Chapter 271 Outer Gate Grand Competition
The night was deep. Shen Qingwu sat cross-legged on his bed, his fingertips gently stroking the jet-black cover of the "Mysterious Heaven Omen Book."
"Xiao Yun... heh, nothing more than an appetizer."
He was immensely pleased with himself. This frame-up not only landed Xiao Yun in prison but also led to Guo Fugui, who had spoken up for Xiao Yun, being ostracized by the other disciples.
Although he couldn't get Xiao Yun expelled from the Sacred Land of Immortal Spirits directly, in his view, it was only a matter of time. After all, once labeled as a "filthy person," Xiao Yun's days in the Outer Gate would only get harder.
"What a pity, what a pity. None of you are even qualified to make me take you seriously."
Shen Qingwu's gaze was deep as his fingers tapped lightly on the book's pages. He had infiltrated the Sacred Land of Immortal Spirits not to contend with these Outer Gate disciples. His goal was far grander than this.
"An Outer Gate disciple? Heh, I, Shen Qingwu, have no intention of climbing up from the bottom step by step."
He sneered and once again opened the "Mysterious Heaven Omen Book." On the jet-black pages, silver text slowly materialized, reflecting a prophecy for the next day.
[On the morrow, a grand competition will be held among the top disciples of the Outer Gate. The daughter of the Holy Lord, Chen Xingcai, will personally attend to observe.]
Shen Qingwu's pupils contracted slightly, and then a flash of wild joy appeared in his eyes.
"Chen Xingcai..."
He whispered the name, his fingertips tightening unconsciously.
The daughter of the supreme Holy Lord behind the Sacred Land of Immortal Spirits, a being rumored to have unparalleled talent and peerless beauty, a person of revered status, was actually coming to watch the Outer Gate disciples' competition?
"Heaven helps me!"
Shen Qingwu closed the book, a brilliant light flashing in his eyes. He had originally intended to secure a foothold in the Outer Gate before making his plans slowly, but now an opportunity had presented itself.
If he could use this chance to attract Chen Xingcai's attention, or even win her favor, why would he need to waste any more time in the Outer Gate?
"The Outer Gate Grand Competition..."
He murmured, a plan for the next day already forming in his mind.
Since he was going to make a move, he would make it a stunning one!
Shen Qingwu slowly closed his eyes, the smile on his lips growing even deeper.
Tomorrow, he would make everyone—including that high and mighty daughter of the Holy Lord—remember his name!
...
The next morning, Yu Wanru stood in the courtyard, facing the rising sun and announced: "Today's morning lesson is cancelled. All new disciples will follow me to observe the grand competition of the top Outer Gate disciples!"
"Great!" A few youths cheered, but only Guo Fugui stood in a corner, looking listless.
Seeing this, Shen Qingwu immediately stepped forward and comforted him in a gentle voice: "Junior Brother Guo, don't be sad. You just misjudged the person..."
Guo Fugui snorted coldly and turned his head away, ignoring him.
Yu Wanru saw this entire scene, and the pity she felt for Shen Qingwu grew—this youth, though he himself had been wronged, was still so considerate of others.
This was immediately followed by a trace of disgust for Guo Fugui's behavior.
The group walked along the bluestone path toward the largest training ground.
The morning dew had not yet dried, and the grass and trees by the path gave off a faint, fresh fragrance.
"Senior Sister Yu," a round-faced youth couldn't help but ask, "Can you tell us about this competition?"
Yu Wanru, who was walking beside them and had been secretly glancing at Shen Qingwu's profile, hastily withdrew her gaze, her cheeks slightly flushed. "This competition is between the four top senior and junior disciples of the Outer Gate. They have all met the promotion standard, and it was already a certainty that they would leave the Outer Gate. However..."
She mysteriously lowered her voice, "Among them is one direct advancement... spot." As she spoke, she pointed meaningfully in the direction of the Immortal Spirit Valley.
"So that is the main point of contention today."
"Could it be... the Inner Gate!" the youths exclaimed in unison, their eyes full of yearning.
"That's right, the Inner Gate!"
Shen Qingwu lowered his head, but the corner of his mouth curled into a disdainful arc.
The Inner Gate? His goal was far beyond that.
Yu Wanru suddenly added mysteriously: "I'll tell you another secret—today, the sect's Holy Maiden, Chen Xingcai, will personally come to observe."
"What?! The Holy Maiden is coming?" The youths erupted.
"Is it that legendary Holy Maiden?"
"Besides her, who else in the Sacred Land of Immortal Spirits could be called the Holy Maiden."
Yu Wanru showed a look of longing, as if that stunning figure appeared before her eyes again—dressed in white whiter than snow, her black hair like a waterfall, her every move carrying an innate immortal charm. Although the Sacred Land of Immortal Spirits had never formally appointed a Holy Maiden, in the hearts of all disciples, that girl of peerless beauty was already the undisputed Holy Maiden.
Another youth asked curiously: "Judging by your look, Senior Sister Yu, you've met the Holy Maiden?"
"I have indeed met the Holy Maiden once."
Speaking of the object of her admiration, Yu Wanru admitted generously, a light shining in her eyes and the corners of her lips lifting unconsciously.
She remembered that evening last year, when the sky was full of sunset clouds. She had been ordered to go to the Immortal Spirit Valley and had accidentally stumbled upon a scene while trespassing on a cliff—
That girl was practicing her sword at the edge of the cliff, the sunset casting a golden rim around her figure.
Her black hair, like a waterfall, swept through the air in graceful arcs along with her sword movements.
Every thrust of her sword carried a soul-stirring rhythm, as if even the spiritual energy of heaven and earth flowed with her sword's momentum.
The most unforgettable moment was when she glanced back. Her clear eyes were brighter than the mountain spring, yet they carried an innate, agile grace.
She still remembered that when she frantically apologized, the Holy Maiden merely gave a slight nod. Not only did she not punish her for trespassing in a forbidden area, but she even encouraged her to cultivate diligently.
That cool, clear voice still echoed in her dreams often.
"Ever since then..." Yu Wanru's cheeks flushed slightly, "I have taken the Holy Maiden as my cultivation goal."
Shen Qingwu watched coldly as Yu Wanru displayed this idol-like infatuation, sneering inwardly.
These mediocre people were merely deceived by appearances.
When his plan succeeded, whatever Holy Maidens or fairy maidens would be nothing more than his playthings.
...
Hey readers! Want to stay 40 chapters ahead of free members? Join our Patreon today! You'll instantly unlock 20 chapters the moment you sign up to start closing that gap.
You'll enjoy 14 new chapters every week. Plus, we have 3 other exciting fics with the same release rate, giving you a massive 42 chapters per week total! Stop waiting and join the adventure now!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
Hey everyone, I really need to be honest with you all. With the recent wave of Patreon cancellations, things have become financially difficult for me, and it's getting harder to keep everything running smoothly. If you've been enjoying the translations and want to support me, please consider joining Patreon—it truly makes a huge difference.
I'm also planning to take on new fics. Just comment the genres or specific titles you want to see translated, and I'll pick them up. If there's a novel or fanfic you believe deserves a proper translation, tell me—I'm open to expanding and giving you more variety.
Your support keeps this work alive. Thank you for sticking with me.