Compared to Xia Chan’s blurring speed, he was like someone taking a leisurely stroll.
Shi Qing was already on his way back. The midday sun reflected off the white snow, slightly dazzling his eyes. He casually plucked a leaf from a branch on the mountain wall to shield his eyes and began climbing the stairs slowly toward the summit.
The jade token reacted at that moment. Shi Qing’s footsteps faltered briefly, but he continued upward, taking one step at a time.
After several dozen steps, he finally stopped. He pulled the jade token from his robes; seeing that the name “Xia Chan” had changed back to “Xie Ciyou,” his eyelid flickered. He took a moment to compose himself before opening the message interface.
First, a single word “Mhm” jumped into view. Then: “What is it?” Shi Qing mimicked his style and replied: “Nothing.” He added: “Take extra care.”
Just as he tucked the token away, a voice called out, “So you’re here! I was just about to look for you.”
Shi Qing turned around to see Xia Chan catching up from behind. Shi Qing asked, “Don’t you have midday lessons?”
“Oh, today is the fifteenth; it’s the day for the pavilion’s disciple duels. I came to tell you about it and ask if you want to watch.” Fearing Shi Qing might refuse, Xia Chan added, “You’ll be bored staying up there by yourself anyway. Come and watch.”
He had forgotten that on the fifteenth of every month, Aowu Pavilion disciples held duels at the martial arts field.
Xie Ciyou had never participated in the past. When Shi Qing asked out of curiosity, Xie Ciyou simply said, “I’ve been. It’s boring.”
Shi Qing figured that if Xie Ciyou said so, he shouldn’t waste his time either. But today, having nothing else to do, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to watch.
The martial arts field was located halfway down the summit complex, even lower than the Library. Fortunately, Xia Chan took him there via sword-flight, arriving in just a few breaths.
Within Aowu Pavilion, there were only personal disciples and ordinary disciples. Ordinary disciples studied under senior disciples; they only followed the summons of the Sword Pavilion. Only the Pavilion Master and personal disciples could reside in the Sword Pavilion.
Xie Ciyou was taught personally by the Pavilion Master and had the freedom to choose whether to attend morning or evening lessons. When Shi Qing first arrived in his past life, Xie Ciyou still attended, but later he spent all his time practicing swordplay with Shi Qing in the plum grove. Both were fueled by a drive to not be outdone by the other.
Shi Qing followed behind Xia Chan. Though his body was frail, he was much taller than others his age, making him appear exceptionally slender. Even wrapped in a thick cloak, he did not look bulky. He walked without haste, exuding a cold, noble air.
He didn’t look like a cultivator; he looked more like a refined young lord from a prominent family, carrying a detached elegance.
Shi Qing, the “cold, noble young lord,” looked at the chair before him—which was completely out of place at a martial arts field—and felt a bit subtle. “What exactly did your Pavilion Master tell you? I’m not so weak that I’ll collapse after standing for a while.”
Xia Chan looked at the chair he had prepared in advance and smiled. “You are an honored guest; it is only proper.”
Shi Qing raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Your Pavilion Master said I am an honored guest?”
“He didn’t say that exactly. But the Pavilion Master hasn’t brought anyone else back in all these years, and Zhong Ling instructed us to take careful care of you before he left. You must be an honored guest.”
Shi Qing wanted to argue, but Xie Ciyou’s behavior was strange. He decided to keep his mouth shut and sat directly in the chair. Since Xie Ciyou wasn’t here, he would accept the “honored guest” status.
Just then, someone challenged Xia Chan. Xia Chan bowed to Shi Qing and flew onto the stage.
Xia Chan held a sword; he was likely a sword cultivator. His opponent was a disciple wielding a long whip.
Aowu Pavilion was not comprised solely of sword cultivators. Many ancient mental methods and secret manuals were preserved there; weapons were merely external tools for those methods. The pavilion selected weapons based on the disciples’ traits and preferences.
The fight began. The whip lashed out, creating constant sonic booms. The whip twisted at sharp angles like a snake with a wide-open maw, flexibly attempting to coil around the sword blade. Xia Chan’s sword was more agile; he moved with the momentum—parrying, thrusting, or retracting to avoid the whip’s entanglement, letting the whip chase him without ever landing a “bite.”
Xia Chan’s sword style shared some similarities with Shi Qing’s. Watching the youth on the stage wielding his sword with such unbridled spirit, Shi Qing’s fingertips lightly rubbed the wooden armrest. His long lashes drooped slightly, hiding the emotions in his light-colored eyes.
