Chapter 60 Presenting the Sword to Qingning: "I've hated you. How could I not hate you..."
But there are reasons for the existence of this rule.
They feared both that the elders might cheat by infusing spirits into the contestants, and that someone might be injured halfway through and then assassinated. Since the earliest Yun Ning Grand Competition had instances where participants were killed in exchange for their lives, this new rule was added.
The Miao Mountain Master said, "You may take this sword; it is a precious sword I used when I was young."
"With the competition approaching, we need to have a suitable weapon."
"This is a token of my appreciation from your master, Minister Liang, and his wife."
Zhou Fuling thanked her and accepted the gift, but she was troubled.
She indeed had no weapons.
After falling into the second part, she had just escaped danger when she entered the fourth part. She then entered the Cloud Candle Tower. Her time for rest and training was already tight, and she didn't have time to find a weapon along the way.
I had intended to pick any weapon that suited me from the gifts I received yesterday, but now that the Miao Mountain Lord has presented me with a clearly superior sword in public, I dare not refuse it, otherwise it would be inappropriate.
Zhou Fuling stared at Master Miao and thought, "What you sent was sent by your master, Kuang Yunchu. They're pretty much the same. I wonder what kind of sinister tricks he'll use."
But a better weapon was indeed needed. He accepted it, but was somewhat sullen.
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind: "Turn around."
It was precisely Xu Qingning's voice, like the clear, cold spring.
Zhou Fuling turned around, but suddenly froze.
The first thing that caught the eye was not Xu Qingning, but a sword box covered with exquisite embroidery and radiating a spiritual aura.
Xu Qingning held the sword box and, seeing Zhou Fuling blinking, couldn't help but chuckle: "Open it and take a look."
Zhou Fuling hesitated for a moment, then unfastened the clasp and opened the sword box. Inside was a precious sword, three feet two inches long. Its scabbard and hilt were snow-white, yet adorned with gold, like gold leaping in the cold snow.
As the sword was drawn from its sheath, a deep, resonant sound, like the hum of a snake, rang out.
Looking at the patterns on its blade, they resembled the flowing of stars; looking at its light, they resembled flowing gold. Trying to lightly strike a mortal short sword she had acquired in the past, the sword broke instantly with the slightest touch, cutting through iron like mud.
Minister Liang said, "This sword is forged like a cluster of stars, radiating spiritual energy, like ice and snow melting away. It is truly a fine sword!" He then patted Master Miao on the shoulder, adding, "Your sword is also rare, but the quality of this sword surpasses the one you gave me!"
The mountain lord of Miao Mountain looked rather grim. He composed himself and said, "It is indeed a fine sword."
Miao Shanzhu pulled Liang Bucheng away, but Liang Bucheng quietly asked about Xu Qingning's background.
The Miao mountain master did not answer.
Liang Bucheng: "Can you at least tell me if they're a couple?" Liang Bucheng glanced at the two of them. "From what I've observed these past two days, they seem like a couple, but they don't quite look like one."
The Miao Mountain Master rolled his eyes: "Of course they're couples. Not now, but they always will be. And some couples just won't make their relationship public."
Minister Liang asked, "Like how my elder sister and I were at the beginning?"
Master Miao spat, his expression softening slightly, but he instructed Minister Liang to be careful.
But since their opponent was Zhong Dashan, they didn't take it too seriously.
-
Zhou Fuling held the sword in her hand and felt it overflow with spiritual energy, making it extremely lovable.
Xu Qingning introduced the sword: "This sword is called 'Leaping Gold'. It was forged by a swordsman named Zhao Nan in the mortal realm. He is not famous. He was introduced to me by the mountain lords when I was traveling in the mortal realm. I then sent people to find the sword and kept it in the mortal realm. No one else knows about it."
"Take it."
Having experienced hardship, Xu Qingning was mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace. He had stored many rare artifacts in the mortal realm that were of unknown origin, mostly belonging to fallen noble families. These artifacts had been stolen and disappeared for many years, and the whereabouts of many were unknown.
When Xu Qingning escaped from the first part and recalled Zhou Fuling's situation, she thought of this very thing.
When I contacted her to let her know I was safe, I sent someone to retrieve the sword. Yesterday, I had it placed in a location in Yundu. Xu Qingning will retrieve it on her return journey. I prepared this precious sword for her.
Because Xu Qingning was unaware of Zhou Fuling's skill level, she did not prepare such a weapon for her.
Now that she is about to conquer all, she needs a good general and a good weapon, and Xu Qingning has prepared them for her.
Zhou Fuling said, "It's definitely not something that can be achieved in a day."
Xu Qingning: "Indeed."
