Before Lin Jingyu could even speak, Qi Hao shook his head upon hearing this, his voice ringing out first.
"Uncle Tian, show mercy."
"The Dragon-Slaying Sword is an immortal treasure given to Lin Jingyu by Daoist Cangsong. It concerns Daoist Cangsong's face and reputation, so please raise your hand in mercy and spare Lin Jingyu."
"Hmph! What kind of thing are you? You keep bringing up Daoist Cangsong at every turn. Today I'll lay my words right here: either you leave the Dragon-Slaying Sword behind and leave Dazhu Peak yourselves, or you don't leave at all, and wait for Daoist Cangsong and the Sect Master to come and demand people in person!" A surge of anger rose in Tian Buyi's heart. It was one thing for Daoist Cangsong to always lord it over Dazhu Peak, but now even Daoist Cangsong's disciples dared to stand right in front of him and point fingers.
It was truly infuriating.
I, Tian Buyi, have acted as I please my entire life—why would I ever need to explain myself to rabble like you? Qi Hao was left helpless at these words. He knew that Uncle Tian had made up his mind to keep the Dragon-Slaying Sword, and he was truly powerless to change it. In his mind, he was already wondering how he was going to explain this to his master once he returned to Longshou Peak.
Lin Jingyu's face was as dark as ink, looking terrifyingly grim.
He never imagined that he would try to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to bait it.
He had coveted Zhang Yuan's weapon, only to lose his own Dragon-Slaying Sword instead.
How utterly ironic.
His eyes stared at the lying Zhang Yuan like a poisonous snake, and the hatred was forged at that very moment.
He knew very well in his heart that he hadn't used any real force just now, and that he had clearly pulled his fist back at the end—Zhang Yuan was framing him.
Yet this sort of matter could not be explained clearly in just a few words.
Or rather, it couldn't be explained at all.
Humans naturally sympathized with the weak; in their eyes, he had probably already been branded as a troublemaker and a rebel, a stigma he would never be able to wash away.
Lin Jingyu mentally jotted this grudge down in his little ledger.
"Senior Brother Qi Hao, let's leave."
"But your Dragon-Slaying Sword..." Qi Hao hesitated, looking down at the Dragon-Slaying Sword on the ground. He probably wanted to retrieve it, but with Tian Buyi watching, he didn't dare.
"Leave it here for now!"
"We'll discuss this matter after reporting to Master. Besides, I believe I'll be able to get the Dragon-Slaying Sword back very soon." With that, Lin Jingyu took Qi Hao by the hand and quickly left Dazhu Peak.
...
Seeing the two of them depart, Tian Buyi finally felt the anger in his chest ease somewhat as he looked down at Zhang Yuan again. Zhang Yuan was still unconscious, but color had returned to his face, his heart was beating with strong vitality, and the wound on his chest was gradually healing.
"Lu Xueqi, help Zhang Yuan into the guest room to rest. Once he's recovered, you can return to Xiaozhu Peak together. I wouldn't want Master Shuiyue saying I don't know how to host guests, or that I mistreated her disciple after she came all the way to Dazhu Peak."
"Very well. Thank you, Uncle Tian."
Just as Lu Xueqi was about to support Zhang Yuan into the guest room, Tian Buyi's calm voice drifted into her ears once more.
"Oh, and by the way."
"I've already erased the spiritual connection on the Dragon-Slaying Sword. Take it with you, and once Zhang Yuan wakes up, hand it to him personally. Just tell him it's a compensation gift sent by Lin Jingyu."
"Thank you, Uncle Tian." Hearing this, Lu Xueqi felt a surge of joy in her heart.
Like her, Zhang Yuan practiced the True Formula of Divine Sword Deflecting Thunder, yet he alone lacked an immortal divine sword. The Dragon-Slaying Sword was renowned far and wide and quite extraordinary—it would make a fitting weapon for her Junior Brother.
Though her Junior Brother's cultivation wasn't much to speak of, and he was even blind.
Doesn't he just happen to need a weapon all the more?
When your own cultivation falls short, you simply have to make up for it with gear.
In this regard, Lu Xueqi's thoughts were identical to Zhang Yuan's.
Lu Xueqi supported Zhang Yuan back into the guest room. Looking at his sunken chest and the bright red bloodstains on his clothes, a sharp ache gripped her heart.
