The Villain is Soft and Clingy [Transmigration] - Chapter 20

When the junior sister said that, Xia Zhitiao paused, unsure how to respond.

She was pretty, yes, but how to put it… compared to Junior Sister Ling’s elegant and beautiful face, the junior sister was more on the cute side.

Her eyes were big and round, her face puffed up, like a hamster with its cheeks full of almonds. She was so adorable that it made you want to pinch her cheeks.

“You’re still a child,” Xia Zhitiao said, reaching out to tap Zhang Lan’s nose. “There’s nothing to compare.”

At these words, Zhang Lan felt a tightness in her chest and became even more unhappy: *No comparison? Doesn’t that just mean I’m not as pretty as her, in a polite way?*

Xia Zhitiao didn’t notice that the junior sister’s fragile heart had shattered into pieces. She turned her attention back to the protagonist.

Zhang Lan, left holding a spilled vinegar jar, was bubbling with sour resentment, sitting by herself, looking wronged and silent.

Xia Zhitiao watched for a while, realizing the junior sister was still upset. She was both annoyed and amused, so she reached out and ruffled the other’s head: “Alright, alright, our Lanlan is the prettiest.”

“Senior Sister, don’t trick me,” Zhang Lan muttered, lowering her head. “Senior Sister Ling is beautiful; I just can’t compare to her.”

“That senior sister has limitless potential,” Xia Zhitiao said earnestly. “You need to get along well with her, understand?”

Zhang Lan’s face was full of grievance: “I don’t even know her!”

*You don’t know her now, but you will later,* Xia Zhitiao thought. *That’s the novel’s number one female lead, who encounters opportunities and adventures wherever she goes. She’s practically the second biggest plot device in this book.*

As for the first biggest plot device, that would be the big villain, Zhang Kuang, who has been making frequent appearances on Yashan lately.

Ling Xishi advanced through levels gradually, while Zhang Kuang started at max level. Chopping down Yashan’s Demon Locking Tower was like cutting vegetables for her, and she broke the painstaking nine-layered seal of the Technique Divination Peak, which cost countless efforts, in just three moves.

Xia Zhitiao reached out and stroked Zhang Lan’s head, saying, “Alright, I won’t force you. Just be yourself.”

“If anything really happens,” Xia Zhitiao smiled, “Senior Sister will bear the responsibility.”

With that, she rested her chin in her hand and turned her gaze back to the arena. A few stray strands of hair fell across her forehead, and her eyes were as dark as ink, as if the emotions hidden within could never be guessed.

*With such terrifying strength, how was Zhang Kuang eventually defeated by the female lead?*

Unfortunately, the author, “Banana Peel King,” had already abandoned the story, so Xia Zhitiao would never know.

Zhang Lan, holding the wooden box of pastries, lowered her eyes slightly.

*Zhitiao has been worried and thoughtful lately, as if she’s constantly concerned about something… Is it because of the Shuijing Lake incident?*

Zhang Lan didn’t know, and she didn’t know how to reassure her.

Her amber-like eyes dimmed slightly. Zhang Lan clutched the wooden box tightly, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing its edge. After a long pause, she softly said, “Zhitiao, I…”

However, her voice was too soft and faint. Before Xia Zhitiao could hear it, it was drowned out by the noise of the arena.

Without exception, the female lead, Ling Xishi, defeated another disciple in an arduous battle, winning a higher rank.

As the Qi Condensation competition ended, it was time for the Foundation Establishment stage matches.

Xia Zhitiao picked up her sword, waved to her junior sister, and lightly leaped into the White Jade arena.

In the arena, her vision suddenly broadened. With a slight look up, she could see a boundless azure sky above, and clouds surging from the horizon, layer upon layer.

Xia Zhitiao steadied herself. Her Jiyan sword unsheathed, its blade as hot as embers, whistling as it cut through the cool air.

—

After over a dozen rounds of competition, Xia Zhitiao regrettably lost, ultimately ranking among the top ten of the Foundation Establishment stage. Given the abundance of talent on Yashan, her results weren’t too bad.

The subsequent Core Formation and Nascent Soul competitions were much more intense, with a dazzling array of techniques and magical artifacts that left people wide-eyed.

The peak master competitions afterward were also very exciting, but unfortunately, all the peak masters were quite polite, stopping before any serious damage. Because their realms were too high, if they truly fought, it might affect the disciples in the arena.

After the various peak trials ended, the next day would be the initiation trial, conducted in a team format.

Unlike the first day, the initiation trial primarily tested new and outer sect disciples, selecting the outstanding ones to be officially brought into the inner sect.

Early in the morning, everyone from Yashan had grandly arrived before the nearby Demon Beast Forest, making their final preparations.

“Zhitiao, this year you’re one of the team leaders,” the bearded Grand-master patted Xia Zhitiao’s shoulder. “Any thoughts?”

Xia Zhitiao smiled: “This disciple was merely an unknown newcomer before. To be able to become a team leader today is all thanks to Grand-master’s meticulous cultivation.”

“Oh, my Zhitiao’s words are sweet,” the bearded Grand-master chuckled and laughed heartily. “This year the rules are the same: two disciples lead six newcomers.”

Xia Zhitiao obediently nodded: “This disciple understands.”

This batch of new disciples, who had undergone multiple rounds of selection, totaled over 200, brought by three peak masters, including Qin Zhi. However, outer sect disciples could also voluntarily sign up to compete with the newcomers for a chance to formally enter a peak.

Each peak would send disciples to serve as team leaders. Leaders could not only choose one desired newcomer but also choose which team to join themselves.

However, the top ten ranked new disciples from the various trials also had the right to choose their own team leader, and the chosen leader could not refuse.

In short, there were many rules, making it quite complex.

Xia Zhitiao felt this initiation trial was like filming a variety show, with all sorts of rules and restrictions for dramatic effect.

The team leaders chose first, and as each peak’s turn came, all the disciples with some ability or special identity were mostly gone.

When it was Xia Zhitiao’s turn, she stood slightly, calmly and serenely saying, “Little steamed bun, come here.”

…Little steamed bun?

Just as the other team leaders exchanged bewildered glances, a head suddenly popped out from the very back of the line, calling out from afar: “Senior Sister?”

Author’s Note:

Zhang Kuang: Although I don’t understand why Zhitiao calls me that, everything Zhitiao says is right.