Chapter 339

This glance lingered for only a moment. Pei Ye sat there in a daze, while Ji Changyun on the field smiled and sheathed his sword: "According to Yunlang, if this sword were to be performed, is it enough to coordinate the swords of all the Kongdong peaks?"

The woman turned her head back and said softly, "No."

Ji Changyun sighed and nodded.

He lifted his sword and bowed again: "The Ming Ming Jianzhu has traveled ten thousand miles to inquire about the sword. I have never heard of anyone who has seen the 'Sword Strategy.' On behalf of Kongdong, I thank you for your great kindness."

"I have also never seen this sword of the Peak Master."

Ji Changyun smiled: "I heard that the Ming Ming Jianzhu left in a hurry last time and did not enter the Sword-Belly Mountain for a look. After the sword meeting today, would you be willing to spare some time to offer guidance?"

"I would be honored."

This sword-chess match, which had attracted the attention of all, ended just like this with two swords. Within these two swords, two of the world's top masters had touched their own limits. The countless details condensed in this bout of sword-chess were all worth repeated contemplation, but for many present, perhaps only after crossing a certain threshold years later would they suddenly recall a certain flash of sword light from today that they hadn't noticed.

After all, this was only a sword-chess match, not a fighting arena, and certainly not a life-and-death duel. The two masters left the field. The lotus platform remained quiet for a long time, leaving people to digest the two swords just seen.

When Pei Ye came back to his senses and looked up, he saw that Ji Changyun had already left. On the lotus head, only the other peak masters remained, sitting beside the woman and conversing softly about different issues.

"The Grand Martial Uncle is always like this. Actually, this is the first time I've seen him since I entered the sect." A crisp voice sounded beside him. Pei Ye turned his head back, and Kong Lanting was also withdrawing his gaze from above. "Master said that since thirty years ago, he has been obsessed with the sword of Kongdong, building a hut deep in the mountains. For so many years, he has ignored and known nothing of the sect's affairs."

"Yuanwu Peak is one of the five peaks. Isn't Peak Master Ji in the Lotus Heart Pavilion?"

"There is a position, but it is said he has never attended. Yuanwu Peak has always been managed by Senior Uncle Xiao—who is Zhang Shixiong Xi's master." Kong Lanting said, "And the Sect Master also—"

The youth's words stopped abruptly here. He tilted his head and said, "Brother Pei, did you understand the sword the Ming Ming Jianzhu just used?"

Pei Ye smiled and shook his head: "How could I?"

"Oh."

"Show me that page again."

"... What?"

"That sword chant thing." Pei Ye turned his head to glance at Yan Caiyue's side again, then turned back and said, "Let me take a careful look."

"... Oh, oh!"

During their conversation, two more rounds had already passed on the field. Pei Ye diverted some attention to it and found that the sword inheritances of the various Kongdong peaks were indeed scattered. Even if the styles weren't vastly different, they were not connected at all. For a moment, he truly understood why someone as brilliant as Ji Changyun couldn't melt them into one furnace after forty years of immersion.

He looked carefully at this move, 【Pine Born in Mist】, until his eyes moved—Yan Caiyue had once again taken his sword and gone down.

This time, his opponent was already standing on the field; it was Zhang Jingbi.

"Zhang Shixiong is actually quite pitiful." Kong Lanting said, resting his chin on his hand. "Compared to the Xianqiaofeng, which has people but no talent, the Colorful Wufeng is the one truly withering in numbers. Zhang Shixiong's talent was originally very good, but unfortunately, his father died early, and his mother succeeded as Peak Master. Her cultivation and seniority are the lowest among the peaks, and in particular, she has not learned 'Phoenix Mountain Singing,' so there is no one who can teach Zhang Shixiong."

Pei Ye followed Kong Lanting's gaze. Far away at the end of the upper seats, a woman in a colorful dress sat at the very end. Her features should have been quite upright and good-looking, but the habitual downward turn of her mouth and her stiff, cold face gave her a sense of acquired bitterness.

"That is Senior Aunt Xu. When she succeeded to the position back then, she had just stepped into the Mystic Gate. Now, after so many years, there is still no sign of her ascending another rank." Kong Lanting said in a low voice, "The Colorful Wufeng actually only has five people now, two of whom have just entered the sect. Zhang Shixiong is already the head disciple of this generation."

