Chapter 336: The thousand dao city 6.

Mo Yuxin did not know his name yet. Later, that same disciple would become relevant to the political story surrounding the Battle Maiden Sect. For now, he was simply another talented cultivator in a huge city. That mattered. Not every person connected to a large sect had to be an enemy. After lunch, Su Yubing decided she wanted to visit the western entertainment district. Mo Yuxin agreed. The district was much louder than the rest of the city. Musicians performed with spiritual instruments. Illusion theaters showed old battles. A group of cultivators were playing a strategy board game with glowing pieces. Another group was participating in a beast-racing competition.

There were even small restaurants built on floating platforms above the street. Su Yubing stopped at an illusion theater.

"What is this?"

The attendant explained that cultivators could enter an illusion and experience a famous historical battle. Mo Yuxin looked at the description.

"It is probably inaccurate."

The attendant stared at her.

"How would you know?"

Mo Yuxin paused.

"I have seen too many storytellers exaggerate battles."

Su Yubing laughed. They bought two tickets anyway. Inside, the illusion transported them onto a mountain battlefield. Thousands of soldiers charged. Spiritual techniques exploded. A gigantic sword descended from the heavens. The illusion was dramatic. Very dramatic. Su Yubing became completely absorbed. Mo Yuxin lasted six minutes. Then she whispered, "That sword would never work like that." Su Yubing covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

"Stop criticizing it."

"The formation logic is wrong."

"Nobody cares."

"I care."

"Of course you do."

She reached over and held Mo Yuxin’s hand. Mo Yuxin immediately stopped complaining. Su Yubing smiled.

"Better?"

"Yes."

"Good."

They finished the illusion. Outside, Mo Yuxin bought two small spiritual puppets shaped like birds. Su Yubing looked surprised.

"Why did you buy those?"

Mo Yuxin gave one to her.

"Because you smiled when you saw them."

Su Yubing looked at the tiny puppet. It chirped when activated. She smiled.

"I did smile."

"Exactly."

She leaned closer and kissed Mo Yuxin’s cheek.

"Thank you."

Mo Yuxin looked pleased.

"Again."

Su Yubing laughed.

"Greedy."

"Yes."

She kissed her again. A group of young cultivators passed by and immediately looked away, pretending not to have seen anything. Mo Yuxin did not care. Su Yubing did not care much either. They continued walking. Several days later, the first invitation from the major sects arrived. It came from the Nine Heavens Academy. The academy planned to hold a public discussion about the future of cultivation education in the Southern Continent. The invitation was extended to independent Nascent Soul cultivators as well as sect representatives. Su Yubing read the letter.

"They want us to attend."

Mo Yuxin was sitting beside her in the courtyard.

"Why us?"

"Maybe because the city records show we are Nascent Soul cultivators with no sect affiliation. They want outside opinions."

"Sounds boring."

"It might be interesting."

Mo Yuxin looked at her.

"Then we will go."

The event was held three days later. The academy’s main hall was enormous. Students filled the balconies. Sect elders sat near the front. Several notable cultivators had been invited. The discussion began peacefully. The academy dean spoke about cooperation between sects. An Azure Cloud representative discussed formation education. A Purple Heaven Valley elder discussed alchemy training. A Heavenly Sword elder spoke about martial discipline. A Golden Mountain elder talked about body cultivation. Eventually, someone brought up independent female cultivators. The conversation changed. One speaker argued that more cultivation institutions should remain neutral. Another argued that sects had the right to control their resources. An elder mentioned the Battle Maiden Sect without directly accusing them of anything.

"Recent difficulties within several sects show that influence should follow strength."

Su Yubing’s eyes narrowed slightly. Mo Yuxin noticed. The speaker continued.

"It is dangerous to preserve old privileges when a sect no longer has the same ability to defend its territory."

Someone else asked, "Are you referring to Battle Maiden Sect?" The elder smiled.

"I am speaking generally."

Several people laughed quietly. Mo Yuxin did not. The words were carefully chosen. This was how political pressure worked in a city like Thousand Dao City. Nobody needed to openly declare war. A few carefully placed sentences could change how thousands of people viewed a sect. After the discussion, Su Yubing and Mo Yuxin walked outside. Su Yubing was quiet. Mo Yuxin asked, "Annoyed?"

"A little."

"Why?"

"Because it is unfair."

Mo Yuxin nodded.

"Yes."

Su Yubing glanced at her.

"You agree?"

"People are allowed to compete. They are not allowed to manufacture weakness in someone else and then claim they are proving superiority."

Su Yubing smiled softly.

"You noticed that too."

"Yes."

They continued walking. At the corner of the street, they met Qinghe and Shuyue again. Qinghe immediately noticed Su Yubing’s expression.

"Something happened."

Su Yubing smiled.

"Nothing major."

Qinghe looked at Mo Yuxin. Mo Yuxin said, "People are talking about Battle Maiden Sect." Shuyue’s expression became colder.

"Again."

"You expected it?" Su Yubing asked. Shuyue nodded.

"It has been getting worse for months."

Qinghe sighed.

"That is one reason we wanted to introduce you properly to some people from the sect."

Mo Yuxin looked at her.

"Why?"

Qinghe smiled.

"Because I think you will like them."

That evening, Qinghe brought them to a small tea house away from the central districts. It was quiet and mostly occupied by older cultivators. A young woman sat alone near the window. She wore the silver and red robes of the Battle Maiden Sect. Her hair was tied high, and a narrow spear rested beside her chair. Her expression was serious. Qinghe waved.

"Ruyan."

The woman looked up. Her eyes moved to Shuyue. Then to Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing.

"These are the two I told you about."

Ruyan stood.

"Nice to meet you."

Su Yubing smiled.

"Nice to meet you too."

Mo Yuxin nodded. Ruyan sat down. She did not look intimidated by them. That was another thing Mo Yuxin liked. She was cautious, but not servile. Qinghe introduced her properly.

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TO BE CONTINUED.