Chapter 41 - 16: Winner: Li Shuang

Ye Zhaozhao froze, her heart skipping a beat.

Li Shuang’s gaze was exceptionally calm, like an impossibly deep, still pool.

But within that placid pool, a sharp glint of light seemed to be brewing.

For some reason, Ye Zhaozhao felt a sting from that light and couldn’t react for a moment.

By the time she snapped out of it, Li Shuang had already left with the others from Heartless Peak.

Ye Zhaozhao whipped her head around, only catching a glimpse of her cold, retreating figure.

"Zhaozhao, don’t listen to her boasts," Chang Le’an sneered. "She’s got decent luck, drawing Lei Chengkong for the first round. He’s only at Early-stage Foundation Establishment. But even so, that’s a whole major realm above her! The selection matches start after noon. I’ll come with you, and we can watch her make a fool of herself."

Ye Zhaozhao said softly, "Third Senior Brother, please don’t say that. I’m truly hoping Senior Sister Li wins."

Chang Le’an immediately gave Ye Zhaozhao another look of immense pity.

He steeled his resolve. ’I have to protect Zhaozhao. With her gentle nature, who knows how badly she’ll be bullied otherwise!’

「Afternoon.」

「Martial Arts Arena.」

The first round of selection matches began on time.

In this round, Li Shuang was the only one from Heartless Peak participating. Luo Mingyue and the others were below the stage, cheering her on.

From Lingxu Peak, only Chang Le’an had come, bringing Ye Zhaozhao with him.

Ye Zhaozhao made a point of summoning the Sword Spirit Long Yan.

A sweet smile spread across her face. "Long Yan, you were her Sword Spirit, so you know her better than anyone. Watch her fight closely. See if there are any changes in her swordsmanship."

Long Yan agreed without hesitation.

He stared intently at the fighting stage.

’A Sword Cultivator and their treasure sword always complement each other. Without the nourishment of Li Shuang’s Sword Qi, things haven’t been easy for me lately. But as long as I can be with Zhaozhao, nothing else matters.’

’And Li Shuang? Without the Dragon Roar Sword, she must be living day and night in regret.’

’This endless regret is the price she deserves to pay for abandoning me so easily.’

「On the stage.」

Lei Chengkong’s expression was relaxed. "Senior Sister Li, if you hadn’t gone through your reincarnation, I would definitely be no match for you. But now... all I can say is, I’m sorry."

A cyan treasure sword appeared in Lei Chengkong’s hand.

An illusory image of a Sword Spirit flashed across the treasure sword, and its sharp edge instantly flared with light.

In the Sword Sect, the nurturing of a Sword Spirit is divided into three levels.

The first level is the Sword Spirit Illusion. At this stage, the Sword Spirit has no physical form and can only provide a slight boost.

The second level is Transforming Void into Reality. At this stage, the Sword Spirit has been nurtured to a certain point and can even gain a tangible, physical form. Once it has a physical body, the Sword Spirit can leave the space within the treasure sword for a time, wield the sword on its own, and practice combination attacks with its master. The boost a Sword Cultivator receives from a Sword Spirit with a physical form is a world-shaking change compared to before.

And then there is the third level: Human and Sword Unity.

At this stage, the Sword Cultivator and Sword Spirit are telepathically linked; when one has a thought, the other acts. With such a connection, even a casual strike can erupt with tremendous power.

Previously, Li Shuang had nurtured Long Yan to the second level: Transforming Void into Reality.

Lei Chengkong’s Sword Spirit, however, was far behind. It seemed to be in the initial phase of the first stage, providing only a very limited boost to his swordsmanship!

But.

Lei Chengkong’s advantage was that he had already achieved Foundation Establishment, making his power far greater than Li Shuang’s!

He didn’t underestimate Li Shuang, however, and attacked with his full power from the start!

Li Shuang’s gaze remained calm. Amidst the incredibly fierce assault, she had already found its weakest point!

Black Abyss struck out. Li Shuang casually tapped a point in the air!

And then!

The momentum of the fierce attack suddenly dissipated.

Lei Chengkong never expected Li Shuang to block his strike. Before he could even react, Li Shuang executed a flash of exquisite footwork and instantly appeared behind him.

The Black Abyss Sword struck.

And so.

Lei Chengkong was launched into the air, landing heavily outside the boundaries of the stage.

Li Shuang sheathed her sword and cupped her fist in her palm. "Thank you for the match," she said, her expression serene.

Lei Chengkong stared blankly at the stage.

The afternoon sun was a bit glaring.

And in that light, the cool and aloof young woman stood calmly, like a goddess.

’Qi Cultivation Stage...’

’...defeated a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator in a single move.’

Lei Chengkong’s lips trembled.

He tried to find an excuse for his loss but came up with nothing.

His Spiritual Power was indeed far greater than Li Shuang’s, but she had effortlessly dodged the fiercest part of his attack and exploited his one and only weakness.

’That kind of insight...’

’...only comes from fighting a hundred battles.’

’It’s impossible without a profound understanding of swordsmanship.’

"I lost," Lei Chengkong said, utterly dejected.

Chang Le’an’s expression soured. "That Lei Chengkong is completely useless!" he said through gritted teeth. "But it doesn’t matter. Her luck can’t last forever. She’ll definitely lose in the next round!"

Ye Zhaozhao glanced at Long Yan.

Long Yan quickly chimed in, "Zhaozhao, it doesn’t matter if she wins or loses! If she manages to reach the third round and actually becomes your opponent, that would be for the best! When that happens, I’ll make sure she understands the meaning of a crushing defeat."

A faint smile graced Ye Zhaozhao’s lips. "With Ah Yan here, I’m not afraid of anything."

A flash of tenderness crossed Long Yan’s eyes. ’For a smile like that from Zhaozhao, I’d willingly do anything. I really made the right choice.’

The referee was silent for a moment before announcing loudly, "The winner: Li Shuang of Heartless Peak!"

Li Shuang nodded and turned to leave the stage.

The next moment.

"Little Frost is the best! Little Frost is the strongest! Little Frost totally rocks!" At some point, Luo Mingyue had unfurled a massive banner and was now shouting enthusiastically.

Liu Juncheng, looking as if he had lost all will to live, had been handed a small flag and was waving it helplessly.

Even Jiang Yi hadn’t been spared. She kept her head down in embarrassment, mechanically waving another small flag.

Li Shuang: "..."

She suddenly wasn’t so eager to leave the stage.

But Luo Mingyue had already rushed over and was forcibly dragging her away.

Li Shuang was instantly surrounded by the members of Heartless Peak, and the group departed in a boisterous crowd.

Shen Yue hadn’t dared to show himself near the stage. He watched from a distance, only emerging from his corner in a daze after he saw Li Shuang being swept away by her cheering crowd.

’Senior Sister... won.’

’Actually... Senior Sister never used to lose.’

’But she was the Senior Sister.’

’Wasn’t it only natural for her to win?’

’We never even thought of celebrating for her.’

Now.

’Senior Sister has sect members around her now who truly care about her.’

’Will she really...’

’...ever come back to Lingxu Peak?’

Before.

Even though Li Shuang had left Lingxu Peak, Shen Yue had always felt that she would eventually return.

But now...

...he wasn’t so sure anymore.

The Senior Sister who had taken risks to help him through his Heart Fire tribulation, who had unreservedly passed on her knowledge of the Sword Dao, now belonged to someone else.

The day’s matches were over. Yet Shen Yue remained in the shadows for a long time. It wasn’t until the sun had set that he staggered back to Lingxu Peak.

「Night.」

Li Shuang looked at the now fully illuminated Jade Scroll, a smile touching her eyes.