Pei Ye nodded slowly. Low status, eager to be strong, doting on an only son... growing up under such wings, and at the age when self-esteem is most sensitive, Zhang Jingbi was both eager for recognition and unwilling to bow his head. He wanted to stand out in a dignified way, but was unwilling to disobey his mother and put aside his face for drilling... and the root cause was that "Phoenix Mountain Singing" was not passed down; even if he wanted to work hard on his own, he couldn't climb the ladder.

Pei Ye was also slightly surprised by the delicate mind of the youth beside him—when he was eleven, he only knew how to tirelessly and gracefully defeat his classmates in the martial arts hall; he definitely wouldn't have been able to understand these things.

"Fortunately, Zhang Shixiong Xi cares for him a lot." Kong Lanting said, leaning on his knees. "In the past two years, he has always gone to Colorful Wufeng to greet him and offer guidance on his sword path. Zhang Shixiong has already improved very quickly—Zhang Shixiong Yan previously laughed at him for taking the first place in the sword discussion of three barren peaks, but actually, Colorful Mist is the most barren one."

Pei Ye nodded: "I previously saw that this Yan Caiyue should be at the Fifth Life, is Zhang Jingbi the same?"

"Yes." Kong Lanting counted on his fingers, "Zhang Shixiong Yan is Fifth Life, Zhang Shixiong is Fifth Life, Ji Ji Shijie Guan is Fifth Life, and I am Fourth Life... Zhang Shixiong Xi is already Seventh Life! Brother Pei, what is your cultivation?"

"Me, just reached Sixth Life."

"Wow." Kong Lanting looked up, "Then I think... you might be even more powerful than Zhang Shixiong Xi."

Guan Qianyan secretly glanced over.

"Not guessing right just now doesn't count for anything." Kong Lanting said immediately, "Then let's guess again, Brother Pei. Who do you guess will win this match?"

"I don't have that intention—but I can guess this match too." The young girl clearly had wanted to interject for a long time, "Of course Zhang Shixiong Yan will win."

Pei Ye looked up from the sword scroll at the two people on the field and nodded: "The sword is like the person. He is already standing on the stage, but Brother Zhang still doesn't seem to have much confidence in his own sword. I think Brother Yan has a better chance of winning."

Kong Lanting felt a bit bored: "Maybe Zhang Shixiong Xi has a different opinion?"

"Zhang Shixiong Xi has already left."

During their conversation, a distant sword chime rang out.

The annual 【Iron Pine Sword Discussion】 is not just a relaxed exchange of sword discussions; it is actually a display of the strength and potential of each peak. Disciples under twenty attend the sword discussion, while the people from the Lotus Heart Pavilion sit at the upper seats.

Yan Caiyue, who had completed the "Bai Hong Chapter," was undoubtedly the person Xianqiaofeng had high hopes for this year. Before this, he had already won three matches, especially after just defeating Kong Wen; this year, Xianqiaofeng had a chance to be ranked in the top five.

Colorful Wufeng was also fighting its third match. Yesterday, Zhang Jingbi had already defeated two disciples from the end peaks. Now, suddenly encountering a strong opponent like Yan Caiyue was not because the competition system was unreasonable, but because Xianqiaofeng was also ranked at the end of the scroll last year, only one place behind Colorful Mist.

Zhang Jingbi gripped his sword hilt with his body tense, his lips pressed together and his eyes straight. Clearly, he was not indifferent to the victory or defeat of this bout.

Yan Caiyue slowly drew his sword, looking at the person opposite him with cold arrogance. His posture was much more relaxed; he had recovered most of his energy from the previous match, and this match was clearly a dessert after a bitter battle.

After winning, the youth was too lazy to even mock him.

The second sword chime rang out sharply.

Yan Caiyue didn't say a word, his sword coming out like a long rainbow.

A vast and grand sword appeared on the field again. This time, Pei Ye cast his gaze seriously, feeling that this sword was drawn a bit too hastily, but Zhang Jingbi indeed had no way to grasp it.

However, Zhang Jingbi's sword also slightly exceeded his expectations—it wasn't that unbearable; the sword-drawing was actually very solid. At this moment, he used a steady defensive sword. The quality of this sword was actually quite good, but the youth's level hadn't reached it yet, and it was pierced through by the long rainbow sword.

"'Crossing the Staff to Fight the Owl' from 'Phoenix Mountain Singing'." Kong Lanting said from the side, "Zhang Shixiong used this move in the previous two matches. After blocking, there was a very stunning attack... but now it's directly crushed, it's a pity I can't see it."

