Chapter 065

Chapter 65: Saving Face

“Yes, Eldest Sister!” Yun Xi tapped her foot lightly and leaped gracefully onto the stage. Facing the little maiden who looked about her age, she cupped her hands politely and said, “I am Wei Yun Xi. Please guide me.”

“Qin Tong Shuang,” the girl responded coolly, returning the gesture. Immediately afterward, she formed a hand seal and launched a sharp icicle straight at Yun Xi.

Yun Xi was briefly startled: [An ice-spiritual-root cultivator in the outer sect? She must have a special background. I need to be cautious.] She certainly didn’t wish to embarrass herself. With a gentle tap, she activated Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind, swiftly dodging the icy projectile.

The icicle embedded itself into the arena floor and shattered instantly, sending a wave of frost racing towards Yun Xi’s feet, attempting to freeze her in place.

Yun Xi moved quickly, stepping aside and appearing behind Qin Tong Shuang, sending a fist toward the girl’s back.

Qin Tong Shuang reacted instantly. Her figure blurred slightly as Yun Xi’s fist grazed past her. Sliding gracefully backward on the ice, Qin Tong Shuang increased the distance between them, swiftly forming another hand seal. The frost on the ground surged again toward Yun Xi.

In response, Yun Xi summoned her own ice wall, blocking the freezing technique’s advance.

Surprise flickered in Qin Tong Shuang’s eyes; clearly, she had not expected someone else to wield ice-element techniques as proficiently. Her interest piqued, she withdrew the frost on the ground and began forming ice needles. Forty needles appeared around her—her current limit. With a wave, she sent them flying at Yun Xi.

Yun Xi responded by conjuring exactly the same number of ice needles. Empowered by her Foundation Establishment stage divine sense, each of her needles precisely intercepted the opponent’s attack, colliding perfectly and shattering into fine icy fragments.

Not wasting a second, Yun Xi channeled spiritual energy into her legs again, her figure becoming a fleeting shadow as Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind carried her before Qin Tong Shuang once more. This time, her fist moved too fast to avoid, though without any spiritual force. It struck Qin Tong Shuang’s shoulder firmly, knocking her cleanly off the platform.

Only after Qin Tong Shuang had landed outside the arena did Yun Xi lower her fist. Truthfully, she had cheated somewhat; her reserves of spiritual energy were far deeper than her opponent’s, allowing her to simultaneously cast ice needles and execute Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind without revealing her true cultivation level.

Her fist had held no spiritual energy intentionally, partly to protect the little maiden and partly to avoid suspicion. After all, with her displayed Qi Refining sixth-layer cultivation, casting multiple techniques should have exhausted all her spiritual energy. [I can reveal slightly deeper reserves, but I mustn’t make it too obvious. Cultivators here aren’t fools. The ingenuity behind cultivation arts proves their sharp minds.]

Yun Xi cupped her hands respectfully, “Senior Sister Qin, thank you for going easy.”

Without waiting longer, she jumped down from the arena, knowing well to quit while she was ahead.

“No, thank you for showing mercy,” Qin Tong Shuang graciously responded. She could tell clearly that Yun Xi hadn’t used spiritual energy in her final strike, sparing her humiliation. Qin Tong Shuang didn’t feel overly disappointed; she’d merely come to practice, not to dominate others. Gracefully, she moved to stand with the opposite group.

Out of three duels, Wei Yun Qing—the instigator herself—was the only one defeated. The other two Wei disciples had won decisively, making all the observing outer sect disciples reconsider their previous disdain: perhaps not everyone from the Wei Clan was worthless.

Senior Sister Mu remained calm, walking over to the Wei disciples. Cupping her hands respectfully, she said, “I lost our bet. I’ll relinquish my courtyard—”

Wei Yun Ting interrupted before she could finish, cupping her hands politely, “Senior Sister Mu, Wei Yun Qing lost, so she isn’t entitled to your courtyard. Although we won our matches, our aim was simply to protect our clan’s dignity. If Yun Qing is unsatisfied, she can challenge you again herself. None of us will interfere.”

Standing nearby, Wei Yun Qing lowered her head, her expression shifting through shades of red, white, and green. She felt that if the conversation continued, her face might turn purple from humiliation.

Senior Sister Mu understood clearly: though the Wei disciples somewhat protected their talented junior, they didn’t pamper her excessively. Realizing this eased her heart greatly. She had expected such a result—after all, the Wei Clan had Foundation Establishment disciples and even a Golden Core elder backing them. Her initial goal had been merely to defeat Wei Yun Qing, humbling her arrogant spirit while still eventually relinquishing her courtyard to give the Wei Clan face.

Yet, despite events proceeding according to plan, the Wei disciples had shown remarkable restraint and fairness, surprising her. Senior Sister Mu nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Wei Yun Qing, asking, “Junior Sister Wei, what do you think?”

Wei Yun Qing could hardly respond otherwise, having thoroughly embarrassed herself. Hanging her head low, she said softly, “It was my own incompetence. Please forgive me, Senior Sister Mu. I’ll choose another courtyard.”

After a brief, stiff bow, she turned and hurried away without thanking her clanmates who had fought on her behalf.

Wei Yun Ting and Wei Zong Han exchanged helpless glances, saying nothing. After politely bidding farewell to Senior Sister Mu, they left together.

Just as Yun Xi and the others prepared to return to their outer disciple courtyard, Qin Tong Shuang appeared before Yun Xi, blocking her path. Looking directly into Yun Xi’s eyes, she declared bluntly, “Your ice techniques are impressive. I’d like us to be friends—we can take missions together in the future.”

As she spoke, Qin Tong Shuang handed over her message talisman.

Yun Xi hadn’t expected to gain the little maiden’s friendship, smiling warmly as she replied, “You’re impressive as well. I’d be delighted to be your friend.”

They exchanged talismans, after which Qin Tong Shuang cupped her hands once more and left decisively. Today’s spar had given her valuable insight; she wanted to reflect further on how to fight effectively even with limited spiritual energy.

Watching her leave, Yun Ying remarked with a trace of envy, “Yun Xi, you’re really popular.”

Yun Xi smiled gently, replying, “You can also try sparring on the arena often, Yun Ying Jie. I’m sure you’ll make friends too.”

Yun Ying merely curled her lip slightly, clearly uncomfortable at the idea of losing publicly.

After returning safely to their courtyard, Yun Xi and Zong Hao hung up “Closed Door Cultivation” signs, eager to reflect deeply on the day’s experiences.

News of the duel quickly reached the Golden Core Elder of the Wei Clan’s inner sect. After viewing the recording crystal, she smiled faintly, though a hint of irony flickered through her eyes. Speaking softly to herself, she murmured, “Typical Wei Clan—the most talented and favored disciples always prove disappointing, while the overlooked ones show the most promise.”

Sending out a message talisman, she calmly closed her eyes and resumed meditation.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun Qing had chosen another courtyard on the outer peaks. Locking herself inside, she furiously smashed everything within reach, cursing Yun Xi and the others bitterly.