After Failing to Influence the Protagonist Chapter 29

Chapter 29.1 Shangyang Peak

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His actions were truly amazing, leaving all the clueless onlookers in awe.

The disciples watched him with confusion, not understanding what was happening.

Xu Jing’s speculation turned out to be true, and he sighed in despair, “He actually went up like that.”

The Elders on the high platform, too, encountered this kind of situation for the first time. After a momentary surprise, one of them said, “This young kid seems quite interesting.”

“Even if he ends up losing, his confidence suggests that his talent shouldn’t be underestimated.”

The crowd exchanged glances and smiled. “Let’s wait and see.”

The sky, tinged with a dull gray, finally started drizzling. A gentle breeze accompanied the rain as mist enveloped Yinghui Peak and the mountains appeared hazy. Pei Jing stood alone on the arena with his sword, looking down below and shouting, “Why isn’t anyone coming up?”

The disciples: “…”

Before the Elders spoke, they didn’t dare to make a sound.

The arrival of an unparalleled expert went unnoticed by everyone.

Xu Jing felt embarrassed on his behalf.

Chu Junyu closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, took a deep breath, and said, “Step down.”

Pei Jing thought to himself, “Stopping me halfway from showing off, he doesn’t care about saving face.”

He leaned down and said, “This won’t do. I’ve already stepped up here. Stepping down is impossible unless someone defeats me.”

Chu Junyu: “If you say so.”

With a wave of his sleeve, he was about to step onto the stage.

Xu Jing, a peacemaker by nature, was terrified, afraid that these two would actually start fighting. He quickly grabbed Chu Junyu’s sleeve and said, “No, no, Brother Chu, don’t act impulsively. I believe Brother Yiming knows what he’s doing.”

Chu Junyu sneered coldly and spoke in a chilling tone, “What does he know? Going up there will only make a fool of himself.” However, he restrained his chilling aura and chose not to undermine Pei Jing’s position.

Pei Jing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He certainly didn’t want to get into a fight with Chu Junyu right here.

Seeing the situation deadlocked once again, the Elders shook their heads and sighed. An Elder, relatively older in age, couldn’t bear it any longer and stood up, expressing deep regret, “What are you all standing there for, clueless about adapting? The Yinghui Peak competition has never had rules. It’s simply an opportunity for you to showcase your strength. Whoever seizes it becomes the victor! A bunch of fools!”

The disciples suddenly had an epiphany, and a clamor broke out. They were filled with regret and shame.

Immediately, someone leaped onto the arena and declared, “I will fight you.”

It was a sturdy cultivator, slightly older than the disciples present. Judging by his composed aura, he had already reached the eighth level of Qi Gathering Stage.

Pei Jing, holding his sword in the drizzling rain, exuded an elegant charm and smiled. “Please.”

“Then I won’t hold back.”

The cultivator took a firm stance, launching swift attacks. His moves appeared somewhat inexperienced and stiff, but it was evident that he had practiced diligently.

Pei Jing fought him as if he were bullying a child. To save the cultivator some face, he chose to defeat him after just three moves.

The disciples below the arena watched without blinking. Pei Jing’s sword techniques were particularly fundamental, devoid of any flashy elements, but they gave off a unique sensation. His movements, both offensive and defensive, flowed seamlessly like a harmonious entity, exhibiting a remarkable fluency.

One.

Two.

Three.

More and more people fell under his hands.

Pei Jing sheathed his sword and said, “Is there anyone else?”

Raindrops scattered along with the glimmering sword light, dampening the youth’s temple. In that moment when he smiled and looked over, everyone was momentarily stunned.

Youthful arrogance, perhaps that was how it went. Seeking defeat amidst the misty rain, longing for a single loss.

Even Xu Jing, for a brief moment, was genuinely captivated by his charm and sighed, “Although this kid often jokes around, he’s reliable when it matters.”

Many disciples fell into silence. In their minds, the image of a worthless person who relied on backstage connections and fawned upon the strong was shattered. He was actually… so formidable? Meanwhile, those disciples who had been specifically taught a lesson by Pei Jing, knowing how detestable he could be, scowled and gritted their teeth. Deep down, they hoped and prayed for a kind-hearted person to step up and knock him down.

However, that kind-hearted person never appeared.

The Elders nodded in approval.

The younger generation sighed in amazement. “To be this audacious, one would think this is the Trial of Challenging the Heavens. Hahaha, this kid has potential.”

The older generation valued his temperament and perception even more. “His swordsmanship is pure, and his sword intent is just in its initial stages. He’s a promising talent.”

