“My Junior Sister is also very well-behaved,” Yan Zhao said, emphasizing every word.
Ning Shuang raised an eyebrow and gave a gentle smile. “Is that so?”
She tidied a stray lock of hair at her temple, falling into a memory. “When Lulu entered the sect, she was just a little sprout. She grew up following me since she was small. Like a little tail, wherever I went, she would always be right behind me.”
“Lulu lost her match and isn’t very happy,” she said, looking up at Yan Zhao. “I hope her mood can improve a bit.”
“So, Fellow Daoist Yan, in this match, I will do my utmost to defeat you.”
Yan Zhao: “…”
Was there really any need for all that nonsense beforehand?
She raised her sword in greeting. “As will I.”
Unlike the minor skirmishes from before, the moment the two struck, surging spiritual power erupted like a tide, instantly sweeping across the entire competition stage.
The sky turned slightly dim, and lightning flickered in the clouds.
Amidst the howling wind, Yan Zhao unleashed her first strike.
The White Jade Sword drew a snowy-white arc of sword light, like the most dazzling bolt of lightning or a majestic dragon tearing through the entire firmament.
Vast, grand, and unyielding.
That was Yan Zhao’s sword intent.
“Compared to the last Sect Grand Competition, Senior Sister seems even more powerful!”
The watching disciples below broke into cries of surprise. “As expected of the Eldest Senior Sister! I’m afraid few in the Golden Core Realm could withstand this strike. The victory is decided!”
Upon hearing this, a disciple from the Green Mountain Sword Sect immediately sneered, “Don’t speak too soon. Our Senior Sister Ning Shuang is no ordinary person. Just wait and see!”
Indeed, facing this earth-shaking strike, Ning Shuang’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she did not appear overly panicked.
She raised her arm and brought out her weapon.
It was a longsword that was also pure white, though its blade was more delicate than Yan Zhao’s White Jade Sword.
It had a beautiful and famous name: “Treading Snow.”
When the Treading Snow sword was drawn, countless plum blossoms would fall.
These “plum blossoms” did not refer to actual flowers, but rather to the drops of blood sliding down the blade. Each drop splattered like a fallen petal.
Ning Shuang tapped her foot and turned her body, narrowly evading the frontal brunt of the sword light.
She swung her sword with extreme speed.
Ning Shuang’s features were delicate, the Treading Snow sword was delicate, and even her slender jade fingers gripping the hilt would only make one think of soft grace.
However, where the sword light pointed, it was like the sudden collapse of a mountain cliff!
The cliff fell, and behind it, the rivers surged and torrential rain followed.
In a trance, one could almost hear a white tiger roaring at the sky the provocation of the King of Beasts toward a threat.
Yan Zhao and Ning Shuang.
A battle between the Dragon and the Tiger.
“Senior Sister and the others are too incredible! Is this really the level of strength Golden Core disciples can display?”
The crowd was nearly dumbfounded.
On the spectator stands, Elder Xu couldn’t help but lean forward, unable to hide the anxiety in his heart. “Daoist Master Daoxu’s youngest disciple truly lives up to her reputation as a genius.”
The Sect Leader remained in his usual lazy posture, leaning against the back of his chair, casually tossing a spirit fruit into his mouth.
“Elder Xu is too modest,” he said with a wave of his hand. “I see your disciple is also quite excellent.”
Of course, she’s still a bit lacking compared to my Zhao’er.
If this match was won, not only would Ning Shuang gain great fame, but the Green Mountain Sword Sect would also be able to hold its head high.
Thus, Elder Xu was very nervous. Seeing the situation between Ning Shuang and Yan Zhao become increasingly deadlocked, his brow furrowed tightly. He couldn’t help but ask, “Who does Daoist Master Daoxu think will win?”
“You’re asking me?” The Sect Leader smiled. “Then I am naturally supporting my disciple.”
Yan Zhao would not lose, nor could she lose.
From the day she entered the sect, she had never failed anyone’s expectations.
Among the crowd, Hua Ying also clenched her small fists nervously, staring at the situation on the stage without blinking.
She hadn’t expected Ning Shuang to be so strong, but she believed Senior Sister would definitely win!
“Boom!” The two sword lights collided, letting out a massive roar. Dust and smoke filled the air, obscuring the scene within.
After a long while, a standing figure could be faintly seen.
“How is it? Who won?”
“Who is the one standing? Is it our Eldest Senior Sister?”
“Bah! It’s definitely our Senior Sister Ning Shuang!”
Until the smoke slowly dissipated, a dazzling red dress, like a ball of intense fire, seared everyone’s eyes.
Yan Zhao was rarely this disheveled.
Her skirt was torn in several places by the sword light, and a red gash crossed her beautiful, pale face. Blood seeped out, trailing down to her jawline.
The hand holding her sword, however, was still perfectly steady.
But Hua Ying felt that such a Senior Sister possessed a different kind of charm, making people instinctively want to bow before her.
On the competition stage, Yan Zhao squinted her eyes and looked ahead.
Ning Shuang was lying on the ground, clutching her chest, with the Treading Snow sword lying not far beside her.
A trace of dazed melancholy crossed her slightly pale, delicate face.
She raised a hand to wipe the blood from her lips and sighed softly. “I have lost.”
Yan Zhao nodded. “A good game.”
The disciples of the Floating Cloud Sect instantly burst into cheers, loudly shouting Yan Zhao’s name.
Amidst the clamorous noise, she slowly walked down the competition stage, parting the sea of people step by step until she reached Hua Ying.
Yan Zhao lowered her head, her voice slightly raspy. “Are you still not getting up?”
Hua Ying tilted her neck back, meeting her gaze. Her sparkling eyes were full of admiration. “Senior Sister, you are too strong!”
She tilted her head and reached out her hand toward Yan Zhao.
Yan Zhao’s gaze fell upon the small half-demon’s jade-white palm. She paused for a moment before reaching out to grasp it.
With a slight pull, she brought Hua Ying up from the ground.
Before Yan Zhao could let go, Hua Ying suddenly threw her arms around Yan Zhao’s waist, a mischievous smile hidden in her clear eyes. “Oh, Senior Sister, my legs are numb.”
The warm sensation in her arms was very distinct, and Yan Zhao froze for a moment.
She suddenly remembered what Ning Shuang had said about Mo Lulu right before the match.
Ning Shuang had said that to make Mo Lulu happy, she would do her best to defeat her.
What had Yan Zhao been thinking at that moment?
“Senior Sister?” Seeing that Yan Zhao seemed to be dazed, Hua Ying curiously tugged at her sleeve.
Yan Zhao looked down, her red lips curling slightly.
She suddenly reached out, hooking her arm around Hua Ying’s waist to deepen the embrace.
She buried her head in the crook of Hua Ying’s neck and said very, very softly: “Ying Ying, I won.”
At that moment, Yan Zhao was thinking…
She would also do her best because Hua Ying had defeated Mo Lulu.
And she did not want to lose in front of her.