Chapter 084
Chapter 84: If You’re Capable, Fight Me Head-On
Shi Zi Chu did not know Hua Ting Li’s daydreaming thoughts, and her voice carried helplessness as she spoke: “Senior Uncle Meng, how can you weaken your own disciple’s morale like this?”
“Of course, I want you to win. If you do, I’ll give you the heaven-rank Azure Dawn Sword.”
To motivate Shi Zi Chu into winning this match, Sect Master Meng was truly generous.
Xing Lan gently refused, “No need. I have my own plans for Jiu Jiu’s life-bound sword.”
The Azure Dawn Sword was indeed an exceptional blade, but an excellent sword wasn’t necessarily suited to Jiu Jiu. The Azure Dawn Sword would only gather dust in her hands. Rather than that, it was better to exchange it for something more useful.
Sect Master Meng slightly raised his brows.
Shi Zi Chu’s mind turned quickly, and she whispered softly, “Master, that mermaid silk.”
Xing Lan glanced at her.
[Jiu Jiu truly dares to speak. Mermaid silk is half-immortal rank!]
“Zi Chu, you’re truly bold in asking,” Sect Master Meng said helplessly with a teasing tone.
It was a half-immortal ranked heavenly treasure. With a few additional rare materials, it could be crafted into an immortal-rank magic artifact.
“I’ll forge an immortal-rank spirit sword for the young sect master,” Xing Lan offered Sect Master Meng.
Sect Master Meng’s eyes immediately brightened. “Are you serious?!”
Although Xing Lan was nominally a sword cultivator, he was practically an all-rounded cultivator!
“I am serious.”
Without hesitation, Sect Master Meng took out the jade box containing the mermaid silk and placed it directly before Xing Lan.
Meng Xi Yu watched his own father, undeniably moved, but…
“Father, I already have a life-bound sword,” Meng Xi Yu reminded softly.
Sect Master Meng nodded, replying, “Once the banquet ends, I’ll take you to discuss this carefully with Xing Lan.”
Meng Xi Yu inclined his head.
The minor episode sparked by Sect Master Meng ended quietly.
The venerables once again realized just how deeply Shi Zi Chu was valued by Venerable Xing Lan.
Calling it important didn’t even begin to describe it—this favoritism was beyond measure!
“As your former second senior sister, it would seem cowardly if I didn’t accept your challenge,” Shi Zi Chu’s gentle, smiling voice carried clearly. “I accept.”
Hua Ting Li sneered coldly, “Swear it! If you lose, you must leave Jade Void Sect!”
“All right,” Shi Zi Chu replied with a soft smile.
Sect Master Meng’s vision darkened.
[Curses!]
Could he just throw out this walking disaster, Hua Ting Li?!
Shi Zi Chu laid out her condition, “But if you lose, I want you to parade through Jade Void Sect, banging drums and gongs, shouting everywhere that you were wrong and that you, Hua Ting Li, wronged me, Shi Zi Chu.”
Hua Ting Li valued his pride above all else. Doing this would humiliate him more than death.
Indeed, Hua Ting Li’s expression turned indescribably grim.
Still believing strongly in his own abilities, Hua Ting Li forced out through clenched teeth, “Fine!”
—
At the battle platform.
A group of venerables followed Xing Lan to watch the excitement.
Many Jade Void Sect disciples also gathered around to spectate.
Chu Zhi Rou watched Shi Zi Chu on the platform, her eyes cloudy and unclear.
A Foundation Establishment late-stage disciple fighting against a mid-Core Formation expert?
No matter how skilled Shi Zi Chu was, she couldn’t possibly win!
Unless she used demonic arts!
Yet, using demonic arts under the watchful eyes of so many venerables? Even Master would hesitate to shield her openly!
Fourth Senior Brother was still superior!
Thinking of this, Chu Zhi Rou’s gaze, filled with admiration, turned toward Hua Ting Li.
On the stage, the two quickly finished making their oaths.
As soon as they finished swearing, Hua Ting Li formed a hand seal, conjuring a fireball to strike Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu moved lightly, her graceful figure swiftly dodging back and forth.
Hua Ting Li hadn’t anticipated Shi Zi Chu’s movement technique would be so refined, so he increased the intensity of his attacks.
Yao Ruo Ruo stared at the stage unblinkingly, asking quietly, “Senior brother, Zi Chu will win, right?”
“You should trust her,” Yan Zhou Bai replied softly.
