Chapter 126 A disciple of an old acquaintance from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect successfully advances to the next level.

Shen Hao, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect of the Eastern Continent.

I thought that coming here quickly to draw lots would continue my luck from this morning and that I would draw a Golden Core stage opponent.

Who knew that he would be drawn as a Nascent Soul stage sword cultivator.

Song Yin sighed. "So be it, Nascent Soul stage or not. Just do it. If all else fails, think of some tricks."

Unlike alchemy, weapon crafting, or talisman crafting, sword cultivators don't need to refine pills, craft weapons, or draw talismans before engaging in combat. Instead, sword cultivators simply draw their swords and start fighting!

Song Yin glanced at the competition venue and saw Bai Qi fighting, specifically the scene where she knocked her opponent's sword away.

Bai Qi, though an inner disciple, had no formal teacher and learned most of the techniques treasured in the sect's library. She spent some time on Wujian Peak and some time on Lingpo Peak, but ultimately chose to cultivate alone in the inner sect, like Huang Chong, without joining any peak.

Both of them are formidable in their own ways.

Song Yin withdrew her gaze, thinking she might as well go to the weapon repair group's arena to see how Xia Xining was doing in the competition.

After everyone had flown over here, Song Yin realized that she seemed to have forgotten something.

She seems to have forgotten about Shi Heming and the Danxiu group in the audience.

Ah, this...

Song Yin felt a little guilty, but not much. She took out the communication stone and contacted Shi Heming, asking him to come and meet her at the weapon repair group.

When Shi Heming arrived, Song Yin had already taken off her mask and had been standing in a corner of a cloud for quite a while.

When Shi Heming came looking for him, he didn't question why he had abandoned him, nor did he get angry.

"How did Xia Xining's competition go? She must be so happy to see us waiting for her after she finished her competition."

Somehow, my initial lack of guilt turned into a lot.

"I also have a match this afternoon. It's a pity I can't watch you compete against the other swordsmen. I imagine it would be very exciting."

Shi Heming cannot see his own match, and he cannot see Shi Heming's match either.

He would definitely come to every single one of her morning matches, but she never got to see him.

Many people feel more guilty than before.

We should finish this quickly so we can watch his match.

This was just Song Yin's thought; since it wasn't certain whether it would work out, she didn't say it aloud beforehand.

When Xia Xining fought, the surrounding environment was mountainous. She could always be seen constantly releasing spells, or directly attacking without using any magical artifacts.

When the weapon crafting group engages in combat, they are also restricted to using only three magical artifacts. Including the magical artifacts they crafted at the beginning, they have a total of four.

To be honest, watching the artifact repair competition felt like watching an exhibition of various magical artifacts, with live evaluations to be seen.

"That guy from the Immortal Cloud Sect is too fierce. His fighting moves are swift and decisive, and the magic weapon he uses is also a high-level magic weapon. If I could have one of these precious magic weapons, I would be able to wake up laughing in my sleep."

"Who isn't like that? We can't afford a single high-level magical artifact, but others have a whole bunch of them. We're so envious."

Some people were puzzled: "If you save up your spirit stones, you can still buy a high-level magic weapon. How come you can't afford it?"

The person who spoke first raised his natal sword: "I've used all my spirit stones to maintain my natal sword."

"Sword cultivators, huh? No wonder." Everything makes sense now. "Which sect do you belong to, sword cultivators?"

"Sword cultivator from the Myriad Swords Sect, which sect do you belong to, fellow Daoist?"

"I am a rogue cultivator, a local cultivator from Tianyao Holy City."

Song Yin's ears twitched. "Does this fellow Daoist know Shen Hao?"

Several swordsmen from the Myriad Swords Sect looked over. "Senior Brother Shen Hao is a disciple personally taught by Elder Niu of our Myriad Swords Sect. He has the cultivation of the early Nascent Soul stage and his swordsmanship is the true teaching of Elder Niu."

Or was it a direct disciple of an elder?!