"This sword technique is very powerful." Pei Ye nodded sincerely.

"Yes! According to the previous rankings, 'Phoenix Mountain Singing' is ranked seventh among the Kongdong peaks, two places higher than the 'Bai Hong Chapter'." Kong Lanting said, then added, "That's also why it's harder to learn."

"When Peak Master Zhang—that is Zhang Shixiong's father—was alive, only he knew it. Later, after he passed away, no one could learn the whole chapter."

Guan Qianyan sighed from the side: "It's a pity that the peaks don't share sword techniques. Some people gaze at treasure vaults in vain, while others have no sword to learn—ah, they are fighting so fiercely."

On the field.

Yan Caiyue crushed his enemy with one sword, not even looking at the gap he had broken through, but continuing to pursue Zhang Jingbi's sword strongly, as if he were determined to disarm him head-on to consider this match won.

Zhang Jingbi clearly saw this intention, and his face suddenly flushed red. He gritted his teeth, gripped his sword, poured all his true Qi into his wrist, turned his sword to barely deflect it, and staggered back three steps before supporting the sword.

Yan Caiyue remained expressionless, wielding his sword and advancing straight again. The straight, startling rainbow Qi caused many to gasp softly.

Amidst the scattering pine needles, his sword shone as bright as the day.

The final move of the "Bai Hong Chapter," the very sword that had just ended Kong Wen, 【Piercing the Sun】.

It was such a ruthless fighting style.

—No matter if you use all your true Qi to grip the sword, unwilling to lose by dropping it, he would ignore the openings revealed by that and still crash and crush your long sword with one strike.

Zhang Jingbi gritted his teeth and set up a defensive stance again, pouring all his surging true Qi into his long sword and arms, completely abandoning other stances, as if he were just fighting for this breath.

At this moment, Yan Caiyue could have hit his vital point with a casual sword, but he still crashed forward with a long rainbow.

The gold and iron clash shook the whole field, and the true Qi ripples instantly cleared the pine needles on the ground. The next moment, Zhang Jingbi's figure was knocked flying. Anyone could see the scattering of true Qi within his body, but the long sword, after all, did not leave his hand.

Zhang Jingbi gritted his teeth and lowered his body.

In a way, he should have won... but Yan Caiyue didn't stop his sword at all.

It wasn't a desperate struggle after one sword failed, but rather that his breath hadn't been used up yet.

The second long rainbow rang out again—a second 【Piercing the Sun】 without any pause.

Two such closely connected strong swords were definitely approaching the limit. Guan Qianyan screamed; this actually exceeded many people's expectations—even when facing Kong Wen just now, Yan Caiyue hadn't adopted this "clumsy and straight" fighting style.

This attack, which squeezed the limit, was indeed not as full of energy as the first sword, but Zhang Jingbi, who also had no time to gather his Qi, clearly had no strength to catch any more swords.

But the sword light of the next moment made everyone hold their breath.

Since Zhang Jingbi stepped onto the arena, he had used the defensive sword three times and had his sword momentum crushed three times.

Facing the fourth pressure, the sword in his hand changed its defensive stance for the first time.

A strange turning of the sword.

True Qi and sword momentum were condensed from scattering, and climbed from low... Some elders on the stage had already stared in surprise.

Climbing the mountain to seek the phoenix with a lonely staff and worn-out shoes, thorns piercing the skin, snakes and owls attacking, enduring hardships, and exhausting all strength to reach the peak, only then could one perhaps hear the phoenix singing in the high heavens, instantly refreshing the spirit and strength, as if washing the tendons and bones.

Therefore, it was precisely when the true Qi was collapsing and even the sword couldn't be gripped that it was easiest to be used.

Zhang Jingbi gritted his teeth and glared at the person coming with a sword before him. The sword in the youth's hand rang out with a clear, jade-like chime.

"Phoenix Mountain Singing" · 【Breaking the Staff to Hear the Phoenix】

No one had expected that this youth, who was looked down upon by everyone, had actually learned the sword passed down by Colorful Wufeng!

Both were Fifth Life. The "Piercing the Sun" was already in the midst of exhaustion, while the "Phoenix Singing" had just risen clearly.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. The two swords clashed sharply, and Yan Caiyue's sword immediately tilted and went out of control. The youth's pupils shrank; all his previous arrogance would have to pay the price at this moment.

