Translator – Misty

Chapter 63: The Struggle for Chief Disciple

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The most anticipated annual competition for the Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards was held today.

The weather was excellent, with clear skies and the sun just rising. The Trial Grounds were already packed with disciples, forming dense layers of people, all eager to witness the event.

“Hey! Have you heard? That Young Master of Crimson Flame, Gu Qingfeng, is also participating in this year’s Chief Disciple contest.”

“This news has been spreading like wildfire for the past two days. I doubt there’s a single person in Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect who hasn’t heard about it. That guy is just too arrogant! He actually claimed that all the Chief Disciples of the Twelve Courtyards are nothing but a bunch of kids and that he could defeat them all in the blink of an eye… Simply outrageous!”

“You can’t say that. Even though that guy surnamed Gu failed his Foundation Establishment, he possesses a mutated body, making his physical body incredibly powerful. Not to mention, he has cultivated the Blazing Thunder Technique to Grand Completion. He even defeated Li Can during the examination! If I recall correctly, Li Can is at the Fourth Stage of Foundation Establishment, ranked twenty-third among the Inner Sect Disciples.”

“Li Can is just Li Can! Compared to the Chief Disciples of the Twelve Courtyards, he is insignificant! Whether it’s in terms of cultivation or immortal arts, he’s far behind. Any one of the Chief Disciples could utterly crush him. That guy surnamed Gu thinks that just because he defeated Li Can, he has the right to challenge the Chief Disciples? How laughable.”

“Many people are saying that he probably can’t accept the reality of failing Foundation Establishment, and it’s messed up his mind. He’s living in a delusion… What a pity for Ouyang Ye.”

“Indeed, it’s a pity. I heard that Daoist Fei Xue has been trying to talk sense into him, and Ouyang Ye still seems to have feelings for him.”

As the crowd was gossiping, a commotion suddenly broke out within the arena. Looking over, they saw a group of seven or eight people entering the Trial Grounds.

Among them were well-known figures of Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, including Yun Hong, Ye Hui, and the two young masters of the Fengying Li Clan, Li Can and Li Sen. Leading them was a man who appeared to be around thirty years old.

This man bore some resemblance to Li Can and Li Sen, but his demeanor was far more imposing. He wore a dark cyan python robe, exuding a cold and gloomy aura—clearly not someone to be trifled with.

Almost everyone present recognized this man—Li Zheng.

The Wind Shadow Li Clan had four young masters studying in Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, known as the Four Geniuses of the Li Clan: Li Sen, Li Can, Li Zheng, and Li Wang.

Li Wang was already famous as a direct disciple of the Nine Peaks, and Li Zheng was no small figure either—he was not only a Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards but also ranked second among them.

More importantly, he had also established a Colorful Spirit Shield.

“I heard Li Zheng has been in seclusion for a year, and not only has his cultivation skyrocketed, but his martial prowess has also improved by leaps and bounds.”

“I’ve heard the same! Apparently, Li Zheng has reached the Ninth Stage of Foundation Establishment, and he has even mastered five martial arts techniques to the Perfection. He’s definitely planning to go all out against Mu Zibai this year.”

“Yeah, Mu Zibai is a swordsmanship expert and has cultivated seven sword techniques to the Perfection Stage, while Li Zheng has honed five martial techniques to the same level after a year of seclusion. These two… they’re absolute monsters.”

“He lost to Mu Zibai last year. I wonder who will come out on top this time.”

“It’s hard to say. Mu Zibai is also at the Ninth Stage of Foundation Establishment, and both of them have Colorful Spirit Shields. Mu Zibai specializes in swordsmanship, while Li Zheng excels in martial arts. It’s difficult to determine who’s stronger.”

As the discussions continued, three more figures entered the Trial Grounds.

These three were also well-known figures in Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, and all were Chief Disciples of the Twelve Courtyards: Huang Yao, Li Qiandong, and leading them was none other than the elegant and distinguished first-ranked Chief Disciple, Mu Zibai.

It is often said that when rivals meet, emotions run high. Though Mu Zibai and Li Zheng were not outright enemies, their rivalry was more intense than any enmity.

One was the first-ranked Chief Disciple, and the other was the second-ranked Chief Disciple. Since joining the sect, Li Zheng had always been overshadowed by Mu Zibai. Seeing Mu Zibai now, he naturally wasn’t pleased.

