Chapter 56: Phoenix Perched on the Wutong Tree (Part 3) “If I lose today, then…

After two days of hard training, Lian Qiang believed that with time, his sword skills would surpass his previous ones.

"It's strange," she casually said to Chi Xingji, making a sword flower with her hand, "After being idle for so long, I feel much more at ease than before."

In the past, she tried her best but still couldn't memorize the sword manual, but now it is much smoother.

"If your state of mind is different, many things will be different." Chi Xingji said as he corrected Lian Qiang's inaccurate movements.

Lian Qiang gestured a few more times, still unsatisfied. Seeing that it was getting late, Chi Xingji reminded her, "Let's go! It's almost time to start. If you're any later, you might miss the draw."

"Okay." Lian Qiang put away his sword, and the two rushed to the competition venue. Although it was just a competition, everyone was eager to try, and obviously did not hold the idea of ​​"stopping at the right time".

Both of them had good luck in drawing lots. Lian Qiang drew a cultivator of equal strength to her. As for Chi Xingji, if Fenghuang didn't want to stop him from showing off, any lot would naturally be a good one for him.

Before the time came for the two of them to go into battle, they just sat there and watched others fight.

There were quite a few sword cultivators among them. Lian Qiang watched them, secretly imitating their movements and techniques with his hands, hoping to learn more.

"Why do you want to learn from them?" Chi Xingji turned around inadvertently and noticed her movements, and asked in confusion.

Lian Qiang explained, "Learning from others' strengths and making up for one's own weaknesses can also be considered as reviewing before the battle."

"...That's not necessary. You and they are on different paths. You haven't mastered one thing yet. If you learn more, you will only learn more things instead of focusing on the whole thing." Chi Xingji was quite helpless and corrected him, "If you really want to..."

The last few words he spoke suddenly became lighter, and Lian Qiang didn't catch them: "What did you say?"

"...Nothing." Chi Xingji shook his head, maintaining his posture of sitting upright, pretending nothing had happened. Lian Qiang wanted to ask more, but his eyes were drawn to the fierce battle in the field.

A moment later, Chi Xingji was the first to enter the fray. By the time his name was called, many eyes had already been fixed on him. Lian Qiang, standing beside him, had also been noticed to some degree. But she didn't want to dwell on it, simply trying to maintain a natural demeanor.

"Let me borrow your Fuguang." Chi Xingji spread his hands, and Lian Qiang handed it to him without hesitation. This was Chi Xingji, and she wouldn't question whether he would be more skilled with other swords.

Seeing that Chi Xingji's cultivation level was far lower than that of his opponent, Lian Qiang's originally relaxed brows began to frown.

Chi Xingji turned around to say goodbye to her, then noticed her expression and asked, "What's wrong?"

"You...be careful in this battle." Lian Qiang didn't think he would underestimate the enemy, but...Chi Xingji's move really made her confused, so she could only give him one more warning.

Understanding what she was thinking, Chi Xingji patiently explained, "There are still two more battles to come. Even if you lose this one, it won't necessarily affect your advancement. If you were in her shoes, there's no need to be too stressed. Just treat it as sword practice."

His tone was calm, but to others, it sounded like he was arrogant. Lian Qiang's brows still furrowed as she heard this: "Are you saying... there's a chance you might lose this battle?"

"..." Chi Xingji stared at her silently for a while. The morning light fell on his eyebrows. He suddenly raised his eyebrows gently and slowly, as if he wanted to smile. "What do you think?"

Lian Qiang was stunned by his question, and then burst out laughing. Yes, Chi Xingji had no rivals a hundred years ago, let alone him now?

She slowly relaxed her back until it touched the back of the chair and said with a smile, "Then I will await your triumphant return."

Now that she had enough confidence in Chi Xingji, Lian Qiang could view the battle from an outsider's perspective. Therefore, every move of Chi Xingji could be laid out more clearly before her eyes.

Fu Guang was much thinner than Tong Bei, so he magnified this point and increased his attack speed... Lian Qiang wrote down these tricks bit by bit, and couldn't help but sigh that Chi Xingji was truly the best teacher.

He suppressed his cultivation and used a different sword than his own, yet still relied on his mastery of the sword to calmly and confidently control his opponent. However, everyone could tell he seemed to be holding back, and for a moment, the outcome was uncertain.

As time went by, some discussions arose in the field. Lian Qiang listened carefully and found... that they were some questioning voices. Most of them were saying how much they had been looking forward to the fight when they heard his name, and how disappointed they were now.

The reason was simple: Chi Xingji's moves were mediocre, and he didn't offer a thunderous crushing momentum, which was enough to disappoint them. In this battle, even the Tongbei Sword, who was rumored to be in tune with his mind, didn't appear.

Lian Qiang unconsciously clenched her hands, looking at the familiar moves in Chi Xingji's hands, and suddenly a vague idea emerged in her mind.

As if finally feeling that the competition was lasting too long, Chi Xingji ended it with a neat and tidy move - he seized a smaller flaw of the opponent, which was considered to be leaving him with enough dignity.

After a long struggle, the man was defeated and looked somewhat depressed. Chi Xingji then took a few steps towards him and whispered a few words. The man's expression became excited again, and the gloom was gone. It seemed that he had encouraged him.

After the fight, Chi Xingji sheathed his sword and walked down the stage, everyone's gaze still fixed on him. Lian Qiang remained where he was, slightly straightening his newly relaxed back, without moving.

She watched Chi Xingji approach her step by step, casually tossing the floating light at her, then sitting down beside her. He turned around and asked, "How is it? Did you see anything?"

