Chapter 41: The Victor—Li Shuang
Ye Zhao Zhao halted, her heart thumping like the steady beat of a distant drum.
Li Shuang’s gaze was as calm as the still surface of an ancient lake. Yet beneath that serene look, danger stirred like a hidden blade beneath dark water. [Her soul shivered at the sight, as if a sword had lightly grazed it.] By the time her senses returned, Li Shuang had already vanished with the disciples of Emotionless Peak.
Ye Zhao Zhao spun around and saw only the cold, distant figure of Li Shuang.
“Zhao Zhao,” sneered Chang Le An, “don’t be fooled by her bold words. She was lucky today. Her first opponent, Lei Cheng Kong, is still in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. Even so, even an early cultivator is far above her! When the midday matches begin, we’ll see her true weakness.”
Ye Zhao Zhao murmured softly, “Third Senior Brother, please do not speak so. I truly hope Senior Sister Li wins.”
Chang Le An looked at her with pity. He had already decided to protect Zhao Zhao, fearing that her gentle heart might be hurt time and again.
…
Afternoon – Martial Training Field
The first round of the selection match began as scheduled. Among the disciples of Emotionless Peak, only Li Shuang stepped onto the arena. Luo Ming Yue and the others cheered her on from below. From Spirit Void Peak, only Chang Le An accompanied Ye Zhao Zhao to watch the contest.
Ye Zhao Zhao called forth her Sword Spirit, Long Yan. A gentle smile curved her lips. “Long Yan, you once served as her Sword Spirit. You know her heart better than anyone. Watch her closely today. See if her swordsmanship has changed.”
Long Yan nodded without hesitation, his eyes fixed on the arena. In the world of sword cultivators, a warrior and his blade are as inseparable as yin and yang. Without Li Shuang’s nurturing Sword Energy, Long Yan had grown weak these past days. Yet as long as he stayed by Zhao Zhao’s side, nothing could shake his resolve.
And what of Li Shuang? Without the mighty Dragon’s Roar, she must have been haunted by regret every waking moment—a heavy price for having cast him aside so easily.
…
On the Arena
Lei Cheng Kong stood relaxed, a confident smirk playing on his lips. “Senior Sister Li,” he called, “if fate had not forced you to begin anew, I would never stand a chance against you. Now… I must beg your pardon in advance.”
In his grip, a shimmering azure sword appeared. A faint Sword Spirit danced along its edge as the blade’s deadly aura flared to life. Within the Sword Sect, the art of nurturing Sword Spirits was divided into three stages:
Phantom Form: The spirit is but an ethereal wisp, offering only a slight boost.
Materialization: The spirit takes on a physical form and can even train with its master, making a world of difference in battle.
Union of Man and Sword: At this pinnacle, the sword and its master become one, every thought and move merging into deadly intent.
Li Shuang had raised Long Yan to the Materialization stage. But Lei Cheng Kong’s Sword Spirit still lingered in the early Phantom Form, granting him only a meager edge.
Yet Lei Cheng Kong’s strength came not from his Sword Spirit but from his strong foundation—a power that soared high above Li Shuang’s level. He launched his attack with full force, not underestimating his foe.
Li Shuang’s eyes remained calm as she sensed the hidden flaw in his overwhelming assault. With the graceful flow of the “Black Abyss” technique, she flicked her sword in midair. In an instant, the ferocity of his thunder-like strike faded away.
Before Lei Cheng Kong could recover, Li Shuang moved with such swift footwork that she appeared behind him like a shadow. With a sweeping strike of her Black Abyss Sword, Lei Cheng Kong was sent hurtling out of the arena, crashing heavily on the ground.
Li Shuang sheathed her sword and cupped her hands in a gesture of calm respect. “I concede nothing,” she declared. Lei Cheng Kong stared in dazed silence as the afternoon sunlight shone sharply upon the scene. In that light, Li Shuang appeared like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world—an Energy Refining Stage cultivator defeating a Foundation Establishment expert with a single, precise move.
Lei Cheng Kong’s lips trembled with regret. [He wished for an excuse, but none came to mind.] Even though his spiritual power exceeded hers, she had danced around his fiercest strike and struck exactly where it hurt most. Such clear insight was forged only in countless battles. Such mastery of the sword came from deep understanding.
“I lost,” Lei Cheng Kong admitted with a sigh of dejection.
Chang Le An’s face darkened as he spat, “That Lei Cheng Kong is utterly useless! But it does not matter. Her luck will run out. In the next round, she will surely fall!”
Ye Zhao Zhao exchanged a glance with Long Yan. Quickly, Long Yan reassured her, “Zhao Zhao, win or lose, it matters not. If she makes it to the third round and faces you, that will be just right. By then, I will teach her the true meaning of defeat.”
Ye Zhao Zhao smiled gently, “With Ah Yan by my side, I fear nothing.” A hint of tenderness shone in Long Yan’s eyes. For the sake of that smile, he was ready to face any trial. His choice was never a mistake.
The page turned, promising more thrilling tales.
The referee’s voice broke the silence, booming, “Victor: Emotionless Peak, Li Shuang!”
Li Shuang nodded slightly, ready to step down from the platform. But before she could move, a voice erupted, “Little Shuang is the best! Little Shuang is the strongest! Her skills are unmatched!”
Luo Ming Yue had unfurled a large banner and cheered loudly. Liu Jun Cheng, with a resigned look, was handed a small flag to wave in surrender. Even Jiang Yi avoided eye contact as she mechanically waved another tiny flag.
Li Shuang stood silently. Suddenly, the urge to leave the stage faded. Yet Luo Ming Yue quickly grabbed her arm and led her away. In a blink, she was surrounded by the lively voices of the Emotionless Peak disciples, all celebrating their victory.
From a distance, Shen Yue dared not approach the arena. Only when he saw Li Shuang being led away did he step out of the shadows, his face a mask of astonishment.
[Eldest Senior Sister had won, yet she had never lost before. Her victory was expected, never celebrated.]
They had never truly honored her achievements until now. Now, with comrades who cherished her, might she ever return to Spirit Void Peak? Once, Shen Yue believed she would always come back. But now, uncertainty clouded his heart.
The duels had ended, but Shen Yue lingered in the shadows long after, until the sun dipped below the horizon. Only then did he slowly make his way back to Spirit Void Peak.
That night, Li Shuang gazed at her glowing jade slip, a faint, secret smile gracing her lips.
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