Echo’s voice, rising and falling in cadence, echoed across the broad plaza outside the main hall. The entire Phoenix Roost Peak fell silent in an instant—even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Xue Mengtao slowly released Mu Rong, no longer blocking her.

Mu Rong…… Mu Rong let the sleeve she had rolled up fall back down, folding her hands before her abdomen with a modest smile. No wonder she was the senior sister who could shatter the Enforcement Hall’s barrier—her skill truly surpassed theirs. There was still much to learn!

Inside Phoenix Roost Hall, Seraphine paced forward and stepped outside, looking down upon the crowd in the plaza.

Echo’s gaze met hers through the sea of people. Seraphine curved her lips at her, and Echo’s eyes lit up—she had half a mind to give Seraphine a big thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, the expressions on the faces of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect delegation were absolutely priceless. The followers who’d come along with them instinctively stepped back when they saw Elder Li’s face turning an alarming shade of blue-black, probably terrified he’d draw his sword in a rage and take it out on innocent bystanders.

“Elder Li!” one of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciples shouted indignantly. “The Luanyang Palace is utterly shameless! They have no respect for hierarchy!”

“They’re completely ignoring your authority!”

Elder Li’s face twitched, a vicious gleam flashing in his eyes. He’d been holding back his fury from his encounter with Seraphine, and now some mere Palace disciple dared to show off in front of him? His anger reached a breaking point, but instead of exploding, he went cold and deadly calm.

“Good.” he said slowly. “Very good.”

“You insolent child, you don’t know your place. If I want you dead, do you think anyone here could save you?”

Elder Li raised his hand and unleashed a surge of spiritual energy directly at the three of us. The attack was vicious beyond measure, containing half his Nascent Soul late-stage cultivation—he intended to grind them to dust on the spot.

The pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator rolled out like a tsunami. The impact was so intense that clouds in the sky instantly evaporated, and the Luanyang Palace’s mountain-protecting array began to hum ominously. Elder faces throughout the various peaks changed drastically as they rushed toward Phoenix Roost peak.

Beside Echo, Xue Mengtao and Mu Rong—facing Nascent Soul pressure head-on—went rigid as statues, their faces pale as death. They could only watch helplessly as that lethal spiritual energy surged toward us.

In that moment between life and death, the clear ring of sword song cut through the air.

Bone-deep cold descended instantly. Frost formed beneath everyone’s feet as Elder Li’s pupils contracted. He watched in disbelief as the female cultivator he’d meant to kill calmly drew her sword and, with complete composure, slashed at his spiritual attack.

BOOM!

Sword light collided with spiritual energy. The impact sent everyone staggering backward. Elder Li hastily shielded Xu Zehua in his alarm, while others were blown away by the shockwave. Those with lower cultivation were thrown to the ground, unable to rise, blood streaming from their mouths.

I gave my sword a casual shake and glanced back at the two people cowering behind me.

“Senior sister, don’t worry about us.” Xue Mengtao said immediately. “We’re fine.”

“Oh.” I nodded and blinked.

Seeing Echo hesitant expression, Xue Mengtao and Mu Rong exchanged glances, wondering if their senior sister had something else to say. But Echo already turned back to face the enemy group.

Elder Li’s expression grew serious as he slowly straightened. He stared at Echo with wariness, his mind reeling. He’d assumed she was just some newly admitted disciple who hadn’t even begun proper cultivation—someone he could “mercifully” send to her next reincarnation. Maybe the heavens would take pity and give her decent spiritual roots in the next life, let her join a proper sect.

But he’d never expected she to be hiding her true cultivation level—Nascent Soul middle stage, no less!

And judging by her apparent age…… Elder Li studied Echo’s young, beautiful face, jealousy transforming into suspicion. He knew every Nascent Soul cultivator in the Eastern Continent, but he’d never heard of this girl before. Could she be some ancient monster pretending to be young?

“Despicable!” Elder Li sneered. “Playing tricks, even hiding your cultivation level. What are you trying to conceal?”

“Just who are you?”

I tilted my head slightly, looking at his ear, and said quietly, “Sympathy.”