Worry filled Yao Ruo Ruo’s eyes. “This isn’t about trust. Zi Chu was badly hurt before—I’m just afraid her injuries haven’t fully healed!”
Yan Zhou Bai fell silent, speechless.
Not far away, Chu Zhi Rou murmured quietly, “Why does Second Senior Sister keep dodging without fighting back?”
Xu Zhou Ye laughed coldly, openly mocking Shi Zi Chu, “She’s just a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator. Who gave her the nerve to challenge Hua Ting Li?”
Jiang Wan Sheng folded his arms, immediately adding poison to the air: “Idiots truly flock together.”
“Well said, Young Master Jiang. They’re indeed a group of idiots,” Wan Yan Qian spoke sharply, her words venomous. “They’re just lucky to have joined Venerable Xing Lan’s side. Otherwise, they’d already be dead a thousand times over.”
Clan Chief Wan Yan’s face showed helplessness.
Jiang Wan Sheng smiled mockingly. “Eldest Miss Wan Yan, let me correct you. They’re outer sect disciples now.”
Wan Yan Qian’s smile deepened, impossible to conceal.
After receiving a warning glance from her father, Wan Yan Qian restrained herself slightly.
When Chu Zhi Rou glanced her way, Wan Yan Qian spoke mockingly, her tone dripping with sarcasm, “Congratulations, Eldest Miss Ye! After all your hard work, you’ve finally become an outer sect disciple!”
Chu Zhi Rou’s face turned deathly pale, nearly shattering her silver teeth in frustration.
Without needing her father’s prompt, Wan Yan Qian immediately bowed toward Xing Lan and apologized respectfully, “Venerable Xing Lan, forgive my lack of manners. I was just too happy upon hearing the good news. I admit my mistake.”
Xing Lan waved his hand casually.
Seeing Xing Lan’s dismissal, Clan Chief Wan Yan quietly sighed in relief.
On the battle platform, Shi Zi Chu was treating Hua Ting Li like a dog on a leash.
Her excessively agile movements made all of Hua Ting Li’s attacks fail.
After nearly an incense stick’s worth of one-sided attacks, Hua Ting Li had exhausted much spiritual power yet hadn’t even touched Shi Zi Chu’s sleeve.
“Shi Zi Chu! Is dodging all you can do?!” Hua Ting Li roared angrily.
Shi Zi Chu’s crimson lips curled slightly as she faced Hua Ting Li’s anger.
“If you’re capable, fight me head-on!”
Shi Zi Chu raised her brows, having never heard such a shameless request before. “You said it.”
Eyes red with fury, Hua Ting Li shouted, “I said it! Go die!”
With that, he grasped his magic artifact and charged Shi Zi Chu.
“Water Shield!”
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand, forming a thin water shield that blocked Hua Ting Li’s attack.
Just as many thought the shield would shatter, it withstood the blow.
Ming Xi Su watched carefully, suddenly feeling deeply uneasy.
[Is Shi Zi Chu truly just at Foundation Establishment late-stage?]
Gritting his teeth, Hua Ting Li infused his spiritual power into the magic artifact, trying to break through the shield.
Yet, the water shield remained steady.
Suddenly, Shi Zi Chu dispersed the shield and sidestepped gracefully.
Caught off guard, Hua Ting Li stumbled forward. Her vine-purple skirt fluttered gracefully, resembling blooming clusters of wisteria blossoms.
A loud bang echoed as Shi Zi Chu’s foot struck Hua Ting Li’s face.
The immense force sent Hua Ting Li flying backward, landing sprawled on the stage.
Blood gushed from Hua Ting Li’s nose, his vision darkening in waves.
“Fourth Senior Brother!” Chu Zhi Rou cried out in alarm, filled with worry.
Xu Zhou Ye and his companions stared in disbelief.
Hua Ting Li had actually lost?!
Impossible!
Shi Zi Chu approached leisurely, her skirts sweeping elegantly across the ground, graceful and noble.
“Do you surrender?”
An embroidered shoe adorned with wisteria blossoms pressed down onto Hua Ting Li’s chest.
With her toes grinding lightly into his chest, Shi Zi Chu’s face bore a gentle, pure smile as she spoke sweetly, “Fourth Junior Brother—oh no—Junior Brother Hua Ting Li, do you surrender?”
Her melodious voice was soft and lovely.
Hua Ting Li struggled to breathe, sharp pain radiating through his chest, likely from broken ribs.