The Moon Shadow Sect, as the leading demonic sect in Muyun Province, comprises four peaks, each representing a unique cultivation method, ranked by influence: Cloud-Slashing Peak, renowned for its swordsmanship; Light Shadow Peak, skilled in seductive dual cultivation techniques; Hundred Puppets Peak, specializing in controlling souls and manipulating corpses; and Purple Mist Peak, dedicated to herb gathering and alchemy.
The Sword-Questioning Platform, located at the summit of Cloud-Slashing Peak, is where disciples practice swordsmanship and seek enlightenment.
Today, as the peak master is giving a lecture, all disciples have gone to attend the teachings of this Spirit Transformation expert, leaving the platform deserted.
Clouds churn like a sea, winds sweep away the lingering glow of dusk, and a radiant sun rises in the eastern sky, its dazzling light illuminating the Sword-Testing Platform.
At its central altar, a thousand spiritual swords stand upright, their cold gleam radiating a fierce, murderous aura.
After arriving on her sword, Su Linghuang turns to face Gu Shenzhi, who follows closely behind, and introduces solemnly, “This is our Moon Shadow Sect’s Sword-Questioning Platform. Over there, the altar called the Thousand Swords Pool is mainly used to nurture the killing intent of sword qi.”
“Like this.”
As soon as she finishes speaking, Su Linghuang draws her sword [Evil Phoenix] and slashes fiercely toward the sky.
Instantly, a wild gust erupts, sword light flashes, and the thick clouds are torn apart, split cleanly in two.
The remaining breeze lifts her snow-white hair, and under the morning light, her breathtakingly beautiful face appears even more sacred and noble.
Paired with her exquisite figure, Su Linghuang at this moment is like a celestial fairy from the Ninth Heaven, perfect beyond description.
Every time Gu Shenzhi sees this mesmerizing face, he feels struck by its beauty, as if he could never tire of it.
“Truly exquisite, far beyond ordinary people.”
Though his words are meant as a compliment, coming from Gu Shenzhi, they carry an odd tone.
The Red Lotus Saintess turns her head away, a trace of disdain flashing across her stunning face, her cheeks slightly puffed out, adorably captivating.
“Surpassing the Spirit Sword Sect in swordsmanship has been Cloud-Slashing Peak’s century-long dream, but from yesterday’s match, it seems that dream remains unfulfilled.”
“I was merely lucky to barely defeat you, Miss. Besides, I started practicing the sword at seven, so I’ve had a bit more time.”
“My master saved me from a pile of corpses, and I began learning the sword at five. Young Master Gu, you’re too modest.”
Realizing he’d misspoken again, Gu Shenzhi regrets his words but can only offer a few conciliatory remarks, which do little to help.
Suddenly, a slight smile curls Su Linghuang’s lips, as if she’s thought of a mischievous idea.
With a charming grin, she teases, “Young Master Gu, please enlighten me!”
In an instant, a glint of cold light flashes from her sheath, and [Evil Phoenix] strikes like a storm, its true spirit infused in the sword’s tip, capable of breaking through an army with a single strike.
Her gem-like blood-red eyes burn with hostility, as if she seeks both to settle the score and to decide life and death.
Gu Shenzhi, reacting swiftly, dares not be careless.
He slides back, countering with a sword guided by spiritual energy, but he can only defend, quickly falling into a disadvantage.
Amid the clash of blades and shadows, purple eyes meet blood-red pupils.
Though separated by a veil, the pride in these two prodigies’ bones already wages a silent battle.
The Red Lotus Saintess sweeps [Evil Phoenix] horizontally at his waist, its sword qi razor-sharp.
Unexpectedly, Gu Shenzhi flips his wrist, positioning [Falling Plum] before him, perfectly blocking the strike.
Seizing the opening, Gu Shenzhi flicks his sword upward, aiming for her throat, but at the moment blood might spill, he hesitates, and [Falling Plum] slows slightly.
If he truly injured Su Linghuang, he might not leave the Moon Shadow Sect alive.
With a clang, the Red Lotus Saintess retracts her hand, deflecting his attack.
After a moment’s thought, Gu Shenzhi says calmly, “In terms of pure swordsmanship, you can’t beat me.”
Since flattery risks her disdain, he opts for blunt honesty.
If the fight continues, his limited spiritual energy won’t hold out long.
The agony of having his bones scraped and flesh carved—he’d rather not endure that twice in one day.
“It’s truly hard to get an honest word from Young Master Gu,” Su Linghuang teases with a smile.
“Then please guide me, and this little lady might offer herself in return.”
Gu Shenzhi coughs awkwardly twice, then says seriously, “Miss Su’s swordsmanship is exceptional. Among Muyun Province’s younger generation, you’re easily in the top five.”
“Top five? And where would Young Master Gu rank?”
“Humbly speaking, perhaps second place.”
