Chapter 658: Close Rivalry
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
That man in white walked from the inn behind the pavilion on Yun Peak and he scanned the surrounding buildings.
Although he was excited, he followed the rules. He only observed from afar and did not dare to go close to them.
Zhu Yi looked at him before turning to Shi Xingyun, "Do you know him?" Although he only just glanced at him, Zhu Yi could tell that the man was in the Aurous Core Stage.
What was worth mentioning was that his actual age was the same as how he looked. With his current cultivation, it was something rarely seen, but come to think of it, he was from the Great Void Sect. That would mean that it’s not that surprising after all. But Zhu Yi could subtly feel that he was hiding some secret. He was unable to see through the man at first glance.
To find out more clearly, Zhu Yi needed to use his own powers to investigate even deeper. But the man was a guest. If he did not cause any trouble, Zhu Yi would not cause any problems for him.
Shi Xingyun looked at that man in white and said, "Oh, I have only heard of him and see his image before. This is my first time seeing him in person."
"He is called Chen Xingyu. He is a new rising talent of the Great Void Sect. He had been cultivating on Mount Baiyun since young. Although he is only in the Aurous Core Stage, he is highly regarded." Shi Xingyun paused for a moment, before saying, "He is Lin Daohan’s Immediate Disciple. From my knowledge, he is the only one Lin Daohan has accepted as a disciple so far. No one else has been accepted."
Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan’s eyes brightened as they heard this. They were excited.
"Oh? That means he’s special." Zhu Yi laughed, "Lin Daohan is Yan Nanlai’s Immediate Disciple. If nothing goes wrong, he will be Yan Nanlai’s successor to the Great Void Sect leader position. If Chen Xingyu is equally outstanding, he may become the future leader of the Great Void Sect too."
Shi Xingyun also laughed, "This is a real possibility."
Yue Hongyan looked at Chen Xingyu before shaking her head slightly, "I can’t tell how good he is yet, but I am sure he is a talent."
At this point, there were guests that arrived on Yun Peak. They were from a medium-sized power. The Celestial Sect of Wonders disciple who was in charge of receiving them was a lady in purple. There were Taiji diagrams on her clothes and there was also a marking on the cuffs of her clothing. The marking was a circle that was half-white and half-black.
It was different from the Taiji Diagram. This half-white and half-black circle was divided right in the middle, as if two semi-circles were combined together.
The lady in purple descended onto the ground and saw Zhu Yi and the others. She greeted them, "Li Xingfei greets Second Elder Uncle and Fourth Elder Aunt."
After that, she greeted Shi Xingyun, "Greetings to Elder Shi."
Shi Xingyun smiled and nodded at Li Xingfei.
When Li Xingfei and the rest left, Shi Xingyun looked at Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan, before asking, "This time round, your sect has invited the Great Void Sect over, but I believe all of you are unsure whether the Great Void Sect successors will be involved in the interaction between the junior disciples."
Zhu Yi smiled and scanned Chen Xingyu. He naturally understood what Shi Xingyun meant.
Although Li Xingfei looked like she was very young, she was actually around the same age as Xu Yunsheng, Liu Xiafeng and the rest. She was already older than 20 years old and she was in the Advanced Stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Of course, they entered the Celestial Sect of Wonders only when they were teenagers. In terms of cultivation time, they were not far off from Chen Xingyu.
But compared to Chen Xingyu, they were undoubtedly weaker.
In terms of practical battling, it involved experience, one’s own powers, magic items, the surroundings, one’s psychological mindset and many other factors. But just in terms of the cultivation realm, Chen Xingyu was indeed more outstanding.
Moreover, Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan could both feel that Chen Xingyu was special among the Great Void Sect talents.
"The Radical Faction of the Great Void Sect nurtured Shi Tianyi, Liang An, Bai Xiqian and others, so that they can supersede the Conservative Faction." Zhu Yi said, "The Conservative Faction naturally did not neglect their own development of talented successors."
Chen Xingyu seemed to be the main successor of the Conservative Faction. He was Lin Daohan’s successor to tackle the possible problems brought about by Shi Tianyi, Liang An and the rest.
Even so, Zhu Yi was very calm. He smiled while saying, "The successors of the Great Void Sect are indeed special. The disciples of the Celestial Sect of Wonders can interact and spar with them. This will also be beneficial to our disciples."
Yue Hongyan also revealed a smile on her face and did not say anything else. In this matter, she actually had a greater entitlement to express her opinion.
Three years ago, during her battle with Bai Xiqian at Xiling City, she gained a lot from it.
Shi Xingyun looked at Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan carefully, and she could not help but laughed too, "Oh, seems like I have to tell Shaogan and Jingyun to focus, otherwise they may suffer in the sparring contest."
Zhu Yi smiled slightly, "The future talents of the Great Qin Empire are indeed worth the anticipation."
As the few of them chatted, void space broke suddenly. A man and a lady walked out from it. The man was born special and he donned a black robe above a tight-fitting purple costume. That man was Xiao Yan.
Whereas the lady looked charming and wore a green robe. She had a purple belt on her waist, which accentuated her graceful figure.
