Chapter 41: Aftermath and Lu xueqi thoughts

After the match, Grey approached Sect Master Dao Xuan with eager anticipation, his eyes fixed on the treasure before him.The Six Directions Mirror, a radiant artifact pulsating with mystical light, was now his prize, and he had already formulated two plans for it: if it proved useful, he would keep it; otherwise, he might as well consume its power to enhance his cultivation."Disciple," Dao Xuan began with a tone of approval. "Even though you joined five years ago, you have surpassed your generation of disciples and won the contest. I am proud to have such a disciple in the Azure Cloud Sect."Dao Xuan extended the shimmering mirror to Grey, its aura radiating strength and mystery. "As a reward for your victory, this is for you."Grey accepted the artifact with reverence, his eyes gleaming as he admired its intricate design and the powerful energy it exuded. "Thank you, Sect Master," he said, his voice full of genuine gratitude and ambition.But the tournament's rewards extended far beyond this single treasure. The real prize lay in what came next: the selection of four elite disciples for an important mission.The tournament, while showcasing the most powerful disciples of the generation, was also meant to identify those qualified to embark on a crucial task.The mission was clear—eliminate the Demonic cultivators entrenched in Kong Sang Mountain.This dangerous operation required collaboration with two other righteous sects: the Heavenly Sound Temple, a Buddhist sect devoted to spiritual enlightenment and the art of sound, and the Burning Incense Valley, a sect renowned for their mastery over fire-based martial arts.These three sects, united by a common goal, aimed to cleanse Kong Sang Mountain of its dark presence and restore peace to the region.However, the mission also carried an unspoken purpose: to forge the next generation of leaders through battle.Facing real-world threats and demonic cultivators would offer invaluable experience for the young disciples, sharpening their combat prowess and tempering their spirit.The demonic forces on Kong Sang Mountain were remnants of the once-feared Blood Refining Hall, a sect that had thrived over 800 years ago.Though its influence had waned, the surviving members of the Blood Refining Hall still posed enough of a threat to justify a joint effort by the righteous sects.For Grey and the others, this mission was both a rite of passage and a critical test, one that would determine their future standing in the cultivation world.As night fell, a tranquil stillness enveloped Small Bamboo Peak. The contest was over, but its impact lingered.Inside Lu Xueqi's room, the soft glow of moonlight seeped through the window, casting a gentle light on the meticulously arranged space.The room was a sanctuary of elegance and comfort, reflecting the grace and status of its owner—entirely unlike the more austere chambers of Big Bamboo Peak.Lu Xueqi lay quietly on her bed, her breathing steady and soft, as though lost in peaceful sleep. But the atmosphere in the room was far from serene.Two fellow disciples stood nearby, exchanging hushed words, their voices laced with disbelief and concern."Senior, I really didn't expect Junior Sister to lose," one of the disciples murmured, glancing uneasily at Lu Xueqi's resting form.Wen Min, standing beside her, sighed softly, her thoughts drifting to the recent contest. "None of us expected it. Big Bamboo Peak producing such a disciple… it's shocking," she admitted.She couldn't help but recall Da Ren's words when he had described their junior brother as something beyond ordinary—almost monstrous in his talent."What's even more unbelievable is that he's only 15," Wen Min continued, shaking her head in amazement. Though older, she felt her own abilities paled in comparison to both Lu Xueqi and this young prodigy."Wait… 15?" the other disciple whispered, her eyes widening. "Isn't that the same age as our Junior Sister?" She looked again at Lu Xueqi, as if seeing her for the first time in light of this new revelation.Before Wen Min could respond, they both noticed a subtle shift—Lu Xueqi's eyes had quietly opened, her gaze steady but distant as she observed them. The two disciples stiffened, unsure of what to say."Junior Sister, you're awake!" Wen Min said, her voice soft but laced with concern. She approached the bed, her eyes searching Lu Xueqi's face for any sign of emotion. "You should say something…"The air in the room felt heavier, filled with unsaid thoughts. Wen Min turned to the other disciple, sensing that Lu Xueqi needed time. "Go and bring something for Junior Sister to eat," she instructed gently.The girl nodded quickly and left the room, leaving Wen Min alone with Lu Xueqi. Wen Min sat on the wooden chair beside the bed, studying