The two of them practiced their techniques together all afternoon.
Lin Nan’s sword grew faster and faster, the whirlwind from her blade sending up fragments of stone that landed precisely where Shen Yuer directed.
Shen Yuer’s water techniques became increasingly fluid, the streams swirling with the sword’s momentum to form a semi-transparent shield before Lin Nan, then transforming into sharp ice shards the moment Lin Nan struck.
As the sun dipped low in the west, Shu Ying tapped her bamboo staff against the railing of the training ground.
She didn’t move for a long time, wrapped in her dark gray Daoist robe, a silent stone in the fading light.
“The Danxia Sect’s killing techniques rely on Blood Qi to activate.”
Her voice was faint, as if mentioning something inconsequential. “Your Demon Qi counters Blood Qi, so there’s no need to hide it.”
Lin Nan paused mid-sheath.
Shu Ying rarely offered guidance on her techniques, let alone mention something as sensitive as “Demon Qi.”
“That might not be appropriate…”
“It is.”
Shu Ying turned and walked toward Reflection Cliff, the sound of her staff striking the ground growing more distant. “Don’t lose. Don’t disgrace Qingyun Sect.”
Shen Yuer watched her retreating figure, then suddenly leaned toward Lin Nan’s ear. “Elder Xunlin really cares about you, Xiao Lin.”
The girl’s face was calm and gentle. She bent to pick up the sword scabbard from the ground and said casually, “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Caring or not it was all in the past.
…
As dusk deepened, a commotion rose from the West Courtyard.
Zhang Qiming grabbed the scruffy old dog by the scruff of its neck and threw it into the stone mortar filled with Corpse-Eating Grass.
The beast howled in piercing agony before falling silent.
“A useless wretch, no guts at all,” Zhang Qiming sneered, wiping the blood splattered on his hand as he turned to Shen Qingmei. “Just like some people, can’t even uphold their own identity.”
Shen Qingmei’s lips trembled, but no words came out.
“This grouping I got you was already unreasonable. If Qingyun Sect takes this seriously, the Danxia Sect will be the ones losing face.”
He casually tossed his handkerchief into the mortar. “You’d better take down Shen Fifth properly. Only then can the Prime Minister and I help you rise. Remember who you are you’re not the Shen Family’s good daughter. You’re working for the Prime Minister’s mansion.”
Shen Qingmei trembled again without reason, lowered her head, and quickly muttered several “I understand, I understand.”
…
Qingyun stands firm with horse heads turned, ambitions stirred by the cock’s crow.
Brothers study for three years, bound for a Kunpeng’s thousand-mile flight.
Every ten years, the Righteous Six Sects hold the Autumn Imperial Exam, choosing a hunting ground where each sect sends their best disciples to compete.
The points seized during the exam influence the cultivation world’s rankings directly or indirectly.
This is a war without smoke.
If no new calamity arises, this form of “war” may continue indefinitely.
This time, Blackwind Valley was chosen as the hunting ground by the Righteous Six Sects. Following tradition, Qingyun Sect generally teams up with Danxia Sect to combine points and secure their status.
Likewise, Danxia Sect sends young disciples ahead to Qingyun Sect for exchange and preparation.
As such, the entire Qingyun Sect valued this exchange highly.
The Senior Brother stood personally on the long steps leading to the Martial Transmission Hall, with Qiao Lu and others beside him, silently waiting for the Danxia Sect members to ascend.
“Senior Brother Chang, Junior Sister Qiao, long time no see,” Zhang Qiming greeted with a bright smile, entirely shedding his earlier sinister aura. He bowed sincerely to the two strongest young disciples of Qingyun Sect, though his eyes never spared anyone else.
“Qiming’s here, please, come in.”
Senior Brother’s face remained cold and stern. With a wave, he invited the Danxia Sect group inside.
Lin Nan and Shen Yuer stood quietly at the edge of the group, watching the stiff mutual flattery before following the procession toward the Martial Transmission Hall.
“Xiao Lin, Zhang Qiming really is the epitome of a worldly man from the Dynasty, so mercenary!” The young girl pouted, looking at the stiff, pretentious Zhang Qiming with disdain.
“You have to see a person’s strengths. For him to become the leader of Danxia Sect’s younger generation, he must have his reasons,” Lin Nan said seriously.
“Strength? What strengths?” Shen Yuer was clearly unconvinced.
“I think his face is pretty long,” the girl said with cold calmness, unwilling to let the conversation die quietly.
At the front of the group, Senior Brother suddenly staggered.
“Senior Brother Chang, are you alright?” Zhang Qiming’s expression stiffened. Lin Nan and Shen Yuer remained silent but their keen hearing caught everything clearly.
Senior Brother waved his hand. “Forgot to eat, might be a little weak.”
You? The leader of Qingyun Sect’s younger generation, weak because you didn’t eat?
What kind of weak excuse is that? Don’t tell me you didn’t hear…
Zhang Qiming’s smile stiffened further.
Qiao Lu covered her mouth to chuckle softly. She had always disliked Danxia Sect’s people, but out of respect for both sects’ status, she never said anything openly. Now, riding on Lin Nan’s presence, she was finally indulging her amusement.
Not bad.
“Qiming has been here at Qingyun Sect for some time. What do you think?” Senior Brother wasn’t good at speaking. He read aloud the script he had written the night before, word by word.
Zhang Qiming smiled, “Your sect produces endless talents. The younger generation surpasses the old.”
“Oh.”
Senior Brother nodded and fell silent.
Why the silence?
Zhang Qiming was about to say more but bit his lip and began answering himself, “If I’m to say why, it’s because I saw several very talented young people.”
This was true Qingyun Sect had many gifted youths so Senior Brother stayed silent.
Qiao Lu understood Zhang Qiming’s meaning clearly. He was probably trying to tease Lin Nan and get revenge, but she refused to respond, letting him hang.
Zhang Qiming gave an awkward smile and shut up, feeling dull.
So, the last words heard from the end of the group came again.
The softer voice said, “See, that’s another strength.”
The playful voice questioned, “Where is it this time?”
The gentle voice replied, “Dumb, obviously it’s his long tongue. If Senior Brother and Sister Qiao hadn’t stayed silent, the long tongue would be snitching already.”
“Pfft, Hey Xiao Lin, look, I found another strength too!”
Lin Nan was momentarily stunned. So far, these were the only two “strengths” she had noticed, so she humbly asked, “Where else?”
“He knows how to be shy. See, he ran off. Pretty fast.”
Lin Nan finally couldn’t hold back and laughed aloud. She tapped Shen Yuer on the head. “See, you’re learning real things.”
Shen Yuer chuckled, “All thanks to Xiao Lin.”
The two girls strolled leisurely, admiring the Qingyun Mountains they had seen countless times, while looking at the mountain peak flattened by a single sword strike.
That was where the Martial Transmission Hall for sparring and exchange was located.
“Have you always been this brave?”
A dark voice sounded in Lin Nan’s ear.
She turned her head to look at the speaker, rubbed her cheek, and asked, “You are?”
“Danxia Sect’s Cao Xingzhi.”
“Oh~” Lin Nan chewed on the name, finally recalling who he was.
The Danxia Sect disciple who had teamed up with Shen Qingmei and battled against herself and Shen Yuer.
Lin Nan’s voice was gentle and warm, her face friendly as she nodded. “I’ve always been this brave.”