with a laugh.

  The crowd below rippled with murmurs, as this level of respect was not freely given. The Sect Master greeting a guest personally, as a close friend, spoke volumes about the relationship between Yunlai City and the Tranquil Mountain Sect.

  One by one, the visiting dignitaries descended from the ship and were welcomed by the Elders of the Tranquil Mountain Sect.

  No sooner had the ship been shrunk and placed in Han Zhengwu’s storage ring than the next Sect arrived.

  The first sign of the Everbright Sect’s approach was the sky itself brightening, as though a second sun were rising over the horizon. Moments later, the Everbright Sect’s famed transport emerged fully into view.

  It was a massive, orblike structure that drifted across the sky, and it seemed as though an entire world had been sealed inside a protective array that shimmered like a translucent sphere of polished glass.

  Inside was a palace complex of white stone and gold trim, along with manicured courtyards and gardens. But it was the object at the center that drew the eyes of onlookers. A towering tree glowing with endless vitality stretched hundreds of meters high, its boughs and leaves shading and protecting those standing beneath it.

  The structure moved steadily toward the Tranquil Mountain Sect while carrying thousands of Disciples, all standing in neat lines and wearing the yellow robes of their Sect.

  The Everbright Sect considered itself to be a bastion of righteousness, an orthodox Sect to the point of rigidity. They were uncompromising in their pursuit of justice for any slight or affront against them and feared for their martial prowess and the talent of their Disciples.

  At the head of the floating sanctuary was their Sect Master, Yu Guangxian. He appeared to be a man in his late thirties, with jet black hair held back by a yellow headband and cultivation firmly in the early Nascent Soul Stage.

  The Everbright Sphere didn’t descend from the sky. Instead, lines of energy extended from its surface and hardened into ramps that stretched down to the earth and locked into place to form a pathway of light.

  Its passengers disembarked in an orderly fashion, with immaculate robes and calm expressions.

  Unlike the lively reception received by Yunlai city, no one cheered for the Everbright Sect. The crowd instinctively held its breath, as though afraid that any sound would spark conflict.

  Lu Qingchen and Han Zhengwu greeted Sect Master Yu Guangxian with respect, but the atmosphere was much rigid than it had been only moments before.

  “Sect Master Yu, we are honoured by your presence. Your journey was smooth, I trust?”

  Yu Guangxian offered Lu Qingchen a polite nod.

  “It was acceptable. We are equally honoured by your invitation.” Yu Guangxian replied, his tone almost monotone.