Chapter 82
A gentle breeze drifted across the arena.
Silence followed.
Everyone stared at Luo Buqi standing on the dueling platform, a strange sense of unease creeping into their hearts.
How exactly had his mother told him such a perfectly normal bedtime story?
No.
A better question was how Luo Buqi had managed to interpret it that way.
Meanwhile, Luo Buqi remained frozen in place, looking as though his soul had left his body and wandered off somewhere far away.
Si Nidie quietly tugged at her brother's sleeve. "Brother, did Mother ever tell us bedtime stories when we were little?"
Si Nanren thought back carefully. "No. We slept well and never needed them."
Besides, if anyone had told stories, it probably would have been Father.
Si Nidie immediately let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."
She was genuinely worried she might have been corrupted by bedtime stories too.
Nearby, Shi Xiuxiu listened to their conversation and covered her lips with a smile.
For a brief moment, the faces and voices of her parents surfaced in her mind.
Don't worry, Xiuxiu is doing well now.
Mr. and Mrs. Shi smiled softly before fading from sight.
Shi Xiuxiu lowered her gaze, feeling slightly downcast. When she looked up again, she realized the area around her had become mostly empty. Only a handful of disciples still stood near the arena.
She immediately understood why.
They were wary of the infamous witchcraft of the Southern Border.
Still, Doctor Qin had once told her that medicine and witchcraft shared the same roots. Because of that, Shi Xiuxiu wasn't particularly bothered by their reactions.
Not far away, Nangong Ying puffed out her cheeks indignantly when she saw everyone avoiding Tan Sheng.
"Do they really have to act like this? Fellow Daoist Tan may be from the Southern Frontier, but he hasn't harmed anyone."
Nangong Wen immediately sided with her sister. "Exactly. Fellow Daoist Tan is a good person. He's nothing like the Southern Frontier people described in the rumors. We'll stay here and cheer for him."
Nangong Ying nodded vigorously. "Yes!"
She couldn't expect everyone to stop fearing their benefactor. But she could stay behind and support him.
Watching the scene unfold, Chen Mujian's smile deepened.
Ever since Ying'er woke up, life no longer felt as bleak and colorless as before.
Wen'er's future calamity had been resolved.
The matter between him and the Chen family had also come to an end.
He had returned to the Chen family once before. With the sect's support, he cleared his name, personally killed Chen Lao Er and the others to avenge his biological parents, then walked away without looking back, severing every remaining tie.
He had long grown accustomed to having no family.
Especially when that family had sheltered the murderers of his parents.
There was nothing worth missing.
Thinking of this, Chen Mujian unconsciously turned toward Lou Yuqing.
She was the person he felt most grateful toward.
Swish.
Swish.
Two sharp gazes instantly landed on him.
Chen Mujian: "..."
He awkwardly rubbed his nose and quickly looked away.
He really didn't have any improper thoughts toward Junior Sister Lou.
He was simply expressing gratitude.
Yet somehow the left and right protectors had both emerged at once.
Gu Buqi withdrew his gaze and glanced toward Ling Yunxiao.
A faint displeasure stirred within him.
He hadn't seen his little disciple for a while, yet this brat seemed to have gotten considerably closer to her.
Ling Yunxiao met Gu Buqi's stare.
The two exchanged silent looks for several moments before casually turning their attention back to the arena.
He could clearly sense Gu Buqi's hostility.
The other party obviously didn't want him getting too close to Junior Sister Yuqing.
What puzzled him, however, was that this hostility didn't resemble romantic jealousy.
It felt more like-
A flash of understanding struck his mind.
Like a protective elder becoming dissatisfied after discovering some suspicious man targeting a beloved junior.
"..."
It seemed he had just insulted himself.
Ling Yunxiao silently dismissed the absurd thought.
He was probably overthinking.
After all, the other party looked so young. There shouldn't be any romantic feelings toward Junior Sister Yuqing, who was the same age.
Completely unaware of the subtle battle taking place around her, Lou Yuqing watched the arena with great interest.
[Luo Buqi is terrified of Southern Frontier Gu Masters. The outcome of this match is already obvious.]
Everyone silently agreed.