Smooth green streaks of fabric swayed alongside her shoulders, as they extended to her waist. Her graceful posture was maintained, and seemed like a green lotus that bloomed in a prosperous era, refined but filled with spirituality.
She was Xiao Zhener. She stood beside Xiao Yan and revealed a curved smile on her face.
Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan greeted her, "Miss Zhener, long time no see."
Xiao Zhener also smiled while she greeted them. She met Shi Xingyun for the first time, but with Xiao Yan, Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan there to introduce the both of them, they soon became familiarized with each other.
After chatting for a while, Shi Xingyun bade goodbye and returned to her inn to rest.
Xiao Yan, Zhu Yi, Yue Hongyan and Xiao Zhener remained where they were.
"Oh yes, has Youngest Junior finished her retreat?" Xiao Yan thought of it suddenly and asked both Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan. Yue Hongyan replied, "Haven’t yet. But according to my calculations, it should be within these few days."
Xiao Yan followed with, "Both Third Junior and Fifth Junior are coaching their own disciples?"
Yue Hongyan nodded her head, "There was news from Third Senior in the morning. Yuting can complete her task before the Sect-Opening Ceremony. But she may not have time to nourish her powers. As for Fifth Junior…"
She paused for a moment before saying, "There should be no problem."
As she said, Yue Hongyan looked at void space, "As long as Yuncong doesn’t push to overcome the barrier blindly, things will be fine. His accumulation now is still insufficient to cross the barrier. But it should be enough for this round of internal competition."
Zhu Yi said, "Because his situation is special, that’s why he chose Fifth Junior as his Master. Everyone also thought that it was the best arrangement. Although with his qualities, he is most suitable for Eldest Senior’s way of cultivation."
Xiao Yan laughed, "If he cultivates with me, he will become like me. Either he gains everything or loses everything. Learning from Fifth Junior will be more stable."
Zhu Yi said, "While it’s important to cultivate with the correct materials, it is also important to see what situation one is in first. With Yuncong’s personality, it will be more advantageous for him to cultivate with Fifth Junior now. If he follows Eldest Senior’s path, he will be too aggressive and hasty.
Yue Hongyan nodded her head, "While it’s important to be aggressive while pushing forward, pushing blindly to cross the barrier will lead to a terrible ending."
Xiao Zhener stood at one side and listened to what they said. She only laughed slightly and did not interrupt.
Xiao Yan looked at her before saying a few words to her softly. Xiao Zhener was surprised suddenly, "His qualities are only something that I have seen recorded in the history books. I have never heard of or seen something like this before."
Xiao Yan laughed cheekily, "This is called surprise. You never expected it, did you?"
As she was familiar with Zhu Yi and the rest, Xiao Zhener revealed the mischievous side of her, "This secret has been leaked to me just like that, what should we do now?"
Zhu Yi and the rest laughed as they heard this. Zhu Yi mocked Xiao Yan, "Eldest Senior, either you pay her to keep it a secret, or you get rid of her. Whatever it is, it’s your call now!"
"All of you…" Xiao Yan shook his head and laughed.
As all of them were laughing, Xiao Yan and Zhu Yi’s expression changed suddenly. They looked to the other side. Xiao Zhener and Yue Hongyan also followed them.
They saw a young-looking guy who wore a yellow robe and who had short hair walking towards them. He seemed to smile. It was the Marquis of Jinghuan.
Xiao Yan was out fetching Xiao Zhener previously, thus this was his first encounter with the Marquis of Jinghuan over here. He snorted, "Why is this guy here? Liang Pan is doing this on purpose?"
The Marquis of Jinghuan stood in his position and looked at Xiao Yan, before saying, "I am here to observe the ceremony on the behalf of the Great Zhou Empire. I will be a courteous guest. You don’t have to be so worried."
Xiao Yan laughed and looked at him from the side of his eyes, "I’m worried? Ever since we first met, the person who is always worried doesn’t seem to be me?"
The Marquis of Jinghuan nodded his head calmly, "I have to admit that I underestimate you previously. I also underestimated the Celestial Sect of Wonders and your Master. This is a fatal mistake. But fortunately, I did not really die from it."
"I will not commit such a mistake in the future."
Xiao Yan, Zhu Yi and Yue Hongyan squinted their eyes together at the same time. This person in front of them might have admitted to his mistake, but from his words, it was obvious that he only meant that he would be careful and not underestimate them. He did not mean that he won’t attack them in the future.
This actually meant that he would attack them in the future.
"I will like to spar you now. I wonder if you are up to this challenge?" Xiao Yan put his hands behind his back and his pupils started to brighten with flames.
The Marquis of Jinghuan laughed, "I have said before that I will be a courteous guest. Whatever you want to do, I will follow your wishes. If you have this idea, I don’t mind acceding to your wishes."
"However, I will give my all." The eyelids of the Marquis of Jinghuan twitched. He looked at Xiao Yan, "When that happens, I hope someone don’t go crying to his Master."
Xiao Yan let out a cold laugh, "Worry about yourself. You can’t escape so easily this time round."