Zhang Jingbi's sword was also somewhat out of control. The repeated sword-catching had indeed made his wrists numb, but facing such a huge opening, even an imperfect sword was enough to reach the opponent's throat.

Zhang Jingbi's eyes were red, his teeth gritted and trembling. Anyone could see the fire in the youth's heart... He had never revealed this news, just to shock everyone at this moment!

But on the stage, Pei Ye had already raised his eyebrows slightly: "Is this move 【Pine Born in Mist】?"

Kong Lanting was stunned, and on the stage, Yan Caiyue had already regained control of his long sword.

Many times, relying on one or two moves to fill the gap in the overall sword path was still a matter of luck. Now, Zhang Jingbi indeed lacked a little bit.

Just within a hair's breadth, the moment before the sword tip reached Yan Caiyue's throat, a new sword was born from the scattered and messy sword momentum.

Just like seeing a green pine in the hazy white mist, it was so fresh, so eye-catching.

This sword was also very hasty, but it finally blocked Zhang Jingbi's equally tilted sword tip.

"But you have great ambitions and astonishing talent," Qu Zhoufu looked at him. "Little Meng, I don't favor either one, but once you become the master, you can't ascend to the Mystic Gate. Those who are more qualified to leave the nest should go and fly."

Although the gunpowder smell was strong, for a youth who had seen life and death, everything was actually within the normal range.

The arena trial was originally a martial fight. Martial arts were the way of killing, and the heart was filled with fierce Qi. He had long known that he couldn't expect all opponents to be polite. Some stopped at the right moment, while others wouldn't yield when they had the upper hand; there were gentle exchanges like chess, and there were brawls that ignited real fire... it was just a martial arts contest.

Watching two sufficiently excellent unfamiliar sword techniques compete with all their might was indeed interesting and fresh. At this moment, Pei Ye leaned over and smiled: "If you also use this sword like him, then I understand what Miss Ming meant."

Kong Lanting opened his eyes wide, not yet recovered from the changing situation of the bout: "Is there something wrong with using it like this?"

"It's not wrong, or perhaps there is some deficiency." Pei Ye smiled, "I'm just guessing... but using the sword like this indeed lacks some charm."

He pointed to this line of text: "【Pine Born in Mist】, have you ever seen a pine tree coming out of cold mist?"

Kong Lanting hesitated: "When I practiced this sword, I went to see it specifically, but... I didn't notice anything."

"There are water droplets." Pei Ye said, "I saw them when I ran in the mountains as a child. Dewdrops often condense on the tips of pine needles. With mist or without mist, isn't there a difference?"

Guan Qianyan, who was eavesdropping on the side, was completely bewildered, but Kong Lanting's eyes lit up: "Fresher, more like it's alive."

"More 'moving'." Pei Ye smiled, "Using this sword as a static sword makes it rigid, like a withered painting. It should be more watery, more fresh; it's a dynamic reality, which is 'Water light overflows, pine mist moves'."

Kong Lanting opened his mouth slightly, stunned: "So that's it... No wonder every time I finished this sword, I always had to secretly adjust my true Qi for the subsequent moves..."

Pei Ye nodded and smiled, returning the sword scroll to him.

Kong Lanting took it: "Brother Pei, you are too amazing! You can understand it after looking for such a short time. No wonder the Ming Ming Jianzhu likes you so much!"

"... It's because Miss Ming gave me a hint first. You can understand it too if you think about it more. I'm just a bystander who sees clearly." Pei Ye smiled, "And I have troubled Miss Ming a lot. I think she should be annoyed with me."

"You can actually trouble the Ming Ming Jianzhu." Kong Lanting said with envy.

"..."

Kong Lanting held the scroll and thought for a while, then said somewhat embarrassedly: "But I think the Ming Ming Jianzhu should also like me quite a bit."

"...?"

"The Ming Ming Jianzhu took the initiative to say she would annotate the sword scripture for me. I wouldn't dare to trouble her; other senior brothers and sisters don't have this treatment." Kong Lanting said, then looked at Pei Ye with curiosity, "Brother Pei, let me ask you a question."

"Hmm?"

"What is your identity? Why do you call the Ming Ming Jianzhu 'Miss Ming'?"

"... I called her that from the beginning."

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm so envious."

"... What's there to be envious about? I didn't know anything at that time and just called her that randomly... Miss Ming naturally doesn't hold it against me." Pei Ye looked at him strangely, "And Miss Ming doesn't care about titles."

