The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Given that Gu Jue was still present, Lu Sangjiu felt they should tone down their rubbernecking a bit.

So, she put on a solemn expression and declared, "Mr. Gu is right. Xie Ningyuan, you’re a monk—stop getting distracted by romantic drama. Don’t forget we’re here to keep an eye on that Miao Miaomiao. Now, you watch her closely!"

Xie Ningyuan was speechless. "...There’s only one Miao Miaomiao. If I’m watching her, what will you be doing?"

’Me? I’ll be watching the show, of course!’

Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud, so she replied with great earnestness, "I’m in charge of overseeing the big picture, naturally!"

Xie Ningyuan’s mouth twitched. He really couldn’t fathom what "big picture" could possibly need her oversight.

Meanwhile, as entertaining as the drama between Hua Jianzhi and Sword Bu Gui was, the selection of the new Holy Daughter was the main event.

So, after teasing Sword Bu Gui a little more, Hua Jianzhi received a subtle reminder from the Joyful Union Sect’s Sect Leader. She gave a cold snort but, to her credit, didn’t do anything else out of line.

The crowd below was disappointed, but their attention was drawn back to the main event.

After a passionately delivered speech, all the eligible female disciples of the Joyful Union Sect officially began to approach the Hundred Flowers Stone Tablet one by one, in a predetermined order, to try and communicate with it using their Spiritual Power.

This was Lu Sangjiu’s first time witnessing this, and she watched with great concentration.

After studying it for a moment, she tilted her head toward Xie Ningyuan. "This Hundred Flowers Stone Tablet... it seems to have some connection to the Joyful Union Sect’s ultimate technique, Hundred Flowers Kill, doesn’t it?"

Xie Ningyuan nodded. "It was likely created by a predecessor of the Joyful Union Sect who cultivated Hundred Flowers Kill. She must have infused the stone with her own power."

Gu Jue immediately realized it too. "In that case, doesn’t that mean the better one’s mastery of Hundred Flowers Kill, the more easily they can attune themselves to the Hundred Flowers Stone Tablet?"

"Mm... that should be the principle behind it."

’No wonder the selection process for the Holy Daughter sounded so cursory, without any regard for talent or strength. So the tablet itself is the test of talent and strength?’

Xie Ningyuan stared for a moment longer before suddenly adding, "It’s likely not just about Hundred Flowers Kill. This tablet also seems to have the function of a Heart Inquiry."

A Heart Inquiry, simply put, is a test of one’s character and the steadfastness of their conviction.

Lu Sangjiu thought for a moment before adding, "There’s probably a trace of that predecessor’s will left in it, too. That part of the test would be purely a matter of personal preference."

As the three of them chatted, they had more or less pieced together the principles behind the Hundred Flowers Stone Tablet.

Of course, the members of the Joyful Union Sect themselves must have already had inside information; after all, it wasn’t hard to deduce, so it could hardly be considered a secret.

It was just that Lu Sangjiu and Xie Ningyuan had gotten a bit carried away, trading observations back and forth.

So much so that after a moment of silence, Gu Jue couldn’t help but ask, "Mr. Lu... your insight is quite keen."

Lu Sangjiu froze, instantly realizing she might have shown a level of perception beyond that of an ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator.

’Tsk... I’ve spent so much time with Gu Jue and Xie Ningyuan that I’ve gotten careless. I completely forgot to conceal my true abilities.’

After a moment’s silence, she said nonchalantly, "It’s nothing special. It’s mostly guesswork. You can figure a lot out just by watching the disciples’ reactions. Besides, these sorts of things in sects all function more or less the same, don’t they?"

Gu Jue gave Lu Sangjiu a hesitant look. It was impossible to tell whether he believed her, but in any case, he didn’t press the matter.

The degree of attunement with the Hundred Flowers Stone Tablet was judged by the color of the light it emitted after Spiritual Power was infused. From lowest to highest, the colors were red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

The first several disciples from the Joyful Union Sect had very average performances, with most falling below the yellow light.

It wasn’t until later in the lineup that some decent performers started to appear, but the highest light achieved was only blue.

Not until the final ten disciples did a purple light finally appear... and even then, it was only a pale lilac.

Yan Zui was second to last, and Miao Miaomiao was last.

As Yan Zui’s turn approached, Lu Sangjiu perked up. Even though Yan Zui couldn’t hear her, she still clenched her fist and quietly cheered, "Purple! Ms. Yan Zui will definitely get purple!"

Then, with all eyes upon her, Yan Zui lived up to everyone’s expectations. As she infused her Spiritual Power into the tablet, it immediately radiated a deep, rich purple light!

Lu Sangjiu beamed with pride. "I knew Ms. Yan Zui could do it!"

Xie Ningyuan gently pushed her proudly raised head down. "The key player hasn’t even taken the stage yet. Calm down."

Lu Sangjiu’s gaze fell upon Miao Miaomiao. ’Mm... as much as I want Yan Zui to win, to be honest, there’s something about this Miao Miaomiao... I’m not at all certain Yan Zui can beat her.’

After her turn, Yan Zui was elated. As she stepped down from the stage, Miao Miaomiao was just stepping up. As they passed, Yan Zui couldn’t resist shooting Miao Miaomiao a triumphant glance.

Miao Miaomiao, however, didn’t even glance her way. Her expression was placid, yet it seemed to hold an unshakable confidence.

Seeing her opponent’s demeanor, Yan Zui felt a flash of irritation. Her lips curled into a cold sneer. "You’d better not make a fool of yourself."

Only then did Miao Miaomiao’s steps falter for a fraction of a second. She then let out a soft laugh. "Only children resort to empty threats."

Her condescending tone was unmistakable.

Yan Zui was infuriated by the comment. Instead of leaving, she stepped to the side, crossed her arms, and watched with a cold gaze, eager to see where Miao Miaomiao’s confidence came from.

But as Miao Miaomiao infused her Spiritual Energy into the tablet, the color drained from Yan Zui’s face.

The stone tablet instantly erupted with a dazzling, deep purple light, its intensity clearly far surpassing what Yan Zui had just achieved.

The entire area fell silent. It took no great insight to understand what had happened—everyone knew... Miao Miaomiao had won!

Up on the high platform, Hua Jianzhi, who had been lounging nonchalantly, shot upright. For a fleeting moment, she lost her composure.

It was unclear if she was upset that her own disciple had lost, or simply stunned by the talent Miao Miaomiao had just displayed.

Sword Bu Gui frowned slightly, a flicker of concern on his face. "Are you..."

But in the next instant, Hua Jianzhi’s expression was already placid again. She shook her head, signaling she was fine, then averted her gaze.

As for Yan Zui, the other party involved, her face was pale and she looked utterly devastated.

The Sect Leader of the Joyful Union Sect, however, could hardly spare a thought for anyone’s feelings. He was overjoyed, thinking that this new Holy Daughter’s talent was exceptional. There was hope for this generation of the Joyful Union Sect!

At that same moment, Lu Sangjiu’s expression turned grim.

After a long silence, she said slowly, "It’s her... I finally understand why she wanted to get me out of the way."

Gu Jue and Xie Ningyuan both turned to her, their faces filled with confusion. "Is there really something wrong with this Miao Miaomiao?"

Lu Sangjiu turned to face them, her expression graver than ever. "She... she must be Qin Miao. The Evil Cultivator who ambushed me with a puppet at the Sword Seizing Conference!"

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