Volume 1, Chapter 117 – Miaoyin Valley

“As long as you like it, Miss.” Song Jue let out a long breath of relief. He had just been about to ask a few more questions about Shi Lan when the elder from Sky Thunder Hall hurried over and asked Shi Lan to follow him to the main peak.

“Young Master Song, I’ll be taking my leave.”

Shi Lan called out a brief farewell, then followed Gu Rentong after the elder, heading together toward the main peak.

The main peak was not a place just anyone could go. Chu Chen had no qualification to enter and was made to stay behind.

Song Jue watched the receding backs of Shi Lan and the others for a while. Then his eyes suddenly lit up and he walked over to Chu Chen.

“Brother, Miss Shi Lan is…”

Before Song Jue could finish his question, Chu Chen turned directly away and left, showing no intention whatsoever of responding.

Chu Chen’s complete disregard left Song Jue rather baffled. He could only silently note down the name Gufeng City, deciding that once this martial meet was over, he would head to Gufeng City to investigate.

After all, with Shi Lan’s outstanding looks and strength far beyond the norm for her age, there was no way she was some nameless nobody.

…

Shi Lan and Gu Rentong followed behind the elder as they drew closer to the main peak at the center of the mountain range.

As the distance closed, the rumbling of thunder in their ears grew clearer. Lightning flickered within the dark clouds shrouding the sky above the main peak, the light sharp enough to sting the eyes.

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Following the slope of the main peak upward, the three of them soon reached the summit.

At the very center of the peak stood a striking great hall, several hundred zhang long and wide, imposing and grand. Not far from the hall was an arena nearly two hundred zhang across. Tables and chairs were arranged around it, with many figures seated in groups around the perimeter.

“You two go wait by the arena. Someone will come tell you when the matches begin.” The elder waved his hand, signaling for Shi Lan and the others to head toward the arena, then walked off toward the great hall.

Gu Rentong led Shi Lan toward the arena. Around its edges sat several hundred people, gathered in small clusters. Martial artists of the Earth Fiend Realm, who were rare outside, could be seen here by the dozen at a glance.

And on top of those, there were many whose auras were so deeply restrained that she could not see through them at all.

Gu Rentong found an empty spot with Shi Lan and sat down. After scanning the surroundings, he began pointing out the opponents she might have to face next.

“That is Hao Pojun, grandson of Hao Hai, City Lord of Heimu City. When he took part in the martial meet last year, he was already at the ninth stage of the Innate Realm. Hao Hai has an artifact in his hand called the Calming Water Pearl, an exceptional-grade artifact that’s extremely troublesome to deal with. It should be in Hao Pojun’s hands now.”

Following Gu Rentong’s gaze, Shi Lan saw a young man in blue robes with fine, delicate features. He happened to be examining the newly arrived Shi Lan and Gu Rentong as well. When their eyes met, the man gave her a warm smile and nodded in greeting.

“The Hao clan’s inherited cultivation art is called the Canglang Art. Its true qi is thick and enduring. If you end up fighting him, it’s best to finish things quickly and not get dragged into a prolonged battle.” Gu Rentong added in a low voice before looking in another direction.

“That man is Zhao Jing’an, young lord of Rakshasa Manor. This old man doesn’t know much about him, but Rakshasa Manor is, after all, a sixth-grade power. There’s no way Zhao Jing’an lacks for exceptional-grade artifacts. People from Rakshasa Manor are known for being ruthless and vicious, with strange and ever-changing methods. You must be especially careful, young lady.”

Zhao Jing’an looked to be around twenty-five or twenty-six. He wore a tight-fitting black outfit, with several black-robed figures standing at his side.

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Martial artists were extremely sensitive to gazes. Sensing Shi Lan’s attention, Zhao Jing’an, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and looked her way. His pupils were not the usual dark brown but an unsettling shade of dark red.

After giving Shi Lan a couple of measuring glances, Zhao Jing’an closed his eyes again and went back to his meditation.

Gu Rentong carefully swept his gaze around the arena’s edge. Seeing no other people who fit the requirements to take part in the meet, he spoke up.

