Chapter 48: Third Place!

Consciousness floated in a warm darkness, as if immersed in a soothing spiritual spring that washed away all exhaustion and pain.

Bai Yue’ning felt as though she had endured a long and arduous dream.

In that dream, there was endless combat, biting cold, scorching flames, and, in the end, that final sword strike that had consumed all of her strength.

When she struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, what greeted her was the familiar wooden ceiling of her room.

Her body was still leaden, her meridians aching and hollow from overexertion, but the suffocating agony and chilling darkness had vanished, replaced by a gentle warmth—the mark of careful healing.

Turning her head slightly, she saw Liu Lingyun dozing at the edge of the table, her eyes rimmed red, clearly having kept vigil for a long time.

Zhou Qingwan stood at the window, gazing out with her usual calm composure, though there was a faint relaxation in her brows.

Upon the table, Ye Ming lay quietly, still dull and lusterless, appearing no different from an ordinary piece of iron.

“Hey… awake?” A feeble voice sounded in her mind—it was Ye Ming.

“Almost thought… you’d sleep until next year…”

Ye Ming’s mental voice was weak and insubstantial, clearly drained to the limit, struggling even to remain conscious, yet his tone of gruff concern had not changed.

“How… long did I sleep?” Bai Yue’ning’s voice was a little hoarse.

Her stirring startled both Liu Lingyun and Zhou Qingwan.

“Yue’ning, you’re awake!” Liu Lingyun exclaimed in delight, immediately pouring a cup of warm water and passing it to her.

“You’ve been unconscious for three days and nights—we were so worried!”

Zhou Qingwan also turned, walking to the bedside and examining her closely. “How are you feeling?”

“The elders from the Pill Hall have checked on you. They said your spiritual power was exhausted, your mind overtaxed, and you’d been ambushed…”

“Fortunately, your foundation remains intact. You’ve taken restorative pills, but you’ll need to rest and recover for a while.”

With Liu Lingyun’s help, Bai Yue’ning managed to sit up slightly and took a sip of water. The warm liquid soothed her parched throat, and she felt much better.

She checked her own condition and found it just as Zhou Qingwan had said—weak, but otherwise unharmed.

Three days and three nights… What of the tournament’s results…?

She looked to Zhou Qingwan, seeking an answer with her eyes.

Understanding her meaning, Zhou Qingwan replied calmly, “The finals have concluded.”

“After defeating you, Yao Feng was also greatly depleted. In the final match, he lost to Senior Brother Jiang Yu, who is at the peak of the tenth stage of Qi Refinement, and took second place.”

This outcome was not unexpected.

But what Bai Yue’ning cared about most was—

“And… the inner sect qualifications…?” she asked, voicing the most crucial concern.

She had risked everything, nearly losing her life and soul, all for a place among the top three.

A faint smile touched Zhou Qingwan’s lips. “The sect master and the elders have finished their deliberations.”

“Considering your performance throughout the tournament, they believe that although you fell in the semi-final, you broke through under pressure and comprehended a trace of sword intent.”

“Your character, perception, and resilience are all rare among disciples. Thus, you are promoted to third place in this tournament and granted the status of an inner sect disciple.”

Third place!

Though she had anticipated it, hearing this official confirmation still made Bai Yue’ning’s heart leap.

A surge of indescribable emotion swept through her, dissolving all fatigue and frailty.

She had succeeded—she had truly done it!

Inner sect… Those words marked a new beginning, with richer resources, a broader world, and—

The possibility of further refining Ye Ming’s sword body and pursuing the Grand Dao.

“Third? Hm… Not too bad, I suppose…” Ye Ming’s feeble voice rose again, trying to maintain his pride.

“If it hadn’t been for those underhanded tricks… Maybe we could’ve gotten second, or even first, just for fun…”

“But, never mind. We’ve achieved our goal… I’m exhausted. Now that you’re awake, I’ll get some rest…”

Ye Ming’s voice gradually faded into silence.

