Chapter 52: Sunset

It's no wonder he doesn't believe it. This guy was knocked out by Xu Xiaoshou in the top 32 of the Fengyun Bang and had long given up hope, yet he somehow managed to enter the Nei Yuan.

The audience burst into thunderous applause, some feeling envious, others jealous, and most just curious...

"After the top 32 in the Fengyun Bang, you can enter the Nei Yuan. Could it be that the threshold for this year has been lowered?"

Xiao Qixiu continued, "Nei Yuan spot number two: Chao Qingteng!"

Even the usually aloof Chao Qingteng couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile, his fingers fidgeting with the patterns on the handle of his Binghe Sword.

"Second one..."

The audience clenched their fists—it was a record-breaker!

"Nei Yuan spot number three: Mu Zixi!"

"Nei Yuan spot number four: Mo Mo!"

Xiao Qixiu announced the two names in quick succession, stirring up a wave of commotion.

Mu Zixi grabbed her twin ponytails, her face flushed with uncontainable excitement as she bounced up and down.

Mo Mo still held her small bronze furnace, her expression unchanging, though she took a deep inhale of the purple sandalwood scent.

"Amazing!"

The audience was thrilled, as if they were the ones whose names had been called.

Suddenly, someone voiced their confusion: "It seems like all the ones called so far are at Xian Tian level..."

Everyone froze, realizing it was true.

Even Zhou Tiancan, who was outside the top 32, had only broken through to Xian Tian during his battle with Xu Xiaoshou, which earned him a Nei Yuan spot.

"Wasn't it always only Xian Tian cultivators who got into the Nei Yuan in previous years?"

"In that case, Xu Xiaoshou is definitely in—he has a Xian Tian physical body..."

"Not necessarily!" someone interjected.

"A Xian Tian physical body has reached its limit; it's hard to improve further, and his cultivation is only at the eighth realm..."

Tension gripped the crowd, as there were hardly any stories of someone with a Xian Tian physical body breaking through to Zong Shi level.

The reason was simple: the training was just too difficult—it was practically impossible. This was an unwritten rule, not just for Tiansang Linggong, but across the entire Sheng Shen Dalu.

All eyes locked onto Xu Xiaoshou in an instant. Who would have thought that the champion was the one everyone was most worried about?

Would there be an exception made to recruit him with his Houtian cultivation?

Or perhaps, for the first time in history, this year's Nei Yuan spots would go up to five?

The crowd held their breath in anticipation.

Xu Xiaoshou was startled by their stares, but the next second, he broke into a grin.

"Receiving expectations, passive points +2130."

He pretended to be nonchalant and let out a breath, though he had already won the championship and still felt a bit nervous.

Xiao Qixiu shifted his gaze from the paper, folded it, and tucked it into his robe, his expression indifferent. "That's it—just four."

"Receiving doubt, passive points +1869."

"Receiving doubt, passive points +1511."

"Receiving doubt, passive points +1042."

The notifications flooded in, leaving Xu Xiaoshou momentarily stunned. Nothing more?

Even though he acted unfazed, as the champion, he had assumed it was a sure thing deep down. But now...

Nothing?

The other people on the podium were equally stunned, and the three who had just received spots froze mid-smile.

They might not admit it openly, but they were genuinely impressed by Xu Xiaoshou. And yet...

"???"

The audience wasn't holding back; they exploded in anger.

"No more? Only four spots? Are you kidding me?"

"Xu Xiaoshou just won the championship! He's hilarious, sure, but don't joke around at a time like this!"

"This is ridiculous—the champion doesn't get a Nei Yuan spot, but someone from outside the top 32 does... Uh, let go of me, I want to say it!"

"Are you sick? Zhou Tiancan is right behind you!"

Zhou Tiancan was furious; he shot to his feet. "If that's the verdict, then I, Zhou Tiancan, don't need this Nei Yuan spot!"

He stared defiantly at Xiao Qixiu, showing no fear.

"Good on you—same here!"

"You don't even have a spot!"

"Shut your mouth!"

Xiao Qixiu's words were like fuel to the fire, igniting the audience even more.

He ignored the protests completely and turned to face Xu Xiaoshou, silently watching him.

