Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 309 Why Isn't Your Name Among These Names?
Lu Xingzhou felt the figure was familiar at first glance.

But Yuan Muyu's disguise was too ruthless. The large cloak wrapped her up like a dumpling, making it impossible to see her figure. Her face was also mostly covered, with only her chin visible from a distance, and even her lips were unclear. The only clue was that she was a woman, judging from her fair and delicate chin.

Even true fans can only recognize someone by looking at their mouth; no matter how much of a fan they admire, they can't recognize someone just by looking at their chin.

Lu Xingzhou had a strange sense of familiarity in his heart. After thinking about it, he remembered that Pei Chuyun had also worn a large cloak of the Yin Corpse Sect when she first appeared. Could this be the source of his sense of familiarity?
Could it be that some little vixen came here to cause trouble...? Lu Xingzhou scratched his head, thinking it was unlikely.

If an acquaintance were to appear here, it would most likely be Yuan Muyu… Would Yuan Muyu lower her head and avoid eye contact just because I looked over? Would she still be a fish then?

Forget who she is, we'll find out once we attack Angry Dragon Island.

Ye Tinglan, however, smiled slightly, as if she had noticed something.

Based on the best-of-three format, the outcome of the first match between the Du'e Immortal Sect and Golden Wind Island is already decided. There's no need to even compete for the third place. Ye Tinglan then leisurely announced: "Golden Wind Island wins the battle between the Du'e Immortal Sect and Golden Wind Island. The next match will be between Thousand Mountain Island and Slanting Moon Sect. Both sides are ready to take the stage."

At this moment, the island was in an uproar, with people whispering among themselves.

The Du'e Immortal Sect is a renowned sect within the land, and the mere mention of its name carries a weight of karma that few can bear. It is said that the sect harbors extraordinary beings. If anyone could cause trouble for the Tianyao Holy Land, the Du'e Immortal Sect would be a top contender.

Surprisingly, this "seed player" was eliminated in the very first match, leaving people momentarily stunned.

The process of eliminating them wasn't even a fierce battle; both matches ended in a single move.

On the other hand, Golden Wind Island is a relatively unknown entity. They seem to struggle even to get into a major competition among the sea sects, just like they were at the bottom of the rankings last year. How come they're suddenly so strong this time?
However, if people question whether they've brought in outside help, the blame doesn't fall on them. Unlike Lu Xingzhou and Lu Nuonuo, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Fang Qihao and Duan Ning have been active at sea for the past few years and have quite a reputation.

I just didn't expect that when we actually met, this little bit of reputation would be so strong.

The new duel between Thousand Mountains Island and Slanting Moon Sect is underway in the arena. It's quite a spectacle, and it really showcases the style of the immortal sects of the sea. Lu Xingzhou feels that they are generally a step stronger than the sects of the Central Plains.

Unfortunately, thanks to Fang Qihao and Duan Ning's antics, this kind of normal competition has lost its appeal. Now everyone is eagerly anticipating what will happen when Tianyao Holy Land takes the stage.

Will it end like Golden Wind Island, with a single blow?

"Qianshan Island versus Xieyue Sect, Xieyue Sect wins 2-1." Ye Tinglan's voice echoed throughout the arena: "Next match... Tianyao Immortal Sect versus Nujiao Island."

Yuan Muyu sighed helplessly.

What a terrible lot I drew.

I was hoping to see Xingzhou's current level first, or at least see Dugu Qingli, before I could give the people from Nujiao Island any pointers on how to fight.

The result matched perfectly.

Fine, if we're going to face off, so be it. As long as I don't get instantly killed, I can give some on-the-spot telepathic guidance.

Maybe my sister will find out? So what? She can just give me some pointers via telepathy. It'll be like sisters battling it out remotely.

Just then, Dugu Qingli appeared in the arena, her ice sword pointing at the distance: "Which one from Angry Dragon Island would like to come up and offer some pointers?"

Yuan Muyu felt as if the sword was pointed at her, and she almost wanted to go up and beat the person up herself.

After holding back for a long time, he finally gestured to a man in black beside him: "You go."

The man in black strode onto the stage: "I've heard that this little white-haired guy is the only direct descendant of the Heavenly Yao Holy Lord. I'll see how he's worth."

Before he could finish speaking, the man was already standing in front of Dugu Qingli. He drew his heavy sword and casually swung it: "Little white-haired brat, remember this, my name is..."

"choke!"

A flash of cold light.

Before Yuan Muyu could even send a telepathic message, blood splattered everywhere.

This time, Dugu Qingli did not use her usual signature Holy Ice Aura, nor did she use Ice Cold to slow down her opponent's speed. She only used the purest sword intent and the purest killing intent.

The man's heavy sword seemed to be intended to launch a preemptive attack, forcing Dugu Qingli to weaken her sword strike and retreat to defense, which is in line with the conventional practice of heavy weapons suppressing light weapons.

Unfortunately, he was too slow.

The heavy sword had barely moved when his shoulder was already pierced.

He couldn't bring himself to say his name. The man's face turned pale as he stared in disbelief at the little white-haired boy in front of him, unable to comprehend how the sword could be so fast.

Dugu Qingli took a step back, reversed the hilt of her sword, and cupped her hands in a respectful gesture.

They couldn't even be bothered to say "thank you" or "whatever your name is."

Those blue eyes were as calm as ice, and they were looking towards Yuan Muyu.

The man in front of her did not put any pressure on her. On the contrary, the strange man who was completely hidden in a cloak had eyes like lightning, with a hidden murderous aura. Wherever his gaze passed, it was where her most vulnerable spot was.

