Early the next morning, Ling Tian woke up bright and early. As the appointed time drew closer, he found himself growing less anxious instead. He stretched comfortably, then got out of bed. Ling Tian stepped into the courtyard and breathed in the faint morning breeze, taking several deep breaths before slowly letting them out.
"It's still early. Min'er and the others probably won't reach Qingyun Peak for quite a while." A pang of longing crossed Ling Tian's heart. He murmured, "There's no rush. I'll communicate with the magical treasures I didn't get to yesterday first."
With that, Ling Tian sat cross-legged and took out the hidden weapons and other items from the day before. There were plenty of them, but he wasn't in a hurry; he slowly communicated with them using his spiritual sense. He didn't know how much time passed before he had communicated with almost all of them. Only the bow and three arrows remained. He had a faint premonition that he would need them today, so he began communicating with them as well. It was easier to communicate with spiritual artifacts, but they already possessed a spirit of their own and required more Mental Power. Before long, Ling Tian was absorbed in communicating with the bow and arrows.
"Whew, I'm exhausted." At last, Ling Tian let out a long breath and wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. His face was so pale it had lost all color.
"I didn't realize it would take so much out of me—or take so long. If I go see Min'er looking like this, she'll probably worry about me again." Ling Tian glanced around and realized two hours had passed. Hua Min'er would probably reach Qingyun Peak soon. But when he saw his own bedraggled appearance, he couldn't help giving a bitter smile.
"I'd better wash up." Ling Tian went to clean himself up.
After a quick wash, Ling Tian changed into a fresh set of clothes. His complexion had improved considerably, and at fourteen or fifteen, he was growing ever more handsome and tall. Satisfied, he gave himself a once-over and left. He was starting to feel pressed for time.
Ling Tian used his movement technique and hurried without pause toward Qingyun Peak.
The square in front of the main hall on Qingyun Peak was usually rather empty, but now it was packed with people. Members of the Qingyun main branch, along with people who had come from the other peaks after hearing the news, filled the square until there was barely room to squeeze in. Shouts and curses rose from the crowd, and people were constantly stepping on one another's feet and bumping shoulders. Yet their excitement showed no sign of fading as they all gazed expectantly toward Qingdie Peak.
Time drifted by at a leisurely pace. At last, several streaks of Mysterious Light shot over from Qingdie Peak. The crowd grew even more excited, with people shrieking and cheering. Green Cloud Master and the other peak masters, who had arrived early at the main hall on Qingyun Peak, couldn't help smiling wryly at the sight. Their own branches would probably be overshadowed by Qingdie Peak for a long time. That was the effect a single genius could have.
A moment later, the streaks of Mysterious Light reached the mountainside of Qingyun Peak. Several figures leapt down and began walking toward the summit.
"She's here! She's here!" some people in the crowd shouted.
"Look! The girl Peak Master Ye is holding hands with must be that genius!" One sharp-eyed person in the crowd was the first to point out Hua Min'er.
"Look at her bearing, so cool and composed, like ice. She really does have the makings of a genius." Someone praised her, their voice thick with envy.
"Hmph, what's so special about that? Her looks are perfectly ordinary. She's not even as pretty as me." A woman's voice rang out. She swayed her hips as she spoke, her words dripping with a mix of coquettishness and jealousy.
"Ugh, ma'am, please stop scaring us." The people around the woman couldn't take it anymore. Looking at her face, which was hardly any better than Dongshi's, they nearly retched.
"You—you..." The woman flew into a rage, but her voice was soon drowned out by the crowd.
"Min'er, don't be nervous. Your master is right beside you." Feeling Hua Min'er's small hand tremble with nerves, Ye Feidie gently squeezed it and softly reassured her.
Hua Min'er took a deep breath. She had never faced a scene like this before. Being surrounded by a crowd made her extremely nervous, and her palms were slick with sweat. But after hearing her master's words and seeing her encouraging gaze, she silently thanked her and steadied herself. "Mm, I understand, Master."
