A shocked gasp escaped the agape mouths of the silenced male and female disciples as their eyes widened in disbelief.

 

Even the Official Disciple, Song Jia's opponent, was rendered motionless, his brows shooting up as the legendary Young Lady Mu strode into view, an unannounced and unexpected appearance that seized everyone's attention.

 

"Greetings, Young Lady!" Countless voices stammered in unison, hands forming reverent bows directed at Mu Lan Rou. Her icy crimson eyes, piercing and unblinking, remained laser-focused on Song Jia, lips pressed into a thin line of determination.

 

The other Official Disciple, acting as examiner outside the small arena's boundaries, politely raised a hand.

 

Though his voice remained level, perspiration beaded on his forehead as he addressed the ominous situation. "Please pardon me, Young Lady, but you cannot suddenly challenge an Outer Disciple during our test assessment."

 

Mu Lan Rou's hostile gaze and rigid stance sent waves of unease washing over not just the disciple but every onlooker. Even a fool could recognize the barely restrained hatred and threatening intent radiating from her taut body like heat from a raging fire.

 

"Her test has already ended, right?" Mu Lan Rou's cutting words sliced through the tense air, her crimson eyes never straying from Song Jia as she raised an accusing finger.

 

"Y-yes, you are technically right, Young Lady, but-" The poor disciple stuttered, sweat now freely rolling down his face as he was engulfed by Mu Lan Rou's suffocating sword aura - the first true manifestation of the legendary realm he had desperately pursued.

 

Mu Lan Rou curtly cut him off, her piercing stare shifting to bore into the offending disciple. "Even for me?"

 

The audience collectively gulped, able to taste the threatening tension in the air. No one here could match Mu Lan Rou, an esteemed Inner Disciple whose tutelage under the Patriarch himself granted her authority rivaling the sect's Elders.

 

"Y-yes... But even if it's allowed... unless Junior Si-"

 

"I agree." Song Jia's silky voice rang out, her tousled warm maple hair fluttering around her heart-shaped face as if imbued with her spirited determination.

 

Polished acorn eyes danced with excited interest as full lips curved into a smirk. "If not now, when can I experience sparring with one of the famous Sword Fairies of the Jianghu?"

 

Stunned murmurs rippled through the audience at the unbelievable boldness of the young disciple's words.

 

"It's done... Junior Sister Song's bravery reaches higher than the heavens!" a male disciple muttered in awe.

 

"Sister Song, please cool your head first!" A panicked female voice rang out, laced with palpable worry for their daring friend, all too aware of Mu Lan Rou's scathing reputation for verbally eviscerating even Ji Wuye, whom many were familiar with.

 

The strained silence was broken by the sudden arrival of Elder Qiao, clad in custom-tailored flowing azure robes with dark yellow stripes, billowing as she descended to the arena floor between the two combatants.

 

Her lips sipped the pipe smoke, blowing it into the surrounding air as her eyes carefully assessed the fraught situation. "Interesting. You surely are aware you're causing trouble, right?"

 

Mu Lan Rou's lithe form stiffened minutely, raven hair swirling around her as her cold mask faltered, indifferent countenance giving way to a deferential bow, palms pressed together. "Elder Qiao."

 

"Greetings, Elder." Song Jia and the surrounding disciples echoed, hands cupping together in a show of respect.

 

Elder Qiao offered a casual wave of acknowledgment, though Li Rong, standing at her side, graced Mu Lan Rou with a warm, blooming smile. "Greetings, Sister Mu."

 

The sharp chill in the air seemed to dissipate as the two young women's icy demeanors melted away in the elder's presence. Though their ethereal beauty shone brilliantly, Elder Qiao's refined elegance eclipsed even these blossoming flowers.

 

Unlike the Official Disciples, those elevated to Inner Disciple status fell under the personal tutelage of an Elder, each one a prodigious genius handpicked for their talents. Yet among that shining array, Mu Lan Rou's light burned most dazzlingly.

 

The positive ambiance between the Inner Disciples stood in stark contrast to the undercurrents of rivalry in the outer ranks. Familiarity bred comradeship rather than conflict as each pursued divergent teachings without treading on one another's paths.

 

Even so, Mu Lan Rou maintained a studiously polite front, her indifferent crimson gaze and taut lips betraying no warmth in response to Li Rong's friendly overture.

 

The slight crease in Li Rong's brow hinted at her inward sigh as she closed the distance between them, hazel eyes unconsciously scrutinizing her friend for any sign of injury.

 

"How's your wound, Sister Mu? I heard you had an incident during training." Tender concern lined her words as caring hands hovered near Mu Lan Rou's body.

 

"I'm fine, Sister Rong. Please maintain your image." Though her tone remained clipped, Mu Lan Rou made no move to rebuff the maternal fussing until Li Rong's anxious inspection concluded with a relieved exhalation.

 

The scene called to mind an elder sister fretting over a willfully stoic younger sibling refusing to acknowledge the depth of familial devotion.

 

A slight furrow creased Elder Qiao's brow as she observed her disciples' interactions, understanding blossoming. As the sect's elite, the Inner Disciples encountered one another infrequently outside of joint training sessions or missions at their respective masters' behest.

 

"Enough, both of you." Elder Qiao's words sliced through the intimate moment, Li Rong's smile fading as she stepped back. "Rather than sparring..."

 

The elder's evaluating gaze swept over the gathered crowd before her lips curved into an enigmatic smirk. "I know how to resolve this conflict. Shall we call the mediator then?"