Three days later, at the summit of Zhanyun Peak, before the Sword-Questioning Platform.
The annual sect competition of the Moonshadow Sect had begun amidst the resonant tolling of an ancient bronze bell.
A solitary peak rose sharply, its jagged rocks shrouded in swirling mist, with a flock of immortal cranes and white egrets soaring overhead, creating a scene reminiscent of a celestial realm.
A narrow plank path hugged the mountainside, leading to the summit for disciples yet to master sword flight.
Victors could choose to join one of the four peaks—Zhanyun, Qingying, Baikui, or Ziyun—ascending to the inner sect.
The defeated, however, would be relegated to menial tasks until the next year’s trial.
Below the platform, young women with delicate features stood nervously, their pale hands tightly gripping the spiritual swords in their scabbards, awaiting the judgment of fate.
“First round: Gu Shenzhi versus Mo Xiaonian.”
Yuexi stood at the center of the arena, poised and elegant, raising her hand to strike a bronze cauldron from afar, signaling the start of the first match.
Today, she wore a black backless gown, revealing her alluring shoulder blades, a graceful spine, and a swan-like neck.
A purple-gold bell adorned her waist, her skirt falling just past her knees, exposing crystalline, shapely calves wrapped in thin ice-silk stockings, captivating onlookers.
Spotting the black-clad youth in the distance, Yuexi flashed a charming smile, her eyes glinting with mischief.
You dared to tease Sister Linghuang?
Watch me rig this match and make you leave on a stretcher.
Meeting her unkind gaze, Gu Shenzhi ascended the platform shakily, a newly carved wooden sword tied to his waist.
Using his [Falling Plum] technique against mere Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment cultivators would be overkill.
His opponent was Mo Xiaonian, the most dazzling prodigy of the Moonshadow Sect’s younger generation.
At the late Foundation Establishment stage, her talent was exceptional, surpassed only by a freak like Su Linghuang.
The girl’s features were as refined as a painting, her aura ethereal.
Her black hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and she wore a fitted cyan dress that accentuated her slender waist and long, fair legs.
Her delicate feet were clad in fine snow-silk socks, though her chest was, regrettably, as flat as a barren plain.
Mo Xiaonian formed a sword seal, and her spiritual sword flew from its case, hovering before her.
The three-foot blade was jade-green, its hilt carved with twin carp, vivid and lifelike.
“This sword, named Fish Dance, is a high-grade Mysterious Tier weapon, an heirloom of my Muyun Mo family,” Mo Xiaonian declared proudly, gripping the hilt with spirited eyes.
The crowd gasped.
A high-grade Mysterious Tier weapon, typically wielded by elders, could cleave mountains and rivers or slay dragons and raze cities.
A single swing could likely reduce Gu Shenzhi to dust.
“A wooden sword, carved yesterday, no grade, no name,” Gu Shenzhi said casually, drawing his blade as if joking.
With Foundation Establishment cultivation and a Mysterious Tier spiritual sword, Mo Xiaonian’s swordsmanship was moderately accomplished.
Normally, Gu Shenzhi wouldn’t spare her a glance.
But with his cultivation suppressed to the ninth layer of Qi Refining and only a wooden sword at hand, this might offer some challenge—at least it wouldn’t be boring.
His words, though honest, sounded like blatant provocation to Mo Xiaonian.
Born into a prominent cultivation family and cherished as a jewel, she had never been so insulted.
“Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish!”
Her figure blurred like a phantom, swift as an arrow.
Fish Dance glowed with cyan light, its sword qi carving countless deep gashes into the arena’s surface.
Before the crowd could react, Mo Xiaonian was already before her opponent, thrusting her sword upward to pierce Gu Shenzhi’s throat.
Yet, the blade that passed through his neck drew no blood.
Suddenly, her starry eyes widened.
The “Gu Shenzhi” before her grew ethereal, dissolving into nothingness.
Sword Qi Afterimage!
Mo Xiaonian’s heart raced.
As the daughter of the Muyun Mo family’s patriarch, she recognized this advanced sword technique.
It left a human-shaped sword qi in place to deceive the enemy, creating an opportunity for a sneak attack.
Even in her family, few mastered it, and only a handful of sword-adept foreign elders knew it, never teaching outsiders.
Yet, this blind young master, discarded by the Spirit Sword Sect, had…
“Miss Mo, the Moonshadow Sect’s arena permits killing. You’d best be cautious.”
A teasing voice came from behind, sending a chill down her spine.
Staying calm, she spun, kicking toward Gu Shenzhi’s neck.
A slight smirk curved her lips as she twisted her wrist, aiming Fish Dance’s blade at him.
Even if he dodged with another afterimage, her charged sword could strike him down in the next instant.
Her movements were fluid and seamless.
Even with his mystic vision, Gu Shenzhi spotted only sixty-three flaws.
Facing her sudden assault, he remained unfazed, neither dodging nor retreating.
Just as her kick neared, he seized her delicate, fair ankle with his left hand, giving it a light squeeze.
Yuexi watched coldly, thinking, What a beast.
To win, he resorts to such despicable tactics.
A soft cry escaped Mo Xiaonian.
A flush of embarrassment spread across her face as a tingling current shot from her foot through her body, throwing her off balance.
If not for Gu Shenzhi holding her ankle, she would’ve fallen.
“Let go, or don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Mo Xiaonian glared, mortified.
Her ankle was her most sensitive spot, and being grabbed and toyed with in public felt worse than death.
“Very well. If Miss Mo concedes, I’ll let go and even offer an apology. How’s that?”
“Shameless, vile pervert! Let me go!”
She shouted in humiliation, her teeth clenched, ears red, like a young girl teased for the first time.
Gu Shenzhi released her with a calm smile, his aura shifting.
“Since Miss Mo insists, I’ll fight with all I have. But please, show some mercy.”
Mo Xiaonian retreated several steps, raising Fish Dance defensively.
The earlier incident had scarred her young heart; she wasn’t eager for a repeat.
But what followed exceeded her imagination.
Gu Shenzhi tossed his wooden sword aside and plucked a single hair from his shoulder.
“Care to witness the Spirit Sword Sect’s Transverse Sword Qi?”
Smiling, he let the mountain breeze lift the hair, drifting like an autumn leaf toward Mo Xiaonian.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
The seemingly feeble hair struck Fish Dance’s blade, unleashing a torrent of sword qi that overwhelmed the Mysterious Tier weapon.
With a deafening boom, dust rose.
Mo Xiaonian, sword and all, was hurled over ten meters, crashing unconscious into the ground, unable to fight.
Fortunately, Gu Shenzhi had used only ninth-layer Qi Refining strength, or she’d be dead.
A sword could kill or protect.
Per sect teachings, and to avoid unnecessary karma, he spared her life.
Glancing at Yuexi, Gu Shenzhi called out, “Senior Sister Yuexi, you can announce the victor.”
Snapping out of her shock, Yuexi hurriedly said, “First round, Gu Shenzhi wins. Next, anyone may challenge.”
Silence fell.
The crowd held their breath, stunned.
If a genius like Mo Xiaonian was defeated by a single hair, who would dare face him?
“If no one steps forward, Gu Shenzhi is this competition’s champion.”
After a ten-count, no disciple responded.
Reluctantly, Yuexi announced the result, writing Gu Shenzhi’s name at the top of the leaderboard.
Watching his carefree demeanor, Yuexi inwardly cursed, Just a minor competition’s first place, and he’s so smug?
Wait till you enter the inner sect—I’ll deal with you then.