AUOF - 35

After Ji Hengyu regained his senses, Gui Xu returned to its usual state.

The postponed selection competition could now proceed as planned.

Ji Hengyu’s figure was absent from the main platform; instead, the three chief disciples and the Selection Elder presided over the event.

Sang Li sat in the middle of the crowd, neither too far forward nor too far back.

She quietly observed the competition from her inconspicuous seat in the corner. This round of the competition would take place within the Dragon Mountain Illusion Forest Map . The contestants’ rankings would be determined by the number of demons they defeated, as well as the order in which they emerged from the map.

The floating scroll suspended in midair was none other than the Dragon Mountain Illusion Forest Map .

This painting was crafted by the venerable Wu Yan Zhao Xu, a masterwork that contained tens of thousands of demonic creatures, mountains, seas, suns, and moons within its confines. Spanning approximately seven hundred kilometers from start to finish—not including the countless smaller illusionary realms—it was said to be a training scroll specifically created for Ji Hengyu by Wu Yan Zhao Xu. Upon completing his apprenticeship, Wu Yan gifted it to him as a parting present.

As Sang Li focused on observing the proceedings, a shadow fell over her.

Glancing sideways, she was surprised to see who it was: “Miss Situ?” Privately, Sang Li still referred to her as Miss Situ.

Situ remained as flamboyant as ever.

Her striking red attire made her stand out like a beacon, drawing frequent glances from others toward this otherwise overlooked corner.

Sang Li discreetly shifted her seat.

Undeterred, Situ squeezed closer.

She shifted again; Situ persisted. After the third attempt, the person sitting next to them finally lost patience and scolded her: “Do you not have your own seat?”

Sang Li awkwardly scooted back to her original spot.

The little goddess smirked triumphantly. “Why are you avoiding me? Are you afraid I’ll eat you?”

Sang Li forced a smile. “No, it’s just that Miss Situ is rather conspicuous.”

Situ raised an eyebrow. “Are you alright?”

“Hmm?”

“My senior brother has always been rigid and inflexible. If he offended you that day, don’t take it to heart.”

Sang Li murmured a soft acknowledgment.

“And also,” Situ continued, “when everyone evacuated the other day, why didn’t I see you?”

Situ had been worried that some demon might have dragged Sang Li away and even returned to look for her. Unfortunately, the stubborn guards of Gui Xu Palace refused to let her in, leaving her anxious and restless for days at Huan Lang Peak.

Sang Li’s fingers stiffened slightly as she awkwardly fabricated a clumsy excuse: “I… I was with the maidservants. Naturally, you wouldn’t run into me.”

“Oh.”

Situ naively accepted her explanation, as Sang Li appeared earnest and didn’t seem like someone who would lie.

After a moment of thought, Situ added, “This broken-down place isn’t safe. If you get the chance, I’ll take you to play in Huang Shui.”

Huang Shui Dragon Palace was the territory of Situ’s maternal family.

Though it had lost some of its former prosperity after her mother’s passing, it remained a peaceful and tranquil land—far better than Gui Xu. Moreover, the people there were kind; they never judged Situ based on her identity. Thus, Situ resolved that if she ever left the divine realm, she would return to Huang Shui, inherit her mother’s will, and protect its peace.

Sang Li didn’t respond.

“The next match: Sang Li versus Han Mang! Please prepare yourselves!”

Her name was called from above.

Situ immediately stopped talking and watched nervously as Sang Li stood up.

For today’s competition, Sang Li had dressed in practical combat attire, and even her long hair was tied into a neat high ponytail by Shao Yao. However, none of it seemed to help much—her frail frame still exuded a softness, like flowing water, and no matter how dark her martial attire, it couldn’t conceal her delicate form.

Situ’s heart clenched. “Sang Li.”

“Hmm?”

Sang Li turned back, her fox-like eyes clear and naturally alluring, blending two entirely different qualities into one.

Situ felt a pang of guilt. “Are you sure you don’t want me to help you?”

Sang Li shook her head. “Whether I win or lose, I want to rely on myself.”

Such admirable courage.

Situ sighed. “Do you have a weapon?”

Sang Li replied, “There are weapons on the stage; I can grab one when I go up.”

How naive.

Situ couldn’t bear to watch any longer. “The weapons on the stage are all third-rate junk. Knowing it’s a major competition, how could you come unprepared?”

Rummaging through her treasure bag, Situ retrieved a golden weapon case and tossed it to her carelessly. “This is the Xuan Mian Bone-Dissolving Blade . Though it doesn’t compare to the ancient Twelve Divine Weapons, it’s still one of the hundred treasures listed in the Heavenly Vault. Take it and use it for now—I’ll find something better for you later.”

One of the treasures from the Heavenly Vault? Use it casually??

Sang Li was utterly dumbfounded.

She had some understanding of the ranking of weapons in this world. The twelve ancient divine artifacts were beyond the reach of ordinary immortals—even if one were fortunate enough to encounter them, few had the destiny to wield them.

