Chapter 190

Lu Xiangxiang saw Song Yan's scrutinizing gaze on her, felt a tightening in her heart, and just as she tried to say something, she found her throat seemed blocked and she could not utter a sound.

She, while being dragged away by two guards of the Heaven and Earth Domain, stared fixedly toward Song Yan.

Many people noticed the scene and looked uncertainly toward Song Yan, who sat on the high platform.

Song Yan's expression was cold and stern, revealing no other emotions.

Suddenly, the qilin beast on the arena dropped a cultivation realm, its rank falling from the fifth tier to the fourth!

The qilin beast showed a terrified expression.

Before being summoned back by Lu Xiangxiang, it abruptly turned its head toward Yuan Yao.

Half of its spiritual power had been devoured by that human, causing its cultivation realm to drop!

The qilin beast was incensed beyond control, its heart full of hatred toward Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao gave it a faint smile, her gaze flashing a deep murderous intent that vanished in an instant.

Yuan Yao watched Lu Xiangxiang being led out of the grand competition venue in disgrace, and at the last moment Lu Xiangxiang turned her head, her eyes glinting as if poisoned, staring at Yuan Yao.

After Lu Xiangxiang was escorted to the dungeon.

The head of the Carefree Sect spoke: "Shiziwen, after the sect's grand competition ends, return to the sect to receive punishment!"

Shiziwen lowered his head upon hearing this and respectfully agreed.

…

"Alright, I declare that Yuan Yao of the Carefree Sect has won this competition," Fan Quan, Immortal Lord, sighed lightly, "As for whether Lu Xiangxiang has secretly practiced forbidden techniques, after I investigate, I will announce the result to the Ninth Province."

Yuan Yao clasped her hands and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Immortal Lord."

Having said that, she turned her head and exchanged a glance with the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord beside her.

The Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord's expression remained indifferent; after giving Yuan Yao a few reminders, he swiftly returned to his original seat.

After Yuan Yao stepped down from the arena, the crowd only then realized what had happened.

They fully realized that Yuan Yao not only defeated Lu Xiangxiang but also caused Lu Xiangxiang to be expelled from the Carefree Sect.

From then on, Lu Xiangxiang was no longer a member of the Carefree Sect!

The onlookers began to chatter.

"That Lu Xiangxiang truly has a snake‑scorpion heart, daring to try to poison Yuan Yao during the sect's grand competition!"

"In my view, Lu Xiangxiang definitely practiced forbidden techniques! And haven't you noticed? She seems proficient in many arts and sword skills, which shows she must have mastered numerous hidden methods, including forbidden techniques."

"I originally felt sorry for Lu Xiangxiang, but I didn't expect her to change sides so quickly. Sigh…"

"That's what they call knowing a person's face but not their heart!"

"I think the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord should publicly strip her of cultivation and expel her from the sect!"

"Isn't that a bit too harsh?"

The discussion was chaotic.

After Yuan Yao stepped down from the arena, a broadcast from the 250 System echoed in her sea of consciousness.

It was all news of target characters' Awakening Value increases.

Among them, many target characters' Awakening Values had directly reached 50, granting them a reward of additional days of lifespan.

Yuan Yao expressionless, as she passed by Shiziwen—

Shiziwen transmitted a voice and said a sentence.

"Senior sister Yuan, I did not betray you."

Yuan Yao's steps faltered briefly, then she continued toward the waiting‑area, giving Shiziwen no reply.

Because when she fought the qilin beast, an image of a blood‑red sea of flames with Shiziwen's presence flashed in her mind.

The Shiziwen of her previous life… had killed many fellow sect members.

Shiziwen clenched his fingertips, turned, and walked toward the place where he ought to be.

Neither of them looked at the other.

After Yuan Yao returned to the waiting area, under the shocked gazes of the surrounding young disciples, she threw herself into Xiao Lingwei's arms.

Xiao Lingwei raised her hand and patted her head.

The four nearby—Song Yan, Cang Li, Xue Jin, and Ying Wuji—exchanged glances.

Yuan Yao was still immersed in the scene of the Carefree Sect's annihilation, a feeling that left her both powerless and sorrowful.

Ying Wuji spoke, "Yao Yao, everything will get better."

