Chapter 39: No Longer Needed
Chang Le An paused, then his face brightened with joy. “Second Senior Brother, you have awakened?”
That day, Shen Yue’s inner cultivation had veered dangerously off course. Only by the tireless efforts of True Immortal Ling Xu, who summoned a steward from the Divine Spirit Transformation Stage, was the raging inferno of his inner demons finally subdued. Until now, he had lain in a deep slumber, only just stirring to consciousness.
Nodding, Shen Yue quickly inquired, “The Langya Secret Realm is about to open. Did you say… that Eldest Senior Sister has registered for the selection?”
Chang Le An gritted his teeth. “Second Senior Brother, you still call her Eldest Senior Sister? You were unconscious, so you do not know the truth. That woman no longer sees us as her comrades. She has become utterly ruthless! If not for her, Little Junior Sister would have been spared much suffering, and Spirit Void Peak would not have plunged into chaos.”
Pressing his lips together in a husky tone, Shen Yue replied, “I have heard from Eldest Senior Brother.”
“Second Senior Brother, are you well?” Ye Zhao Zhao asked with concern.
A faint, forced smile touched Shen Yue’s pale face. “Little Junior Sister, you need not have worried for me.”
Lowering her eyes, Ye Zhao Zhao murmured, “When I saw you coughing blood and collapse, my heart was in turmoil.”
A deep sigh escaped Shen Yue.
Zhao Zhao had always been gentle and kind. This time, her fierce determination to stand by him had led to dire consequences, and she now faced punishment from the sect.
“I promise, Second Senior Brother, I will not act so rashly again,” Zhao Zhao whispered, her eyes pleading.
Shen Yue’s gaze softened. “If anyone bears the blame, it is me.”
He fell silent as memories flooded him—a dream of endless sorrow where the lessons of Eldest Senior Sister, once dismissed, now shone like a blade cutting through his weaknesses.
[If only I had listened to her wisdom, even a little…] he thought.
He realized that it was his blindness to her kindness that had led him astray.
This was not the fault of Eldest Senior Sister or Zhao Zhao; it was his own error that had sown the seeds of his downfall.
Eldest Senior Brother had spoken of a similar trial five years past, when Eldest Senior Sister had saved him from a similar deviation. Even the steward from the Divine Spirit Transformation Stage would need months to recover.
And yet, what of Eldest Senior Sister?
What suffering had she endured five years ago that now left her seemingly untouched by the storm?
A shadow of sorrow crossed Shen Yue’s face. Chang Le An broke the silence, urging, “Second Senior Brother, your body has just recovered—you must not take up your sword now! I know your heart burns for revenge against Li Shuang, but allow me to act this time. That woman’s power is so waning, she might not even reach the Arena.”
“Third Junior Brother, that is unnecessary,” Shen Yue interjected.
Chang Le An frowned, about to protest when Ye Zhao Zhao gently tugged at his sleeve and spoke softly, “Senior Sister Li is still our Eldest Senior Sister. Should we meet her in the Arena, I will deal with it as befits our honor.”
Shen Yue nodded. Zhao Zhao’s gentle manner always soothed his worries.
Under the pretense of sword training, Ye Zhao Zhao led Chang Le An away, leaving Shen Yue alone with his troubled thoughts.
[Five years ago, it was my fault that Eldest Senior Sister was misunderstood. And now, once more, because of me, Little Junior Sister has strayed from the righteous path and suffered the sect’s punishment.]
He could atone for Little Junior Sister over time—but what of Eldest Senior Sister? Would she ever find it in her heart to forgive him?
After two long days of inner torment, Shen Yue finally summoned the courage to climb Emotionless Peak. No matter the cost, he owed Eldest Senior Sister at least a word of gratitude for saving him five years ago.
The sky was clear and the air crisp as Shen Yue reached the Sword Training Grounds on Emotionless Peak, where several disciples practiced their swordplay. Two days earlier, Li Shuang had registered for the Langya Secret Realm trial without permission, only later informing them of her decision. Though her cultivation was still in its budding stage and Lin Qing Ling harbored concerns, Li Shuang was determined to walk her own path, free from interference.
Among the disciples of Emotionless Peak, Luo Ming Yue, now past her fiftieth year, was ineligible for the trial—a bitter truth she could not change. Jiang Yi, ever faithful to the mountain, had not enrolled, and the third senior disciple was away on a mission, likely to miss this chance as well. Thus, only Li Shuang and Liu Jun Cheng remained to represent Emotionless Peak.
At that moment on the training grounds, Luo Ming Yue and Jiang Yi watched as Li Shuang and Liu Jun Cheng clashed in a spirited duel. When Shen Yue arrived, he was met by the sight of their blades dancing in the air.
He had wished to call out to Li Shuang, but as he absorbed the scene, his words caught in his throat. Liu Jun Cheng’s swordplay was like a surging river—fluid and relentless—each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. It was Liu Jun Cheng who had bested him in the Arena before.
Yet Li Shuang, with effortless grace, dismantled his techniques and even paused to offer gentle pointers between their exchanges.
As Shen Yue watched, his heart grew heavy with conflicted thoughts. When he first arrived at Spirit Void Peak, Eldest Senior Sister had guided him with patient corrections. But now, across the training grounds, he saw Liu Jun Cheng standing in the role she once filled for him.
[How has everything changed?]
Shen Yue’s fists clenched ever so slightly.
Suddenly, Li Shuang ceased her sparring. A hint of apology flickered in her eyes as she spoke, “Apologies… Second Senior Brother, your sword skills are already refined. My words are but whispers on the wind—do not burden your heart with them.”
A memory stirred—of past missteps where unsolicited advice had been unwelcome. Had she overstepped again?
Liu Jun Cheng sheathed his sword, his eyes wide with surprise. “Junior Sister, why say that? Our exchange has sharpened my skills. I fear only that I have wasted your time.”
“Little Shuang, such words are needless,” Luo Ming Yue teased. “With his level of swordsmanship, he should be offering incense in thanks that you even spar with him!”
Li Shuang hesitated, wondering if Liu Jun Cheng might be offended. But he only sighed in exasperation, turning to Luo Ming Yue. “Eldest Senior Sister, mock me if you must, but do you dare to face Little Junior Sister in a duel?”
Luo Ming Yue replied matter-of-factly, “What is strange about losing to Little Junior Sister? When it comes to swordsmanship, even Senior Brother Jiang would pale in comparison. As long as I can triumph, that is enough.”
Liu Jun Cheng shook his head, holding back a retort before addressing Li Shuang once more. “Little Junior Sister, next time you defeat Eldest Senior Sister, grant me the honor to watch.”
“You won’t get the chance!” Luo Ming Yue teased, sticking out her tongue.
Jiang Yi remained silent, smiling softly and nodding in gentle approval.
A small smile tugged at Li Shuang’s lips as she watched them.
[Truly, times have changed.]
Li Shuang and Liu Jun Cheng resumed their practice, while Shen Yue lingered in silence, his heart heavy with unspoken words. He parted his lips several times, yet no words emerged.
Turning away, he left with a sorrowful heart.
He had come to offer his gratitude.
But it seemed…
Eldest Senior Sister no longer needed it.
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