Don't Cause Trouble Chapter 84: Flying Boat

"…Fifth disciple?" Ning Qianyao was briefly stunned, then her eyes curved with a smile. "So those two are the sect master’s newly accepted disciples? That means I’m their senior sister now?"

She was cute and charming, with clear, bright doe eyes and a love for smiling. It was hard to dislike her.

Yi Xuan, however, said bluntly, "They won’t call you Senior Sister."

Lu Jiu was technically only a disciple in name, more like a guest elder of the Qianji Sect. And besides…

Yi Xuan recalled the way You Fushi usually behaved. He didn’t even call Ye Su "Senior Sister," so there was no way he’d call Ning Qianyao that.

"Then I’ll just stay the little junior sister," Ning Qianyao said with the same sweet smile. "Senior Brother Yi, why did Senior Sister also take part in the preliminaries? I thought she was busy refining artifacts."

"Too bored," Yi Xuan replied tersely.

Ning Qianyao’s smile almost faltered for a second. She had always known that Yi Xuan and Ye Su didn’t get along, but he had never openly commented on her actions before.

This sentence sounded like a jab but in truth, it confirmed that the two had grown closer.

Ning Qianyao bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Senior Brother Yi, I’m also participating in the preliminaries."

"Mm." Yi Xuan barely reacted. It wasn’t surprising, the Wu Yin Sect was definitely competing. Since she was always with them, it was expected she’d join too.

"I ranked—" Ning Qianyao tried to continue.

But Yi Xuan had already reached out to turn off the communication jade, leaving only a final word: "I’m going to train."

Inside the inn room, Ning Qianyao took a deep breath. She was used to Yi Xuan’s ways, he’d always been like this at Qianji Sect but today it bothered her more than usual.

After thinking for a moment, she finally decided to contact her master to find out what had been going on lately in Qianji Sect.

Soon, Yang Tan’s face appeared. He looked quite pleased to see her. "Yao Yao, I just saw your name on the list a moment ago, I was just about to contact you!"

"Master, why are Ye Su and the others participating in the preliminaries too?" Ning Qianyao’s smile had faded by now, there was none of the sweetness she’d shown to Yi Xuan.

"I’m not sure," Yang Tan shook his head. Then added, "But Yi Xuan is truly gifted, he was even accepted as a joint disciple by Sword Sect."

Ning Qianyao bit her lip hard. "Ye Su and the others are clearly trying to ride Sword Sect’s coattails. I overheard them seems like they’re sticking close to Yi Xuan."

Yang Tan’s expression turned cold. "That Zhang Fengfeng’s first disciple is known for being crafty. Using Yi Xuan to build connections is no surprise. In fact, she might be even more cunning than Zhang Fengfeng."

After saying that, he looked at Ning Qianyao again, and his tone softened. "Yao Yao, don’t let those people get to you. I saw you placed third among the Western ranks. What stage is your cultivation at now?"

"Just mid-Nascent Soul," Ning Qianyao replied humbly. "Nothing special."

"Even Kunlun’s Lu Chenhan is only mid-Nascent Soul!" Yang Tan suddenly stood up and paced excitedly. "Yao Yao, after this sect tournament, you’ll definitely make a name for yourself across the entire continent!"

"Master." Ning Qianyao stopped him. "What’s happened in Qianji Sect over the past two years? Who are You Fushi and Lu Jiu? I saw that the top name on the Eastern list was ‘You Fushi’ from our sect."

"What could’ve happened?" Yang Tan snorted. "Just a bunch of people hanging around trying to soak up free spiritual energy. Some actually advanced from it. I’ve never heard of Lu Jiu. That You Fushi is a new disciple Zhang Fengfeng accepted probably got lucky and somehow made it to first place."

Ning Qianyao lowered her head in thought. Ye Su must have seen Yi Xuan’s potential and talent, so she repaired their relationship in order to stick with him and enter the competition alongside him.

