When I Lay Flat, the Female Lead Panicked - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Struggle

On the way to the deliberation hall, a battle for her, which was comparable to the recruitment war between prestigious universities, began quietly without Luo Xiaoxiao’s knowledge.

“I can’t believe that after all these years, the Innate Holy Water Body has appeared again.”

In surprise, Elder Yao stroked his gray beard and said with emotion.

Chu Qingjue: “The last person with this kind of physique was our Tianyan Sect’s founding ancestor.”

Shui Linglong: “Then if this child cultivates well, ascending wouldn’t be…”

Wen He: “It’s hard to say. After all, this physique is rare. Based on the current cultivation methods of the Tianyan Sect, I’m afraid there isn’t a single one that’s suitable for this child. And to be frank, there probably isn’t a single one in the entire cultivation world that’s suitable for her.”

Shui Linglong: “Then what about the ancestor back then?”

Elder Yao: “The ancestor relied on her own hard work and comprehension to learn the way of cultivation. But she has ascended to the God Realm for tens of thousands of years. The cultivation method she used has long been lost. I have never even seen it, let alone you.”

Mu Ze: “Then would it be difficult for us to teach her well and help her make progress on her cultivation path?”

Lan Muwan: “We may not be able to teach her, but we can’t bear to let a genius like this go, can we? Besides, if the Tianyan Sect, the number one sect in the world, can’t teach her, then who can?”

Shui Linglong: “Heh, Muwan, you’re getting all emotional about the sect’s honor. Oh, can’t you guys be more open-minded? That’s the Innate Holy Water Body! The appearance of this physique, even on a talentless person, is still a rarity. Even if we can’t teach her, it’s still great to have her in the sect as a mascot. We can take her out to show off during the Grand Ceremony when all the geniuses from the other sects gather. How impressive would that be?”

Fu Yun: “No! This child’s talent is rare, and it shouldn’t be exposed too early. How about this, we send her to my peak first? I will not fail you. I will do my best to guide her to find another path of cultivation!”

Xiong Li: “Hmph! Elder Fu, we’re all men. How could I not know what you’re thinking? Don’t even think about keeping this child for yourself! She can only shine and become great at my Beast Taming Peak!”

Mu Ze: “Ahem, Elder Xiong, that’s not right. A barbaric place like the Beast Taming Peak is probably not suitable for a young girl to cultivate. How about she comes to my peak? To be honest, this child’s talent in other areas is probably no less than her physique.”

Watching the three male elders argue and suddenly start to fight for her, Shui Linglong frowned slightly. She found a blind spot and interrupted their struggle, joining the competition herself.

“Oh my god, you three old men, you’ve known about this child all along, haven’t you?! You’re good, you’ve been holding it in until now. Heh, go to your peaks? You’re so obvious. Are you kidding me? Innate Holy Water Body, Holy Water! How does this name not sound like it belongs to my Holy Water Peak?”

Xiong Li: “Pah! Go to your Holy Water Peak? You’re a savage woman who doesn’t do her job and just plays mahjong at the neighboring sect all day. What could you possibly teach her?!”

Shui Linglong: “Hmph, life is boring. You big oaf, what do you know? Nowadays, we promote happy education. I’m providing a comfortable and democratic self-study environment for the disciples in my peak. And you act like it’s so great to go to your peak. All your disciples are so dark. People would think you’re some kind of heartless boss from a coal mine, treating people like dirt! Bah!”

Xiong Li: “You… you shrew! What nonsense are you talking about, you…”

Shui Linglong: “Tch, ‘you what you?’ Let me tell you the truth, with your sorry looks, you’ll scare the child. ‘Shine and become great at your peak’? People would think you’re a firefly, and your bald head is your butt.”

Xiong Li: “Your head is the butt!!!”

Seeing that Shui Linglong had angered Xiong Li so much that he clutched his chest, Mu Ze, though scared, took the opportunity to say in a weak voice, “How about she comes to my peak? I guarantee she won’t get a tan…”

Shui Linglong (putting her hands on her hips, not caring about anyone): “Go to your peak? Heh, you act like a gloomy recluse who hides in his room all day studying strange formations could teach a little girl well. Go away, you’ll ruin her!”

