The next day.
As the clouds began to part, sunlight streamed down like scattered snow.
Today marked the first day of the Inner Sect Competition. Unlike the previous random lottery, from this day forward, each participant would compete in three matches daily for three consecutive days. The final top ten would be determined by the points accumulated from their wins.
Senior Brother Jiang Huai remained unconcerned with the complex competition rules. He only knew that he needed to win every match from here on.
Luo Qingyu was also dressed up beautifully today, adorned in a dreamy, ethereal purple dress. Her calves beneath the skirt were smooth and fair, and her face was exquisitely captivating. She clutched Jiang Huai’s arm tightly as they walked, like a small pet he carried with him.
The Inner Sect Competition was held on Sword Discussion Mountain, with four arenas set up simultaneously. Four large screens displayed live broadcasts of the matches. The betting pools for the final rankings had opened early. Jiang Huai glanced curiously at the odds for him being ranked first, and to his surprise, they were only one to four.
Fortunately, he had long ago asked Wen Wanwan to bet a hundred spirit stones on him when the odds were fifteen to one. It was a small profit, but he certainly wouldn’t lose.
………………………………
Jiang Huai’s first match of the day was against a sword cultivator from Spirit Sword Mountain.
The junior brother, at the early Core Formation stage, primarily practiced Flying Sword Technique. His spirit sword hovered behind him, and though he remained still, his swordplay was as brilliant as a startled swan. Unfortunately, his sword wasn’t faster than Jiang Huai’s. The moment the match was declared to begin, Jiang Huai dashed forward, moving almost in sync with the opponent’s sword. Just as the blade was about to strike him, he sidestepped, expertly evading the attack. He immediately moved forward and threw a punch.
With a single punch, the Core Formation stage junior brother was sent flying backward.
Jiang Huai followed the opponent off the stage and casually pulled him up, then produced a Healing Pill.
These Healing Pills were all refined by Jiang Huai himself. He had refined quite a few previously; they weren’t worth much, but their effectiveness was truly impressive. The junior brother accepted Jiang Huai’s Healing Pill, offered some words of gratitude, and then obediently conceded the match.
The second match of the day proceeded similarly.
Jiang Huai faced another sword cultivator, ranked over four hundredth in the Inner Sect, at the late Stage Foundation Establishment. Upon witnessing how the previous Core Formation stage junior brother was defeated by a single punch, the current opponent paused for a moment and then asked, “Senior Brother Jiang Huai, what’s the probability of you knocking me off the stage with a single punch?”
“One hundred percent.”
“Then perhaps Senior Brother Jiang Huai could give me a Healing Pill, and I’ll concede. It’s fine even if you don’t give me one,” the junior brother said with a wry smile.
Jiang Huai was momentarily at a loss for words, caught between amusement and exasperation. He tossed over a bottle of Healing Pills, and the disciple obediently conceded, without Jiang Huai even needing to lift a finger.
His third match was against a female sword cultivator, dressed in a vibrant red dress that blazed like fire. She was quite attractive, but Jiang Huai couldn’t recall her name. He hadn’t paid much attention to the junior sisters in the sect, except for those as strikingly beautiful as Wen Wanwan, whose appearance was known to many. After all, the most beautiful woman in the entire Tian Xuan Sect was already in his courtyard.
The junior sister looked at him with bright eyes, a playful glint within them. She suddenly said softly, “If I don’t concede, will Senior Brother Jiang Huai also punch me in the chest?”
As she spoke, a hint of allure flickered in her eyes. Jiang Huai thought for a moment, “I’d probably give Junior Sister’s shoulder a punch.”
The red-dressed junior sister smiled and winked at Jiang Huai, “I’d like to spar with Senior Brother Jiang Huai. Would Senior Brother Jiang Huai be willing to guide me a little?”
“My sword is being borrowed by someone else.”
