My Brother's the Protagonist? Good Thing I Awakened My System!

After the greetings were concluded, the Icy Veil Sect was ready to part ways.

Bing Xue, after a brief exchange with Feng Chen, turned to her disciples.

"Feng Mei, Feng Xiaoyu," she said, her icy gaze softening slightly, "you may accompany your clan for the time being. Ensure you are back before the next round begins."

"Yes, Master!"

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Feng Mei and Feng Xiaoyu replied in unison, bowing respectfully.

The other disciples of the Icy Veil Sect, though they noticed the special treatment the two were receiving, said nothing.

After all, despite being their juniors, Feng Mei and Feng Xiaoyu's talent and strength had surpassed theirs.

They followed Bing Xue without complaint, maintaining their usual discipline.

"Shall we head back to our mansion?"

Feng Chen asked as their objective of getting Feng Mei and Feng Xiaoyu was done.

He wasn't particularly interested in watching the other sects and wasn't planning to linger.

The other Feng Clan members shared the same sentiment. Their priority had been meeting up with Feng Mei and Feng Xiaoyu, and now they were ready to leave.

However, just as they were about to agree, a loud voice interrupted them.

"The Mystic Flame Sect! The Mystic Flame Sect is coming!"

A person shouted enthusiastically.

The crowd's attention immediately shifted from the Icy Veil Sect and the Feng Clan to the direction from which the Mystic Flame Sect was arriving.

Of course, this also caught the attention of the Feng Clan, especially Feng Yun.

The cheerful atmosphere within the Feng Clan shifted instantly.

Feng Yun's expression hardened, his previously calm demeanor giving way to a storm brewing behind his eyes.

However, he quickly reeled in his emotions.

He was no longer the impulsive youth he once was. With greater control over his feelings, he understood that channeling his energy into victory in the competition would be far more satisfying than reacting in anger.

"Let's leave," Feng Yun said firmly.

He wasn't interested in seeing Ling Meiyu. He would much rather meet her in the arena.

Since Feng Yun had spoken, there was no need for the other Feng Clan members to object.

Anyways, they were already ready to leave, their plans were only briefly stalled by the arrival of the Mystic Flame Sect.

"Oh, It is really Mystic Flame Sect! They have finally arrived!"

"Where is the Sect Leader? I heard she is one of the most beautiful women on par with Ice Fairy!"

"They are led by their Grand Elder Chi! Looks like their sect leader wouldn't be coming this year."

"What? What a waste! I thought that after Ice Fairy, I could also see the Flame Empress."

"That is Ling Meiyu, the favorite to win this year's Dragon and Phoenix Competition. I wondered what realm she currently is in."

….

The crowd couldn't help but discuss the Mystic Flame Sect among themselves.

Many were disappointed when they noticed that the Mystic Flame Sect Leader was missing.

After all, this could have been a rare chance to lay their eyes on the most powerful cultivator as well as the most beautiful of Azure Sky Empire.

At the same time, the Mystic Flame Sect participants, led by Elder Chi, walked confidently amidst the thousands of onlookers.

To them, such attention and admiration were nothing new—it was something they had come to expect.

Ling Meiyu followed closely behind Elder Chi, her expression as emotionless as ever.
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Unlike the other disciples who looked proud, she didn't think much despite all the attention they were receiving.

Just then, her gaze caught someone familiar.

Though she wasn't entirely certain, as it was only a glimpse of his back, something about him felt strikingly familiar.

But before she could get a better look, the figure disappeared into the crowd.

( Who was that? )

Ling Meiyu wondered, a rare flicker of confusion crossing her mind.

There were many individuals worth keeping it in her mind and yet with just a glimpse of his back, she found him familiar.

She knew that meant that the individual wasn't just some casual acquaintance.

Of course, without seeing the face, it was impossible for her to know who that person was.

"Meiyu, is something wrong?"

Yuan Ziyan asked, puzzled.

As someone close to Ling Meiyu, she knew that Ling Meiyu wouldn't be easily distracted by a crowd.

"... It's nothing," Ling Meiyu replied.

Yuan Ziyan wasn't entirely convinced by the answer but decided not to press further.

