Zhuang Xiao'er: "Eighth Junior Brother!"

The arrow filled with murderous intent was far more vicious and ruthless than the one that had just killed the demon.

Before Hua Che could react, a dragonbone whip covered with flames descended from the sky, smashing the true essence-conjured arrow to pieces!

Chu Binghuan stood in front of Hua Che, letting the scorching soul whip dangle at his feet, not intending to withdraw it but rather preparing to lash the healer.

However, before Chu Binghuan could act, Mu Rongsa, flying over on his sword from a distance, punched the healer first: "You bastard!"

The punch was powerful, directly knocking the healer out of the sky.

Mu Qinian from the Shangqing Platform, fearing for the healer's life, quickly cast a spell to catch him.

Seeing that the healer wasn't smashed to pieces, Mu Rongsa was particularly disappointed: "Dad, what are you doing!"

Mu Qinian blew his beard and glared: "You brat, stop causing trouble!"

Lu Mingfeng and Xie Wanting stood up one after another, Chu Changfeng also rushed over, and Zhuang Tian, his face pale, flew up. Seeing that Hua Che and the others were safe, he returned, coldly saying to Chu Changfeng: "Master Chu, your esteemed disciple has quite the temper!"

Chu Changfeng hadn't expected this. That healer was indeed a disciple of Yuntian Shuijing, but specifically Mei Cailian's student, whose surname seemed to be Sun. Regardless, he was ultimately Chu Changfeng's disciple. To act so narrow-mindedly in such a grand setting was a disgrace to the sect!

"Rebellious disciple, kneel down immediately!" Chu Changfeng, enraged, and quickly apologized to Zhuang Tian.

Zhuang Tian was unimpressed: "What good is apologizing to me? He wanted to kill my family's Eighth Junior Brother."

Chu Binghuan landed beside them, his expression even darker than Zhuang Tian's.

Chu Binghuan released the Scorching Soul whip, tightly binding the healer. Thunderous anger filled his brow. Although still a young boy, his imposing presence caused many cultivators to shiver in fear, even Mei Cailian felt an inexplicable sense of fright.

Chu Binghuan turned to Lu Mingfeng and Elder Qianyang, saying, "This is a family matter of Yuntian Shuijing, I wouldn't dare trouble the esteemed Shangqing Immortal Sect. I apologize for breaking the rules of the Wanmen Martial Gathering. On behalf of Yuntian Shuijing, I apologize to all the sect leaders for the actions of this forsaken disciple."

The term "forsaken disciple" left everyone stunned. The healer surnamed Sun turned pale and started to cry, "Young master, please forgive me. Don't expel me from the sect. Master, Sect Leader!"

Mei Cailian wanted to speak but hesitated. Chu Changfeng tacitly approved of Chu Binghuan's decision.

The sect leaders whispered among themselves, praising Chu Binghuan for his leadership qualities. Even if Chu Changfeng were gone, Yuntian Shuijing would have a worthy successor.

Elder Qianyang said, "In that case, let’s get back to hunting. There’s still one incense stick’s time left. Don’t fall behind."

Mei Cailian looked at her disciple being dragged away, feeling both defiant and helpless. She glanced at Mu Qinian and coldly said, "It's true that my disciple almost harmed Hua Qingkong with malicious intent. But your son is quite fierce, directly knocking him out of the sky. Luckily, he wasn't seriously injured. Otherwise, it would have been a bloody life lost."

Mu Rongsa, who had been walking slowly, heard everything and retorted, “Madam, that’s not fair! If your disciple hadn’t acted up first, would I have hit him? Who started the trouble? We’re lucky Hua Che doesn’t hold grudges. Otherwise, humph, you’d be in for a hard time!”

Mei Cailian was left speechless, seething with anger.

Chu Binghuan flew back to Hua Che’s side, looking at him anxiously.

“I’m fine,” Hua Che smiled, patting Chu Binghuan’s shoulder reassuringly. “There’s not much time left. Let’s go hunt a few more.”

Chu Binghuan stood still, trying to calm his nerves. He knew how scared he had been earlier!

Unexpectedly, Hua Che returned and said, “Um, thank you.”

His heart, which had just settled, started to race again: “...”

I think you’re trying to make me lose!

*

The second round of hunting ended at dusk.

Hua Che, Chu Binghuan, and Mu Rongsa undoubtedly ranked among the top two hundred, but Wen Yuan's luck was a bit worse, ranking two hundred and ninth, just missing the cut.

What surprised everyone the most was Lin Yan. Despite his low cultivation level, he was exceptionally talented in archery, with almost every arrow hitting its mark, directly ranking one hundred and ninety-nine.

Zhuang Tian was already pleased that they could pass through the first round of illusions. Unexpectedly, each of his disciples performed so well, breaking through the second round of hunting.

If they win just one round in the third round of the martial arts competition—yes, just one round!

