Among the nine figures, Senior Sister Fang, the Ninth True Disciple, looked toward Ye Ling from a distance and gave her a subtle wink. Her voice-transmission drifted over softly. “Junior Sister Ye Ling, it’s been a long time.”
Ye Ling replied via transmission as well, “Senior Sister Fang, it has indeed been a long time.”
The two were not particularly close, and Senior Sister Fang knew that Ye Ling had always been a quiet and reserved person, so she did not press for more small talk.
At this point, all the disciples participating in the Qingyun Grand Tournament had arrived.
The heavy doors of the main hall slowly swung open to both sides.
Sect Master Leng Zhiwei stepped out at the very front, followed closely by Peak Master Wen of Spirit Medicine Peak and several Tongxuan Realm elders.
Leng Zhiwei looked up and saw the distinct ranks on the square. Ten inner sect disciples stood in one row, nine True Disciples formed another, and Ye Ling stood alone to the side.
Watching the rows of high-spirited sect disciples before her, a look of genuine pride and relief surfaced in the depths of her eyes.
This was the most prosperous generation of talents the sect had seen in nearly three hundred years. There was the meteoric rise of Ye Ling, as well as renowned geniuses like Lin Wanqing and Leng Feng.
As the Sect Master, she was filled with a sense of shared glory.
“Greetings, Sect Master. Greetings, Peak Master Wen. Greetings, Elders.”
The disciples on the square bowed in unison.
Leng Zhiwei raised her hand slightly, signaling for them to rise.
“Disciples, I believe everyone here knows the reason you have been summoned, so I will not waste words with repetitions. On this journey, you will be led by Peak Master Wen.”
Peak Master Wen stepped forward and gave a slight nod to the group of disciples.
Leng Zhiwei’s expression turned solemn as she continued, “Time waits for no one. You are to set out immediately. Ye Ling, come here for a moment. I have something to tell you.”
As soon as those words left her mouth, the hearts of the other disciples on the square stirred. They truly realized that Ye Ling held an extraordinary weight in the Sect Master’s heart.
Ye Ling stepped forward quickly.
Leng Zhiwei transmitted her voice, “Xiao Ling, you must be cautious in everything during this Qingyun Grand Tournament. With your cultivation at Xiantian Realm Great Perfection, you will surely attract countless eyes once you step onto the stage.”
“Remember to stay close to the sect’s group at all times. Try to remain near Peak Master Wen and never leave the main party alone.”
Ye Ling nodded solemnly. “This disciple will keep the Sect Master’s instructions in mind.”
Leng Zhiwei raised her hand and took out a storage bag, handing it to her. “You’ve reached Xiantian Realm Great Perfection, and the sect’s reward hasn’t been given to you yet. There are one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones in here. Take them.”
Ye Ling did not refuse and accepted the storage bag with both hands. “Thank you, Sect Master.”
“Go back to the ranks. Peak Master Wen is waiting for you.” Leng Zhiwei waved her hand.
Ye Ling turned and saw Peak Master Wen giving her a gentle smile, so she hurried back into the line of disciples.
Cang Si, coiled around her wrist, remained very quiet. Leng Zhiwei’s instructions to Ye Ling had all fallen within Cang Si’s perception. This human Sect Master truly seemed worried about her sister’s safety.
Seeing Ye Ling return to the ranks, Peak Master Wen took a sword-shaped magic treasure from her sleeve and tossed it into the air.
The treasure bloomed with a dazzling silver light in mid-air, instantly transforming into a giant flying sword hundreds of meters long and dozens of meters wide.
Ye Ling looked up at the massive object floating in the sky. Beside her, Elder Leng Yue explained, “This item is called the Canglan Flying Boat Sword, a Profound-grade high-tier magic treasure specifically for large-scale sect travel.”
“Its flight speed is extremely fast, several times faster than the escape speed of an ordinary Tongxuan Realm expert. It will only take one day to reach the royal capital from the sect.”
