Fairy, I'm going to control you tightly!

"have not seen you for a long time."

Ji Nanbei controlled his body and gave a proper greeting.

"Oh my! The little sword immortal actually greeted me first! You almost made me cry on stage last time, and you didn't say a word to me."

Zhang Qingmiao's eyes lit up as she spoke in an exaggerated tone.

In his mind, Xiao Jingxi helplessly explained to Ji Nanbei:

"During her last competition, she started babbling on and on as soon as she stepped onto the stage. Normally, the two sides should introduce themselves and their teachers first, but... it was just..."

This made it even harder for Xiao Jingxi, who was already nervous at the time, to cope.

Ji Nanbei expressed his understanding.

"Because the last one was a formal arena match. As practitioners, we should be fully focused and take every fight seriously."

Ji Nanbei easily glossed over the matter, giving a perfectly reasonable and appropriate explanation.

"That's right, that's right, truly worthy of being called a Little Sword Immortal, your awareness is indeed high! Ah, thinking about it this way, losing to you doesn't seem so shameful after all. Oh, right..."

Ji Nanbei (in his mind): This guy really talks a lot!

"She's always like that. But it's good, she can finish everything on her own, so I don't need to say much when we're together."

Xiao Jingxi added this in her mind.

Ji Nanbei (controlling his body) lightly touched his forehead almost imperceptibly.

"By the way, have you heard any details about this cultivation world competition?"

Zhang Qingmiao's question finally stopped her from talking non-stop for the time being.

Ji Nanbei was quite interested in this.

There has indeed been no detailed information from the Immortal Spirit Sword Sect yet.

"The Immortal Spirit Sword Sect hasn't officially announced the details yet, but you already know?"

"Hmm, I've heard some rumors. This cultivation world competition is tentatively named 'Parting the Clouds and Seizing the Flag.' It's said that before the final ranking battle, there will be a secret realm group battle to select the qualified contestants for the final ranking battle. However, you and I don't need to worry about this part. According to tradition, the top three winners of the previous Nine Gates Tournament can directly enter the final ranking battle."

"Seizing the Flag Amidst the Clouds"...

The name sounds like it refers to a battle for some kind of flag in a secret realm?

Ji Nanbei didn't care too much.

After all, Zhang Qingmiao also mentioned that Xiao Jingxi, as the previous champion, is entitled to directly advance to the final ranking battle. At that time, it will be a one-on-one arena battle.

At that time, it would naturally be Xiao Jingxi himself who should take the stage.

It's your own game, so of course you have to play it yourself!

With Xiao Jingxi's strength, he was able to overwhelm all the competitors and win the championship last time, so he should be able to win again this time.

Zhang Qingmiao continues to share what she knows:

"The runner-up of last year's Nine Gates Championship, that guy from the Moon Worshiping Demon Sect, has exceeded the age limit this year, so we won't be seeing him this time. This is probably the last time we two will participate in this grand event! You beat me last time, so this time I'm determined to get my revenge, hehe..."

Suddenly, Zhang Qingmiao's eyes widened as if she had discovered something extraordinary.

"Hey! No way! You...you actually shattered your core and entered the Nascent Soul stage!?"

Ji Nanbei felt quite helpless.

He didn't deliberately hide his cultivation level at all (nor did he know how to do so), and it had been quite some time since he entered the door, yet this fellow Daoist Zhang Qingmiao only just noticed it now.

Could it be that she was focused on talking the whole time?

"Just lucky."

"Huh?! How can we even compare like this?! Wow, Shao Jianxian, what kind of monstrous genius are you incarnate?!"

Zhang Qingmiao immediately adopted a "wailing" posture.

Ji Nanbei was speechless for a moment.

He had seen energetic and lively girls before, but he had never met one so talkative and unconventional.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang..."

"Oh dear, just call me Qingmiao, or A-Miao is fine too! We're practically standing shoulder to shoulder on the waves of this era, why be so formal!"

Ji Nanbei's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Fellow Daoist Qingmiao, as far as I know, the Daoist school has always emphasized tranquility and peace, following the natural way. Qingmiao, you... with such a carefree nature, are you... able to adapt well within the Daoist school?"

The implication is: With your unconventional nature, you've never received any admonitions from your elders in the Taoist sect.

"Hey! Don't even mention it! Look at this Taoist robe I'm wearing. To this day, my old man still only allows me to wear the blue disciple's robe. As a dignified 'Little Celestial Master,' even if I can't wear the highest-ranking purple robe, shouldn't I at least be entitled to a yellow or red robe? That wretched old man always says that my 'Taoist skills are not yet refined, and my mind is not yet settled'..."

Ji Nanbei fell silent again.

Although he was not a Taoist practitioner, he still possessed the most basic common sense.

In Taoism, purple is considered the most revered color.

Those purple Taoist robes are usually only worn by the sect leader of a Taoist sect or a senior elder of extremely high rank. Red and yellow also represent a very high status and cultivation level.

At least, on his way up the mountain, Ji Nanbei only saw two Taoist elders dressed in red Taoist robes.

And this "little exorcist" in front of us...

The fact that she has not been "strictly disciplined" within the Taoist sect can probably only be attributed to her truly exceptional talent, which has earned her considerable attention.

Otherwise, given Zhang Qingmiao's unconventional nature, if she were of mediocre talent, she would probably have been hung at the mountain gate as a "warning to others" to rectify the sect's conduct.

After complaining about her teachers, Zhang Qingmiao quickly turned her attention back to her own teachers.

"No, no, don't interrupt! You're already at the Nascent Soul stage! Quick, share some of your experience with me. How did you manage to break through realms as easily as drinking water?"

Ji Nanbei really wanted to say, "I am exceptionally gifted, it's that simple."

But then he thought about it again and simply recounted his experience in Fallen Spirit City, explaining that he had broken through to the Nascent Soul stage under the pressure of life and death.

Upon hearing this, even the usually carefree Zhang Qingmiao was stunned and didn't know how to react for a long time.

This is exactly the effect Ji Nanbei wanted.

Taking advantage of the other party being "shocked" by the news, Ji Nanbei decisively made an excuse and slipped away.

The Dao Sect had already arranged comfortable lodgings for the Immortal Spirit Sword Sect group to rest in.

The disciples of the Immortal Sword Sect will stay at the Dao Sect for some time.

The so-called exchange and walking generally refers to disciples practicing their skills with each other, or sitting and discussing the Dao, exchanging their cultivation experiences.

Moreover, top disciples like Xiao Jingxi and Zhang Qingmiao will inevitably clash again in the "Flag Seizing the Clouds" competition soon, so they will most likely not personally participate in the exchanges at this time.

With this in mind, Ji Nanbei felt much more at ease.

Xiao Jingxi could comfortably stay at the Daozong's guesthouse.

A day passed quickly, and Ji Nanbei's time to possess the soul was coming to an end. After saying goodbye to Xiao Jingxi, his consciousness returned to his body.

Tomorrow, he will go to the newly identified third body to find out more.

This third body is the key to saving Master Cheng Ling'er, and cannot be taken lightly.