The summer heat was scorching.
The mountain hosting the Inner Sect Competition was near the Tian Xuan Sect’s Dream Marsh Lake. The lake water steamed under the heat, making the air feel as if it carried a slight heat wave. Cultivators were unafraid of the cold and heat, protected by spiritual qi. However, Jiang Huai, sitting in the audience seats, was feeling extremely hot. Fortunately, Bai Li was sitting beside him, using a bit of her Ice Dragon power to lower the temperature around her, which made Jiang Huai feel slightly better.
Today was the first day of the Inner Sect Competition. Jiang Huai suddenly missed the previous two years when he was personally recommended by the Sect Master to be among the top ten, thus avoiding participating in so many matches. This gave other disciples a chance. Now, with his cultivation lost, he had no choice but to participate.
Chu Xianning did not come to the competition site this time. The previous night, Jiang Huai had sparred with her. He demonstrated the power of the Overlord Art to her. Knowing that Jiang Huai would have no equal among his peers in the Tian Xuan Sect, Chu Xianning was too lazy to come. She had always disliked overly lively venues. The last Inner Sect Competition, she had been willing to watch the matches only because she was worried about Jiang Huai’s safety.
Although Chu Xianning held a position as an elder in the Tian Xuan Sect, everyone in the sect knew that she had only found a place to stay for herself and never concerned herself with any affairs of the Tian Xuan Sect.
Now, with Jiang Huai sitting there, many disciples couldn’t help but cast frequent glances at him. This was because of the deed – spread throughout the Eastern Region – of Jiang Huai from Tian Xuan Sect slaying the inheritor of the Refined Yin Demon Gu in the Daoji Ancestral Land. Everyone in the Eastern Region knew that Jiang Huai’s lifespan was only five years left. No one knew to what extent the spirit medicines, sent to him to prolong his life, could restore his lifespan. But at least everyone knew… that his cultivation was definitely gone.
What a classic opportunity to “play the pig to eat the tiger.” But Jiang Huai was so hot that he just wanted to return to his courtyard to sleep. Preferably, he’d coax Bai Li into his quilt with him. Her body was so cool and cold; hugging her to sleep in this sweltering summer would be so comfortable.
Jiang Huai was drowsy in his seat. Bai Li, on the other hand, was leaning beside him and found the sword discussions on stage quite interesting. She was also a sword cultivator, primarily focusing on sword techniques, and secondarily relying on the brute strength of the Monster Clan to fight. She was ignorant of many Daoist magic arts. Now, watching these inner disciples on stage, each able to perform a flashy Daoist magic trick or two, she found it quite amusing.
“Call me when my name is announced. I can’t take it anymore,” Jiang Huai’s voice was weak. Bai Li casually tugged his shoulder and pressed his head onto her lap, then lowered her voice and reached out to block the light for him. “So sleepy?”
“Slept late yesterday.”
Wen Wanwan had returned last night. Jiang Huai was summoned by Wen Wanwan’s spiritual pigeon and went to her courtyard. The saying “a long absence makes the heart grow fonder” was indeed true. Wanwan’s white silk was still as alluring, and the small bell on her neck had jingled all night. They had slept very late, so naturally, Jiang Huai was weak at the moment.
“Sleep, sleep,” Bai Li gently patted his cheek.
***
Wen Wanwan sat quietly below the viewing stands, with Wen Fufu now sitting beside her.
She was here to watch her sister’s sword discussion. In past Inner Sect Competitions, Wen Wanwan had preferred to keep Wen Fufu in the courtyard. After all, previous Inner Sect Competitions had been somewhat dangerous for her, who was only at the Foundation Establishment stage then. She worried that her sister would see and worry. But now, her cultivation had reached the first level of Nascent Soul. The highest cultivation level among the younger generation in the entire Tian Xuan Sect was only at the early Nascent Soul stage.
She had not told anyone about her first-level Nascent Soul cultivation. She didn’t have many friends in the Tian Xuan Sect and saw no need to inform anyone. As for what happened in the Daoji Ancestral Land, the attention of the news naturally focused on Jiang Huai. Few people noticed Wen Wanwan. When Wen Wanwan assisted Jiang Huai in killing Mo Dan, she had attacked with her soul. Those Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t see the intricacies and naturally didn’t understand.
