Chapter 960 - 956: Collective Outcry from the Leadership
Bai Xiaoxuan, this little girl, as Xu Ming’s Closed-door Disciple, had always seemed very low-key. In Heartbreak Valley, besides occasionally seeing her appear next to Xu Ming, Ji Dantong, and Sun Miaohan, she would also follow some Immortal Envoys.
Among them, even those like Sun Miaohan and Ji Dantong had a level of power that far exceeded that of others.
Not only that, but the usually strict and stern Immortal Envoys, who seemed incapable of showing a hint of a smile, were all amiable towards her. Even if she made a mistake, they would first explain things clearly rather than scolding her outright.
This cherished darling, who received endless favor, made others a bit envious, and naturally raised curiosity about Bai Xiaoxuan’s individual strength.
Thus, when Bai Xiaoxuan agreed to personally step onto the arena, the gathered crowd reached unprecedented levels, almost rivaling the combined popularity of Ji Dantong and Sun Miaohan, even hinting at an overwhelming trend.
Although most were there out of curiosity, it indirectly indicated that Bai Xiaoxuan had already begun to establish her own appeal in Heartbreak Valley!
In no time, word spread wildly, and within about ten minutes, it was buzzing everywhere that Sect Leader Xu Ming’s Closed-door Disciple, Bai Xiaoxuan, was going to personally take to the arena.
The large group following behind Bai Xiaoxuan couldn’t help but make her a bit nervous. This was a spontaneous decision she made on her own, without informing her master Xu Ming, so she was unsure if she would be reprimanded. The little girl was uncertain.
However, the news had spread widely, and a large number of people had already gathered, creating a situation where she couldn’t back down. Despite feeling apprehensive, she had no choice but to pluck up her courage.
...
The procession, led by Bai Xiaoxuan, quickly arrived at the core hub of Heartbreak Valley, in front of the pavilion where high-level meetings were held.
At this moment, two women were standing on the arena. One, with a tall and alluring figure; the other, with a jade-like cute face, stood gracefully. Both were top beauties of the contemporary era, long unchanged champions—Sun Miaohan and Ji Dantong.
Their expressions, however, were worlds apart. While Sun Miaohan maintained a calm demeanor, her eyes revealed pride and joy; Ji Dantong, in contrast, looked visibly aggrieved, making one suspect that once again, Sun Miaohan had used trickery to win at the last moment.
Yet, the audience below the arena was scanty, with only a dozen or so people, comparable to the number of Heartbreak Valley’s higher-ups watching from the pavilion.
Originally, Xu Ming on the pavilion was about to announce the winner, but upon seeing Bai Xiaoxuan leading a large crowd, he couldn’t help but frown, looking around at his contemporaries, only to find them equally puzzled.
As more and more disciples gathered over, it seemed that apart from the external delegations, everyone else was present, prompting further curiosity in Xu Ming about what was going on?
On the arena, seeing so many people gathering, both Sun Miaohan and Ji Dantong were startled. In all their training days, such a full house was unprecedented, as there were always some faking illness to skip, or even avoiding training through self-harm.
Of course, such extreme cases were rare. Otherwise, Xu Ming wouldn’t have been able to implement his plans for so long.
This presented a problem; if usually, gatherings weren’t complete, how come today, on a rare break, everyone was squeezing their way in?
"Xuanxuan, is this a surprise you prepared for me?" the straightforward Sun Miaohan’s eyes lit up, exclaimed joyously, "To celebrate my victory, you went to the trouble of bringing so many people. Well done! Sis didn’t spoil you in vain!"
One sentence made Ji Dantong, on the other side, frown: "Do you think that’s possible?"
"Why not?!" Sun Miaohan raised her brows, a hint of disdain flashing in her beautiful eyes: "With my popularity, combined with Xuanxuan’s charm and likability, it’s perfectly normal for us to draw such a crowd together, isn’t it?"
Finishing, she tapped her head, pretending to realize, "Oh, I forgot, for someone used to losing like you, it’s impossible to understand."
As these words landed, the whole audience erupted into laughter, whispering among themselves.
Ji Dantong was furious to the point of explosion, immediately looking towards Bai Xiaoxuan, questioning: "Xuanxuan, is that true?"
Faced with the question, Bai Xiaoxuan was at a loss for words, only able to reply softly, "I... I actually..."
Before she could finish, a solemn voice echoed from above and below the arena: "Silence!"
These two simple words carried no anger. Instead, they were very calm, akin to a glass of warm water; the voice, ethereal and pleasant, resembled divine music descending from the heavens.
But everyone understood that if they didn’t comply, this warm water might boil over at any moment.
In just a few breaths, everyone wisely shut their mouths, deliberately slowed their breathing, making the place eerily silent.
On the pavilion, seeing everyone quiet down, Xu Ming continued to ask, this time with a noticeably more authoritative tone.
"Bai Xiaoxuan, explain what is going on here!"
Bai Xiaoxuan’s petite figure quivered involuntarily, then she stepped forward timidly, responding, "Master, I... I want to go up and compete."
Xu Ming was both exasperated and amused: "Compete?! Who allowed you to go up and compete?"
Bai Xiaoxuan, feeling Xu Ming’s sternness, instantly had red eyes, knowing she was in trouble this time, hung her head low, not daring to meet Xu Ming’s questioning gaze.
At that moment, everyone’s hearts collectively skipped a beat, as if something bad was about to happen.
Sure enough, this inexplicable anomaly quickly yielded its first unlucky victim.
From the pavilion, an Immortal Envoy with a grim expression sternly called out: "Xu Zishu!"
At those words, a girl from within the crowd, leaning on a crutch, shuddered, thumped the crutch forward with her right hand, then hopped forward on her left foot, responding, "Disciple here!"
"Didn’t you claim your leg was broken and couldn’t leave?" the grim-faced Immortal Envoy sneered, "And now here you are?"
"No... Master, I..." The accused girl felt her heart sink, repeatedly opened her mouth but couldn’t produce a legitimate excuse, ultimately, like Bai Xiaoxuan, she hung her head, choosing silent acquiescence to face the impending storm.
Soon, the Immortal Envoy’s voice came again: "You have time to watch a competition, but not to attend training. Seems like you’ve been feigning illness from the start, intentionally avoiding training."