Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 156 Their Present

Xiazhou, Danxia Mountain.

Shen Tang was cultivating in the hall when many disciples ran in from outside: "Sect Master, Sect Master, many people from down the mountain have come to report good news!"

"Good news?" Shen Tang opened her eyes.

The disciple was very excited: "Yes, it was the head of the Pill Refining Department who said that our Heavenly Sword Sect people swept the top two spots, which is a great honor for Xia Prefecture. Everyone came to congratulate us. Elder Lu is really amazing! Even A'Nuo is amazing!"

Shen Tang's eyes were filled with tenderness: "Mmm."

Elders Tang Yunzhong and others were also very pleased: "The benefits of this matter to the reputation of our Tianxing Sword Sect are self-evident. Elder Lu is able to help the sect even from far away in the capital. He is truly a lucky general."

His intention was not for the sect's reputation... Shen Tang blushed slightly and said nothing.

Father should have seen him by now; I wonder what their attitude will be when they meet.

Shen Tang knew that Lu Xingzhou had no goodwill towards her father, and she deduced that his hatred had intensified after he personally crippled her legs. Could he really be about to clash with her father...? Probably not, he's such a rational person...

Perhaps he's trying to gain the Emperor's favor on the surface, but secretly plotting against him... That's more in line with Lu Xingzhou's style.

But I'm really worried about him clashing with his father...

"Sect Master, Sect Master?"

The sounds around Shen Tang startled her awake. Looking around, she saw that everyone's expressions were strange. Shen Tang coughed lightly and regained her elegance: "Uncle Zhong, go and prepare some red envelopes to distribute. Please convey my gratitude to the elders of Xiazhou who brought me this good news."

Tang Yunzhong left with a smile.

Shen Tang lazily glanced around: "You've all known about Elder Lu's abilities for a long time. Who said that since he's gone, Spirit Spring Mountain is just sitting empty and might as well be put to use? Anyone who said that, come out and take a few steps?"

"Ahem." Someone lowered their head awkwardly, not daring to say anything.

Lingquan Mountain and the Huo Residence are theoretically Lu Xingzhou's "private land," only "rented" to the Tianxing Sword Sect. Lu Xingzhou didn't say he wanted to monopolize them, generously letting Shen Tang make the arrangements. However, in the two months since he left, Shen Tang hasn't arranged for any Tianxing Sword Sect branch to move in there, seemingly tacitly granting Lu Xingzhou exclusive control of the mountain. This naturally attracts some criticism. The surrounding area of ​​two mountains has been forcibly divided, leaving one mountain empty—isn't that absurd…?

But the sect leader is far too protective of Elder Lu; sometimes everyone feels as if the Heavenly Sword Sect is jointly owned by Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou…

The land does indeed belong to Lu Xingzhou privately, and no one can really say anything about it. Now that Lu Xingzhou has become everyone's public face, it's even harder to say.

Not only is he a paragon of the Heavenly Sword Sect, but also a paragon of Xia Prefecture. Since Xia Prefecture was downgraded, it hasn't produced a top scholar in any field for many years, and Lu Xingzhou is a native of Xia Prefecture! No wonder the Pill Refining Department is overjoyed. Chen Jinnian, who has already been promoted to the prefectural level, is extremely prestigious as Lu Xingzhou's recommender, and has already hosted a banquet for two days.

Shen Tang said calmly, "Instead of staring at other people's private mountains all day long, why not broaden your horizons? Do you really think that you can develop into a first-class sect just by occupying Danxia Mountain? Let's not even talk about the Fenxiang Mountain branch. Just consider all the mountains in Xiazhou. What's the next step in your plan? With Elder Lu not here, is there no one who can come up with a framework?"

People who came to offer their congratulations were instead criticized, leaving them feeling somewhat amused and exasperated.

Anyone with a modicum of understanding of the higher-ups' intentions could roughly guess that Shen Tang felt Lu Xingzhou's career was progressing so well that she needed to be a suitable match for him...

But you're already a perfect match! The breakthroughs at the Heavenly Sword Sect these past few months have been like beans popping out of the sky. Even Lu Xingzhou would be shocked when he returns. And you still think it's not enough... How can a sect develop so quickly? It's only been a short time...

Just then, several more disciples ran in from outside: "Sect Master, Sect Master, double happiness!"

