Chapter 33

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 33: Title

The selection trial began the next day with outer sect disciples competing in pairs. The top five could join the inner sect and choose whether to participate in subsequent trials against inner disciples.

With the trial’s sudden announcement, many outer disciples remained unprepared. Suiyin’s participation at the barrier between life and death further discouraged others, leaving barely over a hundred outer sect participants.

Their talents varied widely, the strongest only reaching early Golden Core realm. The hundred-odd matches concluded within an hour.

Finalists included Suiyin, Chu Xun, Meng Jingqi, and two veteran outer disciples.

Having already lost to Suiyin, Chu Xun and Meng Jingqi abstained from further trials.

Thus ten inner disciples and Suiyin advanced to the next round.

Disciples flocked to watch, some organizing betting pools.

Qin An passed the noisy corner and placed her few remaining spiritual stones beneath Suiyin’s nameplate—the only bets in that barren space, dwarfed by the opposing mountain of wagers.

None blamed her caution. Suiyin had drawn Qi Sheng, another barrier between life and death cultivator, in the first round.

Qi Sheng, long since apprenticed to Elder Xuwu, likely sought a higher-grade magic sword from Sword Pavilion through this trial.

"Junior sister," a senior brother cautioned Qin An, "though Suiyin’s gifted, she can’t defeat Qi Sheng. Reconsider your wager."

Qin An shook her head. "She’ll win."

Three brass gong strikes signaled the duel’s start.

Arms crossed, Qi Sheng studied the newly famous junior sister. His brows knitted upon seeing the common iron sword in her hand—the type sold at the mountain’s foot markets.

"You’ll use that?"

Victory would feel hollow against such a blade.

"Huh?" Suiyin examined her undamaged, serviceable weapon.

"Fetch proper arms first," Qi Sheng declared, planting himself like an immovable boulder.

Suiyin’s eyes darted toward the elders’ platform. Xia Shi’s repaired sword gleamed invitingly behind its owner.

Noticing her gaze, the elder shifted position, half-concealing the blade within billowing sleeves.

Suiyin: "…"

Cheapskate!

"Suiyin! Sword incoming!"

Her hand snapped up instinctively, catching a superior magic blade.

Surprised, she looked down to find Qin An smiling sunnily through the crowd—all former shadows vanished from her junior sister’s face.

"Break a leg!"

Suiyin smiled back, her eyes curving as she lifted her sword. Turning, she asked, "Senior brother, acceptable?"

Qi Sheng examined her blade—the same grade as his own. He gave a slight nod. They exchanged bows.

The duel began.

Qi Sheng seized initiative first, his sword launching a swift strike crackling with thunder. Instead of evading, Suiyin met his blade directly. When steel clashed, she grinned. "I’ve only learned Sanqing Sword Style. Shall we settle this with its Thirteen Styles?"

"I’ve studied longer than you," Qi Sheng countered, clearly reluctant.

Suiyin pushed her sword forward with a flick of her wrist. "Senior brother knows swordsmanship isn’t measured by training duration."

A smile broke across Qi Sheng’s face. "Done!" he barked.

Spectating disciples couldn’t hear their exchange, but gasped as combatants’ energies erupted after the first clash.

Blades danced faster than breath. Frost crept across stones while lightning snapped through air.

"I—I can’t track their moves!"

"You skip sword practice? Those are basic Sanqing Sword Style forms!"

"Basic techniques creating this effect?!"

"But Suiyin’s new! How’s she wielding Sanqing Style like this?!"

"No wonder she conquered the heavenly stairs!"

Qin An listened, earlier bitterness gone. She’d witnessed every Suiyin match—each victory achieved solely through Thirteen Styles of Sanqing, flawless despite their simplicity.

Though puzzled how Suiyin knew Late Winter Snow, Qin An conceded—even if Elder Wuwei taught her privately, such genius warranted exceptions. She glanced down, grateful she’d never entered Yuxing Hall that fateful day.

When frost and lightning threatened spectators, Ye Xiao summoned a barrier with raised palm.

Within the shimmering field, Qi Sheng laughed freely. "Junior sister’s gifted, but youth limits you. This selection trial’s mine!"

"Premature words," Suiyin retorted. Moisture crystallized into ice daggers behind her, all points aimed at Qi Sheng. "Careful."

Qi Sheng vanished with footstep crackle. Ice shattered empty air.

He materialized behind her. "You first."

Thunder spiritual root propelled him lightning-fast. His blade thrust as Suiyin stared at ground ice shards.

Disciples gasped. Was this the end?

Elder Fan Wen nearly leapt from his seat. "Focus, disciple!"

Elder Xuwu didn’t blink. "Old fool. Doesn’t this mirror past events?"

Elder Fan Wen, reminded by his words, vaguely recalled a similar scene.

The same Heavenly Spirit Body, effortlessly manipulating frost, facing an opponent with a lightning spiritual root.

Four hundred years ago during the selection trial, Xia Wuwei had faced identical circumstances – that unstoppable thunderous sword strike from behind.

Elder Fan Wen and Elder Xuwu exchanged glances before simultaneously turning toward the end of the elders’ seating.

Shen Huaiwen noticed their gazes immediately. Pressing her lips into a smile, she remarked, "You’ve both noticed it too, Master Fan."

Xia Shi shrugged. "Pure coincidence."

Her attention never wavered from the arena below.

At the decisive moment! Though Qi Sheng believed victory certain, his target suddenly multiplied into a dozen identical figures.

Futile!

He thrust his sword downward fiercely. When the blade touched the hair ribbon, the figure dissolved like morning mist.

An illusion?

Giggles echoed across the arena as a dozen voices chimed, "Can you tell us apart, senior brother?"

