Azure Cloud Mountain stretched on with undulating peaks, looking for all the world like a fortress!
Even before reaching the foothills, one could hear shouts and exclamations echoing from one end to the other.
In the middle, atop the Ascension Platform, the two sides were fiercely battling it out.
The bombardment of spells and techniques was unlike anything Su Bei had imagined. He hadn't pictured two women slapping each other and pulling hair; compared to the ferocity of male cultivators, the female Immortals fought with much more restraint.
It was a pity for the group of male disciples who pretended to watch with grave seriousness. Their eyes were glued to certain areas, their expressions filled with eager anticipation.
One could even hear all sorts of discussions that all sounded somewhat sleazy:
"Those female Immortals sure have big... ahem, robust Spiritual Energy fluctuations!"
"I think the Star Moon Sect's are a bit bigger, I mean their attack range, of course."
"That burst of Spiritual Energy is so blindingly white! So dazzling!"
"Another kick, yes, do a somersault... Who fights in an arena wearing shorts under her skirt? Isn't that like sticking chicken feathers on a Phoenix—utterly superfluous?"
"..."
He noticed the strange expressions on several of his disciples' faces; Xiao Ruoching's, in particular, was flushed crimson.
With her head bowed in resentment, Su Bei couldn't help but think she looked vaguely like she did when he first accepted her as his disciple.
"See, decent and noble people like your teacher are hard to come by these days."
"..."
Pacing with his hands behind his back, Su Bei couldn't help but sigh deeply, having never felt so noble before.
Indeed, a man is a man until his dying breath...
He paid no mind to the looks his disciples were giving him.
"Go sit with the Sword Sect for a while. Your teacher has to visit another place..."
After sending his disciples away, Su Bei straightened his clothes amidst Wenren Pingxin's cold sneer. He took a deep breath and then strode towards the Star Moon Sect's territory.
Xiao Ruoching's eyes followed Su Bei's retreating figure with a puzzled expression, murmuring to herself, "I've never seen Master so engrossed in studying a Cultivation Technique before. Why would he suddenly take such an interest in The Wilderness Scripture?"
"..."
Mo Li's eyes were icy, her delicate hand nervously grasping the hem of her skirt, her complexion somewhat unnatural.
Was he going to study The Wilderness Scripture for her sake? Aside from this, she could think of no other reason. As memories of past events began to surface, Mo Li's lips parted as if to speak, but ultimately, no words came out.
「...」
When Su Bei arrived at the Star Moon Sect's encampment, the female disciples, who clearly recognized him, gathered around with surprised looks, chirping and chattering:
"Elder Su is here?"
"Why has Elder Su come? Come sit with me..."
"Elder Su, I'm your fan!"
"Elder Su, please have a seat."
"..."
Coughing lightly, and with a detached air, Su Bei glanced sideways at the surrounding women and spoke calmly, "Ah, where is your Sect Master?"
Although he felt somewhat fluttery inside from the various soft pressures rubbing against his arm, his expression remained serene and untouched.
Clearly, the disciples of Star Moon Sect were not to be compared with the delicate ladies of the Sword Sect! This touch! These mountains!
Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a seductive voice:
"My, my, what kind of wind has brought Elder Su our way?"
"GIGGLE..."
Headmistress Yu placed one hand on her waist, teasingly stroked the hair on her forehead with the other, and with a coy glance, she said, "I thought Elder Su had long since forgotten about me. You haven't visited me once since arriving in the Sacred Land..."
Her delicate body shifted subtly, her lush lips partly open, and she exuded the fragrance of orchids and musk. Leaning in close to Su Bei's ear, she whispered, "What brings you here now, missing your sister?"
"You heartless thing, not even stopping by to see your sister all this while. Can you imagine how much your sister has missed you?"
"..."
The mournful sigh stirred Su Bei's soul, leading him down a garden path of fanciful thoughts. Gazing at the exquisite face so close to his—the red lips, the white teeth, the green-black hair framing lovely brows—Su Bei, who was used to seeing beautiful women, could not find a single flaw.
The corners of her lips, curved in a smile that wasn't quite a smile, held an indescribable, peculiar charm, as if her very existence was meant to seduce.
Her exceptionally well-proportioned figure, with peaks and valleys prominent enough to rival Wenren Pingxin's!
Their bodies were but an inch apart, her warm breath blooming on his face, as if he could embrace her with just a raise of his hand...
But of course, Su Bei did not have quite that much courage. Not far off, he could feel several pairs of eyes boring into him. Su Bei was certain that if he made even the slightest move, he would no longer have a place in the Sword Sect.
"Headmistress Yu, how's the battle situation looking?" With a small cough, Su Bei asked earnestly.
Headmistress Yu stepped forward, her gait as light as a lotus in the wind, and, with a plaintive tone, she murmured, "So it's true, Elder Su is lost in the land of gentle affections. Has my willowy figure failed to catch your discerning eye? It truly breaks my heart..."
Su Bei: "..."
Perhaps she enjoyed seeing him so embarrassed, Headmistress Yu covered her face with a graceful hand, chuckling. Her crimson dress danced in the breeze, and her beautiful eyes remained intently fixed on the young man before her.
Indeed, this woman had teased him once again! He couldn't best her yet—the grudge of today could only be repaid on a 'later day'!
Headmistress Yu's laughter rang out as she, disregarding Su Bei's astonished eyes, grasped him and sat down together on a nearby seat.