The moment Luo Buqi heard the words Southern Frontier Gu Master, his combat ability had practically dropped to zero.
Losing was only natural.
Still...
Was the influence of a childhood ghost story really that terrifying?
If Lou Yuqing knew what they were thinking, she would probably explain:
Childhood trauma is no joke. Everyone has weaknesses.
And Luo Buqi's lifelong nemesis just happened to be Southern Frontier sorcerers.
The disciples of the Bailing Sect displayed mixed reactions.
Some sighed in disappointment.
Others were secretly delighted.
Although Luo Buqi's defeat would embarrass the sect, discovering his weakness meant they finally had a chance to beat him.
After all-people outside the sect were competitors.
People inside the sect were competitors too.
Gu Qinghong let out a dismissive scoff.
The disciples of the Bailing Sect were nothing impressive.
To think they had actually been frightened by people from the Southern Frontier.
At this point, he was completely confident he would secure a place in tomorrow's Seven Sects Competition.
Just then, Xiao Siwen's voice sounded beside him.
"If the people of the Bailing Sect are all this cowardly, I don't think they should even bother participating in the competition. They might as well surrender now."
Gu Qinghong nodded approvingly.
"Exactly."
Not far away, Shen Lijun, who had been keeping a close eye on him, immediately sneered.
Hypocrite.
The two of them were standing so far from the arena. They were obviously afraid of Tan Sheng's witchcraft too.
Otherwise, Shen Lijun might actually have believed them.
Meanwhile, on the platform-Tan Sheng gripped the wooden doll in his hand, feeling conflicted.
He had wanted a proper battle.
A decisive victory.
Ideally, he wanted to thoroughly defeat his opponent and resolve the matter once and for all.
Unfortunately, Luo Buqi's repeated breakdowns had left him in an awkward position.
After pondering for a while, Tan Sheng finally spoke. "Luo Buqi, I don't know why you're afraid of Gu Masters, but I promise I won't use Gu against you."
His tone was sincere. "You can relax and fight with your full strength."
After an unknown amount of time, Luo Buqi finally regained his senses.
His expression was incredibly complicated.
The darkness clouding his eyes gradually receded.
"You're really a Gu Master from the Southern Frontier?"
"Absolutely."
Seeing the obvious disbelief on Luo Buqi's face, Tan Sheng sighed.
A moment later, white light flashed around him.
His appearance transformed.
His original Southern Frontier attire emerged beneath the glow.
Numerous delicate silver ornaments adorned his clothing, chiming softly in the wind.
After arriving at the Wendao Sect, he had adapted to local customs and changed into standard blue robes.
That was why everyone had mistaken him for an ordinary disciple of the sect.
Now, however, seeing him dressed in his native clothing, no one doubted his identity any longer.
Wu Fengshu's eyes brightened.
She had to admit that part of her affection for Tan Sheng came from his appearance.
Back then, she had fallen for him at first sight.
Luo Buqi squeezed his eyes shut.
His gaze landed on the tiny wooden doll in Tan Sheng's hand.
After a long pause, he asked cautiously, "If you're not using Gu... are you planning to use a curse?"
Tan Sheng pressed a hand to his forehead. "...Curses aren't as simple as you think."
Luo Buqi immediately took another step backward.
His face was full of vigilance.
"Then what exactly are you planning to do with that little doll?"
Tan Sheng rubbed his temples. "I don't need to explain myself to you."
He looked increasingly exasperated.
"Are we fighting or not?"
Luo Buqi hesitated.
Then hesitated some more.
Finally, he lowered his head.
"I... I'm not fighting anymore."
The moment the words left his mouth, he practically launched himself off the platform as though his backside had caught fire.
Before today, Luo Buqi had never imagined he would voluntarily admit defeat.
But the instant he learned his opponent was a Southern Frontier Gu Master, every ounce of fighting spirit inside him shattered completely.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't gather it back.
Mother!
Luo Buqi nearly cried out in despair.
You've ruined me!
"Luo Buqi."
Tan Sheng's voice turned cold.
"Remember what you promised. You're not allowed to approach Shu'er."
Luo Buqi answered resentfully, "I know!"
