With the Suoxue Sword unsheathed, a vast pressure descended, causing the expressions of the disciples below the Juejian Platform to suddenly turn somewhat pale.
Every disciple in the Tian Xuan Sect had heard the legends of the Suoxue Sword.
Seven hundred years ago, when the first Sect Master of Tian Xuan Sect founded the sect, the Suoxue Sword was worn as the Sect Master’s personal sword. Later, the Sect Master attempted to break through the Ninth Realm but, ultimately, did not receive the favor of the Heavenly Way. After his death, the Suoxue Sword became the sect’s spirit sword.
Before his death, the Sect Master had already made arrangements for his affairs. If he could not break through, whoever could claim the Suoxue Sword as their own in the future would be allowed to take it.
For many years, every sword cultivator in Tian Xuan Sect had visited the Sword Tomb, attempting to communicate with the Suoxue Sword’s Sword Spirit. However, nearly ninety-nine percent of them not only failed to obtain the sword but were also injured by the proud and aloof Suoxue Sword Spirit. Thus, for many years, no one dared to approach the Suoxue Sword again. This was until Chu Xianning entered the Sword Tomb and stood before the Suoxue Sword.
She had contended with this Suoxue Sword for a hundred years and had had much contact with it. It was unclear whether it was due to her exceptional talent or her perseverance that finally touched the Suoxue Sword Spirit. The Suoxue Sword became her personal sword and has accompanied her for several hundred years.
But why was Chu Xianning summoning the Suoxue Sword at this moment? Was she planning to personally intervene to support her beloved disciple, seeing how Li Qiusheng was bullying him too much?
The disciples gazed at Chu Xianning, holding their breath against the spiritual sword pressure of the Suoxue Sword. However, Chu Xianning still sat motionlessly in the viewing stand, while the Suoxue Sword flew into the arena. Jiang Huai raised his hand, and the sword came.
“Heh.” Jiang Huai grasped the sword hilt. The Suoxue Sword Spirit soon responded, sounding somewhat languid and aloof, “It’s rare that you would think of me.”
Within this languid and aloof tone, there seemed to be a hint of complaint.
“What choice do I have? He’s bullying me too much. Just use a bit of your sharpness, you don’t need to bring out your full strength,” Jiang Huai patiently instructed the Suoxue Sword Spirit. He then took a step forward and slightly raised his sword tip. That arrogant sword aura easily tore through the barrier Chu Xianning had used to block the rain. The pouring rain fell, but in an instant, it transformed into a sky full of flying snow.
Jiang Huai first saw the Suoxue Sword when he was ten years old.
His Master usually did not show this sword to others. One reason was the proud and aloof personality of the Suoxue Sword Spirit, and the other was its laziness. It preferred to sleep within the sword body and disliked being disturbed.
Jiang Huai liked this sword very much at the time and had asked his Master if he could touch it. Chu Xianning, fearing the Suoxue Sword would harm him, did not allow him to touch it. However, the Suoxue Sword itself came before him, saying it wanted to examine his sword intent.
The Suoxue Sword Spirit had not encountered such sword intent as his for hundreds of years.
The hilt in Jiang Huai’s hand emanated a slight chill. Li Qiusheng, standing before him, was full of shock. He had also heard of the Suoxue Sword, but who would have thought that the nineteen-year-old Jiang Huai could now easily hold the Suoxue Sword without being backlashed?
The vast expanse of snow soon obscured his vision. He only felt the invisible sword intent permeating the flowing wind and returning snow. Suddenly, Li Qiusheng lost sight of Jiang Huai, as if Jiang Huai had merged with the snow, becoming one of its snowflakes.
When he perceived pain, Jiang Huai had already arrived before him. He tried to swing his sword to block, but Jiang Huai’s sword was too fast, easily cleaving his spiritual sword. The Sword Spirit within the Black Ice Sword trembled, wanting nothing more than to hide completely, lest it be instantly annihilated by the Suoxue Sword Spirit.
Thus, Jiang Huai’s sword easily pierced Li Qiusheng’s chest.
He did not stab any further. the sword tip merely left an imprint on his chest. His spiritual energy shield certainly could not withstand the might of a Heaven-tier spiritual sword. This sword, though seemingly as light as drifting snow, crushed all of Li Qiusheng’s resolve to fight.
“The match is decided.”
Jiang Huai thought for a moment, his sword tip ultimately stopping there, not advancing an inch further. The lesson he received from Luo Qingyu earlier was enough, and he had also obtained that Blood Crimson Flower from his mother. He believed in showing mercy where possible, and often, Jiang Huai did not wish to be as ruthless as he could be.
Li Qiusheng lowered his head, hot blood surging from his chest. Jiang Huai withdrew his spiritual sword, gently shook off the blood from the tip, and stood quietly on the stage, saying nothing. Snowflakes fell. It was only when the Sect Master personally announced that the match was decided and he was the champion of this Inner Sect Competition that the silent crowd below finally erupted in cheers.
Jiang Huai did not look at Li Qiusheng before him again. He simply turned and walked away indifferently. The relentless wind and snow fell behind him. Li Qiusheng’s throat felt constricted, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately, not a single sound escaped.
***
The Inner Sect Competition concluded at this point.
In the courtyard, Jiang Huai was staring blankly at a large white spiritual egg he was holding. This was the reward for winning first place in the Inner Sect Competition. It was said that this spiritual egg could hatch into an Ice Spirit Bird, and if well-raised, it could become a flying mount of the Seventh Realm. However, Jiang Huai was slightly afraid of heights and felt that soaring through the heavens on the wings of a great bird was a rather terrifying prospect.
