The Purple Bamboo Forest was now a nightmare for Xiao Lingyun.
It was even more terrifying than a nightmare. She had countless times wondered what kind of powerful figure was behind that incident. Was he at the ninth level of the Xiantian realm? The tenth level? Or even someone beyond the Xiantian realm?
The Biyou Sect might have masters at the ninth or tenth level of the Xiantian realm, but they definitely didn't have any masters beyond the Xiantian realm!
Afterwards, she repeatedly inquired about whether any masters had passed through Bikong City that day. She even went to the inner sect to find her brother, Xiao Longzhen, to inquire in detail about the realm of the mysterious old man in the Biyou Sect.
But the results disappointed her. While there were indeed masters in the Biyou Sect who devoted themselves to cultivation and ignored worldly affairs, they would never easily appear unless the Biyou Sect was in imminent danger.
Nor would she be so bored as to joke with two juniors. While their actions were somewhat despicable, to those old-fashioned people who prioritized cultivation, they were nothing more than childish behavior.
"What did you say?"
Xiao Lingyun's mind was instantly shattered when she heard the words "Purple Bamboo Forest," her eyes practically blazing with anger.
"Haha, it's the Purple Bamboo Forest. My advice to you: next time, go somewhere deserted."
Ming Qi's composure was a stark contrast to Xiao Lingyun's.
Everyone present, especially those from Tianqi Academy, was immediately baffled. The words "Purple Bamboo Forest" were perfectly common. There were even multiple Purple Bamboo Forests within the Biyou Sect's outer sect. Yet, Ming Qi's utterance seemed to strike a chord with Xiao Lingyun.
"You!"
Now it was Xiao Lingyun's turn. She gritted her teeth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Everyone could see that Xiao Lingyun's body was trembling slightly, as if she had been deeply shocked and devastated.
"You regret it now?"
Ming Qi helplessly spread his hands, looking at Xiao Lingyun with a playful gaze.
This woman had brutally tortured Lin Wan to death, and Ming Qi had no affection for her at all. What was wrong with a pretty face? What about a nice figure?
A woman with a heart as vicious as a snake? Even if she was stunningly beautiful, Ming Qi wouldn't even look at her!
"You! I'll kill you!"
Xiao Lingyun was now filled with fear and shame. She felt that she had no secrets left from this unknown boy. Perhaps he wasn't the one behind the events of that day, but that was secondary. The key point was that this unknown boy knew everything that had happened in the Purple Bamboo Forest that day!
At this point, Xiao Lingyun completely lost control. With a flash of her body, her fingers splayed out, she pounced at Ming Qi like a mad beast!
Whoa!
Meng Junyi and the others were surprised, but seeing how Ming Qi had completely enraged Xiao Lingyun with just a few words, causing her to lose control and charge recklessly, their nerves were instantly on edge.
Meng Junyi knew full well that if Xiao Lingyun's attack became a foregone conclusion, she would be disqualified from the Golden Autumn Festival.
Swish!
Without hesitation, everyone in Tianqi Academy jumped to their feet in an instant.
Meng Junyi, Tang Qi, and Yue Qinglong took the lead, taking several steps forward to protect Ming Qi. Behind them, Qiu Ling and the others watched intently.
They were all well aware of the Biyou Sect's rules. As long as Xiao Lingyun launched the first attack at Ming Qi, they could retaliate, but Xiao Lingyun alone would be disqualified from the Golden Autumn Festival.
Xiao Lingyun's fury was so intense that it took only a moment for her to attack. The Qionghua Academy disciples, who had been waiting to watch the show, were stunned. What was going on?
According to the script, Meng Junyi would have been the one to throw the first punch, and then naturally, be knocked down by Senior Sister Lingyun, thus concluding this glorious act of trampling on someone.
But? But, but?
What they saw wasn't Meng Junyi's agitation, but their own Senior Sister's complete turmoil.
What the hell was going on?
For a moment, the Qionghua Academy disciples stared at each other with their mouths open, unable to comprehend the situation.
Failed to force themselves on someone, only to be beaten?
"Lingyun, calm down."
Amidst everyone's astonishment and stunned silence, a figure flashed by like the wind, stopping Xiao Lingyun's hooked claws before she could reach Ming Qi.
"Brother!"
The figure stopped, and Ming Qi had a clear look at the newcomer. He was a somewhat charming man, with delicate features, a reserved aura, and a slender figure. He had inherited the tradition of being born a beautiful woman. If he had been born a woman, he would have been a troublemaker.
Seeing his sister's face flush with rage, Xiao Longzhen patted Xiao Lingyun's shoulder comfortingly and pushed her back a few steps. Then, turning around, his handsome, clear eyes glared at Ming Qi.
Then, as everyone watched, Xiao Longzhen approached Ming Qi, leaned down, and whispered almost in his ear, "If you tell me what happened in Zizhulin, I guarantee you'll be in the top ten of the Talent List."