This was the very first time her Junior Brother had ever been injured. His chest had actually been caved in by someone.
How much pain must he have been in?
As Lu Xueqi thought about it, two teardrops suddenly welled up in her eyes. Do you know what the relationship between me and Junior Brother Zhang Yuan has been like over the past three years? Junior Brother Zhang Yuan basically grew up playing with my feet.
Suddenly.
Lu Xueqi saw Zhang Yuan's arm twitch. His cloudy eyes opened a tiny slit, and then he quickly shut them again.
Her eyes instantly went wide.
Utterly dumbfounded.
Zhang Yuan?! ... Could he be faking unconsciousness? The mist in Lu Xueqi's eyes vanished instantly, her expression turning cold and frosty as she reverted to her usual ethereal and untainted self.
"Stop pretending."
"Wake up on your own. I saw the whole thing just now."
Zhang Yuan's breathing remained steady, and he still didn't move a muscle, acting as though he were truly passed out.
Seeing that Zhang Yuan gave no response, Lu Xueqi fell silent for a moment, then pretended to turn and leave.
"There's nobody else here. If you don't wake up right now, I'm leaving."
"Don't go. My little milk-qi." Zhang Yuan chuckled and abruptly reached out, accurately grabbing Lu Xueqi's soft, boneless hand. Judging by that technique and speed, he must have practiced for at least three years to reach such a realm.
"Who is your little milk-qi?" Lu Xueqi put her hands on her hips, originally intending to look stern, but seeing her Junior Brother's cheeky, thick-skinned grin, she couldn't maintain her severity at all.
"You, of course!" Zhang Yuan laughed.
"Don't try to change the subject! Confess honestly, were you faking your faint just now?" Lu Xueqi asked straight to the point.
Zhang Yuan didn't try to hide it either. They were fellow disciples who had practically grown up playing with each other's feet; what secrets could possibly exist between them? Ever since he first joined Xiaozhu Peak, he had already seen Lu Xueqi's body in its entirety.
"That's right."
"I did it on purpose."
"That fellow Lin Jingyu went too far. Seeing that I'm blind, he tried to snatch my Soul-Devouring Staff. I only fought back because I had no other choice."
Hearing this, Lu Xueqi fell silent for a brief moment, her eyes sizing Zhang Yuan up intently as if seeing him act this cunning for the very first time. In the end, she uttered just four words:
"Well done."
Hehe!
"Didn't Tian Buyi just give the Dragon-Slaying Sword to you? Senior Sister, hurry up and take it out for me to touch." Zhang Yuan's voice held a trace of excitement—this was his spoils of war, after all! He hadn't originally expected to get the Dragon-Slaying Sword, so obtaining it now came as an unexpected pleasant surprise.
"What's the rush? Wait for me a second."
Lu Xueqi had just been through an intense battle, and her white dress was soaked through with sweat, leaving her sticky and thoroughly uncomfortable. On top of that, this was Dazhu Peak, and she didn't have a change of clothes here.
Hesitating for a moment, Lu Xueqi took off her dress right in front of Zhang Yuan, leaving only her undergarments—dressed like this, she felt much cooler.
Zhang Yuan's heart leaped wildly, his face flushing crimson in an instant. Doesn't she treat me like a person at all? Still, I love it—little milk-qi truly lives up to her name.
That eye-catching sight was something one could never tire of looking at.
"Alright."
"Here!"
"Take the Dragon-Slaying Sword." Lu Xueqi didn't mind at all, handing the sword over right in front of Zhang Yuan. After all, her Junior Brother was blind and couldn't see a thing, so what did she have to be shy about?
...
Zhang Yuan's gaze was instantly captivated by the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
The Dragon-Slaying Sword was an emerald-green immortal sword with a dragon-shaped hilt and blade as clear as autumn water. Auspicious vapors billowed from it, green as water, casting a verdant reflection almost across his entire face.
The Dragon-Slaying Sword was truly a fine item! It yielded little in comparison even to the Fire-Cooking Stick.
The crucial part was that this was a sword.
The sword was the gentleman among weapons of slaughter.
How domineering it would feel to wield!
Zhang Yuan muttered softly, his right hand stroking the body of the sword just as one might caress a newlywed bride. His heart grew warm, and an inexplicable emotion surged within him.
