Elder Xuan Ping’s resonant admonition struck the square like an invisible heavy hammer.
The disciples who had originally harbored resentment now lowered their heads in shame, one after another.
They dared not meet the gaze of the majestic Xuan Ping, nor did they dare look at the one who had caused them such heavy losses, Lu Qiancha.
The Shijian Peak disciple who had led the protest earlier saw his expression shift several times. Finally, he gnashed his teeth and took a large stride forward.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he performed a deep, formal bow to Lu Qiancha. His voice carried a tone of sincere regret.
“Earlier, I was narrow-minded and lacked perspective. My words were out of line and offended you, Senior Brother. I offer my apologies and hope you can find it in your heart to forgive my impetuousness.”
“Cough…” Lu Qiancha was caught off guard by this sudden, grand gesture. A hint of awkwardness appeared on her face as she hurriedly reached out to support him.
“You’re overstating it, Junior Brother. Please, stand up. This matter… it is true that I went a bit too far. It’s only natural for you all to have complaints.”
She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the disciples who still had their heads bowed. She then made a loud suggestion.
“I think we should do this: include me in the rankings match. First, it avoids the tediousness of a rematch, and second, it allows everyone to determine the winner once more in a fair fight.”
“Success or failure will depend entirely on true skill. What do you think?”
As soon as she spoke, the Shijian Peak disciple snapped his head up. His eyes were filled with excitement and admiration. “That is out of the question! Senior Brother, the fault lies entirely with my own insufficient cultivation and weak will.”
“How could we let you suffer the exhaustion of another fight and give up the position of champion that you won fairly just because of our mistakes? This must not happen.”
Even Elder Hu Shi, who had maintained a stern face, spoke up slowly. His tone brooked no argument.
“The rankings of the grand competition are set by the rules. The results are out, so how can they be changed on a whim? Lu Qiancha, do not create any more complications.”
Seeing this, Lu Qiancha could only let out a “helpless” sigh. She cupped her hands toward Elder Hu Shi and the Shijian Peak disciple. “Since that is the case… I obey.”
The title of champion of this Nine Peaks Grand Tournament had firmly fallen into the hands of Tianquanfeng.
“The reward for this year’s champion,” Elder Hu Shi’s voice rang out again, settling the final ripples of unrest below the stage, “is a **[Heaven-rank Spirit Gathering Array Disk]**. Furthermore, the Ling Stone offering for Tianquanfeng will be doubled starting today.”
“Once the rankings match concludes, someone will be sent to deliver the rewards to Tianquanfeng.”
His gaze swept over the crowd. “The rest of you return to your respective peaks and wait for the notification for the rankings match. Prepare yourselves well.”
“We obey, Elder,” the crowd responded in unison. Their figures soon scattered as they left the square, which had left everyone with such mixed emotions, each carrying their own thoughts.
Xuanya led the undisguised Lu Qiancha and Gantang as they leisurely rode the clouds back toward Tianquanfeng.
On the way back, Gantang thought of those knife-like glares back at the square.
She couldn’t help but ask in a small voice, “Senior Brother, it feels like we’ve really offended the senior brothers and sisters from the other peaks this time. What should we do in the future?”
“What is there to do?” Lu Qiancha wagged her big, fluffy tail. She used one little paw to elegantly groom the soft fur near her ear, casting a nonchalant glance at Gantang.
“We’ll eat when it’s time to eat and drink when it’s time to drink. Life goes on. Look at our Tianquanfeng; it’s always been quiet. When have we ever had close ties with them?”
“Uh… I suppose that’s true.” Gantang tilted her head in thought and nodded in agreement.
However, her thoughts shifted, and she asked with concern, “But what if they can’t get over their anger and actually come to our door to cause trouble?”
“What else is there to do?” Lu Qiancha stopped her grooming and raised one pink, tender little paw, swiping twice at the air fiercely. A cunning light flashed in her blue eyes.
“We’ll just beat them up. I guarantee they’ll take the long way around the next time they see us.”
