Ling Zhao led the group up the mountain.
Ye Ziling walked at the front, feeling a burning gaze on her back. She instinctively looked back.
Ling Xi had also stopped at some point, and they met each other's eyes.
Their gazes locked, and they saw flames igniting in each other's eyes.
[System: Lord Ling, new mission issued: Increase affection by spending time alone with the top-tier.]
[Ling Xi: You really know how to pick your timing.]
He had promised to help his junior sister entertain the distinguished guests, and now he was being told to spend time alone with the top-tier. Wasn't this clearly asking him to break his promise? The Xian Kao mobilization meeting had already begun, with so many guests present, it would be difficult to spend time alone with the top-tier, unless…
“Everyone, be careful! There are Qu Ru birds ahead!” Ling Zhao and a few disciples retreated a few steps, drawing their swords and shielding everyone behind them.
Ye Ziling remembered that the Qu Ru birds had long been listed as ferocious beasts by the Immortal Realm and driven to the Demon Capital. How could they be appearing here?
Before she could regain her senses, a large bird with a human head flew rapidly past in front of her. Its sharp beak cut through the sky, carrying a shrill, piercing cry, and attacked her directly.
It seemed the target was solely her.
Ye Ziling smirked provocatively, her palm condensing immortal energy, ready to strike the bird down with a single blow. Suddenly, a familiar cold white plum blossom fragrance powerfully wafted under her nose. A tall figure blocked her front, forcefully grabbing her wrist and pulling her towards him.
“Miss Ye, be careful!”
Ling Xi’s voice came from behind her. As she looked up, she saw his exquisitely handsome face feigning concern, and he smoothly lunged forward, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Ye Ziling was completely engulfed in his arms.
In that instant, she could clearly feel the immortal energy within her rapidly draining away.
Damn it.
[System: Lord Ling, grasp the wrist of her casting hand, do not let go!]
[Ling Xi: Proceed with the first step.]
[System: Energy conversion in progress, my lord, please stall for time.]
“Let go if you don’t want to die,” a glint of coldness flashed in Ye Ziling’s eyes as she lowered her voice to warn him.
“Alright.” Ling Xi chuckled and let go of her decisively, his eyes full of playful mockery.
Ye Ziling’s expression grew darker, and a terrifying killing intent erupted from her eyes.
This man, taking advantage of her at this time. Once she regained the Sun Moon Divine Lamp, she would surely tear him apart limb from limb.
The Qu Ru bird’s attack became increasingly fierce, its sharp beak lunging at her ferociously.
She was poised for action, a fierce glint appearing in her eyes, her immortal energy rapidly condensing in her hand.
She was precisely in need of a demon core. There was no point in not taking advantage of a dying beast.
The few people watching the ferocity in her eyes felt a slight chill, not daring to act rashly. Only Mu Heng’s lips curved into a faint arc.
[System: Lord Ling is ready!]
Ye Ziling’s palm was already filled with immortal energy. Just as she was about to strike the bird dead, the bird suddenly changed direction, transforming into several sword energies that shot towards her back.
She shot several bee stingers from her sleeve. To her surprise, the sword energies actually curved, easily evading her stingers. Several sword energies then shot towards her.
She couldn’t dodge, and was struck on the shoulder by a sword energy. Like a falling paper kite, she fell directly into a warm, broad chest.
[System: Lord Ling, got it!]
At this moment, Mu Heng’s expression was the same as Ling Zhao’s and the others – dumbfounded.
How could this Qu Ru bird even curve?
“Crazy girl!”
“Miss Ye!”
Several people rushed towards the pair, calling out with concern.
Ye Ziling looked up and saw Ling Xi smiling triumphantly at her.
“Courting death.”
This was the first time she had cast a spell, and Ling Xi had deliberately disrupted her composure. She had endured it.
During the second casting, she had already felt that the Qu Ru bird was not right. It was clearly a trained beast. As a beast taming student, this thing was definitely released by him on purpose.
Ye Ziling endured the pain in her shoulder and struck Ling Xi with her palm, only for him to firmly catch it in mid-air with one hand.
Ling Xi looked at the light in her palm gradually dissipating and paused.
Why was her immortal energy so weak whenever he touched the top-tier?
Before Ye Ziling could strike again, someone lightly tapped her pressure points, rendering her completely immobile.
“Ling Xi, you…” Ye Ziling glared at him, but he countered with a threat: “Miss Ye had best behave, otherwise I don’t know what shameless thing I might do later.”
