Chapter 28: Countering the Green Tea, The Little Cub is an Expert

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, more than half of the people on the platform had been eliminated.

Jiang Niannian had just stepped down from the stage when she saw her little cub surrounded by a group of female cultivators, his brows furrowed in obvious displeasure.

“Buqi,” she called out.

Yin Buqi, who had been surrounded by women and was clearly in a foul mood suddenly changed his expression.

His face lit up with an innocent smile, and he eagerly ran over.

Niannian!

Jiang Niannian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Why didn’t she realize before that her cub had two faces?

She coaxed him like she used to when he was a child, “Our Buqi passed the second round too; how impressive.”

“It’s all thanks to your good teaching, Niannian.”

Yin Buqi gazed at her, his eyes warm and bright, glowing with an intense affection.

The other female cultivators, realizing that this seemingly elusive flower in the high mountains, should be a flower with a master, left disappointed.

Only one of them, a pretty young woman, came up to them cheerfully, greeting them, “Hello! I’m Bi Lian. What’s the relationship between you two? Are you a Taoist companion?”

“We’re not…” Jiang Niannian was about to shake her head when Yin Buqi pulled her close, coldly replying to the girl, “She is my beloved.”

Jiang Niannian was stunned.

She figured her little cub didn’t want to be bothered by others and was using her as a shield.

She smiled, “I have feelings for him too.”

Yin Buqi’s hand around her shoulder tightened, and an involuntary smile spread across his face.

The girl said sweetly, “Sister, you’re so beautiful. Of course, only a fairy could be a match for Brother Yin, who looks like he descended from heaven.”

Jiang Niannian asked, puzzled, “Brother Yin?”

“I happened to see your name on the registry the other day when you signed up. Yin Buqi, it’s such a nice name!” Bi Lian sighed, then added, “Sister, you’re really good at applying makeup. I can’t even do that; I don’t know how to apply it..sigh…”

Jiang Niannian’s mouth twitched.

So, this was an ancient version of a green tea?

“She’s naturally beautiful; she doesn’t need makeup.” Yin Buqi’s cold gaze, with a hint of disdain and contempt, was like a sharp blade cutting through the air.

“If only I had a Taoist companion like Brother Yin, who is not only extraordinarily handsome but also very powerful…”

“I belong to Niannian.”

Yin Buqi cut her off, his tone already showing impatience, as if silently asking, “Why hasn’t this annoying fly left yet?”

Bi Lian didn’t expect him to say that, and she lowered her head, blushing, “Oh, I see. Thank you, Brother Yin, for saving me earlier by pushing me out of the way. Otherwise, I would have been knocked off the stage.”

“You were in the way.”

“What?”

“You were in the way, so I pushed you. You were a nuisance.”

If he hadn’t been worried about Niannian misunderstanding, Yin Buqi wouldn’t have said a single word to this woman.

The spectators chuckled, and Bi Lian, unable to bear the humiliation, stomped her foot and ran off, shouting, “You’re too much!”

Jiang Niannian, who had been ready to roll up her sleeves and fight the green tea, realized that she hadn’t even needed to do anything.

The third round soon began—one-on-one duels to determine the rankings.

A distant, ethereal bell rang, signaling noon.

Rays of golden sunlight fell like silk across the arena.

A woman leaped into the arena, her movements graceful as she descended like a celestial being from a painting.

Her delicate features and gentle smile captivated the crowd.

“Wow!” The audience gasped in admiration.

Jiang Niannian turned her gaze to the stage and saw that it was indeed Tang Murou.

She held her peach blossom sword, her posture light and elegant. She twirled the sword skillfully and said to her opponent, “I am Tang Murou. Please show me your best.”

Jiang Niannian glanced at Yin Buqi beside her, but he was already gazing at her intently.

“Um… the match has started,” Jiang Niannian said, feeling a bit flustered.

“And?”

For some reason, Jiang Niannian asked, “What do you think of the woman who just entered the stage?”

The match was already underway, and everyone’s attention was on Tang Murou, eager to see what beautiful techniques this stunning woman would use to defeat her opponent.

Yin Buqi glanced at the stage before returning his gaze to Jiang Niannian, saying dismissively, “Just flashy moves, nothing practical.”

“I was asking about her appearance…”

“She’s certainly beautiful.”

Of course, Jiang Niannian thought as she lowered her head.

No one could escape the female lead’s allure, nor could they defy the plot’s inevitable pull.

But then Yin Buqi leaned in close to her ear and whispered with a smile, “But she still can’t compare to the beauty in Niannian’s eyes.”

“You… You’re just talking nonsense…” Jiang Niannian lightly punched his chest, flustered.

Yin Buqi didn’t mind her hitting him.

He breathed in her scent, feeling a surge of joy with every breath.

On stage, the match ended quickly.

Jiang Niannian didn’t need to guess to know that Tang Murou had won.

Next up was a young man dressed in blue and white robes with an eagle motif, a belt cinched tightly around his waist, emphasizing his slender but strong build.

“Watch out! Watch out!” As soon as he stepped onto the stage, he eagerly began sparring with his opponent.

Jiang Niannian recognized him—Jiang Ziyou, her second favorite male character in the book.

Though not exceptionally talented, he was a sword fanatic, obsessed with swordsmanship to the point of being a complete idiot in life.

His sword, Feiying Liuyun, was something he saw during a trip down the mountain.

But the sword was extremely expensive, and fearing someone else might buy it, he pawned everything valuable he had on him, returning with only the sword and his underwear.

He was oblivious to social conventions, doing things his own way, but throughout, he maintained a pure, passionate heart.

His opponent wielded a Soul-Devouring Nail rather than a sword.

The man grinned wickedly at Jiang Ziyou, “I’m Li Er.”

The Soul-Devouring Nails flew towards Jiang Ziyou, who countered with his sword, neutralizing the attack.

“Who is that young man? He’s quite impressive!”

“That’s no young man; he’s Jiang Ziyou, the last disciple of True Monarch Qinghe. The True Monarch said he wouldn’t take another disciple in his lifetime after him!”

“But he doesn’t seem particularly talented. Why would True Monarch Qinghe, the most powerful in Rimuli, choose someone like him?”

“If True Monarch Qinghe chose him, there must be something extraordinary about him. Let’s keep watching.”

Li Er’s attacks became faster and more lethal; each move aimed to kill!

Jiang Ziyou began to struggle.

He missed a defense and was hit by a Soul-Devouring Nail on his arm, causing him to drop his sword.

Just as he was about to summon his Feiying Liuyun sword, several more nails pierced his chest.

“You’re in such a bad state; just surrender already!”

“Yeah, he’s already coughed up so much blood… Wait, why is his blood black? The Soul-Devouring Nails are poisoned!”

On the stage, Jiang Ziyou was knocked down, and Li Er stood over him, sneering, “Surrender.”

“Never!”

Jiang Ziyou gritted his teeth against the pain and finally summoned his sword, striking Li Er with a precise and powerful blow, sending him flying off the stage.

The winner was Jiang Ziyou.

Jiang Ziyou struggled to stand, bloodied and shaking, and as he began to fall, he was caught by a cold yet gentle embrace.

The figure, bathed in light, was serene and ethereal, like a deity descending from the heavens.

“That’s… True Monarch Qinghe!”

“Master…”

Jiang Ziyou trembled slightly, allowing himself to be held.

Though his consciousness was fading, he clearly heard the gentle voice of his master, “Don’t be afraid, my disciple. I will protect you.”