The first round of the grand competition was drawing lots.
Bai Qingxue’s opponent was a male disciple from Qingyun Peak—a tall youth at the sixth level of Qi Refining who carried a broad-bladed heavy sword on his back.
His cultivation wasn't low; he was considered quite skilled among his peers.
The arena was one of several areas temporarily partitioned on Qingyun Terrace, separated by light barriers created by formations. Those in the viewing stands could clearly see the battles on every stage.
When Bai Qingxue stepped onto the stage, her opponent was already there.
When the male disciple saw Bai Qingxue, his eyes narrowed slightly; he clearly recognized her.
“Bai Qingxue of Xueji Peak,” he muttered her name, his tone carrying a hint of wariness.
Bai Qingxue nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of the Frost Condensation Sword.
At the deacon’s command, the male disciple made the first move.
His heavy sword unleashed a dense wave of sword qi that swept toward Bai Qingxue. The momentum was fierce, the sword qi plowing a shallow groove into the stone slabs of the arena.
Bai Qingxue didn't move.
The moment the sword qi reached her, she sidestepped, letting the blade graze past her robe. Simultaneously, the Frost Condensation Sword cleared its scabbard, its tip tapping against the male disciple’s wrist.
Frost.
Pale blue spiritual light sank into his skin, and white frost rapidly spread. The male disciple’s entire arm froze stiff, and the heavy sword slipped from his grip, hitting the ground with a loud clang.
From the moment she drew her sword to the moment she sheathed it, only a few breaths had passed.
The deacon by the arena was stunned for a moment before announcing, “Bai Qingxue of Xueji Peak wins.”
Bai Qingxue sheathed her sword and turned to leave the stage. Throughout the entire process, her expression remained unchanged; she didn't even spare her opponent a second glance.
In the viewing stands, several Xueji Peak disciples erupted into cheers.
Shen Yao was so excited she nearly jumped out of her seat, only to be held down by Lu Xueqing.
As Bai Qingxue stepped off the stage, her peripheral vision caught a corner of the viewing stands.
A woman in red sat there with her legs crossed, leaning back slightly against her chair in a lazy posture.
She rested her chin on one hand while her fingers rhythmically tapped the armrest. Her gaze swept lazily across the arena, as if she were looking at something hardly worth her attention.
The woman’s face was gorgeous, her features carrying a touch of nonchalant weariness. Her phoenix eyes were half-lidded, the corners tilting upward slightly, giving her an air of effortless charm even without a smile.
Her cultivation aura was quite strong—at least at the ninth level of Qi Refining, or perhaps even close to Foundation Establishment.
Bai Qingxue withdrew her gaze and headed toward the Xueji Peak rest area.
“So, you’re Bai Qingxue?”
The voice came from behind her, tinged with a hint of amusement, as if she were teasing a child.
Bai Qingxue stopped and turned around.
Without her noticing, the woman in red had come down from the viewing stands and walked right up to her.
Her red robes were like a flame, exceptionally striking amidst the sea of frost-white, pale green, and ash-grey disciple uniforms.
She was half a head taller than Bai Qingxue and looked down at her, her gaze traveling up and down as if she were inspecting a novel toy.
With one hand on her hip, her posture was as casual as if she were taking a stroll in her own backyard.
“Is there something you need?” Bai Qingxue asked.
The woman in red was taken aback for a moment, then she laughed.
“Lu Xueqing’s junior sister?” She tilted her head. “You’re quite interesting, little girl.”
Bai Qingxue didn't respond and turned to leave.
“Hey, don't be in such a hurry.” The woman took a step forward, her tone lazy. “Your Senior Sister Lu and I are old acquaintances. It’s rare to see her bringing a newcomer along, so I was curious.”
Bai Qingxue didn't stop.
“Junior Sister Bai!”
Lu Xueqing’s voice came from ahead. She walked over quickly, a clear look of tension on her face.
Upon reaching Bai Qingxue, she shifted half a step to the side, positioning herself perfectly between Bai Qingxue and the woman in red. Her posture seemed natural, but Bai Qingxue noticed her shoulders were slightly tense.
“Su Zhaoyan,” Lu Xueqing said quietly, but her voice carried a clear warning. “What are you doing here instead of staying with Chixia Peak?”
Su Zhaoyan raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Just coming to see your junior sister. What, afraid I’ll eat her?”
Lu Xueqing didn't respond; she simply stood her ground and didn't budge.
Su Zhaoyan watched her for a couple of breaths before suddenly bursting into laughter. She shook her head, took half a step back, and held up her hands. “Fine, fine, I’ll stop looking. You’re protecting her so fiercely—it’s not like I’m a man-eater.”
She turned to leave, but after two steps, she looked back. Her gaze swept over Lu Xueqing’s shoulder and landed on Bai Qingxue.
“Bai Qingxue, right?” She smiled. “I’ll remember you.”
With that, she waved her hand, and her red robes flashed through the crowd before vanishing.
Lu Xueqing was silent for a moment. “That person is Su Zhaoyan, the Chief of Chixia Peak. In short, Junior Sister... she’s not someone to be trifled with. If you run into her in the future, just keep your words to a minimum.”
The Chixia Peak Chief, Su Zhaoyan.
Isn’t she one of the future heroines? I didn't expect to meet her so soon...
Bai Qingxue repeated the name in her mind. She didn't say much and simply nodded.
Bai Qingxue withdrew her gaze and walked toward the rest area.
Lu Xueqing followed behind her. When she passed the spot where Su Zhaoyan had just been standing, her pace faltered for a fraction of a second before she caught up, remaining silent.
In the distance, at the Chixia Peak rest area, Su Zhaoyan sat back down.
A junior sister leaned in and asked, “Senior Sister, did you just go to see that newcomer from Xueji Peak?”
Su Zhaoyan didn't answer, merely smiling as her gaze lingered on the Xueji Peak section for a while.
“Lu Xueqing...” she murmured half a sentence, then stopped. Shaking her head, she leaned back against her chair and closed her eyes.
The junior sister beside her didn't dare ask further.
In the afternoon matches, Bai Qingxue won easily once again.
With two wins out of two battles, she had already secured her spot for advancement.
Bai Qingxue stepped off the stage and returned to the rest area to sit down.
Lu Xueqing handed her a cup of water, which she took and sipped.
“Are your matches for today finished?” Lu Xueqing asked.
“Yes.”
“Then pack up. We’ll head back together in a bit.”
Bai Qingxue nodded and set down her cup. Her gaze swept over several arenas where matches were still ongoing. A crowd had gathered around one of them, where the faint sound of clashing blades could be heard; the fight wasn't over yet.
She watched for a few moments, then stood up.
“I’m going out to get some fresh air,” Bai Qingxue said.
Lu Xueqing glanced at her but didn't press for details, simply nodding.
Bai Qingxue walked slowly along the stone path on the outskirts of the arena area. Twilight was beginning to settle on the horizon. The spirit light lanterns on either side hadn't been lit yet, making the stone path appear grey and hazy as it blended with the dusk.
As Bai Qingxue passed an arena where a match was still in progress, her footsteps paused.
Standing on the stage was none other than Ye Qingyao.
Rate on N.U.