He hadn’t used a sword in a long time. It had been after saving Gu Yan; his tendons were severed and his spiritual veins were ruined. He couldn’t even lift a sword.
During that period, Gu Yan was busy rebuilding the Qingyan Gate. Shi Qing stayed alone at Qingji Peak, seeing no one. The former genius had become a useless person overnight; no one dared to disturb him.
At that time, the war between immortals and demons was at its peak. The Qingyun Sect was terrified that the demons would seek revenge on him and guarded the sect heavily. They never expected that someone within the Qingyun Sect had long harbored jealousy and hatred against him, and would dare to use the opportunity to attempt something untoward.
Afterward, Gu Yan was furious when he heard the news and insisted on bringing Shi Qing back to the Qingyan Gate.
By then, with Shi Qing paving the way, Gu Yan was already famous throughout the immortal world. With his identity as the young master of the former Qingyan Gate revealed, his status was second only to the “Twin Celestial Wonders” Shi Qing and Xie Ciyou.
To suppress the scandal and stabilize its position as the top sect, while also wanting to maintain an alliance with Gu Yan, the Qingyun Sect offered half of a spiritual vein as compensation. They also proposed that Gu Yan and Immortal Master Shuangyu become Dao companions, so the two sects could support each other.
To establish a sect, a spiritual vein is the most vital element. Gu Yan was indeed moved. Although he had been furious on Shi Qing’s behalf, the heavy matter was ultimately picked up and then set down lightly.
Admired by thousands when at the peak, but turned into a bargaining chip when fallen into the mud—Shi Qing had experienced the ugliness of worldly interests. It was truly loathsome.
Since then, Shi Qing had focused on the path of arrays and almost never used a sword again, even after his cultivation was restored.
“Good!” The cheers from the crowd pulled Shi Qing back from his memories. On the stage, Xia Chan thrust his sword forward, sealing all his opponent’s moves. The blade stopped at the side of the opponent’s neck. He said clearly, “Thank you for the match.”
The opponent cupped his fists, bowed, and stepped down. In this manner, Xia Chan fought several people in a row. Shi Qing watched with an unreadable expression as the youth on the stage remained spirited and full of vigor.
Clang— A sword was tossed aside, landing right next to Shi Qing’s chair, as another person was knocked back.
Shi Qing caught sight of the sword wedged into the snow out of the corner of his eye. His fingers curled. The sword was so close; it seemed he only had to reach out to touch it.
“Sorry, sorry! Did I startle you?” Xia Chan ran over quickly, sweat on his brow.
Shi Qing said flatly, “No.” He then gave an appreciative smile. “A beautiful fight.”
Xia Chan smiled proudly and then said expectantly, “How about we have a match? I’m the only one in Aowu Pavilion studying arrays; I have no one to spar with.”
“Oh? You really know arrays too?”
“I do! Young Master, please spar with me.” Xia Chan’s voice carried urgency and a hint of a plea.
Being called “Young Master” and “Honored Guest” made Shi Qing a bit embarrassed. Seeing the youth’s earnest gaze, Shi Qing said, “If it’s only a spar in arrays, then alright.”
“Great!” Xia Chan was overjoyed. “I will suppress my cultivation to match yours.”
“Speaking of which, what is your age and cultivation level?” Shi Qing was indeed curious.
“Sixteen. I just broke through to the Nascent Soul stage,” Xia Chan said calmly, appearing not to realize how impressive he was.
This talent was indeed excellent. Recalling how he had mistaken the impersonating Xie Ciyou for a personal disciple, Shi Qing asked, “You aren’t the Pavilion Master’s personal disciple?”
“No.” But Xia Chan added proudly, “However, the Pavilion Master has pointed me in the right direction personally! Aside from Zhong Ling, I’m the first one he has given personal guidance to!”
Shi Qing nodded. He removed his cloak, feeling a bit of a chill.
Even though he was at the Foundation Establishment stage, the spiritual veins in this body were narrower and weaker than those of a normal person. Even against another Foundation Establishment cultivator, he would be at a disadvantage. As he continued to cultivate, the gap would only widen.
This was what they called talent; some people were simply born with a starting line higher than others.
“If you’re cold, you don’t have to take it off. It’s fine,” Xia Chan said considerately.
Shi Qing shook his head. “It’ll be fine once we start fighting.”
