Champion

Today, the misty rain drifted over Bixue Peak, a thousand threads of sorrow, endless like silk threads stretching far into the distance.

Mei He held up an oil-paper umbrella with thirty-two bamboo ribs, shielding herself from the gentle drizzle outside.

Below, the disciples gathered to watch the competition.

Mei He looked at her disciples with satisfaction and spoke loudly, "Today marks the final match of the martial arts trial. Mei wishes all of you success in coming out on top."

The disciples answered in unison, "We will give our best effort, and will not disappoint the Sect Leader's expectations."

The excitement was all with the outer sect disciples, while the inner sect disciples, seeing the duo standing together, one in white, the other in purple, had already lost heart.

Zhuang Fei felt somewhat regretful. "If I had known they would team up, I should have focused more on preparing for the written exam."

Mo Yan shook a bamboo slip from her tube, reading the words "Great Danger" on it, then sighed, "Who wouldn't feel the same? If I had another chance, I'd tell myself to study hard."

...

Mei He set up a chess game on the edge of the ring. With her left hand holding the black pieces and her right hand the white, she frowned as she played.

For her, being impartial was not difficult.

She didn't favor one hand over the other, but the white pieces always ended up losing to the black pieces. There was no mystery behind it; it was simply because the black pieces made the first move.

Thus, the order of moves was crucial in this game. Bai Yushuang had already made her move, and now Mei He had no choice but to follow.

She picked up a black piece, glanced at the arena, and then stood to announce, "In the ninth match, Ji Rong and Gu Baiyi win."

Another pair of competitors took the stage, just as Mei He had predicted. Ji Rong was unstoppable, striking first with a move called "Endless Winds Across the Sea," blocking her opponent's retreat.

Gu Baiyi followed up, drawing her sword and performing "Rain Falls Over the Empty Mountain." A torrential downpour seemed to fall from the sky, obscuring everyone's view.

Their coordination was flawless, a match made in heaven.

Mei He was somewhat surprised. One attacked, one defended, like gods of death, shifting with ghostly precision. They could almost take a life between their lighthearted exchanges.

But this was not how it should be.

She furrowed her brow, confused as to where things had gone wrong. The black and white pieces hadn't clashed; instead, they had broken through the siege, as if ready to make peace.

The Hanshui Sword was pressed against Wei Zongqiu's neck. He stopped reaching for his talisman and bitterly smiled, "I have lost."

Gu Baiyi put down her sword and bowed, "Brother Wei, thank you for your grace. I've been rude."

Ji Rong merely looked on indifferently before lifting her gaze to the two names at the top of the scoreboard in the water mirror.

Gu Baiyi was first, with Ji Rong right behind.

Mei He observed it all, sighing softly, barely perceptible.

So what if they were at a stalemate?

Even if the player gives up, the game board still exists. Once you're in the game, how can you remain separate from it?

Moreover, the world's games are always full of unexpected changes.

Through the thick mist, it seemed as if Mei He could see the girl she had met four years ago.

At that time, the light rain had veiled Xuanji City in a dim haze.

The High Priest of the Divine Sect had calculated an auspicious date, and Ji Chengzhu chose that very day to hold the coming-of-age ceremony for his eldest daughter, Ji Rong, at the Xuanji Pavilion.

At the feast, Ji Chengzhu invited heroes from all over, including the Wanjian Sect.

When Mei He first laid eyes on the renowned beauty, she was momentarily stunned.

She and Gong Yu had come to investigate the Tian Yin physique, but at that moment, they both saw more possibilities in this girl.

Gong Yu gave the girl a blood jade bracelet, and Mei He, at Ji Chengzhu's request, named her.

Inside the hall, musicians played the horse-head zither made of paulownia wood.

The music was elegant, like the sounds of the heavens.

The girl slowly walked toward them, stepping on a carpet filled with phoenix flowers. A touch of coldness between her brows was like a thousand-petal vermilion plum.

Her gaze, captivating, outshone all of Xuanji City.

She was like a familiar face from a past life.

Mei He asked, "How about the name 'Changqin'?"

The girl was about to nod when a careless maid bumped into her. The silver ornaments on her red clothing suddenly cut through her wrist, spilling fresh blood.

