But it was obvious that the two of them were now in a fierce competition for favor.
Qi Yu's speechless expression was unseen by anyone.
As Feng Mingqi and Si Qing became like two fighting roosters, neither giving way to the other, Qi Yu thought, "Why not just keep both of you here?"
But before the words could leave her mouth, Feng Mingqi and Si Qing unleashed their palms against each other. The immense impact of demonic and immortal energy flattened the entire inn.
Qi Yu reacted quickly. Just before their spiritual powers erupted, she leaped into the air, simultaneously casting a barrier for the other sect disciples below, thus averting the crisis of a large number of cultivators being accidentally injured.
Feng Mingqi and Si Qing revealed their divine and demonic forms, leveling half of the mountainside of Yao Mountain and stripping a patch of forest bare.
Yu Zhen and the others, who were on other diverging paths, looked up and happened to witness this scene. Their faces all turned grim.
When they flew up on their swords and joined Qi Yu, they saw her sitting on the highest tree branch, cracking melon seeds and watching the spectacle.
"Yu'er..." Yu Zhen said with a worried expression, "Feng Mingqi and Si Qing are about to fight to the death. Why aren't you doing anything?"
"What can I do? Break up a fight? Even if I break it up, they'll just fight again later. Might as well let them fight it out this time and decide a winner," Qi Yu said with a carefree attitude. "Besides, neither of them can kill the other. Breaking up fights is exhausting, why bother?"
"That makes sense." Li Yu, who had been about to intervene, stopped when she heard Qi Yu's words. She then turned sharply and flew to sit beside Qi Yu.
Father and daughter, each holding a handful of melon seeds, crunched them noisily.
Yue Zhiyin, Qi Nian, Sui You, Chi Ming, Qi Yan, and Ming Lou all stood at the base of the tree, watching the commotion.
Ming Lou, fiddling with a silver ingot, said, "Come on, place your bets! Who do you think will win between Feng Mingqi and Si Qing? I bet on Si Qing."
Qi Nian shook her head, playing with a string of copper coins, "I bet they'll draw."
Chi Ming nodded, "Draw, plus one."
Qi Yan and Yue Zhiyin also thought it would be a draw.
Sui You didn't join their conversation, but looked at Si Qing and said, "Feng Mingqi can't beat Si Qing. Just watch, Si Qing is holding back with every move, he's not going all out."
"Alas, it's not surprising. I think the outcome of their fight will likely be a draw. After all, they're like brothers, they won't really go for the kill," Chi Ming said, then added with some confusion, "Do you guys know why they started fighting?"
Yue Zhiyin and the others shook their heads.
Qi Yu watched from the tree for a long time. Seeing that Feng Mingqi and Si Qing couldn't reach a conclusion, she stomped on the tree trunk and glided over. In the blink of an eye, she conjured a clone, holding each of their hands.
Si Qing looked at Qi Yu, his gaze full of grievance, "He hit me first."
"Bah, are you even making sense?" Feng Mingqi put her hands on her hips. "You were the one muttering that I should be the one to stay!"
"When did I say that? I don't remember," Si Qing lifted his chin.
Feng Mingqi was furious.
Yu Zhen finally lost patience and stepped between them. "Hey, alright, alright. How childish can you two be? We came to Yao Mountain for the superior immortal item, the Myriad Spirit Pill, not for you two to fight and embarrass yourselves."
Feng Mingqi and Si Qing both pouted.
Yu Zhen looked at Qi Yu, "Did you get the red Merman Yuan Dan for passing the second trial?"
"What Yuan Dan? Hey, we didn't get anything," Qi Yu frowned deeply. "We were about to leave the inn, and I thought if I defeated that old man, we could leave directly. But then these two started arguing about who should stay."
Yue Zhiyin and the others wanted to laugh but couldn't bring themselves to, covering their faces with their hands and shaking their shoulders.
When they had split into groups of three to act independently, they all thought Qi Yu's group would be the first to get out.
A Crown Prince of the Demon Realm, a Divine Venerable Si Qing, and Qi Yu, a demigod – who on this mountain could stop such a powerful combination?
But they never expected that Qi Yu would be ranked last for such a bizarre reason.
Yu Zhen looked at Qi Yu, "When leaving the inn, as long as you defeat that old man, you can get the red Merman Clan Yuan Dan from him."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yu, Feng Mingqi, and Si Qing all looked at the elder who had been holding a whisk with an immortal demeanor.
The elder was cowering behind a tree, trembling, his clothes tattered from the explosions. Seeing the three of them turn to look at him simultaneously, he immediately took out a large bag of Merman Yuan Dans from his pocket and offered them, muttering,
"Go, go, you three hurry and leave. You three have passed."
Qi Yu: "..."
This was the first time in her life she had been rushed through a mission in a small secret realm.
It was a truly magical experience.
Carrying the bag of Merman Yuan Dans, Qi Yu rejoined the group and headed upwards.
They had already reached the mountainside.
