Counter-Wave Ice Firmament (continued)

"Si Huaruo actually challenged the young clan leader at the ancestral worship ceremony. I didn't expect the rumors to be true. But among our generation, only she is qualified to challenge the young clan leader. The others are far too weak. Who do you think has a better chance of winning?"

"Of course it's the young clan leader! Is there even a question? They've faced off before, and the young clan leader has always won. This time will definitely be no exception."

"Although Si Huaruo is also a genius, she is still a little bit inferior to the young clan leader. Alas, the saddest thing for a genius is to be born in the same era as someone even more talented than himself."

Listening to the crowd's discussion, Si Ming stroked his chin and said smugly, "It seems that Si Huaruo's mother did listen to my advice and launched a public opinion offensive. At least she wasn't that stupid. This gives us a better chance of winning."

But before he could even feel happy, he heard strange noises.

"Are you all stupid? Of course, Si Huaruo has a better chance of winning today. What does her past record have to do with today's duel? The young clan leader was seriously injured not long ago and is bedridden. He probably hasn't fully recovered yet, while Si Huaruo has been conserving her energy for many days. One is prepared, and the other is unprepared. Isn't it obvious who will win?"

"That's right. Their mindsets are different. Even if Si Huaruo loses, she won't suffer any loss, since she never had any hope of inheriting the position of clan leader anyway. But if the young clan leader loses, all her previous efforts will be in vain, and she will lose everything. The psychological pressure on the two sides is not on the same level."

"That makes sense. When masters clash, it's all about that split second of inspiration. Previous matches were just minor skirmishes; even if the young clan leader lost, it didn't matter, so she could easily face the challenge. But now, she has to gamble everything. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she can't afford to lose. The two sides are evenly matched and familiar with each other, so the battle of wits becomes crucial. Therefore, the young clan leader is destined to lose today!"

"What the heck?! This logic is completely illogical! How does being unable to lose equate to certain defeat? The greater the pressure, the stronger the motivation? Why don't you consider the possibility of exceeding your usual performance?"

Si Ming sensed something was wrong. This wasn't an online forum where there were "rational neutrals" deliberately contradicting others to assert their presence. In the atmosphere of collective opinion, individual thoughts were easily swayed. Even those with firm wills and unwavering resolve often remained silent. Moreover, such people were extremely rare and could never amount to anything.

The current propaganda offensive, a counterattack and a reckoning, is clearly orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.

"Give up! I won't allow you to use such underhanded tactics on the young lady!"

Si Shuiyun walked to Si Ming's side, snorted twice, and the true culprit's identity was revealed.

"I never expected this! I thought only I would do something like this. You, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, Si Shuiyun, have actually resorted to such despicable acts. Didn't you disbelieve in propaganda?"

"Who said you have thick eyebrows and big eyes!" Si Shuiyun retorted angrily, then added somewhat hesitantly, "I do not believe in your superstitious methods, but just in case, I can't let you have everything you want."

"They actually stole my anti-flag planting technique without telling anyone."

Si Ming stared at Si Shuiyun until she guiltily turned her head away, pretending to look at the scenery, before saying, "I won't hold it against you for now. You haven't forgotten about the important preparations, have you?"

"Don't treat me like you. How could I possibly slack off on the young lady's orders?" Si Shuiyun immediately regained her enthusiasm. "But you mustn't forget the young lady's instructions: you must be decisive in your actions, strike with lightning speed to intimidate the entire scene, and leave no chance for anyone to organize a resistance."

"Don't worry, I've brought full gear. Even a Spirit Transformation expert can be suppressed for a while."

"Alright, alright, stop bragging. Exaggerating will only make people think you're unbelievable."

Si Ming was too lazy to explain. He wasn't bragging. As long as he put on the Vermilion Bird Profound Armor and unleashed his True Qi to fully activate its Profound Armor, combined with the Divine Sight Illusory Observation Art and the Solar Prominence Eruption, he could gain the upper hand against ordinary Spirit Transformation cultivators, although the duration of his advantage might be very short.

