“Anyway, I think eldest senior brother is the best!” Duan Xianxing grinned. “Whatever light spiritual root he has, he definitely can't beat the swordplay of our Five Elements Dao Sect.”
Feng Qingping smiled and shook her head. “Seventh Junior Brother, the path of the sword most forbids arrogance. Qi Yunze's sword...” She paused.
“Although I can't tell how powerful he is, eldest senior brother must know.”
Mu Wenyan just smiled without saying a word. Clearly, he didn't want to say much on this matter; the outcome would depend on the final duel.
“Let's go back.” Mu Wenyan stood up. “There are more matches tomorrow.”
...
Sword Heart Sect, Lingxiao Peak.
Ling Xiao sat at the jade table, his fingertips lightly tapping the surface, producing a crisp sound.
“Yunze, what have you gained from watching the matches today?”
Qi Yunze stood by the window, the moonlight plating him with a silver edge.
He fell silent for a moment, his voice cold as a spring: “Mu Wenyan... is still hiding his strength.”
Ling Xiao's eyebrows twitched slightly. “Oh?”
“He didn't use any techniques throughout the entire match.” Qi Yunze turned around, a strange light flashing in his eyes. “He relied purely on spiritual energy and sword intent.”
Ling Xiao's fingers paused on the table. “How does he compare to you?”
The room fell silent for a while, only the halo of the night-luminescent pearl swaying slightly.
Qi Yunze's gaze fell on his scabbard, where the spiritual energy fluctuations from today's match still lingered.
“It's fifty-fifty.” He finally spoke. “Without truly exchanging blows, it's hard to judge.”
Ling Xiao's pupils constricted slightly.
He knew his eldest disciple all too well—unless the opponent's strength was indeed astonishing, Qi Yunze would never give such an evaluation.
“His sword...” Ling Xiao pondered. “From what I saw today, it's ever-changing yet untraceable. Even I couldn't spot a flaw for a time.”
Qi Yunze walked to the table, a wisp of spiritual light gathering at his fingertips, outlining several sword marks in the air. “Look here—”
The sword moves composed of spiritual light flowed in mid-air; they were exactly the moves Mu Wenyan had used today.
“On the surface, it's Long Rainbow Piercing the Sun, but it actually hides Autumn Water Without Trace.” Qi Yunze tapped with his fingertip, and the sword move suddenly changed. “Here, it turns into Green Pine Welcoming Guests...”
Ling Xiao's gaze grew more solemn. “Three moves in one?”
“More than that.” Qi Yunze shook his head. “When he sheathed his sword at the end, he also hid half a move of Wind-Returning Willow.”
The halo of the night-luminescent pearl reflected on Ling Xiao's face, illuminating the deep furrows between his brows. He slowly stood up and paced to the window. “Five Elements Dao Sect... I originally thought they only produced a peerless genius like Duan Xianxing... but I didn't expect them to be hiding even deeper.”
“I felt he was extraordinary when I first met him.” Qi Yunze's voice held a rare trace of emotion. “I didn't expect him to be this strong.”
Ling Xiao suddenly turned around. “If you meet in the team battle, how much confidence do you have?”
Qi Yunze was silent for a long time, the moonlight swirling in his eyes. “I will win.”
This answer caused the air in the quiet room to freeze.
Ling Xiao took a deep breath, his fingers inside his sleeve unconsciously rubbing a jade slip.
“Yunze...” he said in a low voice, “you should understand what this competition means to the Sword Heart Sect.”
Qi Yunze's gaze fell on the jade slip at his master's fingertips. “This disciple understands.”
“As for your second junior brother...”
Qi Yunze's gaze softened slightly. “Second junior brother is fine now. Little junior sister went to comfort him, and he has regained his spirits.”
A look of relief appeared on Ling Xiao's face. “Dongqing, this child... she's always so considerate.” He sighed softly. “Since she joined the sect, the entire place has felt more lively.”
