Su Jingyao spoke of the Guardian in relation to the Nine Peaks Grand Competition.

Every three years, the Upper Scenic Celestial Nine Peaks and Nine Veins hold a sect competition, where the winners receive generous rewards.

For hundreds of years, countless prodigies have emerged from the Nine Peaks Grand Competition. Even if they don’t take first place, those who secure a spot in the top ten become the focus of the sect’s cultivation.

More importantly, the Nine Peaks Grand Competition is tied to the honor of each vein, so disciples of the Nine Veins strive with all their might.

However, the sect competition of the Upper Scenic Celestial is not decided by a duel of Daoist Skills on a stage.

Each session follows different rules.

But the Nine Peaks Grand Competition is generally carried out within the secret realm of the Upper Scenic Celestial!

Regarding the secret realm of the Upper Scenic Celestial, due to its involvement with sect secrets, Su Jingyao merely mentioned it briefly and did not explain it to Zhang Yuan in detail.

In many previous sessions of the Nine Peaks Grand Competition, participating disciples need to recruit a Martial Artist to act as a Guardian.

A Guardian can serve as a protector or a combat partner.

Their importance is undeniable!

According to the regulations of the Upper Scenic Celestial, a Guardian can only be a Martial Artist below Tier Six.

Martial Artists of Tier Six and above cannot participate.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan clearly understood, but he still had doubts: "Senior Sister Su, why did you choose me for such an important task?"

The saying goes that one should fear not a god-like opponent but a pig-like teammate.

The responsibility of a Guardian is significant, so choosing the most trustworthy partner is vital; otherwise, one might get utterly defeated.

Though Zhang Yuan didn’t underestimate himself, his relationship with Su Jingyao was decent, yet not of such high trust.

Furthermore, Zhang Yuan was an outsider Martial Artist; compared to the native sect Martial Artists of the Upper Scenic Celestial, he was evidently not the optimal choice.

Considering Su Jingyao’s high status in Mingxiu Peak, she should have no difficulty finding a native sect Martial Artist as a Guardian.

"It’s all because of that wretch Yuan Zishan!"

Su Jingyao replied angrily, "I invited two junior brothers one after another, and she messed up both times!"

Su Jingyao had a major rival within the Upper Scenic Celestial—a fellow disciple from Cyan Mist Peak named Yuan Zishan.

Similar in age and status, both grew up in the Upper Scenic Celestial, confronting each other for over a decade from a young age.

According to Su Jingyao, Yuan Zishan excelled in the Fox Charm Technique, most adept at attracting men.

In this aspect, she thoroughly outshines Su Jingyao.

When the Nine Peaks Grand Competition approaches, sect Martial Artists of Tier Five become extremely desirable.

The two junior brothers whom Su Jingyao favored were snatched away by Yuan Zishan’s charm.

When she sought a new Guardian, only undesirable choices remained.

In helplessness, she turned to Zhang Yuan. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Though Zhang Yuan was an outsider Martial Artist, he possessed Tier Five cultivation and carried luck, and had previously cooperated successfully, thus becoming Su Jingyao’s final choice!

"Junior Brother Zhang."

Su Jingyao gritted her teeth and said, "If you help me reach the top ten, I’ll share one thousand Daoist Merits with you!"

She added, "Even if we don’t secure a top-ten position, you’ll still receive three hundred Daoist Merits."

Daoist Merit is the basic reward for the winners of the Nine Peaks Grand Competition, along with more substantial prizes like Daoist Technique Formulas, Spirit Elixirs and Marvelous Medicines, Profound Spiritual Weapons, and heavenly treasures.

The higher the rank, the more astounding the rewards.

Offering a thousand Daoist Merits to Zhang Yuan was truly generous from Su Jingyao’s side.

Daoist Merits in the Upper Scenic Celestial are not cheaply available, and many Martial Pavilion Martial Artists risk their lives venturing deep into Mo Yuan for dozens or hundreds of Daoist Merits!

Zhang Yuan naturally understood the value of Daoist Merits, and upon hearing Su Jingyao’s offer, he thoughtfully rubbed his chin and asked, "What if you make it to the top three?"

"Top three?"

Su Jingyao’s eyes widened as she blurted out, "Impossible!"

She looked at Zhang Yuan with a hint of affectionate disdain.

Zhang Yuan laughed and asked, "Really impossible?"

If one has no dreams, what’s the difference from a salted fish?

Although Zhang Yuan didn’t articulate this motivational line, its sentiment was similar.

Su Jingyao smiled bitterly, "Do you think I don’t want that?"

It’s not that she doesn’t want it.

It’s just impossible!

The Upper Scenic Celestial Nine Peaks and Nine Veins have thousands of disciples eligible for the sect competition.

Though Su Jingyao is outstanding among them, she’s still a notch below the true prodigies.

She was conscious of this fact.

In reality, Su Jingyao’s target is the top thirty, with reaching the top ten being akin to winning the lottery.

"Zhao Xinhai of Bright Light Peak, Nie Xiaomin of Yunlan Peak, Huo Chen of Celestial Sword Peak..."

She listed seven or eight sect prodigies’ names then said, "These senior brothers and sisters are beyond my reach; I just want to surpass Yuan Zishan, that wretch, to be satisfied!"

Zhang Yuan sensed that the feud between Su Jingyao and Yuan Zishan was indeed deep.

He paused for a moment, nodded, and said, "Alright, I agree to be your Guardian."

Aside from the guaranteed three hundred Daoist Merits, Zhang Yuan wished to support Su Jingyao.

She was his sole connection within the Upper Scenic Celestial, deserving his time and effort to maintain and strengthen.

Zhang Yuan harbored a goal in his heart.

That was to step into Tier Six or even break through to Tier Seven within the next few years.

Although it’s challenging, extremely challenging, one wouldn’t know without striving.

Upper Scenic Celestial is undoubtedly the best place for cultivation.

"Great!"

Su Jingyao exclaimed happily, "Then, it’s settled; you mustn’t renege."

Zhang Yuan grinned wryly, "Should we sign a Dao Contract?"

Su Jingyao, slightly embarrassed, replied, "No need for that; we’ll sign it then."

This is because this year’s Nine Peaks Grand Competition’s specific procedures haven’t been announced, perhaps Guardians aren’t needed. Signing now would be pointless; a verbal commitment suffices.

Moreover, when the procedures are revealed, the sect will provide customized Dao Contracts for participating disciples and Guardians.

After reaching an agreement, Su Jingyao particularly emphasized near the end: "Junior Brother Zhang, watch out for Yuan Zishan; if she comes to you, don’t be deceived!"

Zhang Yuan nodded, "Rest assured, I have that level of discernment."

Seeing Zhang Yuan unconcerned, Su Jingyao hesitated but seemed lacking in confidence.

Yet she said nothing further.

Zhang Yuan watched her depart, inwardly amused.

Su Jingyao was still too young, too naïve.

She was entirely unaware that her repeated emphasis and strong apprehension regarding Yuan Zishan.

Instead, it easily stirs a man’s curiosity.

For example, Zhang Yuan now wonders what kind of person Yuan Zishan truly is to provoke such hatred and animosity from the Mingxiu Peak’s Little Junior Sister?

Of course, Zhang Yuan was merely musing; he soon discarded the thought and had no intention of getting embroiled in their rivalry.

He returned home to continue cultivating the Divine Concealment Technique.

Five days passed in a flash.