Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Shen Ying and the group did not wait long. About a minute later, a great surge of immortal Qi burst through the entrance and a figure landed. Inside the hall, all the immortals got to their feet and bowed.
“Greetings, Celestial Emperor!”
A man with black hair and in white robes walked into the hall. The immortal Qi around him continued to ebb and flow. He was exceptionally good-looking. Although he did not look as impressive as Radish or Xun Shu, he was still one of the better looking ones in the immortal realm, where people were already considered good-looking on average. His broad and kind face had a strict and stern expression. The jubilance he had when as Ning Zi’an was gone. Now, he was Celestial Emperor Chen Ge through and through.
Chen Ge looked at the crowd and nodded, then walked toward the head seat in the hall. When he passed by Shen Ying, who was still munching on a pastry, he paused. The various emperors had all stood up to bow to him, but she remained seated. It seemed that nobody had noticed this.
“Sect Master Shen, it’s been a long time since we last met.” Chen Ge stopped in front of her and smiled, as if unbothered by this unusual treatment. “Did you have a smooth journey?”
“Ah?” Her mouth was still stuffed with pastry. When she heard his question, she swallowed and answered, “It was alright, thank you.”
Who… is this person?
“That’s good!” He seemed to relax and he nodded.
The various emperors’ expressions became dark. It was no wonder that the Celestial Emperor did not bother with their request – the Celestial Emperor already met Invincible Sect beforehand. They began to worry.
Chen Ge continued to walk toward his head seat. Suddenly, a malicious look shot past the three of them. Lonemoon raised his head to see there were a man and a woman following closely behind Chen Ge. One was Lu Ming, and the other was Hui Ling, who was still dressed in light green robes. She changed pretty quickly.
Hui Ling still seemed dissatisfied with Shen Ying. Taking the chance as Chen Ge turned around, she shot Shen Ying a malicious glare and tutted, as if to say, “You wait and see.” She quickly changed her expression into a mischievous and harmless one so that it would be difficult for anyone to call her out.
Shen Ying tilted her head. Before Hui Ling could change her expression, Shen Ying used both her hands to pull her cheeks downward and stuck her tongue out, pulling a professional funny face.
Hui Ling paused, as if she had not expected Shen Ying to do something like this. She jumped and her foot caught on something. She fell forward.
“Junior Sister!” Lu Ming quickly helped her up before her face could hit the floor. “Are you alright?”
Even Chen Ge, who was about to sit down, turned around. “Little Ling, what happened? How can you fall even while walking here?”
Hui Ling was furious by this time. Her innocent expression was no more. In her mind, she heard Lonemoon’s mocking voice and her chest seemed to burn. Her eyes reddened and even before she stabilised herself, she pointed to Shen Ying and shouted, “Master, she… she frightened me on purpose!”
Shen Ying, who was already back to normal, sat calmly on her chair. Bite me then!
Lonemoon was shocked. Master? She’s Chen Ge’s disciple!
How could this be?
Chen Ge frowned and said sternly, “Little Ling, be careful with your words!”
“I’m speaking the truth!” Hui Ling was absolutely enraged now. Her eyes began to well up as she recalled what happened earlier. “She’s clearly unhappy with me. Just now… Just now, she poured her tea on me. Senior Brother saw it!”
“Master…” Lu Ming stepped forward. “Junior Sister is not lying. Junior Sister came in here earlier out of curiosity… this Sect Master Shen did indeed have a conflict with her.”
By the time he finished speaking, Lonemoon, Yi Qing and even Xun Shu’s expressions hardened. What happened earlier? Everybody was clear that Lu Ming was implying Shen Ying bullied Hui Ling.
Lonemoon tutted and was just about to retort.
Chen Ge’s expression fell and he spoke up first, “Shut up! I trust Sect Master Shen’s character. The two of you offended our guests first.”
“Master…” Hui Ling was clearly in disbelief.
“Go down!” His voice hardened as he turned to face Lu Ming. “You are her Senior Brother. You did not attempt to stop her, but instead let your Junior Sister make a mockery of herself. Go to the Heart-Clearing Mountain and reflect on yourselves. Before I give the order, you’re not to leave.”
“Master…” Lu Ming knelt down, his face panicked. “Tomorrow is the competition…”
“You’re not taking part.” He looked at Hui Ling. “You too. Go down!”
“Master!” Hui Ling looked as though she suffered a huge blow. As if a switch had been switched on, the tears began to flow from her eyes. She turned to look at Shen Ying, sniffed, and then ran out from the hall.
Lu Ming was pale as he bowed to his master, then he turned to carry out his punishment.
“Sect Master Shen,” Chen Ge began in a warm tone. He looked apologetically at Shen Ying. “I did not teach them properly. Little Ling was my disciple from the mortal realm. She had a really tough life, that was why I could not resist pampering her. This led to her conflicting with you. Please forgive me.”