“Huh?” Gantang failed to react for a moment.
“Think about it,” Lu Qiancha began, her voice full of persuasive guidance. “If they dare come to our door, isn’t it because they think we’re easy targets?”
“If they lost their points to a trick, aren’t they just unconvinced of our strength?”
Gantang nodded vigorously. “Yes.”
“Think further,” Lu Qiancha said, her ears twitching.
“From beginning to end, we stayed within the rules, didn’t we? We have the moral high ground. If we then proceed to beat them into the ground fair and square—”
She intentionally dragged out her tone, her little paws resting on her hips.
“Then wouldn’t they be completely convinced, and even admire us? In the future, every time they see us, they’ll have to shout, ‘Senior Brother is mighty!'”
“Right, you’re right.” The realization dawned on Gantang. Her eyes sparkled with worship as she looked at Lu Qiancha. “Senior Brother is so smart. I didn’t even think of that.”
“Naturally.” Lu Qiancha raised her little chin proudly, her tail curling high. “After all, I am your Senior Brother.”
‘And if… we can’t beat them?’
Xuanya, who had been silently listening to the grand theories of the two little ones, felt her lip twitch almost imperceptibly. In the end, she only gave them a helpless glance and swallowed those words.
The three figures, two large and one small, landed on Tianquanfeng.
The moment they touched down, Lu Qiancha zipped away from Xuanya’s side. She moved her short little legs, pitter-pattering as she sprinted toward the room where Xun Xue resided.
Xuanya and Gantang shared a look before heading back to their own quiet rooms in silent agreement.
Inside the room, Xun Xue sat quietly at the table. Her fingertips were unconsciously stroking a Storage Ring, appearing as if she were lost in thought.
“Mother—!” An energetic, sweet call accompanied a gust of fragrant wind. Lu Qiancha’s small figure was like a swallow returning to its nest, plunging accurately into Xun Xue’s embrace.
Lu Qiancha immediately pressed her entire small body tightly against Xun Xue.
Her little head rubbed back and forth in the crook of the other’s neck, and a satisfied, clinging mumble came from her throat. “Mmm… I missed you…”
Xun Xue’s train of thought was instantly broken. Her frozen expression melted like spring snow, blooming into a tender smile.
She naturally reached out her arms to hug the soft little fluffball in her lap, while her other hand skillfully rubbed that pair of sensitive and cute furry ears.
“How was the competition?” she asked, her voice soft and warm.
“I won.” Lu Qiancha immediately sat up in her arms, puffing out her little chest proudly. Her tail wagged like a lily swaying in the wind. “I took the champion title directly.”
Then, she tilted her little face up. Those clear, azure eyes sparkled as she looked at Xun Xue, filled with undisguised expectation—waiting for Xun Xue’s praise.
“Little Qiancha really is the most amazing.” Xun Xue gave her heartfelt praise without reservation, her fingertip gently tapping Lu Qiancha’s slightly cool nose.
“Hehe~” Having received the praise she craved, Lu Qiancha’s eyes squinted with joy.
Like a small beast whose fur had been smoothed, she buried her little head back into Xun Xue’s warm embrace, nuzzling comfortably. A pleasant purring sound emanated from her throat.
Right then, the grey little fluffball who had been waiting quietly in the corner—Ling Wanbai—approached silently.
She stood on her tiptoes, attempting to reach out and rub Lu Qiancha’s head, which was vibrating slightly with the purring.
“Hmph!” Lu Qiancha instantly became like a wary little hedgehog. Her small body nimbly shrank further into Xun Xue’s embrace, perfectly evading the reaching hand and leaving only the back of her head, which was full of rejection.
‘You wicked Shrine Official, I haven’t settled the score with you for what happened before yet.’
Those moments in the bathhouse when she had been made dizzy by this person, tricked into calling her “Lady Older Sister,” and… and certain “bullying” that was too embarrassing to mention—Lu Qiancha remembered them all very clearly in her little notebook.
Especially since this person had completely ignored her cries for her to “slow down” back then.
She was rotten to the core!