"I can see that you are breathing steadily and with ease." Lian Qiang firmly caught the floating light and said seriously. Chi Xingji paused when he heard this and turned his head back, wondering what he was thinking.

Lian Qiang pretended not to notice his change and said nonchalantly, "Sword Master's swordsmanship is superb..."

At this point, she turned to look at him and said, "I have just observed it carefully and benefited a lot. Thank you very much."

Chi Xingji didn't look at her, but Lian Qiang could see that the corners of his lips were slightly pursed.

Keeping her attention focused on the scene, Lian Qiang couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth. In public, no one knew for whom Chi Xingji had drawn his sword. But for the two of them, it was a well-known secret.

As night fell, Lian Qiang's name was called. She slowly exhaled and stood up. Finally, she glanced at Chi Xingji, hoping for some words of encouragement.

Chi Xingji stared at her, then nodded heavily and said, "Go."

Lian Qiang smiled at him, and then went on stage in full view of everyone.

It had been so long since she'd been watched by so many people, it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous. Lian Qiang simply observed her opponent, whose aura was clearly much stronger than hers, and who was about to suppress her own cultivation.

Noticing Lian Qiang looking at him, he took the time to look up at her. Lian Qiang was about to smile to show her friendliness: "My name is Lian Qiang..."

Unexpectedly, the man forced out a contemptuous smile: "I thought you were someone else, but you turned out to be a demon cultivator. Let me say that Phoenix made the wrong decision by letting demon cultivators like you in."

Lian Qiang's smile faded, but she still tried to maintain her composure: "We haven't even exchanged names yet, so fellow Daoist, please don't be so hostile to me for now."

"Don't call me fellow Daoist. It's really disgusting to hear a demon cultivator say that..." The man laughed nonchalantly. "If you want to know my name, that's fine. I'm Zhu Wei. Remember it. Soon, you'll be defeated by me."

Lian Qiang's smile had completely disappeared. She just stood there quietly, holding her sword: "Who will win or lose is still unknown."

"Evil has always prevailed over good. What do you think?" Zhu Wei asked her, then took out his knife. "Stop talking nonsense and start fighting!"

Sighing, Lian Qiang unconsciously glanced at the seat where Chi Xingji was sitting. Without looking, she could tell that her current expression was not very good... well, she looked directly at the opponent in front of her.

——No matter what, the most urgent thing is to defeat him first.

If she were to fight head-on, Lian Qiang knew she had little chance of winning, so when Zhu Wei attacked her again and again, she tried her best to avoid his attacks, and took advantage of the gaps to deliver one or two sword strikes, but he managed to block them perfectly.

Zhu Wei wanted a quick victory, and his attacks became increasingly fierce. Several times, Lian Qiang barely escaped with his blade. And judging by his attitude, if possible, he would probably kill her right there and then.

Delay, delay... Lian Qiang knew very well what she had to do, and she was waiting for an opportunity.

Chi Xingji's moves from the previous match seemed to be still before her eyes, how to draw the sword, how to retract the sword - Lian Qiang tried to imitate him, to block, to counterattack, and gradually she actually turned the situation around.

Seeing that the battle situation was not as he expected, Zhu Wei lost his patience and cursed: "I just don't believe this!"

He swung his sword faster and faster, losing his original rhythm. The next moment, the sword and the blade clashed, but Lian Qiang didn't avoid it. Zhu Wei was delighted and was about to use force to force her back, but Lian Qiang suddenly withdrew her strength and let the sword slip out of her hand!

"You're going to do..." Zhu Wei was shocked. When his sight was caught by the flying light, Lian Qiang turned to his back and slashed with a palm! Zhu Wei fell forward!

He was just about to steady himself and turn around to attack, but Lian Qiang didn't intend to give him this chance. He slapped out several more palms in succession, and Zhu Wei was already on the edge of the ring, teetering on the edge.

Just when Zhu Wei thought he was about to fall and face defeat, Lian Qiang withdrew his attack and dropped his hands to his sides.

Zhu Wei didn't understand what she was going to do, but he knew his chance had come. He raised his knife, ready to chop it down, but at this moment, Lian Qiang kicked him in the knee, causing him to lose his balance due to the pain. Then he lightly punched him, causing his body to fall back uncontrollably.

"Go down."

When Zhu Wei fell to the ground, he only saw Lian Qiang standing high up, her skirt blown up by the wind, looking at him indifferently.

"You..." Zhu Wei wanted to curse, but couldn't. Lian Qiang stared at him from head to toe. "Didn't you say that good prevails over evil? So, with this result, do you mean you're evil?"

"My skills are inferior to yours!" Zhu Wei admitted with gritted teeth, "It has nothing to do with good or evil! I just look down on you!"

"You're right." After receiving his contempt once again, Lian Qiang simply smiled lightly and kindly. "If I lose today, it's only because I'm inferior in skill. It has nothing to do with whether I'm a demon cultivator or not."

After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked away after the referee declared her the winner, without even glancing at the embarrassed Zhu Wei in the audience.

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Author's note: Hey guys, I'm back! Thanks for waiting! Sorry, TT, I haven't written in a while. Procrastination has struck again, so I'm late.

I will try to update as much as possible in June, and I should be able to write a lot during the summer vacation. Let’s see if I can finish it!

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided me with nutrient solution between 2023-05-30 00:03:48 and 2023-06-18 23:11:10~

Thanks to the little angel who irrigated the nutrient solution: 30 bottles of Gu Qiyun;

Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!