Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Chapter 213

“The envoy from the Wanjian Sect,” Xu Ming’s mind conjured up the image of a strong-willed yet slightly proud young girl.

“I wonder if Xu Xuenuo from the Wanjian Sect has come?” Xu Ming asked with a smile.

If Xu Xuenuo was here, he wouldn’t have to make a special trip to the Wanjian Sect to see her. After all, the Wanjian Sect was quite far away, and if he went there, he wasn’t sure he’d make it back to Wudu City in time for the selection for the Rootless Secret Realm spots.

“That, I’m not sure of. We just arrived at the Tianxuan Sect ourselves,” Yu Wenxi replied with a smile. “But Brother Xu, you sure appreciate beauty. The first person you mention is Xu Xuenuo, that great beauty.”

Appreciating beauty—put it another way, that means being a “lecherous person.”

“What are you saying?” Miao Feng gave Yu Wenxi a kick. “Appreciating beauty? What’s Xu Xuenuo’s surname? What’s Brother Xu’s surname? They’re both from the Xu family in the Wu Kingdom. What do you think their relationship is?”

“Huh?” Yu Wenxi suddenly realized, looking at Xu Ming in shock. “That Xu Xuenuo is your…”

Xu Ming smiled faintly. “Elder sister.”

“My apologies, my apologies.” Yu Wenxi quickly offered an apology. “Brother Xu, please forgive me. I truly didn’t know.”

“It’s fine.” Xu Ming shook his head. “Due to her cultivation, my elder sister has already severed ties with the mortal world. She’s no longer part of the Xu family and doesn’t identify herself as from the Xu family of Wu Kingdom. So, it’s normal for most people outside of Wu Kingdom to not know.”

Miao Feng chuckled. “It’s just a matter of being removed from the family registry. But at the end of the day, you two siblings still share the same blood. Speaking of which, it’s truly rare for the Xu family in Wu Kingdom to produce two outstanding talents like Brother Xu and Miss Xu.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s hurry! If Miss Xu has come, wouldn’t that delay your reunion with her?” Yu Wenxi urged.

“Indeed. Brother Xu, should we head to the Dao Debate Conference and take a look?” Miao Feng asked.

“Sure,” Xu Ming nodded and then called out to Shen Shengsheng, who was playing with a centipede in the courtyard. “Shengsheng, let’s go. We’re heading out to have some fun.”

“Okay!” Shen Shengsheng’s eyes lit up immediately upon hearing they were going out. She grabbed the centipede in her hand, popped it into her mouth, and, with her short legs, ran towards Brother Xu with a “pat-pat” sound.

“Brother Xu, there’s something I’d like to ask you. I wonder if you could clear it up for me.”

On their way to the Dao Debate Conference, Yu Wenxi hesitated and sidled closer to Xu Ming, looking like a shy young boy.

Xu Ming chuckled. “Brother Yu, just ask. There’s no need for such formality between us.”

Miao Feng teased from the side, “This guy isn’t being formal; he’s just embarrassed. He wants to ask about He Qingqing.”

“Heh…” Yu Wenxi scratched his head bashfully.

Xu Ming was curious. “I don’t even know Miss He. What could Brother Yu possibly want to ask me about her?”

“No, no, it’s nothing big.” Yu Wenxi quickly waved his hand. “It’s just that… I heard you sparred with Miss He yesterday. What do you think of her strength?”

Xu Ming thought for a moment. “Miss He is actually quite strong. Although I won in the end, she did give me some trouble.”

He was being honest.

Although He Qingqing hadn’t lasted ten moves against him, her abilities were indeed quite impressive.

“Then, Brother Xu, how does Miss He’s strength compare to mine?” Yu Wenxi asked, his face reddening.

When Xu Ming turned to look at him, Yu Wenxi instinctively straightened his back.

By now, how could Xu Ming not understand Yu Wenxi’s meaning?

Yu Wenxi was worried that He Qingqing might be stronger than him. If the woman was stronger than the man, he’d feel he couldn’t hold his head high in front of her, let alone pursue her.

“I think Brother Yu, your strength is just a bit superior to Miss He’s. Yes, that’s right.”

To avoid shattering Yu Wenxi’s confidence, Xu Ming told a little lie.

In truth, compared to He Qingqing, Yu Wenxi might hold his ground within the first hundred moves, but beyond that, he’d likely be knocked flat.

“Hahaha, I see!” Yu Wenxi visibly relaxed, even showing a hint of pride. “Well, that’s only natural. After all, I’m a man. Being slightly stronger than Miss He is to be expected.”

Miao Feng, standing to the side, rolled his eyes. He really wanted to say, We’re all cultivators. What does strength have to do with gender? And didn’t you notice that Brother Xu was hemming and hawing, trying to comfort you?

But seeing Yu Wenxi’s smug expression, Miao Feng decided to let it slide.

The three of them continued chatting and laughing along the way. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they arrived at the location of the Dao Debate Conference.

The conference was being held on a small plain within the Tianxuan Sect.

When Xu Ming and his companions arrived, the plain was already packed with people, resembling a bustling marketplace.

Everyone was dressed in different styles of clothing, representing their respective sects and kingdoms.

The plain was segmented into multiple arenas using various formations and barriers. These ensured that each duel wouldn’t be disturbed, while allowing the spectators outside to observe the battles within.

If someone wanted to spar with another, they simply needed to find an empty formation and step inside.

All in all, the lively atmosphere filled the small plain.

As Xu Ming and his companions landed on the plain, Shen Shengsheng instinctively clung tightly to Xu Ming’s hand, her excellent self-preservation instincts kicking in to ensure she wouldn’t get lost.

Xu Ming glanced at a noticeboard nearby, which displayed the rewards:

Five consecutive wins: Reward – 10 mid-grade spirit stones.

Six consecutive wins: Reward – 20 mid-grade spirit stones.

Seven consecutive wins: Reward – 30 mid-grade spirit stones.

…

Ten consecutive wins: Reward – 1 high-grade spirit stone.

Accumulated 10 wins: Reward – 50 mid-grade spirit stones.

Accumulated 20 wins: Reward – 1 high-grade spirit stone.

Most wins in a single day: Reward – 10 high-grade spirit stones.

Additionally, there were various rewards for defeating opponents of higher cultivation realms.

The prizes were diverse—not overly lavish, but certainly not stingy either. This approach encouraged friendly sparring rather than participants fighting to the death over heavy rewards, preserving the harmony of the event.

However, Xu Ming noticed that some cultivators were placing private bets on their matches.

Fortunately, the protective formations ensured that anyone sustaining a fatal injury would be ejected, preventing loss of life.

As Xu Ming was reading through the list of rewards, he overheard nearby cultivators exclaiming:

“Who is that woman? She’s already at fifteen consecutive wins, isn’t she?”