Chapter 15: Do You Have a Sword?
Shen Yue’s sudden challenge struck Ye Zhao Zhao like a swift sword, catching her off guard.
[Did my words truly provoke him so quickly?]
A flicker of delight danced within her eyes.
Good, very good.
The more chaos Shen Yue stirred, the better.
Li Shuang had always prided herself on her sword skills. But was her blade truly as sharp as she claimed?
Truthfully, Ye Zhao Zhao had rarely seen Li Shuang fight. However, Long Yan had once told her plainly: Li Shuang’s Sword Dao was ordinary at best. Her powerful reputation existed only because he had secretly supported her from behind.
But now…
Li Shuang no longer possessed Dragon’s Roar.
Without her sword, could Li Shuang still be considered a genius?
This was a perfect chance for Shen Yue to embarrass her in front of everyone, shattering her name as a prodigy of the sword!
“Li Shuang, do you dare accept?” Shen Yue fixed her with a fierce gaze.
Li Shuang’s expression remained calm as still waters. “Duel you? There’s no need.”
Against Shen Yue’s mediocre swordsmanship, any duel would merely waste her energy.
“What’s wrong? Are you scared?” Shen Yue sneered, pushing further.
Li Shuang raised an eyebrow slightly. “Just a waste of my time.”
She turned towards Luo Ming Yue and the others. “We’ve secured what we came for. Let’s go.”
Just as she stepped away, Shen Yue boldly blocked her path.
“A waste of time?” he mocked. “You certainly know how to hide your fear behind excuses. Fine, let’s raise the stakes! If I win, I won’t even take your Sword Stone—but from now on, you’ll deliver the Frost Flower personally each month to Little Junior Sister. Such a pure treasure shouldn’t touch hands as undeserving as yours! But if I lose, all that I possess here will be yours!”
Shen Yue shook his Storage Pouch, treasures scattering across the ground like stars in the night sky.
Li Shuang glanced down at the glittering array.
As the Eldest Senior Sister, she was almost penniless, but Shen Yue had considerable wealth.
Rare ores, spirit herbs, precious elixirs—even thousands of Low-Grade Spirit Stones glistened invitingly.
“All this will belong to me if you lose?” Li Shuang clarified softly.
With these resources, her Heaven and Earth Furnace could be strengthened greatly.
“Naturally.” Shen Yue sneered. “Do you really believe you can win?”
Li Shuang nodded slowly. “Fine. Let’s duel. But I’ll ensure you’re not at a disadvantage. If you win, I’ll give you this month’s sect resources along with the three hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones Master awarded me today. Additionally, each month I’ll personally deliver the Frost Flower to Spirit Void Peak.”
Three hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones?
Shen Yue’s eyes lit up. That alone nearly matched his own wager.
If he won, his fortune would double in an instant.
Li Shuang took out her own Storage Pouch. “But we must have a witness, someone trusted to ensure neither of us goes back on our word.”
Shen Yue almost laughed out loud with rage.
[She dares suspect my honor? It’s generous enough I haven’t doubted hers first!]
“If both of you agree, perhaps I can serve as arbiter?”
A warm and gentle voice floated through the air. From the crowd emerged a young man with an elegance like polished jade.
Li Shuang turned her gaze towards him.
Though unfamiliar with many disciples, this one she knew.
He was Jiang Rong Yi—the Chief Disciple under the Sect Leader, famed as the most talented young cultivator of their generation. He had recently ascended to the Divine Spirit Transformation Stage.
Like the Sect Leader himself, Jiang Rong Yi was known far and wide for his fairness and honorable nature, praised by all who knew him.
“I have no objections,” Li Shuang replied without hesitation, calmly handing over her Storage Pouch.
Jiang Rong Yi received it, then turned his gaze toward Shen Yue.
Shen Yue smiled coldly. “Having Senior Brother Jiang as a witness is perfect. After our blades clash, these foolish rumors will vanish! I, Shen Yue, rely solely on my own strength!”