Shen Tang was taken aback: "What is it now?"

"The new Great Qian Dynasty Heroes Ranking has been released, and the Sect Master has ascended to the top of the ranking!"

“Heh…” Shen Tang shook his head: “It’s just the bottom of the list, I’m too embarrassed to go out and say it, what’s there to be happy about?”

People looked at each other, and of course they were happy. A newcomer was still just a newcomer, and even if he ranked first, he was still seen as a "junior." Entering the Heroes Ranking was different; it meant that one belonged to a true "master"—not everyone in the top three ranks was qualified to be on the list. For example, those who relied on drugs to build up their strength were basically excluded. Being on the list meant that one's strength was recognized.

It's hard to say exactly how many cultivators there are in the upper three ranks of the Great Qian Dynasty, but there are only three or four hundred on the list. That's the top three or four hundred out of a huge population! Isn't that enough to brag about? This boost to the sect's reputation actually surpasses Lu Xingzhou's title as the top alchemist, okay?

The disciples understood their master's intentions, and one of them said with a grin, "Sect Master, Elder Lu has also entered the Rising Star Ranking, ranking eighth! By the way, Elder Lu and Miss Anuo have also ranked third and fourth on the Alchemist Deputy Ranking!"

Shen Tang's uninterested expression immediately brightened: "As expected, double happiness! Show me the new list."

"..." The disciples handed over the list.

Shen Tang glanced at it, her expression slightly taken aback: "Where did this Pei family girl come from?"

Someone replied, "I heard this rumor when I went to the city a few days ago. It's said that it was Elder Lu who helped find Prime Minister Pei's daughter who was lost many years ago."

Shen Tang almost crumpled the list into a ball: "I know, isn't this the little demon girl who went on the mountain adventure last time? What's their relationship now? Why are you helping her find her family!"

The disciples looked at each other, wondering if this was the key point a sect leader should focus on when looking at the rankings.
Forget it, let's just destroy this sect.

Shen Tang's gaze, however, fell on Dugu Qingli's entry, and she murmured to herself, "Qingli is finally about to rise in the world..."

…………

The northwestern border region is a desolate expanse of sand.

A group of people arrived in the border town. The leader was a young man, surrounded by a group of burly men. They were asking the townspeople in a tavern, "There is a tomb hidden in the sand, and ghostly wails are heard everywhere. Travelers dare not cross the border... We have come because of this rumor. Can you tell us more details?"

The drinkers all said, "It's better not to go. Not long ago, a small sect went in, and the entire sect never came out."

The burly men pointed at the young man and laughed: "Small sects usually wouldn't dare to go there, but it's no problem for us. Do you know who our young master is? He's ranked third on the Great Qian Rising Star List!"

The patrons were quite surprised: "Isn't the third-ranked newcomer on the list a girl named Pei Chuyun? Did she have a sex change?"

The young man, who was leisurely drinking his wine, almost spat it out upon hearing this, coughing incessantly from the choking noise.

The subordinates were also quite embarrassed: "Our young master has been third for a year now, with countless achievements! What, a direct descendant of the Tianyao Holy Land, a daughter of the Pei family—when has anyone ever heard of their achievements? They're just relying on their powerful backgrounds to force their way in and gain fame!" A drinker said, "The Demon Suppression Division's ranking is fair; it shouldn't be this bad..."

"It used to be fair, but now that a young girl is the editor-in-chief, who knows? Look at those judgments, one after another, is that ranking or putting on a play?"

The drinkers didn't argue, clearly sensing that this group was getting anxious. A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle... The Demon Suppression Bureau's ranking system has been around for so many years, and it still has some credibility. At least it hasn't collapsed yet, and the drinkers are still willing to believe it.

Anyway, we now know who these people are: Sha Tianhao, the young master of the Huangsha Society, and the former third-ranked rookie. After Ye Wufeng's death, he should have moved up to second place, but two women suddenly appeared in his place, causing him to drop from third to fourth... He's a pitiful guy, so let's not upset him.

Sha Tianhao finally spoke up: "We're here to solve the problems of the desert trade routes for everyone. Why are we worrying about these things? Our strength is what it is. Being powerful doesn't mean you have a big background. Next time you see those two women, you'll know your own strength and weakness."

"Young Master is right."

