All eyes turned to Jing Yi, making him tense up. Fight? He? But … he had never learned how to do that! He had managed to learn how to take in spiritual energy with Qiu Ling's help but he couldn't even use it to control a flying sword, never mind fighting. As for using a sword like a practitioner … The only moves he knew were the basic ones that Shao Hai had shown him and that had been half a decade ago and he hadn't actually learned them.
Sect Master Yuchi looked at Jing Yi before he glanced at Qiu Ling. The expression of the Grandmaster's disciple had darkened so badly that he was afraid he might have a Qi deviation right then and there. Uh … It probably wouldn't work to have Jing Yi take part?
Yuchi Bing Xia cleared his throat to pull everyone's expression back to himself. "Elder Gongxi is right that the Grandmaster's disciple probably isn't the best candidate for this. We'll have a short discussion about who would be a better candidate. Mn, since this only concerns one of the fights, I'd suggest we already begin with the others."
Elder Gongxi narrowed his eyes. Oh? So they didn't want to let that boy fight? Then he'd have to insist! "Aiya, Sect Master, what need is there to have that discussion? Isn't the fiance of the Grandmaster's disciple already a good candidate? I doubt anybody has a problem with letting him fight. Isn't that so?" He looked at the other Elders.
Some didn't seem too sure but others looked at Yuchi Bing Xia's expression and felt that it had to be so ugly because the boy wasn't a good fighter. He had probably relied on his good looks to get involved with the Grandmaster's disciple and used that to raise his level. It wouldn't be enough to last him through a competition like this. Thus they agreed with Elder Gongxi.
Yuchi Bing Xia tightened his lips. If he wanted to make sure that Jing Yi wouldn't have to fight, he needed to come up with a good excuse. "That … I'm afraid it won't work out."
"Oh?" Elder Gongxi raised his brows. "What might be the problem?"
Yuchi Bing Xia glanced at the boy again, trying hard to come up with something. Even if it sounded whimsical, he could at least try to make it sound reasonable. Maybe the others would also be able to think of some arguments to support his excuse.
The problem was that he didn't know much about Jing Yi. The boy was the fiance of Grandmaster Zhangsun's disciple. He had somehow managed to advance to higher levels quickly because he had consecutively had strokes of luck or, well, got into a troublesome situation but managed to make the most out of it. Just like when he had been trapped in the secret realm of the Leyuan region and emerged being of a higher level.
Yuchi Bing Xia's eyes widened imperceptibly. Right. "Well, although Jing Yi's level isn't too low, taking part in such a competition also isn't a good idea for him. Elder Gongxi might remember that my disciple Yu Jin was trapped in the Leyuan region's realm with another disciple before? Well, that other person was precisely Jing Yi. He has managed to cultivate while being in there and thus reached a higher level but he wasn't able to consolidate it. I'm afraid fighting in that condition would put him in danger."
Elder Gongxi smiled. Putting him in danger? This sounded like music to his ears! "Ah, it's probably not my place to say this but Sect Master Yuchi seems to worry too much. There's nothing better than putting your cultivation to use if you want to consolidate it. And it's not like this is a matter of life and death. It's merely a friendly competition. Isn't that the perfect opportunity for him to exchange some pointers?"
Yuchi Bing Xia looked for anything to retort with but he didn't manage to get even one word out before he was interrupted.
"You dare!"
Needless to say, the one who had erupted was Qiu Ling. He hadn't liked this stupid old man from the very beginning but now this guy was even targeting his beloved. If he still didn't step up, could he still dare to call himself Jing He's fiance?
Elder Gongxi glanced at Qiu Ling but didn't seem impressed. On the contrary, he just gave an infuriating smile. "I don't understand what the Grandmaster's disciple is angry about? Didn't you say that you weren't eager to take part in the competition?"
"You're targeting my beloved. Do you think I'll stand back and watch?"
"Targeting?" Elder Gongxi raised his brows in mock surprise. "I really don't understand what you're talking about. Didn't I just explain how it is beneficial for him to take part in this fight?" He turned to Grandmaster Zhangsun. "Grandmaster, is there something wrong with what I said? Then please educate us. I'm sure even us old people could benefit from your insights."
"Don't try to play games with me!" Qiu Ling wasn't going to give up this easily. Did this guy really think he could just casually threaten his beloved and then use his Master to get away with it? As if he'd let him!
Elder Gongxi ignored him. Reason was on his side right now and there were many witnesses. The Yun Zou Sect couldn't go overboard.
Grandmaster Zhangsun looked from Elder Gongxi to his disciple and back again. Finally, he sighed. "Elder Gongxi should know the saying that one should never touch a dragon's reverse scale. Some people, even if you might be right in theory, will be off-limits nonetheless."
Elder Gongxi furrowed his brows. The Grandmaster would actually agree with his disciple? What was the meaning of this? Could it be there was more to the situation than it seemed? Then he couldn't give up even more!
Elder Gongxi raised his chin. "I know this person is your disciple but is it really alright for him to react like this when somebody just makes a harmless suggestion? Hasn't he slandered me just now when he accused me of wanting to threaten his beloved? I demand an explanation for that!"
Before the Grandmaster or Sect Master could answer, a low chuckle answered Elder Gongxi. "You want an explanation? You can have one! Since you say I slandered you then pick up your sword and have a duel with me!"