A flash of tenderness appeared in Qi Yunze's eyes. “Little junior sister... is indeed very good.”
“Take good care of her,” Ling Xiao instructed. “Although she has excellent talent, her personality is too gentle.”
“Yes.” Qi Yunze bowed in acknowledgement and was about to leave when Ling Xiao suddenly called out to him, “Wait.”
The old sect leader took a green jade talisman from his sleeve. “Take this.”
Qi Yunze took the jade talisman. It felt warm to the touch, and he could faintly feel the surging spiritual energy contained within. “This is...?”
“Just in case,” Ling Xiao's voice returned to calmness. “Go now.”
Qi Yunze tucked the jade talisman into his robe. As he turned to leave, his back looked exceptionally upright in the moonlight.
The night wind brushed past his white robes, bringing the fragrance of the distant peach forest. He was about to depart when he heard light footsteps behind him.
“Eldest Senior Brother.”
Qi Yunze turned around and saw Cang Dongqing standing in the moonlight. She wore a light pink dress, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair, looking elegant and refined.
Those almond eyes were filled with a smile as she gazed at him warmly.
“Not resting yet, so late?” Qi Yunze's voice unconsciously softened a bit.
Cang Dongqing took a few steps closer, the peach blossom patterns on her skirt faintly visible in the moonlight. “I heard Master was looking for you... Is it about tomorrow's match?”
Qi Yunze nodded slightly. “Yes.”
“Eldest Senior Brother...” Cang Dongqing hesitated for a moment. “I went to see second senior brother today. He's already started practicing his sword.”
“I know.” Qi Yunze's gaze fell on the sword at her waist. “You comforted him well.”
A smile appeared on Cang Dongqing's face. “I just told him the truth.” She looked up, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Eldest Senior Brother, that Mu Wenyan... is he really that powerful?”
The night wind suddenly grew stronger, making the lanterns under the corridor sway gently. Qi Yunze's white robes fluttered in the wind, making his face appear even more cold and aloof.
“His sword...” Qi Yunze said softly, “is ever-changing and unpredictable.”
Cang Dongqing blinked. “Even more powerful than yours, Eldest Senior Brother?”
Qi Yunze didn't answer directly but instead looked toward the distant starry sky. “On the path of the sword, there is no strongest, only stronger.”
“So that's how it is.” Cang Dongqing nodded and suddenly took a small cloth bundle from her sleeve. “Eldest Senior Brother, this is for you.”
Qi Yunze took it and opened it to find a few pieces of peach-blossom-shaped pastries, emitting a faint sweet scent.
“I made them myself.” Cang Dongqing looked a bit embarrassed. “I heard you were discussing matters with Master tonight. Although you have already reached fasting, still...”
A flash of warmth appeared in Qi Yunze's eyes. “Thank you.”
He took a piece of pastry and tasted it. It was sweet but not greasy, with the delicate fragrance of peach blossoms.
“Is it good?” Cang Dongqing asked expectantly.
“Very good.” Qi Yunze nodded. “Your skills have improved again.”
Cang Dongqing smiled and said, “Then eat more, Eldest Senior Brother! I need to bring some to second senior brother as well.” She bowed. “I'll take my leave now.”
Qi Yunze watched her departing back, the pastry in his hand still warm.
He suddenly remembered something and called out, “Little junior sister.”
“Yes?” Cang Dongqing looked back, the jade hairpin in her hair shimmering in the moonlight.
“...It's nothing. Thank you.”
“You're welcome, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Only after her figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Qi Yunze withdraw his gaze.
He looked down at the peach blossom cake in his hand, his eyes dimming slightly. His back looked exceptionally upright in the moonlight, his white robes as pure as snow, untainted by dust.
Returning to his own courtyard, Qi Yunze sat down at the stone table and looked up toward the direction of the Five Elements Dao Sect's camp, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts.
“Mu Wenyan...” He whispered the name, a surge of battle intent flashing in his eyes.
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