shadow
"The competition continues!"
With a flick of his sleeve, Elder Duan conjured a bamboo tube about a foot tall, filled with countless jade sticks.
After a while, two streams of light flew out of the tube, hovered in mid-air, and revealed two names: one was "Xie Lanchen" and the other was "Zhang Yuan".
Xie Lanchen's gaze sharpened and fell on that name.
Zhang Yuan was just an ordinary disciple in the sect, with mediocre swordsmanship.
A barely perceptible hint of anxiety flashed in his eyes; he just wanted to get rid of the person in front of him as soon as possible.
Zhang Yuan had already leaped onto the arena. He was a slightly chubby young disciple with a still-childish face. He was wearing the disciple's uniform of the Guiyun Sect, and the sword at his waist appeared to be just an ordinary iron sword.
Upon seeing Xie Lanchen, tall and elegant, holding the Lone Goose Sword, he immediately showed a trembling expression and cupped his hands, saying, "Senior Brother Xie... please show mercy."
Xie Lanchen frowned slightly, not because of this cowardly demeanor, but because he was annoyed by the delay.
He leaped onto the arena and said coldly, "In a duel on the arena, everyone relies on their own abilities. Why should I show mercy? If you're afraid, admit defeat and leave the stage now to save yourself from a futile struggle." He spoke faster than usual, revealing obvious impatience. "Draw your sword. I'm in a hurry."
At Elder Duan's command of "Begin," the young man moved instantly, drawing his Lone Goose Sword. The sword's sharp wind forced Zhang Yuan into a frantic retreat, leaving him utterly defenseless, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
His mind was elsewhere, his thoughts only repeating: Faster, faster. Every moment he lingered here increased the danger for Yun Wei. If Xie Qingfeng discovered his whereabouts… He dared not think any further, his fingertips unconsciously tightening around the hilt of his sword, the Lone Goose Sword emitting a faint hum.
Before an incense stick could burn, the iron sword in Zhang Yuan's hand was knocked away and landed on the edge of the arena with a clang.
His face was ashen, and he was panting heavily. He bowed with sincere gratitude and said, "Thank you for your superb swordsmanship, Senior Brother. I am completely convinced of my defeat."
Xie Lanchen stopped his stance and stood up, the Cloud-Traces Bead around his neck turning crimson, then turned to leave the arena.
Zhang Yuan, however, seemed unwilling to accept defeat, or perhaps confused by the loss, and blurted out, "Senior Brother Xie, during the competition just now, I... I noticed that your swordsmanship seemed more chaotic and hasty than usual. Was it because... because of that girl named Wuming?"
"She performed exceptionally well... Everyone says she looks exactly like Senior Sister Yunwei, and her personality is similar too... Senior Brother Xie, is it because seeing her reminded you of Senior Sister Yunwei that you are so unsettled? Senior Brother... did you see Senior Sister Yunwei's shadow in her?"
The boy narrowed his eyes and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Shadow? Your words are utterly absurd. First, it's none of your business to judge my sword. Second, whatever Nameless looks like or what her temperament is, it's none of your concern. Her prowess is her own skill; why should she need to be compared to anyone else? If I hear you making any more wild guesses, don't blame my sword for not recognizing people."
The audience erupted in uproar.
Zhang Yuan's face paled, but he still stubbornly said, "Senior Brother Xie, why are you angry? I just find it strange... Everyone in the sect knows that you and Senior Sister Yunwei are like oil and water. Now, you're protecting someone who looks so much like her... It's really puzzling. Has Senior Brother forgotten how Senior Sister Yunwei humiliated you in the past, how she competed with you for the future sect leader position, and how she repeatedly hindered your actions? She was so domineering, showing no regard for the bonds between fellow disciples..."
"Shut up." The boy's voice suddenly turned cold, the veins on the back of his hand gripping the sword bulging slightly. "Are you sworn enemies? Have you humiliated me?"
"The competition between her and me is fair and square, a contest of our abilities. She is vying for the future sect leader position because she is truly qualified. She is hindering my actions because I am too radical and may harm innocent people. You only see the surface and presumptuously fabricate faults about her."
Xie Lanchen stepped forward, staring intently at Zhang Yuan: "You keep bringing her up, what are you trying to do? Hmm? When she was alive, you relied on her protection, yet you also gossiped behind her back about how she was too domineering and unapproachable for a woman. Now you still dare to belittle her reputation and erase her achievements?"
Zhang Yuan was speechless for a moment.
The disciples of Guiyun Sect below the stage looked at each other, their faces showing shame, and they all lowered their heads.
Elder Duan, sitting below the stage, coughed lightly, breaking the silence.