Wen Wanwan disliked being in the spotlight. Today, participating in the Sect Grand Competition, she habitually wore a plain white, heavy Daoist robe. The loose robe covered her figure entirely, yet it still couldn’t hide her delicate and beautiful face.
Only when facing Jiang Huai would she meticulously adorn herself. Even a hint of stunned admiration in Jiang Huai’s eyes would make her happy for a long time.
By the viewing stands, Wen Wanwan sat among the female disciples of Desolate Sword Mountain. Wen Wanwan herself was an inner disciple of Desolate Sword Mountain, but she hadn’t apprenticed under any elder and had been cultivating alone. She had almost no interaction with these female disciples on a daily basis. However, currently, a female disciple wearing a finely tailored dress from Ziyun Pavilion turned to her, her eyes filled with undisguised gossip, “Junior Sister Wanwan?”
Wen Wanwan turned her head, her cold eyes looking at her with confusion.
“What about you and Senior Brother Jiang Huai… How is it?” The female disciple’s expression was full of curiosity, with a hint of playfulness.
“What ‘how is it’?”
“I mean… are you still following Senior Brother Jiang Huai?”
The female disciple’s wording was somewhat subtle. This phrase, “following Senior Brother Jiang Huai,” made Wen Wanwan pause. But after a moment, she didn’t offer any defense, simply nodding slightly, “Mm.”
“I heard you and Senior Brother Jiang Huai entered the Daoji Ancestral Land together last time. Is it true that Senior Brother Jiang Huai’s lifespan is nearly over?”
“Yes.” Wen Wanwan remembered Jiang Huai’s instruction not to tell anyone about the Primordial Life and Death Sword, so she nodded gently. She figured Jiang Huai wouldn’t mind this answer.
“Then why are you still following Senior Brother Jiang Huai? What are you after?” The female disciple’s expression was quite puzzled at this moment.
Wen Wanwan’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes. She had always disliked showing too much of her thoughts on her face, so she simply replied faintly, “Senior Brother Jiang Huai is good-looking.”
“Being good-looking can’t be eaten. A pretty boy is useless. Why don’t I introduce you to a senior brother from another mountain? Senior Brother Qian is twenty this year, and he’s also good-looking, with cultivation at the early Nascent Soul stage.”
The female disciple looked at Wen Wanwan in front of her, a small trace of jealousy deep in her eyes.
What she was jealous of was naturally Wen Wanwan’s beauty. She clearly remembered that at the birthday banquet of the Qian senior brother some days ago, that senior brother had inadvertently asked about Wen Wanwan, clearly having some interest in her. It was just that there was no one in the entire Desolate Sword Mountain who was familiar with Wen Wanwan, so no one could act as a matchmaker for him.
Wen Wanwan gently shook her head, “No need.”
Seeing Wen Wanwan refuse, the female disciple in front of her also showed a hint of displeasure. In her eyes, Wen Wanwan was someone who struggled just to maintain her inner disciple status. Her fame in the inner sect was only due to her appearance. If she could latch onto Senior Brother Qian… wouldn’t it be better than Jiang Huai’s uncertain future?
“Why be so stubborn? Senior Brother Qian has a good personality, not like Li Qiusheng from Medicine Refining Mountain, who is such a bastard. Many junior sisters dream of burrowing into his arms at night. Won’t you reconsider?”
“No consideration,” Wen Wanwan replied sparingly.
“Why no consideration? What’s so good about Senior Brother Jiang Huai?”
“Good-looking.”
“That’s because your vision is too narrow. There are many handsome men in this world. If you had met Senior Brother Qian, you would know that he is not much worse than Jiang Huai. Besides, when choosing a Dao Companion, can one only look at appearance? You still have to walk a thousand or a hundred thousand years. Jiang Huai might not be able to accompany you all the way.”
“Senior Brother Jiang Huai is the most good-looking.” Wen Wanwan replied very calmly, her eyes seeming to shine as she spoke.
Her calmness gave the female disciple in front of her the illusion that she was talking to a brick wall. She sighed helplessly, “You, why are you so stubborn? If I had your figure and appearance, I certainly wouldn’t be following Jiang Huai around all day. However, letting Senior Brother Jiang Huai be a kept man might be good. But I wonder how he fares in that department now that he has no spiritual qi…”
Wen Wanwan didn’t follow up on her words, merely shifting her gaze aside. Suddenly, she recalled the scene from last night. Senior Brother Jiang Huai was probably bursting with pent-up energy. Last night, he had almost bullied her into a puddle of mud.
