Supreme Master - Chapter 61: A Chance Encounter

Translator – Misty

Chapter 61: A Chance Encounter

True to her name, Daoist Fei Xue was as cold and aloof as snow. Her arrogance was unmistakable—when she passed through the crowd, she did not spare a single glance at the disciples around her, as if they were nothing more than worthless trash in her eyes.

Ouyang Ye, however, was different. One of the reasons she was well-liked in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect was her friendly nature. She had no airs of superiority and was always willing to help others. As she arrived, she greeted everyone with a bright smile.

“Disciple.”

Daoist Fei Xue called out in an indifferent tone. “Do not waste time.”

Ouyang Ye responded with an “Oh,” and followed her master into the courtyard.

“Their talents are mediocre. They are destined to be nobodies in this lifetime. Why waste time with them?”

Ouyang Ye pouted. “Master, they are my friends.”

“Friends?” Daoist Fei Xue shook her head, her tone filled with disdain. “They are unworthy of being your friends. Associating with them will only lower your status and burden you. You are destined for greatness, and so must your companions be. Only befriending those of equal standing will benefit your cultivation path.”

Daoist Fei Xue had always been someone who placed personal gain above all else.

Ouyang Ye resented this mindset.

But a master was still a master. Even if she disagreed, she couldn’t openly argue, especially since Daoist Fei Xue had strong ties with her family.

“And that one named Gu,” Daoist Fei Xue continued. “Before your seclusion, you promised me you would sever ties with him. Why was the first thing you did upon leaving to visit the Hidden Spirit Garden?”

Ouyang Ye wanted to protest that Gu Qingfeng was not her romantic interest.

She had tried explaining before, but no matter what she said, Daoist Fei Xue refused to believe her. In fact, the more she defended herself, the more suspicious her master became.

Ouyang Ye worried that Daoist Fei Xue would cause trouble for Gu Qingfeng, so she had reluctantly agreed to sever ties with him.

However, upon leaving seclusion, she had heard surprising news—Gu Qingfeng had become an inner sect disciple. Not only that, but he had defeated Li Can and mastered the Blazing Thunder Technique to Grand Completion. She had gone to the Hidden Spirit Garden to confirm the rumors, but he wasn’t there.

“Disciple, I urge you to abandon your foolish infatuation. Do not entertain such childish fantasies. His failed Foundation Establishment has already doomed him to mediocrity. Even if he has perfected the Blazing Thunder Technique, it changes nothing. Do not be deceived by his victory over Li Can—it was nothing more than an exploit of his mutated failed foundation. Against a Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciple, he would stand no chance.”

“Master, please refrain from saying this. I do not like hearing such things.”

Ouyang Ye didn’t know whether Gu Qingfeng was truly a failure, nor did she care. All she knew was that he had pretended to be the Young Master of Crimson Flame for her sake. And since arriving at the sect, Li Sen and Li Can had caused him trouble, making her feel even more guilty.

“You are still young and inexperienced. When you grow older, you will realize that everything I say is for your own good. You are a chosen one with boundless potential…”

Daoist Fei Xue continued speaking, but Ouyang Ye had already lost interest. She quickened her pace and walked into the great hall.

Inside, many elders were seated, and presiding over the gathering was Elder Ren De.

This old man not only oversaw the inner sect assessments but also managed most of the sect’s trials and competitions, including the Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciple Challenge.

When Daoist Fei Xue entered with Ouyang Ye, Elder Ren De stroked his long white beard and chuckled. “Just now, we were wondering if Miss Ouyang would participate in this year’s Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciple Challenge, and here she is…”

Ouyang Ye was a recognized genius, possessing both Five-Colored Spiritual Roots and a bloodline power. Now, having successfully built a Colorful Foundation, her potential was boundless. From the moment she joined the sect, Daoist Fei Xue had lobbied for her to be directly promoted to a Core Disciple of the Nine Peaks, but Elder Ren De had firmly opposed it.

A strict and impartial man, Elder Ren De believed in fairness. No matter how talented one was, they still had to follow the sect’s rules. Daoist Fei Xue had never forgiven him for this. Now, seeing him again, she coldly remarked:

“My disciple has been qualified to challenge for a Chief Disciple position since last year. She simply refrained from using her bloodline power. This year, she has formed a Colorful Foundation and improved in martial arts, spells, sword techniques, and formations. Even without her bloodline power, claiming a Chief Disciple title will be effortless.”

None of the elders disputed this. They had all seen her last year when, despite only being at the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm, she had defeated a Second Level Foundation Establishment disciple using her seamless combination of four immortal arts.

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside.

The elders turned to see two figures walking into the courtyard.

One was a short, plump man with a chubby face and gleaming bald head.

The other was a tall youth clad in white, casually eating a Red Leaf Demon Fruit, a carefree smile on his face.

Everyone recognized the plump man—Fei Kui, the Grand Enforcer.

And the young man beside him?

Everyone recognized him as well.

Gu Qingfeng.

“Gu… Gu Qingfeng?”

Ouyang Ye was startled. She hadn’t seen him in over a month, yet he seemed completely unchanged.

He was still the same.

Lacking the vigor of youth, instead exuding a calm, almost withered presence.

His smile remained as warm, carefree, and indifferent as ever.

Nothing seemed to have changed, not even his robes—they were still the ones she had picked for him from First Rate Villa.

“Oh? If it isn’t Sister Ouyang. Long time no see.”

Gu Qingfeng squinted, smiled, and upon noticing her, expressed surprise. “You’ve established your foundation? And it’s a Colorful Foundation? Not bad! Not bad! You’ve got potential.”

“You… Why are you here?”

Finishing his Red Leaf Demon Fruit, Gu Qingfeng casually tossed the pit into his storage bag, wiped his mouth, and said with a grin:

“To register for the Chief Disciple Challenge, of course. What else?”

Register for the Chief Disciple Challenge?

Ouyang Ye wondered if she had misheard. And she wasn’t alone—Daoist Fei Xue and Elder Ren De were equally stunned.

“You?” Daoist Fei Xue sneered. “You dare to compete for a Chief Disciple position? With what qualifications?”

“Hmm?” Gu Qingfeng turned to Fei Kui. “Is there some qualification requirement?”

Fei Kui shook his head. “Any inner sect disciple may register for the Chief Disciple Challenge.”

“Oh? By the reaction I thought one had to overcome a tribulation and ascend to immortality first.”

Fei Kui immediately caught on to Gu Qingfeng’s mockery and chuckled. “Well, some people might believe that only immortals are qualified to challenge for Chief Disciple.”

“Fei Kui!”

Daoist Fei Xue’s expression darkened, her voice sharp. “You court death!”

“Not going to lie,” Fei Kui sighed. “Death sounds like a nice change of pace…”

(End of Chapter)