“Mu Zibai, this year, I will make you step down from your position as first-ranked Chief Disciple!”

“Oh?” Mu Zibai didn’t seem to mind Li Zheng’s provocation, smiling faintly. “Then, I look forward to it.”

“Mu Zibai! Don’t get cocky! My third brother has spent an entire year in seclusion, and his martial arts have improved drastically. This time, he will definitely defeat you!” Li Sen arrogantly declared.

“It’s just five martial arts techniques at the Perfection Stage.” Before Mu Zibai could respond, Huang Yao scoffed, “Zibai has already mastered seven sword techniques to the same level…”

“Huang Yao! When did it become your turn to speak? You’re the weakest among the Chief Disciples of the Twelve Courtyards!”

Though Li Sen’s cultivation wasn’t high, he relied on the power of his clan, so he had no fear of Huang Yao, the weakest among the Chief Disciples.

“Hah! Even if I’m the weakest Chief Disciple, I’m still stronger than you,” Huang Yao sneered. “I heard that not long ago, you were severely injured by a so-called ‘nobody’ in Red Leaf Valley. Later, Li Can tried to avenge you… and got beaten to the point of vomiting blood. What a joke!

“Huang Yao! You’re courting death!”

The incident in Red Leaf Valley was a humiliation to Li Sen. Having it exposed now, how could he not be furious? However, instead of lashing out, he smirked coldly and shouted,

“Don’t think I don’t know—one month ago, the three of you were beaten half to death in a cave dwelling!”

The moment these words left his mouth, Huang Yao’s face twisted in anger, while even Li Qiandong and Mu Zibai’s expressions darkened slightly.

If the Red Leaf Valley incident was an embarrassment for Li Sen, then what happened in the cave dwelling was an even greater disgrace for Mu Zibai, Huang Yao, and Li Qiandong. To keep their humiliation from spreading, they had not only asked Qing Ning to keep it a secret but had also given Huo Yong from the Wind and Fire Sect a lot of benefits. But how did Li Sen find out? Could it be that Huo Yong betrayed them?

“Hah! You think bribing Huo Yong could keep this a secret?”

Li Sen deliberately raised his voice, then turned to the surrounding crowd and declared,

“Everyone probably doesn’t know, but our great first-ranked Chief Disciple, Mu Zibai, along with Li Qiandong and Huang Yao, were beaten black and blue in a cave dwelling last month! They were so ashamed that they spent over a month recovering before daring to return! Hahaha…”

The Trial Grounds erupted into chaos as disciples erupted into murmurs and gasps.

Huang Yao’s face turned livid with rage, his clenched fists trembling as if he wanted to rip Li Sen apart. Li Qiandong’s expression darkened as well—after all, such a disgraceful incident was bound to damage his reputation.

As for Mu Zibai, he maintained his composure, his gaze steady as he spoke in a solemn tone.

“That man was a long-time cultivator, at the Golden Core Stage. Out of respect for him as a senior, I led him into the cave dwelling. But after discovering some resources, he turned greedy and attacked Huang Yao. I had no choice but to intervene… However, his cultivation was too high, and we were not his match. Though we suffered heavy injuries, I eventually used a strategy to trap him inside the cave.”

Mu Zibai was a shrewd man. His words were neither humble nor arrogant, skillfully shifting the story to make himself seem like a courageous and resourceful individual who had the guts to fight a Golden Core cultivator.

Yet, just as he finished speaking, Li Zheng burst into hearty laughter.

“Mu Zibai, oh Mu Zibai, you truly are a master of deception… A Golden Core expert? He tried to rob you of your resources? Hahaha! Huo Yong told me everything—”

His voice turned sharp with mockery as he continued,

“The person who beat you wasn’t even at the Golden Core Stage—he was just a young man! He kicked you all to the ground in one move, making you spit blood all over the place!”

“And you dare say he was the greedy one? It was you three who tried to rob him of his resources, but instead, you got beaten into the dirt! Mu Zibai, you are truly the most shameless person I’ve ever seen!”

Despite his outward composure, Mu Zibai’s fingers twitched slightly, revealing his inner turmoil. However, he quickly steadied himself and responded coldly,

“That was merely Huo Yong deliberately slandering me.”

“Oh? Deliberately slandering you?” Li Zheng smirked. “Shall I call Huo Yong over right now to confront you face-to-face?”

(End of Chapter)