CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 356 THE OLD GUY_2

"Yue’er, charge, charge, charge!!!"

"Yue’er, keep it up, keep it up!!!"

The robust voices rose from the ranks of the Refining Equipment Hall and the Spirit Beast Hall. One disciple after another shouted loudly, cheering for Mo Yue’er. The cheers were layered, as imposing as waves crashing in every direction.

Mo Yue’er was not only a disciple of the Spirit Beast Hall but also from the Rainbow Fire Peak Lineage of the Refining Equipment Hall. In the Refining Equipment Hall, Hong Yuan had become an influential figure not to be underestimated, second only to the Supreme Elder Baixiang Xuanjiang. Moreover, Mo Yue’er’s stunning beauty was also not to be overlooked among the many disciples. With these factors combined, the support and cheering from Hong Yuan’s side easily overwhelmed that of the Talisman Array Hall, creating an unprecedented spectacle within the Phoenix Creek Sect.

Amidst the cheering, Mo Yue’er and Li Xianran, standing on the stage, clasped fists to salute each other under the watchful eyes of the Inner Sect Elder.

"DANG!" The Inner Sect Elder struck the copper drum and announced, "The match begins!"

BOOM—

As soon as the elder’s voice trailed off, Li Xianran immediately spurred his longsword into action. Unifying sword and man, he transformed into a sword rainbow and launched an attack on Mo Yue’er, his presence formidable.

Yet Mo Yue’er responded with a gentle smile. Her Fire Feather, Phoenix Feather Butterfly, Red Dragon Carp, and her other Beast Taming creatures swirled into action, each more formidable than the last. Not only that, she also activated a battle armor she hadn’t used in the annual grand competition before. With a wave of her fan, she soared into the air, bow and arrow in hand, launching an assault on Li Xianran. She possessed the might of a great warrior, reminiscent of how Hong Yuan once controlled bee swarms while simultaneously firing unexpected arrows!

「High above the Yenwu Hall, in the Cloud Soar.」

Several True Disciples and Elders gathered here, with Hong Yuan among them. Hong Yuan watched the battle between Yue’er and Li Xianran intently.

"Brother Hong, I never thought our two families would battle in this way. Observing Niece Yue’er, she truly has some of your imposing presence," said Li Jianxiang with a tinge of sentimentality. "I remember back in the day when it was I and Senior Sister Yiru facing off. Now it’s Xianran and Niece Yue’er. It’s as if by fate..."

These words suddenly dragged Hong Yuan’s thoughts back many years. Back then, in his first year after joining the sect, he had actively gone to the Martial Arts Field. His goal was to leave an impression of a virtuous and talented disciple in the eyes of his master and fellow disciples. He had also cheered for Lin Yiru alongside his Senior Brother Zhu Wushang, observing the battle between Lin Yiru and Li Jianxiang.

Hong Yuan’s gaze was deep, a mysterious light flickering in his eyes as he observed Mo Yue’er and Li Xianran locked in battle on the field.

Gradually, it was as if he could see Lin Yiru and Li Jianxiang dueling...

A sense of how much things had changed, how the people and circumstances were no longer the same, suddenly welled up in his heart.

"Heh, you’re mistaken. I was able to defeat you back then, and Yue’er can still defeat your nephew Xianran," replied Hong Yuan coldly, arms folded, a haughty expression on his face.

Lin Yiru actually suffered a crushing defeat at Li Jianxiang’s hands back then. But today, with my help, Mo Yue’er is completely different!

Confronted by such a formidable Hong Yuan, Li Jianxiang simply gave a bitter smile. "This... alas..." He refrained from saying more, instead focusing his attention on the two juniors fighting in the arena.

Soon enough, something astonishing happened. Li Xianran couldn’t even get near Mo Yue’er. He couldn’t even break through the defenses of her Beast Taming creatures. He looked extremely awkward, devoid of the dignified bearing of a Sword Cultivator.

Looking up at the valiant Mo Yue’er on the stage, clad in armor that gleamed with a cold light, Hong Yuan’s lips curled into a smile.

Hong Yuan’s eyes filled with a doting expression. Senior Brother Nine Nether, Sister-in-law Xiaohe, I haven’t let you down. Yue’er has already become a Heavenly Talent renowned throughout our Phoenix Creek Sect. As long as I am here, she will never be bullied.

The various contingencies Hong Yuan had prepared for Mo Yue’er were almost unnecessary. Li Xianran, having exhausted his True Essence, quickly lost to Fire Feather’s wing attacks.

"Brother Hong is truly extraordinary."

"Congratulations, congratulations, Peak Master Hong."

"Niece Yue’er is truly remarkable, surpassing even her mentors..."

The group of True Disciples and Elders on Cloud Soar congratulated Hong Yuan one after another; even Li Jianxiang expressed goodwill towards him.

It truly affirmed the saying: when you become exceptionally outstanding, you discover good people everywhere—a stark contrast to the previous neglect you endured!

"You all flatter me; Yue’er is still young," said Hong Yuan with a smile, responding warmly to each person.

「Down in the arena below.」

Mo Yue’er was revered by thousands, making a name for herself within the Phoenix Creek Sect, and could be called invincible among her peers. Standing with her Beast Taming creatures, she received the rewards from the Sect’s Great Elder.

Little Uncle, where are you? Yue’er thought anxiously. She looked around eagerly, searching for Hong Yuan’s figure, hoping he would appear. She wanted to share this rich joy of victory with Hong Yuan!

It wasn’t just her anticipating Hong Yuan’s appearance. Other ordinary disciples of the Phoenix Creek Sect, including Huang Shanshan and Liu Yun, were also eager to behold Hong Yuan in person.

"Senior Sister Yue’er is truly excellent! If only I could be accepted as a disciple by the same master, I’d be willing to give up ten years of my life. No, twenty years!" a newly admitted disciple expressed piously.

"Though Senior Brother Hong Yuan is older, such things matter little to cultivators. If he would look favorably upon me, even as his concubine, I would be willing," a female disciple, her hand pressed to her heart, said with an expression of yearning.

"The strongest of the nine disciples... no, the strongest of the Phoenix Creek Tutelage! It’s truly exciting. Just thinking about competing with such a Martial Arts prodigy makes me feel like I’m on fire!" an ambitious disciple exclaimed, his eyes shining.