Perhaps sensing Zhang Yuan's yearning, the Dragon-Slaying Sword suddenly soared upward, letting out a resonant dragon roar that echoed in harmony with Zhang Yuan, as if cheering the arrival of its new master.
From now on, you are my weapon.
I will take you to soar through the Jade Dynasty.
Zhang Yuan murmured softly. Although the words sounded a bit chuunibyou, they were effective. The Dragon-Slaying Sword seemed to sense his intent, gradually quieting down as it lay obediently in Zhang Yuan's hand.
Seeing Zhang Yuan's joy, a wave of elation surged within Lu Xueqi's heart, bubbling up inexplicably. She felt even happier than if she had acquired the Dragon-Slaying Sword herself.
"Junior Brother, the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering is almost here. Now that you've obtained such a divine weapon, you must cultivate diligently once we return to Xiaozhu Peak and see if you can ask Master Shuiyue for a spot to participate in the gathering."
"Can I participate too?" Zhang Yuan was taken aback.
To be honest, being blind, he had never intended to participate in the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering in the first place, as it would expose his cultivation level. But now a brand new thought suddenly occurred to him: constantly keeping a low profile wasn't a solution either; a piece of gold was bound to shine once or twice in its lifetime.
The Seven Meridians Martial Gathering was the grandest event of the Jade Essence Sect.
If he could claim victory at the gathering and secure the sect's tilted resources, it would undoubtedly be a massive boon to his cultivation. He might even gain entry to the Jade Essence Sect's forbidden ground, the Illusion Moon Cave Abode, and secure a chance to obtain the Jade Dynasty Sword.
While hiding one's cultivation all the time felt great, it meant missing out on many things and lacking numerous resources. The path of cultivation was meant to be fought for; when it was time to reveal one's edge, one should reveal it, and when resources needed to be fought for, one had to fight for them.
With his Heaven-Defying Comprehension, any cultivation technique could be mastered without a teacher, allowing him to progress a thousand miles a day—simply cowering in obscurity forever was no way out.He had not yet found cultivation techniques of the Buddhist and demonic paths; only by appropriately displaying his own cultivation would he have more fairy maidens whose feet he could play with.
"It should be no problem."
"Xiaozhu Peak has very few people, and not many people are signing up for the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering. Wasting a single chance to let you see the world is fine. But the premise is that you must cultivate to at least the Jade Purity Realm Layer 2. At the very least, Jade Purity Realm Layer 1." Lu Xueqi's voice was a bit hesitant, feeling that Jade Purity Realm Layer 2 might be too demanding for Zhang Yuan, so she consciously lowered the requirement by one tier.
Although she had long known that Zhang Yuan was cultivating, she had no idea to what extent. That fellow Zhang Yuan flirted with her every day and played around with her, spending a pitifully small amount of time on cultivation—how high could his cultivation possibly be?
Jade Purity Realm Layer 1? Zhang Yuan's mouth twitched. My good Senior Sister, you really think so highly of me that you even mentioned Jade Purity Realm Layer 1. Isn't that just the entry-level requirement? You really take me for someone who hasn't cultivated at all over the past three years! Although I am blind, I am not a fool; when I first started cultivating, I reached Jade Purity Realm Layer 1. Now that three years have passed, your requirements for me are truly low.
"I have no problem with that."
Zhang Yuan nodded, not taking the initiative to speak of his cultivation.
Because the effect of volunteering it yourself versus revealing it when asked by others is completely different. Unintentional flexing is the deadliest kind.
"That's good."
"After we go back, whether it's you or me, we must undergo rigorous seclusion. Two years from now, when the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering arrives, we will bring glory to Xiaozhu Peak."
"Alright." Zhang Yuan nodded. He had stayed at Dazhu Peak for three days before pretending to slowly wake up. During this time, Lin Jingyu did not come to trouble him again. Daoist Cangsong also did not show up, perhaps knowing he was in the wrong and that making a fuss all the way to the sect leader would bring no advantage, so he had to swallow his bitter medicine in silence.
With no one coming to trouble him, Zhang Yuan was quite content with the peace and quiet. If he were asked to return the Dragon-Slaying Sword, he really couldn't bear to part with it.
After returning to Xiaozhu Peak.
Zhang Yuan returned to his normal routine. Lu Xueqi went into seclusion to break through for the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering two years later, leaving no one for him to play with their feet.