It was rumored that Ji Hengyu’s weapon was the foremost among the Twelve Divine Artifacts, capable of infinite transformations.

Next came the Chi Mo Twelve Evil Blades , which included twelve types of malevolent weapons totaling forty-eight blades. These ominous weapons were mostly shunned by immortals, save for demonic cultivators.

Below these two tiers lay the Hundred Treasures of the Heavenly Vault.

Comprising a hundred divine weapons crafted by a hundred renowned weapon masters, these treasures were scattered across the six realms. Weapons that others could only dream of possessing were casually handed to her as something to “use for now”?

Sang Li suddenly felt the weight of the case in her hands, so heavy that she nearly couldn’t lift it.

“Don’t argue—just take it,” Situ insisted, stuffing the weapon case into Sang Li’s storage pouch. “Your preparation time is almost up. Hurry and get on stage.”

Sang Li touched the storage pouch at her waist, overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you, Miss Situ. If I manage to join the Demon Subduers, I’ll definitely give you a gift.”

Situ wrinkled her nose dismissively. “What do you have—a few copper coins? Just go already, stop blabbering.”

Though her words were dismissive, Sang Li noticed her ears turning red.

Despite knowing that the goddess had ulterior motives, through their interactions, it was clear that Situ wasn’t using her entirely.

—She genuinely wanted to be friends with her.

Sang Li smiled at her, stepping onto the stage one step at a time, feeling increasingly determined not to disappoint the goddess.

She would put on a good performance—if she lost, she wouldn’t lose too disgracefully.

________________________________________

This was the first time in a thousand years that a maid from Gui Xu had participated in the selection competition.

The number of spectators for this event reached an all-time high. Gui Xu wasn’t exactly a proper immortal sect, so there weren’t many rules to follow, and naturally, gambling became a major part of the excitement.

In no time, the clan’s bulletin board on the Tongtian Mirror was flooded with betting pools.

Qi briefly glanced over while multitasking, just in time to see Li Ningxi place a bet of fifty thousand spirit stones. He sighed inwardly—

“You have money?”

His soul-piercing question made Li Ningxi’s handsome face droop. “Brother Qi…”

Qi was an honest man who always doted on his fellow disciples, usually granting their requests without hesitation. But now—

He let out a long sigh, speaking earnestly: “Ningxi, Brother truly has nothing left. I lent you everything last time. I didn’t even dare tell our lord that the reason I returned late this time was to earn spirit stones to cover my own expenses.”

He was a Qi Ghost , different from them immortals—he needed to consume meat to survive. When he returned empty-handed, unable to afford meat, he had to venture into the forest to hunt. But because of his terrifying appearance and menacing aura, most creatures fled before he even entered the woods. Hunting became nearly impossible, and he nearly starved to death.

Li Ningxi awkwardly scratched his head. There was no way he’d dare borrow from Yue Zhuqing.

Among the three disciples, Yue Zhuqing was undoubtedly the wealthiest.

Ji Hengyu was biased, giving Yue Zhuqing a monthly allowance while leaving Qi and him out in the cold. More accurately, Qi did receive an allowance—but it came in the form of various meats. As for Li Ningxi, he got nothing at all.

Thinking of their biased lord and his mounting debts, Li Ningxi sighed deeply.

Qi thought for a moment and sent a message to Ji Hengyu.

[The competition is about to begin. My Lord, won’t you come? It’s your little maid’s turn.]

There was no reply for a long time.

Just as the competition began, Qi focused his attention on the match when the Tongtian Mirror chimed softly.

Ji Hengyu’s response arrived slowly, his tone cold and biting—

[It seems you’re bored.]

Qi: “….”

So after all this time, he only managed to type these few words?

Qi quickly pieced it together.

The Tongtian Mirror had only been around for a century, mostly used by younger immortals. For someone like Ji Hengyu, who had lived five or six thousand years, he was more accustomed to traditional sound-transmission talismans and unfamiliar with the mirror’s functions.

Take himself, for example—it had taken him quite a while to figure out how to use the Tongtian Mirror .

Qi kindly explained: [My Lord, there’s a red symbol in the bottom-left corner of the Tongtian Mirror . Touch it to transmit voice messages. You’ve worked hard typing.]

Ji Hengyu: “.”

Qi tucked away the Tongtian Mirror and focused intently on the competition.

________________________________________

Sang Li and Han Mang had already stepped onto the stage, facing each other.

Before ascending to immortality, Han Mang was a blade cultivator. Standing over six feet tall with a tiger-like head and bear-like shoulders, he exuded power and might. Compared to him, Sang Li looked even more petite and delicate, seemingly incapable of withstanding even one punch.

But having learned his lesson, Han Mang didn’t underestimate Sang Li. He respectfully clasped his hands and bowed: “Please, teach me.”

Sang Li responded in kind: “Please, teach me.”

