123 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 123: Lifting Iron Qi Xian Qing remembered a long time ago when she had seen this Black Fox. The Black Fox's fur was still as shiny and lustrous as before. Its large eyes stared intently at Yan Jue. Qi Xian Qing retracted her gaze and looked down at Yan Jue, her eyes as calm as water. In the dim light, the girl's skin appeared snow-white, with a few strands of hair falling over her brow. Seated at the table with relaxed shoulders, her amber eyes were naive and clear. It might be because Yan Jue was simply too likable. After being with Yan Jue, Qi Xian Qing constantly felt an inexplicable sense of crisis. Meng Heng Jun, who was always calm and self-reliant, had never experienced such a feeling. The influence of the celestial spirit on Yan Jue was so immense that all of Yan Jue's attention was given to Qi Xian Qing, completely ignoring the Black Fox at the door. "What's wrong." Yan Jue gently kicked her shin and retorted, "Have you never seen a canine during its mating season?" Qi Xian Qing stepped forward, blocking Yan Jue's view, and leaned down to kiss her. The celestial spirit aura left Yan Jue in a daze, and combined with the qi imbued in Qi Xian Qing's saliva during the kiss, Yan Jue felt weak at the knees. It was all because of this troublesome nine-tailed fox constitution. By the time Yan Jue realized what was happening, she was already in Qi Xian Qing's embrace. Her hands instinctively wrapped around Qi Xian Qing's shoulders. Qi Xian Qing gently placed Yan Jue onto the bed, whispering softly, "Today in the secret realm, you took a piece of paper." "That's the clue to the next material." "Taking that paper means cutting off everyone's chance to obtain the materials that follow." Qi Xian Qing supported herself on either side of Yan Jue, pinching Yan Jue's face lightly. "Why are you so naughty, hmm?" At Qi Xian Qing's words, Yan Jue's lips immediately curled into a smile. "That's because I'm capable." Qi Xian Qing: "What did the paper say?" Yan Jue: "Qi Xian Qing, why should I tell you?" Qi Xian Qing lifted an eyebrow. "Won't tell?" Yan Jue: "Won't tell." Barely had the words left Yan Jue's mouth when a sudden soft numbness spread from her waist, causing her to tense up and curl up like she had been shocked. During the spirit fox's mating season, the body is naturally sensitive. Qi Xian Qing's strength was significant, pinning Yan Jue's hands, causing Yan Jue's face to instantly turn beet red, as fireworks exploded in her mind, leaving it a blank. In the quiet Bingtao Garden, a cry erupted. "Senior Sister...no!!!" Both of Yan Jue's hands were pinned above her head, her waist arching forward as she tried to kick Qi Xian Qing, laughing through gritted teeth, "I just won't tell you." The pressure on her waist didn't cease. Yan Jue's body trembled violently, her head leaning forward to rest against Qi Xian Qing's waist and abdomen. "Qi Xian Qing!!! You’re insufferable!!!" Qi Xian Qing's strength was indeed formidable, holding Yan Jue's hands so tightly that she couldn't move. Qi Xian Qing looked at Yan Jue's condition and was momentarily taken aback. Yan Jue's hairband had come loose, her long, inky hair scattered messily, her slender back rising and falling, her fair face entirely flushed with a faint red, and the long, narrow phoenix eyes misted over, obviously bullied thoroughly. Qi Xian Qing caressed her face, memories flooding back, unable to suppress the wicked thoughts that arose. Qi Xian Qing felt she was indeed too shameless. She could bear it at first, but as time went on, it felt more and more out of control. Qi Xian Qing closed her eyes. She had always considered herself above it all, never expecting to end up like this. Qi Xian Qing: "Ah Jue." Qi Xian Qing lowered her head, her palm slowly sliding down the girl's spine, pinching her gently on the waist. "Tell me." Yan Jue felt like she was on the verge of exploding. — Eventually, Yan Jue did let Qi Xian Qing look at the paper. After all, she couldn't think of anything by herself. The members of Qi Xian Qing's team were all exceptionally talented individuals from the sect. Instead of mulling things over uselessly, it made more sense to form an alliance with Qi Xian Qing's team, as progress might be quicker that way. At least she needed to ensure that Qi Xian Qing's team wouldn't get the next clue first. Qi Xian Qing sat by the window, examining the paper under the candlelight. Yan Jue sat on the bed, swinging her legs. "I tried it, that method doesn't work." Qi Xian Qing: "Today's clue from under the ancient Buddha is not just one." Yan Jue nodded: "Under the ancient Buddha's clues, there's a large Taiji diagram, with a soybean placed on the yin position of the Taiji diagram." Qi Xian Qing: "That might imply the writing is of the yin attribute." Yan Jue was slightly stunned. Qi Xian Qing: "Sun is yang, moon is yin." "I once read in an ancient book that when predecessors ventured into the Secret Realm of No-Desire, in search of the celestial scriptures, they saw a smooth stone tablet." "The stone tablet showed no words during the day, but at night, when a sliver of moonlight shone upon it, letters would appear. I'm not sure." Qi Xian Qing pondered. "If it can't be seen under the sun, perhaps it can be seen under the moon." Yan Jue: "Then let's give it a try." Yan Jue slipped on her shoes and followed Qi Xian Qing to the courtyard of Bingtao Garden. It was a cloudy night, with no moon in the sky. Qi Xian Qing: "We won't see it tonight." Yan Jue yawned, heading back inside, "Anyway, the team competition isn't until the day after; let's not look for now!" Qi Xian Qing: "Are you going to sleep?" Yan Jue's eyes were too heavy to open. "Naturally, I'm going to sleep first." Yan Jue was the first to step inside. Qi Xian Qing followed behind her, deliberately lagging a step. Suddenly, Qi Xian Qing turned her head, and under a nearby peach tree, she saw the sneaky Black Fox watching quietly. The Black Fox had been hiding behind the tree, seemingly waiting for Yan Jue to notice it. But Yan Jue hadn’t seen it as she entered. The Black Fox appeared somewhat