Zhang Yuan was bored to tears every day. Possessing Heaven-Defying Comprehension, he only needed to exert the slightest effort to surpass the vast majority of people, leaving him with an abundance of free time.
Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment, and his mind grew active again.
What kind of place was Xiaozhu Peak? It was a place that exclusively took in female disciples.
Aside from Lu Xueqi, there were plenty of other fairy maidens. Perhaps he should set his sights on other girls and develop them a bit—such as Wenmin or Xiaoshi. As long as he could win the approval of these girls toward a blind man like him, wouldn't that mean two more people whose feet he could play with? Time drifted by effortlessly.
This was already Zhang Yuan's fifth year at Xiaozhu Peak. In the past two years, he had not stepped outside of Xiaozhu Peak for one simple reason: he felt that disciples outside were uninteresting.
The senior and junior sisters of Xiaozhu Peak had feet for him to play with.
Did the ones outside? No.
Even if they did, they weren't as adorable as the fairy maidens of Xiaozhu Peak.
As an upright and sunny youth, how could he possibly mingle with the common, mundane worldly blossoms outside?
His standards were exceptionally high.
"Xiaoshi."
"When do you think Senior Sister Lu Xueqi will come out of seclusion?" Zhang Yuan asked with a face full of worry. Having endured the itch of two years and the daily torment of lovesickness, his heart was already stirring restlessly.
Although he only practiced ordinary cultivation from time to time, his cultivation had already reached Jade Purity Realm Layer 9, practically placing him at the half-step Shangqing Realm.
At this age and with this cultivation level, looking across the entire Jade Essence Sect, there were very few who could match him.
"She should be coming out of seclusion very soon! After all, the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering is only two months away. At that time, not only Senior Sister Lu Xueqi and Senior Sister Wenmin, but even our master, Master Shuiyue, will come out of seclusion."
Master Shuiyue!
Zhang Yuan murmured softly to himself. Aside from catching a single glimpse of Master Shuiyue when he first entered the sect, he had not seen his makeshift master once in these past five years.
He had almost forgotten what Master Shuiyue looked like.
He only vaguely remembered that she was an extremely exquisite, very voluptuous, highly charismatic, and top-tier middle-aged woman.
That would be interesting. Shuiyue hadn't seen him once in five years; when Shuiyue saw that the blind man she once looked down upon had now cultivated to Jade Purity Realm Layer 9—possessing a talent even greater than the nine-heavens fairy maiden Lu Xueqi—who knew what kind of feeling she would have in her heart?
"Mhm."
"Then let's just wait! It won't be long anyway."
Zhang Yuan's clouded eyes paused for a moment, and then he spoke indifferently.
Chapter 19: Master Shuiyue
Chapter 19: Master Shuiyue
……
Zhang Yuan stood on the Watching Moon Terrace practicing his sword. His sword followed his shifting shadow, moving with transcendent grace and supreme mastery. The sword moves suddenly changed a thousand ways, then instantly opened and closed with sweeping power to cleave through everything.
Just now while practicing his sword, he had once again triggered Heaven-Defying Comprehension, comprehending a brand-new set of sword moves.
However, Zhang Yuan did not feel overly overjoyed, because over the past two years of idle time, he had already self-created several sets of sword moves. Although they could not compare to the grand and majestic grandeur of the True Formula of Divine Sword Deflecting Thunder, every single move was a lethal technique born purely for slaughter.
[A Single Sword Moves the Winds and Clouds.]
Zhang Yuan's hands surged with power, and a terrifying force abruptly condensed into a streak of sword intent that soared straight into the sky, cutting apart the rolling and unspooling clouds at the horizon. An empty vacuum was carved out across the sky, within which a destructive aura lingered—terrifying to behold.
Zhang Yuan withdrew the Dragon-Slaying Sword and gently exhaled a breath of stale air, fairly satisfied with the power of this sword technique.
Still, the cultivation techniques of the Jade Essence Sect were just like this; no matter how much one developed them, their power had reached its limit.
It seemed he had to find Buddhist and demonic cultivation techniques as soon as possible.
Only by gathering the strengths of a hundred schools and fusing them into the Heavenly Book could he create a truly transcendent cultivation technique.
Zhang Yuan stood in place, deep in thought.
