Within the Qi Refining Stage, to reach the Sword Radiance Realm—is something cultivators may have at least heard of. But a sword cultivator at the Sword Light Realm at this stage of cultivation? That was simply unheard of.
When Du Fanzhi reported this to Li Su, he still held some doubt. But when Jiang Yun verified the matter, he heart leapt with joy, and he praised that the hope of the sect's revival was finally in sight.
Even the most ambitious minds in Long Plain Sect could hardly have imagined that True Spirit Sect would have such a genius. On this point, Li Su was certain. he sat comfortably beside Huo Zixun in the lofty pavilion, sharing a tranquil and pleased conversation.
“Senior Brother, I feel that True Spirit’s side seems far too calm,” said a disciple beside Meng Yuan, frowning.
“That’s just an act,” Meng Yuan folded his arms and raised a brow, “Junior Sister Sun is Elder Shi’s personal disciple, her strength equal to the ninth layer of Qi Refining. She’s only pretending to be calm. Let’s see how she handles the match.”
Zhao Chun stepped onto the platform, sword in one hand. To call it a sword wasn’t exactly accurate. When she first bought the Red-Edged Dagger, she had still been a small, slender girl.
But she had grown rapidly over the past few years, now a tall young maiden. In her hand, the once small blade no longer looked like a short sword, but a slim, elongated dagger. Sun Youyi narrowed her apricot-shaped eyes at the sight of the dagger being held like a sword.
“You cultivate the Way of the Sword?”
Zhao Chun raised her blade before her and cupped her fist.
“Sword cultivator of the True Spirit Sect, Zhao Chun!”
This response made her intent clear. An uncultivated swordswoman might still be flattered by being called a sword cultivator, but it held little weight. Yet Zhao Chun had confidently introduced herself thus—anyone with eyes could see what it implied.
As expected, Sun Youyi’s expression changed at once. She became serious. Cultivators walking the sword or blade path held deep reverence for their chosen Dao.
On matters of cultivation realm, they never dared, nor were willing, to make idle boasts. Since the other claimed this title, then she must truly have stepped into that Realm of the Dao! Heaven-born Dao geniuses were few and far between.
Yet today, both happened to stand on this very same ship. Li Su laughed aloud, patting his knee, and sent a voice transmission across to Shi Tong.
“What a coincidence. I too have taken in a most promising pupil. You may regard her as you please.”
His tone reflected the very same provocation he had earlier received from Shi Tong. Such was a cultivator of the Core Formation Stage— with ears sharp as blades. Zhao Chun’s declaration had long been heard by Shi Tong already, who couldn’t help his expression turning sour.
How did the True Spirit Sect end up raising a Qi Refining disciple who had already grasped the Realm of Dao? Still, Sun Youyi was his disciple. He had personally taught her blade techniques since long ago—his very own methods.
That Li Su specialized in spell cultivation meant her sword teachings might not be as personal. The real result would have to wait until the duel determined who truly had the upper hand.
“Long Plain Sect—Sun Youyi,” said Sun, performing the formal courtesy.
Her long blade flashed out as she swept it in a slanted arc across her body, then held it at her side in a steady position. Though both were at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, as Realm-level cultivators, the attention their duel drew was considerable. Around them, the gathered onlookers all held their breath, transfixed.
What had so provoked the True Spirit disciples’ ire toward Sun Youyi was her mocking humiliation of Bian Ru during an earlier duel on the Martial Platform. She had refused to strike her opponent down promptly, choosing instead to toy with her publicly. Admittedly, there was truth in that Bian Ru had been outmatched.
In the cultivation world, it was an unwritten truth that the strong preyed upon the weak. But when one went too far, they crossed a line. What marked the Righteous Path was their observance of that boundary.
They rarely, if ever, laid hands on mortals. Heaven's way has laws; the mortal realm binds cause and effect. Cultivators may strike and slay for the cause of contention, but mindless slaughter or gaining strength by the death of others' families—this was the mark of the Evil Path, one condemned by all.
Thus, Sun Youyi’s deeds stemmed not from evil but rather from arrogance and poor character. Most others wouldn’t hold it against her. Only those on True Spirit’s side were truly outraged, for it was their own she had bullied.