With great care, Shen Yue placed the treasured item back into his Storage Pouch and passed it to Jiang Rong Yi.
Jiang Rong Yi lightly smiled. “The sect rules forbid meaningless conflicts. If swords must cross, do so honorably in the Martial Training Field.”
Such was the proper path.
Li Shuang and Shen Yue agreed without hesitation.
“Eldest Senior Sister, about this duel…” Liu Jun Cheng glanced toward Luo Ming Yue.
Luo Ming Yue appeared entirely unconcerned. With a cold laugh, she said, “Though Little Junior Sister has restarted her cultivation, her sword heart remains untouched! Shen Yue’s poor swordplay will only lead to disgrace.”
As another prodigy, Luo Ming Yue understood better than anyone the profound depths of Li Shuang’s sword skill.
There was an old saying:
An amateur sees the excitement; a master sees the skill.
That fool Shen Yue could not see the vast distance between himself and Li Shuang!
Only by truly stepping onto the path of the Sword Dao would he realize—
He was a mere insect gazing upward at the endless heavens!
Liu Jun Cheng nodded slightly. “I don’t doubt Little Junior Sister’s victory. My only fear is that Shen Yue might refuse to accept defeat.”
“With Senior Brother Jiang witnessing, he won’t dare deny the outcome. Still, we should remain watchful. Little Junior Sister’s cultivation is still weak for now,” Luo Ming Yue advised calmly.
Liu Jun Cheng and Jiang Yi nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhao Zhao deliberately summoned the Sword Spirit, Long Yan.
“Master,” Long Yan greeted respectfully, his gaze full of admiration.
Having bound himself by contract, the word “Master” emerged from deep sincerity.
Ye Zhao Zhao smiled sweetly, saying, “Xiao Yan, you’ve followed Li Shuang so long, you must know her sword’s weaknesses. Share them with Second Senior Brother.”
Before Long Yan could speak, Shen Yue’s face grew cold. “Zhao Zhao, do you doubt my strength?”
Ye Zhao Zhao quickly reassured him, “It isn’t that, Second Senior Brother. I only wished to strengthen our odds.”
[Stubborn fool!]
Ye Zhao Zhao cursed inwardly but maintained a gentle smile. “I’m just overly concerned for you, Second Senior Brother. Worry has clouded my judgment.”
Hearing her words, Shen Yue’s gaze softened. Reaching out, he affectionately ruffled Ye Zhao Zhao’s hair. “Wait for me—I promise to reclaim the Frost Flower.”
Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes glistened with unwavering trust.
Warmth blossomed in Shen Yue’s heart.
Zhao Zhao was truly gentle and kind.
The Frost Flower suited her perfectly.
Such a pure bloom belonged only to someone equally pure.
He would reclaim it for Little Junior Sister!
The path soon led them to the Martial Arena.
Without hesitation, Shen Yue leaped onto the stage, eyes burning with fighting spirit, and faced Li Shuang. “Senior Sister Li, kindly instruct me!”
Li Shuang raised her brow slightly, stepping gracefully toward the arena.
Suddenly, Ye Zhao Zhao’s concerned voice rang clearly.
“Senior Sister Li, which sword will you use for this duel? I might have lent you Dragon’s Roar, but it has already recognized a master and cannot be wielded by another.”
Long Yan stood quietly beside Ye Zhao Zhao, the Dragon’s Roar Sword glowing faintly and coldly in her grasp.
Li Shuang glanced at it briefly, a faint smile touching her lips.
Long Yan had once stubbornly refused her, yet he had swiftly submitted to Ye Zhao Zhao under a harsh master-servant bond.
But that no longer mattered.
Li Shuang calmly withdrew her gaze, passing by Ye Zhao Zhao without a pause, stepping confidently onto the Martial Arena.
Long Yan, entirely ignored, felt a flash of anger ignite within him.
Let’s see, without him, what peerless blade could Li Shuang possibly wield now?
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation