"Alright, I'm too lazy to move."
Yu Mu reached out for some wine from Elder Yun Buqi, who disdainfully tapped Yu Mu's outstretched hand with a small branch. Suddenly, it seemed Yu Mu remembered something.
"I'll participate after all. No matter how you put it, I am still one of this generation's disciples. The martial arts demonstration is also a grand event in the sect, and I should bring some joy to the sect."
"Hmm? Why the sudden change of heart?" Under the moonlight, Elder Yun Buqi scrutinized Yu Mu: "Are you planning to bring misfortune to Ziyun Hall during the demonstration?"
"How could you think that, Master? I'm not that narrow-minded!" Yu Mu said with a serious face. "I genuinely want to bring some joy to the sect."
"Then..."
With a doubtful look in his eyes, Elder Yun Buqi glanced at Yu Mu again. He thought that Yu Mu was still young and that staying cooped up in the cultivation room all day was not a good idea; letting him unwind a bit would be fine.
However... having him participate in the sect's martial arts demonstration with his level of cultivation might be a bit unfair.
"I must remind you that the situation in Yunhe is serious; the northwest may soon face changes not seen in ten thousand years. At this time, as the young master of Yunhe, you should prioritize the bigger picture. Since you don't like Ziyun Hall, just avoid provoking it."
"As for the matter of the Demon Departure Realm, it's in the past; don't mention it again and don't think too much about it."
"I will heed Master's teachings." Yu Mu lazily raised his chin, and Elder Yun Buqi stopped talking. The two of them stood atop the grand hall, gazing at the moonlit clouds drifting by.
Occasionally, night birds sang softly, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and stability.
"Hey, hey, hey! Did you hear? The young master is going to participate in this martial arts demonstration! We didn't qualify for the last northwest sect competition, but now we can finally admire the young master's heroic demeanor."
The martial arts demonstration at Yunhe Sect occurred once a year and aimed to discover promising talents through combat while also motivating disciples to work hard on their cultivation. It was certainly not a trivial matter.
Preparations were in full swing, and many disciples excitedly whispered among themselves in front of the martial arts platform.
To say that Yunhe Sect treated its disciples well would be an understatement; even ordinary disciples could make a name for themselves through their performance in the demonstration. Thus, these disciples were eager and excited.
"Wow! You have to say that the young master is impressive! You haven't seen it; he once single-handedly forced back five hall masters!"
"Right! I've heard about it but never seen it myself. But... isn't the young master under confinement?"
"Ah! Just talk! Do you really believe that? Who would dare impose heavy penalties on such a prodigy except Elder Zi Li?"
"That's true. But I've heard..." As he spoke, that disciple sneakily glanced around.
Seeing no one of importance paying attention to them, he lowered his voice: "I've heard that Elder Yun's serious injury is related to Elder Zi Li, which is why the young master recklessly stormed into Ziyun Hall and killed dozens of Ziyun Hall's disciples!"
"I think so too. The young master has always been kind-hearted; even if outer disciples face difficulties, he would lend a helping hand. How could someone like him go astray? And there's also that previous matter regarding earth veins..."
"Speak cautiously! My master has ordered that these matters cannot be mentioned!"
"Ah! It was my loose tongue; I should be punished..."
However, these discussions... truly stirred no waves. In this martial arts demonstration, the three major leaders of Yunhe Sect did not appear; only one hall master presided over it.
At this moment, that hall master looked at Yu Mu with a helpless expression filled with bitterness.
"Young master, this really won't do! You're about to break the rules; I can't ignore sect regulations..."
He couldn't afford to offend Yu Mu! He originally wanted to keep his distance from Yu Mu but found it impossible to avoid him! After all, he was the young master—how could he just run away upon seeing him? That wouldn't do!
"The rules are dead; people are alive. Hall Master Chu, if I remember correctly, I've helped you quite a bit. The resources I've won are mostly for your hall as well. Are you really unwilling to help Yu Mu with this small favor?"
As he spoke, Yu Mu discreetly stuffed a storage bag into Hall Master Chu's sleeve.
Hall Master Chu's consciousness probed into the storage bag, and his eyes immediately lit up.
"You... you're putting me in a difficult position! Such things are strictly prohibited by principle!"
"I understand."
Yu Mu stuffed another storage bag into his sleeve: "Just tell me if you can handle it; could it be that my words as the young master don't carry weight?"
"They do! They do! Just as you wish! However... if this matter attracts blame from the Supreme Elder and Sect Leader..."
"Blame me."
"The young master truly has great spirit."
"You flatter me, Hall Master Chu."
The two exchanged smiles, and Yu Mu felt quite fortunate.
He had a storage ring with not much money inside... Last time he had taken money from Zi Li and given it all to his master. Fortunately, his master's storage ring was accessible to him as well, so he managed to steal some money from there.
Otherwise... facing Hall Master Chu—this greedy old man—he really wouldn't have been able to offer him any bribe.
Thus, under joyous celebration throughout Yunhe Sect, the martial arts demonstration commenced.
In Ziyun Hall's section sat three true disciples side by side at the front row overlooking the massive martial arts arena.
The three of them—including Liu He—were not comparable to true disciples at all! Even Ye Tian was like a dark horse among them—the only one who posed significant pressure on them...
Was simply Yu Mu who was lazily lounging on one side soaking up the sun.
"Even if we can't defeat Yu Mu, junior brother, we must enter the top three! Junior sister, you must make it into the top ten! We need to show others that even without Yu Mu, Ziyun Hall is still Ziyun Hall."
Xiao Yu's expression was serious as Ye Tian obediently nodded beside her. He had gotten quite close to Xiao Yu now; she was no longer as resistant as before.
"I won't let senior sister down; our master is watching."
"I... I'll do my best," Liu He weakly added. In fact, her cultivation level wasn't low; even without battle experience, her superior cultivation compared to inner disciples was enough for her to break into the top ten.
She had even placed third before!
"It's just because" she had once been protected by Yu Mu; even true disciples under their sect leader or hall masters had to give way to her.
But now? The person who used to protect them was lazily lying on a bench in the viewing area alone taking up space meant for five people.
Yu Mu was basking in the sun—once upon a time… he really enjoyed sunbathing. That feeling was warm and full of life; it always managed to dispel some coldness within his heart.
But when his heart was filled with coldness, sunlight on his body seemed pale and powerless; that little warmth felt like a drop in an ocean.
But now? He no longer cared about things that brought him coldness; thus sunlight remained warm and felt comfortable against his skin.
"Y-young master..."
At this moment, a timid voice came through. Yu Mu slightly opened his eyes and happened upon a female cultivator who looked around twenty years old.
"What is it?"
Yu Mu looked puzzled; what was this true disciple under Hall Master Qi called again? He forgot...