Mu Ze: “You… you’re insulting me…”

Shui Linglong: “So what if I am? With your gloomy face all day, I’m afraid the little girl will become depressed just by looking at you.”

Fu Yun: “How about I…”

Shui Linglong: “Get lost!”

Fu Yun: “Okay…”

Wen He (the mediator): “Ahem… How about you all stop fighting? The one who breaks it pays for it. She broke my Ethereal Peak’s Spirit-Testing Stone, so let’s just let her be in my Ethereal Peak.”

Although he was angry, he loved her more. Looking at the shattered state of the Spirit-Testing Stone, it meant he had to work day and night to fix it before the next recruitment. Wen He suggested quietly.

His suggestion was met with a threatening glare from Shui Linglong.

Wen He: “Ahem, I’m just kidding, kidding…”

Chu Qingjue was amused, seeing Shui Linglong in full battle mode, arguing with anyone who came her way.

Chu Qingjue suggested, “Why don’t you all stop fighting and let the child choose for herself? It would also be great for her to come to my Serenity Peak.”

Before Shui Linglong could say anything, Lan Muwan on the other side of Chu Qingjue sneered and taunted.

“Heh, go to your Serenity Peak? Following a master like you who only knows how to use a sword, this child’s cultivation path would be over.”

Chu Qingjue’s eyebrows slightly raised, and the smile on her face faded. She didn’t get angry but instead smiled and retorted.

“You act like this child would have a bright future following a pretentious and weak woman who only knows how to act elegant all day.”

Lan Muwan (her eyes were sharp): “Hmph, so what if I’m pretentious? It’s better than being with a brainless woman like you.”

Chu Qingjue: “You want to die?”

Lan Muwan: “We’ll see who dies.”

On one side, one woman was passionately arguing with four men. On the other side, two women were calmly bickering, but an undercurrent was already surging between them.

A full-blown war was about to break out.

As if he was used to this scene, Elder Yao, the backdrop who was silently drinking tea, just took a small sip from his cup. His expression was calm.

He was like an otherworldly master who believed that what’s meant to be will be and that one shouldn’t force things. He didn’t fight or argue.

But the white-haired beauty on the high seat, who was lazily leaning on the soft chair, as if she was enjoying the drama, slowly curled her lips into a playful arc and suggested calmly.

“You can’t decide where the child should go? How about you… have a fight?”

…

Wen Nanshu took her to a grand palace that looked like a celestial abode on her sword.

She walked on the exquisite, beautifully carved corridor. Perhaps it had been a long time since she had walked with Wen Nanshu and the others.

Luo Xiaoxiao’s watery eyes were sparkling, and she looked very happy. The bright smile in the corners of her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

Qiutong said with a proud tone, “I didn’t expect our Xiaoxiao to be so good at hiding her power. She actually passed the Immortal Gate trial.”

Luo Xiaoxiao scratched her head sheepishly. “Actually, I might just be lucky. The dogs in the forest were all very docile and didn’t attack me.”

Cangruo’s expression showed a hint of surprise. “Dogs? The forest… Wow, Xiaoxiao, are you talking about the Sky Demon Wolves? Those ferocious things actually didn’t attack you?”

Qiutong: “Haha, luck is also a form of strength. It was destined for Xiaoxiao to join our Tianyan Sect and become our junior sister.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Hehe…”

Ningyu: “It’s good that you passed. I was worried before. I wanted to go down the mountain to see you before you entered the Immortal Gate, but there were too many matters piled up at the peak recently, and I had to handle them all.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Big Sister Ningyu, are you all very busy lately?”

Qiutong: “More than just busy. It’s not just Ningyu. All of us are swamped.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Did something big happen?”

Qiutong: “It’s not a big deal. It’s just the recruitment season. The new disciples will choose which peak they want to mainly cultivate at. Now is a good time to win them over.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Win them over?”