her Junior Sister in the soft glow of moonlight.Normally, Lu Xueqi's eyes were sharp and unyielding, but now they seemed clouded with confusion. Her expression was guarded in silence.Wen Min could sense the weight of the emotions hanging between them, knowing that the events of the contest had unsettled more than just their standing within the sect."Junior Sister Lu, what are you thinking?" Wen Min asked gently, hoping to coax her out of her introspective silence."Senior Wen, what happened during the match?" Lu Xueqi asked, her eyes wide with uncertainty. Her memory was hazy, only recalling the moment she lost control of her technique before everything went black."You lost, Junior Sister. But if it weren't for Junior Brother Grey, you could have been seriously injured," Wen Min explained, her tone calm but filled with underlying concern.She vividly remembered how Grey had stepped in just in time, shielding Lu Xueqi from a potentially devastating attack.Lu Xueqi's grip on the bed sheet tightened, her confusion deepening. "What do you mean? What happened?""After you lost control of your lightning technique, the strike was about to hit you directly. Even the Master was too late to react. But then, just as the lightning was about to strike, Grey appeared before you and blocked it," Wen Min recounted, recalling the tense moment.She remembered how Grey had held Lu Xueqi in a protective princess carry, his calm demeanor juxtaposed against her vulnerability.The sight had left a lasting impression on everyone watching, including Wen Min, who couldn't help but think about how natural they looked together in that fleeting moment."He blocked it?" Lu Xueqi repeated. Her voice was a mix of confusion and disbelief. Why would someone who barely knew her risk his life to save her?"Yes, not a single bolt touched you," Wen Min confirmed, her voice soothing. "He took the full brunt of the technique."Lu Xueqi remained silent, her mind racing to make sense of it all. Though the contest had left her drained, she realized her body bore no serious injuries other than those from the fight. Her concern, however, now shifted to Grey—the one who had risked himself for her.In a quiet, hesitant voice, she asked, "How is he? Is he… fine?"Wen Min's eyes softened, catching the subtle worry in her junior sister's voice. She smiled warmly. "You can see him tomorrow and ask him yourself. And don't forget to thank him properly."Wen Min had known Lu Xueqi for years and recognized that, despite her immense talent, expressing emotions was never her strength.This was the first time she had seen Lu Xueqi display genuine concern for another disciple, particularly a boy. It was clear that Grey had made an impression on her, even if Lu Xueqi wasn't entirely aware of it yet.As the silence between them deepened, Lu Xueqi's mind kept drifting back to the final moments before she had lost consciousness.One memory in particular stood out—a voice, just before the darkness claimed her. She distinctly remembered someone calling her "stupid." The voice had been direct, blunt, and unmistakable.It had to be Grey.But why would he call her "stupid" in the same breath as saving her life? The thought gnawed at her, adding a layer of bewilderment to her already swirling emotions.The more Lu Xueqi dwelled on it, the more tangled her thoughts became. Grey's actions didn't fit the expectations she had formed about him.Her first impression of him had been less than flattering—she had once caught him casually reading a pornographic book, which led her to dismiss him as no different from other boys.Yet now, his behavior seemed to suggest otherwise. He had saved her without hesitation, but also called her "stupid" in the process, a sharpness she wasn't used to encountering.He wasn't like anyone she had ever met—a strange blend of kindness and unapologetic honesty. There was no false modesty in him, no hidden motives.He acted with a straightforwardness that unsettled her. He had gone out of his way to protect her from danger, yet his words were far from comforting, leaving her feeling both confused and oddly intrigued.As she lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, Lu Xueqi couldn't help but wonder what kind of person Grey truly was.Why had he bothered to risk his safety for her when they barely knew each other? And why, after saving her, did he still feel the need to criticize her so bluntly?The questions circled in her mind, pulling her deeper into thought. For the first time, Lu Xueqi found herself not rattled by the power of an opponent but by the unpredictability of a boy who had both saved her and left her questioning everything she thought she knew about people.Grey was a like mystery she couldn't easily unravel, and that thought unsettled her in a way no contest or battle ever had.