When Life Runs Out, the Fun Begins-Chapter 42 – Tomorrow is the Inner Sect Elder finals

Mu Xiaochuan felt his mind go "buzz," as if struck by a bolt of lightning, leaving him utterly bewildered.
On the cover, there was a male cultivator with flowing robes and a carefree demeanor. Although it was just a silhouette, the distinctive dark green Daoist robe and the slightly rebellious stance unmistakably resembled Mu Xiaochuan himself! He was gazing with an almost obsessive look at a female cultivator in front of him, who was as sturdy as a mountain, her features nearly squeezed together, with a few freckles on her face.
"This... this thing... is supposed to be me?!" Mu Xiaochuan's mouth twitched as he pointed at the handsome silhouette on the cover, his voice slightly distorted.
Lin Yue and Su Yao exchanged a glance, their cheeks slightly flushed, then nodded vigorously in unison.
"Yes... yes, Elder, it's you," Lin Yue said softly.
Su Yao added, "Elder, you might not know, but ever since that grand tournament where you were so heroic and took such good care of us sisters, your prestige in the sect has soared, especially among the female disciples... They all see you as an idol, fantasizing... fantasizing about gaining your favor and rising to the top..."
"So, recently, there have been many such... storybooks circulating in the sect?" Mu Xiaochuan felt his worldview being challenged.
"Yes, Elder," Lin Yue chimed in, her voice even lower, "To cater to... their fantasies, these kinds of books have become quite numerous. Besides this one, there's also... 'The Foundation Elder Fell in Love with the Grimacing Me,' 'The Foundation Elder Fell in Love with the Wind-Walking Me,' 'The Foundation Elder Fell in Love with the Gluttonous Me'... and even... even... 'The Foundation Elder Fell in Love with the Menopausal Me' and 'The Foundation Elder Fell in Love with the Me with Three Kids'..."
"Poof—cough cough cough!" Mu Xiaochuan nearly choked on his own saliva!
Menopausal?! With three kids?!
What kind of wild words were these?!
He could hardly believe what he was hearing! These female disciples, for the sake of their fantasies, dared to concoct such bizarre scenarios?! Did he, Mu Xiaochuan, look like someone who was so desperate?!
He tossed the book "The Foundation Elder Fell in Love with the Fat and Big-Eared Me" aside, as if discarding a hot potato, feeling a chill in his heart.
After dinner, Mu Xiaochuan's mood had calmed considerably. Liu Ruyan hadn't come, so he planned to have a deep conversation with the two female disciples.
Although the two female disciples also wanted Elder Mu to guide them, they remembered that tomorrow was the day of the Outer Sect Elder finals and feared that being late might affect Elder Mu's performance. So, they took the initiative to bid farewell and returned to their own quarters in the Outer Sect to rest.
Seeing that he was alone tonight, Mu Xiaochuan had no choice but to refocus on the important matters.
As night deepened, the moonlight was like water, and the Listening Bamboo Pavilion was silent, with only the rustling of the breeze through the bamboo leaves and Mu Xiaochuan's steady, long breaths.
The next day marked the eighth day of the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament, also the day of the Outer Sect Elder finals.
In the early morning, Lan Yun Terrace was more solemn than any other day. Although the audience was still numerous, the chatter was noticeably quieter, and an invisible tension filled the air. Today, the top five representing the highest combat power of Yunqi Peak's Outer Sect Elders would be decided!
The seven Outer Sect Elders who had advanced were already waiting in the designated area, their expressions varied, but without exception, they all exuded the powerful aura of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Sun Iron Arm from the Artifact Refining Hall, with a physique as sturdy as a tower and an aura as steady as a rock, was a veteran powerhouse at the third stage of Foundation Establishment. His gaze was calm and unwavering, as if he was already confident of victory.
Wang Xuance from the Technique Transmission Hall, also at the third stage of Foundation Establishment, appeared scholarly and composed, his eyes deep as if everything was within his grasp.
Chen Changfeng from the Law Enforcement Hall, at the second stage of Foundation Establishment, had a face as gloomy as water, occasionally casting wary and unwilling glances at Mu Xiaochuan.
Liu Qingwu from the Elixir Hall, at the second stage of Foundation Establishment, was a middle-aged female cultivator with a beautiful appearance, her expression indifferent, seemingly unconcerned about victory or defeat.
Li Canghai from the Main Hall, at the second stage of Foundation Establishment, had a sharp aura, a sword at his waist, and eyes as keen as a hawk.
Li Qiushui from the Main Hall, at the second stage of Foundation Establishment, had a delicate appearance but an air of heroism between her brows, currently adjusting her breathing with some nervousness.
Finally, there was the much-anticipated Mu Xiaochuan. Today, he was still in his dark green Daoist robe, standing with his hands behind his back, his demeanor calm, a faint smile on his face, as if the upcoming event was not a decisive final but a lighthearted game.
On the viewing platform, Yun Wange, Ye Qingyu, Liu Ruyan, and others were already seated. Yun Wange was not wearing a veil today, her peerless beauty fully revealed, causing many disciples to secretly marvel. Her gaze was calmly fixed below, seemingly unconcerned about today's outcome. Ye Qingyu and Liu Ruyan both had their eyes on Mu Xiaochuan, filled with trust and anticipation.
Only Liang Yichen, sitting in the Vice Sect Master's seat, had a face as gloomy as water, his gaze like a poisonous blade aimed at Mu Xiaochuan, wishing he could crush him to dust immediately!
"Dong—dong—dong—"
Three chimes of the bell announced the official start of the finals!