Outside the great hall, Seraphine stood behind the elders who had come for support. She raised her voice lazily, “Didn’t she already tell you? She’s your ancestor. Elder Li’s getting on in years—his hearing isn’t what it used to be.”

The elders burst into laughter. “Hahaha!”

I joined in: “Hahaha!”

Compared to the others, Echo laugh was very…… audio-package-like. Echo facial expression didn’t even change—She just opened and closed her mouth. Elder Li grew even more convinced that Echo was mocking him. Furious, he started to draw his sword, but Xu Zehua quickly grabbed his arm.

Xu Zehua shook his head at Elder Li, pressing down on his hand, then turned to face Echo. “Last night in Luanyang City, that final spiritual light—that was you!” His tone was certain, recognizing the signature of my spiritual energy.

Xue Mengtao and Mu Rong stared at Echo in shock. This senior sister was like a bright moon incarnate, cold and otherworldly—who could possibly connect her to last night’s declaration of “All of you are trash”?

But then again, that “ancestor” comment just now…… Mu Rong scratched her head. Actually, it wasn’t that hard to believe.

It wasn’t just the two of them. After the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciples and their supporters recognized Echo spiritual signature, their shock quickly turned to blazing anger—they were the “all” who’d been insulted! Meanwhile, the Luanyang Palace disciples lurking around Phoenix Roost peak whispered excitedly among themselves, their opinion of their silver-haired senior sister rising even higher.

That’s our girl!

I felt a little guilty, though my expression remained as blank as a sheet of paper. I thought to myself: These people are here to file a complaint. I really didn’t want to copy out the sect rules as punishment—writing by hand was such a hassle. If only I could just type it into a interface panel.

So I chose the path of golden silence.

Which was basically an admission of guilt.

“It’s her!”

“Elder, young master, she showed complete disrespect for our Crimson Thunder Sword Sect and called us trash!” the disciples cried out in unison. Even the cultivators who’d been knocked down and couldn’t get up managed to gasp out, “Please, Elder Li, you must seek justice for us!”

Elder Li had already been convinced that Seraphine was deliberately deceiving him with ridiculous excuses to brush him off. Now, seeing Echo here, his rage boiled over. He whirled around and shouted at the assembled Luanyang Palace members, “You lying brat! Still claiming this person isn’t one of your disciples!”

Seraphine casually touched the golden hairpin in her hair and replied coolly, “Elder Li, at your decrepit age, if bad hearing is your only problem, that’s manageable. But when you can’t tell right from wrong either—who says that wearing Luanyang Palace disciple robes makes someone a Luanyang Palace disciple? If you put on our disciple robes, would you kneel and call me Palace Lord?”

The elders continued their chorus: “Hahaha!”

The Peak Master of Propriety Central Peak added with a grin, “That’s not impossible. Should we find Elder Li a disciple’s robe? They say old age brings a second youth—Elder Li in Luanyang Palace red might at least make his complexion look younger.”

And thinner-skinned, went unspoken.

“You!” Elder Li sputtered with rage, pointing an accusing finger at Seraphine. “You’re all speaking pure nonsense! This is intolerable!”

“Hah.” Seraphine’s laugh was cold as she fixed Elder Li with an icy stare. She saw clearly the spiritual attack that Elder Li waved at Echo them, it was clear that he wanted to put people to death!

Who was really being intolerable here?

As the person directly involved, I had something to say. I smiled at Seraphine from across the distance and announced in my clear voice, “Seraphine is right. I’m not a Luanyang Palace disciple.”

So don’t make me copy the sect rules.

I brushed off my robes and explained honestly, “I didn’t have clothes to wear. These are borrowed.”

Everyone: “……”

Seraphine: “……Ahem.”

Siyi immediately whispered, “I’ve already sent for the seamstresses.”

Not a Luanyang Palace disciple, and never made a name for herself in the Eastern Continent…… Xu Zehua’s eyes lit up with calculation. He suddenly bowed formally to Echo and declared with a hearty laugh, “Since you are not a Luanyang Palace disciple, you must be here to participate in the Eastern Continent Competition and are staying at the Luanyang Palace as a guest. Last night’s incident was surely all a misunderstanding! I am Xu Zehua, son of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s leader. Our sect has long been prosperous and has even hosted the Eastern Continent Competition before. Why don’t I personally host a banquet in your honor?”

