Chapter 174 Senior Sister Chuanyun's sword intent is truly dazzling. ...
The Minghong Blade was retrieved as a white light. Wu Zhuyue nodded to the young man and then calmly walked off the stage.
As soon as she stepped off the stage, someone rushed over and hugged her tightly.
After a round of competition, the disciples would be teleported to a viewing platform specially prepared by the sect as a rest area. This platform was equipped with a spirit-gathering array, and several healers were invited to provide care, allowing them to recover quickly. The healers included menial workers or outer sect disciples, as well as many inner sect disciples, who could accumulate contribution points by participating.
In Shen Lixia's words, it's "just consider it as volunteer service."
Unfortunately, she only knows how to refine pills and cannot participate in this project.
However, as Ruan Luoying's personally trained medical practitioner, Lu Changqing naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. Since there was still some time before her turn, Lu Changqing stayed to take care of the students leaving the stage, ensuring they quickly recovered from their injuries.
She had been keeping an eye on Wu Zhuyue the whole time, and now that he had finally arrived, covered in bloody wounds, it was quite a shocking sight.
Even among the fiercely fighting students, her injuries were far too severe.
Of these, the majority were caused by the Minghong Blade. Its sharp blade aura was incredibly powerful, killing the enemy while also injuring the user.
This is a ruthless blade from ancient times—Wu Zhuyue was fortunate enough to learn from the Bi Yue bird in the previous illusion that the prototype of this blade was the first sword that Jianbingjun forged for herself when she was young. Whether she continued to use it afterward is unknown, and no such story has been passed down in the human world. It is only known as a weapon with a notorious reputation, born of bloodshed.
"You really don't know your own strength, how annoying!" Lu Changqing didn't mention the battle situation at all. He simply released his arms, held Wu Zhuyue's hand, and let his spiritual energy flow slowly through her to speed up her recovery.
Wu Zhuyue chuckled and said, "Injuries are inevitable in sparring; it's a common occurrence." The gentle and mild water elemental energy, like a veil or mist, merged with the metal elemental energy that had just subsided within her meridians, caressing the invisible, hissing, throbbing spikes.
A cool sensation spread, but Wu Zhuyue's ears flushed a faint pink almost imperceptibly. Lu Changqing's gaze remained fixed on her wound, his lowered eyes fluttering with eyelashes like butterfly wings, an indescribable beauty.
She tried to reach out to touch it, but Lu Changqing pressed her down and gently scolded, "Don't move, wait until your injury is fully healed."
Her gaze was fixed on the world Lu Changqing had created for her. Spiritual energy, aura, voice—she was completely enveloped in it all.
Naturally, they couldn't see the other side either. The two men who had been fighting earlier were leaning against each other, their wounds fully healed, chatting idly.
Lin Yuxian moved her arm, which had just been pierced by a bullet, and could still feel a slight tingling and itching sensation, followed by lingering phantom pain. She rarely suffered like this; after all, not everyone had the opportunity to inflict such pain on her.
Chu Mingxin leaned against her, strands of her black hair falling down like soft silk, like seaweed, covering Lin Yuxian's shoulders.
Do you want to know what a human heart feels like to touch?
The young man affectionately took Lin Yuqian's arm and spoke with a smile.
Lin Yuxian retorted without any politeness: "Do you want to know what it feels like to calculate the same array 1,014 times in one night?"
"Oh dear, how boring, you little bookworm." Chu Mingxin quieted down.
He had hoped for an apology, as this was truly excessive. Chu Mingxin would also be under close surveillance during the subsequent competitions. However, she seemed completely oblivious to the fact that she had done anything wrong, and instead showered Lin Yuxian with excessive attentiveness, giving the illusion of making amends.
—Actually, she was just genuinely interested. Lin Yuqian naturally saw through her original intention, so she ignored her and let the other person lean against her, then closed her eyes to regulate her breathing.
As expected of the spirit-gathering array set up under the guidance of my master... It started to get better in just a few breaths, and now it has fully recovered its strength.
Her master must have seen her narrow victory this time... Would she be proud? Or would she be determined to win the championship? Tomorrow is the next round of eliminations, and every step she takes feels like walking on a knife's edge. Today she revealed her trump card of using blood to form an array, and tomorrow she has to come up with a new method to prevent others from figuring out everything first.
Just as she was feeling uneasy, a paper bird gently landed on her fingertip, carrying Chi Yueying's gentle voice:
"Take good rest, Yuqian. You've done a great job. You must have been working tirelessly these past few days. I'm very happy."
