Chapter 59: Phoenix Perched on the Wutong Tree (VI) Even if Chi Xingji was willing...
...Were they old acquaintances? This was something Lian Qiang didn't know. She looked at Chi Xingji, but he didn't look at her. He remained calm and said, "It's been a long time since we parted many years ago."
"Yes. I'm used to staying at home, and you're not one for crowds. I never imagined we'd meet again," the clan leader said, a hint of nostalgia on his face, a faint smile hinting at his memory. It seemed he had a good impression of Chi Xingji. "Back then, I thought it was a shame that such a talented young man couldn't stay in our clan."
After saying this, she stroked her long eyebrows and said with regret, "Now that I see your sword is even faster than before, this thought has become even more profound. It's really... a pity."
Lian Qiang's breath hitched. If outsiders wanted to stay in the Phoenix Clan, which valued kinship and xenophobia, the only way was probably through intermarriage. Chi Xingji actually had such a past. But then again, being alone and incredibly talented, he would be the target of wooing forces wherever he went...
However, the protagonist of the story remained silent, unwilling to continue the joking conversation. Lian Qiang understood that the patriarch's resurrection after so many years must have been a profound obsession, no mere joke.
After the clan leader pulled himself out of his reminiscence, he said apologetically, "As I get older, I like to reminisce about the past. Tell me, young friend Chi, you've made such a fuss to come to see me. I'm sure what you're asking for is not a small matter."
Her guess was correct.
Chi Xingji turned around and gave Lian Qiang a look, who understood. They both bowed, displaying a sincere attitude. Then Chi Xingji spoke loudly, "We've come here to borrow the Senior's Phoenix Fire."
The whole room was silent.
Because she lowered her head, Lian Qiang didn't see the change in the clan leader's expression. She only heard her soft laugh. The sound of fabric rubbing against each other could be heard. Perhaps because she had changed her posture, it seemed that she had not heard the two people's request clearly. "What?"
Just from her reaction, you can tell that this matter is extremely difficult to implement.
Chi Xingji, on the other hand, slowly straightened up, looked directly at the person sitting at the head, and repeated word for word, "I would like to borrow your Phoenix Fire to refine the demonic energy for my companion."
The moment the last word landed, a sharp sword pointed directly at Chi Xingji. Lian Qiang was shocked. The clan leader's sword was so fast that she didn't even feel the wind and sword energy!
Something unexpected happened suddenly, and Lian Qiang's heart was alarmed, but the young man whose vitals were pointed out did not move.
After a moment of stalemate and a laugh, the sword was steadily retracted.
"So you worked so hard to defeat everyone outside," the clan leader sat down again, his eyes resting on Lian Qiang with a bit more scrutiny, "you were waiting for me here."
"Yes. I know very well how important this item is to the Phoenix clan. But it is equally important to our plan, so even if it is offensive, I will dare to give it a try." Chi Xingji stated his position, straightened his back, and refused to give in.
The look in her eyes didn't contain any hostility, but it instinctively made Lian Qiang feel a little uncomfortable. However, no matter how uncomfortable she was, she had to grit her teeth and endure it, waiting for him to look away.
"Lending Phoenix Fire is not unprecedented," the clan leader said, his tone suddenly relaxed as he sat with his chin propped up, "but they also brought other things in exchange."
Chi Xingji saw the light at dawn and wanted to seize the opportunity to pursue his victory: "The younger generation also has the sincerity to exchange."
"Listen to me, you are the winner today. I have no reason to refuse, but..." The patriarch dragged out the last syllable, and his tone gradually became cold and hard.
"I've already made an exception by allowing you two to enter together. And from what you said, you intend to use the Phoenix Fire on her?"
Chi Xingji said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Yes."
"I can't possibly agree to that."
These six words were so powerful that they seemed to have put an end to this game.
Chi Xingji's face remained calm as water, and he said slowly, "I don't understand why you refused."
"The reason is simple. I've already said that the winner today is you, not her. If she were the winner, I wouldn't have refused today. You know, Phoenix Fire is a treasure, and it only subdues the strong. Ordinary people will die if they are not careful enough to touch it."
This statement was profound, and even Lian Qiang, slow-witted as she was, understood its deeper meaning. Entering with Chi Xingji was already a blessing. At this point, it was difficult for her to trace whether this rejection was tainted by additional embarrassment, but it was inappropriate for Lian Qiang to remain silent any longer.
Lian Qiang took a step forward and asked calmly, "From what you said, Senior, as long as I'm strong enough, I'll be qualified to borrow this fire?"
The patriarch didn't raise his eyes, but simply nodded: "Not bad."
"Then in your opinion, how can I prove myself?"
Hearing this, the clan leader looked at her twice more and asked instead of answering, "Are you also a sword cultivator?"
"yes."
"Since we are both sword cultivators, then it's simple. Take my three moves and I will recognize you, how about it?" The clan leader stood up, no longer friendly, and suddenly a sense of oppression appeared!
"Senior, please think twice!" Chi Xingji wanted to take a step forward without thinking, but was grabbed by a weak force on his sleeve. Turning back, Lian Qiang shook her head at him slowly and firmly.
"You heard what the clan leader said just now," Lian Qiang said with a casual smile, "It's only three moves, and the results will be there soon."