"Junior Brother Zhang Yuan, Master Shuiyue and Senior Sister Lu Xueqi have come out of seclusion and are currently discussing matters regarding the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering in the Quiet Bamboo Pavilion. They asked me to call you over to take a look." Xiaoshi stood at the entrance of the Watching Moon Terrace, her face a bit shy and her voice timid, as if she were somewhat embarrassed.
Suddenly, when she inadvertently caught sight of the rolling clouds in the sky that had been cleanly severed by the sword intent, she was instantly struck dumb with astonishment.
As she looked into Zhang Yuan's eyes, a strange, different flavor seemed to color her gaze.
Just now, Junior Brother Zhang Yuan had been the only person on the Watching Moon Terrace.
Could it be that the rolling clouds in the sky had been severed by Junior Brother Zhang Yuan?
This was simply too incredible.
Wasn't Junior Brother Zhang Yuan a blind man?
Taking a step back, if the anomaly in the sky truly had been caused by Zhang Yuan, then Zhang Yuan hid his capabilities exceptionally deep. Judging by the sheer power of that sword strike in the sky, even a Shangqing Realm cultivator might not necessarily be able to unleash it.
"Alright. I understand."
Zhang Yuan nodded, recalling the Dragon-Slaying Sword into his body, and then first returned to his room to hide the Soul-Devouring Staff beneath his bed before walking toward the Quiet Bamboo Pavilion.
The Soul-Devouring Staff was a demonic weapon.
Although immensely powerful, the Jade Essence Sect was a righteous sect, and once Master Shuiyue discovered the Soul-Devouring Staff, it would spell massive trouble.
Moreover, with the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering about to begin, carrying the Soul-Devouring Staff close to his person would appear rather inappropriate. In the original story, Zhang Xiaofan had carried the Soul-Devouring Staff to Tongtian Peak, only for its true nature to be seen through by the Jade Essence Sect's guardian sacred beast, the Water Kirin, nearly getting killed on the spot by the spirit beast.
To be on the safe side.
Zhang Yuan naturally would not carry the Soul-Devouring Staff to Tongtian Peak.
He didn't even want to bring it along when going to see Master Shuiyue.
……
Inside the Quiet Bamboo Pavilion.
Master Shuiyue sat in the center, with Lu Xueqi, Wenmin, and other disciples arrayed in orderly rows on both sides. These few disciples were the selected candidates to participate in the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering; although some lacked sufficient cultivation, they had been drafted to make up the numbers.
In truth, the only ones Master Shuiyue truly placed high hopes on were Lu Xueqi and Wenmin. These two were also the genuine trump cards of Xiaozhu Peak.
"Xueqi, you have done very well. Within these past two years, not only have you advanced to the half-step Shangqing Realm, but you have also truly comprehended the sword intent of the True Formula of Divine Sword Deflecting Thunder. You are undoubtedly a formidable contender at the Seven Meridians Martial Gathering. As your master, I hope you can seize the crown and bring glory to Xiaozhu Peak."
Shuiyue was exceptionally beautiful and voluptuous.
Sometimes, a woman was like fine wine—the longer it aged, the more alluring it became. This kind of beauty, which at a single glance could inspire sinful desires in people, was not something ordinary people could pull off.
"Master, I will certainly do my utmost."
Lu Xueqi nodded earnestly, feeling a trace of doubt in her heart, though she did not voice it. Just now, her master had said that she had cultivated sword intent, but she knew very well in her heart that she had not yet fully mastered the True Formula of Divine Sword Deflecting Thunder, let alone cultivated sword intent. So who on earth was the one who had cultivated sword intent?
Could it be Senior Sister Wenmin? Senior Sister Wenmin must have unleashed sword intent while practicing her sword, which her master sensed and then mistakenly attributed to her.
Right.
It had to be that.
Probably Lu Xueqi never dreamed in her wildest dreams that the person who comprehended the sword intent was not Senior Sister Wenmin, but Zhang Yuan.
"Haha..."
"With you here at Xiaozhu Peak, I feel immensely proud."
Hearing this, Shuiyue smiled slightly at the corners of her lips, then shifted her gaze toward Wenmin and encouraged her: "Wenmin, as Senior Sister Lu Xueqi's senior, you are also a top contender for the championship. Likewise, I place high hopes on you."