But now...
Mao Cheng focused intently, nodding: "I thought this girl was reckless, but now it seems she is confident and assured, determined to win! Indeed, if she can slay this demon crocodile, she is undeniably the first of this tournament!"
"Uh..."
Xu Changhe was taken aback, coughing lightly,
"None of the other cultivators have intervened, let’s wait and see!"
The Li Family Head was equally taken aback, feeling as though this was predetermined, wasn’t it?
Mao Cheng isn’t even pretending?
The Li Family also has a prodigy!
The Li Family Head curled his lips in secret pride.
The Li Family’s prodigy has long been at the Ninth-Layer of Qi Cultivation, but outsiders are unaware!
This Demon Hunting Conference will show who is the ultimate victor!
The Li Family Head timed it perfectly, applauding in admiration: "What impressive swordsmanship! Does Taoist Friend Mao know from which family this disciple comes? From your words, Taoist Friend Mao, it seems you don’t know who she is?"
He speculated that this girl belonged to the Xu Family, most likely that legendary genius of the Xu Family.
The Xu Family had always protected her well, but now, she has mastered magic and reached Late Period Qi Cultivation, and the Xu Family has allowed her to emerge.
"Taoist Friend Xu is joking. What is there to observe or not? If she kills that Qi Cultivation Perfection demon crocodile and its numerous followers, being the first in the conference is only a matter of course."
Mao Cheng shook his head in retort, his gaze fixed on the battlefield,
"Besides, I’ve been secluded for years, how would I recognize these young juniors?"
"Indeed!"
Xu Changfeng shook his head; if it were Mao Cheng with his stubbornness, knowing this girl was Qing Jun, wouldn’t he turn around and leave?
He is a person of integrity, meeting Qing Jun reminds him of his debt to his benefactor.
Moreover, after injuring his vital artery, he became eccentric, entirely unreasonable.
Just as they were speaking, the lake surface suddenly exploded with a massive wave.
Another entirely black crocodile demon burst out of the water, its three-zhang long body densely covered with bone spikes, clearly another Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation demon beast!
"Not good!" Mao Cheng rose abruptly, the gourd at his waist glowing. For a moment, his mind was distracted, forgetting there was another beneath the lake!
"Don’t worry, Taoist Friend Mao, observe her sword!" Xu Changfeng was not worried but excited; this was the moment to showcase Qing Jun’s exceptional skill!
Moreover, with Changhe protecting Qing Jun, no accident would occur.
Rather than retreating, the young girl advanced, the sword in her hand bursting with green light, slashing downward from three-zhang above the demon crocodile’s head.
"Moonlight Seal!"
A silver-white symbol gathered at the sword’s tip, transforming into an arc-shaped light blade that cut down.
This was a seal she comprehended on the spot, incredibly sharp, known for breaking through enemy defenses.
The demon crocodile roared in anger, raising its back spikes in defense, but the light blade sliced through its flesh like tofu, carving a bone-deep wound on its back.
"Isn’t that the Xu Family True Seal?" The Li Family Head suddenly said.
Xu Changfeng feigned surprise: "Oh? Unexpected that neither of you knew, this girl is..."
"Silence! Watch her magical battle, to prevent any unexpected..."
Mao Cheng suddenly interrupted sharply, his expression fluctuating.
He stared intently at the battlefield; the silver-haired girl flipped agilely in the air, narrowly avoiding the demon crocodile’s tail swipe, then countering with a Cloud Breaking Seal at the beast’s wound.
The demon crocodile went wild with pain, black mist swirling around it.
At the moment it lashed out fiercely, a sword light struck from the side—Zhiwei took action!
By then, she had eliminated the other demon crocodile, forcing the underwater one to surface.
The sisters coordinated flawlessly, one attacking, the other supporting.
The demon crocodile quickly grew desperate, ultimately seized by Qing Jun with a strike through its throat!
"Beautiful!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from the viewing platform. The silver-haired girl gracefully landed on the fallen demon crocodile, casually twirling her sword, turning to smile radiantly at the black-haired girl.
This smile left Mao Cheng struck as if by lightning.
Too much alike!
The youthful Qingzhu was just as spirited, until later, forced to marry into the Xu Family by him...
Xu Changfeng timely sighed: "Tsk tsk, who would’ve thought our Xu Family possessed such astonishing genius! That sequence of four seals, even I might struggle to achieve."
Mao Cheng paused in silence, suddenly asking: "What’s her name?"
"Seems it’s... Xu Qingjun?"
Xu Changfeng feigned recollection,
"Right. Our Xu Family has offered such a grand prize, how about Taoist Friend Mao offers some too? I hear the Mao Family has a Secret Realm known as the Heart Slaughter Cave, why not, for the conference champion, grant a spot for Heart Slaughter training?"
The Family Head of the Li Family curled his lips.
This Xu Changfeng really dares to dream!
The Heart Slaughter Cave is the lifeblood of the Mao Family. This Secret Realm is different from other Secret Realms, containing many Second Tier Flying Swords.
