Cao Xingzhi sneered coldly, tilting his head back in anger.
He pointed his finger right at Lin Nanโs nose, furious beyond measure.
If it were according to Danxia Sectโs customs, he would have immediately challenged Lin Nan to a duel, determined to break the legs of this insolent girl who didnโt know her place.
But unfortunately, this was someone elseโs territory.
Cao Xingzhiโs eyes darkened with malice. โNo matter, Iโll let you witness Danxia Sectโs methods soon enough. By then, I want to see if your mouth can still be this stubborn.โ
With that, Cao Xingzhi swept his sleeves and turned to leave.
Lin Nan watched his retreating back and shook her head lightly.
The core participants in this exchange were still the disciples from the previous decade, namely Zhang Qiming and Senior Brother and their group.
According to the rules, everyone could only take part in the Autumn Exam once.
So the next decadeโs participants could only be the younger generation.
As for the younger generationโฆ
Lin Nan didnโt care about appearances and squatted on the grass, casually plucking a blade of wild grass to chew on.
She curled a finger, and the young girl handed her a hairpin with practiced familiarity.
The girl took the hairpin, twirling its tail between her fingers twice.
With the other hand, she casually swept her hair back.
Her white hair was piled loosely at the nape of her neck, like a tangled cloud.
Without even looking in a mirror, she inserted the hairpin into her hair based on feeling alone.
The tip of the hairpin didnโt fully penetrate the strands, crookedly pinned, with most of it still sticking out, looking as if it could fall off at any moment.
Yet she acted as if she had accomplished something great, patting her hands.
Grass fragments fell from her hair, mixed with golden dust sparkling in the sunlight, drifting in the breeze.
โThatโs good enough,โ she mumbled, the wild grass nearly slipping from her mouth.
Shen Yuer frowned deeply at the sight.
She bent her knees slightly, hands resting carefully on them, cautiously leaning forward as if afraid of crushing the pleats of her skirt.
Her gaze landed on the precarious hairpin.
She couldnโt help but reach out to steady it. โLook at you, the hairpin tailโs even crooked behind your ear. If you start fighting, itโll definitely fall off.โ
Lin Nan tilted her head to dodge her hand, chewing the grass and shooting her a sidelong glance with a mischievous glint in her eyes. โIf it falls, it falls.โ
She raised a hand to nudge the hairpin, making it even more crooked.
โDo we really need to take care of our hair before a fight?โ
Sunlight filtered through her half-up white hair, casting scattered light spots on her neck.
The silver hairpin occasionally reflected a cold gleam, strangely complementing her indifferent demeanor.
The blade of grass quivered at her lips as she suddenly leaned forward, the tip almost touching Shen Yuerโs cheek.
Her voice carried a faint scent of grass. โOr, Lady Shen, do you think I donโt look good like this?โ
Shen Yuerโs fingers froze mid-air as she looked at the few stray white strands by Lin Nanโs temple and the deliberately crooked plain hairpin.
Suddenly, she felt this version of Lin Nan was more vibrant than any carefully styled appearance.
She quickly withdrew her hand, her ears warming slightly. โWho cares if you look good or not.โ
Lin Nan let out a low laugh, the grass slipping from her mouth onto the grass below.
She no longer cared about the hairpin that could fall any moment, propping her chin on her hand and staring at the mountain peak nearby, which had been leveled off by a mysterious, godlike force.
One sword slicing through a mountainโhow graceful it looked.
Unlike her, a rough personโno, a rough Monsterโwho only had brute strength.
Shen Yuer hesitated for a long time before carefully crouching down, fingers twisting the hem of her skirt.
She spoke quietly, โAlthough Linโs sword is very powerful, youโre still a beginner. Iโm worried youโll get hurt.โ
Lin Nan paused, then showed a gentle smile.
Indeed, in Shen Yuerโs eyes, Lin Nan had only learned to cultivate Qi after coming to Qingyun Sect.
Though she had great talent in swordsmanship, she had never undergone real combat experience.
But Shu Ying had said that this time, she was allowed to use Demon Power.
