☆, Chapter 11: Male Lead, Hold On!
These words caused an uproar. Luo Binghe, standing in the crowd, was also stunned.
Without using even one hand?
Sha Hualing snorted, thinking Shen Qingqiu was being arrogant, but at the same time, she was secretly delighted. Why not win so easily? She hurriedly said, "Since Senior Shen has said so, let's begin!"
Many onlookers couldn't help but think this girl was shameless, eagerly taking advantage of others, and boos arose everywhere. Shen Qingqiu had one feeling as a reader watching the play while reading the book, but now, as an insider, he had another feeling. He also found Sha Hualing's way of doing things a bit hard to accept, but considering that she was still young and beautiful, he reluctantly regarded it as the cuteness of a spoiled little girl.
Under the watchful eyes of many, Shen Qingqiu did not draw his sword as instructed, but instead played with the folding fan in his hand and smiled slightly at the one-armed elder.
The one-armed elder had only one arm, but he wielded the ghost-head saber with undiminished power. Yet, his powerful strike missed its target. He turned around to find Shen Qingqiu standing in another spot, fanning himself with a folding fan and smiling at him.
However, the Xiuya Sword was already drawn. Shen Qingqiu didn't touch the blade directly with his hand; instead, he secretly formed a sword incantation with his left hand, manipulating the Xiuya Sword to fly and swing. The one-armed elder's eyes were hurt by the bright sword light, and he hurriedly drew his sword to attack again! The swords clashed, and the clanging sounds were incessant, with sparks flying and dancing.
Everyone watched intently. This match was truly both spectacular and visually stunning. The first "spectacular" aspect referred to the formidable skill of both fighters, making for an exciting and entertaining contest. The second "spectacular" aspect referred to the breathtaking visual effects. Shen Qingqiu, in particular, displayed remarkable ease and grace, his swift and elegant movements accompanied by flashing swordplay, all while maintaining a composed demeanor and a gentle wave of his paper fan. It seemed he could compose a poem at any moment, his demeanor utterly breathtaking!
Luo Binghe was almost mesmerized. He knew Shen Qingqiu was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to be this powerful.
So strong!
Amid cheers from his disciples, Shen Qingqiu achieved a resounding victory in the first match.
At this moment, Shen Qingqiu could somewhat understand the feeling that the original product would die if it didn't show off.
Because it was so awesome!
The disciples' admiring gazes formed a dazzling array of stars, making Shen Qingqiu feel incredibly inspired!
Even scumbag villains can farm prestige points, you bastard!
At the same time, the system also brought good news:
[In the first round of the demonic attack on the immortal mountain, Shen Qingqiu wins, gaining +50 to both martial prowess and prestige.]
Shen Qingqiu's relieved smile didn't last long before the system's next message slapped him in the face.
[Warning: If Luo Binghe does not participate in the battle, the protagonist's satisfaction level will be reduced by 1000.]
"What?!" Shen Qingqiu, who was completely unprepared, was shocked.
He painstakingly accumulated so much "satisfaction" points, but he only had a little over 300. And now he's lost over 1000?!
System, have you killed someone?!
This competition is a crucial part of the plot. It also serves as a key element in the early stages of the story, introducing the two female leads and their rivalry, recruiting followers, and acquiring secret techniques.
If Luo Binghe can't make an appearance here, he won't be able to steal the spotlight and attract everyone's attention, resulting in a -1000 level of satisfaction.
But if he is made to fight as one of the representatives of his faction, what kind of thing would Shen Qingqiu be doing?
The reason the original guy was able to push Luo Binghe onto the field is because he's shameless! He disregards the honor and disgrace of his sect! He hates Luo Binghe to the bone and wants to take the demon's hand to torture him!
But now, Shen Qingqiu doesn't meet any of these three criteria!
Ultimately, it's all the fault of this completely unscientific system!
Why should the protagonist's enjoyment be borne by someone else?
While Shen Qingqiu was still angrily denouncing the system's unscientific nature, the second match was about to begin.
Fearing that Shen Qingqiu would take on three opponents at once, Sha Hualing quickly said, "If all three matches are fought by the same person, then there is no point in sparring. The second competitor sent by my clan is myself."
She wanted to go on stage, firstly because she was confident in her own strength, and secondly because she felt that Shen Qingqiu wouldn't bully a junior just because he was a senior. Shen Qingqiu didn't want to pay attention to such petty thoughts at all. Even though he originally had the ambition to take on three opponents at once to increase his combat power and prestige, he lost interest after hearing the system notification.
However, the second match also had a very interesting and eye-catching aspect.
Shen Qingqiu said loudly, "You all heard what she said. Who is willing to take on this important task?"
Although he was asking all the disciples of the sect, his gaze fell on a certain area.
That area was filled with graceful female disciples, undoubtedly from Fairy Maiden Peak. Among this group of fair-skinned, beautiful, and elegant Fairy Maiden Peak girls, one stood out, her face veiled.
After Shen Qingqiu asked this question, the person slowly stood up.
Shen Qingqiu felt an overwhelming surge of excitement.
It's here! It's about to happen! The first showdown between the two female protagonists of this book!
Liu Mingyan was a stunning beauty. A beauty that could stun the heavens and move even the gods. Even on Fairy Peak, a place renowned for its beauties since ancient times, she would stand out from the crowd.
