Tianjian Peak.
Si Wanning stared hard at Yun Jin.
Yun Jin blinked innocently in return.
After a long moment, Si Wanning let out a sigh of helplessness. "Junior Sister, have you lost your mind?"
Yun Jin's cultivation method might be unorthodox, and her progress unnaturally fast—
But still, she had only been cultivating for three days. No matter how fast she improved, she was still at the eighth level of Qi Refinement.
Meanwhile, that Senior Brother Chen was already at the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refining, only a step away from Foundation Establishment. He had been holding back his breakthrough, saving up Foundation Establishment Pills in hopes of breaking through in one go.
An Eighth Layer against a Tenth Layer peak?
This… this was suicide!
Yun Jin tilted her head. "Elder Sister, has that Senior Brother Chen cultivated any Earth Grade secret techniques?"
Si Wanning was taken aback, then quickly shook her head. "Forget Qi Refining disciples, even Foundation Establishment ones rarely come into contact with Mystic Grade techniques unless they're exceptionally talented. And even then, it's only exposure, not true mastery. Generally speaking, one must reach at least the Golden Core stage to practice such arts. For those still in Qi Refining , everything hinges on the depth of their spiritual power. Junior Sister, in that regard, you're clearly no match for him."
Yun Jin grinned. "Then it's fine. As long as he doesn't know any."
She currently had two Mystic Grade sword techniques at Proficiency Mastery. Even if her energy was inferior, one strike would be enough to decide the duel.
Si Wanning gaped. "Wait. You're saying… you know Mystic Grade techniques?"
Yun Jin nodded solemnly. "A little. Just a little. Senior Sister, could you lend me a sword for the duel?"
Si Wanning looked even more exasperated. "I don't mind lending you a sword. But Junior Sister... you don't seriously think that just because you watched me and Senior Brother practice for a few days, you've mastered swordsmanship?"
She chuckled at the absurdity, but Yun Jin responded with complete sincerity. "Actually, I think I've kind of got it."
Si Wanning was speechless.
This was Mystic Grade sword art!
If it could be learned just by watching—
Why would anyone need manuals?!
But seeing Yun Jin's confidence, she bit back her doubts. "At least the wager was just a ring. If Little Junior Sister can't bear to part with it, I'll just compensate that Chen guy with spirit stones."
Just then, Yue Zhao walked in with a stormy expression. "I just passed the Law Enforcement Hall and saw a group notarizing a contract. Care to guess what it was about?"
Normally, Si Wanning would argue with Yue Zhao over anything, but his face was so grim that she lost her nerve. "They went too far," she said, bracing herself. "Junior Sister only signed it out of anger."
Yue Zhao's gaze shifted to Yun Jin.
She coughed. "Senior Brother, I do have a chance of winning."
Yue Zhao's eyes narrowed. "Forget the contract. What I want to know is, a few mere Qi Refinement disciples dared to swagger up to Tianjian Peak and leave in one piece? You actually let them walk away unharmed?"
A glint of coldness flickered in his gaze.
He had worked tirelessly for years, carving out a foothold in the Tianxing Sect so that his junior disciples could have a better life.
And now?
Yun Jin had only just joined the sect and was already being bullied at their doorstep. What face did he have left as a senior brother?
Suddenly, Yu Songnian appeared soundlessly in the room. He leaned in and whispered something to Yue Zhao. Only then did Yue Zhao's expression ease a little. He said coldly, "Let them suffer all night. That's barely acceptable."
He glared at Si Wanning. "Reflect on this, Second Junior Sister! You act all fearless, yet you let Little Junior Sister get bullied right in front of you! If not for Third Junior Brother's intervention, they'd have gotten away scot-free!"
Si Wanning nodded meekly—
But inwardly, she protested.
"Junior Sister didn't suffer at all. If only Senior Brother had seen her in action—how she tore into people with words alone. Just her insults were enough to make Ye Danxia turn purple with rage."
Yue Zhao turned to Yun Jin, his demeanor instantly softening. "Little Junior Sister, this duel is unfair. Even with the contract, don't worry—I'll make him cancel it."
Yun Jin observed him with fascination.
"This senior brother… wasn't simple at all."
In her previous life, Lin Ya's first disciple had been known for his cowardice. He died after years of silent suffering, unable to stand up for himself. But the Yue Zhao standing before her was completely different.
Either the rumors were all wrong in her past life, or this Yue Zhao wasn't the same person at all. Thinking back on his words and actions over the past few days, Yun Jin had a sudden thought.
"Was he a transmigrator?"
She had traveled through countless small worlds during her missions, including some modern ones. Yue Zhao's mannerisms were very reminiscent of people from those realms.
"If he was a transmigrator, that would explain everything."
And with someone like him as Senior Brother, perhaps Tianjian Peak wasn't as easy to bully as others assumed.
Smiling sweetly, Yun Jin said, "Senior Brother, I initiated that contract. I know I can win."
Her tone left no room for doubt.
Yue Zhao studied her for a long moment before nodding. "If you're certain, I won't interfere."
"Actually, there's one thing I'd like to ask of you all." Yun Jin looked a bit shy.
"Go ahead," Si Wanning said immediately.
Yun Jin gave an adorable little smile. "It's just... I really like crowds. The more people there are, the stronger I fight. So... could you help me spread the word? The more spectators, the better."
More people = more Emotional Value to harvest.
Silence.
The Tianjian Peak disciples exchanged glances.
How to put this…
Their little junior sister was…
A bit of a show-off?
No, no—
She was just a pure, innocent child!
Children loved attention, right?
Finally, Yue Zhao spoke, his voice strained. "…Fine. I'll handle the publicity."
Over the years, he had built quite a few connections within the Tianxing Sect. Even if most of his influence remained hidden, spreading word discreetly would be easy.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, Senior Sister." Yun Jin beamed. "Just imagining all those people coming to watch tomorrow... it makes me so excited."
Everyone on Tianjian Peak: "..."
Something felt off about their little junior sister.
…Surely, it was just their imagination.
Right?