This was Zhuang Tian's second time going to Shangqing Immortal Sect.

The first time was with his master when he was fifteen years old.

Then... Lingxiao Palace withdrew from the Ten Thousand Sect Martial Arts Competition and never appeared in public again.

Zhuang Tian was in a hurry, and he didn't have a guide with him, so he wandered around for a long time before finding the main gate. When he announced his sect, the young disciple guarding the gate was confused for a while and even had to consult with the elders of Shangqing to confirm that Zhuang Tian was telling the truth before letting him in.

The Ten Thousand Sect Martial Arts Competition was entirely overseen by Elder Qianyang. Zhuang Tian only needed to register with him, so there was no need to bother the busy Lu Mingfeng.

When Zhuang Tian appeared, the disciples of Shangqing all looked sideways, discussing his origins. Some disciples even went to the library to search, deeply doubting whether this sect really existed in the world.

As Zhuang Tian left, he overheard others discussing how good his disciple was, which prompted him to glare fiercely at them, making them trembling in fear.

What are you looking at?

Who dares say my disciple isn't good? I'll glare you to death!

Zhuang Tian held the martial arts competition token proudly and walked away.

As night fell, Elder Qianyang finished organizing the roster and handed it to Lu Mingfeng in the Shangqing Hall.

"Similar to the previous session, a total of three hundred and nine households participated, and even a few more immortal sects joined. Worth noting is Lingxiao Palace from Lingxiao Peak," Elder Qianyang said.

Lu Mingfeng's hand paused with the brush, raising his eyebrows as he pondered for a moment. "Lingxiao Palace? Is that... Zhuang Tian's sect?"

Elder Qianyang: "Exactly."

Lu Mingfeng paused. "I heard that the eldest son of Yuntian Shuijing and the young master of Fengming Valley, both went there?"

" That’s right."

"What's so special about that place?"

"Well..." Elder Qianyang hesitated, "It's inconspicuous, just ordinary. Even the current fame was earned after they became disciples. It's probably because Luo Yao has already told the head Master about the matter of Mingyue Valley. It all depends on Chu Tianyu and Hua Qingkong to turn the tide."

"Those two..."

"Very talented, exceptional aptitude," Elder Qianyang carefully chose his words, "especially that Hua Qingkong. He was able to kill the left guardian disciple of the Fenqing Hall at such a young age, which is remarkable. Our people went to visit Mingyue Town. According to the locals, at that time, Hua Qingkong caused chaos with a purple bamboo flute, driving the demonic cultivators crazy, even to the point of committing suicide."

Lu Mingfeng was surprised. "A musical cultivator?"

"Most likely. It's a pity such talent didn't go to Yeyou Prefecture," Elder Qianyang, an appreciator of talent, chuckled. "The area around Mingyue Valley has been spreading stories about him like wildfire. Now that he has registered under Lingxiao Palace, he'll definitely come during the Ten Thousand Sect Martial Arts Competition. The head Mastercan see for himself."

Lu Mingfeng nodded in agreement. "As new talents in the Immortal Dao, they should be paid attention to. It's good to offer some guidance. Don't be stingy just because they are disciples of other sects. We are all part of the Immortal Dao and should help each other."

"The head Master has the heart of accepting all rivers, which I admire," Elder Qianyang complimented.

*

Zhuang Tian returned to Lingxiao Palace in high spirits, took a bath, and slept. The next morning... that anger had subsided.

He began to doubt himself. Did he make a mistake?

Although his disciples were all outstanding, they were still children. The youngest was reckless, the seventh was okay, the eighth and ninth had just completed their first year of cultivation. Letting them go to the Ten Thousand Sect Martial Arts Competition and compete with a bunch of old hands...

It wasn't sensible at all.

Wen Yuan and the others were used to a leisurely life. Zhuang Tian didn't expect them to win. Putting all his hopes on Hua Che and the others was a bit too much.

It wasn't right.

Not to mention that the battle was fierce in the Ten Thousand Sect Martial Arts Competition. They couldn't even achieve a good ranking, let alone struggling at the bottom. How much hardship would they endure? How much humiliation?

Being beaten down by those seniors, how embarrassing would that be? Would it crush their self-esteem, leaving them unable to recover?

These kids had strong self-esteem, and the seniors in the cultivation world loved to bully newcomers for fun.

It would be fine if it were other sects, but what about Lingxiao Palace? Even if they were insulted and bullied to their faces, what could they do?

Zhuang Tian suddenly felt powerless. For the first time in his life, he felt useless, too weak to support his disciples, unable to let them proudly say, "I am a disciple of Lingxiao Palace," unable to take advantage of the prestige of their sect.

Zhuang Tian regretted his action a bit.

Why did he impulsively register? Even if he waited for the next session and let them practice for another four years!

Unfortunately, there was no turning back once the arrow was released.

He was absent-minded during morning lessons, and evening lessons were sporadic, even Mu Rongsa could tell that something was wrong with his master. "Master, did those troublesome tenants below the mountain not pay their rent again? Just say the word, I'll go collect the money! They don't even bother to find out who I am or who my father is!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Tian felt another headache coming on.

Even the rent was collected by his apprentices. Besides preaching and teaching, it seemed like there wasn't much else he could do as their master.