Ha! Ha! Shouldn't such a strong opponent appear late in the game? How could my luck be so bad!

When she faced off against Shen Hao, the elder's disciple, either he would be eliminated in the preliminary round, or she would be eliminated in the preliminary round.

Song Yin stood in front of everyone smiling, but she had actually been gone for a while.

"Haha...haha...amazing...amazing..."

The Wanjian Sect cultivator said, "Of course, our Senior Brother Shen will definitely make it into the top three. But I heard that Senior Brother Shen will be competing this afternoon, so I must go and watch."

Wait! Song Yin's smile vanished, and an ominous feeling inexplicably arose, because she thought of the four elders of the Myriad Swords Sect who had been tricked by her when she was on the mission to seize the Heavenly Spirit Fruit.

One of the elders even got himself into trouble, forcing a breakthrough only to have his inner demons erupt.

Song Yin: "Fellow Daoist, do you have a portrait of Elder Niu?"

The question is a bit presumptuous, but I'm afraid Elder Niu might be one of the four from back then.

Shi Heming also thought of this; if his personal disciple came to compete, his master would definitely come to watch.

Just like the Immortal Cloud Sect, which seems to have only two leading elders, other elders have also come to Tianyao Holy City one after another. The elders are all here to watch their disciples compete.

"A portrait of Elder Niu?" The Wanjian Sect cultivator scratched his head with the hilt of his sword. "I don't have a portrait of Elder Niu."

Song Yin: "It's okay."

“But when I used the recording stone to record things before, I recorded Elder Niu.”

The Wanjian Sect cultivator took out his recording stone, which contained records of Wanjian Sect disciples competing in swordsmanship within the sect. "Our sect disciples often compete in swordsmanship. I record the most impressive duels with this recording stone so that I can learn from them. Do you see that person in the gray robe? That is Elder Niu of my sect."

Song Yin and Shi Heming both leaned closer to take a look.

Song Yin: ...

Shi Heming: ...

Ha ha ha ha!

It turns out that he was the one who got screwed over the most!

The Wanjian Sect cultivator lamented, "Elder Niu's cultivation was originally at the late Nascent Soul stage, but unfortunately, he failed in a breakthrough attempt, and his cultivation regressed to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. In the first few years after his cultivation regressed, Elder Niu didn't go anywhere and stayed in the sect. The disciples didn't dare to ask him questions because he had a very bad temper at the time."

"We disciples can understand. If it were us who had regressed in cultivation, we would probably be even angrier than Elder Niu."

Song Yin forced a smile, "Elder Niu will definitely be able to return to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm and break through smoothly again."

The Wanjian Sect cultivator said, "Fellow Daoist, you speak so kindly. You must greatly admire Elder Niu. It just so happens that Elder Niu has also come to Tianyao Holy City. I'll take you to pay your respects to him."

"No need! No need!" Song Yin immediately refused. "We have other matters to attend to. Goodbye, fellow Daoist."

Ten Thousand Swords Sect cultivator: ?

Without waiting for Xia Xining, Song Yin slipped away to a secluded place.

"It's alright, Yinyin. He just came to watch his apprentice's match," Shi Heming comforted her.

Song Yin: "This afternoon, my opponent is his apprentice, Shen Hao."

Shi Heming: ...

Fate really plays tricks. Song Yin took out a mask and said, "I will weld this mask to my face for the sword cultivator group competition."

Shi Heming: "Why not use the exquisite mask?"

Song Yin: "If I wear the exquisite mask, it will take up the number of magical artifacts during the competition, so I can only use this ordinary mask."

The masks were bought in Tianyao Holy City. Song Yin said, "I'll buy a few more masks, just in case."

Song Yin flew down from the sky in a flash, returned to the ground, and then found the mask seller and bought a bunch of masks to put into her storage bag.

Shi Heming caught up with her: "Slow down, there's no rush. There's still some time before the afternoon competition starts."

Song Yin: "That's perfect."

What? Shi Heming watched her walk into a store and then come out carrying two books.