Ningyu: “Our sect holds a competition every year between the peaks. The peaks with higher rankings will get more resources from the sect. But there’s a condition for this competition. The disciples participating each year must have been in the sect for less than twenty years. So these new disciples are, to some extent, a hot commodity.”

Qiutong: “Right, Xiaoxiao, are you interested in coming to my Serenity Peak? My peak was number one last year!”

Cangruo: “Big Sister Qiutong, that’s enough. Your peak is the most competitive. Just give it up. It’s better to come to my Spiritual Medicine Peak to retire.”

Ningyu, who was used to this, explained with a laugh, “Every year during the Tianyan Sect’s recruitment season, the various peaks use all sorts of methods, both openly and secretly, to snatch people. They all rack their brains. If Xiaoxiao can’t choose, coming to my Zither Music Peak is also a good choice.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “…”

Emm… This sounds very busy. But… why does this sound like different departments in a university fighting over new students?

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Then what about Big Sister? Is she… not participating?”

Luo Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but ask, looking at Wen Nanshu’s cold and noble profile.

Qiutong: “Nanshu? Oh, she doesn’t have to worry about these recruitment things like us. As the only core disciple of the Tianyan Sect’s Sect Master, she can use all of the sect’s resources unconditionally.”

Ningyu: “Instead of that, Xiaoxiao, you should be concerned about yourself first. You are very impressive…”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Hm? I’m impressive?”

Qiutong: “Heh, more than just impressive. I have a feeling that the deliberation hall has already exploded because of you.”

Luo Xiaoxiao: “Huh? Exploded? Don’t tell me… they’re going to punish me?”

Cangruo: “Haha, they’re too busy fighting over you. How could they bear to punish you? You’ll know your status in their eyes when you see them later.”

“…” Luo Xiaoxiao was very nervous about suddenly meeting the elders and the Sect Master of an immortal sect.

It was like running into one of the top ten people on the Forbes list on the street and somehow striking up a conversation with them.

After all, she was about to talk to so many top-notch cultivators in the cultivation world at once.

Thinking this, Luo Xiaoxiao took a few small steps to catch up with Wen Nanshu, who was leading the way. She carefully considered her words and asked cautiously.

“Big Sister, is there anything I need to pay attention to in front of the Sect Master and the elders?”

Her face showed nervousness and unease. Luo Xiaoxiao looked at Wen Nanshu as if she was a stabilizing force, seeking guidance.

“Don’t be nervous. Just answer the questions well. My master and the other elders won’t make things difficult for you.”

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

Wen Nanshu lowered her head and took in the fear and panic in Luo Xiaoxiao’s watery eyes. Her expression was gentle, and she comforted her softly.

“Among immortal sects, we advocate an elegant and dignified style. Our actions are generous, showing the spirit of the sect. So don’t worry, the elders will not blame…”

Before she could finish, the deliberation hall, which was supposed to be completely soundproof due to a barrier, was abruptly hit by a powerful shockwave that blew open its closed doors.

Then, amidst the chaotic sounds, a delicate teacup with water flew out.

As the doors opened, the voices of the elders in the deliberation hall came out clearly.

“You motherf**g piece of s.”

“Fk you, you fking a**hole.”

“You son of a b*h, you fking…”

“You fking old ahole, gd****t, I’ll fk you up.”

“What the f**k are you doing.”

“Mfer, you fking…”

The moment the doors opened, Wen Nanshu sensed the danger. She caught the teacup and heard the content of the conversation. “…”

“…Big Sister?”

Curious, she looked behind the door. Figures were flying, spells were soaring, and all sorts of attacks were hitting each other. It was a spectacular and chaotic scene, like a brawl in a market.

Luo Xiaoxiao felt that the buzzing noise in her ears was very messy. She subconsciously looked at Wen Nanshu beside her.

She was just wondering what was happening here and why a dignified place like the deliberation hall was having a group fight.

She saw that Wen Nanshu’s lips were slightly pursed in helplessness, and her cold expression was barely holding on. She then quietly turned around and quickly covered Luo Xiaoxiao’s ears.

She stopped her from listening to these vulgar words.

“Don’t listen. It’s foul.”