Chapter 18

【Honestly, they're all taught by the same father, so why is the gap with Zhao Qiying so huge?】Er

【I wouldn't take such a woman even if she threw herself at me for free!】

【Ah, right, Zhao Mengjiao also seemed to have someone she liked in the drama, but that person ended up dying in the end】

Zhao Qiying saw Jiang Sishui's disgust and disdain toward Zhao Mengjiao between the lines, and said nothing.

No one knows a younger sister better than an elder sister; she naturally knew exactly what Zhao Mengjiao was like, and had no way to refute it at all.

【The third daughter, Zhao Yanling, is the impressive one — she's basically the drama's big female lead】.

018 The Big Female Lead and the Little Male Lead, Dugu Nine Swords

"Yanling is the drama's big female lead?" Zhao Qiying was stunned.

Thinking it over, her third sister, who didn't Knows martial arts, must be of extraordinary importance.

"But what exactly is a big female lead? How is it different from a female lead?"

Carrying her doubts, her slender jade fingers touched those three characters.

"The story revolves around the female lead, and everyone else — including the male lead — are her supporting characters; is that what a big female lead is?"

Zhao Qiying grew even more astonished.

She simply couldn't imagine why an ordinary person's third sister would hold such a special position in the drama.

【Zhao Yanling's martial arts talent is extraordinarily high; she picks up many things after a single lesson, but unfortunately Zhao Tianhao refuses to teach her Wu Gong】

【Because Zhao Yanling looks a great deal like his deceased wife, and her fiery temperament is the very spitting image of Zhao Tianhao】

【Yet Zhao Tianhao also deeply regrets that back then he was so busy with his career and Wu Gong that he neglected his family, leading to his wife's death in difficult childbirth】

【Therefore Zhao Yanling's very existence constantly reminds Zhao Tianhao of the mistakes he made; that's why Zhao Tianhao is unwilling to get close to his third daughter, and even more unwilling to let her practice martial arts and swordplay】

"So this is the reason Father refuses to teach Yanling Wu Gong."

Zhao Qiying suddenly understood, then thought to herself: "He said Yanling's martial arts talent is extraordinarily high, so it must be true. Father has held Yanling back all these years — I must find a way to untie the knot in Father's heart."

Thinking of her third sister's talent being buried for so many years, Zhao Qiying felt a pang of regret.

"But since Yanling can become the big female lead, she must have her own destiny."

Just as Zhao Qiying was thinking this, she saw the diary unveil the answer.

【Later Zhao Yanling met a master, a super master — "Cold-Faced King of Hell" Wan Jianchou!】

【Wan Jianchou is the number one master of the entire drama; even the Dafan Sect of the whole show — Commander Wan Qiankun of the Iron-Clad Guard — is his own younger brother, and still can't beat his elder brother】

【Wan Jianchou not only taught Zhao Yanling "Phantom Tracing Steps," "Ghost-Catching Sword Technique," and so on, but also repeatedly stepped in to save her at critical moments of life and death for the Central Plains Escort Agency】

【However, at present Wan Jianchou probably isn't at the Central Plains Escort Agency yet】

【Because looking at Zhao Qiying's attire, she's clearly still unmarried, and Wan Jianchou is hiding his real name as Cai Hanying's old servant Jia Hutu, who entered the Central Plains Escort Agency together with Cai Hanying through marriage】

【He taught Zhao Yanling Wu Gong as well, guiding her in secret under the false identity of "Jia Hutu"】

【Huh? By that calculation, if I steal Zhao Qiying away, will Zhao Yanling still be able to rise?】

【No! What does Wan Jianchou count for? With the system in hand, I will surely obtain even more profound martial arts in the future】

【When the time comes, if this little sister-in-law comes begging me, for Qiying's sake I'll teach her Several arts, and it may well not be inferior to Wan Jianchou】

"So that's how it is. The number one master of the entire drama — what tremendous fortune for my third sister! 'Cold-Faced King of Hell' Wan Jianchou… I seem to recall Father mentioning that name."

Zhao Qiying fell into deep thought.

Upon seeing Jiang Sishui address Zhao Yanling as "little sister-in-law," an intoxicating blush rose on her cheeks.