"What's this?"

Song Yin: "Two books of secrets about the participants of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, including records of Master Shen Hao."

Shi Heming: "Calm down, calm down. Even if Elder Niu comes looking for us, we don't need to be afraid. We still have Elder Qi and Elder Ji. Besides, my master and Xia Xining's master are here too. With so many people, Elder Niu won't bother us."

Song Yin thought about it and said, "That makes sense."

Shi Heming: "Let's go back to the rest area first."

Song Yin agreed, and then walked back with Shi Heming.

After the competition ended, Xia Xining walked around but didn't see anyone. "Hehe, a friendship of three is still too crowded. I'll squeeze Shi Heming out another day."

Song Yin returned to her room, closed the door, and quickly flipped through the secrets she had bought.

Soon, it was afternoon.

Song Yin put on the yellow mask and went on stage.

The swordsmanship competition in the morning was fierce, thrilling the audience who wished they could join in and spar with them. Even after the competition ended, everyone was still eager for more.

Fortunately, the afternoon sword-fighting competition is about to begin. These intense and exciting battles will continue throughout the day and for several days in a row. The later the competition goes, the more exciting it will be. Just thinking about it makes me excited!

As the contestants took the stage, enthusiastic cheers erupted from above and around them.

Song Yin also met her opponent, Shen Hao, the disciple of Elder Niu of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

Shen Hao has a rugged appearance and is a head taller than Song Yin. The muscles on his arms are bulging even through his clothes.

Upon stepping onto the stage, Shen Hao immediately looked up.

What's up there? Master Shenhao is up there.

Following his gaze, Song Yin immediately found Elder Niu's direction of the match.

She looked up as well and saw not only Elder Niu, but also Elder Ji and her master.

At the same time, some sounds from the audience could be heard.

"Look, why is that contestant wearing a mask?"

"What a strange person."

The following procedures are the same as in the morning.

The same entrance appeared, and the registration staff asked, "Would you like to wear a mask to go in?"

"Um."

Is the mask a magical artifact?

"no."

After checking, the registration staff said, "Okay, go in."

Song Yin nodded slightly and then went into the passage.

As soon as she entered, the damp air hit her face, and at the same time, she felt weightless; she was falling from a great height.

We stabilized in the air, and looking down, we saw a vast ocean.

Her opponent, Shen Hao, hovered a hundred meters away from her, his black sword already drawn.

Elder Niu, who was watching his apprentices compete, stared intently at the masked female cultivator, so intently that he even attracted the attention of the elders nearby.

"Old Niu, what are you looking at so seriously? Your apprentice hasn't even started fighting yet, why do you look so solemn?"

Elder Niu said, "The person wearing the mask is called Song Le, a disciple of the Immortal Cloud Sect. He looks somewhat familiar..." He then asked Qi Zibo, who was sitting on the other side, "Elder Qi, why are you here to watch the sword cultivator competition?"

Qi Zibo: "I am the leader and elder of the sect. Is there any problem with me coming to watch the competition?"

This afternoon's sword cultivator group competition not only had Han Wuyue present, but also several Golden Core stage disciples.

Elder Niu: "I heard your disciple Song Yin won the competition this morning. Was it with poison?"

That brat's heart is still as black as ever; she probably used poison to cause that inner demon incident back then. That makes sense; alchemists deal with spiritual herbs all year round, so it's not surprising they know how to make poisons.

The past is too painful to recall; what happened back then has almost become a new inner demon for him, and he still hasn't let go of it. He doesn't hate it, he just feels ashamed.

That was the biggest humiliation he had ever suffered in his life, and the thought of his cultivation level regressing made it even more shameful!

Qi Zibo: "Is there a problem? My apprentice didn't kill his opponent. He even took the initiative to detoxify after the match. He's so much better than those who try to kill."

Elder Niu choked, unable to find a rebuttal.

Qi Zibo pondered, "Why is that old man paying attention to my apprentice?"