Unbeknownst to Pei Jing, amidst his confident and spirited demeanor, a young boy accidentally stumbled into the vicinity of Yunxiao Gate.

Ji Wuyou had grown up hearing the word “fool” the most. While walking along the streets, he could overhear people pointing and whispering behind his back, saying, “That’s him, Ji’s family fool.” When he eagerly tried to please the other children in the village and asked them to play together, they would always position him in the center, singing foolish songs while circling around him.

His mother claimed that he wasn’t actually foolish but rather had a pure and simple nature. However, Ji Wuyou couldn’t quite grasp the concept of simplicity. He sought answers from the village school teacher, who could only sigh and pat his head in response.

Unfortunately, his parents met a tragic end, falling off a cliff. It was his kind-hearted aunt who took him in. She learned that he possessed Spiritual Roots and the potential to become a Great Immortal, so she went out of her way to find him a master and urged him to accompany the master on a journey.

His master was not fond of speaking. Every day, he would give Ji Wuyou peculiar pills to consume. But it didn’t bother Ji Wuyou much because at least his master didn’t disdain him. Along the way, he rescued an injured rabbit, an unusually large one with strange purple-red eyes.

Excitedly, he showed the rabbit to his master, only to receive a slap across the face. That evening, his master roasted the rabbit, and afterward, forcefully stuffed a piece of rabbit meat into Ji Wuyou’s mouth, compelling him to eat it. The meat contained blood vessels and emitted an especially strong fishy odor, causing him to vomit uncontrollably while crying before eventually falling asleep.

When he woke up, his master was nowhere to be found.

He was left all alone, surrounded by extinguished campfire. Within the fire pit lay the rabbit’s skeletal remains, pale and piled together. He scratched his head, vaguely recalling that there hadn’t been so many bones the previous night.

With no master by his side, he wanted to return home but couldn’t find the way. In a daze, he wandered into a dense forest and discovered a remarkably beautiful stone, adorned with various colors. It felt incredibly soothing when he touched it, so he hung it around his neck.

Upon exiting the forest, someone approached him, even bringing two steamed buns. They mentioned his remarkable Spiritual Roots and asked if he was interested in joining Yunxiao. Ji Wuyou held the buns in his hands, his face covered in dirt and confusion, and asked, “Yunxiao, what is that?” The person’s expression froze for a moment, struggling to believe what they were hearing. Nonetheless, they patiently explained, “Yunxiao is the top sect in the world. Do you want to become stronger? Do you want to have food to eat every day? If so, come with me.” Having food to eat every day? Ji Wuyou’s eyes brightened as he eagerly replied, “I do.” The person’s face lit up with delight, “Give me the stone hanging from your neck. Consider it as your reward. I’ll provide you with a token. Take it to Yunxiao, and someone will come to receive you immediately.”

Ji Wuyou glanced around and removed the stone from his neck.

The person handed him a brocade pouch, repeatedly emphasizing not to open it until he reached Yunxiao.

And he believed it.

Following the person’s instructions, enduring a rough journey with countless ups and downs, Ji Wuyou finally arrived at the entrance of Yunxiao. His clothes were tattered, and his hands and legs bore numerous cuts, causing him pain. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.

Yunxiao was incredibly vast and picturesque. It was raining, and the sky appeared gray while the mountains remained lush green. Beyond the mountain gate, there was no path but a cluster of peaks and valleys, shrouded in mist and clouds.

With a heart brimming with happiness, he opened the brocade pouch, only to be greeted by a repugnant odor.

After a moment of confusion, he used his fingers to tear open the pouch, peering inside. But there was nothing there?

Ji Wuyou, crestfallen, took out a steamed bun from his pocket and reluctantly began eating it. He realized he had been deceived.

Suddenly, something fell from the sky.

It was a white crane that had been overwhelmed by the scent released when the brocade pouch was opened. It crashed down right in front of him.

With tears still dampening the corners of Ji Wuyou’s eyes, he choked and stuffed the half-eaten bun back into his clothes. Was this the one who came to pick him up?

The crane regained consciousness after a few seconds, shook its head, and stood up. It cast a disdainful and disgusted glance at the chubby figure who appeared somewhat foolish. Spreading its wings, it was about to take flight again.

Ji Wuyou shouted and, as if grabbing a lifeline, quickly seized the crane’s talon. In that moment of soaring into the air, he screamed in fear, closing his eyes tightly and clutching even tighter.

No matter how much the crane shook, it couldn’t shake him off. Annoyed, it let out two cries and flew directly to Yinghui Peak, the closest peak to the mountain gate, intending to kick this clingy plaster off.