disappointed, caught off guard when Qi Xian Qing turned around, her deep, refined peach blossom eyes meeting its gaze. The night was very quiet, with only the faint sound of wind rustling through the peach leaves. Qi Xian Qing, clad in white as pure as snow, walked over slowly and squatted down before it, asking gently, "Are you here to see her?" The Black Fox tilted its head, letting out a confused “whimper,” unsure if it understood Qi Xian Qing. It turned its head, constantly looking in the direction where Yan Jue had disappeared, appearing somewhat regretful. "It would be best not to come looking for her anymore," Qi Xian Qing said, her gaze deep and steady, her peach blossom eyes curving slightly. "She already has someone with her." — The next day arrived quickly. Though the morning mist had yet to completely disperse, the second round of the entertainment tournament had already begun. During the latter half of the Five Dragon Summit, team competitions and entertainment contests were held alternately. Today was the lifting competition. Liang Yi, a man with a robust build, stood out among the crowd. Liang Yi stared at the heavy iron in front of him, his eyes vacant and lifeless. He couldn't bear the failure he had suffered the previous day. Why. Every year he could claim victory in the culinary competition, so why was it that this time he lost to a little girl! The prize for this culinary competition was the Azure Jade Glazed Pot, a treasure Liang Yi had coveted for an entire year. Yet he didn’t obtain it this time! Truly... infuriating! Suddenly, Liang Yi thought of something and felt slightly better. Even though he lost the culinary competition, today was another forte of his. He refused to believe he would lose in the lifting contest! — Yun Zhen, dressed in a pale red gown with golden butterfly embroidery, long hair styled in a captivating feixian bun, her skin white as snow, with a touch of cinnabar between her brows, lounged lazily on the viewing platform, feeling the gloomy gaze from Yan Yue's direction and responding with a light-hearted smile. Yun Zhen had assumed that this round of the entertainment contest would be another series of losses like in previous years. But unexpectedly, the little girl from before had actually turned the tide. This was the first time Yun Zhen had ever won a championship in any event after countless entertainment contests. Thanks to the fact it was an entertainment contest. The entertainment contest didn't impose stringent regulations on the contestants from each sect, allowing Zhu He, a small pig demon, to successfully register. Yan Yue shot her a grudging glance. "This time, you won't be so lucky." "The lifting contest has always been for men, and as far as I know, Yun Zhen, your Flame Shock Sect doesn’t have any capable men." "Rest assured," Yun Zhen snorted lightly, "Yesterday was a pleasant surprise; I won't be competing with you in the lifting contest." Every entertainment contest, the Flame Shock Sect's results were dismal. Winning even a single match left Yun Zhen quite satisfied. Only then did Yan Yue break into a relieved smile. As the competition was about to begin, more and more people gathered in the Five Dragon Plaza. Indeed, looking around, the competition field was filled with muscle-toned, determined men. Many had already removed their outer robes, revealing their muscular physiques, eager to show their skills. Before each participant lay several massive chunks of iron. Each piece was marked with its weight. Three hundred pounds... six hundred pounds... one thousand pounds... Liang Yi swept a glance around but didn’t find anyone he deemed worthy to compete against him. He couldn’t help but let out a faint smile. A melodious bell chimed in the distance. The competition commenced. Suddenly, Liang Yi's pupils constricted. That slender girl from the culinary competition slowly walked onto the stage. The girl wore only a thin, light blue Taoist robe, her long black hair tied up with a ribbon. Draped over her shoulders was a sturdy cloak woven from dry grass. Zhu He took a moment to find her place before the massive chunks of iron. She asked the disciple acting as the judge, "All I need to do is lift these things, right?" The disciple blinked and smiled at her, "Yes, just lift each one in succession. You must hold it for at least ten breaths before moving to the next. If you lift with one hand, you can score extra points." The disciple thought to himself that this little girl was probably just a filler participant from the Flame Shock Sect. After all, not every sect could conveniently find disciples ready for a weightlifting competition, so they were bound to send a few to make up the numbers. Having just finished lifting a one thousand pound weight, Liang Yi was already panting heavily. Despite his reputation as strong as an ox, he needed both hands to lift such a heavy weight, and it had taken him three attempts to hit the ten-breath mark. The judge’s authoritative voice soon rang out, "Flame Shock Sect's disciple, Zhu He, begins the competition." Liang Yi whipped his head around to glare in the girl’s direction, eyes wide with disbelief! No matter how much she could eat, there was no way... no way she could lift something so heavy! Zhu He calmly lifted the three hundred pound iron weight over her head with one hand to start. Then she let the weight drop, grabbed the six hundred pound iron, and lifted it gracefully. Her movements were fluid and elegant, showing no signs of struggle. The ten breaths passed quickly. Liang Yi watched her intently, his eyes red with astonishment. The slender, refined-looking girl slowly approached the largest weight, rubbing her hands together. Zhu He gripped the base of the iron, took a deep breath, and with elegance and ease, lifted it over her head. A wave of excited screams erupted from the viewing platform. The judge was momentarily stunned before hastily noting her score. Zhu He appeared to exert little effort, her expressionless face contrasting with the massive iron she held aloft, sunlight highlighting the subtle muscle definition in her arms. One thousand pounds!!