Chapter 121: An Unexpected Challenge

Qiu Yingying cast a cold glare toward the Seventh Young Master of the Evil Moon Sect, but he only smiled faintly, the threat on his face unmistakable.

“Senior sister, this person is truly infuriating,” Qingxi murmured.

Qiu Yingying nodded in agreement. “Indeed.”

Wang Shuiling and Mu Yue also turned their gazes over. Though Qingxi was clad in a black robe and only his back was visible, Mu Yue immediately recognized him.

“Senior sister, I didn’t expect him to come as well. But it seems things aren’t looking good between him and Qiu Yingying,” Mu Yue whispered.

Wang Shuiling’s expression darkened. “Qiu Yingying defeated the Seventh Young Master of the Evil Moon Sect and has since become his sworn enemy. This time, she’s bound to be targeted.”

Within the Yunchuan domain, the great sects competed both openly and covertly—it was no secret. The Zixiao Sect prided itself as the leading force of righteousness, never using its power to oppress others, and occasionally protecting weaker factions, earning it the best reputation. The Ku Chan Temple was a neutral Buddhist faction, while the Evil Moon Sect leaned toward demonic cultivation, its disciples ruthless and competitive, harboring no goodwill toward other powers.

The Evil Moon Sect had nine young masters, each a standout who had survived brutal trials among thousands of disciples. All nine ranked on the Rising Stars List, with the weakest placed fortieth. Qiu Yingying’s defeat of the Seventh Young Master, Mu Han, severely damaged his reputation within the sect, naturally breeding deep resentment toward her.

From Wang Shuiling’s perspective, Qiu Yingying was too hasty; even if she wanted to prove herself, challenging someone from the Evil Moon Sect was ill-advised.

As all eyes turned to Qingxi and Qiu Yingying, someone spoke up, “So this is Qiu Yingying, the prodigy of the Lingyuan Sect ranked thirtieth on the Rising Stars List. How rude of us!”

“I heard Miss Qiu is the granddaughter of the Lingyuan Sect’s leader. Might I ask if you know anything about the whereabouts of the Eastern Domain’s demonic overlord?” asked a prodigy from the Rising Stars List.

Qiu Yingying did not answer immediately. After a moment’s thought and recalling what her grandfather, Qiu Mingzi, had said, she chose to reveal the truth: “I do not know who the demonic overlord of the Eastern Domain is. I only know that on the day when the outer demons descended in force, a Golden Gang-level demon appeared in the ancient Luo lands but was slain on the spot.”

Such matters would inevitably come to light sooner or later; feigning ignorance was not her style. Whether sooner or later, it must be told.

“The Golden Gang-level demonic overlord has fallen?” The crowd fell silent.

Even the nine young masters of the Evil Moon Sect, the eldest son of the Shen family, Xiao Wusheng of Zixiao Sect, and the masters of Ku Chan Temple all displayed expressions of shock.

The Golden Gang realm was the pinnacle just below the Heavenly Mysterious realm kings. To fall immediately upon arrival—how could that be possible? Most doubted it.

“Hmph! Nonsense. The Golden Gang realm is the top echelon; how could it be slain so easily? If you don’t want to speak, then don’t!” the Seventh Young Master of the Evil Moon Sect sneered.

“I can vouch for Qiu Yingying’s words being absolutely true,” a soft yet clear voice rang out. Following the sound, the crowd saw Wang Shuiling standing.

She added, “That day, I happened to pass through the ancient Luo lands with Qiu Yingying and witnessed the scene firsthand. The one who slew that Golden Gang-level overlord was none other than the Earth Demon Beast that destroyed the ancient Luo dynasty two thousand years ago.”

At the mention of the Earth Demon Beast, the crowd’s expressions changed dramatically. Though the event was ancient, the young people present had heard of it and believed most of it.

As for the Seventh Young Master of the Evil Moon Sect, his face darkened as he stood rooted. He had just accused Qiu Yingying of spouting nonsense, only to be proven wrong so swiftly.

He glared venomously at Wang Shuiling, as if to say: “How dare you embarrass me? You’ll regret this!”

Yet in his gaze appeared a veiled woman radiating a unique aura. She stepped before Wang Shuiling and said, “Senior sister, he seems very resentful, but I don’t think you’re his match. Shall I teach him a lesson for you?”

The speaker was none other than Mu Yue.

Wang Shuiling was not surprised. Recently, Mu Yue’s cultivation had advanced rapidly, now reaching the mid-stage of the Innate realm. Even if Wang Shuiling advanced to the late Innate realm, she would not be Mu Yue’s match.

Mu Yue had come to this grand event primarily to challenge other prodigies. Seeing the Seventh Young Master of the Evil Moon Sect’s hostile expression directed at them, her fighting spirit flared.

“Teach me a lesson?” The Seventh Young Master, Mu Han, was stunned. Then he suddenly snapped shut his folding fan and laughed loudly, “How old are you? You look no older than eighteen, probably not even Innate realm yet.”

He turned to Wang Shuiling behind Mu Yue with disdain. “Even Wang Shuiling couldn’t last three moves against me. Why should I allow you to teach me a lesson?”

“Are you afraid to fight?” Mu Yue shook her head in disappointment. “I heard the prodigies on the Rising Stars List are strong, so I wanted to challenge one. I didn’t expect the very first to be so cowardly.”

“You’re damn crazy, aren’t you?” Mu Han’s eyes turned cold. Through clenched teeth he spat, releasing the full aura of a late Innate realm peak cultivator, stirring a fierce wind around him.

“I, a dignified late Innate realm peak, afraid of you?”

Yet to Mu Han’s shock, Mu Yue radiated a condensed mid-stage Innate aura, carrying a noble air reminiscent of the Sacred Domain, overshadowing even his late Innate peak presence.

“Hiss!”

“So young yet at mid-stage Innate! When the unbeatable prodigy ranked first on the Rising Stars List was her age, she wasn’t this powerful,” whispers of awe rippled through the crowd.

Qingxi was speechless. If he were to release his cultivation, the crowd would surely be astounded.

Others did not know Mu Yue’s background, but Qingxi knew she was a descendant of the Sacred Dynasty. Even with suppressed spiritual roots, she could display peak profound-grade aptitude—far from ordinary.

Still, he was curious whether Mu Yue could defeat Mu Han, a prodigy of the same caliber, despite the difference in realm.

“Mid-stage Innate!” Mu Han frowned, feeling considerable pressure from Mu Yue.

The Rising Stars prodigies nearby also recognized Mu Yue’s exceptional aura. Several from factions hostile to the Evil Moon Sect immediately taunted, “Mu Han, you wouldn’t be afraid of a mere mid-stage Innate girl, would you?”

“Exactly, don’t disgrace our Rising Stars prodigies.”

Others echoed the jeers.

Mu Han’s face darkened. “A mere mid-stage Innate? Watch me defeat her in three moves!”

He leapt to the spacious martial arena outside the main hall.

Mu Yue soared gracefully, riding sword qi like a celestial maiden, effortlessly crossing the gates and entering the arena.

“This will be quite a show,” Qingxi stood, excitement shining in his eyes as he followed.

He had long disliked Mu Han. Even if Mu Yue did not act, Qingxi planned to challenge him after the event and claim the thirty-first spot on the Rising Stars List, becoming Qiu Yingying’s neighbor on the rankings.