Ye Ling nodded slightly and followed the other disciples as they leaped into the air and stepped onto the blade of the giant flying sword.
Seeing that everyone was aboard, Peak Master Wen said nothing more. She activated the treasure with her spiritual power, and the Canglan Flying Boat Sword flashed with light, speeding toward the Qingyun royal capital.
Cang Si, coiled around Ye Ling’s wrist, sent a soul transmission.
“Sister, I’ve detected a peak Tongxuan Realm aura. She followed us from the direction of the sect just now and has been hovering several hundred meters above us. Her Divine Sense has been covering your surroundings the whole time.”
Ye Ling had her suspicions and replied, “She is likely a guardian the sect secretly arranged for me. Don’t worry about it.”
Cang Si muttered softly, “This sect is at least somewhat thoughtful, knowing to send someone to protect Sister. Her strength is just a bit weak, though.”
On the flying sword, the group of inner sect disciples led by Gu Yanci headed straight for the corners, where they sat cross-legged to rest and nourish their spirits.
The True Disciples, led by Lin Wanqing, occupied the most stable area in the center of the flying boat.
Ye Ling alone stood near the hilt of the sword.
Leng Yue walked slowly to Ye Ling’s side, pointed toward the center at the front, and whispered, “Xiao Ling, look. That is Lin Wanqing.”
Ye Ling looked in the direction she pointed.
At the very front of the True Disciple line stood a woman. Her appearance was not exceptionally beautiful, but her brow was filled with a heroic and valiant air, and her long hair was draped casually over her shoulders.
This was the most famous person in the Qinglan Sword Sect, the First True Disciple known as the Sword Heroine, Lin Wanqing.
Leng Yue continued in a low voice, “Before you, Lin Wanqing was the True Disciple with the greatest talent in three hundred years, second only to Su Qingyue. Her cultivation reached the peak Xiantian Realm long ago, and she is only a step away from the Tongxuan Realm.”
“She is the biggest favorite to win the championship in this Qingyun Grand Tournament.”
Sensing the undisguised gaze behind her, Lin Wanqing slowly turned her head. Her gaze fell on Ye Ling, and she gave a slight nod.
“Junior Sister Ye, I believe this is the first time the two of us have met.”
Ye Ling leaned forward slightly. “Yes, Senior Sister Lin. However, your reputation as the Sword Heroine has long been like thunder to my ears, both within the sect and out in the world.”
Lin Wanqing gave a faint, indifferent smile upon hearing this. “It is merely a bit of empty fame. Since I possess power, I should eliminate evil and protect the weak. That is simply what I ought to do.”
As her words fell, Lin Wanqing’s tone shifted slightly as she continued via transmission.
“Junior Sister Ye, the outside world says this Qingyun Grand Tournament will belong to the ‘Five Geniuses of Qingyun.’ But in my view, the world might be wrong this time.”
With her peak Xiantian Realm cultivation, she could tell at a glance that Ye Ling’s cultivation was already at Xiantian Realm Great Perfection. More importantly, she sensed the unique aura of a complete Sword Force coming from Ye Ling.
Right now, Ye Ling’s true combat power was already no less than the lower-ranked members of the Five Geniuses of Qingyun.
But Lin Wanqing had absolute confidence in her own strength. Moreover, Ye Ling belonged to the same Qinglan Sword Sect. For her own sect to produce another powerful junior was a good thing in her eyes.
After saying this, she spoke no more and turned back to face the direction the flying boat was heading.
Ye Ling clearly captured the hidden flicker of battle intent in Lin Wanqing’s eyes, and a bit of battle intent ignited in her own heart as well.
However, there was no need to rush a spar. The arena of the Qingyun Grand Tournament would be the best time to exchange blows.
Ye Ling suppressed the surging battle intent in her heart, closed her eyes, and began to regulate her breathing to nourish her spirit.
Standing not far away, Elder Leng Yue took in this silent confrontation between the two of them. With a faint smile on her lips, she stood quietly to the side without stepping forward to disturb them.
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