Chapter 7: Battle against Houtu Peak

“Junior Sister Wanqing,” Chu Yi’s tone carried disapproval, “the sect competition is no small matter. Swords and blades show no mercy, and your cultivation is still shallow. Why take such a risk? Just focus on serving Master.”

Deep down, he felt that if anyone from Startled Swan Peak should shine, it ought to be him, Chu Yi, not this little girl who inexplicably gained a sliver of Master’s favor.

Wanqing paused her practice, wiping sweat from her brow. Facing Chu Yi, she was still timid, but her gaze no longer wavered: “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Chu, but… I want to try.”

Chu Yi studied her stubborn yet delicate demeanor, the strange feeling in his heart intensifying. Finally, he said flatly, “Very well, do as you wish.”

Turning to leave, he resolved to advance his strength faster, to show Master who truly deserved her attention.

Wanqing watched his retreating figure, lips pursed, gripping her sword tighter.

She knew many doubted her—Liu Qingxu, Senior Brother Chu… But the more they did, the more she couldn’t give up.

She recalled Senior Sister’s figure shielding her, those words: “the people of Startled Swan Peak.”

She wanted to prove she was worthy of that title, worthy of Senior Sister’s protection.

On the eve of the competition, Shuyue, unusually, summoned Wanqing to her side.

She tossed her a small jade bottle and a talisman.

“The bottle contains a Vitality Restoration Pill. Take it if you’re injured. The talisman can block a full strike from an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. Use it wisely.”

Her voice remained emotionless.

Wanqing caught the cool jade bottle and talisman, her nose stinging, eyes reddening. “Elder…”

“Don’t disgrace Startled Swan Peak.”
Shuyue threw out the curt words, turning away without looking at her.

Wanqing clutched the bottle and talisman tightly, as if they were priceless treasures, her heart brimming with warmth. “Yes! This disciple will do her utmost!”

The day of the sect competition was a whirlwind of noise and excitement.

A massive circular plaza held ten raised arenas, pulsing with spiritual energy. Disciples from all peaks gathered, the atmosphere electric.

On the high platform sat the sect elders and peak masters.

Shuyue, clad in moon-white robes, occupied a prominent seat, her spiritual mist swirling, exuding an unapproachable air.

Beside her, unbelievably, sat Liu Qingxu!

The Yaochi Sect’s little princess had somehow secured a viewing spot right next to Shuyue.

“Sister Misty Moon, look over there—that’s your little sword attendant, isn’t it? On the first arena, facing an early Foundation Establishment disciple from Thick Earth Peak. Poor thing…”

Liu Qingxu fanned herself with a round fan, her tone playful but dripping with undisguised schadenfreude.

Shuyue ignored her, her gaze fixed on the first arena.

Wanqing stood on the platform, wearing slightly oversized black disciple robes—her nominal disciple status, granted by Shuyue, allowed her to wear formal attire, though she seemed to own only this set.

Gripping the plain iron sword infused with Shuyue’s sword intent, her small face was taut with obvious tension, but her eyes shone with unwavering determination.

Her opponent, a tall, sturdy male disciple from Thick Earth Peak, early Foundation Establishment, smirked contemptuously upon seeing his opponent—a mid-Qi Refining girl who’d registered through connections.

“Is Startled Swan Peak so desperate they’re sending a twig like you?” he sneered.

Murmurs and skeptical glances rippled through the crowd below.

Wanqing didn’t retort, taking a deep breath and assuming the starting stance of a basic sword form, fully focused.

The referee elder gave the signal, and the match began!

The Thick Earth Peak disciple roared, earthy yellow spiritual energy surging as he threw a heavy fist toward Wanqing’s face!
He aimed to end it quickly, not even bothering with a weapon.

To everyone, the outcome seemed certain.

Yet, Wanqing didn’t panic or get knocked away as expected.

