Cherreads

Chapter 15 - Trials of Pride and Power

"Are you serious?" Bai Yang's gaze snapped to Ye Chuxue, eyes sharp and fixed.

"I am." Ye Chuxue nodded. She sensed Bai Yang was off today.

Relief washed over Bai Yang as he pressed his lips together. His Master still cared about him—she had warned Ye Chuxue to keep her distance. He led her into the courtyard but refused the pills she offered.

"Soon is the Tianjiao Contest. If you are still injured, how will you compete?" Ye Chuxue urged, worried about his recovery.

Bai Yang looked on coldly and shook his head. If he showed any weakness, he thought, Song Wanníng might pity him too.

"But even with injuries, I will not lose!" He determined to prove his worth—to be his Master's pride. He refused to let Li Ruo outshine him.

On the day of the Contest, elite young cultivators from the Seven Sects and Four Clans gathered at Wentian Sect.

Song Wanníng and the other Yuányīng Zhēnjūn present themselves beside the stage to underscore the importance of the event.

It had been some time since Song Wanníng broke her engagement with Gu Qingyuan. Their meeting today was like strangers passing—far apart in distance and demeanor.

Outer sect visitors, unaware of the tension, joked about their 'wedding date,' and the Sect Master deftly brushed them off.

Behind Gu Qingyuan, Ye Chuxue stood tall, her illness almost healed. The other disciples gazed at her with envy.

Not long ago, she was a failure with just three spiritual roots. Through sheer effort, she became a genius with chaotic roots under Gu Qingyuan's tutelage. Envy turned to grudging respect.

Today she vowed to prove her worth—and that Gu Qingyuan's choice of her was justified.

Meanwhile, mutterings in the crowd surfaced:

"Look at Ye Chuxue strutting like that—no shame."

"Master Gu choice is questionable. Master Song was far superior."

"Those who've never tasted love think it's sweet now."

"Isn't this incest? So disgusting."

"Yes breaking the natural order—so nauseating."

They whispered of Mo Yu, a respected cultivator who fell for his disciple, betrayed his sect, and perished under heavenly tribulation. His disciple went mad and died too.

Under such scrutiny, Gu Qingyuan tightened his brow. He feared Ye Chuxue learning the truth would distance her from him—but rumors would spread either way.

Song Wanníng watched calmly, expression unchanged. Her three disciples remained silent. Even talkative An Ze didn't dare speak after witnessing her strength firsthand.

Only An Ze clenched his fist, resentful and recovering without her pills. Master's favour no longer favored him. He glanced at Senior Brother Bai Yang, who stared intently at Li Ruo standing by Song Wanníng.

Overall atmosphere grew tense.

When all contestants had assembled, the Sect Master took the stage.

"This contest is meant for friendly exchanges and growth among disciples. Compete fiercely but not to the death. Do not harm foundations."

He outlined the rules, then turned things over to the elders.

Each sect entered ten Foundation-level disciples. First through the free-for-all, then the winners advanced.

Ye Chuxue, Bai Yang, and Lu Nanfeng were registered. An Ze was excluded for joining late.

Lu Nanfeng bowed and said, "Master, I will follow Senior Brother." He spoke dutifully, careful not to arouse her anger again.

Song Wanníng showed no reaction. He bowed, disheartened, and left the stage.

Bai Yang studied the back of Song Wanníng's robe, before leaping down. Ye Chuxue followed close behind, Gu Qingyuan watching her with worry.

Had Song Wanníng blocked her too long, Gu Qingyuan's heart tightened. He met Song Wanníng's gaze—she was smiling, meaningfully. He felt a chill of foreboding.

Shifting his focus, he calmed himself.

Song Wanníng leaned back with lazy ease and popped a grape Li Ruo offered into her mouth.

"Song Daoyou, you do not look worried. Confident in your disciple's ability?" Asked the Sect Master of Wangshan with a teasing tone, trying to ease the tension.

All eyes turned to Song Wanníng. She nonchalantly spat out the grape seed, gestured casually, then looked up.

"Winning or losing isn't important. As long as no one dies." She cared not if Bai Yang or Lu Nanfeng won—as long as the result didn't interfere with her greater plans.

The Wangshan Sect Master forced a laugh. "You sure do joke a lot."

Everyone knew Song Wanníng's temper was fierce. Raised under her family's indulgence and later taken in by Fengya, her cultivation path had been smooth. Add her mastery of alchemy, and everyone fawned over her.

===

(真君, Zhēnjūn) is title for Nascent Soul (Yuányīng) cultivator

More Chapters