The red-dressed junior sister produced a Black Iron Sword and tossed it to Jiang Huai. She herself held a Xuan-grade Spirit Sword, which was somewhat unfair. However, before the junior sister could even ask if she needed to switch swords, Jiang Huai had already grasped the sword and stood ready, speaking softly, “What do you wish to learn?”
The moment he gripped the sword, Jiang Huai, who had been exuding a lazy and gentle demeanor, suddenly adopted a stern and sharp aura.
“I wish to learn the Heaven Profound Thirteen Swords.”
“Alright, let’s practice.”
So, Jiang Huai sparred with the red-dressed junior sister. As they practiced, Jiang Huai mused that women were truly unreasonable. She claimed to be practicing sword techniques, yet her moves showed no intention of holding back. Unfortunately for her, any sword strikes she unleashed were easily deflected by Jiang Huai. While swinging his sword, Jiang Huai pointed out the deficiencies in her sword moves and the flaws in her spiritual energy control. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the Black Iron Sword in Jiang Huai’s hand could no longer withstand her swordsmanship and shattered.
“I have another Black Iron Sword here,” the red-dressed junior sister said, still immersed in the sword moves Jiang Huai had taught her, seeming reluctant to stop. Jiang Huai, however, cast her a sideways glance, “That’s enough.”
During their sparring, if Jiang Huai had wanted to kill her with that Black Iron Sword, she would have died dozens of times over. The red-dressed junior sister clearly understood this and obediently put away her spirit sword. She stepped forward, her body leaning close to Jiang Huai, “Then… can I still come find Senior Brother Jiang Huai to practice sword with you in the future?”
“Certainly not, Senior Brother is very busy,” Jiang Huai said, stepping back to avoid her close approach. The red-dressed junior sister didn’t press the issue and softly conceded before walking off the stage.
Thus, Jiang Huai achieved a complete victory on the first day of the Grand Competition.
………………………………
Wen Wanwan was a disciple of Extreme Sword Mountain.
Among the six major mountains of the Tian Xuan Sect’s Inner Sect, Extreme Sword Mountain had the most disciples. Although Wen Wanwan’s cultivation level wasn’t high, her name was known to almost everyone in the Inner Sect.
Normally, Wen Wanwan would practice sword techniques and discuss them with her junior and senior sisters. Occasionally, they would spar and exchange pointers. She had a few fellow disciples she could talk to, but she had almost no true friends.
Because she always appeared cold and distant to others, she naturally had very few friends. However, during the Inner Sect Competition today, the female disciples in the seats beside her were chatting about gossip. Eventually, unable to contain themselves, they asked her, “I heard that Senior Brother Jiang Huai went out of the mountain late at night a while ago to Wen Wanwan’s cave residence. Is this true?”
Although the Tian Xuan Sect was vast, gossip among disciples wasn’t entirely contained. Therefore, some information spread quickly. Disciples in the sect had seen Jiang Huai leave the mountain late at night, heading towards Wen Wanwan’s cave residence, naturally giving rise to some rumors. Now that they were directly asking her, Wen Wanwan hesitated for a moment and replied softly, “Senior Brother Jiang Huai did indeed come.”
Upon receiving confirmation, the fellow disciples erupted. Their mouths began to inquire with even greater curiosity.
“What did Senior Brother Jiang Huai come to find you for? Could it be that Senior Brother Jiang Huai is also captivated by Wanwan’s beauty?”
Wen Wanwan had always been poor at handling such situations, so she could only adopt an even colder expression on her face and replied, “No, Senior Brother Jiang Huai was just teaching me sword techniques.”
“Oh? So, isn’t that coveting Wanwan’s beauty? Otherwise, why would Senior Brother Jiang Huai teach others sword techniques but specifically teach our Junior Sister Wanwan?”
“Since you’ve practiced sword with Senior Brother Jiang Huai, quickly tell us sisters, what’s Senior Brother Jiang Huai’s current situation? If his cultivation was truly crippled, how is he still so powerful?”
