After Transmigrating into a Book as a Cannon Fodder Character, The System Turned out to be Completely Unreliable! - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Becoming the Chief Senior Disciple

The next morning arrived.

Ye Lingxi was still the only one in her dorm who hadn’t gotten up. When she finally sat up, still groggy, she realized—she was going to be late again.

Grabbing her sword, she bolted. “No way, I’m late again?!”

She rushed to the final assessment grounds just as the gong sounded. Once again, she didn’t squeeze to the front but stayed in the back to observe how others were being tested. But then Mo Huaishu’s announcement froze her in place.

“Next, we’ll begin one-on-one assessments.”

“What?!” Ye Lingxi panicked. A one-on-one test? That means I can’t cheat!

Wait—wasn’t the demon queen not with me today anyway? I couldn’t cheat even if I wanted to! I’m doomed! I can’t embarrass myself in front of Mo Huaishu!

Someone on the platform sneered at her flustered expression. “Ye Lingxi, I’m going to find out who you really are—and why you’re trying to get close to us.”

Everyone began drawing lots and fighting one-on-one. Luckily, Ye Lingxi’s first opponent was weak, so she passed. The next few rounds were also manageable—until a woman with a curved blade pointed at her.

She recognized her. In the novel, there weren’t many characters who used short blades. This one was named Yu’er, a senior disciple in the original story. She was strong and eventually reached the Golden Core stage.

As for now… hard to say, but probably not weak.

“I’m Yu’er. Please go easy on me,” she said, holding her short blade and bowing with one hand in a fist and the other fingers pressed together.

Ye Lingxi mimicked her gesture. “I’m Ye Lingxi. Likewise.”

She had no intention of defeating Yu’er. She was already in the top ten, which meant she’d officially become a disciple of Qingyang Sect. There was no need to win. Besides, she didn’t want the hassle of being the chief senior disciple—too many responsibilities, always being dragged off to fight monsters. When would she have time to cling to someone powerful? So she planned to just go through the motions.

“Are both of you ready?”

“Yu’er is ready,” she said, twirling her short blade in the air.

Ye Lingxi shrank her neck. My spiritual sense just awakened and my power’s still unstable. Maybe I shouldn’t use it at all?

She glanced at Mo Huaishu on the platform. She was watching them silently, waiting to see the outcome.

“I’m ready too,” Ye Lingxi said, stretching a bit. Yu’er thought she was preparing a big move, but when she charged forward, Ye Lingxi flopped to the ground.

“Ow! I’m down! Your blade is too strong—I can’t beat you. I surrender.”

The crowd: “…”

Especially Yu’er, who stared at her with wide eyes. “Could you at least take this seriously?! I haven’t even made a move yet!”

Ye Lingxi lifted her head. “Really? You didn’t even attack and still knocked me down? I’m impressed. I concede.”

Yu’er: “…”

Just as the judge was about to announce, “I declare Yu’er the win—”

“Hold it!”

Mo Huaishu spoke.

From her high seat, she said coldly, “That match doesn’t count. Start over.”

Ye Lingxi gritted her teeth and stared at her.

They restarted. Ye Lingxi did the same thing. Mo Huaishu said again, “Start over.”

Same result.

“Again.”

Ye Lingxi could tell—Mo Huaishu wanted her to fight seriously. If she didn’t, she’d just keep making her redo it.

But I’ve already fought so many rounds. Isn’t she satisfied yet? I’m already in the top ten—I’m technically one of her people now. Isn’t that enough?

Why does she insist I beat Yu’er?

“Ye Lingxi.”

She turned toward the voice—it was Yu’er. “I think you should just fight me properly. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck like this.”

Ye Lingxi had been planning to hold back, but since Yu’er said that, she wouldn’t be polite anymore. “Then don’t blame me for not going easy.”

Yu’er smiled, excited. “Same here.”

Ye Lingxi summoned her broken sword, which she’d casually tossed aside earlier, and lunged at Yu’er.

Yu’er quickly dodged and laughed. “Not bad.”

Ye Lingxi smirked. “I’m just getting started.” She slashed, sending out a wave of sword energy. Yu’er leapt into the air, but Ye Lingxi launched a flurry of attacks, catching her off guard.

Yu’er couldn’t dodge in time and took a hit to the arm.

Ye Lingxi thought it was over—but Yu’er suddenly countered, stabbing her short blade into Ye Lingxi’s shoulder.

Pain shot through her. She kicked Yu’er away and fell to the ground, clutching her bleeding shoulder. Her brow furrowed. Seriously? I didn’t even hurt you that badly!

Yu’er tried to grab her blade again, but Ye Lingxi stepped on it first, glaring. “You’ve already lost.”

She didn’t want to keep fighting. If they continued, both would get hurt. Even if she’s fine, I’m not.

“No! I haven’t lost!”

Ye Lingxi: “???????????”

Yu’er shoved her aside. Ye Lingxi’s sword flew from her hand. As she reached for it, Yu’er struck her again.

What is wrong with this girl?! It’s just an assessment! Why so intense?!

“I have to be number one!”

Ye Lingxi was stunned. Wasn’t she being all polite earlier? What happened?

“Otherwise, my master won’t notice me!”

Oh no.

Ye Lingxi had forgotten—this girl was a hardcore fangirl. She worshipped Mo Huaishu. Unlike the others who just flattered her, Yu’er was a genuine, obsessive fan.