Entering the top one hundred among a hundred thousand cultivators, that was truly standing out in the crowd!

The Lingxiao Palace would gain great prestige in the cultivation world! Those four children would have a bright future!

The more Zhuang Tian thought about it, the more excited he became, thanking the ancestral master for his blessings.

He was already satisfied to reach this point. He didn't insist on being in the top one hundred, so that night, he called Hua Che and the others and solemnly instructed them.

"The martial arts competition is one-on-one duels, fair and square, no hidden weapons, no dirty tricks. If you draw a strong opponent, don't force it, admit defeat early if you can't win, and for heaven's sake, don't get injured."

Mu Rongsa: "What should we do to celebrate if we make it to the top three?"

Hua Che: "Take a month off?"

Chu Binghuan: "At most three days."

Mu Rongsa: "Only three days?"

Chu Binghuan: "If you don't work hard when you're young, you'll regret it when you're old."

Mu Rongsa snorted, "I don't care, I want to take our whole family out for sightseeing!"

Lin Yan pondered, "Where should we go?"

Zhuang Tian: "..."

Well, having motivation is good, and being confident enough is also good.

*

At night, Chu Binghuan went to Yuntian Shuijing's temporary residence to find Mei Cailian.

Mei Cailian had been in a bad mood all day, and she didn't have a good expression when she saw her son, saying coldly, "Speak if you have something to say, if not, go back to your master."

This was reverse psychology. As a mother, she naturally hoped her son would spend more time with her.

Chu Binghuan never beat around the bush. Whatever he thought in his mind, he said it out loud, "Is it Mother's idea, Sun Shidi?" (NT: younger disciple of the same master)

Mei Cailian's expression froze, "What are you talking about?"

Chu Binghuan said expressionlessly, "Clever arrangements, manipulating people's hearts, isn't this what Mother is best at?"

"Rude!" Mei Cailian stood up abruptly, her anger staining her fair cheeks with two blushes, "It's been a year, and you've become so insolent! The old saying is indeed true, one becomes like those they associate with, following that third-rate sect leader Zhuang Tian at Lingxiao Palace, did you learn how to confront your mother like this?"

Chu Binghuan’s expression remained unchanged, as he said in a deep voice, "Mother has her own faults, does she need to use such despicable means to secretly attack others? Yuntian Shuijing Jing lost face in public, and Uncle couldn't even show up at the stage. Is this what Mother wanted?"

Mei Cailian opened her mouth.

Chu Binghuan continued to question, "Although Sun Shidi is competitive, he respects his teacher and values righteousness. Mother took advantage of this, instilling in him the idea of ranking in the top three early in the competition. Sun Shidi is afraid of disappointing you, so he can only charge forward despite the risks, harbouring deep hatred towards the cultivators who snatch his prey; and you have told him more than once that Hua Che is of humble origin, the son of a prostitute, shamelessly trying to marry into Yuntian Shuijing, saying that someone like him will ruin Yuntian Shuijing sooner or later."

"I guess Mother pretended to misspeak, saying 'how good it would be if Hua Che died' in front of Sun Shidi, right?"

"In the martial arts competition, swords and blades have no eyes, and some casualties are unavoidable. If Sun Shidi really killed Hua Che, it could be covered up as 'accidental killing'. At that time, Yuntian Shuijing would only need to deal with Sun Shidi, and you Mother would be untainted, and the biggest threat would be removed."

"When people talk about this, they will only say that Uncle failed to discipline properly. You eliminated Hua Che and dealt a blow to Uncle, killing two birds with one stone."

Chu Binghuan's tone was icy, "As you expected, Hua Che snatched Sun Shidi's prey, driving Sun Shidi mad. If there had been no one by Hua Che's side at that moment, your goal would have been achieved!"

A fierce light flashed in Mei Cailian's delicate almond eyes, "Did all this come from Hua Qingkong telling you?"

"Don't slander him," Chu Binghuan retorted, "You are my mother, do you think I wouldn't know your thoughts?"

Mei Cailian was furious, "You still acknowledge that I am your mother! And you dare to question me like this, to accuse me like this?"

"Fine." Chu Binghuan closed his eyes, "Do you dare to swear to the heavens? If what I said is not true, your son Chu Binghuan will be ashes, never to be reincarnated."

"You!" Mei Cailian's face drained of colour, her trembling lips unable to utter a word for a long time.

Chu Binghuan sneered in disappointment, his gaze unwavering, "You think he comes from a humble background and and his character is low, but I see him as a heroic and righteous man, clear-minded amidst filth, pure and unblemished. I want him as my Dao companion, I have made up my mind!"

"In the third round of the competition tomorrow, I don't want to see any filthy things anymore. Mother, if you succeed, it doesn't matter." Chu Binghuan turned away, striding out, leaving behind a cold remark, "He lives, I live; he dies, I die."

 

Translator: DarNan