If outsiders entered the Heart Slaughter Cave and claimed the Flying Swords as their own, it would be as if the Mao Family had lost a Second Tier Flying Sword.
That Qing Jun is your own person, of course you would willingly give him a Magical Treasure.
But how could Mao Cheng bear it?
In the end, the middle-aged Taoist sat dryly in his chair, squeezed his gourd, and after a while, surprisingly agreed: "Fine. Since the Xu Family has such interest, my Mao Family will naturally accompany you!"
Xu Changfeng’s face lit up with joy and immediately notified the cultivators.
As soon as the news spread, all the cultivators seemed to be injected with adrenaline, furiously hunting demon beasts.
As long as they secured first place, it would be equivalent to obtaining two excellent Magical Treasures for attack and defense!
Even the Family Head of the Li Family saw that his own prodigy couldn’t close his mouth from laughter, and his eyelids twitched.
And at this time,
Xu Changfeng pointed in surprise at the young man from the Li Family: "Isn’t that your Li Family’s Celestial Spiritual Root? It’s said he has hopes of forming a Golden Core. By the looks of him, he seems determined to win, right?"
"No, no..." The Family Head of the Li Family smiled awkwardly. He originally had some confidence, but after seeing Qing Jun’s performance, that confidence vanished.
Xu Changfeng continued: "But both the Xu and Li families have given such generous rewards, Taoist Friend Li, shouldn’t you also make a statement?"
He spoke without amplifying his voice, not intending to use public opinion pressure, but asking in private.
The Family Head of the Li Family had long expected Xu Changfeng to say this and could only grit his teeth: "Fine, then my Li Family will also offer a Second Tier Magical Treasure, named the Liu Hua Hairpin, which is also a Middle Grade Second Tier Magical Treasure!"
What could he do?
In front of everyone, he couldn’t just bluff with a Lower Grade Magical Treasure, right?
Mao Cheng exclaimed in admiration: "Taoist Friend Li is truly generous!"
Even Xu Changfeng was a bit surprised. Just as he was about to announce it, the Family Head of the Li Family waved his hand: "I haven’t finished. You both give to the first place, but not everyone can be first. How can one boost morale? This treasure, will be given to the second place!"
Xu Changhe was a little disappointed, but he knew when to stop, so he smiled and informed everyone.
The Family Head of the Li Family was relieved, leaning back in his chair, thinking to himself: "If not first, then at least second, right?"
...
One day later.
"Master! Qing Jun got first place!"
The silver-haired little girl bounced back, raising a jade plaque engraved with the characters "First Place" high in her hand.
At her waist hung the Wind Manipulation Order.
The exterior of the Wind Manipulation Order was a black and gold colored metal token with a faint flow of wind and aura, capable of controlling wind and thunder, and enhancing oneself.
Following behind was Zhiwei, with her ink-black hair adorned with the Liu Hua Hairpin.
The hairpin was a semi-transparent jade color, with spiritual patterns flowing like living things inside.
In other words.
This time, Qing Jun was first, and Zhiwei was second.
It’s not that Zhiwei was inferior to Qing Jun, but she was thoughtful to the finest detail. Seeing the Xu and Mao families offering such bountiful deeds, she understood the situation, so she kept a low profile to protect her younger sister.
Actually, according to Chen Ye, this eldest disciple of his was very good at hiding her strength. Even without the Xu Family True Seal’s inheritance, her real strength might still be above Qing Jun.
After all, in the original story, Zhiwei was the true child of destiny.
And Qing Jun was the villain Demon King...
"Not bad, truly my good disciple."
Chen Ye ruffled the tops of the two girls’ hair and glanced into the distance.
He saw the Family Head of the Li Family with a cold face, scolding a youth in fine clothes.
That youth in fine clothes was the Celestial Spiritual Root of the Li Family, ranking third in the Demon Hunting Conference.
"Tsk... Seems like Zhiwei’s appearance caught everyone by surprise. Thankfully, Zhiwei kept a low enough profile, always staying close to Qing Jun. Others just assumed she was benefiting from Qing Jun’s presence."
Chen Ye thought to himself, unlike Qing Jun, Zhiwei had the Xu and Mao families as her backing, she could afford to be more conspicuous.
His disciples gained two Magical Treasures without effort, and Chen Ye was overjoyed as he took out two boxes of Spirit Fruit Candies from the Storage Bag, generously saying:
"Your reward, these are made from the Top Grade Spiritual Peaches recently tributed by the Wei Family. They’re delicious!"
Yet, the little girl showed disdain, looking at her master with disapproval,
"Master, Qing Jun got first place, and this is all you reward her with?!"
"Well... then wait a few days, I’ll prepare some more treasures for you. After all, my disciple must not be inferior to Zhang Chuxi."
Chen Ye was a bit embarrassed, not expecting Qing Jun to become so clever now. In the past, some worthless treats could easily please her...
The master was helpless. He wanted to properly reward his disciple, but how could he have any treasures?
The little girl glanced at the horizon, scuffing her feet on the ground: "When we get home tonight, Master must really reward Qing Jun! Master, you can’t break your promise!"