Zhou Fuling accepted it.
To be honest, Xu Qingning is indeed more reliable than Miao Shanzhu and the others. A month ago, she would never have imagined that she would end up like this.
A silencing symbol was used.
Zhou Fuling whispered:
I hurt you. Don't you hate me?
If you speak vaguely, you won't be afraid of others overhearing you.
Xu Qingning: "I hated you. How could I not hate you for hurting me like that?"
Zhou Fuling: "Clearly..." but then stopped herself, "Never mind."
[Favorability-15%]
Xu Qingning had never heard Zhou Fuling act this way before. To dissect Zhou Fuling, he could only say, "What exactly? I hope you will tell me. I have no idea what you are thinking."
But all they could do was remain silent.
After a while, he said in a low voice, "But you know, I can't bring myself to hate him either."
[Villain's favorability +20%]
Xu Qingning suddenly looked up at Zhou Fuling: "..."
Zhou Fuling was speechless for a while, then said, "Oh, right."
She took out a mustard seed bag and placed it in Xu Qingning's palm.
Xu Qingning asked, "What is this?"
Zhou Fuling turned and left.
Xu Qingning opened the mustard seed pouch and was stunned, her gaze following Zhou Fuling's retreating figure.
This was the "Eternal Sword" that he had given her that day—his natal sword!
Not long ago, he and Zhou Fuling had a falling out. Zhou Fuling kidnapped him and took him on a journey, but they were intercepted by the Rain Master, and both of them were in imminent danger.
To help Zhou Fuling escape danger and to gain her trust, Xu Qingning handed her his natal sword and then led the rain master away.
After their reunion, Zhou Fuling never mentioned returning the sword. Xu Qingning thought that Zhou Fuling still didn't quite believe him. For reasons he couldn't explain himself—perhaps because he didn't want to shatter the illusion he was in—he didn't bring it up either.
But holding this "Eternal Sword," Xu Qingning felt her palms burning, and kept thinking, "She actually returned it to me...she actually returned it to me."
Sometimes, he just wished the system didn't exist.
But they could only remain silent.
...
The martial arts test has finally begun.
Zhou Fuling, as the winner of the trial, went on stage in the first round to fight against her chosen opponent, Dong Minglian.
Everyone was eagerly anticipating seeing Zhou Fuling's abilities.
However, this match left most people completely bewildered, while infuriating a few.
Zhou Fuling's moves were weak and feeble, her intent and swordplay in disarray. It was clear she had received proper instruction, but her fundamentals were not very strong, and she made many mistakes.
Moreover, and most importantly, all she does is randomly unleash spiritual energy with some magical artifacts, and her movement techniques are mediocre.
"Shu Minglian is likely to win!"
Only Ling Fu, sitting below the stage, exclaimed inwardly, "Wow, she's only been learning Yun Ning's technique for a few days, how come she's already acting so well?"
However, just when everyone thought Shu Minglian was going to win a great victory, Shu Minglian made a mistake.
Shu Minglian and Zhou Fuling exchanged blows, and at first they launched a respectable attack, but later she made several mistakes in a muddled way.
Zhou Fuling's moves were soft and weak, while Shu Minglian's arms moved like butterflies wielding her sword, looking very imposing. But then, with a clang, her chest collided with Zhou Fuling's palm, and she cried out "Ouch!" before falling to the ground.
It seemed as if Zhou Fuling had beaten him so badly he was completely disoriented.
Many people were taken aback.
The Rain Master rubbed his eyes.
Even if Yu Shi Xin Dao Shu Ming Lian wanted to betray the third part, she wouldn't be so clumsy. Was she accidentally poisoned and brain-damaged by that treacherous villain on the other side?
Suddenly, the Fire-Singing Immortal Master slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Outrageous! What kind of nonsense is this!"
Master Long remained silent. They were supporting Ning Chaoxue, weren't they also engaging in these kinds of schemes? But Song Huo was always unreasonable, so he dared not say anything.
Shu Minglian collapsed to the ground, seemingly unconscious, but secretly groaned in pain.
This "Lingfu"!
I thought that if she said she wanted to win, she would have some skill and could lose gracefully. But when she stepped onto the Sword-Testing Platform, she didn't use any skill at all!
This is outrageous!
Shu Minglian had originally devised a plan to "lose gracefully" based on the fact that Zhou Fuling was a third-rank official.
When she finally took to the stage, Shu Minglian's mentality collapsed.
Zhou Fuling was very frugal, not using any of her internal energy. The method she had racked her brains for was practically useless; she still had to use her spiritual energy to replenish Zhou Fuling's internal energy to prevent the situation from becoming too dire.
