Chapter 34

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

Chapter 34: Title

The two figures blurred across the arena, swords clashing a hundred times in the blink of an eye. Suiyin’s Long Sword arced like a comet, its light blinding the spectators as it thrust toward Senior Sister Zuo Ji.

Zuo Ji remained calm. Her blade danced, sword energy weaving an impenetrable net that dissolved each attack. Then she counterattacked – her Long Sword trembled, unleashing tsunami-like waves of energy that engulfed Suiyin.

Disciples gaped below. Quick-thinking ones already held Shadow Stones, capturing every move. This recording would fetch mountains of spiritual stones in the black market.

Senior Sister Zuo Ji’s spiritual root was water, and the surging waves seemed almost solid. Suiyin released a piercing sword energy, instantly freezing the roaring tidal wave with its gaping maw. Two sword energies shot out consecutively, colliding with a deafening crash.

The two sword cultivators exchanged blows across the arena, their equally matched duel growing fiercer by the moment. Spectators below grew electrified by the match, playfully mimicking their sword moves with finger gestures.

Their figures suddenly closed the distance.

Senior Sister Zuo Ji grinned, "Junior sister, didn’t you promise to avoid the Thirteen Styles of Sanqing? Yet I see no other sword moves in this dance."

"Doesn’t the same apply to you, senior sister?" Suiyin countered.

After locking eyes, they separated again.

"Let’s end this stalemate. Ten moves to decide victory."

"Ten it is."

Both sheathed their swords simultaneously, standing motionless.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd until the sect leader’s booming "Silence!" froze every tongue.

Suiyin’s gaze sharpened. Channeling the swirling snowflakes, she unleashed a glacial sword energy that crystallized moisture into countless frost swords, all streaking toward Senior Sister Zuo Ji.

Down below, Qi Sheng’s face darkened. He’d faced this move before, but never with such devastating energy. Had she used full power during their duel, he’d have lost before uttering surrender. This new disciple’s talent chilled him more than any frost blade.

Ice dominated water. As moisture around Senior Sister Zuo Ji solidified, her sword energy faltered. She skidded backward across the frozen stage, icy blades closing in. Suiyin pressed the assault relentlessly.

Cornered, Senior Sister Zuo Ji erupted with spiritual power. A Nascent Soul-level sword energy bloomed before her as she leaped to meet Suiyin’s strike. Steel shrieked against steel.

"You weren’t holding back earlier," Suiyin observed, sensing the intensified spiritual energy around her opponent.

"Neither were you," Senior Sister Zuo Ji laughed, breaking contact. No longer restraining herself, she conjured a coiling water dragon from ambient moisture.

Suiyin danced aside, but the serpent’s tail whipped back unexpectedly. Seizing the opening, Senior Sister Zuo Ji thrust at Suiyin’s sword hand – disarming meant defeat.

Instead, Suiyin’s wrist flicked downward, releasing her blade voluntarily.

The unexpected move made Senior Sister Zuo Ji hesitate. In that heartbeat, the abandoned sword sang as it pierced the dragon’s skull before returning to its wielder’s grip.

Sword cultivators controlling blades remotely wasn’t unheard of – but this wasn’t Suiyin’s weapon. How had she bonded with a stranger’s steel in mere hours?

Below them, sword owner Qin An stared blankly. When she wielded it, the blade resisted like a mule. Yet for Suiyin, it flowed like water obeying the moon’s call.

Senior Sister Zuo Ji’s sweat trickled down her temples as her palms grew clammy, forcing her to tighten her grip on the sword.

A wave of icy sword energy erupted suddenly. Startled, Senior Sister Zuo Ji steadied herself and flicked her wrist to retaliate with her own strike.

The clash between cold energy and moisture birthed thick mist across the arena, obscuring all figures within.

Spectators grew restless when the duel’s climax vanished behind the fog.

"What’s going on?"

"Damn this mist! Clear it now!"

From the elders’ platform, the rarely vocal Elder Xuwu remarked, "Noteworthy. Yet this sword move seems familiar."

Elder Fan Wen stroked his beard. "Indeed. Where have we seen this?"

The sect leader spoke from her seat, "It resembles Wuwei’s ‘Everything Awaits Spring,’ but lacks the core sword intent."

She turned to Xia Shi. "Private teachings?"

Xia Shi answered firmly, "No."

She hadn’t used ‘Everything Awaits Spring’ since leaving Sword Pavilion. Yesterday at Star Viewing Platform, she’d only demonstrated Sanqing Sword Style.

‘Everything Awaits Spring’ blended killing intent with restraint, its essence lying in the final "Awakening Spring" sword intent. Yet Suiyin’s version showed only raw lethality, devoid of renewal.

