438 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 438: Faces of the Trial On the day the trial began, the grand spectacle left even the native Yao Qing astonished, not to mention Qi Xiu, who had been accustomed to White Mountain for years. Golden Core cultivators hold significant status anywhere, yet in the grand hall of the city lord's mansion, they seemed as common as low-level cultivators thronging the streets, so densely packed they were. "This... this is really like Golden Cores are as common as dogs!" He had initially prided himself on his nearing mid-stage Golden Core advancement, but compared to this, he felt completely ordinary among the crowd. Visitors from the Great Zhou Academy carried themselves with haughty dignity, Jixia City's own cultivators were open and talkative, the Qi Yun Daoist lineage was mostly pure and natural, the Ru Confucians of Mingyang Mountain exuded elegance and poise, the monks and nuns of Nanlin Temple stood firm as pine, and the cultivators of the Beast Taming School were rough and wild. Each group of cultivators who came from all over had their distinct style, without exception, they all seemed to be outstanding individuals. The cultivators from the Outlaw Sect, with eyes sharp as blades, were particularly fierce and ruthless. They bore a resemblance to Chu Wuying's approach, even wearing the same pure black attire, making them stand out as misfits in the grand hall. Aligned in temperament with Qi Xiu were a few island lords from the Outlying Seas. They were all fiercely dominant figures, their every move subtly displaying the bearing of higher-ups. Qi Xiu, comparatively, was a bit more reserved. Most cultivators in the hall appeared youthful. In terms of age, Qi Xiu was among the older batch, and in terms of cultivation, he was only in the lower ranks. Gui Qingkong had yet to appear, and the cultivators participating in the trial were not all present. The early arrivals waited in the grand hall, spontaneously forming small circles, chatting and laughing with comrades or acquaintances, maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere. "I heard this time the trial is based on tokens, not individuals. Many sects handed out their tokens randomly, making it a mixed bag, allowing even any Tom, Dick, or Harry to join!" Chu Wuying, having a personality that disliked socializing, and Qi Xiu, finding no familiar faces, were somewhat isolated in the crowd. However, they soon were recognized by someone who approached them, speaking in a deliberately mocking tone without the use of secret transmission. "Who are you?" Qi Xiu had long cultivated a serenity that wouldn't be ruffled by such provocations. He appraised the young man calmly, dressed in Qi Yun attire, youthful, moderately handsome, with slightly sallow skin. Although he had never seen him before, Qi Xiu had some guesses about his background but asked out of politeness. "I'm Qi Yun's Pei Shuang. Remember my name. One day, I will trample the Chu family and your lackeys underfoot, making you unable to live or die!" Sure enough, he was from the Pei family. Their ancestor hid within Qi Yun Mountain, but their younger generation was quite bold. Pei Shuang's eyes were cold, his words full of venom and hatred, revealing deep resentment towards the Chu family. "Hahaha! No need for such hostility, Brother Pei!" Three more people approached, also of Qi Yun descent. Their eyes repeatedly glanced over Qi Xiu and Chu Wuying. They had more bearing than Pei Shuang, but their eyes still contained palpable hatred and killing intent. "No need to trouble with such nobodies, let's go, someone is looking for you over there!" Unexpectedly, they chose to avoid confrontation, persuading Pei Shuang to leave, sparing Qi Xiu much verbal sparring. "They're from the Gao family," Chu Wuying expressionlessly reminded beside him. Gao family, Pei family—their feud with the Chu family seemed destined to drag on endlessly, seemingly till the end of time. "For all their bluster, we still hold the upper hand. Gao's pulling Pei Shuang away shows they fear clashing with us in public. It's mutual intimidation; pay it no mind..." Just as he said this, "Huh?! Aren't you..." a voice called out from behind. A familiar blue-robed Confucian scholar circled around to face Qi Xiu, trying to recall his name. Qi Xiu recognized him—it was Wang Yongxi, a cultivator from Mingyang Mountain who had once attempted to charge him with murder and robbery in Jixia City's law hall. Both were Foundation Establishment cultivators then, and now they had formed their Golden Cores. "Indeed, it's Qi Xiu. It's been a while, Wang brother." Acknowledging a former acquaintance, Qi Xiu smiled as he greeted him, but received only a disdainful laugh, "Back then, Si Ai's disgrace inadvertently left that murder and robbery case unsolved. You're quite lucky." "Hmph!" What outdated nonsense! Qi Xiu disliked hearing it, "As I've always said, they attacked first, and I defended myself. What crime is there!?" "Alright, alright, I know you won't admit it, and it's not like it can be pursued now..." That guy's tone implied disbelief, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he called over a friend and left directly. "You!" Qi Xiu felt wronged and angry with nowhere to vent it. It was aggravating when someone wouldn't argue with you even when you're innocent. He forcibly suppressed his irritation. Unluckily, more trouble was ahead, as two unmistakable figures, burned into his memory, appeared together before him. "Yuhe..." Chu Wuying gritted his teeth, his hawk-like eyes glaring at the figures. "Bah!" Yuhe, regardless of his own plight, paid no heed to them. Casting a disdainful glance at the murderous Chu Wuying, he found a secluded corner to sit, ignoring everyone else. Shi Yu, on the other hand, had maintained a relatively amicable relationship with Qi Xiu. He also knew Chu Wuying and, avoiding the latter's resentful gaze, nodded slightly towards Qi Xiu before joining Yuhe. "I thought Yuhe had no hope of advancement. Why is he here for the trial?" Chu Wuying seemed unwilling to let it go. "Because he has nothing to lose; he's trying his luck." As someone who once participated in the infant robbery, Qi Xiu bore no significant hatred towards Yuhe. "Just ignore him." He persuaded Chu Wuying not to engage, then closed his eyes to rest. Earlier, the slight conflicts were purposely conducted in normal conversation, easily overheard by the sensitive Golden Core cultivators. Feeling that some attention had shifted towards them, Qi Xiu sincerely wanted to lay low. Confrontation with adversaries here could be quite embarrassing in the city lord's mansion. He aimed for low profile existence, but others seemed bent on thwarting him. A rude soul strike suddenly pummeled into him with great force, causing Qi Xiu's body to tremble and nearly fall. "Who!" He exclaimed through the dizziness, angrily, his omniscient eye trying to locate the assailant. Quickly, he identified the perpetrator, meeting his gaze. Just as he was about to lash out, he realized the robe of the attacker was from the Nan Palace style of Qi South City. "So, they're forcing my hand now..." Understanding their intent, Qi Xiu's determination wilted as he began searching the grand hall for He Yu's presence. (To be continued)