Chapter 40: The Seven Sects Comparison

Chapter 40: The Seven Sects Comparison

At dawn, a beautiful sight appeared within the Wendao Sect: a large group of disciples rode around on crimson-hoofed spirit pigs, their faces beaming with bright smiles.

Lou Yuqing herself did not expect that after she and her senior sister rode pigs around in public, a trend of riding pigs for travel suddenly emerged.

After recovering from her sprain, she went to the Spirit Beast Garden to rent a Crimson Hoof Spirit Pig, but the disciple on duty told her that "the spirit beasts are all available for rent, so come earlier next time," leaving her completely bewildered.

On the way to the Hall of Law Enforcement, I unexpectedly found Crimson Hoof Spirit Boars running around everywhere: "..."

However, this spectacle did not last more than three days.

It wasn't that the disciples' enthusiasm had waned, but rather that the sect leader had issued a decree ordering rectification in order to create a favorable environment for the upcoming Seven Sects Tournament.

This competition was spearheaded by the Wendao Sect and jointly organized by six major sects: Bailingmen, Yaowanggu, Yunxiaopai, Haotiangong, Xingchenge, and Suyinjiao.

The location was undoubtedly Wendao Sect. When disciples from various sects arrived at the sect, it wouldn't be good to let them see the spirit pigs running around.

Lou Yuqing learned that the competition was divided into two areas: Foundation Establishment Realm and Golden Core Realm. As for Qi Refining Realm and Nascent Soul Realm, one was too low and the other was too high, so they were not included.

However, the higher-ups came up with a unique idea: an exhibition match. The major sects sent their most outstanding Qi Refining disciples to participate as a warm-up before the official start of the competition.

How do we judge who is the most outstanding disciple?

The sect will first hold a selection competition, and only the winners can qualify for the exhibition match.

Today is the selection competition within the Wendao Sect.

Lou Yuqing, pulling Si Nidie and Gu Bugai along, cleverly secured a good vantage point.

Si Nidie whispered, "I heard that after the Seven Sects Tournament ends, the Nascent Soul stage experts from above will come to spar a few times. This is a rare sight."

Although Wendao Sect has a considerable number of Nascent Soul stage cultivators, they rarely appear in public, and most disciples have never seen them all. Some disciples are even less informed and have never even heard of their names.

The disciples rarely witness battles between Nascent Soul cultivators, so having this opportunity is a stroke of luck, and they might even be able to glean some insights from it.

Therefore, Si Nidie was somewhat agitated when she spoke.

Lou Yuqing smiled and said, "That would be perfect."

A thought suddenly crossed her mind, and she couldn't help but think of her master.

Come to think of it, she had never seen her master make a move. He was the most senior and most powerful person in the sect, so his strength must be unfathomable.

Just as her thoughts were racing, the referee's impassioned voice suddenly rang out from the dueling platform: "The competition officially begins! First match: Qu Tianlong versus Ruan Qingzhu!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two disciples flipped onto the dueling platform.

The competition between Qi Refining stage disciples is not so fancy. Due to the limitations of their own cultivation, if they want to use spells with greater destructive power, their own spiritual power will probably not be able to hold up first.

Therefore, after hearing the referee shout "start," Qu Tianlong and Ruan Qingzhu immediately cast instant spells, which, coincidentally, were attacks of the same attribute.

The only difference was the form of their manifestations. Qu Tianlong's magic was a fire snake, while Ruan Qingzhu's was five small fireballs. The two shot out and collided with a bang.

Lou Yuqing heard a loud bang and saw the scene on the dueling platform change.

Ruan Qingzhu took five steps back, clearly shaken by the aftershocks. Neither of them had retreated before, and they had faced each other's attack head-on, which was extremely bold.

Qu Tianlong's expression changed. Although his opponent had retreated, he was not happy because he had retreated a full eight steps, three more than her.

The two exchanged a glance and quickly began their second round of combat. At the same time, the other nine arenas were also filled with magical battles, with smoke rising from the arenas and the light of spells flashing intermittently.

Lou Yuqing occasionally heard cheers and exclamations coming from the nearby arena, which unconsciously heated up the atmosphere and ignited the passion in the disciples' hearts.

A large number of disciples crowded outside the arena, a veritable sea of ​​people, shoulder to shoulder.

Taking into account possible situations, the sect has equipped the medical hall with white-robed physicians and also dispatched disciples from the enforcement hall to guard the area.