...but it doesn't seem to be of much use.
Shu Minglian still lost badly.
Seeing this, Xu Qingning chuckled softly, knowing that Zhou Fuling's efforts yesterday had paid off.
The group then went to see another performance.
The other match was also evenly matched, because it was also a fixed match.
Ning Chaoxue faced off against Liu Wuxing, who suffered a crushing defeat and gracefully exited the stage.
Zhou Fuling returned to Zhigetai and sat cross-legged.
Minister Liang asked, "What exactly did you do with that sorcerer yesterday?" He was completely baffled. "How many spirit stones did you give him to make him willing to lose like that? Or did you find some dirt on his ancestors?!"
Zhou Fuling said, "I have my own methods."
Liang Bu Cheng sighed, but his gaze drifted to another disciple.
Zhou Fuling also knew that the battle that was about to begin would be truly dangerous.
It seems that if Qinghu Yue were to fight Ning Hong, it would be a fierce battle. Qinghu Yue was covered in cold sweat, her face was pale, but her gaze was resolute as she looked ahead.
With a sword's cry, the martial arts test resumed, with Qinghu Yue facing off against Ning Hong, and Song Huo against Ning Bai.
Zhou Fuling watched the battle from the Zhige Platform.
Qinghu Yue leaped onto the high platform, her steps light and agile, and drew her sword towards Ning Hong.
Ning Hong said, "Junior Sister Huyue, I've often heard people say that you're impulsive and short-sighted, and now I see that's really true. I thought I was going to face Yun Yi's expert, but you've helped me avoid the sword's edge for now."
Qinghu Yue sneered, "Enough nonsense. If you ask me, I might as well help the other swordsmen test your moves!"
No sooner had she finished speaking than Qinghu Yue made her move in the blink of an eye, swift as a rabbit and a falcon, her sword energy slashing towards Ning Hong.
Driven by a desire for revenge, Qinghu Yue seized every opportunity to strike, disregarding all else.
Her moves were grand and simple, but Ning Hong's movements were ghostly and elusive, as if she were walking on clouds and mist, and she neutralized Qinghu Yue's attack.
Zhou Fuling stood on the Zhige Platform, frowning: "This is bad. Ning Hong's skills are like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving no trace. She has integrated her power and moves into a perfect whole, and there is also a Daoist charm. As the young master, her moves are far superior to those of Minister Liang. I wonder what kind of strength her mother has."
As expected, Qinghu Yue was able to spar at first, but that was just Ning Hong testing the waters.
Then, Ning Hong changed her footwork again, and Qing Hu Yue couldn't even touch the hem of her clothes.
Ning Hong leaped up again and struck at Qing Hu Yue's head, several golden beams shooting towards Qing Hu Yue's eyes, intending to blind her!
Qinghu Yue quickly dodged, letting out a scream as she was struck in the back.
Afterwards, this place of fighting became a playground for teasing prey.
Ning Hong was exceptionally skilled, chasing Qing Huyue as if she were teasing a cat, leaving Qing Huyue covered in wounds soon afterward.
Liang Bucheng stood up and shouted angrily, "Huyue, Huyue... you should admit defeat!"
Qinghu Yue coughed up blood, gritting her teeth and refusing to admit it: "No!"
Liang Bucheng was so anxious that his body was trembling.
Another half hour passed, and it seemed that only a few inch of Qinghu Yue's meridians were intact.
Ning Hong sighed, "Alright, don't get up. I didn't mean to hurt anyone from the Fourth Division. It wouldn't look good if you died on the Sword-Asking Platform."
Her sword was pressed against Qinghuyue's face.
Qinghu Yue crawled up from the pool of blood and whispered, "Come here."
"What?" Ning Hong approached.
But then, the meridians on Qinghuyue's wrist emitted a golden snake-like light, and suddenly they exploded!
Liang Bucheng stood up abruptly and cried out mournfully, "Lake Moon!!"
Ning Hong was also greatly shocked.
"You'll explode!"
It turned out that Qinghu Yue had planned to launch a swift attack early on, intending to injure Ning Hong at all costs.
However, the difference in their understanding of the Dao was too great, and Qinghu Yue was unwilling to be defeated. In her dying moments, she unleashed all her spiritual power, wanting only to perish together with Ning Hong!
Ning Chengshan also cried out anxiously, "Hong'er!!"
Ning Hong had no time to dodge and was instantly blown up and covered in wounds.
The moon over Qinghu Lake dimmed, and he fell off the Sword-Asking Platform.
We lost.
Liang Bucheng quickly caught her, calling out, "Huyue!!"
Qinghu Yue is unconscious.
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