The mist cleared, revealing Senior Sister Zuo Ji kneeling with bloodied lips, her sword abandoned beside her.

Suiyin pressed on, preparing her final strike.

Xia Shi’s eyes darkened. "Stop her!"

Senior Sister Zuo Ji couldn’t withstand another blow.

Ye Xiao raised a hand. Suiyin’s sword flew beyond the barrier, her attack halted mid-motion.

Suiyin blinked up in confusion.

"The victor is Suiyin," declared the sect leader.

Senior Sister Zuo Ji retrieved her sword, breathing heavily. "Congratulations, junior sister."

"Are you hurt?" Suiyin moved to assist.

Wiping blood away, Senior Sister Zuo Ji advised, "Your sword moves lack sword intent. Cultivate that."

Sword intent reflects a cultivator’s spirit. Even basic sword energy carries traces – yet Suiyin’s strikes felt hollow.

Strange indeed.

Suiyin tilted her head. Sword intent? Aunt Yan had mentioned this, but she’d never felt its absence mattered. Still, she replied, "Thank you, senior sister."

As Senior Sister Zuo Ji departed, the selection trial’s outcome became evident. Two matches later, Suiyin claimed victory.

She stood in the grand competition arena, looking up at the elders’ seats.

"Is the sect leader’s promise still valid?"

Ye Xiao rose, his voice amplified by spiritual power to echo across the arena. "It stands."

"You may choose any elder here as your master, and later enter the Sword Pavilion."

Suiyin thought she’d already visited the Sword Pavilion before.

Only the master selection remained.

"Have you decided which elder to choose?"

As Ye Xiao spoke, Elder Fan Wen was already fussing with his robes and combing his beard with fingers.

Elder Xuwu shot him a sidelong glance and snorted.

Elder Fan Wen retorted, "Just jealous I’m getting an excellent disciple!"

"Your disciple?" Elder Xuwu scoffed. "She hasn’t picked you yet."

"Shut your mouth, old fool! She’ll choose me!"

"This disciple wishes to follow Elder Wuwei."

Elder Fan Wen: "……"

Elder Xuwu: "Oh, she’ll definitely choose you."

Elder Fan Wen sprang up shouting, "Girl! You promised to pick me!"

He then glared at Xia Shi with burning eyes.

They’d sworn not to poach each other’s disciples.

As both inner and outer sect members attended this competition, Suiyin clearly caught unpleasant whispers.

"She’s crazy to pick Elder Wuwei!"

"Choosing that loser? Might as well abandon cultivation!"

"Xia Wuwei’s weaker than regular disciples! Must be using her pretty face."

Suiyin turned toward the voices.

Three smirking men met her gaze with lewd grins. She recognized Lin Feng’s former lackeys – though Lin Feng had been exiled from Sanqing Realm, these rats remained.

Her knuckles cracked as she burned their faces into memory.

They’d learn the price of loose tongues.

The sect leader urged cautiously, "Reconsider your choice."

Suiyin stood straighter, declaring firmly toward the last seat: "This disciple chooses Wentiang Peak."

Elder Fan Wen stormed out with a sleeve-flourish.

Ye Xiao approached Xia Shi, teeth clenched. "She chose you. Happy now?"

No more secret rendezvous needed.

Xia Shi lightly pursed her lips. "I don’t wish to take a disciple."

She couldn’t instruct Suiyin properly, only wasting such an exceptionally gifted disciple.

Ye Xiao snorted. "I’ve already made the announcement. Master Fan stormed off because of you. You think you can simply refuse now?"

Xia Shi: "…"

This had nothing to do with her.

The sect leader swept his sleeve. "From this day forth, Suiyin becomes Elder Wuwei’s direct disciple. She’ll reside at Wentiang Peak."

Suiyin brightened immediately, clasping her hands. "Thank you, sect leader!"

That same night, Suiyin arrived at Xia Shi’s quarters clutching her bedding roll.

"Master, which room is mine?"

Xia Shi glanced at her briefly before pointing northward.

"Plenty available there. Pick any."

Suiyin blinked. "Won’t Master return with me?"

A vein twitched at Xia Shi’s temple, still unaccustomed to the title. After a pause, she replied, "My health can’t endure the cold. I’m staying at Autumn Forest. You go to Wentiang Peak."

"Where Master stays, her disciple stays!" Suiyin dropped her bedding and thumped her chest. "I’ll care for Master from now on!"

Xia Shi: "…Unnecessary."

Shen Huaiwen entered carrying her usual medicine bowl. "Bringing baggage when you’re here to convalesce? This isn’t a charity house."

"Let me, Master!" Suiyin eagerly seized the bowl and thrust it at Xia Shi.

"Master, your medicine."

Xia Shi: "…"

This wasn’t a disciple – this was pure punishment.