"Meiyu, are you planning to go back to your house today?"

Yuan Ziyan asked again.

The Ling Clan was situated in the capital, so it wouldn't be difficult for Ling Meiyu to visit her family before returning to the sect for the competition.

"... No," Ling Meiyu answered solemnly.

Rather than going home now, she thought she would visit after winning the competition.

She had also heard some news: Feng Yun had advanced to the next round and was now at the Mid-Level Grand Qi Condensation Realm.

Although his cultivation realm wasn't low and he could be considered a top genius, in Ling Meiyu's eyes, it was no different from anyone else.

( Hmph! If this is his real strength, then I can only say I'm quite disappointed. )

Ling Meiyu thought to herself.

In front of her Three Elements Divine Realm, Grand Qi Condensation cultivators posed no challenge.

Perhaps someone at the Peak Grand Qi Condensation Realm could give her a minor challenge, but even then, victory would be hers with ease.

A mere Mid-Level Grand Qi Condensation Realm cultivator was hardly worth her attention.

As she walked along the road, another commotion erupted.

"Spirit Wind Palace! Spirit Wind Palace has arrived!"

As if preplanned, following the Icy Veil Sect and Mystic Flame Sect, the last of the Top Three Sects had made its entrance.

Although most of the crowd's attention was still on the Mystic Flame Sect, a portion shifted to the Spirit Wind Palace.

While Ling Meiyu and the Mystic Flame Sect might be the favorites to win, the Spirit Wind Palace also had strong contenders for the top spot in the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking.

"Huh? Spirit Wind Palace's Master is also missing. Did something happen today?"

"Perhaps they discovered some ancient ruin. Maybe the two Sect Leaders have gone to explore it together."

"Not likely! I heard the two Sect Leaders aren't on good terms."

….

Speculation rippled through the crowd due to the missing sect leaders.

In the past, the Sect Leaders would always personally attend the competition.

Not only was it a prestigious event showcasing the strength and reputation of the sects, but it also provided an excellent opportunity to scout and recruit promising talents.

The elders and participants of the Spirit Wind Palace carried themselves with pride, showing no signs of intimidation even in the presence of the Mystic Flame Sect.

While the outside world might only speculate about the rumored tension between the two Sect Leaders, the disciples within each sect were well aware of the strained relationship.

Both leaders had explicitly warned their disciples to remain cautious around the other sect.

The Flame Empress, in particular, had given strict instructions to her disciples to keep their distance from the Spirit Wind Palace at all costs.

"Well, well… Who do we have here?"

A voice rang out as a figure from the Spirit Wind Palace approached the Mystic Flame Sect.

This was Gao Mingrui, the strongest participant from the Spirit Wind Palace and a top contender for the number one spot on the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking.

Renowned for his Windstorm Blade Technique and unparalleled speed, he was a prodigy admired and feared by many.

His clan was also among the strongest in the capital, with a Nascent Soul Realm expert at its helm.

However, despite his talent and background, Gao Mingrui often found himself overshadowed by Ling Meiyu, whose abilities and lineage surpassed his.

Walking with confidence, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, Gao Mingrui ignored the murmurs of the crowd and made his way toward the Mystic Flame Sect.

"If it isn't the famed Mystic Flame Sect. I was wondering when I'd see you. I suppose even the mighty Ling Meiyu couldn't resist showing up to bask in the glory of this competition."

Ling Meiyu, walking a few steps behind Elder Chi, didn't even spare him a glance.

Her expression remained as emotionless as ever, as though Gao Mingrui's words were no more than the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Seeing her lack of response, Gao Mingrui's smirk deepened.

"What's this? The Flame Empress's prized disciple has nothing to say. Or perhaps she's already realized that this competition will not end in her favor?"

Yuan Ziyan, standing beside Ling Meiyu, couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing with indignation.

"Watch your tongue, Gao Mingrui! Do you think your petty provocations will faze Junior Sister Meiyu? She has no need to waste her time on someone like you."

Several other Mystic Flame Sect disciples stepped up beside Yuan Ziyan, their gazes sharp and unyielding.

Even if Gao Mingrui was a formidable opponent, they had no intention of backing down.