Suppressing one's strength to humiliate another—Zhao Chun had no joy in such an act. She had a very different nature. What she desired was to strike at her opponent’s pride; to strip them of their sense of superiority; to show them in unmistakable terms the gap between their abilities.
That was true humiliation—to see defeat, complete and undeniable, in the stark light of reality. With such thoughts in her heart, Zhao Chun calmly deflected Sun Youyi’s first two attacks. Then her sword retaliated.
A flash of sword light, fine and sharp like stars, surged forth. Yet just before piercing Sun’s throat, the blade turned and struck with the flat edge, knocking her off the platform with blunt force. Back at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, Zhao Chun had already managed to defeat Shen Youzhen with a single all-out attack.
Now, her footwork and swordsmanship were fully mastered; her cultivation had risen to the eighth layer; she’d learned a supreme sword technique. When sparring with Jiang Yun, they could even go toe-to-toe—so what then was Sun Youyi, a mere early-stage Dao cultivator, in comparison? Sun Youyi had never known defeat since she had embarked on the path of the blade.
Today was her first taste. Zhao Chun’s strike had been no error. A clean and decisive move sent Sun flying from the platform.
That spark she’d seen in that moment—it was sword light, no doubt. In the blade path, there too was a realm of blade light. Sun Youyi was still far from reaching it, and yet others her age had already done so.
That realization hit her the hardest.
“Thanks for yielding,” Zhao Chun said politely, returning her blade to its sheath.
This also marked the end of the debate between True Spirit and Long Plain Sects—with True Spirit the undisputed winner. The disciples of True Spirit had already known of Zhao Chun’s prodigious gifts. But even so, their awe and the joy of victory surged anew.
The spectators surrounding the martial platform were the ones struck truly dumb with shock! The sword cultivator youth of a great sect could hardly conceal his astonishment; an elder of the Primordial Vault Sect stroked his beard and sighed.
“So the Sect Master said the True Spirit Sect’s fortune had fallen to its lowest ebb—but that judgment may indeed have been wrong. With Qiu Jianying first, and now Zheng and Zhao, it seems they’re rising once again.”
How the world would speak of this duel, Zhao Chun had no time to care. The final few days' journey remained before reaching Tunqi Pond—but she had other matters troubling her. On the deck of the Immortal Crane Touring Boat...
“Daoist Friend Zheng, I asked you yesterday to pass along our word to your sect’s Zhao Chun. Today, I still need your help,” said Meng Yuan, stopping Zheng Chenqing and speaking in a low voice.
Zheng Chenqing wore a bitter smile.
“It’s not that I won’t help. But your sect’s Sun Daoist Friend refuses to listen no matter what I say. Not only did persuasion fail—she remains stubborn.”
Since her loss to Zhao Chun, Sun Youyi had first fallen into gloom, then suddenly regained her drive. Unwilling to accept defeat, she began repeatedly seeking rematches. Defeated again and again, she still refused to give up—and eventually even proclaimed she would live aboard the True Spirit Sect’s great boat, so as to seek further debate and discussion.
For other cultivators, such Daoist exchanges were to demonstrate their own brilliance. But in her case, she genuinely embodied the idea of “learning through debate.” Zhao Chun, of course, had already dedicated many of her hours on board to sparring with Jiang Yun.
She had no time to spare for Sun Youyi’s endless challenges. But even if it came to waiting in silence on the side, just watching the swordplay between Zhao and Jiang, Sun Youyi refused to return to the Long Plain Sect’s glazed boat. Three times already, Meng Yuan had come to ask her back.
Onboard that very ship, Shi Tong had once roared in annoyance, “If she won’t return, just send her to the True Spirit Sect and grant her wish!” Though spoken in jest, it was born of frustration and affection. Long Plain would never hand over a Dao Realm genius so easily.
Shi Tong loved his disciple—and was grimly unwilling to see her reside aboard the boat belonging to Li Su’s sect. From Zheng Chenqing’s expression, Meng Yuan knew today’s effort was also in vain. So be it.
Once they reached Tunqi Pond, every sect would stay in separate quarters. Elder Shi would then take her back in person.
(End of Chapter)