After Being Reborn, I Refuse To Be The Holy Son Of The Sect Anymore

Chapter 44:

Who would Jiang Ting challenge?

Everyone standing below the dueling platform was watching Jiang Ting intently, the entire scene falling into an eerie silence.

Xiao Yang’s words had stunned everyone.

The senior brother had directly suggested that the junior sister challenge him.

Would the senior brother hold back?

Everyone in the sect knew that the senior brother doted on Jiang Ting the most.

Even though, in recent years, Jiang Ting had been revolving around Junior Brother Qin Fei, Xiao Yang still treated her like a princess.

The dynamics between Xiao Yang, Jiang Ting, and Qin Fei were common knowledge within the sect.

Over the years, Xiao Yang had caused no small amount of chaos for Jiang Ting. Most recently, there was the scandal of him secretly taking a manual and framing Qin Fei—a matter that shook the entire sect.

To everyone, it was clear: Xiao Yang deeply loved Jiang Ting.

If Jiang Ting challenged him, the senior brother, who adored her, would surely go easy on her.

Jiang Ting looked at Xiao Yang, her brows furrowing in internal conflict.

What was Senior Brother doing? Why suggest she challenge him?

Was he planning to intentionally lose to her?

Did this mean that, deep down, he still cared for her?

Was his recent behavior merely jealousy?

After all, since they were young, Xiao Yang had always treated her well, fulfilling her every wish.

He would definitely let her have her way again.

Throughout their childhood, he had protected and indulged her.

This time would be no exception.

Jiang Ting was sure of it. Xiao Yang had once said that the last thing he wanted was to see her sad or crying.

She had no choice but to do this—for Qin Fei. Senior Brother would understand, just as he always had.

She couldn’t bear to see Qin Fei fall into despair and ruin himself completely.

Qin Fei’s tragic past, combined with his innate Dao Physique, made him a prodigious talent with infinite potential.

He shouldn’t be reduced to a nobody. He should rise as a powerful figure, leading the Azure Sun Sword Sect to its peak.

Jiang Ting was determined to save him.

Her father, Jiang Qitian, had already written to the Heavenly Medicine Sect, seeking help.

As expected, the Heavenly Medicine Sect refused to intervene, not even for Jiang Qitian’s sake.

Now, she was Qin Fei’s only hope.

Failure was not an option.

Xiao Yang watched Jiang Ting with cold detachment, his gaze carrying an unmistakable distance.

His suggestion for Jiang Ting to challenge him had been a casual jest.

Jiang Ting was clever, possessing a Water Martial Physique among the Five Element Martial Physiques.

With her recent breakthrough to the Heavenly Martial Realm, victory was well within her grasp if she chose her opponent wisely.

As long as she didn’t foolishly challenge Lei Renjie or Lin Wangchuan, her success was all but assured.

Beneath the platform, Li Yuhu and Fang Ritian were visibly tense, praying Jiang Ting wouldn’t pick them.

Jiang Ting’s gaze moved across Lin Wangchuan, Lei Renjie, Li Yuhu, and the others, finally stopping on Lin Wangchuan.

Lin Wangchuan, as always, appeared carefree and unserious.

Her eyes lingered on him.

He was the one who had carelessly injured Qin Fei, delivering that infamous kick that left Qin Fei a eunuch.

Now, Qin Fei hovered between life and death.

If not for that kick, none of this would have happened.

Jiang Ting was angry, but she knew that Lin Wangchuan had acted out of naivety, not malice.

Everyone thought Jiang Ting would challenge Lin Wangchuan and began to breathe easier—until her gaze shifted again.

“What…?”

The crowd collectively tensed up.

“Junior Sister, why don’t I spar with you?” Lin Wangchuan joked with a grin.

Jiang Ting’s face instantly turned frosty.

She only had one chance to challenge someone. If she lost to Lin Wangchuan, she’d be eliminated completely.

Seeing her expression, Lin Wangchuan awkwardly fell silent.

Challenging Yun Qianxue, the tenth-ranked contender, would have been the safest bet.

Jiang Ting’s gaze finally settled on Yun Qianxue.

Xiao Yang noticed Yun Qianxue clench her fists, her entire body tense.

He studied her closely, lost in thought.

Having been reborn a thousand years into the past, Xiao Yang knew the fates of many individuals.

Yun Qianxue was no ordinary figure. Despite being known as a descendant of a mortal northern royal family, she actually hailed from the Cloud Clan—a powerful lineage in the Central Plains.

Xiao Yang recalled that during the Sixty-Year Tournament in his previous life, Yun Qianxue’s True Dragon Martial Vein awakened, leading to her recognition by the Cloud Clan.

She had returned to the Central Plains, her status soaring beyond imagination.

Rumors from Xiao Yang’s past life spoke of a nearly invincible Empress emerging from the Central Plains. Could it have been Yun Qianxue?

Was Jiang Ting planning to challenge her?

The Cloud Clan, rulers of the Central Plains, dwarfed the Azure Sun Sword Sect in power.

The Central Plains were the most prosperous and powerful region on the entire Yuanwu Continent, home to countless supreme experts.

Xiao Yang recalled many powerful figures from the Central Plains attending the Sixty-Year Tournament in his past life.

Yun Qianxue stood frozen on the platform, her anxiety evident.

To Xiao Yang’s surprise, Jiang Ting ultimately did not choose to challenge Yun Qianxue.

As Jiang Ting’s gaze moved away, Yun Qianxue exhaled in relief.

But others grew increasingly nervous.

“Senior Brother…”

Jiang Ting’s voice rang out, directed at Xiao Yang, seated in his Holy Son position.

“What?” Xiao Yang’s heart sank with a sense of foreboding.

“I, Jiang Ting, challenge you!”

Her voice was resolute, her words firm and decisive.

“What?”

Xiao Yang’s anger flared instantly.

Unbelievable! How dare she?

They had grown up together—he knew her better than anyone.

Xiao Yang glared at Jiang Ting’s figure on the platform, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Jiang Ting… after everything you’ve done to hurt me, you still think I’ll let you have your way?

Why do you believe I owe you anything?

His heart screamed in frustration.

This was a sect-wide tournament, yet she dared challenge him without any regard for his feelings.

Did she truly not care about him at all?

Did she expect him to throw the match for her? To humiliate himself in front of everyone just to satisfy her?

All for Qin Fei’s sake, she wanted to trample on him, degrade him.

In his previous life, Xiao Yang would have conceded. Back then, his world revolved around Jiang Ting.

Her wishes were his commands.

Face, dignity, pride—none of it mattered if it made her happy.

How pathetic he had been.

“Are you sure you want to challenge me?” Xiao Yang asked, his voice calm yet icy.

“I am sure,” Jiang Ting replied firmly.

“Fine. As you wish,” Xiao Yang said through gritted teeth. Slowly, he rose from his seat, his fists clenched, an aura of rage emanating from him.

The crowd felt his anger like a palpable force.

Only Jiang Ting, oblivious to his fury, remained confident.

“Thank you, Senior Brother, for granting my wish,” Jiang Ting said with a bow, a faint smile of satisfaction on her lips.

She believed Xiao Yang had seen through her intentions and would let her win.