“Oh, it’s alright.” Shen Ying replied callously.
Lonemoon frowned even more deeply. Is this a coincidence?
Chen Ge sat down and addressed the various emperors. “Various Emperors, you must have had a long journey.”
They muttered their response, gazes drifting to where Shen Ying was seated.Where exactly is this woman from? Why did the Celestial Emperor scold his disciple so harshly because of her? Their suspicions toward the Invincible Sect were heightened.
A series of official discussions and business negotiations followed. They were all briefed on the programme for the competition as well as the venue, then they were dismissed.
The strange thing was that Lonemoon, who was usually at home in environments like that, sat quietly by the side the entire time. He looked deep in thought.
——————
The next day was the official competition.
The moment Lonemoon arrived back at their sect’s abode, he summoned the 15 disciples who were competing to discuss strategies for the next day.
This competition was very different from the ones in the lower realm. The immortal realm was filled with people of much higher cultivation levels. Moreover, the competition for each group would be carried out at the same time. Everybody who was of higher level than Young Emperor were able to open mystic realms.
Given the number of immortal meridians here, there was plenty of immortal Qi to go around. Chen Ge immediately handed out mystic realms to each group of competitors. The surroundings inside each mystic realm was completely difference. There was no need to hold the competitions one after another. He split them into groups and sent them to their respective realms.
The people inside were free to battle whoever they wanted. Each one was attached with an immortal talisman which they could crush to pieces whenever they wanted to exit the mystic realm.
Each group had ten special array flags and the mystic realm was programmed to close after six hours. Everybody inside would be shot out before then and the last ten people who possessed the flags would be crowned victorious.
It was simple and efficient.
After the top ten were selected, they would battle one another to determine the ranking.
“There are four groups in total for this competition. We will be split according to our groups,” Lonemoon instructed. “So don’t worry. The people you meet in the mystic realms will all be your match. Just fight them as you ordinarily would.”
“Yes!” Everyone responded.
“Yu Hong, Si Yu.” He turned to face two girls on his right. “There are a total of five people in the Golden Immortals group. The two of you will lead the team. Look out for one another.”
“Yes, Elder.” They nodded.
“As for the Earth Immortals…” He scanned the remaining ten people. Most of them were disciple who joined them late. They were lacking in experience. “Feng Ying, Chengyu, you have more experience and this is not your first time training in a mystic realm. I’ll leave them all to you.”
“Alright!” Feng Ying nodded. “Don’t worry, Brother Lonemoon. I will look out for them.”
“Okay, nobody will know what the mystic realm looks like until tomorrow. It’ll be good if you can get an array flag, but if you can’t, don’t push yourself too hard.” Lonemoon lowered his gaze. “It’s more important to come out safely.” Since they were unfamiliar with the competition grounds, it was useless to attempt to discuss any techniques or strategies.
He sighed and glanced at the lazy pile of mud who was sprawled on the table, frowning. “Hey! You’re the sect master. Can you give them some instructions?”
“Oh.” Shen Ying turned to address the group. After thinking for awhile, she said, “Actually, I really do have a plan.”
Lonemoon started and looked at her, surprised. “What plan?”
“Be indifferent!”
“Huh? What does that mean?”
“The saying is well and good: Be indifferent and you will live longer!”
Lonemoon: “…”
The crowd: “…”
Be indifferent my ass. Do you think they’re going for a chicken-eating competition? Do you think they won’t die if they remain indifferent? ”
“I think Master has a point,” Yi Qing agreed.
Lonemoon shot him a glare. You’re in love with your master; of course you’re going to agree with everything she says.
But Yi Qing ignored him. Instead, he carried on, “There are many immortals in the Earth Immortal and Golden Immortal groups. There are over a thousand Earth Immortals alone. In other words, the various countries brought at least a hundred Earth Immortals each. We’re only a few – even if we can get the flags, we won’t be able to beat that many people too. Why not we just wait at a corner until the various countries’ fighters have already battled one another? That way, the numbers will greatly decrease. We will also have a greater chance of emerging victorious with the flags.”
Lonemoon paused. Thinking about it this way does make sense.
The disciples also understood. Their eyes began to twinkle as they looked at Shen Ying. She’s indeed worthy of being the sect master!
“Alright, that’s what we’ll do then?” Lonemoon said. “Once you enter, don’t be eager to battle anyone yet. Wait for the right opportunity to strike!”
“Yes!”
Shen Ying waved her hand. “All the best, good luck, eat chickens tomorrow!”
Lonemoon: “…” You’re still freaking talking about eating chicken!
Yi Qing: “…” Master wants to eat chicken tomorrow; I can make the preparations today.
All the disciples: “…” Sect Master is indeed wise!
