One incense stick later.
"The third match of the Grand Competition: Ji Sui'an of Qinghua Peak versus Ji Yun'er of Qinghua Peak!"
As the elder announced, Ji Sui'an rose, gripping her sword as she stepped onto the arena.
Before ascending the stage, just like in her previous life, her junior brothers transmitted a low, urgent voice: "Yun'er's strength is lower than yours. Remember to go easy on her; don't let her be embarrassed."
Ji Sui'an let out a soft, disdainful scoff. Dream on.
Across from her, Ji Yun'er glanced at the jade bracelet still adorning her wrist, a deeply concealed malice and arrogance flashing in her eyes.
After today, she would become the most dazzling pearl in all of the Central Continent, while Ji Sui'an would be trampled into the mud, never to rise again.
What "Heaven's Chosen Daughter," what "peerless talent"—they were nothing but stepping stones for her!
Ji Sui'an stood with her sword, strands of hair lightly stirring, keenly sensing the glee hidden in the other's eyes.
She slowly curved her lips.
Ji Yun'er, I'm afraid this time you won't get your wish.
"Begin the match!"
With a resounding declaration, both moved simultaneously.
Ji Sui'an unleashed a Sword Art, instantly forcing Ji Yun'er back to the edge of the arena. Before Ji Yun'er could even raise her guard, Ji Sui'an chanted a Magic Incantation, blasting a large crater into the section of the arena where Ji Yun'er stood.
Ji Sui'an pressed her attacks relentlessly, leaving Ji Yun'er to dodge in a somewhat flustered manner.
Anyone could see Ji Sui'an's reckless fighting style, let alone Sword Venerable Xuanxiao.
Seated high on the platform, a flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes. His disciple had become increasingly ill-mannered lately, actually using such heavy-handed tactics against her own junior sister.
Yet he failed to notice the excitement in the eyes of his beloved youngest disciple.
Who would have thought that this wretch Ji Sui'an was still so strong even after her cultivation had fallen to Foundation Establishment? Ji Yun'er's eyes brimmed with excitement. Soon, the power Ji Sui'an had desperately cultivated would be hers!
"System! I want to transfer Ji Sui'an's cultivation right now!"
"Transfer of cultivation is limited to once every three months. Current available uses: one. Host, confirm—" "I confirm!"
Ji Sui'an only felt the jade bracelet on her wrist begin to grow faintly warm, her Spirit Sea even slowly shrinking.
Pressing her lips together, she swung her sword. Taking advantage of Ji Yun'er's counterattack and a blind spot in her line of sight, she struck her own heart meridian with a palm strike.
Amidst the sharp pain, Ji Sui'an saw a clearly visible crack appear deep within the jade bracelet.
So it was indeed like this.
In her previous life, this jade bracelet had only fallen from her wrist after a Demonic Cultivator tore out her heart. It truly was connected to her life force!
"Ah—!"
Ji Yun'er, who had been fighting with increasing ferocity, suddenly let out a piercing scream and plummeted heavily from the air onto the arena floor.
From the perspective of others, it appeared as though Ji Sui'an's sword energy had swept Ji Yun'er down.
Enduring the intense pain, Ji Sui'an felt the spiritual power returning to her body, her blood-stained lips curling into a high, triumphant smile.
She turned, her long sword resting against Ji Yun'er's neck. "You lose."
Ji Yun'er violently spat out a mouthful of blood. Sensing her own cultivation had fallen to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, she murmured in disbelief, "Impossible! This can't be!"
How could she possibly suffer a Cultivation Backlash?!
"Junior Sister!"
The disciples of Qingzhu Peak were shocked. Luo Zhuyuan reacted first, rushing onto the arena to lift the fallen Ji Yun'er into his arms, carefully feeding her an extremely precious Grade Seven Pill.
The Fourth Junior Brother beside them had red-rimmed eyes as he raised his head and glared angrily at Ji Sui'an across from him. "Senior Sister, how could you hurt Little Junior Sister! Little Junior Sister has always been frail—what would it have cost you to yield to her?"
