245: Zhai Ningning withdraws from the competition

“The one in the corner? No impression? I, however, think this Tang Sirui is a promising talent!” Old Ancestor Qingshan stated his opinion.

Although he was a Great Cultivator, he truly had no impression of someone he had just disregarded and couldn't even be bothered to look at.

“Then let’s both keep an eye on them. You have no impression of him, so I’ll keep an eye on him. You just pay attention to this Tang Sirui.” Qinglan Fairy said.

“Thank you for your hard work, worrying so much about my path to Ascension, yet I still have to leave you in this Cultivation World…”

“Alright, let’s not talk about that! Your hat is crooked again…”

… …

“Teacher, why are you still unhappy even after receiving a reward?”

“Haha, Tang Sirui, you don’t understand! If Old Ancestor had given me nothing at all, I would have been even happier!”

Tang Sirui: “???”

“If there was no reward, then he would owe me a favor. Do you know how precious a favor from a Mahayana-stage person is? Old Ancestor was precisely too lazy to manage this Karma, which is why he directly gave me a reward. What a pity!”

“I see! This Disciple has learned a lot!”

“Mm, you go back and prepare. Have everyone come to my place tonight!”

“Yes! But this Disciple has one more matter I wish to…”

“What is it? Speak.”

“It’s about Chen Xuan. Recently, Teacher, you seem to be paying too much attention to him, even though his skill is indeed Heaven-Defying…”

“Are you jealous?”

“I’m not, I just…” Tang Sirui wanted to explain but was speechless.

Even when he had just met Old Ancestor Qingshan, it was only because he had a useless Immortal Soul, which, through good pairing, made Old Ancestor Qingshan take another look at him!

If this Old Ancestor Qingshan knew about Chen Xuan’s Qi Luck Peach Blossom… he would probably agree to any of Chen Xuan’s requests without hesitation!

“Tang Sirui, don’t let an outsider affect your mindset.”

“Outsider?!” Tang Sirui was overjoyed.

“That’s right. Initially, it was only because at the Zhang family, everyone needed to win him over, which is why we showed that level of concern for Chen Xuan. But in reality… he’s ultimately just an outsider from the Lower Realm!”

“Now that we’ve won him over, his only responsibility is to mindlessly generate Peach Blossoms for us, for our use. And you, you haven’t even used Peach Blossoms yet, have you? There’s no need to constantly target him; getting more of his Peach Blossoms is the real priority!” Yu Gang said with disdain.

“This… I see! Thank you, Teacher, thank you, Teacher!” Tang Sirui bowed repeatedly.

“Mm, if there’s nothing else, go execute the task I mentioned!”

“Yes!”

After speaking, Tang Sirui left the scene, while Yu Gang took out Old Ancestor Qingshan’s Storage Pouch to see what was inside.

What neither of them knew was that Dragon YuYan, sitting in her room, had heard their entire conversation and was now desperately covering her mouth, unable to believe any of it.

She hadn’t expected that the true nature of the lover she had loved for years would be so despicable!

… …

That evening, Zhu Zhu, holding a purple Peach Blossom, left Chen Xuan’s room with a flushed face.

However, not long after, Yu Gang suddenly summoned the members of Monster Academy for a meeting, and the seven-person group, along with Chen Xuan, gathered again.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Yu Gang went straight to the point: “There’s nothing else I called you here for this time, just to explain the rules of the competition.”

“The rules of the competition are simple: capture Yao Beasts on the outskirts of Tian Yuan Valley and obtain them through the Yao Beast hunting bags provided by Old Ancestor Qingshan. Finally, they will evaluate the final 8 Academy advancement slots based on the quantity and quality of the Yao Beasts you obtain.

The competition will last for three days. After three days, we will gather here to announce the results and present awards to the winners. I hope you can perform well and bring glory to our Academy.”

“Yes!” Everyone responded again, but their expressions varied; some were filled with anticipation and fighting spirit, some were distracted, and some looked at Chen Xuan with flushed faces.

“The competition is in two days. Do you have anything to say?”

“Is the number of participants seven? Does Chen Xuan not have to participate?” Dai Dabai asked.

“Yes, the number of participants is seven, and Chen Xuan indeed doesn’t have to partici…”

“Wait a moment!” Zhai Ningning suddenly interrupted Yu Gang.

“I don’t want to enter this Tian Yuan Valley, so let Chen Xuan go in on my behalf!”

“Ningning, you…” The sycophant Yan Xi quickly stepped forward to ask.

“Ningning, why are you unwilling to go in?” Yu Gang also asked.

“It’s completely unnecessary for me. The thought of staying in a place full of Yao Beasts for three days straight makes me feel sick. Anyway, Chen Xuan is an auxiliary, so it’s fine to let him go in instead of me!” Zhai Ningning replied self-righteously.

“Ningning, this isn’t good. This competition concerns our Academy’s honor! You’re just doing this for such a reason…” Yu Gang frowned slightly, clearly displeased with Zhai Ningning’s irresponsible behavior.

“There’s nothing wrong with it. Anyway, Chen Xuan is an auxiliary, so it’s more suitable for him to go in than me.” Zhai Ningning said indifferently.

“Ningning, this is a competition, not child’s play! If you do this and it causes the Academy to lose its qualification for advancement, how will you take responsibility?!” Tang Sirui reprimanded her sternly.

“Tang Sirui, it’s not your place to lecture me on what I do! Even if the Academy loses its qualification for advancement, it won’t fall on me, an auxiliary!” Zhai Ningning glared at Tang Sirui.

She had quite a good impression of him normally, but she didn’t expect him to dare to oppose her now!

“This…” Yu Gang was in a dilemma.

He was truly in a dilemma.

One must know that Chen Xuan had a quota of seven Peach Blossoms daily, which would be 21 Peach Blossoms in three days. How much wealth was that? If he were to enter this monitored Tian Yuan Valley, wouldn’t the secret of these Peach Blossoms be known to Old Ancestor Qingshan and his wife?

At that time, Chen Xuan would truly no longer be their person!

But he simply couldn’t say it out loud; it was too opportunistic and would greatly affect everyone’s unity.

“Chen Xuan, what do you think?” Yu Gang looked at Chen Xuan.

“Alright.” Chen Xuan replied expressionlessly.

“Good, then it’s decided. You will go in to replace Zhai Ningning. The rest of you must also pay attention to safety. In this competition, you absolutely cannot make any mistakes!”

“Yes!” Everyone responded in unison.

“Alright, then let’s disperse for now!”

After speaking, everyone left one after another.

“Qing Wu, why were you so distracted just now? Is something bothering you?”

On the way back, Tang Sirui asked Rou Wu, who was staring blankly.

“Ah?!” Rou Wu suddenly startled awake, then quickly explained: “No, no, I, I was just thinking about something else!”

“What is it? Can you tell me?” He showed a brilliant smile, and this smile was extremely harsh in Qing Wu’s eyes.