Chapter 106: Helpless Fury

The eerie silence gradually dulled Qu Youyou’s laughter until it faded away. Frowning in confusion, she glanced over the crowd and asked, “What’s wrong with all of you?”

Usually, when something like this happened to Xiao Pingfeng, her fellow disciples would treat it as a joke. But today, the atmosphere was unusually calm.

“Young Junior Sister Youyou, you haven’t just come out from the Confinement Cliff, have you?” Zuo Peng asked with exaggerated surprise.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wen and Huang Lan’s faces instantly paled. They hurriedly grabbed Qu Youyou, wanting to leave. But out of the corner of her eye, Qu Youyou saw the other disciples barely suppressing their smiles. Qu Yi Qiu looked at her with a half-smile, half-smirk, and a strange feeling stirred in her heart. Sensing something was amiss, she resolutely refused to leave with them.

Standing firm, she lifted her head slightly and said, “Senior Brother Zuo, what exactly are you trying to say?”

Zuo Peng, pleased that she was playing along, prepared to answer. But before he could speak, Zhao Wen suddenly shouted loudly, “Senior Sister Youyou, Master Mo’s injury has been healed. He’s truly broken through now!”

Zhao Wen knew if he didn’t say it first, when Zuo Peng revealed it, he and Huang Lan would be in trouble later.

Qu Youyou froze in disbelief.

Feigning surprise, Zuo Peng looked at Zhao Wen. “Junior Brother Zhao, are you only telling Senior Sister Youyou now?”

It was a rhetorical question, clearly meant to remind them of a previous grudge about the dog tunnel incident. Zhao Wen and Huang Lan were furious but powerless.

Qu Youyou’s gaze darted between Zhao Wen and Huang Lan, seeing their guilty and fearful expressions, and she immediately understood the truth.

A surge of anger flared in her heart, her bright eyes flashing with annoyance. “You’ve known all along?”

Huang Lan wiped cold sweat from her brow and whispered, “Senior Sister, we wanted to tell you just now…”

Zhao Wen’s face turned red with nervousness under the watchful eyes of the crowd. “Senior Sister, let’s talk back at the residence!”

“Oh, by the way, there’s one thing they didn’t mention.” Qu Yi Qiu lifted her eyes humorously toward Qu Youyou and pulled Mu Yunjin along. “My junior brother also broke through to Foundation Establishment recently. The clan elders and your father know about it.”

“What did you say?” Qu Youyou’s eyes widened, sparks flying, as if she wanted to tear her apart.

Mu Yunjin blinked innocently. “Senior Sister is telling you I’ve already reached Foundation Establishment. You’re Master Su’s disciple, Senior Sister Youyou, so why haven’t you broken through yet? Didn’t you say the Nine Swords Peak was powerful?”

Qu Yi Qiu glanced sideways at Mu Yunjin, smiling with teeth showing, eyes curved like crescent moons, as if proudly taking credit.

Seeing this, Qu Youyou felt her heart ache with frustration. Mo Qingli’s disciple had already broken through!

She turned angrily to Zhao Wen and the others. This was all their doing, making her lose face before everyone!

Zhao Wen’s lips went pale, his eyes flickering. “Senior Sister, let’s talk back at the residence…”

“Yes, yes, Senior Sister, whatever you want to know, we’ll tell you everything!” Huang Lan nodded frantically.

“Is this how Master Su’s disciple looks? No wonder Master Su locked her in Confinement Cliff for so long. She’s far inferior to Master Mo’s disciple!” The crowd murmured among themselves.

“Don’t be fooled by Brother Mu’s young age. His talent far surpasses Senior Sister Youyou. There’s no comparison!”

“Only Brother Chi can somewhat match Brother Mu, but I think with Master Mo’s rapid breakthrough, Master Su will soon be overshadowed!”

The whispers grew louder, and even if the three of them wanted to stop it, it was too late.

Qu Youyou was furious, smoke practically rising from her orifices. She glared around in anger. “Quiet! All of you be quiet!”

Unlike Qu Yi Qiu, who had memories of two lifetimes, Qu Youyou was truly a pampered child. Now, she could no longer hold back the shame and anger deep inside. Suddenly, countless water spheres condensed and shot toward the crowd.

She would not allow anyone to look down on her!

Water droplets splashed, spiritual energy radiated.

Disciples above the mid Qi Refinement stage dodged her attacks, but those below were not so lucky. The exploding water spheres scorched their bodies, as if burned by fire.

Qu Yi Qiu clicked her tongue softly. Even after being confined for so long, Qu Youyou hadn’t learned a single lesson.

She wondered how Chief Luo would punish her if he found out.

Qu Yi Qiu leisurely led Mu Yunjin to a safe spot, avoiding Qu Youyou’s indiscriminate water sphere assault.

A figure in green clothes swept down from midair, lowering a huge jade bowl to cover the crowd.

“What are you doing? Come with me!” Chi Yushu frowned, grabbing Qu Youyou’s shoulder without a word and pulling her away from the square.

Qu Yi Qiu watched them leave at ease.

The crowd gradually gathered again near the arena, whispering about Qu Youyou’s wild outburst.

“Hey, isn’t that…?” Qu Yi Qiu’s gaze shifted to the thirteen-year-old boy beside Jiang Shuangyan, swallowing the words she was about to say.

“What’s Senior Sister talking about?” Mu Yunjin asked curiously.

Qu Yi Qiu withdrew her gaze and shook her head. “I said nothing.”

Xia Changhan, graceful and poised, strolled over fanning himself with a folding fan. He smiled lightly. “Brother Chi’s technique is improving. He managed to deploy the Azure Rock Shield in just one breath.”

Qu Yi Qiu was momentarily stunned but replied casually, “The first disciple of Nine Swords Peak is naturally exceptional.”

“Yes, among the young generation of the Tianyan Sect, the most outstanding disciple is none other than Brother Chi.” Xia Changhan spoke slowly.

Qu Yi Qiu glanced at Mu Yunjin instinctively. Seeing no flicker of emotion on his face, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Senior Brother Xia, your strength is formidable too. You’ll surely claim first place in the Foundation Establishment competition this time!”

Xia Changhan snapped his fan shut, smiling with gentle eyes. “Brother Chi isn’t participating this year, and I don’t want to bully the younger disciples anymore.”

Qu Yi Qiu was slightly surprised. “Senior Brother Xia isn’t signing up for the sect competition?”

Xia Changhan nodded. “Exactly.”

Qu Yi Qiu was momentarily dazed. The number of first disciples participating this year was decreasing!

Mu Yunjin looked at Xia Changhan with curiosity, silently assessing his strength.

Seemingly unaware, Xia Changhan turned to look at the arena and chuckled lightly. “The competition has begun. Everyone has improved a lot!”

Qu Yi Qiu looked over as well, pulling Mu Yunjin along. “Let’s go. Your number is early; your turn will come soon.”

Xia Changhan smiled like a spring breeze. “New talented junior brother, I haven’t watched your match yet. Don’t mind if Senior Brother watches from below?”

Mu Yunjin shook his head, confidence shining as he clenched his small fists. “Senior Brother, Senior Sister, watch closely as Yunjin wins!”