It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 113: Sect Master, I Don’t Want to Work Hard Anymore!, (1)

Chapter 113: Sect Master, I Don’t Want to Work Hard Anymore!, Part 1

On the platform, an elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the disciples below. Nearby, a middle-aged man in white robes spoke about the Two Polarities Sect, its history and traditions, urging the new disciples to cultivate diligently.

“This year’s batch of disciples seems to be the most promising in over a decade,” Yan Ruyu said, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, a smile playing on her lips.

“In terms of talent, it’s true,” the Grand Elder agreed, stroking his beard, his eyes twinkling.

“The Bai family’s young mistress, the Mu family’s servant girl, the enchantress from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, and even the girl from the Southern Wilderness, they’re all quite impressive,” a clear, melodious voice said.

“Have you forgotten about the Ye family’s girl? If I’m not mistaken, the old geezer from the Forbidden Zone brought his daughter here a few years ago…”

“Regardless, I claim Bai Ruoxi for Dao Peak,” a woman in a simple cotton dress said, her voice firm, a smile playing on her lips. Her beauty seemed to dim the surrounding scenery, a red beauty mark adorning her forehead, her smile both alluring and intimidating.

“There are fifteen candidates eligible for inner discipleship. Choosing nearly half of them, it’s a difficult decision,” Xiang Yan, the peak lord of Pure Yang Peak, said, looking at the Grand Elder. “Could we make an exception and choose two this year, Grand Elder?”

“Pure Yang Peak doesn’t have the privilege of choosing two inner disciples, does it, Brother Xiang?” another peak lord chuckled. “The winners of the last sect tournament were Myriad Flowers Peak and Dream Drunken Peak. Only those two peaks can choose two.”

The selection process began with the winners of the previous tournament, followed by the other peaks.

Xiang Yan, his temper flaring, nearly cursed. “Myriad Flowers Peak only won by using their draining techniques. They simply waited until the other disciples were exhausted. What kind of victory is that?!”

“Don’t get so agitated, Brother Xiang. It’s the opening ceremony. The disciples are watching,” the peak lord of Myriad Flowers Peak said gently, a smile playing on her lips. She was a beautiful woman, her charm undeniable, but those who knew her understood that she was far from gentle.

The Grand Elder smiled. “There’s no rush. We can discuss the inner disciples after the ceremony.”

“The sect master has arrived,” someone said suddenly.

They looked around, but they didn’t see her. Then, in an instant, she appeared on the last seat, a woman in a simple gray robe, her long hair cascading down her back.

“Sect Master,” they said, bowing respectfully.

“The sect master is late. Did something happen?” the Grand Elder asked, his voice low.

“It’s nothing. I was simply meeting an old friend. I was delayed,” Shang Yanfei replied calmly, her gaze sweeping over the disciples below.

She discreetly wiped a smudge of grease from her lips.

Yi Hao stared at her, his brow furrowing slightly.

Why do I sense Eight Treasures Crane on her?

Impossible. She’s the sect master. She wouldn’t steal my cranes, would she? He quickly dismissed the disrespectful thought.

“Speaking of which, Junior Sister, haven’t you been stuck at the third level of Nascent Soul for quite some time?” the peak lord of Dao Peak asked Yan Ruyu, a smile playing on her lips.

Yan Ruyu frowned, but she quickly smiled. “I’m still young. A few more years at this bottleneck won’t hurt.”

“But haven’t you been at the fifth level of Nascent Soul for nearly two decades, Senior Sister? At your age, you should be careful,” she retorted, her voice laced with subtle mockery.

“Wouldn’t it be tragic to reach the end of your life still stuck at the fifth level?” Her smile was gentle, but her words were sharp. It was no wonder. She and the peak lord of Dao Peak had been fellow disciples, their rivalry longstanding. After the previous peak lord of Dao Peak had passed away, leaving the position to the current peak lord, Yan Ruyu had left the peak.

The Two Polarities Sect was vast. They rarely saw each other, but now, their meeting had inevitably led to some friction. However, her words had struck a nerve with many present. They were all powerful cultivators, individuals who would be renowned in the outside world. But on this platform, they were ordinary. And many of them had been stuck at their current bottlenecks for years.

It wasn’t due to laziness or lack of effort. The path of cultivation became increasingly difficult, especially when facing a bottleneck. Her words had unsettled them.

“The sect master is gracing us with her presence, and the disciples are watching. Please behave yourselves,” the Second Elder said, his voice laced with a hint of warning.

They both fell silent.

Shang Yanfei glanced at the peak lords and elders.

So many of them are stuck.

A thought occurred to her, and she looked towards the disciples below. Specifically, at Mu Zhi’an.

If they knew about his other Vessel, he would surely be included in their discussions about inner disciples. The male cultivators wouldn’t care, but there were several female cultivators present. Taking advantage of a junior wouldn’t be ideal, but if it meant breaking through their bottleneck, most would be tempted.

The disciples were also looking at the woman on the platform. Even though her attire was simple, her aura commanded attention.

Mu Zhi’an also stared at her, her long hair flowing freely, her beauty undeniable. He couldn’t see her clearly from below, but even her silhouette was captivating.

She seems destined for me. He sighed inwardly.

As he thought this, she seemed to sense his gaze, looking towards him. Their eyes met. She smiled, her expression both alluring and knowing.

His mind went blank, and it took him a moment to recover.

Damn, it feels like she can see through me. He quickly looked away, lowering his head, feigning respect.

She truly is a shark. My pond can’t handle her yet.

“What’s wrong?” Wei Mengrou asked, sensing his unease, her voice a mental message.

He shook his head. “Nothing. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m a bit tired.”

She rolled her eyes, her voice laced with disapproval. “Who told you to spend the night with Miss Bai…?”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but her gaze was filled with disgust.

He ignored her, glancing at Bai Ruoxi, her figure alluring even among the other disciples. Then his gaze shifted to Ye Qian, who was standing behind her, her blue dress accentuating her curves, her beauty both innocent and alluring. She usually stayed by Ye Lingxuan’s side, but after entering Ling Long’s realm a few days ago, she had seemingly received an inheritance, and it seemed it wasn’t over yet.

I’ll ask Ling Long about it when I see her.

He had been craving Lingxuan’s rouge.

As he was about to look away, he noticed a young man in a four-clawed python robe standing nearby.