“Hey, it’s Senior Brother Qian’s turn. Look quickly…” The female disciple saw the spiritual sign floating out the name Qian Haichao on the ring, her voice filled with a hint of surprise. Wen Wanwan couldn’t help but be influenced by her and glanced over. Indeed, he was quite good-looking, with a jade-like face, red lips, and white teeth. Dressed in white, he did possess a certain gentlemanly demeanor.
Wen Fufu on the side also glanced over, then pouted, “Tch, not even half as good-looking as Brother-in-law.”
Wen Fufu tugged at Wen Wanwan’s sleeve, “What do you think, Sister?”
“Not even one-tenth as good,” Wen Wanwan replied calmly.
The female disciple beside them naturally overheard their whispered conversation. Her eyes flickered with a hint of annoyance. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly realized that the other person drawn by the spiritual sign was Jiang Huai.
She crossed her arms, a cold smile curling at her lips. “Just watch. Senior Brother Qian is at the peak of early Nascent Soul. He’s not someone Jiang Huai, with his Immaculate Golden Body and no spiritual qi, can contend with.”
Wen Wanwan didn’t even bother to reply. She shifted her gaze to Jiang Huai below the stands. Jiang Huai had just been woken by Bai Li, rubbing his eyes with a drowsy look. He was still a bit hazy. He scratched his head before realizing where he was and walking towards the stands.
Qian Haichao was already waiting on the stands. Dressed in white, his expression towards Jiang Huai was gentle and refined. He calmly asked, “Senior Brother Jiang Huai, long time no see.”
“You are…?” Jiang Huai couldn’t remember having so many acquaintances.
“We met last year during the Inner Sect Competition. I was defeated by Senior Brother Jiang Huai’s sword.”
“Oh… So…?”
The sunlight beat down on Jiang Huai’s head. In his heart, Jiang Huai silently prayed that the other party wouldn’t ask him for guidance on sword techniques again. It was too hot, and he was really too lazy to swing his sword twice. Normally, he played the role of a refined and amiable senior brother because he was Chu Xianning’s only direct disciple, and having a good reputation also boosted Chu Xianning’s face. But he was inherently lazy and would avoid any spotlight if possible.
“I am now at early Nascent Soul. I know Senior Brother Jiang Huai bears the Immaculate Golden Body, and my Spirit Sword’s Sword Spirit and I have just established contact. If I were to use another mortal sword, the Sword Spirit would be displeased. Senior Brother Jiang Huai… be careful.”
“Ah, I see. It’s alright, it’s alright. You can make your move,” Jiang Huai breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t even draw the Yening Sword. At this moment, he was a little envious of the other party. That little Sword Spirit was such a workhorse. Little Ning only wanted to sleep in the sword every day and wouldn’t participate if she could avoid it.
After Qian Haichao finished speaking, he gripped the Earth-grade high-quality Spirit Sword in his hand. The sword’s edge flashed with a brilliance. He didn’t use any Daoist magic, merely pushing his spiritual qi to the limit and swinging his sword. A sword wind carrying a wave of coolness swept towards Jiang Huai.
So cool.
He thought this and threw a punch. Recently, he and Bai Li had sparred a few times and had already mastered the power of the Overlord Art. He controlled it to a force that could send the opponent flying but not inflict internal injuries, striking the opponent’s lower abdomen.
Just right.
Qian Haichao’s body was already like a streak of light, swinging his sword towards him. Now, being sent flying was also like a streak of light. The spiritual qi protective shield on his body was shattered by this punch in an instant. He drew an arc in mid-air before heavily falling to the ground.
The entire Sword Discussion Platform fell into a deathly silence.
“I concede,” Jiang Huai looked at the elder who was serving as the referee. The elder finally came back to his senses and announced Jiang Huai’s victory in this match. Jiang Huai happily returned to the stands. Since he wasn’t sure if he would be drawn again next, he couldn’t leave yet. Bai Li patted her snow-white, tender legs covered by her qipao, and Jiang Huai lay down.
Time to sleep!