“Haha,” Su Linghuang laughs, her starry eyes twinkling as she clasps her hands behind her back, feigning surprise.
“I never expected the cautious Young Master Gu to have a conceited side. Second place is just your humble claim—you must think you’re the top sword cultivator among Muyun’s youth, then?”
“You don’t believe me?” Gu Shenzhi asks earnestly.
In truth, Gu Shenzhi once defeated all the righteous sect disciples in Muyun Province single-handedly with his sword.
Few could even last three moves against him.
And years ago, the Red Lotus Saintess had swept through the disciples of the seven demonic sects with ease.
Now that Gu Shenzhi has defeated her, he can indeed claim to be the foremost sword cultivator among Muyun’s younger generation.
“Of course I believe you. If even Young Master Gu isn’t first, then I wouldn’t even be second,” she replies.
“Miss Su’s sword technique and sword qi are both top-tier. The only flaw is your sword heart—it’s too restless, too eager for victory, making it hard to reach the state of unity between sword and self.”
“That’s exactly what my master said. But the sword heart is something gained by chance, not forced. How can it be improved?”
Gu Shenzhi is about to embellish his father’s insights on swordsmanship with some profound-sounding rhetoric when his double pupils catch a glint of cold light in his peripheral vision—elusive as a butterfly, likely some demonic artifact, aimed at the Red Lotus Saintess beside him.
The artifact is cloaked in the Ghost Shadow Concealment Technique, a Nascent Soul secret art, nearly undetectable even by cultivators specializing in divine sense.
But to his double pupils, it’s as flimsy as a sheet of paper.
At the critical moment, Gu Shenzhi steps forward, his left arm wrapping around the girl’s slender waist, only a thin layer of silk separating their skin.
The delicate smoothness of her jade-like skin transfers unreservedly to his palm.
Su Linghuang’s expression turns shy, a charming blush spreading across her cheeks, like a spring flower kissed by dew.
Her breath is fragrant, her graceful figure softening slightly.
Gu Shenzhi, holding the warm, soft beauty in one arm, swings his sword like the wind with the other, repelling all ten butterfly darts made of demonic iron.
Unexpectedly, the darts aren’t knocked away but are recalled by their controller.
Gu Shenzhi extends his divine sense but detects no unusual presence.
Without knowing the attacker’s exact location, he’d have to use his double pupils to scan everyone within a hundred miles.
Though time-consuming, it’s not impossible unless the attacker flees far beyond a thousand miles.
However, a soft, alluring murmur interrupts him, “How long does Young Master Gu plan to hold me?”
At her words, Gu Shenzhi immediately lets go, stepping back to a respectful distance, and says warily, “Miss Su, someone just tried to attack you with hidden weapons. I had no choice but to act.”
“Is that so? Why didn’t I sense anything? A Spirit Manifestation cultivator’s divine sense should be twice as strong as a Core Formation one’s,” Su Linghuang pouts, questioning angrily, as if taking Gu Shenzhi for a lecher taking advantage of her.
Regarding his double pupils, Gu Shenzhi doesn’t wish to reveal too much.
He can only say helplessly, “I swear to the heavens, if I’ve spoken a single false word, may I be struck dead by lightning.”
At that moment, a dark cloud silently drifts over Gu Shenzhi’s head, lingering ominously.
Inwardly, Gu Shenzhi feels despair.
He could jump into the Yellow River and still not clear his name.
He never faced divine retribution when constantly teasing Tao Yao, so why is he facing this calamity for being honest for once?
Due to his “blindness,” and with his Qi Refining cultivation theoretically insufficient to use divine sense, he can only stand still, awaiting fate’s judgment.
Su Linghuang glances at the dark cloud above, then at the nervous Gu Shenzhi, her expression turning scornful.
“Young Master Gu, please leave. Since someone wants to harm me, I’ll capture them and tear them to pieces!”
Her tone carries clear anger, though it’s unclear whether it’s directed at the supposed attacker or at Gu Shenzhi.
Seeing the situation, Gu Shenzhi wisely takes his leave.
But the moment he departs, Su Linghuang’s demeanor shifts instantly—cold, noble, and commanding, the true Red Lotus Saintess in the eyes of most Moon Shadow Sect disciples.
“Shadow Guard, I’m going to see my master. Keep an eye on Young Master Gu.”
“Yes, Saintess,” replies a mysterious figure in a black cloak, their face completely veiled, gender indiscernible, with ten butterfly darts wrapped in crystal cloud silk hidden in their sleeves, designed for stealth attacks and retrieval.
Gu Shenzhi, especially those supposedly blind eyes of his, is far from as simple as he seems! Su Linghuang thinks to herself.
And everything that transpired on the Sword-Testing Platform was fully observed by his dark purple double pupils.
Gu Shenzhi had seen through her poor acting but chose not to expose her, instead playing along in her little drama.
When it comes to scheming, the Red Lotus Saintess is still a bit too green.