Li Ruoxu, the Hall Master of the Technique Transmission Hall, stepped forward again and said loudly, "Fellow disciples, today is the day of the Outer Sect Elder finals, where the final top five will be determined. The rules are as follows: According to the rankings after the first round, Elder Mu Xiaochuan, ranked seventh, and Elder Li Qiushui, ranked sixth, have the right to challenge any of the top five elders. If successful, they will replace the challenged elder's spot; if they fail, they will be eliminated. If no one challenges or the challenge fails, the top five elders automatically secure the final spots. Do you all understand?"
Everyone responded in unison, "Understood!"
"Good!" Li Ruoxu nodded, "Then, Elder Mu Xiaochuan of the Heaven Vault Pavilion, you choose first!"
"I choose Senior Sister Li Canghai from the Main Hall," Li Qiushui answered first.
In an instant, all eyes focused on Li Qiushui!
According to tradition, the lower-ranked or last-ranked should choose first, yet Li Qiushui had taken the initiative, a move that was quite unexpected.
Li Ruoxu first glanced at the calm Yun Wange, not finding an answer there, then turned his gaze to Mu Xiaochuan.
Mu Xiaochuan shrugged, indicating he didn't mind.
"Since Elder Mu is being generous, then... let the sixth-ranked, Elder Li Qiushui from the Main Hall, face Elder Li Canghai from the Main Hall," Li Ruoxu announced loudly.
"An internal duel in the Main Hall?"
Li Canghai was slightly taken aback, then a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, "Good! Junior Sister has courage! Please!"
The two of them then ascended the arena.
The battle was exceptionally fierce. Li Qiushui, at the early second stage of Foundation Establishment, wielded her sword with agility like the wind, swift as lightning, carrying a forward momentum that allowed her to match Li Canghai of the same stage, making it hard to determine a winner! Clearly, she was also a seasoned Foundation Establishment expert.
However, the gap in cultivation was ultimately difficult to bridge. After nearly a hundred rounds of entanglement, Li Canghai seized a flaw in Li Qiushui's defense, forcing her back with a single strike and securing victory.
"Junior Sister, well fought," Li Canghai sheathed his sword and showed more respect for Li Qiushui.
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Sister," Li Qiushui, though defeated, accepted her loss with grace and stepped down from the arena.
With Li Qiushui's defeat, the opportunity to challenge fell once again, and for the last time, to Mu Xiaochuan.
All eyes were on him once more!
Mu Xiaochuan stepped forward slowly, his gaze like an eagle's, sweeping over the four elders.
Sun Iron Arm and Wang Xuance, who had been calm and composed, now involuntarily avoided Mu Xiaochuan's sharp gaze.
Chen Changfeng and Liu Qingwu, on the other hand, were visibly tense! Especially Chen Changfeng, whose forehead was beaded with sweat, his eyes flickering, like a startled bird, unable to meet Mu Xiaochuan's piercing gaze! Liu Qingwu, though outwardly calm, betrayed her inner turmoil with her tightly clenched hands.
Seeing their nervous and evasive demeanor, Mu Xiaochuan felt a surge of satisfaction!
His gaze finally settled on Liu Qingwu!
Liu Qingwu's eyes were flustered, while Chen Changfeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"I choose..." Mu Xiaochuan's lips curled into a teasing smile, deliberately slowing his speech, "Law Enforcement Hall, Elder Chen, Chang, Feng!"
Liu Qingwu felt relieved, thinking, "Brat, you dare to toy with your senior sister."
Chen Changfeng felt his heart seize! The inevitable had finally come! Images of Zhang Yuelin's miserable defeat flashed through his mind!
He had no doubt that if he really went on stage, he would end up worse than Zhang Yuelin!
At this moment, Mu Xiaochuan spoke again, his voice full of provocation and mockery:
"Elder Chen, a month ago, didn't you keep insisting on a duel with me on the Challenge Platform? Come on, this elder will fulfill your request today!"
Chen Changfeng raised his head sharply, a resolute look flashing in his eyes!
He didn't look at Mu Xiaochuan but turned directly to the presiding elder, Li Ruoxu, and respectfully said:
"I... I concede!!"
"Concede?!"
"He actually conceded?!"
"Mu Xiaochuan has thus secured a spot in the Outer Sect Elder tournament."
"We wanted to see the prowess of the Earth-grade Spiritual Artifact again?"
The entire venue was once again in an uproar!
Just when everyone thought this farce had ended, Chen Changfeng suddenly turned his head, looking at Mu Xiaochuan with a playful gaze, and said:
"Elder Mu... are you really such a big pile of dung that you need someone to pick you?"
Everyone was stunned by Chen Changfeng's parting "stroke of genius"!
First came shock, then bewilderment, and finally...
"Poof—!!"
"Hahahahaha!!"
Someone couldn't hold back their laughter, and soon, like a fuse being lit, the entire Lan Yun Terrace erupted in laughter more intense and joyful than ever before!
Even the elders on the viewing platform, including the usually dignified Yun Wange, couldn't help but clutch their stomachs in laughter, nearly bending over!
Mu Xiaochuan was also taken aback!
He hadn't expected Chen Changfeng to come up with such a "counterattack" at the last moment!
Returning his previous words almost verbatim!
Interesting! Truly interesting!
This Chen Changfeng wasn't entirely a fool after all!
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning without a fight, successfully influencing the sect's atmosphere, feeling extremely satisfied, and gaining 20 Thrill Points!"
The system's notification marked a perfect conclusion to this dramatic Outer Sect Elder final!
Finally, Li Ruoxu announced, "The Yunqi Peak Outer Sect Elder tournament is over, the top five are: Sun Iron Arm, Wang Xuance, Liu Qingwu, Li Canghai, Mu Xiaochuan!"
Then Yun Wange also took the stage to announce, "Tomorrow, the Inner Sect Elder finals."