Shi Xiuxiu was one of the doctors. She was preoccupied with how to treat the injured, but after watching the match, her heart suddenly started pounding.

Besides medicine, she can also pursue other things—power.

Her master told her that in the cultivation world, the strong are respected, and although they are healers, they cannot neglect their cultivation. She did not feel this deeply.

Through this competition, she understood a lot.

No need for chastity or gentleness.

There is no need to define oneself as defined.

Shi Xiuxiu seemed to have broken free of an invisible chain, revealing a big smile that was full of freedom and unrestrained joy.

Lou Yuqing was surprised when she saw her smile. The shy and gentle woman in her memory seemed to have changed.

However, as long as it's a positive change, there's no problem.

Just then, Si Nidie's communication jade slip lit up.

Lou Yuqing heard Captain Wei's voice coming from the other end: "Xiao Si, I have important business to attend to and need to leave the Enforcement Hall. Go and handle the case. I need to check it when I get back."

"..."

What is the darkest thing in the world?

That is, even though it's a holiday, they have to go to work as volunteers!

Si Nidie looked at the bustling crowd, feeling like crying but unable to. She used to enjoy sitting on the sidelines and watching the excitement when she had nothing to do. Now, karma had come back to bite her.

Captain Wei came to her first when something bad happened.

"Let's go." Si Nidie walked heavily out of the square against the flow of people.

Lou Yuqing and Gu Bugai, as her assistants and disciples, naturally had to go along as well.

The square was some distance from the Hall of Law Enforcement. After an incense stick's time, the three of them arrived just in time, riding on white clouds.

Inside the spacious hall, the law enforcement disciples stood on both sides, their faces serious and their eyes fixed straight ahead, seemingly unaware that Lou Yuqing and the others had entered.

Lou Yuqing looked at the empty main seat and thought to herself that Captain Wei had left quite quickly. Just as she was about to find a seat on the lower left, Si Nidie suddenly pulled her back.

"We'll sit upstairs today!"

Si Nidie shook off her previous gloom, stared at the main seat, and let out a chuckle, giving off a feeling of "when the cat's away, the mice will play."

Lou Yuqing looked at her silently, without saying a word.

Is this really a good idea?

Of course...it's great!

Lou Yuqing couldn't help but smile, but on the surface she declined, saying, "Senior Sister, this seat doesn't look very big. Can the three of us sit here?"

Si Nidie went up and gestured a couple of times: "No problem."

Having said that, he sat down in the middle with an imposing air, his hands on the table, his face solemn, staring sharply at the imaginary "prisoner" in front of him, and shouted: "Why don't you confess the truth!"

Lou Yuqing had a sudden inspiration. She ran downstairs and acted as the "prisoner," shouting, "Your Honor, I will never dare to work overtime again! A holiday should look like a holiday!"

Si Nidie chuckled, her composure broken.

She just wanted to experience Captain Wei's charm, but she didn't expect her junior sister to be even bolder, actually subtly... no, openly implying something about Captain Wei.

However, this is much more interesting.

Si Nidie put away her smile and cooperatively judged, "Not bad, it's good that you understand. Working overtime is not acceptable. Now you are punished by copying the sect rules one hundred times!"

Lou Yuqing bargained: "Let's make a middle ground, fifty times."

Si Nidie remained unyielding: "A thousand times!"

"Wait, let's do it a hundred times."

"Hmph, if you nag again, I'll repeat it ten thousand times!"

Listening to their conversation, Gu Bugai: "..."

If I'm not mistaken, there are quite a few people here.

Can young people act anytime, anywhere?

Gu Bugai was completely baffled. He glanced at the law enforcement disciples in the main hall, their faces showing strange expressions, and some were even suppressing laughter, as if they would burst out laughing at any moment.

Gu Bugai shook his head helplessly, not wanting to argue with the two mischievous girls, and sat down in the lower left seat.

He knew that Wei Houming was so confident in letting go because he knew that he was there to oversee things.

What is Lou Yuqing thinking?

She thought that her senior sister was sitting in the main seat because Captain Wei had personally asked her to temporarily manage affairs, so she didn't have to worry about Captain Wei pursuing the matter.

But it would be somewhat impolite for her to sit there, so she should behave herself.

Lou Yuqing sat next to Gu Bugai.

A while ago, she completed a task involving a real and fake heiress and received a reward of 10,000 gossip points. Now that she's a bit bored, she might as well unlock a big gossip to enjoy.