"Yao Yao, the sect tournament is starting soon," Yang Tan said. "Focus on the competition. Don’t let people like Ye Su distract you."

"I understand." Ning Qianyao looked up. No matter how strong Ye Su was, she only ranked one-thousandth. How could she possibly compare?

……

Starting from June 1st, the Kunlun territory gradually became lively, as one flying vessel after another arrived from afar.

The disciples from sects who had already checked in could see all kinds of flying vessels every day—big ones, small ones and would comment on each one.

"Why isn’t the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect here yet? Aren’t they the closest?"

"They chose a new Buddha Child this year. The sect is probably busy with the coronation. It’s totally normal for them to be late."

"This must be your first time at the sect tournament. The Ten Thousand Buddha Sect doesn’t use flying vessels. When the time comes, they’ll walk here hundreds of them, barefoot, holding staffs, walking step by step up the stairs to the Kunlun Immortal Platform. Once you see it, you’ll understand how awe-inspiring it is."

"I just want to know when the Hehuan Sect is coming. I heard their flying vessels are always the most flashy and extravagant."

"Tsk tsk, let me tell you, even the young boys who sweep the floors in Hehuan Sect are good-looking. I went there once with my master... it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a paradise!"

"They’re really all that good-looking?"

"Of course! Their first sect rule is that they don’t accept ugly people."

"I really want to see the Wuxing Sect. I heard the sect master’s daughter took ten bottles of elixirs just to catch up with Lu Chenhan, and that’s how she managed to advance two stages to reach mid-Nascent Soul stage."

All the sects of various sizes in the cultivation world had gathered, and every day on the Kunlun Immortal Platform, disciples would gossip nonstop about all kinds of things.

"Where did you hear that?" someone nearby turned and asked. "To advance two stages in a row, she’d need high-grade pills. Where would Wuxing Sect get ten bottles of those?"

The others wanted to argue, but when they saw the alchemy furnace hanging at the speaker’s waist, they fell silent.

For the grand sect competition, it wasn’t just the participating sects—many non-participating ones came just to watch the excitement.

"Look! That’s the Shangque Sect!"

Someone suddenly shouted, pointing up at the sky.

Everyone looked up to see a massive flying vessel slowly emerging from the distant clouds and mist. The vessel was shaped like a giant pipa, and upon closer look, its structure was composed of various musical instruments. Even the windows of the rooms were shaped like instruments.

As the four-story vessel glided forward, it was massive yet graceful. Those on the Kunlun Immortal Platform could even hear the chimes ringing from its eaves. Their spiritual cores stirred and felt lighter, and the noise around them gradually quieted.

Shangque Sect, one of the Five Great Sects—specializes in musical cultivation and is the largest sect in the northern region. This time, they brought 326 selected disciples.

On the sail pole was written "Shangque Sect," but even without the words, the vessel’s design made it unmistakably theirs.

Though many people were already on the Kunlun Immortal Platform, it was vast enough to accommodate over ten large flying vessels at once.

Everyone watched as the Shangque Sect vessel arrived and finally came to a stop at the center of the platform.

When the massive vessel landed, it touched the platform without making a sound, only the chimes on the eaves rang out in a melodious tone. Then, the boat’s doors opened wide, and two rows of disciples stepped out first. Only then did the sect master of Shangque Sect slowly appear, followed by their own musical cultivators, all dressed in flowing pale yellow robes, their expressions calm, each holding a different instrument.

This was Shangque Sect.

Ning Qianyao stood among the crowd, watching the disciples of Shangque Sect walk out from the vessel. Even their robes looked better than the sect master of Wu Yin Sect’s.

Though both were sects of musical cultivation, the gap between them was like a chasm.

Ning Qianyao recalled the message she received yesterday. It was from Xin Xin, saying she had gotten a pass token in the southern region.

Wu Yin Sect, the sect Ning once thought was powerful three years ago—now had only one disciple who obtained a pass token.

Ning Qianyao lowered her eyes, hiding her emotions. Thankfully, she had left them and ventured out to train on her own.