“This time there are four arenas in total. Including us, three have already arrived. Only the last arena’s people still haven’t…”

He broke off mid-sentence, his face growing slightly more solemn as he looked toward the great hall.

Shi Lan turned her head to follow his gaze and saw two graceful figures slowly approaching.

A woman of about thirty walked at an unhurried pace, leading a girl who didn’t look to be even twenty yet.

The girl was fresh and pretty, dressed in a long teal dress, with a guqin almost as tall as a person strapped to her back. “Who are they?” Seeing the grave look on Gu Rentong’s face, Shi Lan couldn’t help asking, puzzled.

“They’re from Miaoyin Valley.” Gu Rentong withdrew his gaze, his brows slightly furrowed.

“Miaoyin Valley?”

“Miaoyin Valley is a sixth-grade power, the same rank as Rakshasa Manor. Most of its members fight with musical instruments, using true qi to drive sound and injure, killing people without leaving a trace. I’ve never seen that young girl in the back before. The one in front is an elder of Miaoyin Valley. I met her once.”

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Shi Lan grew more cautious inside. From Gu Rentong’s serious expression alone, she could tell how troublesome Miaoyin Valley was.

Once the two women arrived, a figure leaped onto the arena. It was Elder Xin, whom Shi Lan had seen yesterday.

“The first match will be between Shi Lan of Gufeng City and Gu Rongyue of Miaoyin Valley.”

Elder Xin wasted no words and got straight to the point.

At the sound of Gu Rongyue’s name, Gu Rentong’s expression shifted slightly. He hurriedly said in a low voice, “I’ve heard of this Gu Rongyue before. They say she’s a once-in-a-century genius of Miaoyin Valley, a famed master of the zither path. You must be extremely careful, young lady!”

Hearing this, Shi Lan became even more focused. She nodded, then leaped up onto the arena. The Innate true qi in her body was pushed to its utmost, her bones and muscles taut, every nerve strung tight.

Gu Rongyue also stepped onto the arena. She moved neither too fast nor too slow, her steps as graceful as brushing past flowers and willows.

Watching Gu Rongyue’s elegant, swaying gait, Shi Lan slowly clenched her palm. She felt an invisible pressure wash over her, and faint beads of cold sweat seeped from her hand.

Elder Xin expressionlessly read through the rules of the match. After confirming that neither of them had any objections, he said:

“Begin the match!”

The moment the words left his mouth, the taut string in Shi Lan’s heart snapped. She moved instantly, like a caged tiger released. True qi surged wildly through her body, drawing out a long wake of air behind her as she crossed the space to Gu Rongyue in less than half a breath. Without the slightest hesitation, she pivoted smoothly, raised her leg, and swung a kick straight across toward Gu Rongyue’s chest.

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Shi Lan had never attacked from such an extreme state before. As her leg lashed out, an unprecedented, exhilarating sense of release surged up inside her.

Her kick was as fast as lightning. A sharply grating crack of bursting air sounded above, and the wind pressure whipped up in its wake scattered Gu Rongyue’s side hair.

Gu Rongyue’s expression went blank. She had only half-drawn the guqin from her back when Shi Lan’s kick, carrying all the strength in her body, smashed into her chest.

“Pfft—”

Gu Rongyue spat out a mouthful of blood. Her body was sent flying over a hundred zhang in an instant, tumbling straight off the arena.

Shi Lan somewhat dazedly lowered her leg and put away the Purple Star Seven-Section Halberd she had just summoned.

Her original plan had been to force Gu Rongyue back first and stop her from drawing her zither, then fight her with the halberd. She had never imagined that Gu Rongyue would be kicked off the arena by that very first strike.

With that, the string she had stretched so taut in her heart couldn’t quite relax all at once. It felt as if she hadn’t even exerted herself before her opponent had already gone down.

“Rongyue!”

With a cry of anguish, the woman below the arena rushed to Gu Rongyue, who lay on the ground with her eyes closed, already unconscious.