111: Chapter 111 A Battleground?

When you entered, there was no grand procession, only a few disciples leading the way ahead. You didn't cause much commotion across the vast plaza, yet you still attracted sideways glances from many cultivators.

"When did the Yucha Sect hide such an absolute beauty? We have never even heard of her!"

"It is said that the young sect master of the Yucha Sect got married twenty years ago. Could this be that woman?"

"Chi Chuan? Damn it, does he even deserve her!"

Gritting of teeth could be heard from time to time in the plaza. As the center of discussion, you merely swept a light glance across your surroundings, then walked calmly toward the main stage.

Though you showed no expression on the outside, a hint of oddity couldn't help but well up inside your heart.

You were not surprised that Jiang Jibai came, but where on earth did Lin Bufan pop out from?

Moreover, according to the secret reports sent from time to time by Yan Laosan, Han Xuan had already returned to the Hehuan Sect a year ago. Finding that you were not there, he immediately vanished from sight once again.

You were certain in your heart that nine times out of ten he had also come, only he wasn't using his original appearance.

Good grief, things are really lively this time!

You had better be careful, lest your good brothers accidentally gather together, and then it would really be fun.

The only thing worth celebrating was that your entanglement with Lin Bufan was still shallow this time; otherwise, a son of destiny carrying an old grandfather would have turned the Yucha Sect upside down.

Passing by Lin Bufan, as your eyes met, you saw the question in his eyes. You only gave an imperceptible, gentle nod, but that glance hid too much helplessness and exhaustion.

"Lianhuan, come quickly."

Today's Mother Bai wore a neat and brisk martial outfit, completely different from her usual gentle matronly image.

You obediently acknowledged and briskly arrived atop the high platform.

Only then did you notice that seated beside Mother Bai was an unremarkable-looking middle-aged man. He seemed as though he didn't exist at all; if not for intentionally looking, this person was merely a blank void within your divine sense.

An expert!

Without needing to guess, this person must be the true sect master of the Yucha Sect who had never shown his face since you entered the sect.

"Lianhuan, he is Chuan'er's unreliable father."

When Mother Chi introduced him, her tone was quite dissatisfied, and the middle-aged man could only smile helplessly.

"Father."

You respectfully executed a bow, your posture proper and upright, neither humble nor arrogant.

This was the first lesson Mother Chi taught you: no matter who you faced, as the future mistress of the Yucha Sect, you could never lose your composure.

You were indeed slightly moved. After all, this was the first person who taught you to uphold your dignity after coming to this world. Although the other party did it more for the face of the Yucha Sect, as long as the vested beneficiary was you, that was enough.

"Good."

The middle-aged man nodded slightly. He had naturally heard of Chi Chuan's changes over the years and was quite satisfied with you as a daughter-in-law.

"I heard you like the Dao of the Sword, so consider this as a greeting gift from this father."

Before his voice fell, his fingertips lifted slightly, and an azure longsword silently appeared, suspended before you.

"Hum~"

As the sword body surged, killing intent overflowed like frost.

A top-grade spirit tool!

Seeing the look of fondness on your face, Mother Chi smiled slightly.

"This sword is named Lanming. It was refined over nine years using millennial cold marrow and fallen star essence souls. Even among spirit tools, it belongs to the utmost quality."

Not bad! It seems calling him father wasn't in vain.

You hurriedly received it with both hands, about to bow to the middle-aged man once more.

Only for your wrist to be firmly grasped by a large hand. Chi Chuan sideways-glanced at his own father with a face full of disdain.

"Old man, you are too stingy. Lianhuan is your daughter-in-law after all, how can you just dismiss her with an ordinary spirit sword?"

The middle-aged man was so angered that his mustache twitched and eyes stared, and finally he flicked his sleeve, his figure flashing and disappearing from atop the high platform.

"Slacking off again!"

Mother Chi sighed helplessly, then cast her gaze toward you.

"Lianhuan, the Fengming Zixiao Grand Competition is a grand event between the two nations. You will host this preliminary trial; can you do it?"

"I shall definitely do my utmost."

You slapped away the large hand Chi Chuan wanted to wrap around your waist, glaring at him irritably. Didn't he see that someone down the stage was about to blow a fuse?

That was referring to that unremarkable youth in the corner—Brother Han, your disguise has fallen off.

That blatant anger caused even Mother Bai to cast a sideways glance. You hurriedly gave her a slight nod, your figure spinning as you landed in the center of the plaza.

"Everyone, this humble maiden unworthily serves as the Yucha Sect manager Shen Lianhuan. Today's preliminary trial is hosted by me; now, the competition begins!"

You didn't waste any words at all. After making the announcement, you once again flew back to the high platform.

This scene instead won the good impression of the participating cultivators. Mother Chi nodded in satisfaction at your calm performance, and after giving an instruction, she also peaceably left the plaza.

"Wife, are you tired? Hurry up and sit."

You and Chi Chuan hadn't seen each other in nearly five years. Not only did you need to cultivate, but he also had to go into seclusion to prepare for this competition.

However, this guy treated you with the same sincere devotion as always, except that gaze... was a bit too fiery!

"I have long heard that the young sect master of the Yucha Sect has formidable battle prowess and is invincible among the same tier. May I ask for your guidance?"

Hearing the sound, everyone looked over and saw an unremarkable-looking youth slowly walking onto the arena stage.

The suddenly transmitted voice interrupted the slightly ambiguous atmosphere between the two of you.

In the preliminaries of the Fengming Zixiao Grand Competition, opponents could be freely chosen in the first round. Each person had three challenge opportunities, and each person could be challenged three times.

But no matter which method, participants had to appear a full three times in total, and winning two matches would allow them to advance to the next round.

Thus, after the first round ended, it would enter the second round of ranked arena battles.

"Hmph!"

Chi Chuan let out a cold snort, his figure suddenly flying out and heavily slamming onto the arena stage.

Here he comes!

Your pupils lit up slightly, carrying a faint hint of excitement in your eyes. This fellow Old Han really couldn't hold back his composure.

However, fighting a peak Foundation Establishment fairy-second-generation with late Foundation Establishment cultivation, younger brother Han was likely going to suffer losses this time!

But when you glanced at Jiang Jibai not far away, who was slowly lowering his raised wrist back down, you couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Tsk tsk~ Brother Chi, take care!

Jiang Jibai was different from Han Xuan; he was the genuine ninth place on the prodigy ranking, and his battle prowess was extremely astonishing.

"Teacher, what is my senior sister's current cultivation level?"

In the spectator stands, Lin Bufan's gaze frequently swept toward the direction where you were located.

That scene from the grand competition at Doujian Peak back then—to this day, it remained vivid in his mind.

"Early Foundation Establishment."

Hearing this, Lin Bufan froze, then became somewhat disappointed.

He didn't care why you were here or whether you had betrayed the Sword Sect. After all, he himself was restless, so he assumed you must have your own schemes.

It was only a pity that he couldn't fight you. After all, back on the arena stage of Doujian Peak, the impression you left on him was far too deep.

Soon after, his gaze inevitably fell upon Chi Chuan, a flash of extremely covert jealousy crossing the depths of his eyes.

As Senior Sister's husband, he must be very strong!