### Chapter 10: Mixing It Up Requires Background – Which Sect Are You From?
Seeing Lin Zhongyu being bullied right before her eyes, Mu Jixue’s heart was pierced and bleeding.
Everyone was laughing at Lin Zhongyu, enjoying humiliating her, but Mu Jixue knew how hard Lin Zhongyu had worked, how strong she was, even though her talent had dwindled, she never thought about giving up. She continued to practice diligently every night.
The last time Lin Zhongyu had sparred with anyone was before she lost her cultivation prowess; however, despite such a long gap, she could quickly get back into the fight, which was largely due to her perseverance.
No one understood better than Mu Jixue the sheer amount of hardship Lin Zhongyu had endured.
So now, as Lin Zhongyu was being humiliated, Mu Jixue was ready to explode. Though an elder from the Xuantian Sect had warned her not to cause trouble before joining, Mu Jixue no longer cared about that.
Mu Jixue wanted to storm out immediately and pummel that Female Manager senseless, even if she was part of the Immortal Alliance. She wouldn’t let this go!
Just as Mu Jixue was about to shout, “Quickly give me…”
“Stop!”
A more piercing voice cut in before Mu Jixue could finish.
A golden-haired man emerged first from behind her, brushing past Mu Jixue, his voice louder and actions faster. He stepped between the Female Manager and Lin Zhongyu, stopping the assault.
Everyone, including Mu Jixue, froze on the spot.
The man had flowing golden hair, a strikingly beautiful face, ink-black eyebrows, starry eyes, a high bridge nose, and vibrant red lips, every feature perfect without flaw.
His stunning appearance made all the women around gasp.
He wore dark white robes, a golden sword hanging at his waist, and exuded a calm demeanor.
His actions and presence had the unmistakable air of authority.
The Female Manager frowned slightly; she wasn’t familiar with Yún Zhōnghè as she had only been in Cangzhou City for a short while, but he seemed like some kind of noble’s son.
But in the eyes of the Immortal Alliance, a noble’s son was nothing to worry about.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhongyu, still semi-conscious on the ground, vaguely saw Yún Zhōnghè. In her blurry vision, Yún Zhōnghè shone under the bright sun, with his radiant golden hair shining like shimmering ripples of water, glowing magnificently.
“Yún… Yún Shào…”
Though weak in breath, she recognized Yún Zhōnghè instantly, a strange sense of comfort flooding her heart.
Odd as it felt, she hadn’t experienced anything like it, even when by Mu Jixue’s side.
Lin Zhongyu wasn’t quite sure why, but before she could understand it, darkness swallowed her consciousness.
She finally couldn’t hold on.
Yún Zhōnghè wasn’t worried about Lin Zhongyu; being someone with great fortune, she couldn’t possibly d*e so easily.
However…
He glanced at the pale-faced girl behind him, feeling a burst of annoyance. His sense of justice wouldn’t tolerate such behavior.
Just then, the Female Manager spoke up: “Interfering? Do you know that interfering with a duel is against the law?”
Proud and confident with her authority from the Immortal Alliance, she threatened Yún Zhōnghè maliciously.
But Yún Zhōnghè remained calm and coldly said, “A duel? It ended a while ago. This lady has already lost. You just signed the duel agreement, not a d*ath pact, yet you insisted upon finishing her off.”
He spoke with firm conviction, like a righteous hero.
And he had a point; the duel agreement wasn’t a d*ath pact, so the fight should’ve stopped once there was a clear win.
But the Female Manager, skilled in exploiting loopholes, refused to admit her fault.
“You call her resisting the match? Clearly that little sl*t deliberately delayed, so since she didn’t yield, she hasn’t lost!”
Tensions rose dangerously.
“All of you, stop! Anyone moving now will see no mercy!”
Suddenly, a suffocating pressure descended, making everyone look up. A streak of rosy light descended, revealing an otherworldly beauty descending gracefully, her white moon gown flowing elegantly, her black hair tied in a flying chignon with a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin, exuding elegance and grace.
The Female Manager and all the members of the Immortal Alliance bowed deeply, “Pay respects to the Captain!”
This was Li Dàzhǔ, a powerful late-stage Yuan Ying cultivator known as Língxiān Yuèxiá.
As Li Dàzhǔ arrived, Táo Jiǔ’ér quietly ran to Yún Zhōnghè, “Master, I brought Li Dàzhǔ.”
Yún Zhōnghè had already arranged for Li Dàzhǔ to help even before the fight began.
With a haughty and majestic air, Li Dàzhǔ surveyed the scene, nodding at Yún Zhōnghè before eyeing the Female Manager.
Her imposing yet chilling voice left them trembling: “Manager Zhang, you can leave. As of today, you’re no longer part of our Immortal Alliance.”
Zhang Manager was stunned, “Wait, Captain Li, I—”
Li Dàzhǔ narrowed her eyes, her gaze slicing through the air, locking onto Zhang Manager, “Think I didn’t know what you were up to during my seclusion? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things back at headquarters. You, along with the coward who ambushed Miss Lin, need to go. Our Alliance doesn’t keep traitors like you.”
Exposed publicly with no leniency, Li Dàzhǔ was as decisive as ever, leaving others in awe.
Now many understood; it was indeed an ambush that ruined Lin Zhongyu, explaining her sudden defeat despite being ahead.
“Oh, how dirty, using such underhanded tactics!”
“Yes, yes, a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator beating a Qi Refinement stage one, and by cheating too—it’s shameful!”
“So actually Miss Lin might have won if not for the trickery?”
Many realized this, marveling even more.
Was Miss Lin no longer a waste? Could she rise again?
Though Lin Zhongyu lay on the ground, everyone looked at her cautiously, wary of mocking her as a waste again.
Zhang Manager clenched her teeth, face red, unable to accept this outcome. She pointed a fist at Li Dàzhǔ, “Captain Li, you can’t do this! My parents are also early-stage Yuan Ying cultivators…”
“Early-stage Yuan Ying? That’s impressive?”
Li Dàzhǔ’s voice was low and cold, eyes glinting with menace. Suddenly, her full power released, terrifying Zhang Manager into a state of panic.
Early-stage and fully-cultivated Yuan Ying, both the same rank, but Li Dàzhǔ could snap Zhang’s parents’ necks effortlessly with one hand.
Regret, anger, and frustration flooded Zhang’s thoughts.
She lowered her head silently, gritting her teeth, “I… I’m leaving…”