On the other side, Wu Zhuyue's injuries were gradually healing. She coughed lightly and nudged Lu Changqing, indicating that she could withdraw her spiritual power.
However, the boy stubbornly held her hand, their fingers intertwined, refusing to let go. The healed wound began to itch softly, as if gently kissed. Wu Zhuyue relaxed then, only to feel a belated regret weighing on her heart.
She suddenly whispered, "I lost, Lu Changqing."
Lu Changqing looked up and said earnestly, "It's good that A-Yue tried her best; nothing else matters. I know that person is skilled in illusions, so you must have seen something..."
She was the first person to know the special features of Wu Zhuyue's knife.
"How do you define a loss... You won against this master-devouring blade and your own inner demons. Taming it is something not everyone can do."
"The reward for winning the grand competition is the ability to use the Star Gazing Platform for stargazing. If all else fails, we can try sneaking in... Ouch! Why did you flick me? As for other magical artifacts and cultivation techniques, there will always be opportunities to get better ones."
Lu Changqing gave her a gentle hug.
"You did a really good job."
Once again, she saw the familiar complex emotions in Wu Zhuyue's eyes. Was it fear? Worry about everything Wu Zhuyue had given her?
But Wu Zhuyue then laughed. The laugh was faint, like a flickering firework. Then Lu Changqing understood that the trembling from their tightly pressed fingers was not due to jealousy, but the happiness of touching a burning heart.
Just like when she secretly ran away home with Xiao Wu before, she suddenly realized that the other side of this happiness was boundless pain.
But Lu Changqing decided to seize it.
Now Xiao Wu has finally responded to her outstretched hand.
Hearing the voice from the side, Wu Zhuyue pinched Lu Changqing's cheek and said, "It's your turn, hurry up and start the competition."
"If you run into that senior sister again, please help me get revenge." She smiled childishly.
Lu Changqing nodded and said proudly, "I learned some magic from Kunpeng, and I'm sure I can teach her a lesson."
"Xiao Wu, keep an eye on me!"
After saying that, she straightened her clothes and gently adjusted the angle of her hairpin. She had been busy for a while and felt a little disheveled, but her mother had taught her to always keep herself clean and not give others a sloppy impression.
Wu Zhuyue's gaze remained fixed on Lu Changqing until he disappeared from the teleportation array and reappeared on the arena.
There are many exciting performances, but when the crowd's cheers are at their highest, some people know that the most exciting one is about to begin.
On one side was Lu Changqing, the personal disciple of Cangling Zhenjun. On the day of accepting disciples, Ruan Luoying did not keep a low profile. She took the opportunity to bring Xiao Han and Wu Zhuyue along to hold a grand apprenticeship ceremony in the sect.
On the other side, a figure in white robes fluttered gently. She had already gained fame within Emperor Taihui's inner circle, but to the outside world, she was still considered to have "luckily drawn a draw." Now, perhaps by fate, she had once again drawn the same opponent she had faced in the illusion.
"Senior Sister Yue," Qiao Yanshen nodded, "Let's begin."
They don't need any further introductions or formalities.
For Yue Qifeng, Qiao Yanshen was also a formidable opponent. The enthusiastic discussion around her did not lower her guard; the man before her was merely a pearl hidden in dust, destined to shine brightly once a gust of wind swept through. Moreover, she was quite clear about Qiao Yanshen's lineage.
If they were to suffer a defeat on the first day, it wouldn't be very glorious; but if their opponent was Qiao Yanshen, there would be no regrets. Just like Yun Zhixiao just now, the fight was brilliant, and the final result was no longer the most important thing. Xihe Palace had a victor, but everyone knew that they hadn't actually defeated the young palace master.
It was just a lucky coincidence that I encountered someone who was my equal.
Qiao Yanshen probably thought the same. But when Yue Qifeng's gaze fell on her, he saw a determination more resolute than anyone else's, as if she had only one outcome in her heart: victory. Two fingers rested on the sword's surface, reflecting her calm, dark eyes. Then, spiritual energy swirled around it, slowly adding a pale blue luster to the longsword as she stroked its blade.
It was as if all the profound sword intent had gathered at the tip of the sword.
"Within three moves," Qiao Yanshen said. "If a winner cannot be determined, I will concede defeat. All the sword techniques I have learned so far are contained within these three moves."