At this moment, the water mirror showed that Shen Hao had already started fighting with Song Le, who was wearing a mask. Although Song Le's figure resembled Song Yin's, her swordsmanship was extremely strong, and she was clearly a powerful swordsman.

Shen Hao's luck in drawing Song Le as his opponent is truly terrible.

Elder Niu then asked, "Elder Qi, does your disciple Song Yin have any sisters?"

Song Yin and Song Le, the two names sound like sisters, not to mention their similar figures.

"My apprentice has no brothers or sisters."

What's Niu Hongwei's intention? Why is he paying so much attention to Song Yin? Do they know each other in private, or do they have some kind of grudge?

-

"Take this!"

Shen Hao took the initiative; he was a water elemental, giving him an environmental advantage.

The sword energy stirred up a giant wave, blotting out the sky and swallowing everything.

In order to end the battle quickly, Shen Hao took advantage of his strength and used powerful moves right from the start.

Song Yin's first reaction was to escape. As the giant wave came towards her, she lightly touched the splashing water with her toes and rushed upwards out of the range of the giant wave.

Shen Hao's expression was serious; it seemed he had encountered a formidable opponent.

That sword strike was a test of his opponent. Ordinary swordsmen couldn't dodge it at all, and it could defeat 60-70% of swordsmen of the same level. In sect sword duels, he often relied on this one strike to defeat his opponent.

Later, he made it a habit to use this move at the very beginning of a battle to test his opponent's strength. If the opponent could dodge it, it meant he would have to use more strength next; if the opponent couldn't dodge it, it would be the perfect opportunity to severely injure him.

"Your strength is considerable, so why wear a mask to conceal your true appearance? Sword cultivators should be upright and honorable, not hide in the shadows."

Song Yin blurted out, "Because I'm mentally ill!"

Shen Hao: ? ? ?

The onlookers at the game, witnessing this scene, were: ???

"Pfft, cough cough!" Qi Zibo choked. His traitorous disciple was spouting nonsense again. How could he curse himself like that?

Elder Niu: "Are all the disciples of your Immortal Firmament Sect so...unique?" He silently replaced "unique" with "sick".

Qi Zibo wanted to say something, but seeing the scene in the water mirror, he said, "Don't look at me, Elder Niu, look at your disciple, he's injured."

"What?" Elder Niu looked at the water mirror in shock.

Did Song Yin say those words intentionally, or was it inspired by the spirit sword, "Wait a Moment"? After the sword broke years ago, she brought it back to her sect and asked Elder Shi to do his best to repair it.

Then many years passed, and there was still no news of her.

After she said those words, Shen Hao was clearly distracted for a few seconds.

A few seconds was enough for her!

In a flash, he appeared in front of Shen Hao.

Shen Hao instinctively raised his sword to defend, but his opponent was incredibly strong, no less so than himself. Then, his opponent freed one hand and struck him in the chest with a palm strike. In trying to dodge the blow, he neglected his opponent's swordplay, and when he successfully avoided it, a deep wound was already visible on his shoulder.

The sword in Shen Hao's hand, stained with its master's blood, began to fade from black and turn deep blue.

Song Yin's eyes widened in amazement. What a cool sword! It can even change skin color!

The Qingyang Sword sensed that its master coveted other swords and rang out in dissatisfaction.

Shen Hao seemed oblivious to the wound and flashed in front of Song Yin as well. The two swords clashed, producing a continuous clanging sound, like rapidly beating drums.

With a slight twist of her wrist, Song Yin transferred the sword from her right hand to her left, the sharp blade slicing through the air and grazing Shen Hao's neck.

Shen Hao plunged down from the sky, stood on the water's surface, stretched his insteps, and drew circles around himself, producing countless tiny water jets that then transformed into water swords, all pointing their tips at Song Yin.

"What a brilliant move to condense water into a sword!" Song Yin exclaimed.

Shen Hao: "Give up. There is an inexhaustible ocean here. I am a water spirit root. This is my home ground."

Song Yin: "Your home field doesn't guarantee you'll win."

