I Just Want to be a Throwaway Character - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: World Two (VIP Content Begins)

A Peaceful Afternoon

The Immortal Sect Convention, a grand event held once every four years, was a spectacle where disciples from all the major sects competed to earn rankings for their schools. This year’s convention was set at the Frozen Feather Sect.

Normally, as the head disciple, Ji Wan would have been too busy to even breathe. However, at this very moment, she was relaxing in a wicker chair in the fruit orchard behind the Frozen Feather Sect’s main hall. She was enjoying the fruits, and the little fox was sleeping soundly on her lap. A cool breeze swept through, dispelling most of the summer heat. It was a picture of serene tranquility.

The reason for Ji Wan’s leisurely life? Two years ago, she had handed all her responsibilities to Lin Morou, under the pretense of “training her abilities.” She had then adopted a life similar to her master’s: that of a living mascot. Her days were spent either socializing with other sects, exchanging pointers, or simply vanquishing minor demons in the mortal world. Overall, it was a very relaxed existence.

At twenty, Ji Wan had fully blossomed. She had shed her baby fat, revealing a stunningly beautiful and captivating face. She effortlessly captured attention. Lounging in the wicker chair, her delicate frame was perfectly shaped. She comfortably ate a sweet, juicy grape, occasionally licking the juice from the corners of her lips. Due to the heat, her clothes were loose, exposing her elegant collarbones and fair, slender arms. It was a different kind of beauty—one that was both mature and alluring. If she weren’t so concerned about her “cool and detached” image, she would have bared her fair legs as well. Little did she know her current appearance was enough to make anyone lose their composure.

Lin Morou stood some distance away, and her breath hitched as she looked at Ji Wan. Her face flushed. How could this woman be so… shameless? So… indecent. Lin Morou couldn’t think of any other words to describe Ji Wan. She took a deep breath, composed her expression, and walked toward her. She tried to maintain a calm facade, carefully avoiding looking at the enchanting fair skin. Deep in Lin Morou’s eyes, however, was a hint of resentment. I’m working myself to death, but the one in charge is just living the good life here.

…

Growing Pains

Ji Wan was about to pop another grape into her mouth, but her hand found nothing. Her eyes opened in confusion, watery and wide, her long eyelashes fluttering. She looked blankly at the fruit plate and saw Lin Morou’s beautiful, increasingly frosty face.

Lin Morou was now a head taller than Ji Wan, tall and slender with a face like a painting. Her every movement showed grace and refinement. Ji Wan had to admit, she was a little awestruck by her beauty. Lin Morou’s long, slender hand was holding the fruit plate, and her deep eyes looked at Ji Wan with a complex, almost disgusted expression.

“What is it?” Ji Wan asked in a sweet, petulant voice. But under Lin Morou’s cold gaze, her fire was completely extinguished, never to flare up again. She couldn’t help it. The older Lin Morou got, the more intimidating she became. Her height alone made Ji Wan have to look up to her. There was no “senior sister” dignity left, though there wasn’t much to begin with.

Lin Morou hadn’t seen Ji Wan in nearly two months. She had naively thought Ji Wan was in secluded cultivation. But when Ye Zisu mentioned that she was in the back garden eating fruit with Ji Wan, Lin Morou’s face immediately fell. She didn’t want to be angry, but her anger had only one cause: Ji Wan.

“Ji Wan, do you have any sense of responsibility as a head disciple?” Lin Morou asked, holding back her anger. She didn’t want Ji Wan to know how much she had missed her for two months.

“I’m sorry, Little Momo. Don’t be mad,” Ji Wan immediately apologized, her tone sincere and her voice soft and sweet. Her expression was serious, too, but it would have been more convincing if her eyes weren’t constantly darting to the fruit plate in Lin Morou’s hand.

There it is again. That attitude toward a child. Lin Morou secretly hated that Ji Wan only saw her as a kid. She wanted Ji Wan to acknowledge her, to recognize that she was strong enough. Over the past two years, it felt like Ji Wan was distancing herself. Ji Wan no longer asked for her help with anything personal. She no longer randomly patted her head or walked with her. Even though her tone was still affectionate, Lin Morou knew things were different.

With their increased cultivation, Ji Wan was often busy with missions, and Lin Morou had thrown herself into cultivation. But even though her cultivation had caught up to Ji Wan’s, Ji Wan still treated her like a child—casually, lazily, and with an invisible distance. Even though this was normal in the cultivation world, Lin Morou felt an inexplicable pain. She couldn’t define her feelings for Ji Wan right now. All she knew was that she had to become stronger to fully capture Ji Wan’s attention.

Despite the thousands of words she wanted to say, Lin Morou simply said, “The Immortal Sect Convention starts tomorrow. As the head disciple of our sect, you must attend.”

“Oh, okay, I know,” Ji Wan said indifferently, waving her hand as she reclined in the chair. Her two-month hiatus was due to a mission that had been too tiring, and she had just wanted to relax. Now that Lin Morou had found her, Ji Wan decided to just give up. She lay there in a “fine, I quit” posture and even gave Lin Morou a cute, provocative smile. Lin Morou’s eyes were momentarily dazzled by Ji Wan’s smile. She felt her heart flutter. She quickly looked away and walked away.

