This point, Immortal Venerable Lou Yun had indeed considered it! But Mu Ling Hua was already difficult to find. Previously, he heard that a young fourth-grade alchemist with several Mu Ling Hua plants had appeared in Ziyun City, and he had already sent people to search for him...
However, there was no news in the past half a month, so he could only issue a bounty. But the Immortal Cultivation Continent was so vast, whether it could be found was another matter entirely!
After a long silence, Su Xian Zhi did not mind. She suddenly thought of someone, and her expression gradually became gloomy!
"Master, I remember... last time Senior Brother Yu's Mu Ling Hua only took one petal, and the rest was still with Junior Sister Jin. It's only been a few months, she shouldn't have used it all yet."
Immortal Venerable Lou Yun paused, and the image of those slender, cold eyes appeared in his mind. When they looked at him, there was a hint of hatred. It seemed... the last time he saw her, she was already in the Golden Core stage, wasn't she? Such a growth rate was simply terrifying. If given enough time, surpassing him would not be a problem, let alone ascending...
As cold as he was, he became more and more agitated the more he thought about it!
Receiving no response again, Su Xian Zhi finally realized something was wrong. She looked up with hesitant and pitiful eyes.
"Master... can you bear to have me start cultivating all over again? If it takes another five or six years, what will others think of me? By then, everyone will probably be at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage, and how can I still be the little senior sister!"
Had she not suffered enough criticism in these short few days? Those outer disciples she normally wouldn't even glance at were now stronger than her... As the Immortal Venerable's only disciple, such gazes would only increase in the future. She couldn't stand it!
Hearing this, Immortal Venerable Lou Yun's eyes darkened...
"Alright, I understand."
Just as the two were talking, the first match finally concluded...
"The victor! Qiu Qi of the Beast Taming Sect!"
As soon as the words fell, the audience below gasped. Several gazes, filled with doubt and complexity, fell upon Yu Jing Cheng, who was lying on the ground with a pale face. He had actually failed to defend his spot...
Among the disciples who participated in the competition in previous years, only this person had outstanding talent and had led the group to achieve a top-three position among the Seven Sects. This time, he lost as soon as he stepped onto the stage. It seemed that the Misty Sect would likely be at the bottom this year...
Qiu Qi retracted his weapon and looked at Yu Jing Cheng with a complicated gaze. He had also exhausted his spiritual energy. If he hadn't contracted a demonic beast some time ago and forcibly advanced his cultivation to the middle stage of the Golden Core, he would have lost today.
"You are strong!"
After being helped up, Yu Jing Cheng smiled weakly, his tone full of determination.
"So next time, you'd better be careful."
Qiu Qi was startled, and then became arrogant and disdainful again.
"Is that so? Then I will wait and see!"
At this moment! Two youths of similar age grew together and understood each other through battle.
The grand competition gradually unfolded in full swing...
Finally, it was Jin Bao'er's turn!
Upon hearing the name, Su Xian Zhi's spirits immediately lifted. She heard that Jin Bao'er was fighting against a disciple in the Golden Core stage. If she lost, it would be embarrassing! Her excitement was undeniable.
"Master, do you think Junior Sister Jin will lose? It seems she's only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Oh my, what a pity. If they lose this match, our Misty Sect's competition this year will likely be last place."
Immortal Venerable Lou Yun, however, slightly turned his head, intending to tell her Jin Bao'er's current cultivation. His gaze fell upon Su Xian Zhi's gloating expression, as if she were eagerly anticipating a fellow disciple being abused.
For some reason, he suddenly felt a slight discomfort. He slightly parted his lips, but said nothing.
"Misty Sect's Jin Bao'er versus Beast Taming Sect's Yun Mo Linglong!"
The next second, a woman dressed in fiery red, exuding unrestrained charm, leaped onto the stage. Her bright and moving figure immediately attracted the admiring glances of many disciples. The crowd below was incredibly excited.
However, there was no movement from the other side...
"Ha, the one called Jin Bao'er is probably scared of our little senior sister, isn't she? She doesn't even dare to show her face!"
"I say, she's probably so ugly! Seeing our little senior sister like this, she's ashamed and dare not appear!"
"I heard her cultivation is also only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. She can't win, and her appearance is not as good either, haha! If it were me, I would have forfeited directly!"
Waves of vulgar curses came, causing the faces of the Misty Sect elders present to change. Even the Sect Leader on the stage looked somewhat displeased. Only Su Xian Zhi's expression behind her veil became more and more excited.
"Since she doesn't dare to show up, let's directly award the victory to little senior sister!"
"That's right! Award victory to little senior sister!"
"Little senior sister wins!"
"..."
The audience below was extremely agitated, their voices growing louder each time. However, there had never been a case of forfeiture in the grand competition... The referee could only turn his gaze to Yun Mo Linglong.
The beauty in red did indeed cover her mouth and chuckle, instantly stunning the crowd below.
"Everyone, please don't be angry. I think Fellow Daoist Jin might have been delayed by something, which is why she's late. If my victory is announced directly, it would seem as if I won unfairly."
Her words, while seemingly speaking for Jin Bao'er, actually implied that she did not take the competition seriously, and that she herself was helpless.
The other observing sects also showed some disdain upon hearing this.
"Today is a match between the Misty Sect and the Beast Taming Sect. Normally, I should not interfere, but for those who disrespect the competition, being directly judged as defeated is their own fault."
This statement was instantly met with the approval of the entire audience. The elders of the Misty Sect couldn't help but try to explain, but no one listened.
"I don't think so!"
A powerful and abrupt voice interjected, quickly drawing the surprised gazes of everyone. Looking towards the source, they saw the Sect Master of the Dragon Tiger Sect, Li Bai Luo, who was present as a guest.
He waved his sleeve with great magnanimity and casualness! His Nascent Soul stage aura was fully unleashed, powerful and imposing.
"The competition did not stipulate how long one can be late before being considered to have conceded. If the result is announced directly, I believe little Daoist Yun Mo will also have regrets. Why don't we wait for her a little longer!"
His words directly reversed the situation, forcing Yun Mo Linglong into the spotlight.
The various sects inwardly cursed! Old fox!
Although the Dragon Tiger Sect did not participate in the competition, they were still one of the top sects in Ziyun City. Offending them would bring no benefit.
The Misty Sect members, seeing that someone supported them, did not react much, as they had already lost... Only one person quickly set a time limit with the referee, for fear that Jin Bao'er would miss the match...
This person was Hua Qing Su!
In contrast, Su Xian Zhi scoffed! The Beast Taming Sect, in addition to their own strength, was also permitted to use contracted demonic beasts, which was equivalent to two fighting one. No matter how strong Jin Bao'er was, she couldn't possibly win!
Time ticked by, and the time was about to run out! The referee finally stood up, his face extremely grim! After all, he was the Law Elder of the Misty Sect, and if he didn't announce the result soon, his authority would be completely lost.
"Time is up, this match..."
"Wait!"
A loud shout echoed. Everyone looked towards the source, only to see a slightly stout young man standing not far away, panting and unable to speak clearly.