Chapter 48: She Has Returned
Sword Domain!
This rebellious disciple—no one could have foreseen that she would truly master the ancient art of the Sword Domain.
Usually, disciples who had not yet reached the Divine Spirit Transformation Stage were never allowed to touch upon such a sacred mystery. Only after reaching that lofty stage did one gain the wisdom and experience to forge their own path in the Sword Dao. To keep lower-ranked disciples from chasing impossible dreams, the sect kept the secrets of the Sword Domain hidden from them.
Yet Li Shuang’s talent with the Sword Dao shone like a rare jade. In the beginning, True Immortal Ling Xu was overjoyed with this disciple. He believed without a shadow of doubt that her cultivation would soon soar to the Divine Spirit Transformation Stage. With this confidence, he revealed the concept of the Sword Domain to her long before others could even dream of it.
And yet—
The disciple in whom he had placed all his hopes fell in one fateful night—from a blessed genius to a figure of disgrace!
True Immortal Ling Xu knew well the whispers that flowed like a river through the sect. Many accused him of favoring Ye Zhao Zhao, saying that Spirit Void Peak had been unfair to Li Shuang.
But could any master be blamed for his choice?
Once, Li Shuang had brought him endless honor. He had been convinced that Spirit Void Peak was on the brink of giving birth to a peerless genius, one who would crush all six rival sects beneath the sharp edge of her sword. With that firm belief, he boasted of her talents not only within the Sword Sect but also to the five righteous sects beyond. He took immense pride in his grand disciple.
And what had Li Shuang done?
She had disappointed him beyond words.
For ten long years, she had wasted her time, caught in a web of jealousy over Ye Zhao Zhao, while her own cultivation withered like a neglected blossom. The confident promises he had once spoken now sounded like bitter jokes.
For years, his old friends teased him when they met:
“Where is that once-peerless disciple of yours? Wasn’t she meant to become the greatest cultivator of her time?”
“Oh? Has her cultivation slipped again? What a pity.”
In the arduous path of cultivation, every step forward was a battle against destiny itself. If one could not progress, then at least one should not bring shame upon their master. What use was a disciple who could not bring glory?
Now, Ye Zhao Zhao’s cultivation soared even faster than Li Shuang’s had in the past. She was the one meant to elevate his name!
So what if his favor shone on her? What fault was there in supporting a disciple who truly deserved it?
After all, Li Shuang had let jealousy consume her, scheming against Ye Zhao Zhao for a decade. Was it not her own actions that had left her stagnant?
True Immortal Ling Xu reassured himself, [I have done no wrong]. Expelling Li Shuang had been a hard but necessary decision.
And yet—
Standing on the Arena, Li Shuang now shone with a brilliance that was not dimmed by time—perhaps even brighter than before—and his eyes narrowed in anger.
Damn it!
Why now? Why had she not grasped the mysteries of the Sword Domain during those ten wasted years?
Why did it have to come at this moment?
Was it her way of humiliating him, to show everyone that he had cast aside the wrong disciple?
…
On the Arena, Duan Zi Yu’s swordplay was as steady as a flowing stream, while Li Shuang remained calm and graceful like a falling cherry blossom. One wielded deep spiritual power, the other breathtaking swordsmanship. For a time, the duel was locked in a perfect balance.
Yet the fact that she could match a late-stage Foundation Establishment disciple was proof enough of her hidden talent.
Meng Yi Fei’s eyes shone with quiet approval.
No matter how this duel ended, he had already decided—Li Shuang would be watched closely once more, for the honor of the sect depended on supporting those truly worthy.
“True Immortal Ling Xu,” Lin Qing Ling said with a playful smile, her legs crossed as she sipped her tea. “What do you think of my disciple’s attainments in the Sword Dao?”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s face darkened like a stormy sky. In a flat voice he replied, “Before one can truly master the sword, one must first temper the heart. I cast Li Shuang out because her heart lacked righteousness. Her skill with the sword matters little to me now. I only hope, Peak Master Lin, that you keep your laughter—lest one day, this ungrateful child strike you in the back.” [I must not be undone by her defiance.]
