Chapter 16: The Duel of Swords
Long Yan’s eyes burned fiercely as he stared into the battle arena, not even daring to blink.
Yes, he had betrayed Li Shuang.
But was he truly at fault?
Had Li Shuang not always been as distant as ice? If she’d shown even a glimmer of the warmth Ye Zhao Zhao freely gave, would he have chosen this road?
Only after meeting Ye Zhao Zhao had Long Yan understood—a Sword Spirit could feel emotion. The sweetness of their bond was like the fleeting fragrance of blossoms, capturing his heart completely.
Choosing Ye Zhao Zhao and forming their Sword Spirit pact—he had no regrets!
Even without Li Shuang, he remained the proud Dragon’s Roar Sword.
But Li Shuang?
Without him, could she find another sword blessed by a Sword Spirit?
Yet, Shen Yue’s blade held a powerful spirit. Li Shuang had already lost the advantage.
Long Yan eagerly awaited the moment when defeat would darken Li Shuang’s proud face.
“Long Yan… Long Yan… Long Yan?”
Ye Zhao Zhao’s voice called him several times before he awoke from his thoughts.
“Master,” Long Yan’s expression softened immediately as he turned to Ye Zhao Zhao.
Ye Zhao Zhao smiled sweetly. “You’re watching so seriously. Do you really think the outcome remains uncertain?”
Long Yan hesitated.
He had assured Ye Zhao Zhao that Li Shuang was useless without him.
But…
Having served as Li Shuang’s Sword Spirit for so long, he knew the truth—her sword skills were exceptional.
In all their previous battles, he had never truly assisted her.
He had always claimed he disliked bloodshed, and Li Shuang never forced him.
Now his heart belonged fully to Ye Zhao Zhao; he hadn’t paid close attention to Li Shuang’s true ability.
“What’s wrong?” Ye Zhao Zhao narrowed her eyes slightly. “Is my question difficult to answer?”
Long Yan felt unease stir within him.
To impress Ye Zhao Zhao, he had boasted that Li Shuang was nothing without him. He had exaggerated greatly.
Now, he couldn’t take those words back.
He couldn’t disappoint Ye Zhao Zhao.
Besides, Shen Yue wielded the superior sword. Li Shuang would still likely lose.
“Shen Yue has the advantage,” Long Yan finally answered cautiously.
Ye Zhao Zhao smiled knowingly.
A Sword Spirit always understood a Sword Cultivator best.
If Long Yan said Shen Yue would win, Second Senior Brother’s victory was certain.
She already imagined spreading news of Li Shuang’s defeat, slowly destroying her reputation as a sword genius, plunging her step by step into despair.
In the arena.
Shen Yue’s face was cold as steel. He pointed a blazing crimson sword toward Li Shuang.
“My sword is called Blazing Sun,” Shen Yue declared loudly. “Li Shuang, where is your sword?”
Indeed, where was Li Shuang’s sword?
Long Yan’s eyes fixed sharply on the duel.
Li Shuang calmly extended her hand, and a dark blade appeared suddenly in her grasp.
“My sword is named Black Abyss,” she answered quietly.
Black Abyss?
Ye Zhao Zhao laughed softly.
Li Shuang must truly be desperate—to rely on the worthless Black Abyss Sword?
Its Sword Spirit had never awakened, and Ye Zhao Zhao had never refined it. At best, it was a mere First-Grade Sword, barely more than an ordinary blade.
Yet Shen Yue’s Blazing Sun was a powerful Third-Grade Sword.
With Black Abyss, Li Shuang had no chance.
Long Yan smiled faintly, lips curled with contempt.
Li Shuang—once so proud, preferring death over accepting a sword offered out of pity—now stood gripping the discarded Black Abyss.
She truly had fallen into desperation.
Jiang Rong Yi glanced at Li Shuang with surprise in his raised eyebrows. Turning to the duelists, he asked, “Are both sides ready?”
Shen Yue nodded coldly. “Naturally.”
Li Shuang quietly inclined her head.
Jiang Rong Yi clearly announced, “Remember the rules—no spiritual energy allowed, only pure sword skill. Victory comes when your opponent surrenders or is forced out of the arena. Anyone who uses spiritual power immediately loses.”
After both competitors acknowledged, Jiang Rong Yi stepped back and declared, “Begin!”
The duel started, but Shen Yue didn’t immediately move. Instead, he sneered coldly at Li Shuang.