Thus, as the evening rain paused and accompanied by the mournful cries of the crane, an unexpected visitor descended from the sky onto the competition grounds of Yinghui Peak.

Xiao Chen had truly been given a harsh lesson yesterday, suffering from both mental and physical torment.

Finally, through the earnest advice of the Peak Master, he understood the dubious and crooked paths he had taken in the past. The fact that he could cross the suspension bridge meant he possessed a clear conscience and a genuine willingness to awaken, a realization that struck him instantly.

Overwhelmed by a deep sense of gratitude, Xiao Chen considered himself fortunate to have encountered Huang Fu Daoren in his first year as a disciple. Even when he made mistakes, he still had a chance to be forgiven. Having gained this understanding, he no longer aspired to enter the Outer Peaks. To atone for his sins, he made a three-year commitment to Huang Fu Daoren, dedicating those years to cultivating within the fields of Yinghui Peak. He would only venture out when he truly regained his focus.

Although he acknowledged his own wrongdoing, it did not mean he would forgive Pei Jing. It was because of this little rascal that he had suffered several times before, and now, the audacity of his “only seeking for one defeat” attitude only further infuriated Xiao Chen, causing his internal organs to ache. The more he looked at him, the more he realized what a despicable character Pei Jing was.

Standing at the outermost edge, Xiao Chen squeezed the words through his clenched teeth, “So he’s impressive, so he’s exceptional, so he’s the best in the world. There will always be someone better, and beyond the heavens, there are even greater powers. I’ll be waiting for the moment when you cry.”

Suddenly, a young voice echoed behind him.

The young boy, with a mouth still chewing something, mumbled incomprehensibly, “What are all of you looking at?”

Xiao Chen turned his head and only saw a chubby boy who appeared dull and slow-witted. Dressed in tattered clothes patched up with scraps, his cheeks puffed out as he blinked incessantly, gazing ahead.

Ji Wuyou was thrown off by the crane and rolled several times before rubbing his eyes and, like a headless fly, blindly followed the sound. He hadn’t expected to come across so many people gathered together.

Although he was standing far away, he could vaguely make out a platform at the center of the crowd, with a person on it. The person seemed to be around his age, wearing white clothes and possessing a particularly attractive smile.

Startled, Ji Wuyou’s slow-paced chewing of his bun came to a halt. “Who is that person?”

Xiao Chen’s expression displayed disdain as he walked to the side. Where did this beggar come from? Since when did Yunxiao allow people like him in? However, he was currently fed up with Zhang Yiming’s behavior and too lazy to bother with this chubby boy. Suddenly, he heard the boy pointing at Zhang Yiming and asking who he was.

Xiao Chen exploded, grinding his teeth. “Him? He’s a scheming and malicious person, universally condemned. If you go up and defeat him, you’ll gain the attention of the Outer Peaks’ Elders and be accepted as a disciple.”

Ji Wuyou’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “If I’m accepted as a disciple, I won’t go hungry anymore, right?”

What a country bumpkin. However, since Xiao Chen was in charge now, a sinister smile crept across his lips. “Indeed. Right now, nobody dares to challenge him. Seize this opportunity and go beat him up.”

Ji Wuyou exclaimed with anticipation, his face displaying a mix of eagerness and hesitation. After a moment of contemplation, he wiped his dirty hands on his clothes and tilted his head to ask, “But can I actually defeat him?”

Xiao Chen rolled his eyes and retorted, “Defeat him? Don’t talk nonsense. How will you know if you don’t give it a try? I think you’re quite sturdy, so you can do it.”

Encouraged by Xiao Chen’s words, Ji Wuyou was filled with newfound determination. The prospect of being well-fed and satisfied beckoned him forward. Pumping himself up, he immediately squeezed his way through the crowd.

On the stage, Pei Jing stood tall and cold, seeking for a defeat, detached from the world, exuding an air of handsomeness.

Meanwhile, Xu Jing had grown tired of waiting and spoke up, “When are you coming down?”

Pei Jing, in a cheerful mood, whistled and replied, “I’ll come down after a loss, awaiting someone destined to defeat me.”

Xu Jing: “…” He felt a twinge of regret, wondering if it was still possible to dissuade Chu Junyu. He turned his head, intending to offer his suggestion to his Brother Chu, only to be pushed from behind.

It was a slightly dirty hand.

Xu Jing turned around, catching sight of a chubby boy emerging from the crowd, covered in a layer of dust from head to toe.

He silently shifted to the side.

Ji Wuyou finally broke free from the crowd and stood before the stage.

On the stage, the smile that had been lingering on Pei Jing’s lips slowly faded as he recognized the newcomer’s face.

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