As the heavy fist wind bore down, she shifted her steps, dodging with a seemingly clumsy but surprisingly nimble movement.
At the same time, her iron sword thrust out—not at a vital point but at a node in her opponent’s spiritual energy flow!

The strike wasn’t fast or strong, but its angle was so precise it forced the Thick Earth disciple to falter, his fist momentum stalling.

“Hm?” On the high platform, several elders raised their brows.

“Basic footwork? Basic sword form? Used… rather cleverly,” Elder Yuheng commented, fanning himself.

Elder Xuanshi stroked his chin: “This girl’s got good instincts, spotting that kid’s weak point in his energy flow. Luck?”

Behind her spiritual mist, Shuyue’s gaze grew serious.

She knew it wasn’t just luck.

Wanqing’s sensitivity to swords and her innate combat intuition were starting to show.

Moreover, Shuyue could sense the faint resonance of her sword intent in Wanqing’s iron sword, guiding her.

Liu Qingxu, watching Wanqing narrowly evade a strike, scoffed: “Just lucky to dodge one move.”

On the arena, the Thick Earth disciple, embarrassed by missing and being forced to adjust by a Qi Refining girl, roared in anger, his attacks growing fiercer.

Wanqing was instantly on the defensive.
The cultivation gap was too wide—she couldn’t block directly, relying on increasingly refined basic footwork, sword forms, and that inexplicable intuition to dodge and parry, seeking chances to counter.

Her spiritual energy drained rapidly, sweat beaded on her forehead, her arms numb from the shock of blocking, narrowly escaping hits time and again, making spectators’ hearts race.

Yet she never gave up, her eyes growing brighter, her focus and tenacity winning over some of the crowd who’d doubted her.

“This girl… she’s something!”
“Mid-Qi Refining holding out this long? Impressive!”

“Look at her sword—it’s got some skill…”

On the platform, Shuyue’s hand on the armrest unconsciously tightened.
Though she knew this was a trial, watching that small figure teeter on the edge of danger stirred an indescribable irritability in her.

Liu Qingxu keenly noticed Shuyue’s subtle shift, her jealousy flaring, her fan moving faster.

Finally, Wanqing seized a moment when her opponent’s impatience left an opening.
She surged forward, her iron sword tracing a faint, icy arc, striking at his wrist!

The Thick Earth disciple instinctively gathered spiritual energy to block, expecting to easily deflect the sword.
But instead of brute force, the sword tip carried a condensed, piercing chill—Shuyue’s sword intent at work!

“Swish!”

His wrist went numb, his spiritual energy flow disrupted, exposing a massive gap!

Wanqing’s eyes lit up. Without thinking, she lunged, slamming her shoulder into his chest with her last ounce of strength!

Caught off guard, the Thick Earth disciple staggered back, stepping out of the arena’s bounds!

The referee elder paused, then declared: “First arena, Wanqing of Startled Swan Peak, victory!”

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted in uproar!

Mid-Qi Refining defeating early Foundation Establishment!
Though tactical, a win was a win!

Wanqing stood on the arena, pale and panting, trembling all over, barely able to stand.

She looked at her defeated opponent, sprawled in disbelief, then at her iron sword, still processing her victory.

Joy and exhaustion overwhelmed her, her legs buckled, and she began to collapse.

A moon-white figure flashed through the crowd like a startled swan, landing lightly on the arena, catching Wanqing’s arm before she hit the ground.

Shuyue’s cool voice sounded, with a barely detectable tremor: “Can you still walk?”

All eyes focused instantly!

The Misty Moon Fairy! She’d personally entered the arena!

Leaning into the familiar cool, soft arm, Wanqing looked up at the spiritual mist so close, inhaling that cold fragrance.
All her exhaustion and tension felt worth it.

Her nose stung, tears nearly spilling, as she nodded vigorously: “I can… I can, Elder…”

On the platform, Liu Qingxu watched, her round fan snapping with a crack as she broke one of its ribs.