The housekeeper, furious, was about to punish the kneeling maid when the girl stopped her with a gesture, "I'm fine, there's no need to punish her."

This should have been the end of the matter, but it took an unexpected turn.

The housekeeper stared at the blood on the girl's wrist, his eyes glazed over with greed.

Those outside the hall, who had been waiting for Mei He's calligraphy, were now captivated by a mysterious fragrance wafting from the pavilion, lost in a trance, intoxicated by an unknown incense of Xuanji City.

It was a rich, refreshing fragrance that nearly made even Mei He's heart waver.

When the housekeeper lunged at the girl, he was instantly decapitated by a flying sword.

The neck severed, the housekeeper pressed his bleeding wound, struggling silently until he died.

One sword strike, a fatal blow to the throat.

Mei He looked at the person who had drawn the sword and saw Gong Yu, pale and coughing. He said to Ji Chengzhu, "Chengzhu, forgive me, my sword seems to have been uncooperative today. It's quite annoying."

Ji Chengzhu, protecting the girl, witnessed everything clearly. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he whispered, "Thank you, Elder Gong."

He sent for the girl's maid to tend to her wound, apologizing to the guests while dealing with the dead housekeeper's body, explaining it away as an assassination by the Demon Sect.

Later, Mei He gave Ji Chengzhu a pill.

This pill could mask the unique fragrance in the girl's blood, but if someone were to try and consume it, they would still be drawn to the scent.

Mei He said, "After all, the Tian Yin physique is a rare phenomenon, and some may be wary."

Gong Yu, however, smiled and softly added, "Junior Sister, you and I both know that if it were truly a Tian Yin physique, there wouldn't be such a fragrance, unless..."

Mei He shook her head. "There is no unless."

The rain in Xuanji City stopped.

Mei He closed her umbrella and looked back at the towering city walls, where the red lacquer had peeled away to reveal the rotting wood beneath.

In the desolation, the girl, obeying Ji Chengzhu's orders, came to send her off.

She was dressed in sheer clothes, her wrist adorned with the blood jade bracelet, and she bowed deeply, saying, "I am leaving for a distant place, Sect Leader Mei..."

"Leaving for a distant place?" Mei He smiled and interrupted her in the girl's stunned moment, "Next year, atop Bixue Peak, we will meet again."

...

The disciples learned today that the so-called "free combination" in the competition was actually not free at all.

Now, they looked at the two standing in the ring, one in purple, the other in white, casually waiting in place, but none dared to step forward.

Mei He leisurely continued with her chess game, knowing that within the time it would take for a cup of tea, the competition would come to an end.

The scoreboard on the water mirror displayed the rankings for both the inner and outer sects.

The outer sect had a close score gap, but the inner sect had seen a drastic drop this year.

The first and second positions were marked with impressive scores of 700 and 690, while the third place, Dou Weiyi, had only 210 points.

Ji Rong looked at Gu Baiyi's name at the top and remained unbothered.

After all, she still had the written exam, so what did it matter if the heroine had 10 points?

Gu Baiyi, however, was frowning in deep thought.

She had been to the secret realm in her previous life, and found it of little interest.

Although Ji Rong seemed to have improved considerably in the written exam, there was little chance of further progress in a short time.

If Ji Rong ranked second in the martial trial, she was likely to be surpassed by the versatile Dou Weiyi. Moreover, Wei Zongqiu, currently fourth in martial trials, also performed well in the written exam.

Only the top three in overall scores could enter the secret realm, so...

Gu Baiyi bowed slightly to Mei He and asked, "Sect Leader, I've heard of a rule—Article 134—'If no one competes in the trial and one wishes to earn points, two can engage in a verbal martial trial.' Is this true?"

The disciples were puzzled. Wasn't she already scoring enough?

Moreover, they had never heard of a "verbal martial trial."

Wanjian Sect indeed had such a rule. Mei He glanced at Gu Baiyi and nodded, "It is."

Ji Rong was confused. What kind of rule was this?

But seeing how warmly Gu Baiyi spoke with Mei He, and how Mei He smiled back at the heroine, the atmosphere was cordial.

Ji Rong remained expressionless on the outside, but inwardly she had already fangirled a thousand times.

Sure enough, the couple I ship is real.