He glanced at everyone and sighed, “What Lan Chen said… though intense, is not entirely without reason. Half a month ago, an old farmer from the foot of the mountain came to the sect with a full basket of persimmons, asking where Yun Wei was. He said that the persimmons in their village had grown exceptionally well this year and he wanted to invite Yun Wei to taste them to thank her for saving his life back then.”
He continued, "Now that Yunwei is dead, his merits and demerits will be judged by public opinion... but it is absolutely not something you can casually comment on or discuss lightly. If anyone criticizes Yunwei's affairs during his lifetime, they will be punished according to the sect rules, and no one will be spared!"
Upon hearing this, all the disciples bowed their heads solemnly and replied in unison, "We will follow Elder Duan's teachings!"
Among the crowd, only Zhao Changsheng had a livid face, staring intently at Xie Lanchen on the stage. He lowered his voice and said hatefully to a few close disciples beside him, "Did you see that? Senior Brother Xie has long been bewitched by that female demon! Now, for some unknown nobody, he has even thrown the sect rules to the back of his mind!"
*
Yun Wei was walking in Xie Qingfeng's secluded residence at this moment.
This place is cold and desolate, with books piled up on all four walls.
Is this where my father usually spends his days?
Ironically, she never had the chance to step inside.
Just then, a deep voice came from inside the room: "Come here."
She entered slowly and saw Xie Qingfeng sitting in a grand chair, holding a scroll of silk, without looking up.
She bowed slightly in courtesy: "Disciple Wuming greets Sect Master."
"Hmm." He slowly put down the silk scroll and looked up.
Father, how have you been?
Yun Wei straightened up, inwardly sneering.
After a month apart, my father's imposing presence remained, but the coldness between his brows seemed to have deepened.
This is the person who gave her life, yet also personally pushed her into utter ruin.
Looking at it now, I find it utterly repulsive and extremely hypocritical.
"Elder Wu has already informed me of your performance in the Myriad Manifestations Illusion Array yesterday," Xie Qingfeng said, his voice steady. "Your performance was acceptable; you were able to see through the illusion, which shows your resolute will."
Yun lowered her eyes, her tone calm and undisturbed: "I lost my father at a young age and wandered outside. My studies are varied and complex, I hope the sect leader will forgive me."
"Is that so?" Xie Qingfeng's gaze swept over her, scrutinizing her. "Come closer."
Yunwei did as she was told and took two steps forward.
He stared at her for a long time, a very subtle tremor flashing in his eyes, which he suppressed instantly, but Yunwei caught it.
But he remained expressionless, and slowly asked, "Why have you come to participate in the sect competition?"
As expected, this problem has arisen.
Her gaze was clear and frank: "I have long heard that Guiyun Sect is a leader of the righteous path in the world, and the sect competition is a gathering place for talents. I am not talented, but I would like to take this opportunity to verify what I have learned and seek a breakthrough. If I could be fortunate enough to receive some guidance from the sect leader, it would be the greatest fortune of my life."
Xie Qingfeng remained silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, as if weighing his options: "Your origins are ultimately unknown, and you bear such a striking resemblance to my deceased daughter. For the sake of our sect's reputation, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to continue participating in the sect's grand competition."
Just as I thought. Yun Wei thought to herself, still so hypocritical, as if afraid that she, this "dead person," would disrupt his plans.
"What the sect leader said is exactly the same as what Elder Wu said just now," she replied coldly.
"However, disciples enter the formation and ascend the stage based on their own strength, which is in accordance with the rules. If they are expelled because of their resemblance to others, it will be difficult to convince the masses and will also damage the reputation of Guiyun Sect for its inclusiveness, fairness and impartiality."
Xie Qingfeng's eyes flickered slightly as he gave her a deep look: "Oh? So what do you intend to do?"
"The sect leader is simply suspicious of my identity," she said, neither humble nor arrogant. "If I can prove that I am not the deceased person you speak of, what then?"
How can this be proven?
"Please lend me a magic artifact, Sect Master." Yun Wei stretched out her hand, her tone firm. "I've heard that the sect has a 'Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman,' which can contact someone you know a thousand miles away. I wish to borrow this talisman to contact a benefactor."
A hint of surprise flashed across Xie Qingfeng's eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he finally nodded: "Alright."
He raised his hand and made a grasping motion, and a palm-sized yellow talisman appeared in his palm. "This talisman needs to be activated with spiritual power. Just silently recite the appearance and name of the person you want to contact."
"Thank you, Sect Master." Yun Wei accepted the talisman calmly, immediately channeling his spiritual power into it and silently chanting in his heart.
The talisman glowed faintly, condensing into a phantom image.
She was a young girl dressed in a deep purple dress, with a charming and lively look in her eyes and brows.
Almost simultaneously, Xie Qingfeng sat up straight and exclaimed in a low voice, "Is this the Valley Master of Ten Thousand Poisons Valley, Nangong Ya?"
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