Lin Qing Ling’s laughter was as cold as winter ice. “Speaking of an unrighteous heart, who among us can match the foolish clamor from Spirit Void Peak?”
Her eyes sharpened as she looked at Meng Yi Fei. “Sect Leader, now that all have seen it with their own eyes, there is no doubt—Little Shuang has truly mastered the Sword Domain. To stand toe-to-toe with Duan Zi Yu, her victory over Shi Chu Yun was well earned! And yet, without proof, Chang Le An of Spirit Void Peak dared to defame her. How will we set this matter right? Surely, we cannot let such slander go unpunished!”
Since last night, after the events in Enforcement Hall, Lin Qing Ling had been burning with righteous fury.
Before, one might say the truth was unclear—Li Shuang’s mastery of the Sword Domain was still unproven, and Chang Le An had been given a pass.
But now?
Now, the truth was as clear as a mountain spring.
Chang Le An had dared to defame a fellow disciple. He must be punished!
If even a small measure of justice could not be found for Li Shuang, what honor would she have as a Master?
True Immortal Ling Xu’s eyes darkened further. “Lin Qing Ling, Le An merely spoke offhand! Li Shuang suffered no harm! Do not push this matter too far!”
Lin Qing Ling’s voice dripped with icy resolve. “First, Ye Zhao Zhao plotted against her. Now, Chang Le An slanders her. Is this the way of Spirit Void Peak’s disciples? In the past, Li Shuang bore her grievances silently, believing herself to be the Eldest Senior Sister of Spirit Void Peak, and so took the burdens alone!”
“But now, she is my disciple! And my disciple shall not suffer even a single injustice!”
“If Enforcement Hall does not deliver a fair judgment today, I will stir the winds of justice until every disciple in the sect knows that defaming others comes with a price!”
Everyone knew the fiery nature of Lin Qing Ling. When she spoke such words, none doubted she meant to carry them out.
Pang Zhi Xue exchanged a meaningful glance with Meng Yi Fei.
In the end, it rested on Meng Yi Fei’s decision.
He was the one they all followed without question.
The Sect Leader’s judgment would decide how the matter was resolved.
Meng Yi Fei smiled, his expression gentle as a spring breeze. “Peak Master Lin, let us not be hasty. True Immortal Ling Xu, please, let us consider this matter…”
But before he could finish his thought—
A sudden collective gasp rippled across the arena.
Meng Yi Fei’s eyes flew to the center of the Arena.
In that heartbeat—
His gaze became as sharp as a honed blade.
The battle, locked in a stalemate, shifted in a flash.
Under the fierce spirit of the Sword Domain, Li Shuang had found the hidden flaw in the Stone Sword Technique.
That technique was a perfect balance of attack and defense. Yet, this balance left a tiny opening as one moved from offense to defense.
Duan Zi Yu was cautious. He sealed every gap in his technique with his deep spiritual energy.
His experience was vast, and his control over his energy was near perfection.
But Li Shuang had been waiting.
Silent. Patient. Observant.
And then, in that fleeting moment—
Her chance came.
After the long deadlock, Duan Zi Yu grew impatient. He broke his steady rhythm, attacking with wild urgency to overwhelm Li Shuang with one fierce strike.
His haste blinded him.
And that was the opening Li Shuang needed.
Duan Zi Yu’s strength lay in defense. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he rarely faltered against the attacks of those still refining their energy.
But in a flash—
The power of the Sword Domain, which had once flowed like a broad river, now condensed into a single torrent.
Every bit of its strength compressed to its utmost and formed the Black Abyss Sword.
This time, the sword’s strike roared like thunder across the valley.
In a single moment, a blade of brilliant light cut through the air.
As the dazzling glow faded, Duan Zi Yu was sent hurtling from the Arena.
He lifted his head in shock, his eyes drifting toward the center.
There, a lone figure stood tall.
Cold and unwavering, her eyes held the chill of distant mountain peaks, her presence as sharp as a finely honed blade.
And in that instant—
Every heart in the crowd beat as one with a single thought.
The peerless genius of ten lost years—
Had returned!
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