The long cry of a crow signaled the start of the competition, echoing across all of Gui Xu. The two simultaneously entered the Dragon Mountain Illusion Forest Map .

It was like stepping into a painting.

Before their eyes stretched mountains and rivers painted in ink, every blade of grass and tree rendered in ink-wash style, resembling a two-dimensional ancient-style animated world. The two living figures stood out starkly against the backdrop, looking entirely out of place.

A small ink-drawn bird stumbled through the air, landing near Sang Li’s feet. Its tiny black-bead eyes darted left and right, inspecting her with endearing liveliness.

The chubby little chick fluttered its wings toward her. Just as Sang Li reached out to catch it, a long blade suddenly blocked her path. The pitch-black edge sliced the bird cleanly in two.

The seemingly cute creature let out an ear-piercing, horrifying shriek before dissolving into a puddle of ink, seeping into the paper ground.

Sang Li was still shaken.

Han Mang sheathed his blade and kindly explained: “The Dragon Mountain Illusion Forest Map is no ordinary realm. What is depicted becomes reality. Don’t be deceived by appearances.”

Realizing her carelessness, Sang Li felt both ashamed and grateful as she thanked Han Mang: “Thank you, Immortal Han.”

“No need for thanks,” Han Mang replied. “I was rude to you earlier. Consider this my apology. However, I won’t show mercy during the rest of the competition. Please don’t take me lightly.”

“Of course.”

Han Mang nodded and took another path, leaving first.

This exchange was observed by the spectators without missing a detail, sparking a wave of murmurs.

“Han Mang is truly a gentleman. If it were me, I would’ve let the soul-eating bird invade her spirit sea.”

Soul-eating birds fed on soul threads, similar to dream demons. They were skilled at changing their appearance and luring unsuspecting victims.

“This girl has courage but lacks strength. She likely can’t stand up to Han Mang.”

“After all, she’s just a maid. I looked at her personal records—her ascension was difficult, and her qualifications are shallow. That’s why she’s stuck as a lowly servant in Huan Sha Garden.”

The crowd’s comments were filled with disdain.

Situ sat quietly for a while, listening. As the remarks grew increasingly harsh, her patience wore thin. With a sharp crack, she whipped her tail backward, her expression fierce: “Are you watching the competition with your mouths?”

Someone of Situ’s status usually sat in the upper seats.

No one expected her to be among the disciple seats. Stunned, they hurriedly apologized: “We disturbed the goddess. We’ll stay silent from now on. Please don’t be angry, goddess.”

Situ snorted and noticed that their Tongtian Mirrors were still open, displaying the betting odds.

The situation looked grim.

One to nine.

Only a small fraction of people had placed bets on Sang Li for entertainment’s sake.

Unwilling to accept this, Situ boldly joined in, throwing in five million high-grade spirit stones in one go, single-handedly crushing the entire betting pool.

The gamblers were shocked. Forgetting to mock Situ for her reckless spending, they scrambled to place their bets on Han Mang in hopes of winning the five million.

The commotion drew the attention of even the outer sect immortals, who, though not physically present, eagerly joined the betting frenzy.

Some curious onlookers activated the Tongtian Mirror’s multi-directional broadcast, projecting the competition onto various sects’ screens.

When Li Ningxi saw this, he was dumbfounded.

“Wow, this goddess really doesn’t lack money…”

Qi mocked him matter-of-factly: “Her mother was the Holy Maiden of Huang Shui. After her death, she left behind a dragon palace and ten mountains of gold and silver. Even a random bag she tosses is worth more than you.”

Situ’s mother was the goddess who protected fishermen and the seas of Huang Shui.

Huang Shui had a tradition: whether setting out to sea or returning safely, people would offer a portion of their earnings to the Holy Maiden’s domain as gratitude and blessing. Over thousands of years, each generation of Holy Maidens became wealthier than the last.

Though Situ’s reputation suffered due to her paternal lineage, no one questioned her financial standing.

Li Ningxi listened, wide-eyed and speechless.

Initially, he had placed a friendly bet on Sang Li but quickly withdrew his spirit stones and placed all fifty thousand on Han Mang instead.

The reason was simple: he wanted to win Situ’s spirit stones.

Five million! Even a tenth of that would make him rich!

Yue Zhuqing, who had remained silent until now, sneered and placed a hundred thousand spirit stones on Sang Li.

Li Ningxi stared in disbelief. “Senior Sister, you…”

Yue Zhuqing crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering as she casually mocked him: “Pathetic. A weathervane, swaying with the wind.”

Li Ningxi: “???”

What was this? Why was she suddenly cursing him?

Earning money wasn’t shameful.

He muttered under his breath, unfazed: “You’re not a weathervane; you don’t sway. Once I make money and buy my precious sword, don’t be jealous.” With that, he stuck out his tongue at her.

Yue Zhuqing found him utterly insufferable and smacked him: “Get lost.”

Li Ningxi rolled away, waiting to get rich.

—Hmph. By then, she’d be green with envy.