Qi Sheng stood surrounded by multiple Suiyin copies. Frowning, he demanded, "You proposed settling this with Thirteen Styles of Sanqing. What’s this trickery?"

One Suiyin stepped forward, sword energy scattering the ice fragments across the stage. The remaining illusions vanished instantly.

"Understand now?"

Qi Sheng stared in disbelief. The Sanqing Sword Style appeared simple, yet its applications proved unpredictable. Using ice shards and sunlight to create illusions? Incredible.

He’d prided himself on swordsmanship talent, but this humbling moment revealed his arrogance. The Nine Realms overflowed with geniuses.

"I yield."

Suiyin clicked her tongue. "We haven’t finished."

Qi Sheng sheathed his sword, bowing formally. "The match is decided. Your skill surpasses mine. Had you not held back earlier, I’d be unconscious below the stage."

As the barrier lifted, stunned disciples stared slack-jawed.

None expected Qi Sheng’s surrender.

Groans erupted moments later.

"My spiritual stones!!"

"Years of savings gone!!"

"…Can we void this round?"

No chance. Qin An’s spatial pouch bulged with winnings.

For the next match, desperate losers planned to bet heavily on Suiyin – until she drew Senior Sister Zuo Ji.

Zuo Ji should’ve been ineligible as an inner sect member, yet her name remained unchallenged by sect leadership.

This trial’s participants exceeded normal standards – neither Qi Sheng nor Zuo Ji belonged here.

Facing Zuo Ji’s name, bettors hesitated anew.

Senior Sister Zuo Ji approached core formation. Even minor cultivation realm gaps meant overwhelming advantages – let alone the chasm between Life-Death realms.

"This must be intentional from the sect leader," Xia Shi transmitted via voice to Shen Huaiwen beside her.

From what she knew, Senior Sister Zuo Ji had only recently gone out for training and was abruptly recalled by the sect leader.

Shen Huaiwen maintained a calm smile while secretly responding through voice transmission, "The sect leader fears Suiyin might win too easily, making our sect appear lacking. That’s why two are brought in to balance the spectacle."

Xia Shi: "……"

After an incense stick’s time of preparation, Senior Sister Zuo Ji and Suiyin entered the arena.

If Suiyin aimed for victory, this match would decide it. Among the ten inner disciples, only Senior Sister Zuo Ji and Qi Sheng posed real threats. Having already defeated Qi Sheng, winning against Zuo Ji would clear her path to triumph.

"New junior sister?" Senior Sister Zuo Ji wore no disciple’s robes, her flowing sleeves suggesting she’d just wandered back from a market.

"Let’s begin. End this swiftly." She unsheathed her Long Sword but didn’t stir.

Suiyin tilted her head. "Will you go easy on me, senior sister?"

Zuo Ji chuckled. "You jest. I never hold back in duels."

Suiyin nodded, her opinion of the senior sister improving.

Sword matches demanded full commitment.

"Will you use the Thirteen Styles of Sanqing again, like against Qi Sheng?" Zuo Ji had watched their duel, acknowledging Suiyin’s swordsmanship. Yet her own higher cultivation level gave confidence—superior skill alone couldn’t bridge that gap.

Suiyin smiled. "For you, I’ll use my true skills. The Sanqing Sword Style won’t suffice."

Zuo Ji’s gaze flickered to Qi Sheng below the stage, amusement curling her lips.

Qi Sheng’s face darkened. "……"

What did that mean?

Both released spiritual power in silent probing.

Zuo Ji stiffened. The sect leader had described her opponent as a junior sister newly broken through the barrier between life and death. Yet Suiyin’s spiritual energy rivaled her own, dense and unwavering.

Gripping her sword tighter, Zuo Ji sharpened her focus. No room for underestimation.

Suiyin’s smile deepened. This was proper—no reservations in battle.

She moved first, summoning whirling snow that draped the arena in white within moments.

Xia Shi wouldn’t lend her sword, but snow? That she could borrow.

Flakes drifted ceaselessly from the north.

Gasps rose from the crowd.

"Where’s this snow from?"

"Wentiang Peak’s direction?"

"Sanqing Realm has snow?"

"Only on Elder Wuwei’s peak. No wonder you didn’t know."

Snow never fell in Sanqing Realm… except atop Wentiang Peak.

Xia Shi and Shen Huaiwen exchanged covert voice transmissions.

"That’s your peak’s snow, isn’t it?"

"Mm."

"You gave her the jade bell?"

"No."

"Don’t lie. How could she cross the barrier to summon snow without it?"

Xia Shi took a deep breath. "The protective formation was damaged."

She had no other explanation.

Shen Huaiwen stared: "…"

Even if lying, one should at least craft a believable excuse.

Another voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.

"Xia Wuwei, know your limits."

Xia Shi: "?"

Shen Huaiwen: "?"

Whose voice was that?

They turned to see the sect leader glaring their way. Xia Shi initially thought they’d been caught whispering during the match. As she straightened in her seat, the sect leader’s voice transmission came again: "How could the formation break? Did you take someone to Wentiang Peak during yesterday’s trial? Couldn’t even wait a little longer? Control yourselves before the disciples!"

Baffled, Xia Shi frowned. Control what? She’d been perfectly restrained! Unlike certain people…

She shot an irritated glare toward Suiyin below, grinding her teeth.

Ye Xiao snapped: "Still staring? Your eyes are practically glued to her!"

Xia Shi: "…"

"Sect Leader, if your eyesight fails, have Senior Sister Huaiwen examine them."

She said this aloud.

Every elder at the high platform heard clearly. The others suddenly became intensely interested in their own sleeves. Public disrespect toward the sect leader? Unheard of!

Ye Xiao snorted coldly. "Elder Xuwu."

The Discipline Hall’s iron-fisted overseer responded: "Noted."