Zhang Hanxiao, the top participant of the Bluecloud Sect’s missions, was naturally no ordinary individual.
Despite his penchant for debauchery and gambling, he possessed genuine talent. Not yet thirty years old, he had already advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
Among those in Chixiao Peak, only Mu Baishuang and Li Qingran were slightly younger than him in age, but his cultivation level surpassed theirs. He always managed to outperform Li Qingran.
When they were both still in Chixiao Peak, Zhang Hanxiao often called Li Qingran to serve as a punching bag, but she never managed to defeat him.
Both of them practiced the unique Chixiao Peak sword technique—Little Illusory Sword Technique.
Zhang Hanxiao had perfected this technique, whereas Li Qingran, who joined Chixiao Peak relatively recently, and with Qingxuan Daoist often being in seclusion, did not receive particularly attentive guidance. She seemed to lack a natural aptitude for swordsmanship, thus her progress was slow, taking three years just to reach a moderate level.
Facing Zhang Hanxiao, who was superior in every aspect including his sword technique and inner energy cultivation, it was hard for Li Qingran to feel no pressure at all.
Yet, her grip on the sword handle remained steady.
Holding the plain string sword.
“Li Qingran, I heard from Senior Brother that you managed to cultivate to the peak of Qi Refinement despite your damaged dantian. What perseverance! If you had been this diligent back when you were still in Chixiao Peak, things would have been different. But you spent all your time idling around then; now trying to make up for lost time is too late.”
Zhang Hanxiao instinctively reached for his flying sword, but his hand met empty air.
He then remembered that he had already given his usual flying sword to Mu Baishuang.
Now, he only had an inferior magical item, which he felt was blunt even for chopping vegetables.
He pursed his lips and still took out the sword, feeling that this blunt sword would suffice against Li Qingran.
“Li Qingran, I am at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Competing with you at my current level would be unfair even if I win. So, I will suppress my cultivation to the peak of Qi Refinement, just like you.” Zhang Hanxiao pointed his sword at Li Qingran and raised his chin arrogantly.
Qingxuan Daoist nearby could not help but twitch his mouth, his face darkening even more.
What an idiot!
Even if he suppressed his cultivation to the peak of Qi Refinement, it would still be unfair since Li Qingran lacked a spirit root and had a damaged dantian. At least he should suppress it to the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refinement to appear fair on the surface.
How did he ever accept such an embarrassing person into Chixiao Peak?
Wu Duantian knew Qingxuan Daoist well; this elder was very particular about his reputation. Seeing Qingxuan Daoist’s face turn as black as a pot bottom, Wu Duantian guessed that after today’s events, Zhang Hanxiao would probably have to spend half a year in seclusion at the Meditation Cliff.
Facing Zhang Hanxiao’s verbal provocation, Li Qingran did not respond.
Her sword was drawn, its light like lightning, her body swift like a startled wild goose, swiftly rushing toward Zhang Hanxiao.
“Sister, your first move ‘Surprise of Branches’ isn’t quite right!” Zhang Hanxiao laughed loudly, leaping into the air and striking down, creating three sword shadows converging towards Li Qingran. He immediately used the vicious move from the Little Illusory Sword Technique—Solitary Wild Goose Shadow.
Li Qingran looked at the three sword shadows, which had real and illusory forms. She had been defeated by this move countless times before, but today it didn’t seem so daunting. Even though Zhang Hanxiao suppressed his cultivation, his perfect sword technique remained sharp, though it appeared much slower in her eyes.
Why…
Was it because of her supreme dantian?
Her doubts quickly turned into certainty.
A supreme dantian was incredibly rare, even sought after in ancient times. How could it not have some unique qualities?
In her thoughts, Li Qingran caught Zhang Hanxiao’s real shadow, and their swords clashed with a clang.
The smugness on Zhang Hanxiao’s face froze. He knew Li Qingran’s weaknesses, so he started with an unbeatable move.
Unfortunately, his attack missed.
A piece of broken sword lay on the ground.
He looked down and saw that his sword was only half remaining.
Could an inferior magical item really be cut in one strike?
Zhang Hanxiao stared in disbelief at Li Qingran a few steps away, who stood holding her sword. The flying sword emitted a cold aura, its blade as dark as the night, its handle as white as the moon, with a red tassel swaying in the wind. This sword definitely wasn’t Li Qingran’s!
“That sword is of high quality,” Sect Master Wu Duantian squinted. “If I’m not mistaken, this is at least a supreme magical item. Its cold aura is like a waterfall; even among supreme magical items, it’s one of the best. With continued nurturing, it could easily develop a hint of intelligence, turning it into a spirit weapon.”
Qingxuan Daoist clenched his teeth, his fingers stroking the sword handle, wishing he could rush over and slash Zhang Hanxiao.
Previously, he thought Zhang Hanxiao’s victory was unfair and shameful. Now, seeing Zhang Hanxiao’s broken sword, he also felt ashamed. If Zhang Hanxiao couldn’t defeat Li Qingran, wouldn’t that be even more embarrassing? Forget about magical items; weapons are part of a cultivator’s strength.
But this sword truly exceeded standards.
For those at the Transformation Stage, such quasi-spiritual magical items were common.
However, for cultivators at the Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, or even Golden Core stages, these quasi-spiritual supreme magical items were treasures.
Giving such a supreme magical item to a low-level Qi Refinement cultivator?
What was the relationship between the mysterious person and Li Qingran? Why was he so supportive? Or perhaps, to this person, a supreme magical item sword was nothing, so he could casually give it away without worrying about wasting resources.
Qingxuan Daoist’s mind was in turmoil, while the battle in front of the hall had taken a drastic turn.
Without a weapon, Zhang Hanxiao dared not confront Li Qingran head-on.
The advantage of a longer weapon made up for Li Qingran’s deficiencies in sword techniques. Zhang Hanxiao tried his best to cope, hoping to deplete Li Qingran’s spiritual energy, but the longer it dragged on, the closer he was to exhausting his own spiritual energy.
“How is this possible? If this were before, her spiritual energy should have depleted long ago!”
Seeing Li Qingran, who showed no signs of fatigue, Zhang Hanxiao’s resolve wavered momentarily.
Losing focus during a fight was a major taboo.
Li Qingran seized this opportunity, changing her sword technique, her conservative offensive becoming fierce.
Her sleeves fluttered like a butterfly.
Ninth move of the Little Illusory Sword Technique—Dancing Shadows.
Her wrist trembled, and the sword seemed to transform into sunlight filtering through leaves, leaving dense spots of light, or splitting into countless fragments, each aiming at vital points.
Li Qingran fully felt her difference.
Dancing Shadows was the most difficult move in the Little Illusory Sword Technique. Previously, she could never perform it easily, but today it flowed smoothly.
Not only did the supreme dantian enhance her spiritual energy purity and storage, but it also boosted her comprehension!
Thinking here, warmth welled up in Li Qingran’s eyes.
How precious must that medicinal pill be?
Yet, the senior had given her the medicinal pill just to help her recover her dantian…
Perhaps the senior himself needed it, but still chose to use it on her.
“Senior, Qingran won’t let you down!”
“Li Qingran, don’t push your luck!” Zhang Hanxiao dodged awkwardly, his anger reaching its peak.
He stopped suppressing his cultivation, forming seals with his hands, and his cultivation level returned to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.
And Li Qingran’s sword arrived!
The sword light was like a shadow, scattering golden fragments.
With a scream,
Zhang Hanxiao’s body flew backward, rolling in dust, his chest and limbs covered in dense sword wounds, blood oozing out.
Three steps away,
Li Qingran sheathed her sword, standing tall.