The knot in his heart remained tightly wound. As long as it stayed there, he would never know peace.
The one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it.
Mother, you have to save your son.
Turning toward Wu Fengshu, Tan Sheng's voice softened immediately.
"Shu'er, he won't bother you anymore. If he dares break his promise, spread today's events everywhere."
Though it was only his first day meeting Luo Buqi, Tan Sheng could tell this man cared deeply about his reputation.
"Luo Buqi isn't important."
Wu Fengshu's eyes remained fixed on him. A strange light flickered within them.
"Wear this outfit more often." She smiled. "I like it."
Tan Sheng's handsome face instantly turned red.
Shu'er's occasional boldness always left him somewhat overwhelmed.
But he didn't dislike it.
In fact-it wouldn't be wrong to say he enjoyed it very much.
Lou Yuqing: Thanks. I'm full.
The dog food was overflowing.
Just as she was about to close the system panel, her gaze suddenly caught sight of Gu Qinghong and Xiao Siwen within the crowd.
Most disciples were already preparing to leave the arena.
The two of them, however, stood nearby pointing at Luo Buqi while whispering among themselves, making them particularly conspicuous.
Completely unaware that he was being observed, Gu Qinghong sneered after witnessing Luo Buqi surrender.
"It seems the Bailing Sect is seriously lacking in talent."
Xiao Siwen smiled maliciously.
"Who says otherwise? Someone like him can actually participate in the competition? He's bringing shame to the entire sect. If it were me, I'd be too embarrassed to stay."
Shen Lijun curled his lips, ready to retort.
Before he could speak, Lou Yuqing's inner voice rang out.
[How shameless!]
[And what about you?]
[A cultivator stuck in the Qi Refining stage doesn't even qualify to participate in the competition. Yet you're standing here looking down on everyone.]
[What are you supposed to be? Some kind of superhuman?]
Shen Lijun nearly applauded.
Well said!
As the farcical match came to an end, everyone had originally planned to leave.
Then their ears twitched.
They had just heard something interesting.
Instantly, their feet stopped moving.
One by one, they turned toward Gu Qinghong and Xiao Siwen.
Even Luo Buqi stayed.
Hidden among his followers, he secretly peeked over their shoulders.
After all, enjoying a good spectacle was human nature.
More importantly, he desperately hoped this new drama would overshadow his own humiliation.
Otherwise, news of today's disgrace would spread throughout all Seven Sects by tomorrow.
His master definitely wouldn't spare him.
If someone else could steal the spotlight, that would be wonderful.
At that moment, Gu Qinghong suddenly felt several eyes on him.
He looked around suspiciously.
Finding nothing unusual, he frowned.
"What's going on?"
Xiao Siwen heard him muttering and asked with concern, "Brother Qinghong, what's wrong?"
Gu Qinghong shook his head. "Nothing."
Perhaps he was simply imagining things.
Lately, he had been frantically absorbing the medicinal power of the Spirit Gathering Pills to prepare for the Seven Sects Competition.
He had pushed himself to his limits.
Hallucinations weren't impossible.
Thinking about it, he couldn't help feeling grateful toward Senior Sister Shao.
That day, she had personally sought him out and gifted him an entire bottle of high-grade Spirit Gathering Pills free of charge.
After verifying the pills were genuine, he had consumed them without hesitation.
Through later inquiries, he learned a bit about her past.
Senior Sister Shao had once possessed a fiancé she loved deeply. The two had been on the verge of marriage.
Unfortunately, her fiancé died young.
Since then, she had become obsessed with finding men who resembled him.
She gifted them pills.
Magical artifacts.
Various benefits.
Treating them as substitutes.
In short-a stand-in.
Gu Qinghong didn't know how much he resembled the deceased fiancé.
But if being a substitute meant receiving free resources, he didn't mind at all.
Of course, he was keeping his relationship with Senior Sister Shao hidden from Xiao Siwen for the time being.
That woman was troublesome enough already.
At that moment, Gu Buqi's expression suddenly changed.
Those two couldn't hear his little disciple's thoughts.
Which meant-they would continue harboring malicious intentions toward his little disciple!