Gu Baiyi turned back, her smile gone.

She asked, "Junior Sister, how should the move 'After the Rain, the Red Dawn' be interpreted?

Ji Rong didn't hesitate, replying, "Interpret it as 'The wind is high and the moon is bright.'"

"Regarding the 47th move of the Kunlun Secret, 'The Bamboo of Xiang Holds the Mist,' how should it be interpreted?"

"Interpret it as 'After the Rain, the Begonia Blossoms' from the Heavenly Vault Change, 4th move."

This cycle continued. In just half a cup of tea's time, Gu Baiyi had already asked Ji Rong several sword move interpretations.

When she finished, she smiled and said, "Senior Sister is indeed impressive. Now, it's your turn."

Ji Rong maintained a blank expression, as if thinking, "Why should I ask you?"

But since she had nothing else to do, she thought it'd be a good way to pass the time by casually going through the moves.

Ji Rong randomly asked, "What about the move 'Spring Rain Moistens the Earth,' how should it be interpreted?"

Gu Baiyi answered, "I don't know."

Ji Rong: "?"

She was stunned. How could she not know that?

The disciples were also starting to doubt their life choices.

How could the White-Clad God of Killing not even know the 22nd move from The Silent Rivers and Mountains, "The Evening Wind is Thin"?

Ji Rong felt that Gu Baiyi was deliberately avoiding the question—she probably wanted to insult her.

To confirm her suspicion, she asked a simpler question: "How about the move 'The Water and the Sky Are One,' what's the interpretation?"

Gu Baiyi pondered for a moment, then smiled and answered, "I don't know."

Ji Rong: "…"

From that point on, no matter whether Ji Rong asked easy or difficult questions, Gu Baiyi responded like a dull wooden fish, always answering with the same phrase: "I don't know."

An hour soon passed.

Ji Rong looked at the smile curling on Gu Baiyi's lips. Her face remained cold, but inside, she was seething with anger.

Who was this crazy person looking down on?

The disciples in the martial arts arena couldn't help but whisper among themselves: the favoritism was just too obvious.

When the time was up, Mei He glanced at the two of them, then stood up to announce, "The martial arts competition has concluded. Here are the rankings for the inner disciples' martial arts trial."

"Ji Rong ranks first, Gu Baiyi ranks second, Dou Weiyi ranks third…"

First?

Ji Rong froze. She raised her head and looked at the water mirror. Compared to the scores earlier, she had now surpassed Gu Baiyi by a full 60 points.

And she had just asked Gu Baiyi seven sword techniques, which meant…

Asking random sword moves could get points?

Ji Rong was shocked. Was there really such a benefit?

Though everyone knew there was some shady business going on, the disciples still erupted in loud cheers, chanting Ji Rong's name.

After all, it was clear to anyone with eyes that one was willing to fight and the other was willing to take it. What could they do?

"Senior Sister Ji, when I join the inner sect, I'll definitely spar with you!"

"Senior Sister, you're the woman of my dreams! Woohoo…"

Gu Baiyi smiled as she watched the scene. Though all of this didn't belong to her, she didn't feel any regret.

In her past life, she had repeatedly taken first place, only to receive cold stares and whispers behind her back.

Now, standing beside Ji Rong, watching the loud celebrations, she felt a great sense of contentment.

[Ding!! Congratulations to the player. Prestige +30, Public Favor +10, Gu Baiyi's Affection +10]

Ji Rong felt her social anxiety and secondhand embarrassment flare up.

She watched as Mei He walked up to her, picking a jade-flower ice-petal bloom from her hand and placing it in her hair.

The faint scent of the flower was close at hand, but Ji Rong couldn't care less about its beauty, only feeling immense discomfort.

She cursed internally, this flower should have been placed on Gu Baiyi's hair by Mei He, damn this plot…

But Mei He seemed particularly pleased, even taking time to admire the flower that symbolized the martial arts champion.

Afterward, Mei He stepped onto the outer sect's arena, placing the flower in the hair of the top-ranking disciple in the outer sect's martial arts trial.

After placing the flower, Mei He flew to a high platform and unfurled a scroll, beginning to announce the literary test results.