“These red robes are rather unsuitable for someone of your caliber. Our Crimson Thunder Sword Sect is wealthy and powerful—whatever you desire, we can provide immediately. I happen to have a Linglong Jade Robe with me, a ceremonial garment left behind by the Sage Qin Yan before her ascension. Would you be interested?”

Elder Li snorted and turned away. He understood Xu Zehua’s intention to recruit Echo, so he swallowed his anger and stood back to watch coldly, sneering inwardly.

If this girl submitted willingly, fine. But if she refused…… he wouldn’t give the Luanyang Palace the chance to gain another Nascent Soul cultivator!

The Luanyang Palace elders’ faces darkened. While they didn’t know why this Nascent Soul cultivator had appeared at their sect wearing disciple robes, the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect was blatantly trying to poach her right in front of them—a complete lack of respect!

Seraphine calmly waved her hand, signaling everyone to stay calm.

“Just watch.” Seraphine said.

Down in the plaza, I listened to Xu Zehua’s words with some surprise. “Why would you give me clothes? We’re not fighting anymore?”

I was still holding my sword.

Xu Zehua laughed heartily. “As the saying goes, harmony bringing wealth. Elder Li was just momentarily impulsive. If you’re willing to join our Crimson Thunder Sword Sect, we’ll all be working together in the future—no more misunderstandings.”

“It’s better to fight.” I decided. This person talked too much, and I was getting tired of listening to him.

I looked past Xu Zehua to Elder Li behind him and said matter-of-factly, “You tried to kill me just now. Now I’m going to kill you.”

Echo raised her long lashes, and her clear eyes fixed on Elder Li like she was looking at a roadside stone or a weed—completely devoid of emotion.

Even though her radiated no killing intent, even though her tone hadn’t changed from before, that cold indifference made Elder Li’s heart skip a beat, pounding frantically. He could tell she was serious. This person genuinely intended to kill him!

“Fine.” Elder Li said slowly.

He was Nascent Soul late-stage—why should he fear Nascent Soul middle-stage?

Xu Zehua’s face showed genuine anxiety. “Elder, you mustn’t be impulsive! You’re here to protect me, and we still need to discuss important matters with the people from Insight Academy Palace!”

Elder Li frowned and pushed Xu Zehua aside. After he killed this person, everyone would see the might of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect—who would dare refuse to negotiate with them then?

Xu Zehua looked between Echo and Elder Li, his expression conflicted.

He turned to Echo. “Think carefully. Elder Li is famous throughout the land with profound cultivation. Why seek your own death? Join the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect instead, and I’ll have my father grant you elder status!”

I thought about whether they really wanted to fight. Oh, a butterfly just flew by! My eyes immediately tracked the fluttering creature.

Outside the main hall, Seraphine curved her lips into a smile and called out teasingly, “What’s wrong? Getting scared?”

Knowing it was provocation, Elder Li still had to take the bait. He sneered, “Who’s scared? It’s just as well to return even that lesson to you, and let you all see what happens when you run your mouths!”

“Excellent.” Seraphine’s smile deepened. She walked forward from the crowd to take center stage, her voice carrying across the entire Luanyang Palace and Luanyang City.

“Today, a disciple of the Lingshan Sect challenges the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect Elder to mortal combat on the Eastern Continent Competition stage! Regardless of who lives or dies today, there shall be no retribution! As Palace Lord of the Luanyang Palace, I invite all fellow daoists in the city to witness this battle. Flying is permitted in Luanyang City today—please proceed to the arena!”

As soon as Seraphine finished speaking, lights blazed throughout the city. Various flying artifacts carried disciples from different sects toward the competition grounds like a vast meteor shower.

The Luanyang Palace disciples watching from below couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a spectacular sight!”

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go! If we’re late, there won’t be any good spots left!”

In the plaza, Xu Zehua was shocked by Seraphine’s sudden maneuver. He gritted his teeth and hissed at Elder Li, “This fight can only be won, not lost!”

Losing would mean losing face for the entire Crimson Thunder Sword Sect!

Last night, his spiritual light was shattered by Echo, countless people had probably mocked him in private. If they lost this battle too, the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect would be completely humiliated. How could he face his father?

Heh, if this was how it would end, why bother trying to win that woman over? Probably got distracted by her beauty. Elder Li sneered inwardly, then said with open disdain, “Rest assured, young master.”

Behind them, a Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciple whispered, “But why is Seraphine so eager to arrange this death match? And what sect is this ‘Lingshan’? Could there be some trick?”

“What’s to fear? It’s probably just a made-up sect name. Win or lose, it doesn’t reflect on the Luanyang Palace. Seraphine’s mind is truly devious! That cultivator is only Nascent Soul middle-stage—definitely no match for Elder Li!”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Xu Zehua stared at the stunning Palace Lord on the high platform, remembering his humiliation in the great hall and how Echo’d completely ignored his enthusiastic invitation. His thoughts twisted darkly. “What trick could there be? Seraphine is probably just jealous of that Lingshan disciple’s beauty—she wants to remain the Eastern Continent’s most beautiful woman! Elder Li, if that person proves no match for you and begs for mercy, please show restraint. Just cripple her cultivation—don’t let Seraphine’s scheme succeed!”

Is it about not letting Seraphine succeed, or about satisfying yourself?

Elder Li’s mouth twitched, but he gave a perfunctory agreement and led his entourage toward the arena with great fanfare.

I needed to get to the arena too. I clumsily sheathed my sword and waved at Seraphine from across the distance. She nodded and tilted her head toward the arena.

Go play.

I was going to teach the bad guys a lesson for Seraphine! I really wanted to sparkle with excitement as I asked Xue Mengtao and Mu Rong to guide me to the arena.

The peak masters and elders of the Luanyang Palace watched our retreating figures with some concern. Siyi glanced at Seraphine’s expression and felt reassured, then asked tentatively, “Palace Lord, the Eastern Continent Competition hasn’t officially begun yet, and this is a death match between two Nascent Soul cultivators. Such a rare battle—should we be charging an entry fee?”

As her words fell, everyone turned to look at Siyi’s smiling face in pointed silence.

That’s why you’re the Palace’s chief administrator.

“No need for that.” Seraphine said, her mind working quickly. “I have a better idea.”

The competition arena had been closed before this, but at Seraphine’s word, all the city’s cultivators rushed there.

Mountain peaks of varying heights formed natural separations between multiple arenas, with all the smaller arenas surrounding one towering peak that stretched into the clouds. The great mountain was covered with countless viewing platforms. Early arrivals claimed the platforms with the best views, while latecomers had to settle for the nearby smaller peaks.

Everywhere you looked, people were packed together, faces bright with excitement—it was quite the festival atmosphere.

The Luanyang Palace members arrived and took their seats in a viewing platform draped with gold and red curtains. After Seraphine sat down, she repeated the rules of the death match for everyone to hear. The confused spectators buzzed with discussion, wondering what kind of grudge could require a life-or-death duel.

Elder Li drew his sword and stepped onto the battle platform. Someone recognized him and exclaimed in shock, “The Palace Lord only said it was a Crimson Thunder Sword Sect Elder, but I didn’t expect it to be Li Wuhe! He’s Nascent Soul late-stage, and I heard he’s been with the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect since its founding—he’s one of their pillars!”

“No wonder he looks so different just standing there! This is the aura of a Nascent Soul late-stage powerhouse!”

“Lingshan Sect? Never heard of it!”

Behind the curtains of the viewing platform, Seraphine suddenly rose and walked to the front, looking down with interest.

A silver-haired woman approached at an unhurried pace. The moment she entered the crowd’s line of sight, everyone fell silent, staring at her face in stunned amazement. For a moment, the only sound in the entire arena was the soft chiming of the jade bells on her sash.

I stepped across from Li Wuhe and pinched at my clothes, staring straight ahead. Very quietly, I said, “Nervous.”

So many humans! All watching me!

With cultivators’ enhanced senses, Li Wuhe heard me clearly. He mocked, “You can still surrender now.”

Before I could respond, a pink figure flashed down beside the arena, moving with the speed of someone afraid others might back out. She threw out a jade token that flew toward the platform and embedded itself in the formation array. The entire arena blazed with light, raising a protective barrier.

It was Siyi. She announced loudly, “Since this is a death match, it ends only in death! All previous grievances between the two sects shall be settled with this battle, and neither side’s disciples may pursue further conflict. With all cultivators present as witnesses, let the battle begin!”

She tossed out several more jade stones that landed at various points around the platform.

In the viewing stands, people finally snapped out of their daze at the Lingshan disciple’s beauty and couldn’t help but murmur, “How could someone so……”

“Such an exquisite face—is she really going to perish here?”

“What unresolvable hatred requires a death match?”

Amid the sympathetic murmurs, I drew my sword again and casually tossed the scabbard aside.

Clack.

It was in the way.

Seraphine: “……”

Li Wuhe: “……”

Spectators: “……”

And some unknown cultivators shouted in panic: “Beloved!”

I gave my sword a little shake and looked at Li Wuhe. “Actually, I said something wrong earlier. I want to take it back.”

“I shouldn’t have said I was your ancestor.”

“Hah! It’s too late for regrets now!” Li Wuhe sneered. “I want you dead!”

I wasn’t trying to apologize—I hadn’t done anything wrong.

I raised my sword, and Nine Heavens gleamed with cold light. Ice-cold spiritual energy spread outward, and white snow began to fall around me. The pristine flakes kissed my silver hair as I lifted my gaze to Li Wuhe and said softly, “I heard the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect are turtle grandsons. I don’t want to be the ancestor of turtle grandsons.”

The barrier wouldn’t block sound from the platform, so Echo words reached every ear in the arena.

The crowd erupted. Li Wuhe’s face flushed red with rage. His sword called down heavenly thunder, the rumbling like his own furious roar echoing through the barrier. Most of the spectators were seeing Nascent Soul cultivators fight for the first time, and they watched in terror as the barrier seemed to shake and tremble, ready to shatter at any moment.

Thunder fell mercilessly, hundreds of lightning bolts racing toward the devastatingly beautiful woman across from him. Some tender-hearted spectators couldn’t bear to watch and squeezed their eyes shut, but the gasps around them grew even louder, forcing them to look again.

North wind sweeps the white grass, heaven and earth lose their color!

Vast expanses of snow whirled wildly through the barrier like a rampaging ice giant, howling as it crashed into the lightning. You didn’t need to be inside to feel the bone-deep cold. Each delicate snowflake wasn’t the gentle thing from poets’ verses, but a merciless blade, carrying sword intent that carved across heaven and earth like ink on a scroll.

Thunder became a death cry, ice became desolation. The lightning seemed frozen by the snow, and in moments the entire arena was buried under thick, pristine white.

“Nascent Soul!” Countless spectators leaped to their feet, staring at the serene figure in the blizzard.

Compared to the observers, Li Wuhe was the one truly panicking. His hair stood on end—not from the arctic environment, but from the realization: “You’re not just Nascent Soul middle-stage!”

Earlier, when this person effortlessly deflected his half-strength attack, and now when he’d used his full power only to watch this Lingshan Sect disciple respond with such ease—this couldn’t possibly be Nascent Soul middle-stage!

“You deliberately concealed your cultivation to trap me!” Li Wuhe shouted.

Why did fighting require so much talking?

I frowned and simply said, “I am Nascent Soul middle-stage.”

It was just that in this world, there were vast differences between Nascent Soul cultivators, and between middle-stage and middle-stage. Those who thought high cultivation gave them the right to do whatever they wanted were far too arrogant.

I was a humble system. Humble systems weren’t afraid of improvement.

BOOM!

Frost filled the sky, and the world became a vast white expanse.

Seraphine gazed out at the blizzard, watching the red robes dancing in the snow. “Tsh”, She clicked her tongue softly. “I should have bought some proper clothes last night.” She murmured to herself. The dignified Lingshan Sword Venerable, making her first public appearance in Luanyang Palace disciple robes…… well, it works.

She rested her chin on her hand, watching the battle unfold. A small dragon the length of her forearm slowly, slowly poked its head under the curtain, and a lazy voice drifted down from above.

“Where did she learn that?”

Error froze, lifting it blue eyes and pretending not to understand. Seraphine looked down at it, speaking slowly: “Turtle grandsons?”

Error: “……”

Error flopped onto its back, belly up, and rolled around before producing a single sound: “Quack!”

On the arena platform, Li Wuhe’s heart grew as cold as the air around him. At first, he’d been able to trade blows with the female cultivator evenly, but then he noticed her sword energy growing sharper and sharper, her techniques becoming more and more effortless, her attacks faster and faster. Initially, Li Wuhe had even sensed an odd awkwardness in her swordwork, but now that awkwardness was gone. It was as if…… as if the entire battle had been her way of getting familiar with her techniques.

The absurd thought made Li Wuhe laugh bitterly, then burst into full laughter. He was already at a severe disadvantage, with his thunder cowering beneath the ice and cold. Soon he would join his defeated lightning, offering his life to this blizzard as the final handful of dirt on his grave.

He was second only to the sect leader in the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect, a powerhouse even in the Eastern Continent. He’d thought himself invincible, able to do as he pleased, but in the end, he’d made one miscalculation and checkmated himself.

Li Wuhe’s mental defenses crumbled, and along with them, his sword intent collapsed into complete retreat.

Below the platform, Xu Zehua’s initial confidence had turned to terror in the swirling snow. Anyone with eyes could see how this death match would end. He jumped up in panic, shouting, “We surrender! We’re not fighting anymore! Let Elder Li out!”

Li Wuhe was one of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s great fighters. If he died here, how would Xu Zehua explain it to his father or the other elders? But aside from the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciples, who cared about his desperate shouting?

On the platform, the wind and snow gradually subsided. I walked toward Li Wuhe, who knelt on the ground. His face was pale, his entire body showing that blue-white color of someone whose blood had frozen. He knew he couldn’t beg for mercy—if their positions were reversed, he would never let the loser leave alive. After all, he was really trying to kill this person before.

But there was one thing—

Li Wuhe struggled to lift his head, looking at the woman who remained perfectly calm even in victory. “May I ask your name?” he whispered.

“Xi LingRen.” I replied.

“……” Li Wuhe gave a desolate laugh and let his sword fall to the ground. As the flash of sword light descended, he closed his eyes, thinking: Even facing death, she gives me a false name. How pitiful my end is.

The death match was over. The jade tokens fell and the barrier opened.

The bone-chilling frost spread outward, carrying sword intent with it. The spectators who’d been ready to cheer after such an intense battle felt the desolate energy wash over them, freezing their words before they could leave their mouths. Everyone shivered and fell silent.

In the eerie quiet, applause echoed from the high viewing platform. I quickly looked up and waved toward the gold and red curtains, breaking into a smile.

Seraphine didn’t lower her voice, laughing openly as she praised me: “Well done! You’ve opened my eyes.”

Being praised made me want to sparkle again. I relaxed and started poking around in the snow with my sword. I’d thrown the scabbard so carelessly—where had it gone?

Someone in the crowd laughed, and more laughter followed.

“She looked so different when she first appeared—that’s the aura of a Nascent Soul powerhouse!” someone declared. The cultivators around him looked puzzled, feeling like they’d heard this somewhere before.

The laughter belonged to others, but the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect members were devastated by the loss of a Nascent Soul late-stage expert. Xu Zehua especially wanted to jump up and shout at everyone to shut up, but those gleaming ice crystals kept hitting his face, and he suppressed his terror, randomly grabbing a disciple and shoving him forward. “Go collect Elder Li’s body!” he snarled.

The disciple looked at the female cultivator poking around in the snow, even building a little snowman, and his knees went weak. He dropped to the ground immediately.

Finally, I found my scabbard and sighed with relief, quickly sheathing my sword.

Nine Heavens was very sharp!

As I stood up, I met Xu Zehua’s eyes from below the platform.

Four gazes locked, and Xu Zehua’s knees nearly buckled—he barely managed to stay upright.

“Ah!” I smacked my forehead and said to Xu Zehua, “That person said everyone below him was trash. Now that he lost to me, I guess everyone below me is trash. Between you and him, who’s stronger?”

Looking at Echo face again, all of Xu Zehua’s secret lustful thoughts evaporated, leaving only fear and panic. Terrified that Echo might drag him up for another death match, he immediately lowered his head. “I’m weaker.” he said, humiliated.

I tilted my head, staring at Xu Zehua. “Hmm?”

Xu Zehua glared hatefully at the ground. A bit of snow blown down from the platform landed on his shoe. Through gritted teeth, he forced out three words: “I am trash.”

Then he turned and fled without looking back.

The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect supporters covered their faces and scattered like birds. I watched their retreating figures, thinking: They’re leaving already?

I raised my hand and waved goodbye. As I turned to look for Seraphine, a spirit boat flew in from the sky, carrying a white-robed woman holding a long scroll.

She bowed from the boat, greeting everyone with a gentle, measured voice: “I am Lanzhi from Insight Academy Palace, here to oversee the Eastern Continent Competition. If there are any oversights, please offer your guidance, Fellow Daoist.”

Everyone was surprised—the Insight Academy Palace people had arrived so quickly! All eyes turned to look.

Seraphine pushed aside the curtain, curious about Lanzhi.

Lanzhi stepped down from her boat onto the platform. She was beautiful with an otherworldly temperament, like an orchid in a remote valley. A long jade pendant hung at her waist, inscribed with: Dawn hears the Way, dusk hones the will.

“Hello.” I said, curiously eyeing the scroll in her hands.

Lanzhi bowed to Echo. “I witnessed your battle. Please test your spiritual bone.” She produced a Blue Jade Bead and offered it to Echo.

The moment the Blue Jade Bead touched Echo’s palm, it blazed with brilliant light. Lanzhi gasped and covered her mouth in amazement. “As expected.” she murmured, taking back the bead and handing Echo a jade token instead. The token bore the same eight characters as her pendant.

Dawn hears the Way, dusk hones the will.

I pinched the token, examining it.

“Despite your young age, you’ve already reached Nascent Soul middle-stage.” Lanzhi said. “Such talent is rare in the world, with limitless potential. There’s no need for further competition.” The implication was clear: I didn’t need to participate in the Eastern Continent Competition—I was directly selected for the second round!

On the high platform, Seraphine blinked in surprise, looking at the token in Echo hand.

The spectators who were still recovering from the previous battle felt their shock mix with a sense of inevitability as they stared at Echo token.

After all…… she just killed a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator! And according to the Insight Academy Palace woman, she was much younger than the three-hundred-year age limit! Rare talent indeed……

Gazes mixed with envy, jealousy, and admiration all focused on Echo and the token in her hand.

Of the tens of thousands who’d come to the Luanyang Palace to compete, only five hundred would be selected. Now there were only four hundred and ninety-nine spots left!

I was thinking that I wasn’t actually that young, was I?

“I—”

“Ahem.” From the high platform, Seraphine cleared her throat softly. “Put the token away quickly.”

“Oh!” I nodded, thanked Lanzhi, and casually tucked the token into my sleeve. Then I said goodbye and flew off hastily toward a particular spot I’d noticed.

I vanished into the mountains in an instant, leaving everyone looking at each other in confusion. Siyi smiled knowingly and discreetly collected the recording stones from around the platform into her storage ring, then said to Lanzhi, “I’m Elder Siyi of the Luanyang Palace. Please come with me, fairy.”

The Insight Academy Palace representative left, and the main character of the battle had “departed” as well. The spectators scratched their heads, discussing the fight they’d just witnessed and anticipating the upcoming competition, reluctantly dispersing.

Only Seraphine remained on the viewing platform, sitting on her soft couch and studying Error from every angle. The little dragon twisted and turned, chirping and somehow managing to tie itself in a knot.

The surroundings gradually grew quiet, until a familiar voice called from afar.

Echo landed outside the platform, lifted the curtain, and ran inside, holding out a flowering branch to Seraphine.

The red blossom had unfurled its heart, layers of petals overlapping in a lavish bloom.

“Seraphine!” I said happily, “I brought you back a gift!”

[Author’s Note]:

Work Log …

Born as a system, I keep my word.

(Promised to bring Seraphine a gift!)

Human should be like that, too.