"How is that possible?" Kong Lanting rolled his eyes at him like a little adult, "Two years ago, when Miss Ming was in the Divine Capital, the first time they met, those princes and nobles all respectfully called her Ming Ming Jianzhu or Young Sword Lord. Even so, the Ming Ming Jianzhu often wouldn't even pay attention to them."

"... Ah?" Pei Ye was truly surprised. He had always felt that the woman was not as difficult to approach as she looked, and was actually very approachable. How could she do something like ignoring people the first time they met? "Why?"

"Because of the 【Bright Mirror Ice Appraisal】." Kong Lanting said as a matter of course, "How come you don't know anything... The Ming Ming Jianzhu never distinguishes what kind of intentions a person has. The feeling in the first reflection determines her attitude toward this person."

"..." Pei Ye was truly hearing this for the first time, but he remembered the woman pointing out his subtle thoughts in one word during their first sword lesson, and felt it was indeed so. "Then, wouldn't Miss Ming have mind-reading powers?"

"... It's not that magical." Kong Lanting looked at him hesitantly, "You should know better than me. I even wanted to ask you about it."

"What do you want to ask?" Pei Ye said, "I do know some other things... mainly about Zhanxin Liuli."

Kong Lanting was somewhat embarrassed: "It has nothing to do with Zhanxin Liuli. I actually want to call the Ming Ming Jianzhu 'Sister Ming', but I feel she doesn't seem to like me that much... What do you think, Brother Pei?"

"..."

"Hmm?" Kong Lanting looked at him expectantly.

"I think," Pei Ye glanced at him, "Miss Ming might not like this title very much."

"Oh." Kong Lanting was somewhat disappointed, "Alright."

Pei Ye found it somewhat funny: "Do you like Miss Ming that much?"

"Of course!" Kong Lanting said as a matter of course, "Who doesn't like the Ming Ming Jianzhu? She's so powerful, and she annotated the sword scripture for me seriously. And the Ming Ming Jianzhu is truly the best-looking person I have ever seen."

Pei Ye understood why the woman treated him specially. This little youth truly had a delicate and pure heart. Pei Ye's mood also improved, and he lowered his head and smiled.

"What are you laughing at." Kong Lanting misunderstood, "Could it be that Ming Ming Jianzhu Ming is not the best-looking person you have ever seen? I don't believe it."

Pei Ye laughed and nodded: "Of course, Miss Ming is of course also my—"

"..." These words stopped suddenly. The youth opened his mouth, his expression drooping slightly, and swallowed the second half of the sentence.

His gaze returned to the stage.

Kong Lanting looked at him in a daze and obediently closed his mouth.

And it was at this moment that it happened.

The two youths on the field, both exhausted, had already launched their next exchange. But as the blades collided, the situation irreversibly tilted toward Yan Caiyue.

This was the result Pei Ye had already determined when he withdrew his gaze. When the strange moves were no longer there, real strength would occupy everything again.

Yan Caiyue pressed Zhang Jingbi bit by bit without mercy. Anyone could see that this youth had also been completely provoked into real fire.

Zhang Jingbi stared at him with gritted teeth and red eyes, but he couldn't reverse anything. The moment his strength returned, Yan Caiyue's long sword shone with a light as bright as the day again.

This was the sword that would end the battle.

It was even still... pointing straight at the sword in Zhang Jingbi's hand.

He wanted to defeat the person in front of him with the most ruthless humiliation!

Zhang Jingbi was of course unable to resist. He stared at the person in front of him like a trapped beast, and the bright white day had already drowned his pupils.

It was at this moment.

The moment before 【Piercing the Sun】 was drawn, a sword light cut into this gap with an eerie sharpness and precision.

Everything seemed to fall into silence, and only the scene told everyone how fatal this was.

An arm with a sword flew up, and fresh blood splashed in the air.

Even the elders of the peaks didn't fully react. Several figures flew down, but a moment earlier, this sword had already cut into Yan Caiyue's lower abdomen.

True Qi churned and exploded.

The youth knelt down in pain. The next moment, Zhang Jingbi was pushed away by a palm wind, and an elder whose identity couldn't be seen for a moment had already pressed onto Yan Caiyue's lower abdomen.

When Pei Ye pressed his sword and stood up, he heard a voice of hidden anger coming from below: "Where are the people from the Medical Hall?! The Pulse Tree is shattered!"

(End of chapter)