Wen Wanwan shook her head, “I don’t know.”
Jiang Huai had told Wen Wanwan everything about his situation. However, Wen Wanwan felt it wasn’t appropriate to reveal Senior Brother Jiang Huai’s affairs to others, so she answered as such. Seeing her cold demeanor, the junior sisters remained enthusiastic. One of them seemed to recall something, “I remember Senior Brother Jiang Huai borrowed spirit stones from you, didn’t he? It was I who suggested you find Senior Brother Jiang Huai in the first place. What happened afterward, tell us? Don’t worry, we definitely won’t tell anyone.”
But Wen Wanwan merely shook her head, her eyes growing increasingly cold.
When a beautiful woman becomes cold, she often exudes a certain aura. Seeing her like this, the junior sisters gradually stopped bothering her and returned to their incessant chatter.
Wen Wanwan remained silent, not uttering another word. The social circles among female cultivators were far more complex than those of male cultivators. Furthermore, due to her appearance, envy and hatred were inevitable. Therefore, she had always preferred to go about her business alone, avoiding unnecessary trouble.
Today, her competition record was one win and two losses. She still had opportunities to compete tomorrow. Although she had lost a few matches, she should be able to maintain her ranking and avoid being demoted to the Outer Sect. The Mist Slash that Jiang Huai had taught her could already be applied effectively in combat.
Wen Wanwan lowered her gaze, looking at her white Daoist Robe. Today, she hadn’t sustained any injuries. For some reason, a sense of inexplicable loss suddenly welled up in her heart.
………………………………
Evening.
Jiang Huai and Luo Qingyu returned to their courtyard. After dinner, Jiang Huai was accompanying Luo Qingyu on a rocking chair, enjoying the cool evening air and stargazing. A spirit pigeon flew in from another mountain. The pigeon was for Jiang Huai. He crushed it and unfolded the letter, which was from the elder at the pharmacy he had visited before.
“Some matters are inconvenient to communicate via spirit pigeon. Jiang Huai, come to the pharmacy.”
Jiang Huai put away the spirit pigeon and stood up. Luo Qingyu immediately followed suit, standing up obediently, “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I have something to attend to and need to go out.”
“Going to find Junior Sister Wanwan again?”
Jiang Huai reached out and pinched her cheek, “I’m going to the pharmacy.”
“Then Qingyu wants to go too.”
“Let’s go, let’s go,” Jiang Huai said, looking at Luo Qingyu, who was tightly hugging his arm. The girl’s soft and plump chest squeezed his arm tightly. She was excessively soft.
What a clingy little thing.
………………………………
By the time Jiang Huai arrived at the pharmacy, the night was deep. The pharmacy should have been closed for business, but lights were lit for him. Elder Qin, whom he had met before, was sitting by the pharmacy door, a worried expression on his face.
Seeing Jiang Huai arrive, Elder Qin’s worried expression deepened. He invited Jiang Huai to sit down. Luo Qingyu stood obediently behind him, massaging his shoulders with a gentle and demure demeanor.
“What has happened? Grandpa Qin?”
Jiang Huai was puzzled. Why couldn’t the matter be explained directly in the spirit pigeon letter, necessitating his visit to the pharmacy? Elder Qin sighed upon hearing his question, “The most precious ingredient in the prescription you gave me last time, the Blood Sandalwood Flower, was found by disciples of the sect a few days ago and brought back to the Tian Xuan Sect. I was almost in possession of it, but… a problem arose today.”
“What happened?” Jiang Huai frowned slightly.
“Li Qiusheng from Medicine Refining Mountain, upon learning that this Blood Sandalwood Flower was being sought for you, stated that he also wanted it for his body tempering cultivation. Thus, Medicine Refining Mountain took possession of that medicinal material.”
Jiang Huai’s eyebrows relaxed slightly.
“I understand.”
