Chapter 3

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Chapter 3: Title

Leaving the peach grove, Xia Shi headed for the dense woods at Cang Mountain’s base, resolved to deliver the Ziyan Lotus to that ailing youth.

The secret realm proved easier to enter than exit. Its gate only manifested during the realm’s opening and closing for two-hour periods, with unpredictable timing and locations. The realm’s duration fluctuated wildly – sometimes persisting for months, other times vanishing within days. Xia Shi remained uncertain how long she’d be trapped here.

Following the stream, she soon spotted her target.

The person wasn’t alone. A heated dispute unfolded among several figures.

Xia Shi preferred avoiding crowds for now.

She formed a three-finger seal and vanished from sight, stealthily approaching.

The quarrel grew distinct – Lu Ciyou facing off against a man, with Yan Li observing nearby.

The young lady maintained her characteristic haughtiness, tilting her chin upward while gripping her spear. "What if I’m protecting him today? Want to brawl?"

Yan Li stood behind her, brows knitting at this abrupt escalation. Why start fighting without proper discussion?

Their opponent proved equally combative, unsheathing his blade to point at Lu Ciyou. "Bring it! You think I fear you?"

A green-robed youth clutching a folding fan paled and grabbed the swordsman’s arm. "Don’t provoke her! Last duel left you bedridden half a month with broken legs."

Lu Ciyou burst into mocking laughter. "A whole fortnight? Should’ve admitted weakness earlier – I’d have gone easier!"

Jiang Xinian’s temple throbbed as he glared at Liu Sheng. "Who asked for commentary?!"

Liu Sheng promptly silenced himself, hiding behind his unfolded fan.

Jiang Xinian snorted, his irritation fading when eyeing the Shenwu Sword in his grip. Previous defeat stemmed from inferior weaponry – now both wielded divine arms and matched at Golden Core mid-stage. Victory would be his!

"Rematch!" Jiang Xinian demanded.

Lu Ciyou appraised the legendary blade. Rumors said the Realm of Canghai’s Leader acquired this Shenwu Sword – never imagined it would reach his son so quickly.

Perfect chance to test this weapon’s famed power.

Battlelust ignited in Lu Ciyou’s eyes as her Soaring Dragon spear shimmered silver, its shaft encircled by spectral draconic patterns.

"Engarde!"

Yan Li wordlessly guided Wen Zhishu backward, conjuring protective barriers.

Golden Core cultivators battling could level forests.

Liu Sheng cheerfully fanned himself while sidling into the barrier’s protection. With Sanqing Realm’s Senior Sister present, why expend his own spiritual power?

Perched on an overhead branch, Xia Shi watched distant steel flashes with faint amusement.

This reckless vigor… precisely how young men should be.

"I’ve long heard the Lingyun Three Spears of Liujin Pavilion are impressive. Lu Ciyou, don’t be stingy—let me see them!" Jiang Xinian pressed his sword hilt against the spear tip, taunting the young lady through the flickering light.

Lu Ciyou scoffed and released her spear, using the momentum to kick Jiang Xinian’s side as he dodged the weapon. "You’re not worth the Lingyun Three Spears," she retorted.

Jiang Xinian staggered, his face darkening at the black boot print staining his hem. Everyone knew he obsessed over cleanliness—even refusing to step outside with wrinkled clothes. This was clearly intentional!

Ignoring his fury, Lu Ciyou eyed his gleaming sword. "That blade’s decent. What’s its name?" The weapon pulsed with sharp energy, its glow unyielding. Such beauty wasted on a blockhead—it deserved a true beauty’s hand.

Jiang Xinian swung the sword in a showy flourish, glancing at her Soaring Dragon spear. "No name yet," he said smugly, pointing his blade at her. "But since you asked—Dragon Slayer." If she wielded Soaring Dragon, he’d slay it!

A dragon’s roar shook the heavens the moment he spoke. Lu Ciyou’s expression soured.

They clashed again.

The crescent moon crept across Cang Mountain’s ridge. Liu Sheng yawned, rubbing teary eyes. "When will they stop?"

Yan Li stood motionless, studying every strike and parry, her fingers twitching as she mimicked their movements. These two stood unmatched among their peers—she’d gain much from observing.

Perched above, Xia Shi watched it all. Her senior sister really chose a great disciple—still focused on learning mid-chaos.

The stubborn duelists soon flagged. Both desperate to crush the other, they’d expended spiritual power recklessly—beginning with bold, sweeping attacks but soon turning sluggish. Neither would yield.

Xia Shi breathed a light sigh and produced the Tai Chi Seal.

As her palm turned, a blade’s energy tore through the air with army-crushing force, driving the battling pair to unite against it. Yan Li materialized beside them instantly.

The trio repelled the strike, but found no attacker in sight.

"Who dares interrupt a duel?!" Jiang Xinian bellowed skyward.