On the high platform, Si Jingyu accepted Si Huaruo's challenge, but the two needed to change positions. After all, fighting on the altar and potentially destroying the sacrificial artifacts would be disrespectful to their ancestors.

A group of onlookers, always eager for drama, followed suit and eventually arrived at the western coast of the island, where a lotus pond stretched out. The pond was a vibrant green, with layers upon layers of dense lotus leaves from which delicate lotus blossoms emerged, some colorful, some pure white, like stars surrounding the moon. Some were in full bloom, dancing in the wind, while others were still buds, yet still elegant. Truly, the lotus leaves stretched to the sky, an endless expanse of green, and the lotus blossoms, bathed in sunlight, were a uniquely vibrant red.

The numerous lotus flowers created a faint, delicate fragrance that wafted across the lake, subtle yet refreshing. These lotus flowers surrounded a stone lotus platform, which served as the arena for the martial arts competition.

The stone lotus platform is not large, about twenty meters in diameter. This means that during a fight, it is easy for two people to be pushed off the field. If their lightness skill is not good, they will fall into the water and lose.

Si Jingyue reminded her daughter, who was about to go on stage, "Be careful, don't get hurt."

"In martial arts competitions, injuries are inevitable. Don't worry about it. I know my limits. You've never had a problem before."

"Sigh, I don't know why, but I've had a bad feeling since this morning... Never mind, saying more will only distract you. Anyway, you need to learn to protect yourself. Winning or losing isn't important, and losing isn't a big deal. If necessary, let your cousin win."

"Okay, okay, just relax and watch the show."

Si Jingyu gestured to Si Shuiyun with her eyes to take good care of her mother, then used her lightness skill to leap across the lake, spanning dozens of meters, and step onto the lotus platform.

On the other side, a mother and daughter were also talking, but the atmosphere was completely different.

"Mother, here you go."

Si Huaruo handed the porcelain bottle to Si Huamu, who was startled and her face changed. Fearing that someone would see her, she asked what was in the bottle.

"Couldn't you pay me back after the competition... you didn't eat anything in it!"

Si Huamu weighed the item in her hand and immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Mom, if we win with this, will you really get what you want?"

"What kind of time is this? And you're still throwing a tantrum! Can't you even tell what's important and what's urgent? Now is not the time to argue about fairness. If you miss today, you'll never have another chance to take back the position of clan leader from her!"

Whenever Si Huamu put on a stern face and pretended to be angry, Si Huaruo would back down and avoid eye contact. However, today Si Huaruo did not back down. She even took a step forward and their eyes met.

"Mother, you're the one throwing a tantrum! The position of clan leader is not important at all. Have you even forgotten what you truly want to reclaim?"

The questioning struck at the heart of the matter, Si Huamu felt as if a hidden wound had been exposed, causing her to erupt in anger and embarrassment. "What do you know? You know absolutely nothing..."

"Of course I know!" Si Huaruo pressed her hand to her chest, her voice stern, "Because I'm your daughter!"

Si Huamu stood there, stunned, without saying a word. She suddenly realized that she had never truly understood her daughter.

She never even tried to understand her daughter, always treating her as a tool for revenge.

"I don't need any tricks or schemes. I will win fair and square and prove to the world that your daughter is no less than anyone else's!" Si Huaruo said before turning and leaving.

The resounding declaration seemed to transform into a thunderbolt, exploding in Si Huamu's heart and dispelling the inner demons accumulated from her obsession.

According to clan rules, I should be the next clan leader. Why is it my second sister? From childhood to adulthood, in what way has she surpassed me? With her timid and submissive personality, what qualifications does she have to become the clan leader?

--Because she gave birth to a daughter with the Taiyin Dao Body, which is the same innate constitution as her ancestors, she is destined to cultivate the "Water Moon Precious Mirror" to the Higher Vehicle, and the Water Mirror Manor will be carried forward by her daughter.

--Isn't it ridiculous that a mother's status is elevated by her son's in the Si Clan? I refuse to accept this! I refuse to accept it!