Chapter 466: A Small Bet

At that moment, the one-eyed youth lifted his head, his gaze following the girl who had come down from the mountain.

Upon seeing Shiziwen, Yuan Yao froze for a moment, almost failing to recognize him.

Because the youth's change was truly too great.

The youth stood tall and straight; his formerly youthful, gloomy face had turned stern, and his demeanor was completely different.

"Senior Sister." he called out.

Yuan Yao approached Shiziwen and found he was a head taller than her.

Clearly, at the start, she was a bit taller than him.

Yuan Yao smiled and said, "Junior Brother, long time no see."

Shiziwen lowered his eyes to gaze at her face, finding her even more beautiful, like an untouchable fairy.

He slightly regained his composure, pursed his lips, and said, "Senior Sister, you seem to be getting stronger and stronger."

Upon hearing that, Yuan Yao crossed her arms, nodded confidently, and said, "Of course."

She then added, "Junior Brother, you've also grown stronger and taller; just now I almost didn't recognize you."

Shiziwen's eyelashes trembled slightly as he asked, "Senior Sister, do you think this is a good change?"

"Of course." Yuan Yao replied with a beaming smile, then suddenly recalled something and took out a box from her storage space to give to Shiziwen.

Shiziwen blinked in surprise, "This is..."

"It's for you." Yuan Yao placed the box in his palm, saying, "Inside is a high-grade defensive artifact called the Wind Origin Pearl. When you train outside in the future, if you encounter danger, you can use this pearl to protect yourself."

Shiziwen instantly felt the box in his hand heavy; he lowered his eyelashes, and his fingertips lightly caressed the exquisite patterns on the box's surface.

"Senior Sister, did you only give this to me alone?"

Upon hearing that, Yuan Yao paused, then shook her head: "Wind Origin Pearl, I gave it only to you, and I also have several other high-grade artifacts, which I gave to Senior Sister Yao and the others."

Hearing this, Shiziwen felt ripples stir in his heart.

He lifted his gaze to meet Yuan Yao's, a smile playing on his lips: "Thank you, Senior Sister."

"By the way, this is a spirit fruit I brought back from Fusang Island—mulberry fruit; try some." Yuan Yao said, then took out several mulberry fruits from her storage space and handed them to Shiziwen.

Shiziwen received them, placed them into his storage space, and asked, "I've heard you've broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm, Senior Sister?"

Yuan Yao nodded.

Shiziwen: "Then, Senior Sister, will you participate in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition?"

Yuan Yao laughed, "Of course I will. And you?"

As soon as she finished asking, she realized a rather serious problem: if Shiziwen participated in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, he would inevitably encounter Lu Xiangxiang there.

Would he be turned against us by Lu Xiangxiang?!

After all, he's the deeply affectionate male character number four from the original novel!

Shiziwen said, "I will tomorrow go with Senior Brother Ao and the others to the Heaven and Earth Domain to participate in the selection trial."

Yuan Yao suddenly asked, "Do you know that Lu Xiangxiang has become a disciple of the Formless Immortal Venerable?"

Shiziwen's expression stiffened slightly, and he nodded.

Yuan Yao felt slightly surprised, as she hadn't expected Shiziwen to know.

Shiziwen's Adam's apple rolled as he asked, "Senior Sister, are you afraid I'll again collude with her?"

Yuan Yao silently nodded.

Seeing her actually nod, Shiziwen felt a surge of disappointment, and he pressed his lips together, saying, "Senior Sister, don't worry, I won't."

"Since you say that, I will surely believe you." Yuan Yao breathed a sigh of relief, then turned serious: "You'd better not lie to me."

Shiziwen shook his head.

"I won't."

Upon hearing that, Yuan Yao's face instantly broke into a brilliant smile: "Then I hereby wish you smooth passage through the selection trial and a victorious claim of a spot in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition!"

Shiziwen gazed at her lovely, radiant face, where two small dimples appeared, along with her bright, clear black eyes...

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Shiziwen gave a slight nod, striving to suppress the inexplicable agitation and warmth in his heart, though his voice softened a bit compared to usual.

"Keep up the good work!" Yuan Yao said, then naturally reached out and lightly patted his shoulder.

As she raised her hand, a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance drifted forth—like a secluded orchid in an empty valley, like morning dew—quietly reaching his nose and lingering around his nostrils.

The scent was not strong, yet it permeated his heart and spleen, causing his cheeks to uncontrollably warm, his ears to instantly flush red, and even his heartbeat to skip a beat.

He subconsciously held his breath, feeling that the brief contact was as if an electric current had surged through, leaving a strange lingering warmth.

Shiziwen let out a soft "en."

…

Ten days later, the selection trial in the Ninth Province began.

This selection trial lasted three days before the two hundred representatives of the Ninth Province for the Immortal Sect Grand Competition were finally determined.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lingchao stayed at the Carefree Sect for half a month.

Even when it was time to return, he still felt somewhat reluctant to leave.

Xiao Lingwei rubbed his head, chuckling lightly, and said, "Next time we meet, it will be at the Immortal Sect Grand Competition."

Xiao Lingchao wanted to ask why his sister didn't represent Fusang Island in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, but after living at the Carefree Sect, he understood the sect's significance to her.

It wasn't that Fusang Island was bad, but that the Carefree Sect was simply too excellent.

Moreover, his sister had spent more time at the Carefree Sect and in the Ninth Province than on Fusang Island.

Xiao Lingchao raised his head, his expression solemn, and said, "Sister, when I return, I will surely train diligently."

Xiao Lingwei smiled with relief.

After personally seeing Xiao Lingchao off back to Fusang Island, Ao Su, Yao Lingling, Shiziwen, and others also returned from the Heaven and Earth Domain.

Ao Su, Yao Lingling, Shiziwen, Zong Yu'er, and Lin Xuechen all obtained the qualifications to represent the Ninth Province in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition.

===GLOSSARY==

Yuan Yao

Adding the Six Sons of Qian Mountain, the Carefree Sect gained a total of eleven slots.

The venue for this Immortal Sect Grand Tournament is none other than the First Province.

The Immortal Sect Grand Tournament will begin in two months.

At that time, the Three Islands and Nine Provinces will each send two hundred talented disciples, gathering in the First Province to hold the once-every-ten-years Immortal Sect Grand Tournament.

At this moment, Heavenly Martial Peak.

Behind the mountain, a silver-white waterfall cascaded down, lush trees provided shade, and beside that boulder gathered over a dozen white-clad figures.

Yao Linglong looked at them with a smiling gaze, arms crossed, and said, "Immortal Venerable Fan Quan said we should first return to prepare well, and then gather at the Southern Pavilion in one month."

Lin Xuechen let out a light sigh, "In previous Immortal Sect Grand Tournaments, our Ninth Province almost always came in last; this time we must perform well and see if we can turn the tide against the wind!"

Ao Su laughed, "With Wujin here, we cannot fail to turn the tide against the wind!"

"I didn't expect you to think so highly of me, tsk tsk." Cang Li leaned lazily against the boulder, hands behind their head, gave Ao Su a sideways glance, and let out a light chuckle.

Ao Su's mouth twitched, "Eh, the people I was talking about don't include you; don't be so narcissistic."

"With everyone here, how about a little wager?" Xiao Lingwei raised an eyebrow, intrigued, gave them a once-over.

Everyone: ……