"Good heavens! A woman capable of destroying entire sects!"
Without another thought, Jiang Beiran decisively chose the third option and stepped aside. Ye Xincai had never imagined Jiang Beiran would dodge her advance. Since using cultivation techniques was strictly forbidden on Rising Cloud Peak, she had no chance to recover her balance and crashed straight onto the ground.
[Option mission completed. Reward: Strength +1] "As expected of Senior Brother!"
Liu Zijin and the other four girls who had been stealing glances at Jiang Beiran inwardly rejoiced.
"Junior Sister Ye!" x7 Amidst the clamor, a group of burly disciples rushed toward the fallen Ye Xincai.
As for Jiang Beiran? He had long since slipped away in the chaos. Taking another mountain path, Jiang Beiran couldn't help but analyze the previous options.
Originally, he had intended to catch Junior Sister Ye—since she had collecting tendencies, he might as well play along to avoid future trouble. But who would have thought the system would offer an Earth-grade reward? He was just planning to be another fish in her pond—hardly worth being ganged up on by everyone.
'How strange...
Best to stay away from Water Mirror Hall. Those women are far too dangerous.' After being helped up by the senior brothers, Ye Xincai first smiled and thanked everyone, but her eyes lingered on the spot where Jiang Beiran had stood.
'Interesting...
Definitely not ordinary.' With no one paying attention to him, Jiang Beiran quickened his pace to avoid any further antics from Junior Sister Ye.
"Tsk, seems like the road ahead isn't peaceful either..."
After climbing for a while, Jiang Beiran's spiritual sense detected over a dozen hall masters gathered ahead. Earlier at the foot of the mountain, the twenty-four halls had been arranged in a circle, so their current concentration could only mean one thing—and Jiang Beiran didn't need to think hard to guess why.
"Guardian Yu, today I developed a new footwork technique that complements the Four Waters Sword Art. How about we find some time to spar and study it together?"
"Enough already, Old Yu. With your three-steps-and-you-stumble footwork, you're researching techniques? Don't make me laugh."
"Hmph. When we descend later, don't you dare run. I'll show you what real footwork is."
"Why are you two fighting among yourselves? Weren't we supposed to deal with that old fox Zhang Heqing first?"
"Exactly, Guardian Yu. What's so great about cooperating with Blue Heart Hall? My disciple Wu Qingce has already broken through to Mysterious Master. I'd like to share cultivation insights—Water Mirror Hall seems perfect for this. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Yu Manwen, who had been silently smiling, finally spoke.
"Chaotic Star Hall has indeed produced an outstanding seedling this time. For Wu Qingce to break through so soon after the martial tournament shows how much he gained from that competition."
Pleased by Yu Manwen's praise, Yang Yulin, Hall Master of Chaotic Star Hall, boasted, "The boy's talent is undeniable, but our hall's training methods played no small part. If Guardian Yu is interested, perhaps we could discuss this in detail after seeing these youngsters off?" Yu Manwen nodded.
"Then I'll gladly accept your offer."
Yu Manwen had always been devoted to nurturing her disciples. Recently, the sect leader had convened a meeting specifically to praise Chaotic Star Hall for producing a disciple who broke through to Mysterious Master at just nineteen, even promising substantial rewards on the spot—much to the envy of other hall masters.
After returning, Yu Manwen had reported this to Shi Fenglan, who remained as carefree as ever.
"Just a little Mysterious Master," she had said.
"I've seen plenty of such geniuses. Only those who live long enough to become Mysterious Kings are truly impressive."
This reaction was expected, but then Jiang Beiran unexpectedly added, "Hall Master Shi is right. Those who grow complacent over early achievements like this won't get far." In Yu Manwen's experience, Jiang Beiran was the type to avoid unnecessary involvement.
He usually showed no interest when she and Shi Fenglan discussed hall affairs. Yet when Wu Qingce was mentioned, he had suddenly voiced his opinion—and there had been something oddly familiar in his tone. Though Jiang Beiran later dismissed her questions, Yu Manwen trusted her instincts.
She had considered approaching Wu Qingce directly but feared upsetting Jiang Beiran again. So she decided to take this opportunity to probe Hall Master Yang. If he truly had special teaching methods, she would note them for Water Mirror Hall's benefit.
But if his explanations proved lacking... her suspicions would only grow stronger. 'It's just satisfying curiosity. Surely he wouldn't get angry over this?'
Seeing Yu Manwen actually accept Yang Yulin's invitation, Zhang Heqing panicked and immediately looked toward where Jiang Beiran had been—only to find him long gone. 'That brat... always slipping away when needed most.' With no hope of Jiang Beiran's intervention, Zhang Heqing could only mock Yang Yulin.
"Old Yang, if you really had some miraculous teaching method, you'd have bragged about it everywhere by now. Don't tell me you've been keeping it secret all this time? Stop bluffing—your disciple just had natural talent."
"Keep seething. You think I'd reveal my trump cards so easily? Just wait—once Water Mirror Hall collaborates with us and produces their own nineteen-year-old Mysterious Master, you'll see the truth."
Zhang Heqing had no rebuttal. Chaotic Star Hall had indeed cultivated a prodigy unseen in the Heart Returning Sect for decades. Any further objections would just sound like sour grapes.
So he could only turn back to Yu Manwen.
"Guardian Yu, you can't seriously believe Chaotic Star Hall has some unique teaching method, can you?"
Yu Manwen smiled.
"It's worth exploring."
'This is bad...' After two months of working together, Zhang Heqing knew how seriously Yu Manwen took disciple cultivation. Her dedication to inter-hall collaboration was genuine—so much so that even he had been inspired to move beyond mere personal connections and truly study how their halls' techniques could complement each other.
Precisely because he understood Yu Manwen, he recognized how heavy Yang Yulin's bargaining chip was.
'No...
I'll have to make Jiang Beiran step up when he returns. But that kid won't lift a finger without incentives... Hmm, that unused Thunder Lord Charcoal can finally be put to use.
Maybe I'll get him a cauldron too. No matter what, Water Mirror Hall must only partner with Blue Heart Hall!' Meanwhile, Jiang Beiran had already circled far off the main path onto a secluded trail when the system's notification sounded again.
[Option mission completed. Reward: Constitution +1] 'These hall masters really lose all sense when it comes to Guardian Yu...
To think they'd try calling me over in front of all those big shots. The things love—or simping—does to a man's intelligence...' PS: Met a new colleague today who introduced himself by saying he likes philosophy...
Not sure if he's the weird one, or if I'm weird for thinking he's weird.
(End of Chapter)