After passing the fourth trial, the final one, they would reach the summit of Yao Mountain.
During this time, Feng Mingqi and Si Qing continued to eye each other with displeasure, one standing far to the left and the other far to the right, neither speaking to the other.
Yu Zhen whispered to Li Yu with some confusion, "What's wrong with these two kids? Are they naturally incompatible?"
"I'm a bit worried now. After we leave Yao Mountain and reunite with Feng Sixian and the others, will Feng Sixian and the others be able to get along well with Qi Yu and the others?"
"Qi Yu... should be fine. Whether she's acting as a boy or a girl, she seems to have good people skills," Li Yu looked at Si Qing, "The main problem lies with this kid Si Qing."
Si Qing, as the God of War, possessed the strongest magical power in the Heavenly Realm. Due to his frequent participation in battles, he carried a heavy aura of killing intent.
Feng Mingqi, being from the Demon Realm, was not particularly close to Si Qing to begin with. When suppressed by Si Qing's power, she was easily affected by his killing intent.
This led to them frequently fighting.
"Too many battles on the front lines, killing intent is unavoidable. To resolve Si Qing's killing intent, it would be best to have a Merman," Yu Zhen said, then shook her head helplessly. "But Mermen were heavily hunted by humans, and are now extinct. Even Qi Nian, the King of the Demon Race, can't find any trace of the Merman tribe, so we definitely can't."
Li Yu nodded and patted Yu Zhen's shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry, everything will be alright."
Yu Zhen nodded.
The group walked on for a while longer. As they were about to reach the summit of Yao Mountain, a very familiar figure emerged from the shadows and bowed to them,
"Congratulations to you all for reaching the summit of Yao Mountain. I am the Pavilion Master of Yuqing Pavilion, and also the one who poses the final trial of Yao Mountain."
This "fake Pavilion Master" looked exactly like Qi Yu's female disguise. She wore an apricot blossom long dress with a light, flowing gauze outer robe, her long hair cascading to her waist, exuding a gentle and demure demeanor.
Yu Zhen's face showed surprise, "I didn't expect this, little flower demon, to meet you here. Shouldn't you be at Yuqing Pavilion? Why did you run to Yao Mountain?"
The "fake Pavilion Master" bowed, then looked intently in Qi Yu's direction, her voice shy, "I specifically came to Yao Mountain to seek an audience with Lord Ice Demon."
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhen's gaze towards the "fake Pavilion Master" took on a scrutinizing quality.
Qi Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at the imposter before her, "Me? Why?"
"Because..." The "fake Pavilion Master's" cheeks flushed, and she appeared to hesitate, "I wish to lead Yuqing Pavilion and pledge allegiance to you..."
Qi Yu: "..."
Yue Zhiyin frowned tightly beside her.
He glanced at Yu Zhen.
Yu Zhen met Yue Zhiyin's gaze and nodded slightly.
The next moment, the two of them pulled Qi Yu aside to a secluded spot and said in hushed tones,
"Junior Brother Qi Yu, don't accept her. I think this Pavilion Master is a bit strange. Her voice and expression are too gentle, unlike the one I met before. The Pavilion Master I knew before was the type to hide a knife behind a smile; this is clearly two different people."
Yu Zhen also said with a serious expression, "Yes, and this Pavilion Master's demeanor is also more submissive, completely different from the seductive Pavilion Master I knew."
Qi Yu looked at them with a complex expression, "What kind of image do you two have of the Pavilion Master?"
How could she be hiding a knife behind a smile! How could she be seductive!
"This child... we're not talking about you, why are you getting agitated?" Yu Zhen poked Qi Yu's head.
Qi Yu fell silent, then asked after a while, "In that case, Mother, Senior Brother, do you have a good plan? Should we just attack her directly?"
Dealing with an imposter, that was the most effective method.
"No need," Yue Zhiyin said calmly. "That Pavilion Master once visited the North Sea Dragon Palace. My friend, the Crown Prince of the North Sea... that is, the current Dragon King of the North Sea, placed a mark on her. The North Sea Dragon King once taught me a spell. As long as I cast it at close range as he taught me, I can determine if she is the true Pavilion Master."
Qi Yu looked at him with a horrified expression, "Why didn't you say anything about this sooner?! Why haven't you used it before!!!"
Yue Zhiyin looked confused, "This method requires casting at close range. Before, there was no instance of the Pavilion Master being impersonated, so there was no need. Alright, Junior Brother Qi Yu, don't worry, I will definitely expose that imposter in public."
Qi Yu, with a complex mood, said, "...Then, you expose the imposter first, and I'll go wander around elsewhere, is that okay?"
"Of course not!" Yue Zhiyin looked at Qi Yu, "The spell the North Sea Dragon King taught me requires a護法 (protector), you have to come with me."
Qi Yu: "...Don't..."
I'm afraid that when you cast the spell and see the dragon mark appear on me, you'll be so angry you'll go berserk.