The two stood on the martial arts field, facing each other from opposite sides. The crowd of onlookers grew larger. Although they hadn’t interacted with Shi Qing, they all knew the pale, frail-looking youth was the Pavilion Master’s guest. Even though they could see his cultivation was low, no one showed any sign of contempt; they all watched seriously.
Shi Qing made a “please” gesture, his expression serious. Xia Chan did not underestimate his opponent either. Golden light flared beneath his feet, and he flew toward Shi Qing. This was an enhancement array that made Xia Chan’s movements several times faster than usual.
Shi Qing raised his hand.
Thud!
Xia Chan fell from mid-air and slammed onto the field.
“…”
The entire field went silent.
“…You don’t know the Soul-Binding Array?” Shi Qing looked at the immobilized Xia Chan and asked in surprise.
Xia Chan’s face was full of defeat. Who starts a fight with a Soul-Binding Array?!
“I can’t guarantee success every time yet,” Xia Chan said, his face turning bright red with frustration. “In the pavilion, aside from the Pavilion Master, only Zhong Ling knows it.”
“Sorry, sorry,” Shi Qing said apologetically. “Then I won’t use it either. I’ll only use basic arrays.”
He released the Soul-Binding Array. Xia Chan scrambled up, awkwardly brushing the dust off himself. He then said dismissively, “That’s great! You really are amazing. Again!”
Golden light flared beneath his feet as he lunged toward Shi Qing. Simultaneously, he formed hand seals. Golden light gathered at his fingertips, and an array appeared instantly before expanding rapidly. Xia Chan threw the array toward Shi Qing.
The speed was indeed fast; he was talented in arrays. Unfortunately, he was still too slow in front of Shi Qing. Shi Qing stood his ground, taking in all of Xia Chan’s movements. Just as the array left Xia Chan’s fingertips, Shi Qing formed a seal with his left hand. Instantly, an array took shape and converged into a single line, slicing through the air like a blade. It shattered the incoming array and the sword-intent continued toward Xia Chan without stopping.
Xia Chan’s pupils shrank. So fast! He used the array beneath his feet as a fulcrum in mid-air, twisting his body at an impossibly sharp angle to evade the sword-intent before lunging toward Shi Qing. He struck out with the array he had prepared.
Shi Qing looked up. He flicked his left wrist, and a defensive array formed instantly to block the incoming strike.
Boom!
An air current exploded outward, whipping the robes of the surrounding disciples. Shi Qing didn’t budge. Despite the fight, his robes remained untouched by dust.
On the field, golden light scattered. One figure remained as steady as a mountain, while the other was flying all over the place. Xia Chan tried various arrays and moves, but he couldn’t get close to Shi Qing.
Shi Qing said, “Try not suppressing your cultivation.”
Xia Chan’s array calculations weren’t precise enough. At the Foundation Establishment level, his spiritual energy was insufficient, and his array speed and power were limited.
“This…” After the exchange, Xia Chan knew that at the Foundation Establishment level, he was absolutely no match for the other. He couldn’t even get close. He nodded and said, “Then I’ll use my Golden Core cultivation first.”
Golden light erupted from Xia Chan, far more intense than before. Before he even got close, his light-array arrived. This time Shi Qing didn’t wait; he activated a Spirit-Gathering Array with his left hand and formed a seal with his right to open a barrier. The golden light slammed into it, and spider-web cracks appeared on the barrier.
As expected of a Golden Core from Aowu Pavilion. Previously, Shi Qing’s barrier at the Qi Refining stage could block several of Chen Shi’s sword moves, but now it cracked after a single hit.
Golden light filled the field again, its power several times stronger than before.
The martial arts field echoed with explosions. Shi Qing finally moved. The golden light beneath his feet flickered as he narrowly evaded every attack. With a raise of his hand, he deployed barriers to block unavoidable strikes from tricky angles. The barriers seemed perfectly calculated they shattered exactly after absorbing a single hit.
He didn’t waste a single drop of spiritual energy.
Compared to Xia Chan’s blurring speed, he was like someone taking a leisurely stroll.
Finally, Xia Chan stopped, gasping for breath. He said dejectedly, “I can’t hit you!”
Shi Qing had also consumed a lot of spiritual energy, and his body was feeling fatigued. Seeing Xia Chan’s annoyed look, he asked, “Did your Pavilion Master teach you your arrays?”
“Yes! No, wait, it was Immortal Master Shuangyu!” Xia Chan said tentatively.
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