Ye Ziling was so angry she couldn’t speak.
She swore that this man would not live to see tomorrow.
Seeing that the person in his arms had calmed down, Ling Xi said to the others with a serious expression, “Miss Ye’s injuries are serious. I will take her to the inner hall for treatment. As for the meeting, you and my junior sister will be in charge for now.”
“Senior Brother, why don’t I take Miss Ye to the hall for treatment, and you and the eldest senior brother go handle the meeting?” Shen Yueru frowned, looking at Ling Xi with concern.
“Yes, Junior Brother Ling. After all, Junior Sister is a girl, so it would be more convenient this way. You can welcome the distinguished guests with me,” Ling Zhao said with a furrowed brow and earnest words.
Mu Heng, seeing Ye Ziling’s unusual expression, was about to check her pulse but was stopped by Ling Xi.
“No need. I will be responsible for Miss Ye’s injuries until the end.” With that, he scooped the person in his arms into a horizontal embrace and strode away.
Mu Heng was about to chase after them but was stopped by Ling Zhao.
“Young Master Mu, the Xian Kao mobilization meeting has already begun. Why don’t you accompany us to the main hall to wait?” Ling Zhao said with a smile, seeing Mu Heng’s hesitation, “My junior brother is a gentleman, you can rest assured, Young Master Mu.”
Mu Heng could not rest assured. Ever since he met that brat Ling Xi, he had disliked him.
As the saying goes, men understand men best. Didn’t he know what Ling Xi was up to?
Although Ye Ziling was indeed quite wild, her beautiful appearance was certainly pleasing to the eye. However, with the meeting imminent, as the representative of the Nine Peaks Palace, he could only prioritize the overall situation.
If his lateness caused dissatisfaction among everyone, and they lost the right to set the Xian Kao questions, Ye Ziling would probably strike him dead.
Mu Heng paused and decided to walk towards the main hall with Ling Zhao and Shen Yueru.
Shaolin Great Hall.
Representatives of various immortal cultivation sects gathered in one place. The spiritual candies and fruits on the plates were almost gone, but one seat remained empty, with no one showing up.
“I, Shen, wish that everyone present will be successful in the imperial examinations!” Shen Qingfeng, dressed in black, sat in the main seat, his face full of smiles.
The representatives of the immortal cultivation sects below raised their cups perfunctorily, their faces calm and expressionless.
“Sect Leader Shen, we heard that this martial arts examination is as usual set by the Nine Peaks Palace. But why hasn’t the representative of the Nine Peaks Palace, whom everyone has been waiting for, appeared yet?”
Instantly, the crowd below became restless, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
“The Nine Peaks Palace is like this every year. Even if they look down on us small sects, they should at least give Sect Leader Shen some face!”
“Exactly! Every Xian Kao mobilization meeting was attended by their Vice Palace Master. Now, even a representative is nowhere to be seen. I think this right to set the Xian Kao questions should be given to the Shaolin Sect instead.”
…
Shen Qingfeng’s expression was awkward, but he was secretly pleased. It would be most beneficial for Shaolin if the Nine Peaks Palace was absent.
“The Palace Master travels far and wide all year round, please bear with us.”
The man in the main seat raised his cup again, his face filled with fiery enthusiasm, but the atmosphere still failed to liven up.
A clear-faced disciple from Bai Yise’s group stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed: “We are truly sorry, our Commander Mu is on his way, and there was a minor accident. He will be here shortly.”
“Commander? Last year, your Nine Peaks Palace at least sent the Vice Palace Master to attend the meeting. Now, to send a mere Commander, what do you take us all for?” An elder from the Seven Immortals Pavilion was displeased, his face gloomy.
Upon hearing this, the various sects below started to make their voices heard.
“That’s right! I say, just based on their attitude, the Nine Peaks Palace shouldn’t hold the right to set the Xian Kao questions!”
The disciple in white had no choice but to lower his hand and walk back into the team, remaining silent.
“Since no one from the Nine Peaks Palace is attending, I think the right to set the Xian Kao questions should be given to Sect Leader Shen for now!”
Shen Qingfeng’s expression was impassive, and he was secretly overjoyed. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by a voice.
“Who says our Nine Peaks Palace has no one?” A clear yet steady voice echoed through the hall, and everyone’s gaze turned towards the entrance.
Mu Heng, clad in a black robe, his back as straight as a pine tree, strode into the hall.