The guy was still putting on his usual carefree act, but...

With his experience, Xiao Qixiu could see the hidden bitterness on the young man's face.

He was just an eighteen-year-old kid, after all!

Xiao Qixiu took a deep breath.

Xu Xiaoshou stepped back two paces and covered his nose.

Xiao Qixiu: ...

Damn it!

This kid was seriously toxic—he'd actually felt a moment of sympathy for him!

Xiao Qixiu held his breath, sucked in a deep one instead, and patted Xu Xiaoshou on the shoulder. "You can stay in the outer court for another year and aim to break through to Xian Tian soon."

Xu Xiaoshou was taken aback.

He'd almost forgotten—if you don't enter the Nei Yuan within three years or keep placing at the bottom of the Fengyun Bang, you'd get kicked out of the Linggong.

So, someone had already pulled strings for him?

Maybe this middle-aged man, or perhaps...

Qiao Elder?

He glanced toward the audience.

Qiao Elder was one of the few still sitting quietly; he didn't say a word, just nodded.

"Receiving encouragement, passive points +1."

A warmth spread through Xu Xiaoshou's heart.

There was disappointment, sure, and frustration too!

But he hated being pitied, so when he saw Xiao Qixiu's overly earnest look, he couldn't help but react.

Still, in that moment, he was truly touched.

"Thank you!" Xu Xiaoshou said sincerely.

Xiao Qixiu shook his head with a smile. "If you can stop getting on my nerves all the time, that'd be thanks enough—I can't handle your gratitude!"

He didn't know why, but even though Xu Xiaoshou was a junior, he always ended up getting riled up by his antics.

And when talking to him, he found himself dropping his usual guard.

Maybe that's how Qiao Elder felt too.

Xu Xiaoshou snuck a smirk but said nothing.

Xiao Qixiu turned and announced loudly, "This year's Fengyun Bang competition is over!"

"Dismissed!"

Everyone felt a knot of frustration in their chests, but there was nothing they could do.

They had witnessed the rise of a dark horse, expecting a thrilling finale, but stories often end in unexpected ways.

A champion who couldn't even enter the Nei Yuan!

If he were an ordinary champion, fine, but Xu Xiaoshou had defeated so many Xian Tian cultivators!

Didn't his strength and talent deserve a one-time exception from the Linggong?

"Keep going, Xu Xiaoshou!"

Many people lingered, cheering him on spontaneously, and the support quickly swept through the crowd.

"Xu Xiaoshou, you're the best—I'll always love you!"

"Xu Xiaoshou, hang in there!"

"Receiving encouragement, passive points +663."

"Receiving encouragement, passive points +414."

"Receiving encouragement, passive points +520."

Watching the sea of people cheering for him, Xu Xiaoshou was moved once again.

Especially that line, "Xu Xiaoshou, hang in there..."

He vaguely remembered it originating from the group stage, when he pretended to be surrounded by forty or fifty people.

"Thank you!" he thought silently.

As the sun set in the west, the crowd eventually dispersed.

Xu Xiaoshou smiled and responded to the many who came over to encourage him—some he knew, some he didn't...

"Disappointed?"

Qiao Elder walked up.

"Yeah."

"A lot."

Xu Xiaoshou gazed at the sunset, while Qiao Elder gazed at him.

This guy...

He was all smiles, telling everyone else it was fine, but with me, he's totally honest!

"Life is full of ups and downs."

"Yeah."

Xu Xiaoshou tilted his head, as if something had crossed his mind. "There are also big downs followed by big ups, if you're lucky..."

"You're quite the optimist!" Qiao Elder shook his head, pulled out two bottles of pills, handed them over, and strode toward the setting sun.

"Keep at it."

"Show those stubborn old fogies that they're wrong."

Xu Xiaoshou was slightly stunned—the words carried a lot of weight...

He looked down at the two bottles in his hand.

One was Lianyuan Dan.

The other was Chijin Dan.

Sunset, Qiao Elder, pills...

Xu Xiaoshou smiled faintly. This scene felt familiar—it was just missing one thing...

He took out a Lianyuan Dan and inhaled sharply.

"Hiss!"

The sunset seemed to waver, even his shadow trembling.