Sha Tianhao put down a gold ingot: "Enough of this idle talk. Anyone who has seen that so-called mausoleum will be richly rewarded if they can lead the way."

This sounds like they're not here to resolve any trade issues, but rather to dig up graves. These places, which look like "ancient tombs" but seem harmless enough not to hurt the townspeople, aren't of much interest to powerful figures. They're perfect for small sects or upstarts to train and explore.

A generous reward always brings forth brave men. The drinkers who had just advised against going immediately stood up and said, "I've seen it before."

Sha Tianhao said, "You've seen it and were able to return safely, so there must be no danger in the surrounding area, right?"

"I was caught in a sandstorm, and a strange man saved me. By the time I came to my senses, I was already outside the town."

"wack?"

"A strange woman with white hair and blue eyes, as cold as ice, I suspect she's a demon... a demon... a demon..."

He started to stutter at the end, his eyes staring blankly back at the entrance to the town.

A figure slowly emerged from the sandstorm, returning to the border town.

People stared in disbelief and saw a young girl with white hair and blue eyes, carrying a long sword on her back. She wore only coarse cloth clothes, tattered from a long battle, with traces of congealed blood still visible. But the sand and blood had not stained her skin; it remained crystal clear, like ice crystals.

Her blue eyes stared at the man who had spoken, a chilling gaze piercing her very bones.

Many people stood up and drew their swords, shouting, "Where did this monster come from!"

The girl's eyes swept over them, her gaze revealing no emotion.

Sha Tianhao reached out to stop his subordinate and whispered, "It doesn't seem like a demon; it doesn't have any demonic aura."

The girl spoke calmly: "There's no need to go to the desert anymore. The ancient tomb has been destroyed, and the sand demon and scorpion demon that had gathered have been slain. The illusion has collapsed, and this path is now open."

After saying that, he went into the tavern and said, "Bring three jugs of water and some meat."

Sha Tianhao's gaze fell on the pendant at the girl's waist; it was ancient and solemn, with a distinctly ancient feel. A thought flickered in his mind, and he suddenly blocked the girl's path: "According to what you said, it was you who deciphered the secrets of the Sandy Tomb?"

The girl gave him a strange look: "What's it to you?"

"Are all those who see the remains from the girl's tomb entitled to a share?"

The girl repeated, "What's it to you?"

After saying that, he didn't bother to pay any more attention, took the wine and meat, and left.

Sha Tianhao stopped him again.

With a "clang," a cold light burst forth, and icy mist suddenly rose.

Before everyone's eyes, the girl had already passed by Sha Tianhao and reached the outside of the tavern.

A bloody gash on Sha Tianhao's chest spread rapidly, and blood spurted out like a fountain.

"Young Master, Young Master!" The subordinates rushed forward, frantically applying medicine and bandaging her wounds. One of them shouted at the girl's retreating figure, "Who are you? Dare to reveal your name! The Yellow Sand Society will surely avenge you!"

"My name is Dugu Qingli, I'm not a demon, remember that." The girl didn't turn around, and slowly walked towards the yellow sand.

The burly men, who had been looking for trouble, suddenly stopped and stared blankly as the girl's figure disappeared into the distance.

This name has been widely known recently... The second-ranked rising star, the direct descendant of the Tianyao Holy Land, and the only disciple of Ye Tinglan, the number one in the world, is she?
The Yellow Sands will surely be punished? Punish your mother!

No one dared to utter a word; they silently treated Sha Tianhao.

Sha Tianhao was pale, whether from injury or fright was unclear. The other patrons were all glancing at him furtively, their expressions unreadable.

If you actually meet those two women who suddenly appeared, do you know your own strength and weakness? Then we certainly know that you can't even withstand a single move from them.

The Demon Suppression Division's rankings were definitely not random...

Dugu Qingli walked to the entrance of the town, but it seemed like only after a long time that she suddenly realized something. She stopped and asked, "Have you heard of my name?"

Immediately, a drinker shouted, "Young lady, you've been in the desert all this time, you probably don't know you've already entered the rookie rankings and are in second place!"

"Second...who's first? Shen Tang?"

"Uh, it's Qi Tuizhi, the young master of Lingtian Pavilion."

The girl said nothing more and disappeared into the sandstorm.

(End of this chapter)