【Speaking of Zhao Yanling, one has to mention two supporting-character little male leads】

【Come to think of it, these two fellows' names are pretty funny】

【One was originally called Sima Buping, later changed his name to Sima Wuqing. Every time he introduces himself, he strikes a reminiscent pose and says, "Buping is gone, Wuqing reborn"】

【Holy crap! That's so damn chuunibyou!】

【Just learning that line gives me goosebumps all over】

【And his ultimate move matches his name's style too — something called "Wuqing Three Absolute Slashes"】

【The other little male lead is both Sima Wuqing's rival in love and his confidant, and he has an equally pretentious name: Ouyang Wudi】

【I really can't take it — are you sure a name like that won't get him beaten to death?】

【His ultimate move is equally pretentious, called "Invincible Reverse Sword," on the same level as "Wuqing Three Absolute Slashes"】

【These two fellows, one called Wuqing, the other called Wudi — both compound surnames, equally chuunibyou; I say they should just shack up together!】

【In the end, Zhao Yanling chose neither of them, devoting herself only to her sword】

"Third sister ended up choosing to live alone?" Zhao Qiying frowned, feeling a pang of heartache.

She couldn't imagine her lively, active third sister spending her final years in solitude.

【Today I'm finally setting off for Leigu Mountain; hope the journey goes smoothly. Once I inherit Wu Wu Ya Zi's power, I'll finally stand on my own!】

Seeing this, Zhao Qiying suddenly heard a voice —

【Detected that Jiang Sishui has completed today's diary entry. Congratulations on Obtained Divine Art one month of true qi】

【Selecting today's winner…】

【Congratulations to Zhao Qiying on Obtained Divine Art "Dugu Nine Swords"】

Accompanied by a ball of light sinking into her brow, a stream of mysterious information surged into her mind and was directly transformed into Zhao Qiying's memory.

In an instant, Zhao Qiying understood everything about "Dugu Nine Swords" and comprehended it straight to perfection!

"Dugu Nine Swords, shattering all techniques under heaven? What an exquisite sword technique! No form triumphs over form — it was practically born for the weak to defeat the strong."

After receiving that new memory, Zhao Qiying's joy was written all over her face.

She felt that with This sword technique alone, she could reign supreme at the Grandmaster Realm!

As for Grand Great Master… without real combat, she dared not speak rashly, but she wouldn't be afraid either.

After the pleasant surprise, Zhao Qiying sighed with a touch of regret: "It's a pity Yanling doesn't have a copy of the diary, so she has no such fortune — otherwise she might have received a reward too."

She used her authority to check Zhao Yanling's score.

【Character: Zhao Yanling】

【Appearance: 8】

【Affinity: 6】

The diary owner merely held some affection for her.

【Character: Zhao Qiying】

【Appearance: 9】

【Affinity: 8】

Comparing the two, the difference was not slight at all.

Zhao Qiying touched her cheek; she felt the third sister's beauty was no less than her own, and the reason her score was higher was mostly due to the temperament praised even by Lianjiang Sishui.

"Should I pass this Sword Technique on to Yanling?"

As soon as Zhao Qiying had this thought, characters appeared on the diary copy:

【Martial arts awarded by the System cannot be taught to anyone other than the diary owner and other diary copy holders!】

Zhao Qiying: "..."

Never mind; since the System did not allow it, she had no choice but to drop the matter.

As for Zhao Qiying's Divine Art-level reward, some envied it, while others cared not at all.

Shanzhou, Mount Huashan.

Yue Lingshan let out a cry of surprise and looked at Ning Zhongze beside her: "Mother, is this 'Nine Swords of Dugu' the one belonging to Grand-uncle Feng?"

Ning Zhongze thought for a moment and said, "It should be; Grand-uncle Feng's 'Nine Swords of Dugu' is indeed of the Divine Art level."

"Ah, how I envy it! Last time I asked Grand-uncle Feng, he refused to teach me." Yue Lingshan's small face was full of longing.

Ning Zhongze comforted her, saying, "With such a vast Mount Huashan and over a thousand disciples, there are many with talent, but your Grand-uncle Feng was only willing to teach Chong'er because Chong'er's temperament suited him. Such things cannot be begged for."

Yue Lingshan tilted her head and asked, "Mother, which is more powerful: Brother Linghu's 'Nine Swords of Dugu' or Brother Yuan's 'Golden Snake Sword Technique'?"

Ning Zhongze smiled slightly: "Naturally, the 'Nine Swords of Dugu' is more powerful; unless Chengzhi's internal energy far exceeds Chong'er's, Chong'er still has the greater chance of victory."

Yue Lingshan made an "Oh" sound and muttered, "Shan'er wants a reward too; if only the diary owner would mention us more often."

019 Heavenly Art Initiation, Alone in the Carriage

Hearing this, Ning Zhongze felt somewhat embarrassed.

In fact, she had been like this since the very first day she obtained the diary copy.

【Character: Ning Zhongze】 Dislike

【Appearance: 9】 World