The girl smiled softly, putting aside her nonchalance and speaking seriously.
โItโs okay. I wonโt lose.โ
Though she said this, the worry in Shen Yuerโs eyes didnโt dissipate.
The early morningโs faint chill quickly faded.
When the summer sun poured down its scorching golden light, the entire mountain peak looked like it was burning.
Two women, one squatting and one standing, sweltered unbearably.
Fortunately, there was a practitioner nearby.
Shen Yuer waved her hand, crushing a heat-dispersing talisman, driving away the oppressive heat from her body.
After an unknown amount of time, the door to the Martial Transmission Hall finally creaked open.
With a creak, Senior Brother pushed the door open, his expression as calm and composed as always.
Senior Sister Qiao rubbed her stiff neck and made her way toward the flattened mountain peak.
Standing there, Senior Sister Qiaoโs voice was soft but carried clearly into everyoneโs ears.
โFellow disciples, Qingyun Sect and Danxia Sect have always maintained a close, brotherly relationship. This exchange today should uphold the spirit of friendship first, victory second, so that we can communicate amicably and progress together.โ
โAs in previous years, we will first have the younger disciples spar. This way, they can learn the strengths of the two vastly different cultivation methods, see their own weaknesses, reflect repeatedly, and think deeply.โ
โAfter the young disciples finish their exchanges, the Autumn Exam participants will take the stage. I hope all young disciples cherish this opportunityโto broaden their horizons and sharpen their insight, finally turning what they learn to their advantage.โ
Lin Nan brushed off the dust and stood up, inhaling and exhaling deeply as she quietly summoned her True Qi, rapidly adjusting her state.
Several rounds had already passed since the younger disciples began.
One Danxia Sect disciple, exhausted, stood at the cliffโs edge with his right arm bleeding.
Another Qingyun Sect disciple, who had fainted and fallen into the water, was rescued by Senior Brother.
The younger disciplesโ exchange was finally nearing its end.
Senior Brother furrowed his brow and cast a displeased glance at the new disciples, nearly blurting out, โYouโre the worst students Iโve ever trained.โ
The easygoing Senior Sister Qiao also frowned and sighed, shifting her gaze to Lin Nan and Shen Yuer with encouraging eyes.
โSenior Chang, how about ending the young disciplesโ sparring here?โ
Just then, Zhang Qiming suddenly stood and cupped his hands.
His face bore a harmless smile, but his words cut deep into Senior Brotherโs heart like a knife.
Qingyun Sect had four wins and four lossesโa draw on the surface.
But considering the size and strength of Qingyun Sect compared to Danxia Sect, Qingyun Sect should have easily won seven out of ten.
Accepting a draw was essentially a complete defeat for Qingyun Sect.
Not only could Senior Brother not bear it, but if the elders watching from afar knew, some of the old men and women might have been so enraged theyโd vomit blood.
Senior Brotherโs expression grew cold. โNo matter.โ
Senior Sister Qiao smiled slightly. โBrother Zhang, be careful. Senior Brother is quite angry.โ
Zhang Qiming laughed heartily. โThatโs my fault. I apologize to both of you.โ
Yet there was no hint of apology in his cheerful laughter.
โBy the way, since our numbers donโt match, weโll need to borrow a disciple from your Sect for this last match. Not sure if I should say this or not?โ Zhang Qimingโs smile stretched nearly to his ears as he feigned hesitation.
Qiao Lu clearly understood his meaning.
She took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. โBrother Zhang, rest assured, Qingyun Sect never cheats. Once on the Martial Transmission Platform, even if paired with Danxia Sect, Junior Sister Shen will give her allโno chance of foul play.โ
โThatโs good, thatโs good,โ Zhang Qiming clapped his hands, grinning from ear to ear.
Watching Lin Nan and Shen Yuer stride toward the Martial Transmission Platform, Senior Brotherโs lips moved slightly, transmitting his voice through Qi.
โNever thought Qingyun Sectโs face would ultimately rely on you to defend. Wishing you success.โ
The white-haired girl nodded, clutching her iron sword as she leapt onto the stage.
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