Chapter 20: Reclaiming What Is Rightfully Hers
“The two disciples from Spirit Void Peak won’t let this go so easily,” Liu Jun Cheng said calmly. “Eldest Senior Sister, I’ll inform the Enforcement Hall first, then report to Master.”
Liu Jun Cheng always moved like a careful swordsman, striking precisely. By speaking early, he avoided allowing their rivals the chance to twist reality to their advantage.
“I will also—” Li Shuang began, but Liu Jun Cheng interrupted gently with a faint smile.
“Little Junior Sister, just go to the Market as usual. There’s no need to trouble yourself over minor matters.”
Despite his reassurance, Li Shuang felt a quiet unease.
“It’s fine; they’ll handle it,” Luo Ming Yue assured warmly. “You should learn to depend on us sometimes.”
Li Shuang was stunned.
[Depend on them?]
Warmth rose quietly in her heart.
A gentle smile appeared on her lips. “Alright.”
In that moment, it felt as if flowers bloomed amidst ice and snow. Unable to help herself, Luo Ming Yue reached out and gently pinched Li Shuang’s cheek. “You should smile more.”
Li Shuang nodded earnestly. “I’ll try my best.”
Then, she turned toward Jiang Yi. “Fourth Senior Sister, with Eldest Senior Sister by my side, why don’t you head back and rest?”
Jiang Yi paused, meeting Li Shuang’s clear, gentle gaze. In those eyes, she saw only thoughtful care.
Her fists tightened slightly.
[Little Junior Sister…]
She understood.
Jiang Yi had always feared drawing attention. Losing face earlier had drained her strength for today.
Though Jiang Yi had struggled to hide her feelings, Li Shuang had somehow sensed them.
Without fuss, without pity, Li Shuang simply offered her an escape.
“…Alright.” Jiang Yi quietly lowered her head and replied.
Though they had only just met, Jiang Yi could already sense the warmth beneath Li Shuang’s icy exterior.
Yet, what about those from Spirit Void Peak?
Had they truly failed to see?
But now, that mattered no more.
Li Shuang was now their Little Junior Sister, and Spirit Void Peak held no claim over her.
As Liu Jun Cheng and Jiang Yi departed, Luo Ming Yue walked with Li Shuang toward the Market.
Even while walking, the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art within Li Shuang never paused, circulating endlessly like an unstoppable stream.
Luo Ming Yue couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “This technique is truly powerful, constantly cultivating itself and saving countless hours of meditation.”
As soon as her words ended—
Suddenly.
A wave of spiritual energy surged from Li Shuang, rising without warning. Instantly, she had broken through to the sixth level of the Energy Refining Stage.
Luo Ming Yue’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.
Hadn’t Li Shuang just reached the fifth level this very morning?
Even considering the incredible speed of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art, wasn’t progressing this quickly too shocking?
Unable to resist, Luo Ming Yue asked, “Did your spiritual energy just rise again?”
Li Shuang hesitated slightly, then nodded. “It seems that way.”
Though she was recultivating and expected faster progress, this speed felt impossibly swift.
Concern flashed in Luo Ming Yue’s eyes. “Are you sure your spiritual foundation is stable?”
Li Shuang gave another confident nod. “Completely stable.”
It truly was mysterious.
Her spiritual energy flowed smoothly through her meridians, as if it had always been there, cultivated patiently by her own efforts.
Li Shuang found it puzzling, yet—
Deep in her heart, a whispering intuition assured her that this was no curse or trick.
Instead, it felt like she was reclaiming something that had always belonged to her.
“We’ll ask Master later,” Luo Ming Yue decided. “Monitor your spiritual energy carefully. If anything feels wrong, inform Master immediately.”
In a thousand years, only Li Shuang had stepped onto the path of the Emotionless Dao.
None understood the true depth of this martial path. Was the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art naturally guiding one’s inner energy this way? Even Luo Ming Yue could not say for certain.
Li Shuang nodded slightly.
“Let us proceed as planned. We shall visit the Market first,” Luo Ming Yue spoke solemnly. “Little Shuang, you must at least acquire some decent treasures. And remember, since you’ve chosen the Black Abyss Sword, you can refine it further once you reach Foundation Establishment. You should begin gathering the necessary materials.”
Li Shuang listened closely to Luo Ming Yue’s words, her eyes drifting to the sword at her waist.
Refinement…
Although she was still in the Energy Refining Stage, she felt deep within herself that Foundation Establishment was not far away.
She needed to be ready.
Yet, who knew a sword better than its own spirit?
Before refining the blade, she had to awaken its spirit. Only then could she decide how best to enhance it.
But the Black Abyss Sword Spirit—how could she wake it?
Focusing inward, she gently reached toward the blade’s spirit.
The Black Abyss Sword Spirit lay curled quietly, as always.
Yet Li Shuang’s keen senses noticed a tiny shift.
Had the Sword Spirit become stronger?
She observed more closely.
The difference was subtle, but her powerful mind caught the slight change.
Indeed, the Sword Spirit had grown.
Her eyes sparkled thoughtfully.
What caused this?
What had she done?
She had simply fought—and won—a single duel.
Could this victory be the reason the Sword Spirit was growing?
Li Shuang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
If this were true—
How many battles, how many victories, would it take to shape the Sword Spirit into its ultimate form?
Would she and the Black Abyss Sword forge an unbreakable Sword Heart through countless fights?
The idea took root in her mind, but she wasn’t sure yet.
No matter.
She had time enough to discover the truth.
…
Spirit Void Peak.
Ye Zhao Zhao returned, carrying Shen Yue, who remained unconscious.
Sheng Yuan’s face darkened as he saw Shen Yue’s pale, lifeless face. “Zhao Zhao, what happened?”
“Within our own sect… who dares to harm him so?” Third Disciple Chang Le An burned with anger.
Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes filled with tears. She brushed them away, her face twisted with grief. “It was Eldest Senior Sister—no, she forbids us from calling her that now. It was Li Shuang. She ordered Emotionless Peak’s people to attack, leaving Second Senior Brother like this.”
Her body shook as she spoke. “Second Senior Brother only wanted one Frost Flower for me. If Senior Sister Li refused to give it, she could have just said so. Why such cruelty? Eldest Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother… she has truly abandoned us.”
Tears glistened down her cheeks, and Ye Zhao Zhao trembled as if struck by an invisible blow.
“Unforgivable!” Chang Le An could restrain himself no longer. Grasping his sword fiercely, he prepared to confront Li Shuang.
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