Akunana Kyyou Tournament

Xiao Menglan suddenly remembered something.

According to the usual practice of past Beast Hunt Tournaments, participants must report their names to a sect elder beforehand.

Her remaining memories on this matter were vague, but she did remember one thing clearly: the quota was limited, first come, first served.

But it didn’t matter.

Her disciple, Xiao Menglan’s disciple, wanted to participate in a mere Beast Hunt Tournament.

Could it be that someone would dare refuse her?

“Since you are going down the mountain, you may as well take my flying sword.”

“With your footwork, you may not even arrive before nightfall, and by then the quota will likely be gone.”

“Ah… is that so?” Cao Xueyan had never cared about such matters.

Xiao Menglan had protected her too well.

Until now, she had not experienced the cruel competition within the inner sect.

“Talented people who lack neither aptitude nor resources are always few.”

“To put it bluntly, the Beast Hunt Tournament is nothing more than a training opportunity the sect prepares for disciples.”

“Can’t you see that the beasts inside are all raised by the sect?”

“The strongest among them is barely at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Against ten or twenty Qi Refining disciples, even it would be overwhelmed.”

“Moreover, elders in the Golden Core realm oversee the entire tournament, so accidents are extremely unlikely.”

“High risk, high reward. No wonder inner disciples fight so fiercely for a spot.”

“But those who are truly powerful rarely bother with such events.”

“Their target is the grand disciple competition held every ten years. That is where they truly showcase their skills.”

“If they perform well, they might be chosen by an elder or peak lord, and soar to greatness.”

Recent news of Peak Lord Xiao Menglan accepting a personal disciple had stirred up who knew how much envy and jealousy.

But such things could not be forced.

Golden Core Real Persons each had their quirks, and how they chose their disciples was not something others could comment on.

“Riding Master’s flying sword directly… wouldn’t that be too ostentatious?” Cao Xueyan hesitated.

“You’re worried about that?” Xiao Menglan almost laughed.

“Other personal disciples can’t wait to stand beside their masters to show off.”

“And you think it’s too showy?”

“What, are you ashamed of me?”

If others heard this, they would definitely think Cao Xueyan was showing off in the most outrageous way.

“No, no!” Cao Xueyan quickly shook her head.

“Master is of course the best. I just feel that I have neither cultivation nor achievements yet. Even though my talisman skills have improved, I am still not a formal talisman master.”

The truth was — Cao Xueyan felt she was the one unworthy.

She originally thought she could reach beginner level in talismans by now.

But things didn’t go smoothly.

Simulation points were too difficult to obtain.

She and Xiao Menglan had practiced dual cultivation all night. Her waist, tongue, and fingers all ached in the same way.

Yet when she checked… her simulation points barely increased at all.

Which meant she could only earn a little each day.

So now, her talisman progress was still halfway unfinished.

She had no choice but to divide her cultivation points toward her cultivation instead, otherwise she would have no justification for dual cultivating with Xiao Menglan in the first place.

“What does it matter?” Xiao Menglan said indifferently.

“On Artifact Peak, Elder Yuan Gan favored taking disciples early on. He has four personal disciples. But in my eyes, only half of one is promising. The other three and a half are what he calls useless disappointments.”

Cao Xueyan blinked. “Half… what does half mean?”

“It means mediocre. Neither good nor bad.”

“I see.”

Cao Xueyan fell silent.

She felt she wasn’t even that half.

“You’re still young. You have plenty of opportunities.”

“Besides, with your unique constitution, your future achievements will not be low.”

Seeing her mood drop, Xiao Menglan couldn’t help but comfort her.

Cao Xueyan internally complained: That ‘unique constitution’ was made up!

“Ai, why am I even explaining all this to you?” Xiao Menglan grew annoyed, grabbed Cao Xueyan with one hand, summoned her flying sword, and tossed her onto it.

“Master—!” Cao Xueyan yelped, startled so badly her heart trembled.

Xiao Menglan stood behind her, controlling the sword, and the two soared into the clouds instantly.

Cao Xueyan shouted a few times, but then stopped.

Partly because the mountain wind was too cold, stinging her eyes and nose.

Partly because Xiao Menglan’s flying speed was incredibly fast. Soon, through the thin clouds, she could already see the tiny figures gathering below.

If she kept screaming, she’d make a fool of herself.

She would eventually learn sword-flight herself. Might as well get used to it early.

Soon, Xiao Menglan arrived at the registration hall. A line of disciples was queued out front.

Descending, her Golden Core pressure instantly filled the area, making many disciples feel tight in the chest.

They were still wondering which Golden Core elder had arrived, when a cold voice rang out:

“Who is in charge of registration? Are there still quotas?”

A Foundation Establishment steward rushed over with a flattering smile.

“Oh my, isn’t this Peak Lord Xiao, Real Person Xiao! Forgive my lack of welcome!”

He had wisely reserved several “special” quota spots every year — precisely for situations like this.

He never expected Xiao Menglan herself to come in person, which meant she valued her disciple highly.

“Is there a spot, or not?” Xiao Menglan said, concise and direct.

“Yes — yes! It was reserved specifically for your honored disciple!”

Cao Xueyan now experienced what privilege truly meant.

There were good things, and they were saved for her.

“Good. Take my disciple to register.”

Cao Xueyan followed the steward inside and swiped her disciple token over a jade slip, recording her information.

“In three days at noon, this year’s Beast Hunt Tournament will begin,” the steward reminded kindly. “Do not miss the time.”

A Foundation Establishment cultivator referring to himself as “your subordinate” in front of her felt strange, but his tone was polite, so Cao Xueyan naturally returned courtesy.

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. It is simply my duty,” the steward said awkwardly, caught off guard by her politeness.

Cao Xueyan exited the hall to find Xiao Menglan waiting.

“Is it done?”

“It is.”

“We rarely come out together. Is there anywhere you wish to go?”

This question stumped Cao Xueyan.

This vast sect — she had barely explored any of it.

There was the Sword-Washing Pool — not really a pool, but a place where disciples sparred, always lively.

There was the Apricot Grove — where elders lectured. When no lectures were held, disciples often gathered there to discuss Dao.

There was also the Lingyun Cavern — despite the grand name, it lay underground, not in the clouds. It was where punished disciples meditated in repentance. Cold and damp. Ordinary disciples could not stay long, or they would fall ill.

However…

For Cao Xueyan, that place was actually quite suitable for cultivation.