Ji Sui'an sneered coldly, sheathing her sword and standing firm. "Her injury is due to her own lack of skill. In the sect competition, am I supposed to play house with her?!"
"How has Little Junior Sister's cultivation fallen to the mid Foundation Establishment stage?!"
Luo Zhuyuan was examining Ji Yun'er's injuries when he suddenly discovered that Ji Yun'er, who should have been at the late Foundation Establishment stage, had actually dropped to the mid Foundation Establishment stage!
"What?"
Sword Venerable Xuanxiao's expression tightened instantly. He flashed to Ji Yun'er's side in a blur, examining her condition.
In the next moment, he rose in shock and fury, his oppressive aura bearing down relentlessly on the slender young girl.
Ji Sui'an gritted her teeth, one knee slamming to the ground as she channeled all her spiritual power into resisting the pressure—but it was futile.
Biting down hard, blood trickled from the corner of her lips, yet she spoke with chilling calm. "I wonder what I have done to provoke such anger from the Sword Venerable?"
Xuanxiao roared, his voice loud enough to echo across the entire arena. "You actually practice an Evil Art, devouring Yun'er's cultivation! You are unworthy of being a disciple of the Lingyun Immortal Sect!"
"What? Ji Sui'an is an Evil Cultivator?!"
The surrounding disciples began whispering among themselves, while the disciples of Qinghua Peak turned ashen-faced.
Ji Xunzhou frowned. "An Evil Cultivator? Xuanxiao, are you certain you haven't made a mistake?"
Although he currently disliked this daughter of his, he still felt that Ji Sui'an was not the type to practice an Evil Art.
Xuanxiao tightened his grip on his sword. "I have just examined her. Yun'er's cultivation was forcibly stripped away. In this short time, the only person who has been in contact with Yun'er is Ji Sui'an!"
Ji Sui'an let out a cold laugh. In her past life, her own cultivation had also been forcibly stripped away, yet Xuanxiao had merely said that even if her cultivation had been devoured, it was due to her own inadequacy. He had punished her with three months of seclusion, only allowing her to leave once her strength was restored.
How laughable.
"One may eat recklessly, but one must not speak recklessly."
She raised her eyes. Even framed, even enveloped by Sword Venerable Xuanxiao's oppressive aura, her voice remained surprisingly calm.
"Sword Venerable Xuanxiao, you should know that only two types of people can practice Evil Arts: Evil Cultivators and Demonic Cultivators."
Ji Sui'an spoke in a low, steady voice. "Where there is action, traces remain. Whether an Evil Cultivator or a Demonic Cultivator, anyone who walks the evil path will inevitably have impurities within their Divine Soul."
Xuanxiao's brow furrowed deeply. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Ji Sui'an looked toward the pale-faced Ji Yun'er and slowly curved her lips into a smile. "The Soul-Viewing Jade can test the Divine Soul. Let both Ji Yun'er and I undergo the soul test. Who is the Evil Cultivator will be revealed at once."
Ji Yun'er, surrounded at the center, turned even paler instantly, her hands clenching tightly.
No, she couldn't undergo the soul test!
Her gaze, filled with grievance, turned toward her master and her father. She knew that to achieve her goal, she didn't need to scream or shout hysterically.
Sure enough, seeing her aggrieved expression, Ji Xunzhou looked at Ji Sui'an with extreme impatience. "The Soul-Viewing Jade is one of our sect's treasures, guarded by the Venerable Elders. How can we disturb them over such a trivial matter?!"
Ji Sui'an smiled faintly, though her eyes held no warmth. "A Direct Disciple of the foremost sect being falsely accused as an Evil Cultivator—by no means can that be considered a trivial matter."
Yet Ji Xunzhou's gaze remained indifferent. Standing with his hands behind his back, he didn't even glance at her. It seemed he was determined not to use the Soul-Viewing Jade.
And seeing the aggrieved look in his most cherished disciple's eyes, Xuan Xiao's fury intensified further, his sword already drawn from its sheath.
Ji Sui'an gritted her teeth. In her current state, facing Xuan Xiao was undoubtedly like an ant trying to shake a tree.
Could it be that this time, she would die beneath Xuan Xiao's sword?