Thinking of this, Lou Yuqing got excited.

Open the system panel and browse the list of melon owners.

Not a single name I knew.

Lou Yuqing felt that gossip from acquaintances was more appealing, and seeing this, she sighed regretfully. In that case, she would just pick a name that looked good to quench her thirst.

The next moment, a commotion arose outside the main hall.

It appears that someone is pushing and shoving and hurling insults.

Lou Yuqing put down the system, her eyes lighting up; Si Nidie, who was engrossed in reading the jade slip, looked up; the distracted law enforcement disciple instantly straightened his back.

"Who's making a fuss?" Si Nidie imitated Captain Wei's usual manner, raising her voice in a deep tone, sounding three parts serious, three parts solemn, and four parts puzzled.

The outermost disciple brought in the three noisy people: two women and one man, with the man in the middle and the two women on the left and right.

Lou Yuqing glanced around and was surprised to see a familiar figure. She wondered why the woman was there.

The woman on the right had her head down, her long hair obscuring her face and eyes, but one could vaguely make out the red birthmark. She was none other than the girl from the Spirit Beast Garden.

She seemed to notice Lou Yuqing looking her over, and her hands, which were clasped in front of her, tightened, making her appear somewhat uneasy.

The woman on the left was quite beautiful, but her eyes flashed with a cold light, and her face was also very indifferent, exuding an aura that kept people at a distance.

The man in the middle looked at her, hesitant to speak, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say. He pursed his lips, looked at the long-haired girl on his right, and hesitated again.

Lou Yuqing could tell that he really wanted to talk to the two girls, but the problem was—what exactly did you want to say? Could you be more direct?

Si Nidie cleared her throat: "Ahem, what's the matter that's brought to the Hall of Law Enforcement?"

The two women remained silent.

The man gave a wry smile, and instead of answering, asked, "If the disciples have no urgent business, may they leave?"

It seemed like something was inconvenient for them to say.

Si Nidie frowned. This person wasn't telling the truth. The noise they made just now was so loud that it couldn't be faked. Why would they lie to her face?

However, he stubbornly insisted that nothing was wrong, and she couldn't press him for details.

The Enforcement Hall handles cases that are either reported by the parties involved or cases that occur within the sect; this person in front of him is neither.

If we really had to interrogate them, we could actually find reasons—wasn't making a scene in front of the Hall of Law Enforcement considered blatant provocation? Obviously it was.

Si Nidie had no intention of pursuing the matter, thinking to herself that they were lucky. If Captain Wei were here, he probably wouldn't have let them off the hook, and might have even sent them to solitary confinement for a few days.

Just as he was about to wave them away, Lou Yuqing's inner voice suddenly rang out, instantly revealing the identities and relationships of the three people.

[It turns out these two are sisters]

The younger sister is named Nangong Ying, the older sister is named Nangong Wen, and this man is Nangong Wen's partner, named Chen Mujian.

[On one side is his sweetheart, on the other is his sister-in-law. No wonder he looked constipated just now. It's really not appropriate for him to interfere when his sister and sister are having a fight.]

Chen Mujian: ?

Where is he constipated?

Wait, where did that sound come from?

He subconsciously looked at Nangong Wen, only to see her beautiful eyes widen slightly, a crack appearing on her cold expression, revealing shock.

She heard it too.

Chen Mujian then looked at Nangong Ying. He had always maintained a respectful distance from Wen'er's younger sister, but now he disregarded that slight inconvenience and began to scrutinize her expression.

Nangong Ying lowered her head, her face covered by her hair, so he couldn't see anything.

Chen Mujian wanted to ask what had happened, but the next moment he was shocked to find that the words were stuck in his throat and he couldn't say them.

Is this some kind of ghost?!

Nangong Wen received the same treatment as him. He raised his hand and touched his throat in surprise and doubt. Where did this voice come from? It seemed as if it knew everything about their affairs.

She glanced at Nangong Ying beside her, then immediately looked away. Just looking at her made her angry; out of sight, out of mind.

Si Nidie was surprised. She didn't know that Nangong Ying had an older sister. In her memory, when the once-proud young lady first emerged, no one had mentioned Nangong Wen's existence.

The relationship between the two sisters seems a bit delicate now; it's unclear what's involved.

Lou Yuqing was flipping through the system's melons.

[The younger sister, Nangong Ying, was a cultivation prodigy, full of vigor and fame. However, a sudden misfortune struck, and her rising star fell, leaving her devastated.]