That's the kind of opponent that can pose a deadly threat.

In the ensuing silence, Dugu Qingli spoke calmly: "Is that person also a contestant?" Everyone turned their heads, their gazes all turning to Yuan Muyu.

Yuan Muyu inwardly wished she could pin this little white-haired brat to the ground and beat him a hundred times. She covered herself even more tightly with her cloak and said in a hoarse voice, "I'm just a substitute. Why does Miss Dugu ask that?"

"Oh." Dugu Qingli turned and stepped off the stage: "I just feel that if your side doesn't field you, there's no need to fight the second match."

Yuan Muyu subconsciously looked in Lu Xingzhou's direction, and Lu Xingzhou was also looking at her.

This time, Yuan Muyu did not deliberately lower her head.

The two, in different positions and separated by a vast crowd, made their first formal eye contact.

Lu Xingzhou slowly walked down the platform from behind Ye Tinglan and stepped onto the arena, saying, "The fighters were chosen by your side, and it's not a problem if you want to come out from the substitutes. I would also like to fight you."

Yuan Muyu asked in a hoarse voice, "Why?"

"I don't know why... but I always feel that you are very familiar to me, and also... very kind." Lu Xingzhou said, "I always feel that I long to meet you face to face."

Ye Tinglan's smile vanished.

Yuan Muyu's smile was harder to suppress than his boat's oars.

The old man beside him whispered, "King Yama, what do you think?"

Yuan Muyu was still looking at Lu Xingzhou, and casually said, "I'll go up then. You young generation are indeed no match for these guys, especially this one right now, hehe."

"No, what are you laughing at?" The old man was puzzled, but still managed to say, "Well... although we've made preparations for you to fight on our behalf, it's very easy to expose ourselves. Master Tinglan isn't someone to be easily fooled... Once exposed..."

"So what if I'm exposed? What are the consequences?"

“That…” The old man paused for a moment.

The consequence of being exposed is simply that their Angry Dragon Island will be expelled from this "circle" and barred from participating in such competitions in the future, which doesn't seem to be that important. After all, this circle is of little use in daily life, and no one will be more polite or tolerant towards you just because you belong to the same circle participating in the competition. Everyone here represents both righteous and demonic paths; they're not allies.

However, if there are any major issues, they will likely be mediated by the Tianyao Holy Land. At least if you have a life-or-death matter to ask for help, the Tianyao Holy Land will always give you some face and help you out, so that no major conflict will break out. Once you leave the circle, it's hard to say.

But at that time, the Supreme King Yama was also standing behind him, so it didn't seem to be a very serious matter. On the contrary, not letting the King Yama have his fill at this moment would directly offend the Supreme King Yama.

He just couldn't understand why Yama would have such a refined interest in joking around with a young man of the third rank... If he couldn't understand it, he wouldn't think about it anymore. The old man still compromised: "Then let Yama go. As long as he's happy."

Before he could finish speaking, Yuan Muyu had already taken the stage.

Old man: "..."

Ye Tinglan flipped through the list with a meaningful look: "According to your team's substitute list, your name is Pinglan? Fifteen years old?"

“Yes,” Yuan Muyu said leisurely, “Your Majesty, you were over twenty when you broke through to the third rank. You didn’t expect there to be so many talented people younger than you in the world, did you?”

The entire island was completely silent, with only the sound of the surrounding waves crashing like a symphony.

There have been quite a few people who have challenged the Tianyao Sect Master over the years, and Ye Tinglan has been challenged several times since arriving here. But at least everyone has some sense of propriety, and none of them would directly confront the Tianyao Holy Master personally; the arrogance is practically palpable.

Besides, it's called Pinglan... um.

Ye Tinglan took a deep breath: "To fight in hiding is disrespectful to the opponent. You may remove your cloak and speak."

Yuan Muyu said calmly, "Then let's see if this... disciple of Fairy Fuyao is qualified to remove my cloak."

In fact, there was no need to even reveal it; Lu Xingzhou was already stunned as he stood in front of him.

No matter how much a cloak covers, how much can it really conceal? From a distance, with her head deliberately lowered, nothing could be seen. But now, so close, it's not just her chin that's visible; her lips, the tip of her nose…

Sister Fish, what are you doing?
You came here intending to embarrass the Tianyao Holy Land, fine, but you actually went and did it yourself?
I'll go in myself, fine, but you're going to hit me?

Wait, why isn't anyone checking her bone age? Is this person even fit to play?
Seeing Lu Xingzhou's stunned expression, Yuan Muyu had already guessed what he was thinking. She found it both amusing and somewhat delightful, but her tone remained calm and composed: "What's wrong? Is this Mr. Lu Xingzhou, the seventh rising star, genius alchemist, top scholar of the Alchemy Academy, guest elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect, personal disciple of Fairy Fuyao, and regarded as a son by the Holy Lord of Tianyao... afraid?"

Lu Xingzhou lowered his voice: "Of all these names... why isn't yours?"

Yuan Muyu coldly replied, "What does it have to do with me?"

"Then why did you go on stage?"

"Wasn't it you and your white-haired lover who each tried to shove me up here?" Yuan Muyu said coldly, "Now that you're up here, are you ready for how you're going to die?"

Lu Xingzhou took a few deep breaths, realizing that he really had to fight Yuan Muyu in front of everyone.

Yuan Muyu watched as his expression changed from disbelief to seriousness, and then to a slight smile. She cupped her hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Then please, this... elder sister, give me your guidance."

(End of this chapter)