As soon as she finished speaking, the water sword shot towards Song Yin, as if to turn her into a hedgehog.

Shen Hao's move not only amazed Song Yin, but also amazed everyone watching the match.

Because of the huge commotion, many people were attracted and gave up watching other groups to watch Song Yin's group's showdown.

"The masked Immortal Firmament Sect cultivator is finished. Seawater is inexhaustible. As long as the Myriad Swords Sect cultivator can still mobilize spiritual energy, water is his best weapon."

"Have you forgotten how to dodge so many swords? They're chasing you like a swarm of bullets, aren't you scared?"

"But controlling so many water swords requires a lot of spiritual energy and mental energy. If we are not careful, these water swords will turn into rain and fall back into the sea."

"But he maintained precise control throughout, which shows that he is indeed a disciple of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. The whole sect is composed of sword cultivators, and their swordsmanship inheritance is exceptionally powerful."

The monks watching the match were discussing it, and the elders were also discussing it.

Elder Niu nodded in satisfaction, "Not bad. Although he was the first to be injured, it's good that he was able to turn the tables. Song Le can't dodge such a wide-ranging and dense attack, so it's better for him to admit defeat in advance to avoid serious injury."

Although Shen Hao had bad luck and drew a Nascent Soul stage opponent, the competition environment this afternoon was very favorable to him, so it seems that he still had some luck.

Although the densely packed water swords were terrifying, Song Yin dodged them with ease.

The reason was simple: the water sword was too slow in her eyes.

During his battle with Boss Zhao back then, he had already mastered the art of becoming one with his sword.

Unless the opponent is also at the level of oneness with the sword, none of his moves are effective in her eyes.

Song Yin flew in a circle, and the water swords followed her in a circle.

In order to mislead her opponent, Song Yin pretended to be struggling.

"Tsk, this is never going to end."

"hiss!"

Song Yin's words greatly strengthened Shen Hao's determination to win. He focused on controlling the water swords, and their numbers increased. However, he didn't notice that these water swords were chasing Song Yin towards him.

As she approached Shen Hao, Song Yin sped up and rushed towards him, passing by him.

Shen Hao controlled the water swords to avoid him, but several still pierced through his body.

By now, Shen Hao's shoulder, stomach, and legs are all injured and bleeding.

The pronunciation of Song is completely intact.

Shen Hao lost control of his movements and knew he couldn't continue with this move, so he decisively gave up and focused on attacking with Zhenzhen's sword.

"Those water swords aren't real swords. I'll give it my all from now on."

Song Yin: "Brother, you're a really good person. You even reminded your opponent before using your ultimate move. Unlike me, I don't have your noble character."

His previously serious and confident demeanor was interrupted, and a hint of panic flashed across his face.

"What do you mean?"

Song Yin stood in the air, wearing a mask so that outsiders could not see her expression; they could only infer her emotions from her deliberately lowered voice.

"Turn around slowly, don't try to fight back, or you'll be the first to die."

Shen Hao broke out in a cold sweat. He didn't turn around, but instead used his nearly exhausted divine sense.

An ordinary-looking sword tip was pointed directly at his back.

"Isn't your sword in your hand?"

Song Yin: "It's just giving the sword a clone, are you admitting defeat?"

Shen Hao's mind was in a mess. He came here to win a spot in the Nine Heavens Secret Realm, so how could he be eliminated in the preliminary round? Those Golden Core cultivators could advance, but he couldn't.

My master always taught me that a sword cultivator must have the demeanor and conviction of a sword cultivator.

"As a sword cultivator—"

Song Yin interrupted him, adding the second half of her sentence: "You absolutely refuse to admit defeat, right? But if you don't admit defeat, I'll pierce your heart with my sword to win. Oh, and my sword is poisoned too. Think it through; your life is the most important thing."

Shen Hao tried to take out his magic weapon to struggle, but Song Yin interrupted him again.

"Don't resist, look down at your feet again."