Lu Ciyou and Yan Li exchanged wary glances. No Golden Core cultivator could unleash such power. Though Lingyang Jun’s Purple Mansion Secret Realm restricted realms, some from major sects might suppress their cultivation to infiltrate.

That single strike could breach the life-death barrier. If a cultivator of that level lurked here, they’d be outmatched entirely.

"Face us, coward!" Jiang Xinian kept shouting.

Lu Ciyou kicked his shin in irritation.

He whirled to curse her, but Liu Sheng clamped a hand over his mouth. Jiang Xinian glared—What’s your problem?!—as Liu Sheng tightened his grip, eyes darting nervously across the shadows.

"There’s murderous intent," Yan Li frowned.

And it was getting closer.

The Soaring Dragon in Lu Ciyou’s hand trembled.

The group watched anxiously ahead.

At the meeting point of green meadows and snow mountain, a figure walked toward them against the moonlight.

The girl wore white attire with messy hair hanging loose, her entire body radiating hostility as she stared at their group.

Xia Shi jumped down from the branch to stand beside Wen Zhishu.

Wen Zhishu initially flinched at the sudden shadow, then brightened upon recognizing Xia Shi.

"You—"

Xia Shi silenced her with a gesture, passing the Ziyan Lotus from her storage ring.

Nobody dared act recklessly while the stranger’s identity remained unclear.

The approaching figure grew nearer—slender frame swaying unsteadily.

When the girl finally stood before them, Xia Shi’s eyelid twitched.

"Have you seen… a faceless monster?" The girl’s voice stayed soft.

Yan Li froze when her gaze landed on the white robes—the distinctive disciple’s robes of Sanqing Realm’s inner sect.

Was this girl their fellow disciple? But none in their training group matched her appearance.

Had a Sanqing Realm disciple met disaster?

Yan Li’s face darkened. "Fellow Immortal, where did you get those robes?"

She’d be held accountable if any inner sect junior sisters under her care came to harm.

Others now noticed the Six-petal flower emblem on the girl’s robes.

Lu Ciyou mocked Yan Li with gleeful malice: "The Sanqing Realm’s Senior Sister can’t even recognize her own disciples?"

The girl’s clear eyes suddenly clouded. Fists clenched audibly, she spat through gritted teeth: "These robes belong to that monster! She robbed me when I lay wounded, buried me alive, then trapped me with a formation!"

"…

Robbed. Buried. Trapped.

Heavy silence fell. Xia Shi—lingering at the back—felt her heart skip.

Was this girl talking about her?

Lu Ciyou exploded first: "Disgusting! What kind of coward bullies a little girl?"

"Committing crimes in Canghai realm?" Jiang Xinian growled. "I’ll skin that bastard alive!"

"Deserves death!" Liu Sheng added.

The girl’s pitiful state and story fueled the young men’s anger, making them forget the earlier sword energy.

Only Yan Li kept studying the robes. Though inner sect disciple’s attire, the cut resembled century-old designs.

"If the monster wears Sanqing Realm robes," Lu Ciyou smirked brightly, "doesn’t that make her your people? Is murder and theft how you train disciples?"

Yan Li glanced over coolly. "Watch your tongue, Young Master."

Lu Ciyou snorted.

"Sanqing Realm?" Suiyin murmured the words, suddenly remembering the characters carved on the tombstone she’d shattered earlier.

"That person’s surname is Xia!"

Xia Shi: "…"

Lu Ciyou immediately spat sideways. "Bad omen!"

Sanqing Realm and the Xia name? Clearly trouble!

"Fellow Immortal," Yan Li bowed solemnly, "our sect will investigate thoroughly. Should the culprit prove to be from Sanqing Realm, we’ll administer proper punishment."

Lu Ciyou lost interest and turned away, unwilling to get involved in Sanqing Realm’s affairs. Her gaze lifted toward Cang Mountain’s snow-capped silhouette under the starry sky.

Jiang Xinian hurried after her. "Stop following me!" Lu Ciyou snapped. "The fight’s over!"

"This is the only path up Cang Mountain!" Jiang Xinian’s face reddened. "I’m not following you!"

Lu Ciyou narrowed her eyes. "You want the Hanyu Stone too?"

Jiang Xinian froze, realizing their shared objective.

Silent tension hung between them until Suiyin interjected: "The stolen item was indeed Hanyu Stone."

Both turned burning stares toward Yan Li.

Yan Li: "…"

The strange thief must’ve reached Cang Mountain first. Guards already waited at the mountain’s foot.

"Miss Zhishu," Lu Ciyou turned abruptly, "weren’t you waiting for— When did you get here?"

The group suddenly noticed Xia Shi’s presence.

Xia Shi: "…"

Suiyin’s sharp eyes locked onto her.

This face seemed familiar.