Ji Wan watched Lin Morou leave, her gaze thoughtful. “Little 1, is my mission now just to make Lin Morou the leader of the demon-slaying army?” she asked. She grabbed another grape, chewed it thoughtfully, and waited for the answer.

“Yes, my great host. According to the current progress, you just need to make her the leader. You’ve had her take over your duties to build her prestige, but it’s far from enough,” System 111 replied.

“Ugh, that’s so troublesome, Little 1. Do I really have to let her discover my demon identity and kill me to complete the mission?” Ji Wan said glumly.

“Uh, great host, our mission includes survival. Don’t be so pessimistic. Look on the bright side. You’re the best,” System 111 said encouragingly.

“I don’t think this Immortal Sect Convention will be that simple,” Ji Wan said, looking at a distant flowerbed. A sudden gust of wind scattered the delicate petals. Her voice was serious and filled with concern.

“According to the plot, a demon uprising will occur at this convention, laying the groundwork for the female lead to gather her army to attack the demon realm later on,” System 111 reminded Ji Wan of the plot.

“Mm. And I feel the blood inside me is starting to get restless recently,” Ji Wan said, stroking the little fox’s soft fur. Her expression was serious.

“Great host, don’t lose heart! Think of the ten million!” System 111’s voice suddenly had a rock-and-roll background.

“Ah! Damn it, 111! Give me back my refined, mysterious, and scheming persona!” Ji Wan was instantly sent back to her real self. She huffed and ate another bunch of grapes.

Ji Wan’s movements woke the little fox. It stretched lazily, unbothered by her antics, and jumped off her lap. After all, Ji Wan had her weird days, and the fox was used to it. The little fox nimbly climbed up a nearby tree trunk and went back to sleep.

…

The Convention Begins

Soon, the day arrived. Ji Wan was forced into the formal uniform of the Frozen Feather Sect. She wore a special white robe, her long hair simply tied back with a ribbon. A warm, jade token symbolizing her status as the sect master’s disciple was attached to her waist, a green belt cinched her slender waist, and she wore a pair of plain white boots.

Ji Wan led the disciples in an orderly fashion toward the high platform where Du Gu’nuo was seated, her expression calm and profound. Every movement and expression was perfectly controlled. She was elegant and serene, the perfect example of a head disciple. After she and the others finished the opening ceremony, which was like a high school track meet, she had to sit next to her master with a plastered smile. All the powerful sect masters were there.

Heaven knew how much effort it took to maintain this image. She still remembered the strict face of the master who taught her etiquette. Ji Wan just wanted to lie down.

Soon, the disciple matches began. Ji Wan sat obediently. Her master, however, looked completely relaxed. Du Gu’nuo propped his chin on his hand, lazily watching the matches below. He yawned in boredom.

Suddenly, Du Gu’nuo felt a gaze on him. He shivered and looked in that direction, but there was nothing there. He looked around in confusion. What he didn’t know was that from a distance, Ye Ning, the Sect Master of the Divine Martial Sect, was watching him intently, his eyes deep and profound. Du Gu’nuo noticed Ye Ning’s stare, but he didn’t think much of it. Ye Ning usually acted like everyone else was worthless and wouldn’t even bother to look at him. It’s a shame my two other good sisters are on the other side. Otherwise, we could have some fun, he thought. “Maybe we can play cards again tonight?” Du Gu’nuo wasn’t acting like a peerless sect master but more like a petty gambler. It was likely he had corrupted the other two sect masters.

Ji Wan secretly watched Du Gu’nuo’s interactions with the other sect masters, hoping to find some drama. But there was nothing. No signs of a special relationship. I guess Master will just be the protagonist of “The Arrogant Sect Master Falls for Me,” she thought. I guess I can’t expect him to find a partner. Little did Ji Wan know, she completely missed the intense, possessive look in Ye Ning’s eyes.

Ji Wan watched the low-level matches with boredom. Finally, it was the turn of the Golden Core cultivators. A male disciple in a blue robe caused a stir as he stepped onto the stage. He was Hu Yanxuan, the personal disciple of the Fifth Elder of the Spirit Dream Sect. He had a refined face, sharp eyes, a straight nose, bronze skin, and a lean build. His every move revealed his powerful Golden Core cultivation. He was a dashing and charming figure. The fangirls below screamed. Ji Wan glanced at him and indifferently took a sip of her tea. Mmm, this tea is good. With this much spiritual energy, Ji Wan felt half of her cultivation came from just drinking tea.

The man bowed to the sect masters and elders on the platform. Ji Wan had a feeling he was looking at her, but she dismissed it as a narcissistic thought. His opponent was a good-natured-looking disciple from the Divine Martial Sect. After they bowed, they began fighting without any pleasantries. Hu Yanxuan immediately unleashed his power, easily overpowering his opponent. He won in less than thirty seconds. The crowd erupted in applause.

But he didn’t leave after winning. He turned back to the platform where the sect masters and elders were seated. “This disciple has long harbored feelings for Junior Sister Ji Wan and wishes to express my heart here today.” His voice was not loud, but it was clear and powerful.

Ji Wan almost spat out her tea. The sect masters, elders, and her own master all looked at her with a gossipy gleam in their eyes. The whole place went silent. All ten thousand disciples’ gazes were fixed on Ji Wan.