Chapter 42: Challenged

The guest room arranged by the Beast Master Sect was truly impressive—an independent courtyard, separated from the other sects attending the event.

But entry into the Spirit Valley was strictly limited; only the major sects were invited, their strength not to be underestimated.

Ji Jiuxuan was curious about the world outside, yet she felt it wiser to avoid unnecessary trouble—after all, this was someone else’s territory.

“Xuanxuan, aren’t you going out for a bit of fun?” Feng Hanxiao approached, squatting beside her as she basked in the sunlight in the courtyard.

Removing the book covering her face, Ji Jiuxuan shook her head. “No, it’s boring. Sleeping is much more comfortable.”

Sleeping could even improve her cultivation, while venturing outside might only lead to unforeseen troubles. She had always disliked complications.

“How about we visit the Martial Arena? Most of the Beast Master Sect fight alongside their spirit beasts—something rare in our own sect. Let’s go and see?”

Feng Hanxiao’s eager smile piqued Ji Jiuxuan’s curiosity about the Martial Arena. “Shall we?”

The Beast Master Sect had opened their Martial Arena to guests, but strict rules were in place: sparring was allowed, but guests were not to be provoked or drawn into disputes.

Qin Yuzhou, who was nearby practicing swordplay, immediately stopped when he heard they were going to the Martial Arena. “I’ll go with you.”

Min Chengjun had gone out, leaving Meng Chengfang to look after them.

Yesterday, seeing the three had not expressed any desire to go out, he wondered how long their patience would last. Now, as he saw them preparing to leave, he understood perfectly.

“Let’s go! I’ll accompany you.”

The three smiled. “Thank you, Uncle.”

With him by their side, there was no need to worry about safety.

Meng Chengfang seemed quite familiar with the Beast Master Sect, leading them smoothly to the Martial Arena.

“Uncle, have you been here before?” Qin Yuzhou, who knew Meng Chengfang best, was the first to voice the thought.

“You rascal, digging up your uncle’s old history!” Meng Chengfang laughed. “I did come here in my youth, and even made a name for myself at the Martial Arena.”

His words sparked the children’s curiosity.

Though Ji Jiuxuan’s soul was that of an adult, she couldn’t resist a bit of gossip herself.

“We’re here now. I’ll tell you the story another time,” Meng Chengfang said as he strode inside.

Clearly, Meng Chengfang’s fame was genuine. As they entered, the looks of recognition and respect in the eyes of some participants could not be ignored.

“Sit here and watch the matches quietly,” Meng Chengfang said, settling into his seat first.

At that moment, a spotted leopard and a giant rhinoceros were locked in battle on the arena, their masters equally engaged, neither willing to yield.

Ji Jiuxuan couldn’t sense their cultivation, but she watched with great interest. It was far more spectacular than the special effects of her previous life.

After some time, a girl across the arena suddenly pointed her long spear at Ji Jiuxuan. “I, Xiahou Meng, challenge you.”

Her tone was unmistakably arrogant.

“Master Meng, daughter of the Cloudfall Manor’s young lord, single gold spiritual root,” Meng Chengfang quietly reminded Ji Jiuxuan.

Whether to accept the challenge or not was Ji Jiuxuan’s decision—it was part of her growth.

Listening to Meng Chengfang’s introduction, Ji Jiuxuan thought to herself, Thank goodness she isn’t a heavenly spiritual root; otherwise, I’d wonder if heavenly roots are worth anything in this world.

“Why me?” Out of so many present, being singled out made Ji Jiuxuan curious.

“Because my senior brother said your cultivation is impressive for your age, worthy of a match,” Xiahou Meng replied, her words direct and straightforward.

Behind her, a man in a gold crown and robes held a folded fan, smiling contentedly, unconcerned that his junior sister had just exposed him.

When Meng Chengfang glanced at him, the man’s smile deepened and he nodded in greeting.

“First disciple of Cloudfall Manor’s young lord, Xiahou Yuanji.”

Upon hearing the name, Ji Jiuxuan realized he was of the same generation as her own senior brothers. He was likely to become the next young lord.

She’d also heard an interesting rumor: the young lord intended to betroth his only daughter to this senior disciple.

In the cultivation world, it was not unusual for two of their age to become Dao partners. But Ji Jiuxuan, being from the modern era, regarded this with curious amusement, finding it somewhat incredible.

“Do you dare to fight?” Xiahou Meng pressed when Ji Jiuxuan didn’t reply.

Both were guests of the Beast Master Sect, and the crowd watched with anticipation. Even the Martial Arena itself was empty now.

Sword cultivators never shrink from battle.

Ji Jiuxuan stood. “Why not?”

Her serious expression, like a little adult, instantly won over many of the female disciples nearby.

As the match was set, Qin Yuzhou protested, standing abruptly. “Why challenge her and not me? I want to fight you.”

Ji Jiuxuan felt a sense of déjà vu, recalling when he used to seek her out for challenges—she’d thought he’d matured, but clearly he was still the same.

Meng Chengfang remained seated, his face showing a hint of schadenfreude; he was looking forward to seeing his little nephew humbled again.

As expected, Xiahou Meng, ever direct, refused outright. “When your cultivation matches mine, then we’ll talk.”

It was a little frustrating.

“Qin Yuzhou, do you still want to compete? I’ll let you go first,” Ji Jiuxuan said, patting his shoulder. “Make sure you hit her so hard her parents won’t recognize her—let’s see if she still looks down on you.”

Truthfully, Qin Yuzhou’s cultivation and sword skills were outstanding for his age, but Xiahou Meng was clearly older.

Matching her cultivation, Ji Jiuxuan saw she was at the fourth level of Qi refining.

Judging by his character, Qin the little chubby wasn’t about to give up. “Enough talk—I challenge you. Do you dare?”

The two were set for a showdown. The proud princess Xiahou Meng glared at Ji Jiuxuan. “I challenged you first, how can you pass it to someone else? Are you looking down on me?”

“Fine, let’s fight.” She was right—Xiahou Meng had asked first. Besides, despite her arrogance, she wasn’t unlikable.

In her own sect, Ji Jiuxuan had only fought Qin Yuzhou, then came the journey through the Ancient Fallen Forest. Now was a good time to test Cloudfall Manor’s long spear.

“Uncle, would you please carry me onto the stage?”

Hearing this, Meng Chengfang couldn’t help but recall her previous match with Qin Yuzhou, when Nie Xingyuan had carried her onto the stage.

He smiled and nodded. “Alright.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Jiuxuan’s body was lifted by spiritual power, soaring toward the Martial Arena.

This time, descending from the spectator stand, she truly experienced the feeling of flying alone.

Xiahou Meng had intended to leap onto the stage herself, but seeing Ji Jiuxuan’s dramatic entrance, she pouted and turned to Xiahou Yuanji. “Senior brother, I want you to carry me down too.”

“Very well.” As he spoke, Xiahou Yuanji’s gaze softened; if Ji Jiuxuan had seen it, she might have suspected something was indeed going on.

Holding her long spear behind her, Xiahou Meng was carried steadily onto the arena by Xiahou Yuanji, coming to stand opposite Ji Jiuxuan.