Ye Lingxi was speechless. Of all people, she had to idolize the coldest, most ruthless one?

Looking at Yu’er’s crazed expression, she realized—She’s not that different from Mo Huaishu after all.

Actually… forget I said that.

Right now, Ye Lingxi was truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. If she didn’t win, Mo Huaishu would keep making her fight. But if she did win, she wasn’t sure if defeating Yu’er would mess up the original plot. And honestly, her chances of winning weren’t great—her sword had been knocked several meters away, and Yu’er was blocking her path to retrieve it.

That alone was a huge problem.

“Hey, maybe we can talk this out?” Ye Lingxi tried to calm her down.

But Yu’er wasn’t having it. “There’s nothing to talk about!”

Wow, how did she flip so fast?!

With no other choice, Ye Lingxi turned and ran. Yu’er chased after her. Seizing the right moment, Ye Lingxi suddenly stopped, spun around, and dove for her broken sword.

With a quick sidestep, she grabbed it. Yu’er realized something was wrong and faced her again.

Seeing that Yu’er wasn’t charging anymore made Ye Lingxi want to laugh. What, not chasing me now? What happened?

Yu’er glanced up at Mo Huaishu on the platform. That faint smile on her lips hadn’t faded. She was watching them the whole time—Yu’er couldn’t afford to lose face.

She remembered how, as a child, she’d nearly been devoured by a demon. It was Mo Huaishu who saved her. Ever since then, she’d worked hard to enter Qingyang Sect and get close to her. Now that she’d finally made it this far, she was determined to become Mo Huaishu’s chief disciple.

She never expected someone stronger than her to appear. She couldn’t lose—not now. If she did, Mo Huaishu wouldn’t even glance her way.

She gripped her short blade tightly, staring at her opponent. That sword in Ye Lingxi’s hand looked like a piece of junk, barely holding together—yet it still emitted such a powerful glow. Yu’er looked down at her own blade.

It had been forged by the most renowned blacksmith they knew—supposedly indestructible. And yet, it was no match for that broken sword.

“No!”

Her sudden shout startled Ye Lingxi. “Why are you yelling all of a sudden?”

“I’m going to defeat you today!” Yu’er gathered all her spiritual energy and poured it into her short blade.

What’s going on now?

Before Ye Lingxi could react, Yu’er vanished and reappeared behind her.

Oh no!

Her blade was about to pierce Ye Lingxi’s waist. She didn’t have time to dodge—when suddenly, a golden light enveloped them both.

Ding~

【System re-binding】

What?! The system?!

System: Host!

Ye Lingxi wasn’t hearing things—it was the system’s voice. But it sounded different now. It wasn’t the cold, robotic tone from before—it had personality.

“System? Your voice?”

System: Host, I’ve changed my form. A playful little orange cat in anime style emerged from the sword.

Ye Lingxi looked around—everyone else was frozen. “You did this?” she asked, pointing at Yu’er, who was mid-attack. “You really showed up just in time. I almost died again.”

System: Yep yep.

“You’re finally back! Where did you go?” Ye Lingxi was nearly in tears. She smacked the cat-shaped system. “I thought you abandoned me because I kept yelling at you!”

System: I don’t know what happened. Everything was fine, then I suddenly couldn’t reach you. I went to HQ to find a way to reconnect. After waiting a long time, they told me I needed to upgrade to reestablish contact.

Ye Lingxi’s eyes widened. “You upgraded?”

System: That’s right.

“That’s amazing! You have no idea how hard it’s been without you.” She poured out all her frustrations.

System: Alright, Host—now’s not the time to cry. Let’s finish this match first.

Ye Lingxi nodded. “You started this, so don’t blame me for fighting back!”

Time resumed. Yu’er blinked—Ye Lingxi had vanished. She skidded to a stop, looking around.

“I’m up here!”

Yu’er looked up. Everyone gasped.

“She’s in the air?!”

“What’s that next to her?”

“It’s a cat.”

“No—it’s a sword spirit!”

As Ye Lingxi descended, she whispered to the system, “Why are they calling you a sword spirit? And why can they see you?”

System: Oops, forgot to mention—my current identity is a sword spirit. That’s why everyone can see me.

Ye Lingxi nodded. “Got it.”

Mo Huaishu chuckled softly. “Interesting… very interesting.”

“Yu’er, I’ve been holding back this whole time. But since you’re so determined to take me down, I won’t go easy anymore!” Ye Lingxi spun midair and launched a flurry of attacks straight at her.

Yu’er closed her eyes—but the strikes landed beside her, not on her. As her hair fluttered, a sword pressed against her neck.

“Still not ready to admit defeat?”

Yu’er looked into Ye Lingxi’s steady, fearless eyes—and at the sword spirit beside her. She lowered her head. “I concede.” She dropped her short blade.

The crowd erupted in cheers. “Ye Lingxi! Ye Lingxi! Ye Lingxi!”

Ye Lingxi felt a rush of satisfaction. So this is what it feels like to be admired. Not bad at all.

Then Mo Huaishu’s voice cut through the celebration.

Well, that was short-lived.

“I hereby declare Ye Lingxi the new chief senior disciple of Qingyang Sect!” One of the disciples brought over a jade pendant, and Mo Huaishu personally stepped down to hand it to her.

“Bestowed by your master herself.”

Ye Lingxi hadn’t expected her to present it in person. She froze for a moment, then bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master!”