[The elder sister, Nangong Wen, had mediocre talent for cultivation and her progress was slow. However, she later encountered a fortuitous opportunity, and her cultivation speed increased by leaps and bounds, making her a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.]

The sisters' circumstances have completely reversed, which is truly heartbreaking.

Nangong Wen showed no joy upon hearing this.

Back then, the younger sister was favored by an outer sect elder of the Wendao Sect, who wanted to bring her back to the sect for training. The younger sister said, "You must take your older sister with you, otherwise I won't go."

Nangong Wen only possesses five spiritual roots, which is what people call pseudo-spiritual roots. For a major sect like Wendao Sect, with her spiritual root aptitude, it would be out of the question.

With her younger sister's help, she successfully entered the Wendao Sect.

However, Nangong Wen did not want to affect her younger sister because of her own reasons, so when she joined the sect, she concealed their sisterly relationship from the outside world, instructed her sister to cultivate diligently, and began a life like an ascetic monk.

After finishing her daily tasks, she would meditate and cultivate. However, after several years, her cultivation level had not improved at all, which made her feel frustrated.

Nangong Wen wasn't one to give up easily. After thinking about it for a few days, she came to a conclusion. While staying within the sect was comfortable, it was also eroding her willpower. It would be better to venture out and try her luck for a better future.

The opportunity soon arrived.

She still remembered that the weather was clear that day, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was on the verge of storm because a large number of demonic beasts had gathered outside Yongding City, forming a beast tide, intending to attack the city.

Upon receiving the distress call from Yongding City, Wendao Sect immediately issued a mission, and many disciples responded, including Nangong Wen.

With her cultivation level, it was actually very dangerous; there was a high chance she wouldn't be able to return.

However, Nangong Wen couldn't help but be tempted by the mission reward: a Meridian Opening Pill, which could expand one's meridians. Every disciple who participated in this mission could receive one for free.

The value of the Meridian Opening Pill is self-evident. It is a valuable item that can accelerate cultivation speed and is usually not available. Its price is extremely high.

She desperately needed this pill.

If she can survive until the mission ends... it's worth the risk for her future cultivation.

Nangong Wen didn't intend to tell her sister, but her sister found out anyway. Before leaving, the two had a huge fight, the worst fight they'd ever had.

She knew, of course, that her sister meant well by sharing her cultivation resources, and she wouldn't refuse her sister's kindness. However, some things couldn't be changed, such as her spiritual root aptitude.

Even with the aid of elixirs for cultivation, the progress of one's cultivation level is still slow.

A surge of anger welled up inside Nangong Wen. She asked herself, "Am I going to keep taking away my sister's resources for cultivation? Am I going to continue being a burden to my sister?"

She didn't want to.

So she went to Yongding City.

Those days are memories she can never erase: the fear of teetering on the brink of death, the despair of fighting alone and being surrounded by monsters, the sorrow of being seriously injured and losing consciousness...

Through the trials of life and death, her cultivation level broke through, although it was only a small realm, but it made her very happy. She had originally come for the Meridian Opening Pill, but she did not expect to have such a pleasant surprise.

Later, she made even greater contributions by discovering that there were spies in Yongding City sabotaging the city's grand formation. She was rewarded with a Cleansing Spirit Pill, as well as various other pills, magical artifacts, and other items.

The Cleansing Pill randomly washes away a cultivator's spiritual roots—it could be one, two, or even three; these possibilities are uncertain.

When Nangong Wen received the Spirit Cleansing Pill, her hands were trembling. For her, even if it meant washing away a spiritual root, it was still an immense opportunity.

After taking the pill, excruciating pain swept over him.

Nangong Wen gritted her teeth and persevered to the end. Fortunately, she washed away two of her spiritual roots and became a cultivator with three spiritual roots, which is what people call true spiritual roots.

She wanted to share this joy with her sister and tell her that her choice was right. However, after returning to the sect, her sister's cultivation was completely ruined, and no matter how she cultivated, her body could not retain spiritual energy.

Even the legendary physician was helpless, and thus sealed Nangong Ying's fate.

Seeing her lively younger sister grow more and more silent each day, Nangong Wen recalled that the last conversation between the two sisters had ended unhappily, and felt her heart breaking with regret.

To cheer her younger sister up, she came up with a plan.

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Author's note: Happy Lunar New Year's Eve!