Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu's expressions both changed. Lin Jingyu, young and impetuous, was about to retort.

Qi Hao reacted even faster, gently raising his hand to block Lin Jingyu.

His smile remained unchanged, and he even became more respectful as he said, "Uncle Tian, ​​you're joking. We are both disciples of the Qingyun Sect. Uncle Tian is highly respected. My master has no intention of disrespecting you. We are here purely on official business."

Tian Buyi's face remained gloomy, offering no way out.

Su Ru stood there helplessly, then smiled and said, "Alright, alright, that's just how your Uncle Tian is, don't mind him."

He then looked at Qi Hao and said, "Junior Nephew Qi, you just said that the rules of the martial arts competition have changed. What's going on? Tell me about it."

Qi Hao glanced gratefully at Su Ru and calmly replied, "Reporting to Martial Aunt Su, the matter is as follows. In previous years, during the 'Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament,' each of the various peaks under the Qingyun Sect sent four people, and the Tongtian Peak, the head of the sect, sent four more, making a total of thirty-two. They drew lots to determine the winners, and the winners advanced. After five rounds, the champion was determined."

Su Ru nodded and smiled, "Yes, I remember. Speaking of the last grand examination, you shone brightly, Junior Nephew Qi, and came in second place, right? If it weren't for that Junior Nephew Xiao Yicai from the Changmen sect, you might have been the champion."

Qi Hao remained expressionless and humbly said, "Uncle Su, you flatter me. Senior Brother Xiao Yicai is exceptionally talented and has profound cultivation. I am completely convinced of my defeat." He paused and continued, "However, regarding the 'Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament' two years from now, my master and the sect leader have discussed and made some adjustments to the rules, and specifically ordered me to come and report."

"Oh?" Tian Buyi and Su Ru both showed expressions of concern.

Qi Hao cleared his throat and said, "My master believes that the original intention of the 'Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament' is to discover the talents that each sect can cultivate. However, our Qingyun Sect now has nearly a thousand disciples, and many young talents have emerged. With an opportunity that only comes once every sixty years, it is regrettable that each sect only sends four people. Therefore, my master proposes that each of the seven sects send nine disciples, and the head sect sends one more, making a total of sixty-four. Based on this, the disciples will draw lots to compete in six rounds, in order to give more outstanding disciples the opportunity to showcase their talents."

The Shoujing Hall fell silent instantly.

Tian Buyi gritted his teeth; wasn't this just forcing him to send out the entire Great Bamboo Peak?

Su Ru's expression changed slightly. She took Tian Buyi's hand, shook her head slightly, and tried to dissuade him. Then she gestured for him to look at Jiang Xiaochuan.

Tian Buyi snorted. He said, "Very well, I have no objections."

Qi Hao smiled confidently: "Uncle Tian is a man of great wisdom and righteousness."

He paused, glancing at the end of the disciple list. He continued, "Furthermore, before departing, my master instructed me on one more matter. My junior brother Lin and junior brother Zhang Xiaofan, who is under Uncle Tian's tutelage, are old acquaintances with deep affection. I hope Uncle Tian and Uncle Su will grant them permission to have a brief reunion."

Zhang Xiaofan stiffened and lowered his head even further.

Lin Jingyu finally turned his gaze to his childhood friend, his eyes filled with concern and excitement.

He then looked at Jiang Xiaochuan and nodded slightly.

Jiang Xiaochuan also saw him and nodded slightly in response.

After not seeing him for several years, Jingyu has grown taller and more handsome.

But this personality of his has probably become even more stubborn.

For a moment, no one spoke. Jiang Xiaochuan glanced at Tian Buyi, whose face was expressionless, but he was staring at him.

Tian Buyi turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan and hummed in agreement.

Zhang Xiaofan felt as if he had been granted a pardon, but he was also more terrified. He quickly glanced at Tian Buyi, then lowered his head again and shuffled to Lin Jingyu's side.

Lin Jingyu reached out to pull him, and Zhang Xiaofan subconsciously shrank back. Then he came to his senses and followed Lin Jingyu out of Shoujing Hall.

However, the atmosphere in front of the main room did not dissipate much after they left.

Qi Hao's gaze swept over the many disciples of Dazhu Peak, finally landing on Song Daren.

A smile returned to his face as he cupped his hands and said, "This must be Junior Brother Song Daren, right? It's been years since we last met, but you still retain your charm. We exchanged blows at the last Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. Junior Brother Song's Taoist skills are profound, which impressed me greatly."

Song Daren smiled憨厚ly, cupped his hands in return, and said, "Senior Brother Qi has a good memory; you actually remember me, your defeated opponent."

The people from Dazhu Peak didn't look too good, especially a certain chubby guy.

Tian Buyi tightened his grip on the handrail, and Su Ru frowned slightly.

Their gazes then turned to Jiang Xiaochuan, who was standing next to Song Daren, with hope in their eyes.

Qi Hao naturally noticed the extraordinary young disciple standing next to Song Daren.

He was about to speak when his gaze involuntarily fell upon that bright and fiery figure.

Tian Ling'er was in the prime of her life, with a delicate and pretty face and a graceful figure. In particular, her fiery red dress was like the morning glow falling into a mountain stream, so vibrant and lively that it was hard to ignore her.

A genuine hint of appreciation flashed in Qi Hao's eyes. He smiled and stepped forward, saying to Tian Ling'er, "This must be Junior Sister Ling'er, the daughter of Martial Uncle Tian and Martial Uncle Su, right? Indeed, you are exceptionally talented and live up to your reputation."

However, Tian Ling'er's mind was not on Qi Hao at all. From the moment Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu entered the room, her gaze kept drifting towards Jiang Xiaochuan.

When she saw Qi Hao trying to talk to Jiang Xiaochuan, she felt a sudden tightness in her chest. Now that she saw Qi Hao turning to her, she became even more impatient.

She almost instinctively took a half-step closer to Jiang Xiaochuan, her arm nearly touching him.

At this moment, Jiang Xiaochuan looked at the gentle and refined Qi Hao, but his thoughts were somewhat wandering.

The scene and the characters are so familiar; it's as if the plot of the book has been brought to life right before my eyes.

At first glance, I disliked Qi Hao slightly because he stole Zhang Xiaofan's senior sister Ling'er.

Upon closer inspection, Qi Hao seemed like a good person. He was impeccable in his dealings with others, possessed high cultivation yet remained humble, and was genuinely sincere towards people.

But... he silently calculated that Qi Hao seemed to be in his seventies or eighties.

Ling'er is only sixteen...

Well, I am a bit older.

But then I thought, older people are more caring, and higher cultivation levels mean longer lifespans, so age doesn't seem to be a problem...

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a burning gaze fixed on him.

Turning his head, he was met with Tian Ling'er's wide-open, beautiful eyes.

That look in his eyes was really strange, indescribable.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt inexplicably guilty and quickly looked away, pretending to look outside the hall.

When Tian Ling'er saw him avoid her gaze, she felt as if she had been pricked by a needle, feeling both disappointed and annoyed.

She showed absolutely no interest in Qi Hao's attempt to strike up a conversation, only letting out a soft "hmm" in response, her gaze still fixed on Jiang Xiaochuan.

Qi Hao was extremely perceptive and immediately noticed Tian Ling'er's coldness and the subtle atmosphere between the two senior and junior siblings.

He smiled nonchalantly, not taking it to heart, and instead took out an exquisite little brocade box from his pocket.

Upon opening the box, a perfectly round bead, exuding a gentle, cool aura, lay inside, lined with soft silk.