Chapter 192: Chapter 161: Qingfeng Takes the Stage

Even though I had been to this place several times before, now, being in the private box looking down at the noisy crowd of cultivators finding their seats, Lin Le couldn’t help but feel an indescribable sense of pride.

This enormous hall was something Lin Le, who grew up in Plum Blossom Marketplace with a vision far beyond that of an average loose cultivator, had never seen before. And this was just the Multi-Purpose Hall; the Arena beside it, standing ten stories high, was even more magnificent.

This is the marketplace our Yunshan Sect constructed! If not in a hundred years, then a thousand; if not a thousand, then ten thousand. This place will become as prosperous as Plum Blossom Marketplace—no, more prosperous!

As long as the Sect Leader is here, everything will be fine!

He looked at Lu Qian in front of him with utmost reverence, his heart full of excitement and anticipation.

At this time, Lu Qian sat in the private box with everyone from the Yunshan Sect, waiting to watch the competition. Although the plans were already in place and it was predicted the enemy would act on the last day, they could not let their guard down. Two teams, visible and hidden, composed of 150 cultivators within the marketplace, were all on standby.

For now, all they could do was wait silently.

As the time for the duel approached, Jiang Qingfeng stood up, a hint of nervousness in her eyes: "Junior Brother, I’m going down."

In a one-on-one contest, how could one not use special privileges as a host?

Although this tournament was said to be a random draw, the Shuangye Alliance had done some manipulation when arranging the matchups. Other sects couldn’t interfere, and they tried to arrange opponents of Qi Cultivation level eight or nine for their own participants. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Especially since the Yunshan Sect only had three people eligible to participate, without some manipulation, if they were unlucky and encountered Qi Cultivation Perfection right off the bat, they might end up embarrassed on the first day.

For instance, Jiang Qingfeng’s opponent in this match was a Qi Cultivation level eight from the Spirit Talisman Sect.

Originally, according to Lu Qian’s arrangement, today’s matches weren’t long, and Senior Sister, Elder Zhou, and Zheng Duan could compete tomorrow, so there was no need to be so tense.

But Senior Sister went against her usual self and insisted on participating in the first match. Although Lu Qian didn’t understand why he naturally followed her decision.

As Jiang Qingfeng prepared to enter the stage, feeling a bit uneasy, Lu Qian smiled and naturally held her hands, "Will you show off again next time?"

Qingfeng felt a warm current passing through from Lu Qian’s hands. Startled by his unexpected bold move, she instinctively wanted to withdraw her hands, but Lu Qian held them tightly, leaving her no choice but to let him.

Her cheeks flushed, her eyes soft, like autumn waters rippling, she whispered softly, "Junior Brother..."

The two stood close, hand in hand, and at this moment, words were unnecessary between their intertwined palms.

Gu Nishang rolled her eyes and looked away. Master Xuan Ji, stroking his goatee, nodded with a smile. Zheng Duan envied Lu Qian and Qingfeng and thought perhaps he should also find a suitable Dao companion.

Lin Le blushed slightly, recalling Wu Yan, who remained at Bichao Mountain. The former yellow-haired girl had come of age, and for some reason, she now seemed to possess an extraordinary spiritual essence, surpassing other female cultivators in the sect.

Could it be that the Spiritual Qi on Bichao Mountain is so effective on mortals?

Moments later, Lu Qian gently released Jiang Qingfeng’s hands, looked into her eyes, and said softly, "Senior Sister, I’ll be waiting for your triumphant return."

Jiang Qingfeng smiled slightly, turned around, and walked through the passage towards the field.

When her figure appeared from the passage, the audience erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

There weren’t many matches scheduled for this afternoon, and this match from the Yunshan Sect was the highlight. Most of the audience came to witness the grace of the Yunshan Sect’s fairy, and now seeing her in person, they were naturally delighted.

Jiang Qingfeng was on the fifth platform. At this moment, the seats around the fifth platform were filled with cultivators, while the first to fourth platforms had only a sparse audience.

Wrapped in the huge wave of sound, Jiang Qingfeng was initially startled but quickly calmed down. The warmth from Lu Qian seemed to linger, restoring Qingfeng’s usual gentle and calm demeanor. She cupped her hands to the surrounding audience and greeted them, her dignified and bright demeanor attracting even more applause.

No wonder she’s the fairy of the Yunshan Sect!

That appearance, that temperament! This is truly a must-see match.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Qingfeng’s opponent smiled wryly. At this time, the competitions on platforms one to four had already begun, and Jiang Qingfeng had just arrived. Originally a bit impatient from waiting, now seeing this momentum, well, I’ve just become a supporting character.

He was the opponent carefully chosen by Lu Qian for his senior sister, and not only was his cultivation at Qi Cultivation level eight, but he was also a cultivator from the Spirit Talisman Sect. With the current good relationship between the Spirit Talisman Sect and Yunshan Sect, he would naturally be courteous and not use underhanded or excessive tactics in the match.

Jiang Qingfeng waved to the box where Lu Qian was, looking deeply at the curtain, her gaze seemingly penetrating everything to intertwine with Lu Qian’s.

Junior Brother, I’ve been diligently cultivating for two years to prove to you that besides managing the sect’s internal affairs, I can also stand by your side, facing formidable foes together, sharing life’s challenges and victories...

She stepped onto the platform, and the opposing cultivator voluntarily bowed, "I’m Zhang Guangzhong of the Spirit Talisman Sect. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Jiang."

Qingfeng quickly returned the greeting, "Jiang Qingfeng of the Yunshan Sect. Please advise me, Fellow Daoist Zhang."

Below the platform, the referee loudly announced the competition rules, "In this martial duel, touch and withdraw, no harming lives! Once one concedes, the other side must not chase! Falling off the platform also results in a loss."

Seeing both contestants nod in understanding, the referee shouted, "The match begins!"

At the sound of a copper gong, both simultaneously retreated several feet, creating distance between them.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, be careful!" Zhang Guangzhong shouted, spreading his sleeves, from which flew long streams of shimmering Spirit Talismans, elegantly winding towards Jiang Qingfeng like two ropes.

This was the Spirit Talisman Sect’s unique talismanic technique, eliciting amazement from the watching loose cultivators.

Though Jiang Qingfeng had long resided in the mountains, she had diligently practiced for the past two years, learning not only from her fellow sect members but frequently sparring with Lu Qian, accumulating considerable experience. Her natural intelligence made understanding many things easy, much to Lu Qian’s delight.

As the talismanic ropes twined forward, their array of glowing talismans posed a significant threat to anyone ensnared. Yet, the Orange Splendor Lamp at Jiang Qingfeng’s waist began to glow faintly, layers of orange light interweaving like delicate veils, slowing the ropes as if mired in a swamp.

While Lu Qian no longer needed such artifacts, this Orange Splendor Lamp was among the top tier of defensive spiritual artifacts and had been gifted to Jiang Qingfeng.

As Qingfeng controlled the Orange Splendor Lamp, she also simultaneously formed hand seals. The sound of crashing waves rose as torrents of water whirled around her, with seven or eight thick water whips whistling toward Zhang Guangzhong.

Zhang Guangzhong, however, remained calm, and with a hand seal, the talismanic ropes glowed brightly as the array of talismans exploded with a thunderous roar. The force shattered the incoming water whips, making it rain on the platform.

Amidst the heavy rain, four violet talismans sparkled with lightning, shooting straight at Jiang Qingfeng!