Chapter 3 — On Dan Dinh Peak

Right at the moment the fireball was about to approach, we made a move. The figure faded away like mist, and with a single glance, it was easily dodged, its steps were like flowing silk, not leaving behind even a trace of excess spiritual energy. At the same time, the spell in my hand changed, and the Water Spirit's aura burst out! “Water Dragon Phuc!” Boom! From nowhere, a transparent rope of water appeared, spiritual energy condensed into a dragon shape, like a spiritual snake leaving the cave, sweeping straight towards Truong Cuong! "What-?!" Before he could react, his whole body was wrapped tightly by the water rope, like a dragon's fin locking his body, tied tightly and unable to move. The whole school exploded! “Seventh level of Qi Refinement!” "No way! She was on the third floor a month ago!" “This… this is Water magic, spiritual energy… why is it so pure!” The gossip rose like waves, no one believed their eyes. I didn't pay any attention, walking slowly step by step in front of Truong Cuong, standing tall and looking down. My voice was calm, cold as ice: "Now... who should kneel down and admit defeat?" Truong Cuong's face was as red as a pig's liver, both angry and humiliated, but... he couldn't utter a word. This battle — I won. What's more, win easily. When I stepped down from the ring, I clearly felt countless eyes gathering towards me. There is surprise, there is jealousy, there is also curiosity mixed with scrutiny. But among those thousands of eyes, two eyes shine the brightest, as if wanting to penetrate all my concealment. One, from the male lead Tieu Tran standing in the corner of the yard. His eyes were as deep as an abyss, filled with doubt and exploration. And the remaining stream... I followed my feeling and looked towards the audience's stage. Luc Van Phi! He... shouldn't have appeared here. His face was still pale, it was clear that his injury had not healed completely, but those eyes... did not blink once, pinning them tightly, as if wanting to tear out all the secrets hidden in his bones. My heart sank slightly. Trouble... is here. 5 During the break of the contest, I found a quiet, secluded corner to calm my anger. But before he could sit comfortably, a tall figure blocked the light above his head. I opened my eyes — Luc Van Phi was standing in front of me, her face so gloomy that she could cry. He waved his hand and told the disciples following him to retreat, obviously wanting to talk privately. “What is your cultivation level…?” He opened his mouth bluntly, without any unnecessary sentences. I stood up, lightly brushed the dust off my clothes, my face calm: "Thank you, Senior Brother Luc, for your guidance. I thought through a few things, my mental bond was removed, and my cultivation level naturally increased." “Confession?” He curled his lips and smiled coldly: "To Tinh, do you consider me three years old? Just one month, from the third level of Qi Refining to the seventh level, and you say it's because of breaking the bond?" His eyes were like sharp blades, scanning straight at me: "That day you disappeared, I went back to look, but no one was there. In the area where you disappeared, I was attacked by a monster! Are you still going to say... unrelated?" Sure enough... he had doubts. In my heart, alarm bells immediately rang out, but on my face, a faint sadness appeared, mixed with just the right amount of self-mockery: "Senior Brother Luc,... are you interrogating me? Or is it that in your heart you already consider me, To Tinh, to be a cruel and scheming woman, acting on your own to get your attention?" Suffering and humiliating, even colluding with monsters to harm you? My voice is not loud, but each word is like a spear piercing straight into the heart. Luc Van Phi paused for a moment, an awkward look flashed across her handsome face, obviously not expecting me to counterattack so strongly. I laughed softly, my smile was as pale as frost, but my eyes were bright and cold: "Yes, I admit, I was very stupid before. Stupid enough to think that if I were just kind to you, one day you would turn around and look at me. But that day in Hau Son, I understood clearly - You don't like me. So, whatever we do is wrong. Hanging around you is wrong, crying is wrong... even wanting to be alone, is wrong." “I…” He was about to open his mouth, but I raised my hand to stop him. “You don't need to explain, I don't want to hear it. As for why my cultivation has improved, the reason is very simple.” I raised my chin slightly, looked straight into his eyes, my voice was clear: "Before, you were my devil. You are my hardship. Now, the evil mind has dissipated, and the bottleneck naturally crumbles. Sixth senior brother, you don't need to doubt that I have any luck. My biggest chance... is that I was completely heartless towards you." This sentence is half true and half false. But for a proud son of heaven like Luc Van Phi, it was a fatal blow. Sure enough, his face was blue and white, the depths of his eyes were swirling with complexity that was difficult to distinguish - there was anger, there was disbelief, there was even a trace of loss that he himself was not aware of. “Or for a word “heart dead”.” He gritted his teeth, each word hissed out from between his teeth: "To Tinh, it's best... don't let me catch any of your weaknesses!" Having finished speaking, he tossed his sleeves, turned and left. I looked at his back and then slowly let out a long breath. This barrier... can be temporarily passed. But we also understand clearly - Once the seed of doubt has been planted... it will be very difficult to uproot. 6 In the next competitions, I won cleanly, with almost no suspense at all. Most of my opponents were sixth-level Qi Refining disciples, but they couldn't even force me to use the second move. Just one "Water Long Phuoc" move can easily solve the match. Gradually, titles such as "Number one female disciple of the outer sect", "Mysterious black horse" began to hover around the name To Tinh. The eyes that once scorned and mocked me before now turned into fear and curiosity. I don't deny myself enjoying this change... But at the same time, I never dare to relax my guard. After finishing another match, I stepped down from the ring and faced Tieu Tran. He just won the battle, but compared to me, it's much worse. His whole body was covered in blood, his breathing was rapid, his aura was chaotic... However, in those eyes - the light was as bright as a sword unsheathed, the fierce fighting spirit made people not dare to look straight. When we spoke, his voice rang out softly, low and hoarse, but clear: "Your water... is not normal." My steps stopped, but I didn't turn around: "Oh?" “Too pure.” He slowly continued, his voice revealing a tentative tone: "It's not like the spiritual power that can be obtained from cultivating outside the sect." …As expected, the male lead is still the male lead, his eyes are as sharp as a blade, seeing through every loophole. I turned around, facing him, the corners of my lips curled slightly: "Yes Perhaps… my natural talent is compatible with the Water element.” "Really?" Tieu Tran slightly pulled the corner of his lips, smiling as if not smiling, an unpredictable meaning flashed in his eyes: "To Tinh... you've changed a lot." I did not avoid it and calmly replied: "People will change, right? Brother Tieu... aren't you the same?" My words have implications - about the strength he hides. Others can't see it, but I know it very clearly: Every match he wins is as dangerous as walking on a tightrope, completely intentionally hiding his talent, pretending to be a pig and eat a tiger. Tieu Tran's eyes wavered slightly, but he did not respond, just turned and left. Looking at that steadfast back, I squinted my eyes slightly. This man... is a hundred times more difficult to deal with than Luc Van Phi. He is sharp, patient, and extremely wary of everyone. But so what? He has his own counterintuitive scenario. We have our "melon eating scenario". As long as the well water does not violate the river water, everyone goes their separate ways and is safe and sound. Withdrawing my gaze, I continued walking. The road to the inner gate — we are halfway there. The rest… Just getting the last spot is enough. I cleared all obstacles, smoothly entered the top 10, and earned the qualification to enter the inner sect. This has far exceeded everyone's expectations. But… our goal doesn't stop there. I want to get into the top 3 — because only then can I receive special rewards from the sect and at the same time be free to choose my master.