She finally grasped the source of her previous discomfort. She couldn't live under Chi Xingji's protection forever and let him handle everything for her.
Even if Chi Xingji was willing to give everything, Lian Qiang felt unworthy. There would always be a moment when they parted ways.
Lian Qiang knew that she was weak, but even though she was weak, she could do things within her ability. At least at this moment, she could clear her name.
"Senior's request is reasonable. Then, Lian Qiang would like to ask for your guidance." Lian Qiang gave his name and was about to draw his sword, but the sword did not move at all. He tried again, but the same thing happened.
Fu Guang shrank into the scabbard, the sword body trembling uncontrollably. Lian Qiang was still surprised, but suddenly he understood.
——It actually succumbed to the pressure and dared not to draw its sword!
Lian Qiang was caught in a dilemma and didn't know what to do. She spoke so freely, so why did she get stuck like this?
"Wait." Chi Xingji, who was standing by, saw that she was embarrassed and spoke again.
Lian Qiang thought he was going to stop her and was about to speak out to stop him, but Chi Xingji just stared at her, handed her Tongbei with both hands, and explained, "It's not surprising that ordinary swords are afraid of the stage... You can use Tongbei."
For most sword cultivators, the sword is perhaps the most important thing. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, a sword cultivator will only encounter one natal sword that perfectly matches theirs in their lifetime. Many others, however, struggle to find it, ultimately living a careless and compromising life.
Chi Xingji was born with a sword bone, and he himself is a perfectly polished sword. Not only Xi Wenji, but even the Wuji Sword Sect has devoted all their efforts to providing him with resources. The sword that can be favored by Chi Xingji is naturally the most rare and exquisite sword.
It was probably because it was an excellent sword that it accompanied Chi Xingji all the way and remained unchanged even after ascending to the fairyland.
During the most intimate days, Lian Qiang never held her hand and shared the sorrow. It was not because she didn't want to, but because she didn't dare.
She never thought that it would be in such an occasion that she would hold Chi Xingji's natal sword for the first time.
Lian Qiang originally thought that Tong Bei would reject her touch, but when she held the long sword, except that the sword was slightly heavier and longer, it lay obediently in her palm, waiting to be ordered at her command.
The patriarch saw this scene and seemed to be thinking about something.
There are two main reasons why a spirit sword obeys others. The first is that the master is far more powerful than the original owner, so it has no choice but to submit. The second is that the master shares the same mindset as the sword master, causing the sword to become familiar with the master's aura and regard him as its own master.
Chi Xingji and Lian Qiang certainly couldn't be the former case, so...
A hint of inquiring interest appeared in her eyes.
Lian Qiang was in no mood to investigate Tong Bei's strange behavior at the moment. All she could think about was how to survive the clan leader's three moves.
Even before the fight even began, beads of sweat already formed on her forehead. Although she didn't know who was truly superior, she knew that the opponent was a formidable force like Chi Xingji, so Lian Qiang didn't dare to neglect him.
Even after making sufficient preparations, the first sword still came unexpectedly!
Lian Qiang instinctively swung his sword to block, but still had to take several steps back before steadying his staggering steps. This was also thanks to Tong Bei's sharp sword energy, which neutralized most of the opponent's attacks.
"Oh?" The clan leader seemed a little surprised that she could take this move. He turned his elbow slightly and kindly reminded her, "Second move, here it comes!"
The second sword strike was even more ferocious! Only when her hands began to tremble again did Lian Qiang realize it belatedly—she took the second strike.
Something sticky seemed to be sliding down the left cheek slowly. Lian Qiang touched her face and felt a sharp pain. She also smelled a faint fishy smell at the tip of her nose.
Fortunately, it was just a minor injury. Lian Qiang wanted to curl the corners of her lips into a smile, but the next moment, hot blood gushed out of her throat.
She suppressed the urge to gag, held the sword in both hands again, calmed her breathing, and said, "...I'm ready."
In just two short strikes, Lian Qiang realized the distance between herself and the truly powerful was a chasm. It was a distance forged by time, a towering tower built by talent. Her climb was arduous, but she would never stop.
Seeing the determination in Lian Qiang's eyes, the clan leader had a blank expression on her face, and it was impossible to see what she was thinking for a moment. After a moment, she turned slightly and faced Lian Qiang, as if she was starting to face the tiny opponent in front of her.
Seeing this, Lian Qiang smiled at an inappropriate time. It turned out that she was not serious just now.
The clan leader remained silent. The momentum of the last strike far surpassed the combined power of the previous two. Lian Qiang even wondered for a moment, what would Chi Xingji do if she couldn't hold on and died under his sword?
He couldn't possibly go to the Phoenix Clan to seek justice for her, right? How would that be any different from risking his life? Or, could he call for Jiang Lang?
That's... too stupid. His mind was wandering, but Lian Qiang's hands were urging his spiritual power without realizing it, more, more!
At this moment, what comes to the face is unparalleled strength and the sword intent that has been comprehended to the pinnacle!
At this moment, Lian Qiang had only one thought: to survive!
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The author has something to say: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided me with nutrient solution between 2023-11-12 01:59:23 and 2023-12-12 22:02:25~
Thanks to the little angel who irrigated the nutrient solution: whatever ~ 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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