Chapter 241: You Don’t Dare?

　　If I don’t agree now, then won’t I be going against everyone here?

　　“Since Miss Ling has said so, what else can I say?” She sneered.

　　But Ling Wuxia grinned like a Cheshire cat as if she didn’t know that Lu Mingshu was being sarcastic. Ling Wuxia then raised her voice happily, “Everyone, being so intelligent, Miss Lu has found a hint for us, which is this valley. Since we aren’t sure of what’s going on right now, we shall team up first to figure it out before we fight for victory. How does that sound?”

　　Everyone agreed immediately, and some even praised Ling Wuxia profusely. “Senior Sister Ling is indeed broad-minded. If you’re willing to lead us, why would we not be willing?”

　　“Yeah, only Senior Sister Ling has such bearing!”

　　The disciples from the smaller sects who had been following Ling Wuxia since the start spoke highly of her.

　　Lu Mingshu watched this with a wooden expression.

　　Ye Zhenyan sneered at this, and he saw Ye Mingguang furrowing his eyebrows. “What, you feel indignant for Lu Mingshu, huh?”

　　Ye Mingguang lowered his head and kept quiet. Would he not know that I was only able to come on this trip all thanks to Lu Mingshu? Ye Mingguang was reclusive and reticent. He didn’t know how to bootlick Ye Zhenyan, unlike his other cousins, but he was aware that his third brother wasn’t someone that he could offend.

　　Shockingly, Ye Zhenyan shook his head. “Ling Wuxia is indeed nasty.”

　　Ye Mingguang looked at him with wide eyes. The last thing he ever expected was that his third brother would be on Lu Mingshu’s side. Ever since he was defeated by her on Remainder Island, Ye Zhenyan never left the house until this trip, where he wanted to take the chance to humiliate Lu Mingshu. Ye Mingguang thought that he would take his revenge right now.

　　“What? Is it so weird?” Ye Zhenyan sneered and rolled his eyes “Just because I’m not happy with Lu Mingshu doesn’t mean that I’m happy with Ling Wuxia!” I took the initiative to be nice, yet she ignored it? I still remember that incident!

　　Ye Mingguang bit his lips and muttered, “Third brother, Miss Ling is well-liked by everyone else. You shouldn’t say such things.”

　　Outside of Ye Mingguang’s expectations, Ye Zhenyan didn’t rage upon hearing this. “Of course. Ling Wuxia is very good at acting. You’re not an idiot; be pragmatic when taking action later, okay?”

　　Ye Mingguang nodded silently before hearing Ye Zhenyan mutter, “Hmph, that witch thinks she has everything under control and looks down on me. I want to see who will have the last laugh!”

　　“Brother.” Elsewhere, Zhang Jingyu called for her elder brother softly.

　　Zhang Rulin threw her a glance, signalling for her to not continue. “Since she’s going to be at the front, just do what she says.”

　　Zhang Jingyu nodded.

　　The sun was slowly rising, and most of the disciples were here.

　　Everyone looked at Ling Wuxia, waiting for her to give instructions.

　　Ling Wuxia looked over to see the valley covered with trees and filled with mystic force. It’s indeed a blessed land, but sadly, I’m only in the Harmonization Realm, so I can’t tell more with just a glance.

　　Ling Wuxia pondered before speaking up, “Everyone since we’re unclear on the situation, let’s explore around, shall we?”

　　This was the most inevitable and obvious choice right now. The crowd had no objections.

　　Ling Wuxia nodded and smiled. “Let’s split up. At least two in a group, and five at most. Is that okay?”

　　“Miss Ling’s suggestion is the best.”

　　“Anything. It’s up to Senior Sister Ling.”

　　“Then let’s get into groups.” Ling Wuxia smiled widely.

　　The Ancient Jade Summit disciples obviously went as a team. Those who came to Jasper Sun Mountain as a pair went together too. The ones left were the disciples from smaller powers. Since they were all from Beiming, they already knew each other and had some connections, so most of them went with people they were familiar with.

　　When the teams were formed, only two were left out.

　　One of them was Lu Mingshu. The big sect disciples and aristocratic family disciples all disliked her, while the smaller sect disciples didn’t dare to get near her.

　　They all lived in Beiming, so why would they go over to bootlick an outsider and offend all the powers in Beiming?

　　The other one who was left out was the girl in black that Lu Mingshu noticed when she first arrived. She was always alone, and she seemed unfamiliar with the people around her.

　　Seeing this, Ling Wuxia went over to them, smiling. “What a coincidence. Why don’t you two make a team?”

　　Lu Mingshu and the girl exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.

　　Ling Wuxia then smiled widely at them and clapped. “That’s great. Let’s set off right now.”

　　The other disciples went in separate directions, and Ling Wuxia bowed to Lu Mingshu. “Miss Lu, I’ll make my way off first. See you later.” After this, she went off with her junior sister and brother.

　　Lu Mingshu looked over at the girl in black. The girl hesitated for a moment before going toward her. “Where should we go?”

　　“What is your opinion?”

　　“I don’t care.” She shook her head.

　　Lu Mingshu glanced around and picked up a stone from the ground, throwing it casually. “There?”

　　The girl nodded without saying anything.

　　One in front and one behind, both went toward the direction where the stone landed.

　　After a moment, Lu Mingshu turned toward the girl. “How should I address you?”

　　The girl kept quiet for a moment. Just as Lu Mingshu thought that she wouldn’t reply, she said, “Ying.”

　　“Your given name or surname?”

　　“Does it matter?” the other party answered in monotone. “It’s just a form of address.”

　　Lu Mingshu looked at her before turning back.

　　After a short silence, the girl in black suddenly asked, “Why didn’t you retort?”

　　“What?” Lu Mingshu didn’t seem to understand what she meant.

　　“Ling Wuxia,” she continued. “You found this place, but she took advantage, and everyone else only remembers her now. Why did you let her be?”

　　“Are you not from Beiming?” Lu Mingshu narrowed her eyes.

　　The other party remained silent.

　　“Why would I retort?” Lu Mingshu answered calmly. “She has been famous for a long time, and all the Beiming disciples look up to her already. Even if I fought her over it, nobody would be on my side anyway.”

　　“So you’re just giving up, huh?” The girl sneered. “Aren’t you first place on the New Ranking – the one who defeated Kou Wei? Why are you afraid to fight back? Or perhaps you really defeated Kou Wei by luck?”

　　Lu Mingshu looked at her weirdly. “Why are you so agitated?”

　　The girl continued, “Ah, I thought that first place on the New Ranking was something special. Who knew she doesn’t live up to her name?”

　　Hearing the girl commenting about her so angrily, Lu Mingshu decided to just ignore her. “I don’t need to report to anyone, let alone you.”

　　“You…!” The girl in black was faintly angry. “I’m here with you because I have no choice. If there’s a fight later, I won’t stand on your side.”

　　Lu Mingshu plastered a smile on her face and said nothing else.

　　On the surface, Ling Wuxia gained the upper hand, but Lu Mingshu felt otherwise. If it was that simple, why would this test have no winners for years and years until suddenly Zhao Yin came along? It’s good that they went with Ling Wuxia; now I won’t be disturbed.

　　Besides, my energy is limited. Why would I waste any on Ling Wuxia now when I can save it and defeat her in one go at the critical moment?