Ye Feidie smiled with satisfaction and continued leading Hua Min'er forward, with several disciples following close behind them.
I wonder if Big Brother Ling Tian has arrived. Is he somewhere in the crowd watching me? Hua Min'er thought, feeling both anticipation and nervousness.
As she wondered, Hua Min'er couldn't help looking toward the crowd. But with so many heads bobbing about, how could she possibly tell whether the person she had longed for day and night was there? A hint of disappointment crossed her face, and she lowered her head.
"What's wrong, Min'er?" Ye Feidie asked, as if sensing the change in Hua Min'er's mood.
Hua Min'er looked up at her master, then hurriedly hid the deep disappointment in her eyes. "N-nothing, Master. I'm just a little nervous."
How could Ye Feidie fail to hear that there was something more behind Hua Min'er's words? Her brows knitted slightly, but Hua Min'er had said nothing was wrong. Knowing how stubborn she was, Ye Feidie realized that asking again would only get the same answer. She could only glance at the disciples behind Hua Min'er, her eyes silently questioning them.
"She hasn't found Ling Tian yet. She's worried he won't come," Yun Ying blurted out under Ye Feidie's stern gaze. The moment the words left her mouth, she remembered that she had promised Hua Min'er not to reveal her relationship with Ling Tian. She looked at Hua Min'er apologetically.
At Yun Ying's words, Ye Feidie's brows furrowed even more. She stared at Hua Min'er and asked, "Min'er, is that true?"
"Master, I, I..." Hua Min'er was at a loss, lowering her head even further.
"Min'er, you are the hope of Qingdie Peak. You mustn't let romantic feelings get in the way of your cultivation." Ye Feidie sighed and spoke to her earnestly.
"Master, I, I know." Hua Min'er was a little flustered, her eyes full of conflict, but she still agreed.
"Alas, think of your parents' revenge. They're counting on you." Looking at Hua Min'er's hesitation, Ye Feidie delivered another heavy blow.
Hua Min'er's expression dimmed, but a moment later, her eyes blazed with hatred. She said sharply, "Master, don't worry. I'll cultivate diligently."
"Mm, that's my good disciple." Ye Feidie nodded in satisfaction and said nothing more.
While Ye Feidie had relaxed somewhat, Hua Min'er's heart was in turmoil. She thought of Ling Tian on one hand and her parents' revenge on the other. But when she remembered Ling Tian's promise to protect her, the scales gradually tipped toward him, and tenderness and longing filled her heart. Of course, she kept this from Ye Feidie. If her master found out, she would probably be furious at her for failing to live up to expectations and launch into another long lecture.
The group spoke in low voices, and the people around them were too far away to hear. A short while later, the master and her disciples reached the square on Qingyun Peak. The crowd tactfully made way for them. Of course, they had no choice but to move aside: under Ye Feidie's murderous glare and the spiritual energy she let out, even the unwilling had to yield. Her cultivation was far above theirs.
"Peak Master Ye, you're rather late," a sharp, caustic voice said, tinged with displeasure.
"Girls have a lot to take care of. Surely Peak Master Huang knows that? Oh, pardon me. I forgot Peak Master Huang is all alone." Ye Feidie gave as good as she got.
"All right. With so many disciples watching, aren't you afraid they'll laugh at you?" A dignified voice rang out as Green Cloud Master lightly reprimanded the two.
"Please forgive me, Sect Master." Huang Se bowed slightly to Green Cloud Master and clasped his fists.
"Sect Master, I'm late. I hope you'll forgive me." Ye Feidie respectfully dipped her head to Green Cloud Master. After all, he was the Sect Master of Qingyun, so she couldn't be too impudent.
"No matter. Take her to the test." Green Cloud Master swept one hand lightly, then looked at Hua Min'er.
"Yes!" everyone answered hastily.
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