Chapter 31: Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament

"Go! Shall we test the power of 'Qingfeng'?"

Seeing Su Changqing's fondness for 'Qingfeng', Lu Xueqi was naturally happy as well, and so she proposed this to Su Changqing.

"Alright!"

Su Changqing immediately understood what Lu Xueqi meant.

The two leaped toward the arena where they were to spar today, standing opposite each other with the same tacit understanding as they had earlier that day, each drawing their immortal swords, 'Tianya' and 'Qingfeng'.

"In return for the sword you gifted me, Senior Sister, would you mind showing me your true strength?"

Before the fight began, Lu Xueqi asked Su Changqing with a smile.

"That goes without saying, though you must be prepared, Senior Sister."

Su Changqing smiled slightly, agreeing to Lu Xueqi's idea.

Following this, Su Changqing completely dropped his Heaven-Concealing Art, released the shackles on his cultivation, and fully revealed his Foundation Establishment Fifth Realm strength before Lu Xueqi's eyes.

Lu Xueqi was instantly astonished.

How could it be the Foundation Establishment Fifth Realm?! Lu Xueqi had considered that Su Changqing might already be at the Foundation Establishment Third Realm, or even the fourth, but the one thing she had never imagined was that Su Changqing was already at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Realm.

This was already a realm equal to her own, yet the Junior Brother had only entered the sect a year ago, while she had begun her cultivation half a year before him; now, the two were already at the same level.

Such a speed of cultivation, not to mention that she could not compare to it, was certainly unmatched by anyone of the same generation within the sect, even including the two prodigies recognized by everyone in the sect: Sect Leader's disciple Xiao Yicai and Qi Hao, who sat under Uncle-Master Cangsong.

"Senior Sister, be ready to receive this sword strike of mine!"

After a smile, Su Changqing took 'Qingfeng' in his hand and slashed toward Lu Xueqi with a move from the 'Gale Sword Technique'.

In an instant, a gale blew across the entire Sword Peak, and the spiritual winds in the surroundings all sought out Su Changqing's 'Qingfeng', transforming into layers of cyan sword Qi that shot toward Lu Xueqi.

The Qingfeng sword seemed as if it had been prepared specifically for Su Changqing; having used it for just one move, Su Changqing felt incredibly proficient, vaguely reaching a state of unity between man and sword. Moreover, the already fierce Gale Sword Technique, under the enhancement of 'Qingfeng', had its power increased by several times over.

Seeing Su Changqing slash over with his sword, Lu Xueqi immediately steadied her mind, 'Tianya' landing in her hand as she backhanded a full-strength sword strike.

One blue and one cyan streak of sword Qi collided violently, the powerful impact kicking up a massive cloud of dust. Once the dust settled, two white figures could be seen leaping forward, engaging in a battle of sword techniques.

Heaven and earth were silent.

This battle ended quickly; the two sides were evenly matched, and in the end, it was a draw.

Under Lu Xueqi's gaze, Su Changqing left the Sword Peak drenched in sweat. Truly, fighting without any reservations was refreshing! Lu Xueqi's strength was indeed extraordinary! Even with 'Qingfeng' and the top-tier 'Gale Sword Technique', it had taken seventy percent of his strength to fight her to a draw. If it were any other cultivator at the same realm, he feared that sixty percent of his strength would have been enough to secure a steady victory.

What? You say I, Su Changqing, held back again?

Well, of course, my full ten percent strength is enough to steadily challenge those in higher realms!

The following few days.

The two agreed to spar and practice swords on the Sword Peak every midnight. Su Changqing naturally agreed. Through repeated practice, Su Changqing's sword path strength grew crazily, and of course, the same was true for Lu Xueqi.

Su Changqing did his best to act as a sparring partner who was both an enemy and a teacher.

In their battles every night, Lu Xueqi was always able to gain new insights into the sword path, and her cultivation even grew crazily in just a few days, moving from the Foundation Establishment Fifth Realm Mid-stage to the Fifth Realm Peak, just one step away from becoming the Sixth Realm.

Su Changqing, who had fought her to a draw with seventy percent strength, now needed to add another ten percent. Unknowingly, Lu Xueqi had grown accustomed to practicing swords with Su Changqing every day, but this also came to a halt due to the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament.

Seven days later, the Qingyun Sect finally welcomed its once-in-a-decade grand ceremony, the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament! Su Changqing woke up early, trying to think of a way to avoid this ordeal. Before he could come up with anything, he heard a voice calling him from outside his door.

"Junior Brother! Junior Brother!"

"Senior Sister, I'm coming!"

Su Changqing pushed open the door to see Lu Xueqi in a white robe. Already extremely beautiful, she had even applied light makeup today, adding to her beauty. Standing there, she looked just like a fairy descended from the nine heavens.

Seeing Su Changqing come out, she bloomed with a smile that held a hundred charms.

Su Changqing shook his head and silently recited a Clearing Heart Mantra to suppress the infatuation in his heart.

"Junior Brother, Master asked me to find you so we can go to the sect plaza together."

"Oh, alright!"

Su Changqing tidied himself up briefly and then flew on his sword with Lu Xueqi toward the sect plaza.

It truly was a grand event!

One could see that today, among the boundless peaks of the Qingyun Sect, various lights were dancing and lingering. The closer they got to the Qingyun Sect's main peak, Tongtian Peak, the denser these lights became; the sight of thousands of people traveling together was incredibly shocking.

Lu Xueqi and Su Changqing were among them, the two streaks of blue and cyan light attracting much attention. Most people recognized Lu Xueqi, the famous prodigy of the sect, but did not recognize Su Changqing, who was flying on his sword alongside her.

The two walked side by side, Su Changqing teasing Lu Xueqi into laughter from time to time, and at other times engaging in deep exchanges about their sword path insights. They looked very at ease, without a hint of the tense atmosphere caused by the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament.

People either suspected the relationship between the two or envied Su Changqing for being able to fly on his sword alongside Lu Xueqi.

How infuriating!

What virtue or ability does this brat have to be with the prodigy Lu Xueqi!

Accompanied by a whistling sound, Su Changqing and Lu Xueqi landed their swords on the sect plaza. Once they landed, that little dragon-snake poked its head out to look around, crawling back and forth on Su Changqing's two arms, very excited.

Su Changqing naturally did not worry that it would run around and hurt people; having spent so long together, the bond between man and snake was quite deep. He knew exactly what the little dragon-snake wanted to do and what it was doing, and he trusted even more that it would not commit any act of harming others.

The sect plaza was already bustling with activity at this time; looking from afar, heads were moving everywhere.

"Senior Sister, I'll go walk around for a bit and meet up with you all later."

After saying this to Lu Xueqi, Su Changqing stepped away from there.

His original intention was to go find Zhang Xiaofan; they were friends after all, and because he was the protagonist of the story, if things followed the story's development, he would now have the ability to stand on this stage. Su Changqing was very curious about how he was doing now.

However, before he could find Zhang Xiaofan, he saw another old acquaintance first: Lin Jingyu.

Just as he had gained great fame within the sect before, he was now the focus of everyone's attention, with many disciples gathered around him, taking him as their leader.

Last time, regarding the Jiuyin Mountain incident, because of his recklessness, he had nearly caused a disaster, and the sect had punished him with seven days of seclusion to reflect on his mistakes.

Yet, it was rumored among others that when Lin Jingyu faced the great powers of the Demonic Cult, he showed no fear at all and remained neither servile nor overbearing. Such a brave character was worthy of the name of the righteous path.

(End of chapter)