Her brother is the master of Hundred Battles Peak, but because she was younger and joined the sect later, she became the next generation disciple of Fairy Maiden Peak.
Because of her breathtaking beauty, she had to cover her face with a veil year-round, like a flower on a high mountain, unattainable.
In short, the author of "Xiang Tian Da Fei Ji" probably used every positive idiom he learned from elementary to high school to describe the character's appearance. It must have been really difficult for him.
Shen Qingqiu liked this female protagonist very much, not only because Liu Mingyan was the most beautiful. It was also because she was quite magnanimous, sensible, and understood the big picture. She was fair and upright in her actions and was a rare wife in Luo Binghe's vast harem who had both intelligence and good character.
One more thing. Liu Mingyan is the only female character in Xiang Tian Da Feiji's writing whose process of being pushed down is not described in detail. Although this arrangement greatly dissatisfied many readers, even leading to a massive online debate, it also gave Liu Mingyan something that other female protagonists lacked: a pure and innocent quality!
There's no way around it, what you can't have is always the best ╮(￣▽￣”)╭.
The highlight of this battle lies precisely in this. With a demonic enchantress, there must naturally be a righteous saintess. Every man harbors a dream of being caught in the middle, torn between angels and demons. Watching them fight over him one moment and risk their lives for him the next is the ultimate fantasy for male creatures. The wild and unrestrained charm of the evil enchantress can intoxicate them, while the alluring yet restrained allure of the pure saintess is equally alluring.
Thinking of this, Shen Qingqiu wiped away a tear of bitterness for herself and couldn't help but glance at Luo Binghe again.
Luo Binghe couldn't help but notice Shen Qingqiu's gaze. He wondered why Shen Qingqiu was paying so much attention to him. Did his master really...value him that much?
Unfortunately, in the works of the author "Xiang Tian Da Fei Ji Ju Ju," fights between female characters, unless they're tearing each other apart for men, are generally not very exciting. After a few incense sticks' worth of time, Liu Mingyan was defeated. After all, she hadn't yet found her sword at Wan Jian Peak and was only using an ordinary rapier, while Sha Hualing was already the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect; naturally, there was a difference in their strength.
Liu Mingyan walked up to Shen Qingqiu and said, "This disciple has failed. I have disgraced my mission. Please punish me, Uncle Shen."
Shen Qingqiu said, "It's already commendable that you have this sense of responsibility. Victory and defeat are common occurrences, so there's no need to worry about them. You can win them back in the future."
Sha Hualing, radiant with joy after winning the game, said with a charming smile, "This third match is the decisive one! I wonder which one Senior Shen will send out this time? We must choose carefully this time."
Shen Qingqiu stood with his hands behind his back and said meaningfully, "No need for you to worry, Miss. I already have someone in mind, and I can guarantee that, whether you win or lose, this person will be your nemesis."
Sha Hualing took it as him exaggerating, clapped her hands, and said, "Which brave warrior would like to volunteer for the third match?"
From among the demons, a giant elder slowly stepped forward.
It's called giant because it's so tall.
The cliff is over ten feet high!
He was burly and imposing, with disheveled hair, clad in spiked armor, and dragging a massive iron hammer. With each step he took, Shen Qingqiu felt the ground tremble slightly.
Sha Hualing said smugly, "Let me give you all a heads-up first. Elder Tianchui's armor barbs are coated with our clan's deadly poison. This poison is ineffective against demons, but if a human is pierced by it, there is no cure."
Shen Qingqiu's first impression of this sentence was: Damn, this guy who's always hitting the sky with his airplane is so cool and easy to name his kids!
One with only one arm is called the One-Armed Elder, and his weapon is a giant hammer, so he's called the Heavenly Hammer Elder. Can't you even come up with a proper name?!
Among the bystanders, however, a wave of indignation was stirred up.
"You vile vixen! A contest is a contest, but using deadly poison, what kind of fairness is that!"
Sha Hualing retorted, "I didn't hide that. If you feel it's unfair, or are afraid of dying from poisoning, nobles can simply give up the competition and admit defeat. The demons won't mock humans, after all, valuing life is human nature."
Amidst the jeers of the demons and the angry condemnations of the disciples, Shen Qingqiu's already low regard for Sha Hualing finally plummeted to its lowest point.
A woman like Sha Hualing is naturally adored by readers who can project themselves onto the protagonist's fantasy, but once someone actually becomes her confidante, he doesn't believe anyone would still like her!
It's not because it differs from the description in the book; in fact, the problem is that it's too faithful to the original!
With her ruthless and vicious personality, coupled with her mindless infatuation, those who aren't main characters should probably stay far away. If you threaten even the slightest of her own or Luo Binghe's interests, she'll be the first to kill you, even if you're her own father. In the original story, she even betrayed her own father to help Luo Binghe rise to power in the Demon Realm…
Luo Binghe, for now, I'll have to trouble you a little.
Shen Qingqiu remained unmoved by Sha Hualing's provocation, leaving a blank space as time to create pressure for the demons (and incidentally, to keep them in suspense) before finally turning around and staring intently in the direction of someone.
"Luo Binghe, you, come out."
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