Yet Bai Yue’ning could sense a trace of peace within that hush.

Liu Lingyun seized her hand excitedly. “This is wonderful, Yue’ning! You really made it into the inner sect!”

“It’s a pity Qingwan and I didn’t measure up, but we’ll still see each other often, right? Don’t forget us!”

Bai Yue’ning nodded.

Though the outer and inner sects belonged to the same school, the barrier between them was formidable—ordinary disciples rarely crossed it.

Zhou Qingwan nodded as well. “Congratulations. You’ve earned this.”

She paused, her tone growing serious. “But joining the inner sect does not mean you can relax.”

“The competition within is far fiercer than in the outer sect. And after yesterday, even more eyes are upon you.”

“As for Zhu Yu… you must be especially cautious.”

Even in her joy, Zhou Qingwan’s advice quickly sobered Bai Yue’ning.

Indeed, the inner sect was not an endpoint but a new beginning, with greater opportunities and even harsher challenges.

Zhu Yu’s covetousness would not disappear because she had joined the inner sect; it might become even more direct.

“I understand. Thank you for the warning, Senior Sister,” Bai Yue’ning responded solemnly.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside, and a steward disciple called respectfully from beyond the door, “Sister Bai, are you awake?”

“The sect master and elders have summoned the top three from the tournament to the Azure Cloud Hall to receive your identity tokens and rewards.”

Bai Yue’ning took a deep breath, suppressing the lingering weakness within her, and rose with Liu Lingyun’s support.

She changed into a fresh Daoist robe. Though her face was still pale, her back was straight.

She walked to the table and carefully picked up the dim longsword, wrapping it once more in gray cloth before slinging it over her back.

No matter what lay ahead, she and Ye Ming would face it together.

She pushed open the wooden door—the sunlight was just right.

Under the complex gazes of countless outer sect disciples, Bai Yue’ning walked step by step toward the Azure Cloud Hall, the very heart of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Inside, the hall was solemn and majestic. The sect master, Master Xuan Cheng, sat in the chief seat, with the inner sect elders arrayed on either side—among them, Li Qifeng.

Yao Feng and another calm, steady-looking young man were already present.

Bai Yue’ning stepped forward and stood beside Yao Feng and Jiang Yu.

Yao Feng glanced at her, his gaze complicated, then snorted and turned away.

Master Xuan Cheng’s gaze swept over the three of them, pausing for a moment on Bai Yue’ning, and then he spoke slowly:

“You three have passed the assessment and performed exceptionally. From this day forth, you are disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect’s inner sect.”

“May you train diligently, never forget your original intent, and strive to attain the Great Dao.”

A steward brought forth a jade tray bearing three shimmering identity tokens engraved with cloud patterns.

There were also rewards—pills, spirit stones, and a lower-grade spiritual robe.

Bai Yue’ning accepted the smooth, cool inner sect identity token, her fingers tightening around it.

This small token seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

“Bai Yue’ning,” Master Xuan Cheng called her by name.

“Disciple here,” Bai Yue’ning replied with bowed head.

“You have shown talent on the path of the sword and have comprehended a hint of true intent—no small feat.”

“After entering the inner sect, guard against arrogance and impatience, solidify your foundation, and do not squander your gifts.”

“I will heed your teachings, Sect Master, and cultivate diligently, living up to the sect’s expectations,” Bai Yue’ning replied respectfully.

Master Xuan Cheng nodded slightly and said no more.

The ceremony was brief but solemn.

When Bai Yue’ning stepped out of the Azure Cloud Hall holding her identity token and rewards, sunlight warmed her whole body.

She looked back at the grand hall, then turned her gaze to the vast mountain gate ahead.

Her days as an outer sect disciple had ended.

A new journey began beneath her feet.

Her hand pressed lightly against the sword at her back.

We did it, she said silently in her heart.

The longsword was silent, yet it seemed to echo with the faintest resonance.