"Of course, no problem."
[Option Mission Complete. Reward: Gu Refining +1] Accepting the two low-grade fire spirit stones, Jiang Beiran—who felt like he'd just made a fortune—politely invited the Blue Flame Hall disciple onto the carriage.
This move didn’t raise much reaction from the other disciples. After all, Jiang Beiran was an unknown nobody. Trading a "dream" he could never achieve for some immediate benefits was perfectly normal.
"Alright... thank you, Senior Brother."
Just as he was about to head toward the Blue Flame Hall’s carriage, Jiang Beiran noticed that Mo Xia beside him had also accepted two wood spirit stones in exchange for swapping seats with a Flying Feather Hall disciple.
Mo Xia’s face lit up with excitement as he pocketed the spirit stones into his Universe Ring before turning to bow respectfully to Jiang Beiran.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Why thank me?"
Jiang Beiran chuckled.
"It was only after seeing Senior Brother accept the spirit stones that I dared to follow suit."
Jiang Beiran couldn’t help but laugh.
"Next time, just follow your own heart when making decisions."
Blinking a couple of times, Mo Xia felt there was something profound in his senior brother’s words.
After boarding the Blue Flame Hall’s carriage, Jiang Beiran exchanged polite nods with the other disciples before settling into a corner seat. --- Meanwhile, inside the Water Mirror Hall’s carriage, Liu Zijin watched through the window as her senior brother boarded another carriage, her face falling with disappointment.
Sighing inwardly, she was about to pull out a music score to review when something suddenly flew toward her. Reaching out, she deftly caught the object—a crumpled paper ball. Looking up, she saw Yu Guishui blinking mischievally at her from across the carriage.
Smiling slightly, Liu Zijin unfolded the note to read: [Sister Zijin, do you think Senior Brother is avoiding us?] Tucking the note into her Universe Ring, she was about to write a reply when Yue Yangshu approached her with an open box.
"Junior Sister Liu, would you like some candied fruit? I made them with Huailin golden oranges—sour and sweet, absolutely delicious."
"No, thank you," Liu Zijin declined with a wave.
But Yue Yangshu wasn’t deterred.
"Just try one. They’re really good."
Liu Zijin shook her head again.
"I really don’t have much of a sweet tooth."
"Maybe this one will change your mind. Give it a try."
Just as Liu Zijin was about to refuse again, Ye Xincai—sitting not far away—spoke up.
"Senior Brother Yue, Junior Sister Liu is used to fine delicacies. Why would she eat something as lowly as candied fruit? Don’t force her."
Liu Zijin frowned slightly.
"That’s not what I meant. I simply don’t enjoy sweets. Please don’t twist my words, Senior Sister Ye."
Ye Xincai covered her mouth with a laugh.
"Oh, Junior Sister Liu, don’t misunderstand. I was just trying to help explain to Senior Brother Yue. No harm intended."
At this, Yu Guishui suddenly chimed in.
"That’s right, Sister Zijin. Senior Sister Ye might have a foul mouth and a grating tone, but her intentions were good. Don’t hold it against her."
"Who are you calling grating!?"
Ye Xincai glared at Yu Guishui. Before she could retort further, Yu Guizui cut in.
"Oh, Senior Sister Ye, don’t misunderstand. My sister was just trying to help explain to Sister Zijin. No harm intended."
Not wanting to miss her chance, Yu Guimiao quickly added, "Yeah, yeah!" With a cold snort, Ye Xincai eyed the three Yu sisters.
"A bunch of sharp-tongued brats daring to disrespect their senior sister. Where are your manners?"
Yu Guishui giggled.
"Oh~ Senior Sister, are you so fixated on calling us 'brats' because you’re jealous?"
Ye Xincai scoffed.
"Jealous? Of what?"
Yu Guizui immediately followed up.
"Jealous that we don’t get forehead wrinkles when we’re angry, of course. Hehe."
Yu Guimiao, not wanting to be left out, chimed in again.
"Yeah, yeah!"
"You—!"
Furious, Ye Xincai shot to her feet, gripping the hilt of her Jade Frost Sword.
"What? Want to fight?"
Fang Qiuyao, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, stood as well, her White Rainbow Sword in hand. In the past, Fang Qiuyao would’ve drawn her sword the moment Yue Yangshu started pestering Liu Zijin. But she remembered Senior Brother’s teaching: "Leave room for reconciliation—you never know when you might cross paths again."
