Chapter 9 : Chu Yi wins the championship

Chu Yi’s display of strength and potential silenced those who’d grumbled about his relentless pursuit to join Startled Swan Peak.
Some disciples even began to feel that only a genius like him was worthy of the Misty Moon Fairy’s guidance.

Each time Chu Yi won, his gaze toward the high platform grew more confident, as if declaring: “Master, look—I’m the disciple you should choose.”

Shuyue felt chills under his stare, maintaining her icy facade.

‘Stop staring at me!’

Meanwhile, Wanqing didn’t leave after her second-round loss.

She seized the time to recover, then watched every match intently, especially the sword cultivators’ battles.

She observed with rapt focus, occasionally nodding in realization, silently connecting her meager insights with her daily practice.

Shuyue’s divine sense occasionally swept over, catching Wanqing’s thirst for knowledge, and the anxiety from the derailed plot oddly eased a fraction.

‘Fine, fine, one step at a time. At least this girl’s genuinely trying…’

But the tree craves calm, yet the wind never ceases.

Liu Qingxu clearly had no intention of letting Wanqing study in peace.

Using her “honored guest” status and the Yaochi Immortal Sect’s unique pills and delicate artifacts, she easily befriended some inner sect and even core disciples.

She didn’t directly orchestrate attacks on Wanqing—that would be too obvious.

Instead, in casual chats, she let slip her “regret” and “confusion” about “a certain nominal disciple who got into the competition through connections, with low strength but uncanny luck, and excessive attention from the Misty Moon Fairy.”

Her words were artful, never overtly derogatory, yet they sparked imbalance and suspicion in her listeners.

“Some people toil for decades and still can’t compare to someone who catches a noble’s eye.”

“Startled Swan Peak is always so lofty, and the Misty Moon Fairy has such high standards, yet this time… heh, maybe that girl has something we can’t see?”

“Such favoritism—will it help or harm her cultivation? A weak foundation is just a fleeting illusion…”

These words spread like invisible wind among some disciples.

Soon, Wanqing noticed subtle changes.

While practicing basic sword forms alone, she caught strange or scornful glances from passing disciples.

She overheard whispers of “connected,” “lucky,” or “currying favor with the elder.”

When collecting her sect-issued pills and spirit stones, the distributing disciple’s attitude was noticeably cold, sometimes delaying her or giving her inferior quality items.

Once, on her way back to Startled Swan Peak, two unfamiliar inner sect female disciples “accidentally” bumped into her.

Instead of apologizing, they sneered: “No eyes for walking? Oh, right, someone sheltered by others probably doesn’t need to watch their path.”

Wanqing clenched her fists, her face pale, but said nothing, lowering her head and hurrying away.

She didn’t want to cause trouble for Senior Sister.

These petty slights and cold shoulders didn’t escape Shuyue’s divine sense.
Seeing Wanqing endure in silence, a surge of nameless anger flared within her.

‘Liu Qingxu! It’s definitely that woman’s doing. A Yaochi Immortal Sect young mistress resorting to such low tactics to bully a little girl? And those disciples—have their brains been squeezed by a door? Just parroting rumors!’

She wanted to act but lacked a clear justification.

These were minor incidents; if she, an elder, intervened, it would seem overblown, reinforcing Wanqing’s “sheltered” reputation and escalating tensions.

This left Shuyue with an unprecedented sense of frustration.

With her high cultivation and status, she felt powerless against such insidious tactics.

The final day arrived.

Chu Yi unsurprisingly reached the ultimate showdown, facing a veteran core disciple from the main peak, late Foundation Establishment, with formidable strength.

The duel drew every eye.

On the arena, sword qi clashed, the two locked in a breathtaking, evenly matched battle.

Though Chu Yi’s cultivation was lower, his fierce swordsmanship and sharp battle instincts held his own, occasionally even gaining the upper hand!

The elders on the platform nodded in approval.

“What an exceptional lad!”

“Dual metal-fire spiritual roots, unrivaled in attack—his future is bright!”

“Junior Sister Misty Moon, congratulations. With such a disciple, your legacy is secure.”

Even Elder Qingxu smiled, stroking his beard, addressing Shuyue: “Junior Sister, this boy’s resolve and talent are remarkable. Will you keep evaluating him?”

Liu Qingxu chimed in with a smile: “Indeed, Sister Misty Moon, missing such a genius would be a pity. Far better than…”

She trailed off with a pointed smile.

All eyes turned to Shuyue, as if her taking Chu Yi was inevitable, expected by all.

‘Don’t gang up on me! You’re pushing me into a fire pit!’

At that critical moment, a sudden change erupted on the arena!

As Chu Yi clashed with his opponent, their figures crossing, a golden glint flashed in his eyes!

Ignoring his own exposed defenses, his dual metal-fire spiritual energy surged in an unprecedented, frenzied compression.
His longsword erupted with blinding light.

A terrifying sword intent, far beyond mid-Foundation Establishment and nearly touching the Golden Core threshold, soared skyward!

“Blazing Heaven Strike!” he roared, unleashing his forbidden trump card!

The sword light, carrying the devastating aura of incinerating all, slashed at his opponent.

This strike was immensely powerful but perilous—if not controlled, it could harm him before the enemy!

The crowd gasped!

The elders’ faces shifted, stunned by Chu Yi’s reckless gambit!

The late Foundation Establishment core disciple, caught off guard by the sudden, overwhelming strike, scrambled to defend!

Boom!

A deafening roar shook the arena, a wild spiritual energy shockwave sweeping across!

As the light faded, Chu Yi knelt on one knee, face pale, blood trickling from his mouth, clearly gravely injured.

His opponent, though blocking the strike, was disheveled, aura chaotic, protective spiritual light dimmed, visibly struggling.

The referee elder, after inspecting, took a deep breath and announced: “Final match, Chu Yi, victory!”

The crowd erupted in cheers!

Defeating a late Foundation Establishment cultivator with mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, delivering such a stunning strike!

Chu Yi’s name resounded, the undisputed star of the Canglan Sword Sect at that moment!

Struggling to stand, Chu Yi didn’t even pause to recover.
His first act was to lift his pale face, his gaze piercing through the crowd to Shuyue on the platform.

He’d done it! He’d proven he was the strongest! He was worthy!

All eyes once again focused on Shuyue.

A genius bowing to her, the crowd’s expectations clear.

Elder Qingxu sighed, his tone shifting: “Junior Sister, this boy has gone to such lengths for you. His heart and ambition are undeniable.
If you don’t accept him, it’s hard to justify.”

Liu Qingxu’s smile was radiant, her eyes cold: “Indeed, Sister Misty Moon, such a disciple is rare in the world.”

The crowd’s pressure, gazes, and expectations trapped Shuyue in their center.

Looking at the bloodied boy below, feeling the near-tangible force of expectation around her…

Shuyue’s fingers trembled beneath her wide sleeves.

“…I’m doomed.”

In that moment, she saw her survival script’s final chapter—tied to the male lead’s chariot, hurtling toward a bad ending’s abyss!

Amid this suffocating pressure, no one noticed a girl in the crowd below, biting her lip tightly, staring at the revered “Master” on the platform and the radiant Chu Yi below.
Her small hands clenched, emotions swirling in her clear eyes—self-doubt, loss, worry, and fierce unwillingness.

She felt so weak… so weak that even standing on the sidelines to admire seemed barely within her reach.