"It's nothing major.”

Instead of hiding it from them and causing them unnecessary worry, it was better to tell them now and let them prepare in advance. Two months... they could learn as much as they could!

"I made a trip to Shangqing." Zhuang Tian fixed his gaze on his nine disciples. "I registered for the Martial Arts Tournament."

Everyone: “…”

Hua Che: “And then?”

Mu Rongsa: “So?”

Chu Binghuan: “Oh.”

Zhuang Tian: “…how?”

Hua Che chuckled. "Second Brother has a big mouth. As soon as you left, the whole world knew about Lingxiao Palace."

Zhuang Tian cleared his throat and shot a fierce glance at Zhuang Xiaoer.

"Well, since you all know now, I won't beat around the bush. The Ten Thousand Sect Martial Arts Competition is just a gathering of cultivators from various sects to compare skills and rank. Our goal is not the ranking, but learning. By competing with different opponents, we can gain experience."

"Just go and have some fun, don't be nervous, and don't take it too seriously. Friendship comes first, ranking comes second."

Two, three, four and five were used to idleness, so this was mainly directed at six, seven, eight and nine.

Hua Che had thought Lingxiao Palace wouldn't participate in the Martial Arts Competition, but it came so suddenly. Mei Cailian had just left, and Zhuang Tian went to register.

Hua Che could guess that Mei Cailian had said something to anger their master, prompting him to act impulsively.

After dinner, Hua Che studied musical scores for a while, then prepared to rest after bathing and changing clothes.

As he lay in bed, Hua Che suddenly couldn't sleep. His mind was filled with thoughts from his previous life. He had been a shining star, the centre of attention. He had won first place in countless competitions and basked in endless glory.

Everyone was overshadowed by his radiance, and while they congratulated him on the surface, jealousy riled in their hearts.

"He's too dazzling. Standing next to him makes me feel insignificant. Sometimes I wish he would fall flat on his face and never get back up again!"

Though Liu Xiao's words had pierced him to the core, they were the truth, a reality.

Liu Xiao had voiced the thoughts of countless cultivators.

In his previous life, he had been young and reckless, unaware that his excessive brilliance had made him a thorn in the eyes of others.

Being excessively talented was not always a good thing.

Especially in the cunning world of Shangqing Sect.

Sometimes he wondered how he had managed to survive in the Shangqing Sect. It was like living in a fairy version of a harem!

Let's not even mention the others and just focus on Yin Wuhui. If he hadn't been so dazzling, he wouldn't have caught Yin Wuhui's attention.

Hua Che didn't want to repeat the same mistakes, so this time at the Martial Arts COmpetition, he either wouldn't participate at all, or... he would temper his edge and settle for a mediocre ranking.

With these thoughts in mind, Hua Che suddenly felt a longing for his master.

He got up and went to Lingxiao Pavilion, but didn't find anyone there. Seeing light in the ancestral hall at the rear, he quietly approached and stood outside, watching.

Zhuang Tian knelt before the ancestors, offering incense and kowtowing.

Finally, Zhuang Tian took out his master's token and carefully wiped it, saying, "Master, Zhuang Tian made a mistake. Provoked by Mei Cailian, I actually went and registered for the Ten thousand sect Martial Arts Competition."

"Master has always strived hard, eager to promote the glory of the sect, eager to ascend to the ranks of the Three Great Immortal Sects. But luck has not been on our side, always slipping through our fingers. Before his passing, Master entrusted me to uphold the hundred-year foundation of Lingxiao Palace, not seeking fame in history, just hoping not to lose the legacy of our ancestors."

"Master must be disappointed, right?"

"I feel the same way, with the sense of having the intention but lacking the ability."

"I had already accepted my fate, knowing that I don't have the talent, so I shouldn't indulge in unrealistic daydreams. But the appearance of Tianyu and Qingkong has sparked unrealistic hopes in me. I hoped they could bring honour to Lingxiao Temple."

Zhuang Tian chuckled bitterly. "I'm such a pathetic master, actually hoping for my disciples to strive for glory. Mei Cailian was right, I may have indeed held them back. Tianyu and Zhao yao should go to Shangqing, Qingkong should go to Yeyou Prefecture, Xiao Yan should go to Fengming Valley. No matter who they choose as their master, it would be better than following me."

Wiping away a tear of bitterness, Zhuang Tian's nearby immortal crane seemed to sense its master's sadness and drooped its head.

Zhuang Tian knelt properly and kowtowed. "Ancestors above, Zhuang Tian earnestly prays for your blessings upon your disciples and descendants. Please bless them with safety and peace. The ranking at this Martial Arts Competition doesn't matter, nor do the results. I only ask that they don't get hurt and live a life of joy."

Hua Che clenched his fists and strode away from Lingxiao Pavilion.

Damn it!!!

He went to Guanghan Pavilion without knocking, barging in directly. "Chu Binghuan!"

Chu Binghuan's herbs he had just dried were blown into the air by the sudden night breeze that came in. "..."

Hua Che stared at him intently, a wicked smirk curling his lips. "Do you dare to compare in the top three of the Ten thousand sect Martial Arts Competition?"

 

Translator: DarNan