So as long as Yue Yangshu didn’t go too far, she didn’t want to escalate things. But now that Ye Xincai was being so aggressive, there was no need to hold back.
"Qiuyao, put your sword away!"
Liu Zijin quickly stepped between them, then turned to Ye Xincai—whose forehead wrinkles were now faintly visible—and said, "Senior Sister Ye, if my sisters offended you, I apologize on their behalf. But with the Sect Leader just ahead, let’s not resort to blades, shall we?" Ye Xincai knew she couldn’t actually start a fight here, so she nodded stiffly.
"Fine. Since you apologized, I’ll let it go this time."
But the moment she sat back down, the three Yu sisters—still shielded behind Liu Zijin—stuck their tongues out at her in unison.
"Hmph. Not worth my time."
Ye Xincai turned away. Seeing that the situation wouldn’t escalate further, Liu Zijin quickly ushered the Yu sisters and Fang Qiuyao back to their seats.
"Sister Zijin, why apologize to that sharp-tongued shrew? She’s always picking on you—it’s so annoying!"
Yu Guishui pouted indignantly. Yu Guizui nodded vigorously.
"Yeah! Even if the Sect Leader punished us, we’d be in the right. She started it!"
"Right, right!"
Yu Guimiao echoed. Liu Zijin squeezed their hands and whispered, "I’m really touched that you stood up for me. But think about it—if we cause trouble right after setting off, Senior Brother will definitely hear about it.
And then he’ll avoid us even more. Wouldn’t all our efforts so far go to waste?"
"Mm..."
The three sisters pondered this before sighing.
"Alright, you’re right, Sister Zijin."
Touched by their concern, Liu Zijin pulled them into a hug.
"Having sisters like you is the best."
Meanwhile, Yue Yangshu—who had quietly put away his candied fruit—watched the five girls whispering among themselves and Ye Xincai sulking in the corner. He sighed inwardly.
‘To think my mere box of candied fruit could stir such rivalry among these junior sisters. Truly, I am a man of fatal charm.’ --- As the "Candied Fruit Incident" in Liu Zijin’s carriage settled down, Wu Qingce finished assigning seats outside and reported to the Incense Master.
Soon, the convoy set off toward Yangchong Prefecture, where the Hidden Moon Sect was located. Along the way, Jiang Beiran continued analyzing what dangers might await them at the Hidden Moon Sect.
‘In terms of both strength and prestige, the Hidden Moon Sect is the undisputed leader of Peak Province. No other sect has risen as a dark horse to challenge them. A Hongmen Banquet makes no sense.’
Dismissing that possibility, he pulled out a map from his Universe Ring and spread it out. The Mysterious Dragon Continent was divided into provinces, prefectures, and counties. There were twenty-four provinces in total, with Peak Province located in the far west.
Being far from the conflicts of the Central Plains, it was relatively peaceful.
"Hmm..."
Dragging out the sound, Jiang Beiran tapped two spots on the map—Yong Province and Lan Province. Both had clashed with Peak Province before.
‘Maybe they’ll bring some “gifts” to humiliate the Hidden Moon Sect during the Sect Leader’s birthday. If the newly ascended Mysterious King Sect Leader refuses to back down, a major battle could break out.’
But no matter how he thought about it, Jiang Beiran couldn’t figure out what role he could play if that happened. After another long moment of contemplation, he shook his head.
‘No good… still can’t see it. The probability’s too low.’
Peak Province had eight prefectures, with the Hidden Moon Sect situated in the most prosperous—Yangchong Prefecture. Its spirit stone and mineral resources were the richest in the province. Though the Heart Returning Sect couldn’t claim dominance over Peak Province, it was still one of the stronger sects beneath the Hidden Moon Sect.
Its home, Lulin Prefecture, was also a well-off region, which was why so many young nobles traveled far to join.
‘Could they be targeting the Heart Returning Sect to make an example? But we haven’t shown any expansionist ambitions in decades… No reason to draw that kind of hostility.’
‘Ugh… frustrating.’
Noticing Jiang Beiran’s troubled expression, the other Blue Flame Hall disciples—who had been chatting and laughing—gradually quieted down. Seeing how seriously this Blue Heart Hall senior brother was taking the competition, they suddenly felt ashamed of their own lax attitude.
"Thank you… nameless senior brother!"
(End of Chapter)