——————
The Mystic Spirits Meeting
Shen Ying and the rest of the group were considered early, but the competition venue was already crowded. There were at least ten thousand people there – this was much more than the number of people they thought they saw at Heavens beyond Heaven the day before.
They asked around and found out that the various emperors from Feng Can continent and other continents had sent people to participate in the competition. Lonemoon once again addressed his disciples and motivated them.
He even dragged Shen Ying along to give her retarded fans a bit of encouragement and personally send them into the battle arena.
Then, he brought Shen Ying and Yi Qing to the viewing platform.
There were many people at the viewing platform as well – even Chen Ge was seated there.
“The three of you have arrived.” Chen Ge smiled and waved at them.
“Celestial Emperor,” greeted Lonemoon and Yi Qing politely as they bowed.
“Hey!” Shen Ying raised her hand to wave, yet she could not recall his name. Off the top of her head, she said two words, “Salted Fish?”
“Heh heh…” Lonemoon choked on his saliva and turned to glare at her. You could have remembered his name. What the hell is “Salted Fish” supposed to mean? Even if he had been slapped by your fish before, he wouldn’t have to be called that?
Chen Ge stared blankly at her, obviously confused as to what that was supposed to mean. He decided not to pursue the matter further, and instead invited the three of them to take their seats before he gave the person beside him a look.
“Sect Master Shen…” Hui Ling, who had been standing by his side the entire time, walked over.
Lonemoon and Yi Qing subconsciously frowned. Isn’t she in seclusion? What is she doing out here? It seemed that Chen Ge still favoured his own disciples afterall.
It was obvious, however, that Hui Ling’s attitude was very different now. She bowed to Shen Ying and said, “Little Ling was rude to you yesterday – hence a conflict resulted between us. Please be magnanimous and forgive Little Ling for her wrongdoings, Sect Master.” Hui Ling saw that Shen Ying did not respond, and anxiously glanced at Chen Ge. Gritting her teeth, she got down on her knees.
Shen Ying still did not say anything. Out of habit, she turned to Father Niu.
“Fellow Immortal, please do not do this.” She had already said what she needed to say; there was no point in them bearing grudges against her any more. Lonemoon replied, “What’s more, this is a small matter. Our Sect Master will not take it to heart.” If she really took it to heart, she would not just pour a cup of tea on you – she would make you doubt your entire existence!
“Thank you, Sect Master.” It was only then that Hui Ling got to her feet. Yet, as if she had just completed a task, she turned back to Chen Ge and returned to his side. Her face betrayed the resentment and indignance she was feeling.
“Sect Mater Shen is indeed a magnanimous person.” Chen Ge paid no attention to Hui Ling beside him. Instead, he continued smiling at the three of them.
He could not figure Shen Ying out. She looked like a mere Earth Immortal with little immortal Qi, and so weak that any immortal would be able to kill her. Yet, the Young Emperor Yi Qing and the Exalted Immortal Lonemoon treated her with such high respect, as if she’s worthy of being their leader. Even when he was staying at Invincible Sect as Ning Zi’an, all the disciples in the sect almost worshipped her.
In the beginning, he thought that the disciples were only treating her that way because she was Yi Qing’s master. Later on, however, when he was overcome by his mental demons and entered the demonic realm, he found out that even the demon king did her bidding.
He guessed that her identity was not as simple as he thought and as what she looked like on the surface. He even guessed that Lonemoon and Yi Qing’s cultivation levels were increasing so quickly because of her. A person who could instil fear in the demonic king could be… related to the divine race. He could not afford to offend someone like that.
“Master, the competition is about to start,” Yi Qing reminded her.
Indeed, on the arena below, huge groups of disciples gathered. In front of the audience, there were four great stone gates set up. There was a complex array set up on each one and they were all glowing. Vast greenery and mountains could be vaguely seen behind the gates.
“Master, I am going over,” Hui Ling suddenly announced.
“Alright, you be careful.” Chen Ge nodded.
Hui Ling mounted her sword and flew to join the group of immortals at the entrance on the left.
It looked like she was going to participate in the competition. It was no wonder that Chen Ge let her out so easily. Lonemoon wondered what happened to Lu Ming.
Chen Ge conjured an array. Several crystals appeared before them. Inside each of them was the image of a mystic realm – the four mystic realms that were supposed to appear at the beginning of the competition. They were each still empty, but they could clearly see the different environments – high mountains, clear lakes, green fields, white snow and the like.
Chen Ge stood up and announced the start of the competition. The array on the stone gates opened and various entrances appeared. The various disciples flew toward the various entrances. The disciples of Invincible Sect chose the entrance in the middle. They were neither too early nor too late.
Compared to the immortals who frantically began to look for the array flags upon entering the mystic realms, Invincible Sect’s disciples were relatively passive. They found a dense yet unassuming bush nearby and set up a concealment array. Then, they squatted in a line to rest.
They were very seriously being indifferent!
Not a move was made.
