Chapter 101: The Meeting Gift

'Isn't that the manual I was looking for the whole time in the Martial Book pavilion? And she's giving it away!?'

Ye Tian Yun couldn't comprehend what Yuan Shuchun was planning to do. He knew the value of this manual. This manual boosted Xiao Ming enough to make him one of the top existences of the Lower Heavens. And she was giving it away?

'Does she not know the value of this manual? That's impossible! If she knows about the value of the elixir, she must also know about the manual. What is this girl up to?'

For Yuan Shuchun to offer something this valuable didn't seem plausible. The disciples that she wanted to recruit were only in the Qi Refining Realm and would at most be cannon fodders for the League. She wouldn't go this far just to recruit some members for her Heavenly League.

And sure enough, her next words proved this.

"As you can see from the value of this manual, it won't be very easy to get. And I want to announce that tonight, whoever proves himself worthy and satisfies me with his prowess and battle instincts, will be awarded this manual."

Ye Tian Yun rolled his eyes at these words. 'So basically she's not gonna give this manual to anyone?'

And looking at the slight smirk on her face, Ye Tian Yun had a hunch that his guess would come true.

On the stage, Yuan Shuchun looked around for a few moments and suddenly noticed the female disciple sitting beside Zheng Xiang, with a surprised voice she said, "Ah, it's Junior Sister Bai Qing'er!"

And as soon as she said, everyone's attention once again shifted to Bai Qing'er. However, this time it was much more intense because now the disciples knew her identity and most of them had expressions of shock and awe.

"Is that really Bai Qing'er!?"

"Woah, she's so beautiful!"

"Yeah, she's out of this world. How come I didn't notice her before?"

"She sure is a beauty. Somehow even I didn't pay attention to her even though she's sitting right beside Xiao Ming."

"Holy shit, yes. She's sitting right beside Xiao Ming! Could this be a meeting of fate, or do they already know each other?"

"Xiao Ming sure is lucky, he got to sit with such a goddess."

Meanwhile, near the place where Bai Qing'er was sitting, everyone around her was going through different emotions.

Xiao Ming, who could hear what the disciples were saying, had a smug smile on his face.

Mu Xing was staring directly at her, but instead of awe and shock, his face was like someone who had met his lifetime rival. He was trying his best to control himself from challenging her in a sword duel.

Whereas, on her other side, Zheng Xiang had an expression of shock. He didn't know who this girl was, neither he had even a hunch that it would be Bai Qing'er.

He leaned to his right, still looking at her from the corners of her eyes, and whispered to Ye Tian Yun, "Brother Fang Chen, is she really the one who has already cultivated Sword Intent."

"Hmm."

"And… uh… was I proclaiming in front of her that I am the most talented disciple."

"Hmm."

Zheng Xiang facepalmed himself in a dramatic way while sighing, "Well, shit."

Ye Tian Yun put his hands on his chin and said, "That's not important. Didn't you say that you were going to some other seat? Why are you still here? Move on!"

"Ah, brother, what are you saying? Why would I leave you? You're my good brother, my brother for life, do you think I will leave just because some people were looking at you as if wishing to skin you alive?

"Yes."

"Ah, Brother Fang, what are you saying?" And he leaned a bit to his left, towards Bai Qing'er, and said, "I never abandon any of my friends."

Ye Tian Yun rolled his eyes after hearing such words, 'Do you think I don't understand that you're trying to look cool in front of her? I really wish she could know your thoughts.'

Unbeknownst to him, Bai Qing'er was actually able to know what Zheng Xiang's thoughts were. She tried her best to not roll her eyes. 'I wonder what his expression will be if he knew I can understand his thoughts.'

..

After some time as the commotion finally settled down, Bai Qing'er stood up and said, "Greetings, Senior Sister Yuan. This Junior Sister will now be in your care."

"Haha, you don't have to say such things. As your Senior Sister, it is my responsibility to take care of you. I am glad that you accepted my invitation, even though I couldn't personally come to invite you."

"It's my honor to be here, Senior Sister."

"Ah, you're quite well mannered. Here's a meeting gift." She then used her qi to manipulate one of the bottles containing Seven Treasures Body Tempering Liquid to flow and land on the table in front of her.

As the disciples stood in shock from her actions, she continued with a smile, "Junior Sister Bai, this is my meeting gift for you. This isn't the best thing I can give, but it's the best thing I have with me right now."

Bai Qing'er was shocked by her actions, picking up the bottle, she put it in her spatial ring, and then she cupped her hands while saying, "Thank you so much, Senior Sister. This gift is the most valuable thing I have ever received. Our meeting will forever be etched in my heart."

Yuan Shuchun smiled and said, "It's alright, Junior Sister. This was something I was going to give someone anyway, it's best if you received it."

But before Bai Qing'er could reply, she had turned towards the disciples in the audience, who was still in shock because now, there were only two bottles left to win. Yuan Shuchun then asked with her qi-infused voice, "Alright then. Do you all wish to take part in the spar?"

…

Meanwhile, on the ground, Bai Qing'er took a deep breath as she collected her thoughts.

She didn't feel any excitement from receiving the gift as one would expect, rather her ability allowed her to see the truth.

Yuan Shuchun wasn't happy to see her. In fact, she regretted her own decision to give the Seven Treasures Body Tempering Liquid to Bai Qing'er and was almost about to retract it back. But to save herself from embarrassment, she didn't stop and went on to gift it to Bai Qing'er.

However, for every sweet word she said, she was thinking of ways to kill Bai Qing'er and take back the elixir from her.

Bai Qing'er couldn't help but sigh at herself.

Even though she wasn't able to always know of someone else's thoughts, as long as the subject of that person's thoughts was her, she would know what the other party was thinking.

And today, she was disappointed in her Senior Sister, who she had always wanted to meet and considered an idol. And she was disappointed in herself, for she couldn't control her ability from working and would know anyone's thoughts regarding her, be it bad or good.

'I wish I didn't have her ability and could live like a normal person. I would rather live with their fake faces, rather knowing their true thoughts.'

...

A/n: If you find any typos or errors, please let me know through comments so I can correct them.