Chapter 20

When her little junior sister said this, Xia Zhitao paused, momentarily not knowing how to answer her.

She was good-looking, yes, but how should Xia Zhitao put it… Compared to Junior Sister Ling’s clear, graceful, beautiful face, her little junior sister was a little more adorable.

Her eyes were big and round, and her little face was puffed up, just like a hamster with its mouth stuffed full of almonds. So cute it made people want to pinch her cheeks.

“You’re still a child.” Xia Zhitao reached out and scraped Zhang Lan’s nose. “There’s nothing to compare.”

As soon as these words came out, Zhang Lan felt tightness in her chest and shortness of breath, and became even more unhappy. If there was nothing to compare, wasn’t that just a roundabout way of saying she was not as good-looking as the other girl?

Xia Zhitao did not notice her little junior sister’s glass heart shattering all over the ground and turned her head to watch the protagonist.

Zhang Lan was left holding her overturned vinegar jar, her whole body bubbling with sour little bubbles as she sat to the side, wronged and silent.

After watching for a while, Xia Zhitao noticed that her junior sister was still feeling wronged. Both exasperated and amused, she raised her hand and rubbed the other girl’s head. “All right, all right. Our Lanlan is the prettiest.”

“Senior Sister, don’t coax me,” Zhang Lan lowered her head and muttered. “Senior Sister Ling was born beautiful. I just can’t compare to her.”

“That sister has a limitless future ahead of her.” Xia Zhitao advised her earnestly. “You should get along well with her, understand?”

Zhang Lan looked utterly wronged. “I don’t even know her!”

You don’t know her now, but you’ll know her later, Xia Zhitao thought. That was the number one female lead of this book. When she went out, she stepped on spiritual herbs and bumped into fortuitous encounters during training. She could be called the second biggest bug-level character in the entire book.

As for the number one bug-level character, that would be the one with a very high appearance rate in Yashan lately, the greatest villain of this book, the mighty Zhang Kuang.

Ling Xishi leveled up step by step along the way, while Zhang Kuang appeared already at max level. She cut through Yashan’s Demon-Locking Tower like she was chopping vegetables, breaking the nine-layer seal that Shuyao Peak had painstakingly made after spending countless effort in just three moves.

Xia Zhitao reached out and rubbed Zhang Lan’s head. “All right, I won’t force you. Just be yourself.”

“If anything really happens,” Xia Zhitao smiled, “Senior Sister will take responsibility for you.”

After saying that, she propped up her chin and turned her head to look back toward the arena. A few strands of loose hair fell over her forehead, and her eyes were dark as ink, as if no one could ever guess what emotions were hidden inside them.

With such terrifying strength, she really wondered how Zhang Kuang was defeated by the female lead in the end.

Unfortunately, Banana Peel-jun had already abandoned the story, so Xia Zhitao would never know.

Beside her, Zhang Lan held the wooden pastry box, lowering her eyes slightly.

Zhitao had been so worried and thoughtful lately, as if she had been constantly concerned about something… Was it because of what happened at Shuijing Lake last time?

Zhang Lan did not know, and she also did not know how to make the other girl feel at ease.

Her amber-like eyes dimmed a little. Zhang Lan held the wooden box tighter, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge. After a long pause, she said softly, “Zhitao, I…”

Only, that voice was too light and too faint. Before Xia Zhitao could hear it, it was covered by the noise from the surrounding arena.

Without exception, after a difficult battle, the female lead Ling Xishi defeated another disciple despite the difference in rank and won the match.

And after the Qi Refining matches ended, it was time for the Foundation Establishment competition.

Xia Zhitao picked up her sword and waved to her little junior sister, then leapt lightly and landed inside the white jade arena.

Inside the arena, her field of vision suddenly widened. As long as she lifted her head slightly, she could see the boundless blue sky above, as well as the clouds rolling from the horizon, layer after layer.

Xia Zhitao steadied herself. Jiyan came out of its sheath in her hand, its blade scorching as it whistled and split through the cold air.

.

After more than a dozen rounds of matches, Xia Zhitao unfortunately lost and ultimately ranked within the top ten of the Foundation Establishment stage. After all, Yashan was full of talent. Her result could not be considered too poor.

Afterward, the Golden Core and Nascent Soul competitions were much more intense. All kinds of techniques and magical treasures appeared one after another, dazzling the eyes.

The peak masters’ competition after that was also very exciting. Unfortunately, all the peak masters were rather polite and stopped at the appropriate point. Because their realms were too high, if they truly fought, they might affect the disciples in the arena.

After the inter-peak trials ended, the next day was the entry trial carried out in small groups.

Unlike the first day, the entry trial was mainly meant to test the new disciples and outer disciples, selecting the outstanding ones among them to become inner disciples.

Early in the morning, everyone from Yashan arrived in a grand procession before the nearby Demonic Beast Forest, making their final preparations.

“Zhitao, this year, you’re one of the team leaders.” Bearded Grandmaster patted Xia Zhitao’s shoulder. “Do you have any thoughts?”

Xia Zhitao smiled. “This disciple was once only an unknown newcomer. For me to become a team leader today is all thanks to Grandmaster’s careful teaching.”

“Oh, my Zhitao really has a sweet mouth.” Bearded Grandmaster was delighted and laughed brightly. “This year’s rules are the same as well. Two disciples will lead six newcomers.”

Xia Zhitao obediently nodded. “This disciple understands.”

This batch of new disciples, filtered out layer by layer, numbered over two hundred in total. They had been brought over by three peak masters, including Qin Zhi. However, outer disciples could also sign up voluntarily and compete with the newcomers for a chance to formally enter a peak.

Every peak would send disciples as team leaders. A team leader could not only choose one newcomer they wanted, but could also choose which team to join.

However, the top ten new disciples according to their rankings across the various trials also had the right to choose their team leader on their own, and the other party could not refuse.

In short, there were many rules, and they were extremely complicated.

Xia Zhitao felt that this entry trial was like filming a variety show, with all kinds of rules and restrictions meant to chase the best program effect.

The team leaders chose first, and as each peak took its turn, any disciple with some ability or special status had already been almost completely chosen.

When it was Xia Zhitao’s turn, she stood still, calm and composed, then said, “Little Bun, come here.”

…Little Bun?

Just as the other team leaders looked at one another, unable to understand the situation, a head suddenly popped up from the very, very back of the line and called from afar, “Senior Sister?”

Author’s Note: Zhang Kuang: Although this Venerable One also doesn’t understand why Zhitao calls me that, everything Zhitao says is right.