How should I put it? Her mood suddenly became conflicted because she became selfish—a thought of staying to comprehend this magic, rather than leaving with the young master soon and spending a lifetime on Flying Fish Island.
Who doesn’t yearn for freedom, for more strength?
Shaking her head, Miao Yin thought it was better not to dwell on it. Such thoughts could cost her life.
Just as she was about to search for the entrance to the second layer, Miao Yin suddenly felt her body couldn’t move, as if something imprisoned her. Struggling was futile, and her eyes instantly showed panic, only able to watch helplessly as her body sat cross-legged on the sand.
Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, it’s unknown.
At the same time, as the two-hour trial period neared its end, Qin Mo, Zhao Qing, and others stood outside the Library Pavilion, talking among themselves and eagerly anticipating the appearance of Yun Liao and Miao Yin.
It wasn’t long before Yun Liao came out.
His handsome face was smeared with black patches and white patches, along with some yellow mud, looking utterly disheveled.
Seeing this, everyone was somewhat shocked and quickly surrounded him, never expecting the Elder Yun, who possessed a Purity Body, to look so miserable.
Only those who had experienced the first layer, like Qin Mo, knew that Elder Yun’s condition was normal. Since Yun Liao was Body Refining Thirteenth Layer, he could certainly go further, which also meant the guardians would be stronger.
The flame technique is difficult for body refining cultivators to resist.
Qin Mo stepped forward and asked first, "Elder Yun, which layer did you reach?"
Yun Liao responded, "Third layer."
Upon hearing this, everyone was both surprised and delighted.
Listening to this, Qin Mo immediately developed a strong interest and asked, "Elder Yun, can you tell us about the trial after the second layer? So we can be mentally prepared."
Yun Liao nodded and said, "I think you all know the first layer; the guardian uses flame, and with your power, with the help of the Pseudo-Pure Body, you should be able to overcome them. The second layer, although two guardians are Body Refining Eighth Layer, they can release fire snakes several zhang long, very troublesome, and could trap you and block your retreat if you’re not careful."
"Fire snakes!" Qin Mo seemed not to heed Yun Liao’s warning and instead showed joy.
His mind began to imagine what those fire snakes were like, yet recalling that Yang Lele and others all had a Purity Body, he felt uneasy—he could have had a Purity Body himself.
After a helpless sigh in his heart, he asked his biggest curiosity, "Elder Yun, did you grasp any magic?"
"The flame technique used by the guardians is magic, the sect leader personally said so."
Yun Liao nodded in realization, then shook his head, "Not very lucky. Although I passed the third layer, I didn’t gain anything. It’s very difficult for you, given your current power, to pass the second layer, but Miss Miao Yin should be able to. As for the luck in comprehending the magic performed by the guardians, it’s hard to say."
Just as he finished speaking, there was a commotion behind him.
Originally quite lovely, Miao Yin now also appeared in a disheveled state, but compared to Yun Liao in the Immortal Clear Wind Robe, her disheveled appearance was somewhat revealing. Seeing this, Qin Mo quickly took off his casual clothes and draped them over Miao Yin, asking, "So, which layer did you reach?"
"Not bad, you didn’t disgrace me." Qin Mo showed a bright smile, as this achievement by the maid also gave him face.
"Hehe." Miao Yin giggled, her gaze unintentionally catching Yun Liao, who was staring straight at her, and Miao Yin quickly retracted her gaze in a panic.
No one saw this moment, not even Qin Mo.
Then Qin Mo asked, "Did you comprehend anything?"
Facing Qin Mo’s question, Miao Yin slowly opened her lips and uttered words that stunned everyone.
"I comprehended the flame technique of the first layer."
"No way, such good luck!"
Everyone exclaimed in surprise, then began clamoring for Miao Yin to try releasing it, clearing the space outside the Library Pavilion.
Unable to resist everyone’s request, Miao Yin started to awkwardly form seals according to the images and instructions in her mind.
Flames leapt forward fiercely.
After leaving the Library Pavilion, Wen Ping arrived at Clear Water Street. However, today’s visit to Clear Water Street was different from usual; when people saw him, they cheerfully put down what they were doing and crowded around.
Wen Ping couldn’t hear what they were saying because dozens of people spoke simultaneously, with hundreds of words entering his ears in one breath. But Wen Ping could roughly understand that they were doubting the authenticity of the Martial Arts event reopening.
To them, the reopening of the Martial Arts event might be something that only happens in dreams, right?
Yet sometimes, dreams cannot be fulfilled.
Seeing the situation, the waiter quickly ran out of the restaurant, spread his arms, and blocked the people behind Wen Ping who wanted to enter the restaurant, shouting loudly, "Everyone, quiet. The Martial Arts event is real, in two or three days, just go to the foot of Yunlan Mountain. You’re overcrowding Sect Master Wen a bit too much."
Hearing the waiter say that, and thinking about the notices he posted these days, everyone nodded in belief.
"Let’s go, let’s go."
"So it’s true, the idiot next door wasn’t fooling me."
"Heaven blessed us, the Martial Arts event has finally reopened."
The chatter of the dispersing crowd was still constantly in the air.
With the waiter’s urging, the people outside the restaurant dispersed, but the joyful atmosphere lingered.
Wen Ping watched this scene and shook his head with a smile.
He never had such prominence as a Young Master of a Two-star Sect; as a sect leader of a Starless Sect, he was unexpectedly well-received. This scene reminded him of the Martial Arts events over a decade ago, when the streets and alleys were lively .
Unfortunately, his parents are missing, their fate unknown, to see neither this reopening nor his current state.
How much he wished his parents could see this, not for anything else, just for them to know their son was worth raising.
Lost in these thoughts, a stout boss, Luo Yi, came over, personally pouring him a pot of tea. The tea’s aroma was soothing, revealing its quality at first scent. Taking the tea cup handed by the boss, Wen Ping took a sip, slowly placed the cup down, and said with a smile, "This tea shouldn’t be cheap, right?"
"Sect Master Wen, what are you saying? Others want to bribe you with real gold and silver but can’t reach you. You condescend to come to this humble place; this tea is nothing." Saying this, the boss hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe the spotless table Wen Ping sat at.