This statement caused a huge uproar in the stands, and a frenzy of betting big on the outcome ensued. Many people were indignant at Qiao Yanshen's words and threw spirit stones at the bookmaker, under the name of Yue Qifeng.
Three moves!
Known as the number one sword cultivator in the Nascent Soul realm, Yue Qifeng has always been the goal pursued by young people. Many people have struggled to shake her wild and tenacious sword intent even after a hundred or so moves, but now some say that only three moves are needed to decide the winner.
"Not bad, not bad, you have some of your former style!"
Hearing Yi Xiaohan laughing and clapping his hands beside her, Yan Xueya raised her hand and gently rubbed her temples.
Those who conceal their talents are so astonishing when they reveal their brilliance. She knew that Qiao Yanshen was not someone who remained silent forever, and at this moment, he finally revealed his own spirited and ambitious side.
"Arrogant and haughty," the sect leader of the Wuji Sword Sect snorted. "That's utter nonsense."
The Palace Master of Xihe Palace immediately tossed a mustard seed bag filled with spirit stones into the hand of one of the Immortal Venerables who was in charge, and loudly proclaimed, "I bet on that disciple of Yue Qifeng!"
"you--!"
Just as the two were about to fight again, someone stepped in to break them up. Yan Xueya found it amusing, her gaze returning to the ring, but she felt little tension.
She also believed that Qiao Yanshen could win.
"As you wish, Junior Sister!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Yue Qifeng laughed heartily. Known for her good temper, she wasn't offended by these seemingly provocative words; instead, they ignited a fierce fighting spirit within her. Qiao Yanshen wasn't one for jokes, so if she said so, these three moves must be extraordinary.
Her blood surged with excitement, and the sword in her hand, like a white ribbon, swiftly thrust forward as she leaped. Before the blade arrived, the wind blew first, ruffling Qiao Yanshen's hair into several strands.
The sword intent surged forth in the next instant, and the arena was instantly swept up by a howling wind. The wind blades ruffled the young man's clothes, leaving several fine wounds.
Qiao Yanshen raised her hand, holding the sword horizontally in front of her, and turned it lightly. She took a deep breath, the wind whistling around her, and a beam of brilliant light flowed from the tip of the sword, like the brightest moonlight in the world.
Then, she parried Yue Qifeng's sword blade, calmly took a step forward, and suddenly drew her sword!
The supple white light was extremely fast, seemingly light and airy, but it transformed into a stream of light the moment it pierced through the towering wind curtain, piercing through countless wind blades, and pointing directly at Yue Qifeng's brow.
A drop of water can wear away stone, a line can cut through the clouds in the sky.
—Just like a sharp, piercing arrow.
The spiritual energy was shattered, and the sound of breaking apart filled the air. Yue Qifeng quickly took a step back, holding his sword horizontally, barely blocking Qiao Yanshen's attack.
The resounding sound echoed throughout the entire venue.
The two longswords trembled slightly as they met. Yue Qifeng gritted his teeth, his eyes gleaming with excitement, burning like flames.
Qiao Yanshen tightened his grip, his brows furrowed, locked in a stalemate with her. At this moment, she was like a figure stepping out of a painting, her flowing black hair, deep eyes, and tightly clenched lips giving her a wildly growing beauty, devoid of any poetic or artistic sentiment, revealing a fierce anger that was more intense than her usual calm and composed demeanor.
It's like being freed from constraints and coming alive.
Among those who were deeply impressed by her first competition at Wanjian Peak, some sharp-eyed individuals noticed this change.
Shen Lixia was among them. The boy was almost caught off guard, feeling a sudden tremor in his heart. He held his breath, unwilling to blink, just to take in every move of the person on the field.
My senior sister has changed.
Like any young person watching their beloved walk towards them, she was joyful and light-hearted, indescribably happy and oblivious, smiling as she watched that agile figure.
Her sword was no longer aimless. She had someone she loved and something she wanted to protect, and therefore loved her sword even more from the bottom of her heart.
Even for this moment, Shen Lixia couldn't help but proudly think that she held a significant place among the people she loved. She was so certain that her senior sister cared about her, just as the sword light that pierced through the wind was inspired by the arrow, and the figure of another person was everywhere in the Luoshui Technique.
They are so closely connected in every aspect.
Senior sister's sword intent is truly dazzling.
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Author's Note: Me: Maybe I should finish writing this chapter before posting it.
Then I realized I hadn't updated for two days, so I'll post this first! The next chapter should mark the end of this day. And there's a little lighthearted moment too [kissing emoji]
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