Volume 1 Chapter 28: The Female Lead Who Longs for Her Mother's Gaze

Volume 1 Chapter 28: The Female Lead Who Longs for Her Mother's Gaze

Tn: Edited at 5 / 16 / 2025

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Ding—

Boom—!

A violent blast of spiritual energy erupted across the Sparring Platform.

A young woman in plain robes was struck hard in the chest by the hilt of a sword, sent flying off the platform by a male disciple of the Profound Star Sect.

"Unsteady stance. Weak foundation," the man remarked coldly as he stepped to the edge of the platform. He gave the fallen female cultivator a dismissive glance, then turned back and walked to the center of the platform, signaling the scribe beside him to call the next challenger.

"Next—Yang Guo! Sky Cloud Peak Sparring Platform! Step forward!"

The moment the name "Yang Guo" echoed across the training ground, the boy in question froze. His pupils shrank in terror, as if he had just seen a ghost. His entire face drained of color.

The other examinees around him gave him sympathetic pats on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, brother," someone consoled him. "We'll make sure to carry you to the medical hall afterward."

At the same time, another voice rang out from a different platform:

"Next—Yun Ling! Lunar Spring Peak Sparring Platform! Step forward!"

As soon as Yun Ling heard her name, it was as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She nearly jumped with joy and rushed toward her designated platform without hesitation.

Watching these two vastly different reactions from the waiting area, Pei Lengxue couldn't help but look puzzled. She turned to the senior sister beside her and whispered, "Senior Sister Xiao, why are they reacting so differently? One looks like she just won the lottery, the other looks like he's headed to his funeral."

Xiao Yunluo glanced over and explained, "The sparring matches are scored based on how long you can hold out. Sky Cloud Peak's platform is manned by sword cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Lunar Spring Peak's, on the other hand, has alchemy cultivators at the same level. Now tell me, who do you think is easier to last against?"

"Ohh~ I get it now." Pei Lengxue nodded. "No wonder. I guess everyone hopes they get placed on Lunar Spring's platform, then?"

"Of course. There are twelve sparring platforms, and no one wants to be sent to the one hosted by Sky Cloud Peak." Xiao Yunluo gripped the sword in her arms tightly. After a brief pause, she asked, "Which one do you want to be assigned to?"

"Me, huh…?"

Before Pei Lengxue could finish her sentence, Yang Guo—who had just gone up to Sky Cloud Peak's platform—was sent flying off with a spurt of blood. He landed hard, his ribs clearly broken.

Pei Lengxue shrank her neck at the sight, quickly blurting out, "Definitely not Sky Cloud Peak!"

Xiao Yunluo glanced at Yang Guo and scoffed coldly, "Hmph! The elders pay the most attention to Sky Cloud Peak's platform."

Pei Lengxue mumbled softly, "But… isn't it better not to get injured? My senior brother always told me—'Don't sacrifice your health just to save face.'"

"..."

Xiao Yunluo gave her a disdainful side glance but said nothing.

Sensing that contempt, Pei Lengxue timidly lowered her head and stayed silent.

Xiao Yunluo furrowed her brows. 

Just the other day, when she saw Pei Lengxue practicing sword forms, she'd assumed she was someone formidable. But now, seeing her act so spinelessly, Xiao Yunluo stepped aside with a scoff, as if she no longer wanted to associate with her.

"Hmph!"

Just then, a name was called from the platform—

"Next, Xiao Yunluo! Sky Cloud Peak Sparring Platform!"

The moment she heard her name and where she'd been assigned, Xiao Yunluo's eyes lit up, practically shouting "Yes!" in her heart. 

Without hesitation, she unsheathed the sword she'd been cradling in her arms and tossed the scabbard straight into Pei Lengxue's hands.

"Hold onto my scabbard for me. I'll take it back when I'm done."

"A-ah— okay!" Pei Lengxue fumbled to catch it, nodding quickly.

With that, Xiao Yunluo leapt onto the three-foot-high platform in a single stride. Standing tall in the center, she surveyed her opponent—a senior disciple from Sky Cloud Peak.

She remembered her. Bai Yuelin. A Foundation Establishment cultivator with fairly high marks even among the Sky Cloud Peak disciples.

Xiao Yunluo's lips curled into a pleased smile. She cupped her fists in greeting.

"Senior Sister Bai, I humbly ask for your guidance."

As she saluted, her gaze flicked upward—toward the high seat where the five Grand Elders of the Profound Star Sect were watching the trials. 

Each one of them was a powerhouse at the Divine Transformation Realm. If a promising talent were to emerge, they might very well accept them as a personal disciple on the spot.

But Xiao Yunluo wasn't looking at the elders.

Her eyes were fixed on a silly-looking golden-crowned parrot perched behind them on the railing.

No one else seemed to pay it any attention, but she knew better.

That parrot… belonged to her mother.

Her mother, a cultivator at the Void Return Realm, couldn't possibly show up to something as minor as a sparring trial in person. Her mere presence would overwhelm the field, probably knocking half the contestants unconscious before a single sword was drawn. No—her mother watched through the eyes of the parrot. That bird was her gaze.

Xiao Yunluo hadn't expected her mother to care enough to come—well, to send the parrot, at least. And now that she realized her mother was watching, her chest tightened with nervousness. But after a moment's hesitation, she took a deep breath and steeled her resolve.