“Li Shuang, you always mocked my sword style as too forceful, too crude, saying a true master would defeat me easily. Yet who among our peers ever bested me? With Blazing Sun in my hand, my sword has no equal. As Eldest Senior Sister, you always pointed out my flaws to prove yourself superior. I tolerated you then—but now you’re no longer of Spirit Void Peak. Today, I owe you no mercy.”
His eyes flashed with pride as he raised his blade. “Watch closely as my Blazing Sun Sword sends you to your doom!”
Li Shuang stood expressionless, softly murmuring, “So, this was how you saw things all along.”
“Of course,” Shen Yue sneered coldly. “You plotted endlessly, desperate to keep me beneath your shadow. You tried to chain me down, but your lies were exposed long ago.”
Li Shuang remained quiet, her gaze clear and calm like an undisturbed lake.
Every sword technique Shen Yue knew—each move, each strike—Li Shuang had once carefully refined herself. She had shaped his blade like a master craftsman polishing jade, ensuring his every strike was perfect.
Yet now, he saw her only as an obstacle?
[Very well.]
Let him taste the emptiness of strength without grace—let him discover the weakness hidden within arrogance.
Her fingers brushed the edge of the Black Abyss Sword as she whispered, “Today will mark your first battle. No sword in this world is worthless. Soon, everyone shall understand.”
Deep within the Black Abyss Sword, hidden in its spirit-space, a faint spirit slept quietly. Shaped like a child, transparent and small, it had rested for countless years without stirring.
Li Shuang paid it no heed.
A warrior chooses a sword, yet the sword also chooses its master. To gain its respect, she must first prove herself worthy.
“Watch carefully, Li Shuang!” Shen Yue laughed arrogantly. “Today, the sword style you once mocked as crude will be your downfall!”
Shen Yue stepped forward swiftly, eager to display his skill. His Blazing Sun Sword descended like a fiery comet, fierce energy surging outward like roaring flames.
Yet Li Shuang remained perfectly still at the center of the stage, calm as a mountain lake before a storm. To the onlookers, it seemed certain she would soon be engulfed by Shen Yue’s blazing fury.
Long Yan saw the dark sword in her hand and quietly chuckled, his smile full of scorn.
Li Shuang had always been proud, refusing to accept pity or charity. Yet now, she wielded a sword discarded by Ye Zhao Zhao. Clearly, she had fallen far from grace.
Jiang Rong Yi glanced between the two combatants, eyebrows rising slightly. Then he raised his voice clearly: “Are both fighters ready?”
Shen Yue nodded coldly. “Naturally.”
Li Shuang inclined her head slightly.
Jiang Rong Yi declared firmly, “Let me repeat the rules. Spiritual energy is forbidden. Victory depends solely on sword skill. You lose if you concede or step off the stage. Any use of spiritual power means immediate defeat.”
Seeing their acknowledgment, Jiang Rong Yi stepped back and called, “Begin!”
Shen Yue did not immediately attack. Instead, he sneered mockingly at Li Shuang. “You always criticized my swordsmanship as crude, forceful, and lacking grace. You claimed any true master could easily see my weaknesses. Yet who among our generation has ever defeated me? With my Blazing Sun Sword, I stand undefeated! As Eldest Senior Sister, you always found fault to raise yourself higher. Before, I tolerated you. But now—you are no longer of Spirit Void Peak. I owe you nothing.”
His eyes glittered with arrogance as he declared again, “Watch closely! See clearly how my Blazing Sun Sword Art plunges you into disgrace!”
Li Shuang remained calm. “So, that’s how you’ve always seen me,” she whispered gently.
“Of course,” Shen Yue scoffed. “Your endless schemes are now clear for all to see.”
Li Shuang said nothing.
Every flaw in Shen Yue’s swordsmanship—every weakness—she had patiently corrected. Yet now, she meant nothing to him.
[Then let him witness what happens to a sword without elegance.]
Her fingers gently stroked the blade of the Black Abyss Sword, her voice soft yet determined. “Today is your first battle. No sword is useless. Soon, everyone will understand.”
Inside the deepest core of the Black Abyss Sword, the spirit-child continued its quiet slumber, unaware and undisturbed.
Li Shuang paid it no attention.
To gain the sword’s acknowledgment, she must prove her worth.
Shen Yue laughed sharply and stepped forward, eager to strike. His blade descended like fire from heaven, roaring fiercely like a storm.
Yet Li Shuang stood motionless, calm as the eye of a tempest, quietly awaiting his strike.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation