A few days later came the Disciple Advancement Grand Competition within the Sunset Sect.
Unlike previous occasions, although it was supposed to be an internal competition among the sect’s disciples, the scene this time was extraordinarily grand.
Several streaks of Divine Rainbow Flowing Light raced over swiftly and landed at the mountain gate of the Sunset Sect.
The elder who had been waiting there for some time recognized the arrivals and hurried forward to bow.
“Several honored guests have graced us with your presence. The Sunset Sect is truly honored.”
In response to the polite words, the woman at the lead merely cast a faint glance at him, showing no intention of engaging in further conversation.
With her hands clasped behind her back, she strode forward on her own, and as she passed, a chilling aura radiated from her, causing the disciples guarding the gate to shiver involuntarily.
The elder broke into a cold sweat and followed behind with a forced smile to lead the way.
He had thought many sects would show face to Xi Ranchen, but he hadn’t expected people from the Netherfiend Valley to come as well.
In her early years, this Valley Lord had quite a grudge with Xi Ranchen, and the two had crossed hands many times.
However, since the Momentum of the Righteous Path outweighed that of the various Demon Sect sects, they had refrained from further conflict to avoid mutual attrition.
Besides them, some other Demon Sect members came one after another afterward.
This time, apart from watching the Sunset Sect’s so-called Disciple Grand Tournament, the leaders of the various Demon Sect factions also had some matters to discuss in detail.
On the other side, the Sunset Sect disciples on the competition grounds had already begun their bouts.
Xi Ranchen sat in a high seat, propping her face with one hand, looking thoroughly bored, while Yang Yao stood behind her with an indifferent expression.
“Yao’er.”
Xi Ranchen spoke up.
“Do you remember that this was exactly the kind of occasion where I first took a liking to you?”
“This disciple remembers.”
Yang Yao nodded.
In Xi Ranchen’s memory, she had held the position of Sect Master for quite some time, yet no one had caught her eye to become her Personal Disciple.
Until Yang Yao appeared in her sight.
Back then, Yang Yao was far more naive and green than she was now, but the fierce ruthlessness she revealed far surpassed her peers, and that was something Xi Ranchen greatly appreciated.
Her subsequent performance within the sect was also outstanding, and with the Dark Lotus Mysterious Body within her, Xi Ranchen focused on nurturing her.
As time passed, Yang Yao’s temperament hadn’t changed much.
Seeing other sects being led over from not far away, Xi Ranchen merely raised her hand briefly as a simple greeting.
“Take note of these people who came today, along with the young disciples following behind them. Perhaps in the future, it will be you all discussing the grand schemes of the world.”
Yang Yao swept her gaze over them briefly and answered softly,
“Yes, Master.”
‘Don’t be fooled by how prosperous these sects look now. In my previous life’s memories, some of them have already fallen, existing in name only. Remembering them or not isn’t of much use anyway.’
The bouts below continued as usual.
When a figure was led over by a female disciple, it drew the attention of the seated Sunset Sect disciples and people from other sects.
That person wore a black robe with a red collar, distinguishing him from ordinary Sunset Sect disciples.
What drew even more attention was the Bronze Ghost Mask on his face, deliberately concealing the upper half of his features—an intriguing sight.
The female disciple led him before Xi Ranchen, then bowed and withdrew, leaving the Bronze Ghost Mask bearer alone.
Yang Yao furrowed her brow, a look of displeasure on her face.
Xi Ranchen, however, wore a smile as she looked him up and down with amusement.
“Must say, this outfit fits you rather well.”
It was like looking at a puppet she had dressed with her own hands.
Xu Lin, beneath the Bronze Ghost Mask, was speechless.
“What kind of bizarre taste is this? Did you have to make me look like this?”
He had already been quite resistant to coming here with these two, but then Xi Ranchen had added that he needed to dress up properly so as not to disgrace the reputation of the Holy Son of the Sunset Sect.
And so he had ended up dressed like this.
“For someone who is the Appointed Peak Master of Grand Dao Sect, with righteous energy evident throughout your life, your previous appearance in my Sunset Sect would have been far too out of place.”
Xi Ranchen’s words carried mockery.
“The way you are now is what fits the image of the Holy Son of the Demon Sect.”
Behind her, Yang Yao’s mouth twitched, barely able to contain herself.
‘Righteous energy evident? If it were the Xu Lin of the previous life, that would indeed be true. But this guy right here can’t even come close.’
“Besides, you’ve done so many things to obstruct the Demon Sect while in the Vast Dao Sect. Wearing a ghost mask to conceal your face keeps you from being recognized at a glance.”
Xi Ranchen continued,
“Or do you want to reveal your identity right now? That’s not impossible either.”
Doing so would merely be revealing her scheme ahead of time.
As for whatever trouble Xu Lin would face, he would have to deal with it himself.
“……”
Even with the ghost mask on, Xu Lin’s helplessness beneath the mask could be clearly felt.
“Don’t just stand there.”
Xi Ranchen crooked her finger backward, signaling for Xu Lin and Yang Yao to stand together.
“Don’t expect me to keep standing.”
Xu Lin couldn’t bring himself to stand behind her like one of her Personal Disciples—it would feel like Xi Ranchen was taking advantage of him for no reason.
He took a stool he had prepared long ago from his Storage Pouch, set it on the ground, then moved to a spot and sat down.
“You……”
Yang Yao was about to speak up to stop him, but Xi Ranchen raised a hand to interrupt.
“Let him be.”
“Your master doesn’t have a problem with it; I suggest you find something to sit on too.”
Xu Lin couldn’t help adding a snarky remark.
At that, Yang Yao let out a light snort and ignored the guy.
Xi Ranchen merely curled her lips into a cold smile, not letting it get to her.
The sects not far away witnessed this scene and couldn’t help but be astonished.
Word had it that not long ago, the Sunset Sect had just installed a Holy Son, yet no one had ever seen his true face.
Now, he stood alongside the Saintess at Xi Ranchen’s side—presumably the Holy Son of the Sunset Sect.
But the fact that he wore a Bronze Ghost Mask and acted so unconstrained in front of Xi Ranchen made people instinctively feel that Xi Ranchen held special favor for him and was protecting him, keeping his face from being known prematurely.
After all, the Holy Sons and Saintesses who came with this trip all respectfully accompanied their Masters, none daring to be this presumptuous.
This made people even more curious about what was so special about this Holy Son of the Sunset Sect.
Xu Lin could feel many gazes directed at him.
Among them were those he had genuinely obstructed before, but with the ghost mask on, they couldn’t recognize him.
How could these people possibly imagine that the dignified Senior Brother of the Vast Dao Sect had transformed into the Holy Son of the Demon Sect?
Xu Lin scooted his stool forward, unceremoniously grabbed half a bunch of grapes from the fruit platter on the table, and looked at the competition below.
“Are there any Sunset Sect disciples who stand out? I’ll keep an impression in mind. If I escape in the future, I’ll need to be wary.”
Xu Lin stuffed grapes into his mouth while scanning the area below.
Noting people was secondary; his main goal was to find where Jiang Luo was.
Soon, he spotted Jiang Luo’s figure on one of the competition grounds.
And from the moment Xu Lin appeared, just like the other disciples, Jiang Luo had noticed him immediately.
Others didn’t know who he was, but seeing that casual and carefree demeanor he displayed even beside Xi Ranchen, Jiang Luo recognized him at once.