"Liu Ningxue, 127 points…"

The disciples looked at Liu Ningxue with sympathy, while she, her face veiled, took a few steps, trying to escape the public humiliation.

Wei Zongqiu, ever the troublemaker, smiled slightly at her retreating figure and said, "Why is Junior Sister Liu running? She scored about ten points higher than you estimated."

Liu Ningxue stumbled as she tried to leave, almost falling, but she gritted her teeth, gathered her strength, and rushed out of the crowd, disappearing from sight.

Dou Weiyi let out a snicker, watching Liu Ningxue flee, and mocked, "Fool."

Wei Zongqiu, who had a good relationship with Liu Ningxue, teased her lightly, but Dou Weiyi had no right to insult her own junior.

With a laugh, he said, "Miss Dou, don't speak too soon. Let's see who has the higher score, you or your foolish senior's. If you end up being beaten by a fool like me, won't that be quite the joke?"

"Tsk."

Dou Weiyi wasn't angered. Instead, she smiled lazily and said, "Lord, is all you can do just talk?"

Wei Zongqiu's expression changed, and he tightened his grip on his folding fan.

As Mei He was about to announce the fifth literary test result, Wei Zongqiu calmly added, "I'm not Miss Dou, I don't make everything about noble titles."

Dou Weiyi raised an eyebrow, ready to argue, but then suddenly heard her own name.

"Inner sect Dou Weiyi, 327 points, ranked fifth."

Fifth?

Dou Weiyi frowned. She had expected her score to be lower than Wei Zongqiu's, but she hadn't expected it to be fifth.

Wei Zongqiu, too, was surprised. Dou Weiyi was only fifth, meaning…

"Inner sect Wei Zongqiu, 329 points, ranked fourth."

They both fell silent, curious about who the top three might be, when a name that no one had expected rang out.

"Inner sect Qiu Sushuang, 364 points, ranked third."

Where did this inner sect disciple come from?

Those with better memories, like Gu Baiyi, recognized her as someone who had joined the inner sect only last year.

Because inner sect disciples could only be taken on as a master's apprentice in their second year, and Qiu Sushuang kept to herself, she had been largely overlooked by everyone.

Gu Baiyi recalled the past life, remembering the shadow that stood in front of her when everyone had tried to kill her, lost in thought for a moment.

Ji Rong's eyes lit up.

Here she was! One of the heroines' CPs, ranked second on the list.

"Su Bai" was a great ship—much easier to support than the distant "Ji Bai" or "Bai Ji."

Qiu Sushuang was a cunning, loyal puppy, if Mei He's character hadn't been so perfect, Ji Rong might have shipped "Su Bai" instead.

At that moment, Mei He's clear voice rang out again.

"Inner sect Gu Baiyi, 589 points, ranked second."

The crowd collectively gasped.

589 points, and she was only second? Then who had the first-place score?

Gu Baiyi squinted her eyes. She was second, so…

"Inner sect Ji Rong, 591 points, ranked first!"

The entire arena fell silent, as if enchanted by some spell, not a single voice to be heard.

This silence lasted only a moment before the arena erupted in deafening cheers, accompanied by howls and applause, even the clouds in the sky seemingly pausing for a moment.

Under the overwhelming atmosphere, Mei He proclaimed loudly, "For the combined literary and martial arts results, the inner sect first place is—"

Before Mei He could finish, the crowd had already started shouting in unison.

"Ji Rong, first place!"

"Double crown!"

"Our role model!"

Everyone stood, raising their arms in celebration, shouting her name.

Ji Rong stood among them, feeling for the first time that her social anxiety wasn't overwhelming.

Not only was Mei He smiling at her, but even Gu Baiyi, who was usually so pretentious, turned slightly toward her, mouthing something she couldn't quite hear over the deafening cheers.

From her lip movements, it seemed like she was saying, "Congratulations."

Her brows were soft, her lips smiling, as if it couldn't be faked.

Ji Rong, the villainess, was stirred with a rush of emotions.

She looked up, seeing the disciples in the audience, their bright smiles shining back at her. Then she suddenly snapped to attention, mentally slapping herself.

What was I doing? I almost got carried away with this!

That was close. I almost let these mindless NPCs cloud my judgment and forgot my true goal.

Survival is the most important.