Chapter 23: Spare me your crocodile tears.
“Starburst Dash! The explosive qi technique of the High Heaven Technique, and she’s from the Ji Clan—no wonder. Why didn’t that esteemed one at least inform the Sect Leader Immortal Master when entrusting his beloved daughter?”
The Elders immediately understood, seeing through the girl’s identity. Amidst their joy, a trace of worry lingered.
In the arena, Jing Tan’er’s expression changed dramatically.
She tried to draw her sword, but it was already too late.
Ji Shiyu lunged forward with a single thrust, not with the blade, but with the hilt.
In her panic, Jing Tan’er could only grip her scabbard with both hands to block.
Crack!
The hilt struck the scabbard, and the Master’s First-Grade Spirit Sword in Jing Tan’er’s hands shattered instantly, breaking apart inch by inch.
The Starburst Power was overwhelmingly strong.
“Wha…what?”
The Red-haired Woman’s legs went weak, and she collapsed on the spot, her face ashen.
“Thank you for letting me win!”
The outcome was decided.
Ji Shiyu flicked her blonde hair, her silver robe fluttering as she dispelled her transformation and turned to leave the stage, leaving everyone with a dashing silhouette.
Senior Sister Jing Tan’er… actually lost!?
The reversal happened so quickly that everyone wore the same look of disbelief.
Some Outer Sect Disciples with lower cultivation hadn’t even seen what had happened.
“What the heck, talking so big—I thought you were some kind of expert. Turns out you’re only at this level. Xun Ran’s fists are way stronger than yours.”
Having dispatched her opponent cleanly, Huangmao stretched lazily, utterly bored, yet still made sure to throw in a jab to stand up for the heroine.
Jing Tan’er’s pretty face flushed red, then white, utterly humiliated by the taunt. She bit her lip hard and suddenly burst into tears, covering her face as she ran out of the crowd.
“Your Royal Highness!”
Several companions turned pale and hurried after her.
No one had expected this outcome.
The overwhelming victory went to the newcomer, while the Strong Practitioner of Xixu Peak, who was expected to advance to Inner Disciple this year, hadn’t even lasted a single move.
After a brief silence, the arena erupted in thunderous cheers.
“Amazing!”
“How did she do that?”
Everyone from Shenhua Sect now looked at the Blonde-haired girl with newfound respect.
This talented and beautiful newcomer had made a name for herself on Sighing Peak.
“Yay!”
Ji Shiyu ran joyfully to Xiao Xinran’s side, wagging her tail and flashing a victory sign.
This time, surely I didn’t mess things up again, right?
Even if I don’t get a kiss, a hug should be the least I deserve.
“How about that, huh? I’m awesome, right, Xun Ran!”
“It’s just beating a small fry. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you just crushed the chief disciple.”
The green tea shows off, but the First Wife would never appreciate it.
Xiao Xinran turned away, cheeks puffed in annoyance.
Damn it, she beat me to it again.
Jing Tan’er really is a useless pretty face.
Looks like I’ll have to deal with Huangmao myself!
Ao Tian nodded in satisfaction, flying onto her master’s shoulder to praise her.
“You finally figured it out—using Yun Liu as your breakthrough point.”
“Ah? Well… I guess, kind of.”
Ji Shiyu scratched her head guiltily.
Ao Tian’s plan was to take the chance to win Yun Liu’s favor.
If she knew Ji Shiyu was only thinking about pleasing Xiao Xinran, she’d probably lose all her feathers in anger.
“No need to thank me, you oily brat. I didn’t teach her a lesson just for you, you know. I’m a woman of my word—you’re under my protection. No one gets to bully you except me… uh, where is he!?”
Ji Shiyu and Xiao Xinran turned to look around, only to realize Yun Liu had disappeared at some point.
“He left ages ago. The sun’s almost down. You two should hurry up and go register.”
Ao Tian was thoroughly exasperated.
This Phoenix Hatchling has painstakingly raised her silly daughter, who is second to none among the Red Dust Ranking’s saintesses and fairies—figure, looks, talent, all first-rate.
Everything’s perfect, except her brain doesn’t work quite right.
So why doesn’t that brat have any kind of physiological reaction?
Don’t tell me he’s really from Nantong? If so, these two Ji (基) gals really are a match made in heaven… truly incredible…
Deep within the Sea of Clouds, on the Sword Peak Mountain Path.
A chestnut-haired girl sat hugging her knees at the edge of a cliff, sobbing quietly, her heart heavy with sorrow.
The dignified Imperial Princess of the Royal Family, one of the Top Three Outer Sect Disciples of Xixu Peak, actually lost to a newcomer in front of everyone.
“How humiliating. I might as well dig a hole and bury myself!”
Jing Tan’er let go of her pride, having left the Palace and all its luxury behind to cultivate in this remote mountain forest.
She had trained bitterly for so long, believing that aside from Yun Liu, none of her peers in the sect could match her.
Yet some newcomer, who seemed to be about the same age, just beat me like it was nothing.
“It must be that sword’s fault!”
Jing Tan’er whimpered, biting her lip in frustration.
Next time, I’ll buy a better Artifact and win back my pride.
Suddenly, a handkerchief appeared beside her ear, carrying a faint scent of wild herbs.
“Guh, thank you.”
Jing Tan’er wiped her tears, feeling a bit better, already plotting in her heart how to utterly destroy Ji Shiyu on Sighing Peak.
Oh right, and Xiao Xinran too!
“I will never forgive Huangmao!”
Wait, that’s not right…
The girl looked down at the handkerchief, then turned around in surprise, only to find a white-robed boy looking at her with pity.
“You! What are you doing here!?”
Jing Tan’er cried out in alarm. When did Yun Liu get here?
Did he hear everything she just said to herself?
Her face flushed with shame, and she almost jumped off the cliff then and there.
“This is Celestial Phenomena Peak territory. Where else would I be?”
Yun Liu spread his hands helplessly.
This mountain path was the only way back to the sect.
He had run into the unlucky villainess here, secretly wiping her tears.
Such a big person blocking the path and throwing a fit—how could I just pretend not to see?
Jing Tan’er, unable to bear the shame, had left her companions and subconsciously looked for a secluded place, ending up here without realizing it.
Celestial Phenomena Peak, weakest among the Inner Five Peaks, was sparsely populated—an entire mountaintop where not even birds would go.
Completely different from the grandeur of the other Inner Sect academies, it was the perfect place to hide and cry.
“You… you heard everything?”
“I did. But don’t be too upset. You’re not a match for Ji Shiyu, and I doubt you ever will be. It’s best to stay away from her.”
The boy comforted her casually, having already seen through everything.
“Who says so! I just let my guard down for a moment, that’s all!”
“Is that so?”
Jing Tan’er stood up, indignant, refusing to accept it.
What I hate most about Yun Liu is how he always acts so superior, like he doesn’t even see me as worthy.
“No need to pretend to care. Seeing me bullied must make you very happy!”
“Not at all. In fact, I feel pretty bad about it.”
Yun Liu waved his hand.
Facing this fellow-suffering villainess, he couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy.
The script is already written. Small characters like us in Magic Nine Provinces are just foils.
Jing Tan’er is just a minor villainess, not even qualified to join the Harem Family Bucket.
At best, she causes the protagonist a bit of trouble, giving the heroines a hard time.
But her end is tragic.
Defying Heaven-defying Fate, no matter how hard she tries, she’ll never catch up to the cheat-powered Ji Shiyu.
If things keep going like this, all that awaits Her Royal Highness are countless defeats, an inescapable doom of a fallen kingdom, and in the end, a broken Dao heart—dying in despair.