"Wuxing Sect is here!"

"And so is Sword Sect!"

The Kunlun Immortal Platform became lively once again as everyone looked up to see two new flying vessels appearing in the sky.

The Wuxing Sect was slightly ahead. Their boat also had four levels and a conventional shape, but the entire hull was covered in talismans. The mast was yellow with red markings, and although the sect’s name wasn’t written, the talismans drawn on the massive banner were a clear enough sign.

Without a doubt, anyone who dared attack the boat would be met with a fierce counterattack.

Slightly behind was the flying vessel of Sword Sect. It had five levels, and the words "Sword" were written in bold ink, skewered on the sword-like mast. From below, the entire boat appeared in the shape of a sword—majestic and grand. Sword intent radiated from the vessel, sharp and overwhelming. People couldn’t bear to look for long, afraid they’d get injured just by staring.

"Beiyin Sect, Nanhua Sect, and Shangque Sect are all here. Why hasn’t Hehuan Sect arrived yet?"

"Hehuan Sect always comes last. It’s the same every year."

"I remember they scatter flower petals along the way too."

"I can’t believe Sword Sect didn’t get first place in the preliminaries this year. That Qianji Sect, no idea where they even came from."

"What do you mean where? That is the Qianji Sect."

"Which one?"

"The one made up entirely of weapon refiners."

Ning Qianyao listened to the conversations happening around her while her eyes stayed on the Sword Sect’s flying vessel that had just landed. As expected, Yi Xuan should be aboard this boat. When they last exchanged messages, she had seen the mast of the vessel.

The next moment, the doors of both Wuxing Sect and Sword Sect’s boats opened, and disciples from both sects stepped out.

Even after everyone had disembarked, Ning Qianyao still didn’t spot Yi Xuan.

How could that be?

Lian Lian stepped off the Wuxing Sect’s vessel, completely ignoring the disapproving look from her sect master, and strode straight toward the Sword Sect’s side, with Cheng Huaian following behind her.

"Where’s Ye Su and the others?" Lian Lian asked Zhou Yun. "Didn’t she say she was coming with you?"

Zhou Yun raised her hand and pointed to the sky. "Behind us."

Lian Lian looked confused and followed her finger upward.

What she saw stunned her.

A sword glowing red led the way through the sky, its blade shooting forward madly. A rope was tied to its hilt, dragging a strange little flying vessel behind it. Inside the boat were two columns and four rows of seats. Seven people sat inside, Ye Su in the front row by herself; You Fushi and Yi Xuan in the second row; Xia Er and Lu Jiu in the third; and Ming Liu Sha and Xiyu in the back.

The vessel was small—very small but incredibly eye-catching.

Because the entire vessel was surrounded by spiritual fire.

"Are those... Hehuan Sect disciples?" someone asked in shock. "With looks like that, the rumors really were true."

"There’s no way Hehuan Sect only has this few people."

"What are they even doing?"

The small flying vessel didn’t land on the platform right away. Instead, it began to circle in the air. That’s when the crowd noticed that trailing behind the boat was a long banner—black background, golden letters.

—Qianji Sect.

And that wasn’t all. The back of the flying vessel was spewing smoke—colorful smoke!

As the vessel looped and spiraled in the air, the smoke lingered behind, eventually spelling out three glowing characters.

Still—Qianji Sect!

"Senior sister, should we start the fireworks now?" Xiyu, seated in the vessel, asked as the smoke was starting to fade.

Ye Su lifted a talisman cannon. "Go for it."

Xiyu and Ming Liu Sha suddenly also hoisted talisman cannons, and the three of them fired several shots into the sky. Countless paper talismans flew up even higher. These sound talismans let out sharp, piercing blasts and then floated midair, rearranging themselves into three glowing characters once more:

Qianji Sect,

Qianji Sect...

Still—Qianji Sect!

At that moment, everyone on the Kunlun Immortal Platform had the same thought in their heads—