Chapter 472

"Moreover, all participating disciples from the First Province are at least early Nascent Soul Realm." Ling Huya added.

Cang Li drew a sharp breath.

"How are we supposed to compete? The First Province is definitely first."

Yuan Yao put down her chopsticks and teased, "Third Senior Brother, didn't you say earlier that our Ninth Province would turn the tide against the wind? How come, faced with such harsh reality, are you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid." Cang Li sighed, "I'm worried for you. After all, you are the ones who can truly contend with those heaven's pride prodigies, while I, Cangaotian, can only look up to you."

Di Qingye chuckled, "Cang Li, we're giving it our all, and you must too. Even if you don't fight for the Ninth Province, you still have to consider your reputation as one of the Six Disciples of Thousand Mountain."

Cang Li waved his hand, "Besides the Ninth Province, how many people would know the Six Disciples of Thousand Mountain?"

Ling Huya raised her eyebrows, "They certainly know you. Even if they don't know you, they know the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord. In this immortal sect competition, many people are paying attention to you."

Di Qingye sighed, "You've forgotten that among those heaven's pride prodigies, a large portion once went with you to the Carefree Sect to seek the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord as a master, but in the end, the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord only selected you six, while they were rejected. Don't you think they'll hold a grudge? Don't you think they'll want to seize this immortal sect competition to defeat you and wipe away their shame?"

Upon hearing that, Cang Li's mouth twitched.

Hearing them say that, Cang Li felt he was done for.

"I'm so weak, they'll surely mock me……" Cang Li said with a hopeless expression, "I, Cangaotian, am actually becoming the target of everyone's scorn! How hateful this fate is!"

Xiao Lingwei chuckled lightly, "If it comes to one-on-one matches, we won't be able to protect you."

Cang Li clutched his chest, "Second Senior Sister, can you not speak to me in a gloating tone? My heart aches with twinges. I suspect I've fallen ill… I can't take it anymore, I want to withdraw from the competition."

"You can't withdraw." Xiao Lingwei said mercilessly.

Cang Li: "……"

Song Yan spoke up to comfort, "Ah Li, don't worry; if you can't win, just raise your hand and concede."

Cang Li relaxed, "Alright, if I concede then, I hope you won't blame me."

Immediately, they all looked over the information on the bamboo slips.

Dongfangxiu said, "Besides the First Province, the strongest overall strength lies with Flying Cloud Island and the Second Province."

Yao Linglong continued, "Feiyun Island may have only five Spirit Transformation Realm disciples, but all its other participating disciples are at the Nascent Soul Realm. As for the Second Province, it has nine Spirit Transformation Realm disciples, and all its other participating disciples are also at the Nascent Soul Realm."

Di Qingye laughed, "In this immortal sect competition, we just need to avoid coming in last."

"What place should we aim for?" Xiao Lingwei glanced at the bamboo slips and saw that the two hundred participants sent by Fusang Island were mostly at the Golden Core Realm, with only one Spirit Transformation Realm disciple.

Dongfangxiu slowly said, "Top ten, perhaps."

Xiao Zhufeng: "Top five."

Yao Linglong: "Top eight?"

Di Qingye: "We can try for top six."

Ling Huya analyzed rationally, "Based on the current information, our Ninth Province's overall strength ranks among the bottom three; if we aim for top five, that's probably a bit of a pipe dream."

Cang Li swept his gaze over the crowd, "Since we're already dreaming big, why not strive hard for top three?"

As soon as those words were spoken, the private box fell into a brief silence.

Cang Li's gaze fell on Yuan Yao, who was silently picking vegetables to eat, "Yao Yao, how far do you think our Ninth Province can turn the tide in this immortal sect competition?"

For a moment, everyone looked at her.

Yuan Yao sensed the gazes, her hand motion paused, "Um……"

She silently swallowed, "It should be unprecedented."

As soon as she said that, everyone present had varied expressions.

"Good!" Xiao Lingwei laughed heartily.

She poured a cup of wine, stood up, "Come, let's strive to let the Ninth Province achieve an unprecedented ranking!"

Everyone rose, raised their wine or tea cups, and drank together.

"Cheers!"

Yuan Yao smiled.

Not long after, Yuan Yao received a message from Xie Yan.

"I'm outside the Ruoyi Wine House."

Yuan Yao felt slightly nervous; she pretended to be full, then rose and went to the window. On the bustling street, she saw the white-clad youth standing outside the Ruoyi Wine House: he had his hair tied high in a Bind ponytail, the red hairband and black hair fluttering in the wind, and he wore a white robe.

The youth seemed to notice her gaze and looked up.

The youth had sharp brow bones, lips naturally red without dye, his dark eyes locked firmly on her direction, and his exquisite face made everything around dim in comparison.

He suddenly smiled, his brows and eyes showing a lazy, relaxed ease, the curve of his lips carrying a hint of tenderness.

Yuan Yao's heartbeat quickened a bit.

"Yao Yao?" At that moment, Song Yan from the private box called her.

Yuan Yao lightly coughed, then turned to look at them.

"I want to go out and buy some roasted bird eggs."

"I'll go with you." Several voices sounded at once, namely Xiao Lingwei, Cang Li, Ying Wuji, Xue Jin, Song Yan, Yao Linglong, and Shiziwen.

"No need, I'll go and come back quickly." Yuan Yao's expression stiffened slightly; she spoke extremely fast, then flung open the private room door and dashed out.

Seeing this, the senior brothers and sisters all furrowed their brows.

They really weren't at ease.

Because of the existence of the Responding Dragon, Yuan Yao would be watched by many.

"I'll go." Ying Wuji rose.

Xiao Lingwei said, "Watch her."

Ying Wuji gave a slight nod, but after he left the private box, he discovered Yuan Yao had vanished without a trace.

He frowned slightly, a sense of unease welling up in his heart.

As soon as Yuan Yao stepped out of the wine house, without hesitation she rushed over, grabbed Xie Yan's wrist, and pulled him into the crowd.

Xie Yan's eyelid twitched, and immediately they smelled the familiar fragrance emanating from her.

Her multicolored hairband and strands tangled, fluttering in the wind, brushed their face and lips, bringing a slight tingling.

Yuan Yao tugged Xie Yan as they ran for a while, finally finding a relatively safe and secluded spot. She stopped, turned back, just as she was about to speak to him to explain what had just happened.

In the next instant, she suddenly froze.

A warm, soft imprint was left on her own forehead.

Xie Yan also was stunned.

She recovered and reached out to push him away.

Her cheeks flushed, and she glared at him angrily, "You…"

"This is an accident," Xie Yan extended their slender, well‑jointed finger, lightly brushed their thin lips, exuding a subtly seductive aura, and with an aggressively intense gaze fixed on her, added, "Just like last time."

Yuan Yao heard that and could not refute.

She said dejectedly, "Fine, I won't argue with you."

Xie Yan leaned down slightly, those cool, languid phoenix eyes gazing at her, smiled, "You can argue, you can come back and kiss."