She turned to Bai Yuelin and spoke up with new firmness:

"Senior Sister Bai, please—there's no need for a wooden sword. Use your real one."

Bai Yuelin had just picked up the standard practice blade from the side when she froze mid-motion. She glanced at the recorder standing at the edge of the stage, her eyes silently asking for confirmation.

The recorder subtly shook his head: Not allowed.

Bai Yuelin let out a quiet sigh and smiled a little helplessly.

"Young Mistress, rules are rules. We're required to use wooden swords. But don't worry—I won't go easy on you."

Xiao Yunluo pouted, clearly disappointed, but she didn't argue. Instead, she raised her sword.

"Very well. Then… I await your guidance, Senior Sister."

"En."

And with that, the battle began.

Cold light flashed across the Sky Cloud Peak Sparring Platform, swords whirling like wind and lightning.

From the moment Xiao Yunluo took the stage, the five Grand Elders watching above had been nodding in approval.

"Yunluo has already lasted five moves against that Sky Cloud Peak disciple. Not bad, not bad."

"Indeed. She's only fifteen this year, and already this skilled? Truly worthy of being the Sect Young Mistress."

Compliments continued to fly back and forth between the Grand Elders—until suddenly, a shrill, rasping voice cut through the air behind them.

"SHUT UP SHUT UP!! NOISY NOISY!!"

It was the golden-crowned parrot. The very same one perched casually on the railing, now fluffing its feathers irritably.

All five Grand Elders went silent immediately, as if someone had sewn their lips shut with spirit thread. Not a peep more.

Back on the platform, Xiao Yunluo was beginning to falter.

A single misstep—too eager, too off-balance—and Bai Yuelin seized the opening. Her wooden sword struck Xiao Yunluo square in the right shoulder, sending her flying off the stage in a blur of motion.

She hit the ground hard.

The impact left a dull echo—thud—and Xiao Yunluo lay there in the dust, dazed and breathless.

But unlike the others who had been thrown off the stage earlier—groaning dramatically and clutching at their chests like they were on death's door—Xiao Yunluo didn't make a sound. Gritting her teeth, she used her sword as a crutch and forced herself to her feet.

"Many thanks, Senior Sister Bai," she said, voice taut with effort.

Then, despite the blood trickling from her shoulder, she cupped her hands in a respectful bow to Bai Yuelin before stepping down. A few inner sect disciples tried to rush over to help her walk, but she waved them off with a glare and a push.

"I'm fine. I can walk on my own."

Once she made it back to the resting area, she immediately slumped down beside Pei Lengxue and asked:

"How long did I last?"

"Uh… half a minute?" Pei Lengxue answered tentatively.

"Then that should be a full score!" Xiao Yunluo grinned proudly. Under her breath, she murmured, "I wonder if Mother saw that… hmph."

"Mother?" Pei Lengxue tilted her head.

"Ack—!" Xiao Yunluo's eyes widened. Realizing she'd just blurted out her thoughts, her face instantly turned bright red. She quickly frowned and snapped, "Hmph! None of your business! You should be praying you get assigned to the Moon Spring Peak platform instead!"

With a huff, she snatched her sword's scabbard back from Pei Lengxue and hugged it close, turning her face away like a sulking cat.

Pei Lengxue blinked in confusion. 

'Did I do something wrong…? '

Her eyes drifted to Xiao Yunluo's shoulder, which was already starting to swell. Worried, she gently said:

"You should get that treated. It's already bruising—"

"It's nothing! Mind your own business!"

"Ah… okay…"

Just then, a voice rang out from the Sky Cloud Peak sparring platform once more.

"Next! Feng Yudie—Sky Cloud Peak Platform!"

No one stepped up.

A few moments passed. The announcer called again, louder this time:

"Feng Yudie! Is Feng Yudie present?!"

It was only then that Pei Lengxue turned to glance left—toward Feng Yudie, who had been leaning on her shoulder this whole time, blissfully asleep with a snot bubble puffing in and out of her nose.

Pei Lengxue's expression turned flat with disgust. Without a word, she reached out and popped the snot bubble with her finger.

"Ah?! Wha—?!" Feng Yudie jolted upright, looking around wildly. "What happened? What's going on?!"

"It's your turn," Pei Lengxue said with a sigh. "Sky Cloud Peak platform."

"Oh, ohhhh…" Feng Yudie laughed sheepishly. Then she noticed Xiao Yunluo nearby, her arm clearly injured. Concerned, she leaned in. "You got hurt?"

Xiao Yunluo turned her face away again, thoroughly uninterested in speaking with her.

Meanwhile, the announcer on the platform called out again:

"FENG YUDIE! Last call! If you don't show up, you'll be marked as absent!"

"Aah! Coming, coming!" Feng Yudie jumped to her feet and waved toward the platform.

Then she turned to Pei Lengxue and gave her a shy smile, fingers fidgeting together nervously.

"Um… Junior Sister Pei, if I get a perfect score… can I get a reward? Maybe like… a hug or something…?"

Pei Lengxue gave her a look of pure, exhausted revulsion.

Then, without saying a word, she stood up, grabbed Feng Yudie by the collar—and hurled her bodily toward the Sky Cloud Peak sparring platform.

"Ack—!!"