“Does Qingyu like Ice Spirit Birds?” Jiang Huai asked, holding the egg, looking at Luo Qingyu, who was also full of curiosity.
Luo Qingyu nodded vigorously.
“Alright, then I’ll entrust it to you to raise,” Jiang Huai said, placing the bird egg into Luo Qingyu’s arms. “When we get back, hold it while you sleep for one shichen every day and talk to the egg more. It’s said that after it hatches, it will be more intimate with Qingyu.”
Luo Qingyu seemed a little stunned and blinked at Jiang Huai, “Is it for Qingyu?”
“Yes.”
Luo Qingyu’s eyes sparkled brightly.
Tomorrow, Jiang Huai would be sending Luo Qingyu back to her sect. She would likely only stay at Qingxuan Sect for three or four days. The Ice Spirit Bird was expected to hatch in a few days. It seemed rather good that the Ice Spirit Bird would accompany Luo Qingyu then.
In the afternoon, Jiang Huai busied himself in the kitchen for a long time. He even specially sent a message via spirit pigeon to Wen Wanwan’s courtyard, inviting her to the courtyard for dinner that evening. When Wen Wanwan arrived, the table was already laden with exquisite dishes. Jiang Huai took out a pot of wine and looked at the three fairies by the table, “Let’s just have a drink to celebrate my Inner Sect Competition victory?”
Wen Wanwan wore a simple dress when she arrived, her snow-white cheeks unadorned, and her jet-black hair simply tied up. Her cold eyes now showed a hint of shyness, and she replied softly, “Wanwan has poor alcohol tolerance. I hope Senior Brother Jiang Huai will not mind.”
“It’s alright, even a small sip would be nice,” Jiang Huai said, pouring a tiny cup for her. Luo Qingyu, seeing this, also offered her cup. Jiang Huai poured wine into everyone’s cups. The firefly stone lights in the courtyard were as bright as day. The four of them had a hearty meal. Chu Xianning had one cup and then stopped drinking, quietly going to the pavilion to watch the moon.
Luo Qingyu leaned back against her chair, slowly eating the peanut crisps on the table. Wen Wanwan’s cheeks were flushed, and her eyes had become a little hazy, as if resisting the effects of the alcohol. Seeing this, Jiang Huai began clearing away the bowls and chopsticks, carrying them to the kitchen to wash.
In the courtyard.
Luo Qingyu’s cheeks were puffed out from eating peanut crisps. Wen Wanwan’s gaze fell on her. After a moment of hesitation, she said softly, “Thank you, Fairy Qingyu, for what happened on Medicine Refining Mountain a few days ago.”
“You are Brother Jiang Huai’s friend, so you are naturally my friend. There’s no need to stand on ceremony,” Luo Qingyu shifted her gaze to Wen Wanwan’s cheeks. After a moment, a hint of loss appeared in her eyes, “I’m returning to Qingxuan Sect tomorrow. It will be some time before we meet again.”
Wen Wanwan didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t good at conversing with people, especially since she and Luo Qingyu were not close. The difference in their statuses was like that between clouds and mud. If not for Jiang Huai, they might never have crossed paths in this lifetime.
“The engagement between me and Brother Jiang Huai was solely my mother’s decision. It’s not considered a broken engagement. In some time, the wedding date will be set again,” Luo Qingyu suddenly said softly.
Wen Wanwan gazed at Luo Qingyu’s bright eyes, her eyelashes drooping slightly. She softly replied, “Then, congratulations in advance, Fairy Qingyu.”
“I don’t really have many friends. When Brother Jiang Huai and I get married, I’ll definitely send you the invitation first,” Luo Qingyu’s lips curved into a sweet smile. Wen Wanwan nodded gently, her eyelashes drooping even lower.
When Jiang Huai emerged from the kitchen, Luo Qingyu was still chatting softly with Wen Wanwan. Jiang Huai didn’t listen closely. He simply took out a food container and placed it before Wen Wanwan, “I’ve saved some food for you in advance. Take it back to your sister.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother Jiang Huai,” Wen Wanwan replied softly, her eyelashes lowered. She gently took the food container, “Then I’ll head back to my courtyard first.”
“Shall I see you off?”
“No, no, Wanwan’s alcohol has already cleared.” Wen Wanwan stood up and shook her head gently. She cast another glance at Jiang Huai before turning around, her graceful figure quickly disappearing into the courtyard. Her footsteps were somewhat hurried, as if she were fleeing.
Jiang Huai had drunk quite a bit of wine earlier and didn’t notice anything unusual for a moment. He simply looked at Luo Qingyu, who was still obediently eating peanut crisps, and reached out to pinch her small face, “You’re really going to get fat like a little pig.”
“N-no, I won’t. The flesh will grow in the right places,” Luo Qingyu replied indignantly, tilting her snow-white face up. Jiang Huai’s gaze happened to fall on her snow-white clavicle. The fullness below her collarbone was indeed excessively plump and tender.
Jiang Huai paused for a moment. Luo Qingyu captured this moment of sustained gaze. She blinked at Jiang Huai, “I’m leaving tomorrow. Tonight… can Qingyu have another reward?”
“Of course not,” Jiang Huai said, reaching out to tap her head lightly.
“Brother Jiang Huai… are you afraid Aunt Chu will hear?”
“Heh heh.” Jiang Huai reached out to gently pinch her earlobe, “Ask again, and the story-telling session tonight will be canceled too.”
Luo Qingyu pouted slightly, but still obediently stood up. Taking advantage of the alcohol’s effect, she stepped up to Jiang Huai, her soft body pressing against him, and tilted her snow-white face up, “Hug.”