Top ten!
Yes, the top ten on the Talent List. In previous years, the Talent List only had ten names, and anyone who placed in the top ten at the Golden Autumn Festival would be placed high on the list and receive the sect's focused training.
This year, however, the number of places on the Talent List has increased from ten to fifteen. While the remaining five spots are also outstanding candidates selected from the Golden Autumn Festival, many people subtly consider the top ten on the Talent List to be the outer disciples with the greatest potential.
"Oh? The top ten?"
Ming Qi expressed a look of intense interest.
However, he was also under immense pressure. While others couldn't see it, he could clearly feel the immense pressure exerted upon him by Xiao Longzhen, an elite inner disciple and a master of the Biyou Sect.
When one is within the absolute aura of a master of the Biyou Sect, the pressure is most palpable.
However, Ming Qi wasn't worried at all. As Xiao Longzhen quietly channeled his pressure through his aura, Ming Qi, almost instantly, emanated a force from the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map. It flowed through Ming Qi's body, resisting and dissipating the pressure from Xiao Longzhen.
"Yes, as one of the judges for this Golden Autumn Festival, I'm fully capable of doing so."
Xiao Longzhen wore a charming smile, and combined with his already alluring appearance, he looked even more bewitching.
"I want first place. Can you give it to me?"
Ming Qi responded to Xiao Longzhen's charming smile with a charming smile.
To be fair, Ming Qi's smile was still a little underdeveloped. It was obvious that Xiao Longzhen had been practicing this signature smile for a long time.
"First place isn't an option, but anything else is negotiable."
Xiao Longzhen's expression shifted slightly, but it was fleeting, and only Ming Qi, who was closest to him, noticed.
Ming Qi's mind was as clear as water. Xiao Lingyun was aiming for the top spot this time. Even if Xiao Longzhen had the ability, he would definitely not let anyone else take the top spot.
Besides, Xiao Lingyun had no reason to hide her strength from her own brother. In Xiao Longzhen's view, Ming Qi, a new disciple, earning a spot on the Talent List was pure luck.
But what he hadn't expected was this brat's greed. However, Xiao Longzhen wasn't the type to put his thoughts on show. Although he gnashed his teeth at Ming Qi, he maintained a smile on his face.
Xiao Lingyun had changed very little recently, and as his brother, he naturally noticed, but no matter how he questioned her, he couldn't get anything out of her.
Isn't it a matter of cultivation? Isn't it a matter of personal grudges?
This puzzled Xiao Longzhen, who always prided himself on his shrewdness, so he'd been keeping a close eye on his sister's movements for the past few days.
Just now, when Ming Qi mentioned the three words "Purple Bamboo Forest," Xiao Lingyun's momentary, noticeable freakout made Xiao Longzhen suspect that the Purple Bamboo Forest was most likely the root of his sister's situation.
That's why he'd lowered himself to negotiate privately with Ming Qi. If it weren't for this factor, it's hard to imagine why the master of the Prosperous Palace, an elite inner sect member of the Biyou Sect, would stoop so low as to negotiate with a penniless outer sect disciple.
"That's a difficult situation. We're aiming for first place."
Ming Qi, for his part, completely ignored Xiao Longzhen's suggestion. He used the power of the Mountain and Sea Map to counteract Xiao Longzhen's constant pressure, speaking nonchalantly.
Xiao Longzhen's expression froze again, but then brightened again.
"That's a shame."
After saying that, Xiao Longzhen didn't linger any longer. After pulling Lingyun back to her seat at the Qionghua Court, he strode with the swift gait of a tiger and a dragon towards the judging table.
Over at the Qionghua Court, Dean Sheng Wanfeng seemed to whisper something to Xiao Lingyun again, but the two sides finally stopped arguing.
After a while, the twenty-seven academies participating in the Golden Autumn Festival had basically all arrived, though a few outer disciples from the Tianqi Court seemed to be standing alone.
The academy heads of the other academies had also arrived. If nothing unexpected happened, the Golden Autumn Festival would officially begin soon.
At this point, Ming Qi was starting to get worried. It seemed that Yue Dongqing wasn't very reliable, having been so late at such a crucial moment.
"Hmm?"
As Ming Qi was glancing around, he suddenly caught sight of someone and smiled again.
"Senior Brother Tang, that person is Beichen Academy Master Zong Weiyi."
Tang Qi was just wondering whether he should ask Ming Qi why the mere mention of the Purple Bamboo Forest had sent Xiao Lingyun completely into a rage when Ming Qi tugged at his sleeve and pointed at someone in the distance.
Tang Qi looked up, somewhat bewildered. Sure enough, that was the seat for Beichen Academy. Who else could sit in the Master's chair if not Zong Weiyi?
So, Tang Qi simply nodded, somewhat dazedly, and hummed.
"Hahaha..."
Tang Qi's perfectly normal response caused Ming Qi to burst into exaggerated laughter.