Shen Hao lowered his head: "Lightning-summoning talisman..."

Song Yin: "There's more, take a closer look."

Shen Hao: "A formation?"

"That's right, so no matter how fast you are, you can't beat the simultaneous activation of a sword, talisman, and formation." Song Yin clicked her tongue a few times. "You really thought I was just dodging the water sword when I was circling in the air?"

The audience fell silent for a moment.

Does anyone know when Song Le of the Immortal Firmament Sect set up the formation?

"Forget about formations, when did she ever drop the lightning-summoning talisman at the feet of Shen Hao of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

"You know, the disciples of the Immortal Cloud Sect have pretty good personalities. When fighting against the Immortal Cloud Sect, you don't need to worry about your life. As long as you don't have any murderous intent towards them, they will spare your life."

Elder Niu kept changing his sitting posture. If others couldn't see the trick, surely he could?

Song Le actually reached the state of perfect harmony between man and sword, so it's no wonder that Shen Hao lost the match against her.

The fact that this person deliberately made a commotion to make Shen Hao increase his control over the water sword, thereby quickly depleting his spiritual energy and mental power, is somewhat insidious.

None of those surnamed Song are good people.

Qi Zibo slapped Elder Ji's thigh hard, "Hahaha! It seems that the disciples of my Immortal Firmament Sect are still the most powerful."

My apprentice is amazing!

Elder Ji: "Why did you hit me?"

Qi Zibo pretended not to hear.

Unable to get an explanation, Elder Ji did not press the matter and turned to continue watching his eldest disciple Han Wuyue's match.

Qi Zibo exclaimed, "Oh dear, I'm in a good mood today, perfect for a little drink."

Elder Niu: Thank you, but I'm not in a good mood.

After a while, Elder Niu turned to Qi Zibo and asked, "Does Song Yin really not have any sisters?"

Qi Zibo exclaimed, "Good wine!" After taking a sip, he added, "No, I don't have any."

In the end, Shen Hao admitted defeat, and his survival instinct made him abandon his master's teachings.

"Song Lesheng, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Immortal Cloud Sect of the Eastern Continent!"

...

Xia Xining waved frantically when she saw Song Yin come out: "Here! Here!"

She took out a fan and fanned Song Yin, "Are you tired? Do you want to go back and rest? There's another full day of competition tomorrow, you should take a break."

Song Yin: "Has Shi Heming's match ended?"

Xia Xining: My plan to squeeze someone out has failed! :(

“Changsun Li?” Song Yin suddenly asked.

Xia Xining followed Song Yin's gaze and asked, "Who is it?"

Song Yin: "Back then, at the Wanfa Exchange Conference, I mistakenly thought it was some kind of heretical cultivation."

Xia Xining: "Now that you mention it, I remember! But she's arguing with someone. Shall we go closer and take a look?" See? See? That way we won't have to go to the Talisman Cultivation Group.

"I'm not going to join in the fun anymore."

Xia Xining sighed, but still followed Song Yin to the Talisman Cultivation Group.

The two arrived just in time to witness an exciting battle.

"My God! Drawing a talisman out of thin air?!"

"I thought he was bound to lose since he had no talismans left, but it turns out he drew talismans out of thin air!"

"The Qingxuan Sect cultivators on the other side will likely be difficult to defeat."

In the water mirror, Shi Heming was seen writing and drawing in the air with his fingers, and runes were flashing with light.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Song Yin: Keep your distance from Elder Niu (sneaking around)

Elder Niu: Stay away from that guy surnamed Song (sneaking around)

Then the two furtive people collided.

Song Yin, who was afraid of causing trouble: ...

Elder Niu, who was very concerned about his reputation: ...

I'll try to write more during this time, and I'll give you all an extra chapter when I reach 5,000 favorites! [Hands clasped in prayer][Hands clasped in prayer]

(With a little increase in favorites every day, it should reach 5,000 in the end... I guess?) (Uncertainty from a tiny little author [pigeon][glasses])

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[Empty bowl]