Cang Li raised an eyebrow deliberately, "You defeated Lu Xiangxiang and had her expelled from the sect; why? Are you not pleased? Do you want her to remain your junior sister?"

Xue Jin said without any hesitation, "Since she is no longer one of our Carefree Sect members, we can assassinate her."

His words startled Cang Li, who immediately covered his mouth with a hand.

"Do you think assassination is glorious and upright?" Cang Li said, grinding his teeth.

The few seated around, including Zhai Qingye, all heard it and simultaneously turned their gaze toward Yuan Yao and the others.

Yuan Yao was made to laugh.

She turned to Zhai Qingye and the others and asked, "Shall we do it together?"

Zhai Qingye and the others: "……"

Zhai Qingye chuckled lightly, "Comrade Yuan really knows how to joke."

Yuan Yao said, "What if what I say is true?"

Zhai Qingye sighed helplessly, "At most we won't report you."

"Have you been tolerating Lu Xiangxiang for a long time?" Ling Huya asked curiously at this moment.

Cang Li said, "No, before this we always treated her as a close junior sister, but we didn't expect her to scheme against Yao Yao at every turn. Sigh, knowing a person's face but not their heart. Fellow Daoists, when acting outside, remember not to be deceived by appearances."

"Then can I trust you?" Xiao Zhufeng suddenly spoke.

The young disciples present were slightly stunned, as they hadn't expected Xiao Zhufeng to suddenly blurt out such a sentence, which was completely inconsistent with his original style and demeanor.

Cang Li said with a smile: "Although we are merely acquaintances, you can completely trust us. Because I, Cangaotian, will absolutely not screw you over."

Xiao Zhufeng corrected: "... You're not Cangaotian, you're Cang Li."

The young disciples present: "……"

Having sensed the strange gazes from those around him, Xiao Zhufeng rather uncomfortably withdrew his gaze.

At this moment, the referee had Ying Wuji and Wanqi Wujian go up onto the platform to compete.

Before going up onto the platform, Ying Wuji lightly patted Yuan Yao's shoulder.

Yuan Yao's face broke into a smile as she said, "Youngest Senior Brother, you don't need to worry about me anymore, just as you said: everything will get better."

She would definitely not let the Carefree Sect be exterminated as it was in her previous life!

So, she cannot stop her steps.

Ying Wuji gazed at her sincere smile and nodded.

Match two, Ying Wuji versus Wanqi Wujian, Ying Wuji wins!

Match three, Carefree Sect's Song Yan versus Holy Gate's Zhai Qingye, Song Yan wins!

Match four, Rushing Void Sect's Xiao Zhufeng versus Holy Gate's Ling Huya, Xiao Zhufeng wins!

Match five, Carefree Sect's Xiao Lingwei versus Thunder Sect's Nanfei Yan, Xiao Lingwei wins!

Those who entered the top six of the disciple rankings were, respectively: Yuan Yao, Ying Wuji, Song Yan, Xiao Zhufeng, Xiao Lingwei, and Xue Jin.

Everyone was shocked.

Among these top six, five are disciples of the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord! In other words, the Carefree Sect occupies five of the top six spots in the disciple rankings.

What's even more unexpected is that Zhai Qingye and Ling Huya, who ranked second and third respectively in the previous sect competition, were actually kicked out of the top six.

After three years, Ying Wuji and the others have grown terrifyingly strong!

Song Yan is nineteen years old, mid‑Golden Core Realm.

Xiao Lingwei is eighteen years old, mid‑Nascent Soul Realm.

Xue Jin is sixteen years old, early Nascent Soul Realm.

Ying Wuji is sixteen years old, late Nascent Soul Realm.

Yuan Yao is fifteen years old, late Foundation Establishment Realm.

Xiao Zhufeng is nineteen years old, mid‑Nascent Soul Realm.

Everyone racked their brains but couldn't understand how Song Yan, with a mid‑Golden Core Realm cultivation, could defeat Zhai Qingye, who was at early Nascent Soul Realm.

The details of their fight gradually blurred in their minds.

Only the big shots and Zhai Qingye himself knew the terrifying aspect of Song Yan himself.

The Six Disciples of Thousand Mountain live up to their reputation.