Chapter 16
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Chapter 16: Title
Long ranked first among ten sects, Yunshan Sect possessed abundant treasures and mastered healing arts. Its medicines far surpassed Frostbite Sect\’s—Ye Qingshang recovered fully in just three days.
Without Mu Huaiyun, she couldn\’t use spiritual power. Embracing the idleness, she feigned meditation until three months later. As the Ten Sects Discussions approached, she emerged and journeyed with disciples to the venue.
Held biennially at Yunshan Sect, the event required participants to be fifteen or older. Each sect selected thirty disciples for outer arena matches and five for inner arena contests.
Though unrelated to sect honor, top three winners could choose spiritual weapons from Yunshan Sect\’s Divine Hall. For cultivators, spiritual weapons were vital: if inner cores determined spiritual power strength, spiritual weapons acted like wings on tigers—granting massive boosts.
Thus, superb spiritual weapons drew cultivators like moths to flame. Mu Rongyan\’s sword \"Dragon\’s Roar\" exemplified this—a top-tier spiritual weapon ranked within the top twenty.
Spiritual weapons were rare treasures, obtainable only through luck or Yunshan Sect\’s Divine Hall. Hence every Ten Sects Discussions saw frenzied registration and fierce competition.
However, inner arena disciples often had superior cultivation—sometimes far exceeding outer arena participants—so top three winners typically emerged from there.
Coincidentally, Ye Qingshang entered the inner arena.
Like the Illusionary Battle Arena, attendees needed early arrival. Frostbite Sect\’s distance from Yunshan Sect required a ten-day head start. They arrived on the fourth day.
Perched on a frigid mountain peak, Yunshan Sect maintained warmth through massive protective barriers.
First-time visitors often marveled at the entrance\’s twin colossal statues—depicting ancestors battling demonic beasts. Flanking the gate, each statue spanned twenty arm-lengths in width, resembling sect guardians from afar.
Ye Qingshang\’s assessment was one word: showy.
The beast wars occurred millennia ago with many sects participating. But Yunshan Sect\’s ancestors excelled, their legacy unbroken—a perennial pride point for disciples.
Centuries later, carving these statues for their entrance? Pure ostentation.
\"Please follow us.\" A male and female disciple appeared at Yunshan Sect\’s entrance, gesturing invitation.
Ye Qingshang recognized the man; it was Qiao Ren, the one she\’d quarreled with at Frostbite Sect, nearly coming to blows. The woman beside him resembled Qiao Ren, likely his sister.
\"Sister Ye,\" the woman stepped forward, reaching for Ye Qingshang\’s hand, but Ye Qingshang instinctively pulled away.
The woman looked somewhat embarrassed as she withdrew her hand. \"Don\’t you remember me, Sister Ye? We met at Frostbite Sect. Oh… we also saw each other before the Illusionary Battle Arena. You looked so impressive then; I truly admired you.\"
Ye Qingshang replied, \"My apologies. There were too many people that day; I don\’t recall you.\"
\"No matter! Getting acquainted now works just fine.\" Qiao Zhu smiled, her eyes bright with innocence.
That expression reminded Ye Qingshang of Qiu Huayi. She averted her gaze and pulled the person behind her—who was curiously looking around—forward. \"Huayi, let\’s go.\"
Qiu Huayi answered reluctantly, \"Oh…\"
The dormitories for male and female disciples at Yunshan Sect were far apart. Thus, Qiao Ren led the male disciples to their quarters, while Qiao Zhu guided the female ones.
Ye Qingshang had assumed their brief encounter wouldn\’t warrant such enthusiasm from Qiao Zhu. Yet throughout the walk, Qiao Zhu kept offering reminders and concern, chatting familiarly as if they\’d known each other for years.
For instance:
\"Sister Ye, watch your step. Yunshan Sect has many barriers; you wouldn\’t want to get hurt,\" Qiao Zhu cautioned.
This was Qiao Zhu\’s third warning during their walk. Her gentle tone made Ye Qingshang feel like a toddler who couldn\’t even walk properly.
Upon reaching the dormitory she shared with Qiu Huayi, and seeing no one else around, Ye Qingshang finally asked, \"Why are you so kind to me?\"
Qiao Zhu replied, \"I told you—you were remarkable at the Illusionary Battle Arena. I truly admire you. I just want to be your friend. Besides… is this considered kindness? You\’re easily satisfied, Sister Ye. I could treat you even better.\"
\"That\’s all?\"
Qiao Zhu said, \"Yes. Sister Ye, you know… that day at the arena, you dared challenge Tao Zhi. Though you withdrew midway, you still claimed victory. I deeply respect your skill and capability.\"
Ye Qingshang finally understood—Qiao Zhu was her admirer. No wonder she knew her exploits so well.
She shook her head, chatted a while longer, and persuaded Qiao Zhu to leave.
Back in her room, she found Qiu Huayi resting her chin on the table, a jug of fine wine before her, lost in thought.
Seeing Ye Qingshang, Qiu Huayi instantly brightened. \"A\’shang, care for a drink?\"
Qiu Huayi\’s background surpassed Ye Qingshang\’s—her family was wealthy, her parents running a restaurant. Thus, she could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.
Over their years together, Ye Qingshang had drunk with her often, improving her own tolerance.
Yet seeing the wine now made Ye Qingshang recall scenes from her past life. She hesitated at the table.
Qiu Huayi poured a cup and set it before Ye Qingshang, downing hers first. \"A\’shang, after all these years, you still hesitate? Drinking should be enjoyed freely!\"
Qiu Huayi\’s demeanor while drinking differed from her usual self—less gentle, more bold.
Ye Qingshang sometimes wondered: Why had someone so devoted ultimately betrayed her in that past life? She took the wine and drank it all in one go.
\"Huayi, if one day… I did something you couldn\’t forgive, or… broke your heart, what would you do?\"
Qiu Huayi nibbled the cup\’s rim. \"Hmm… that day probably won\’t come. If A\’shang truly hurt me, I wouldn\’t blame you. I know you\’re different—you truly care for me.\"
\"And if… it wasn\’t sincere?\"
Qiu Huayi froze mid-motion.
She leaned closer, gazing intently at Ye Qingshang. Word by word, she said, \"I wouldn\’t blame you.\"
The emotion in her eyes seemed to pierce right into Ye Qingshang\’s heart.
Just like that year when she blocked a sword without hesitation.
Ye Qingshang believed it.