The first one to explode with excitement over Lin Zhixue’s successful Foundation Establishment was not herself, but Xiaoyu.
From the moment they emerged from the meditation chamber, Xiaoyu hadn’t stopped for a second.
Over and over, in tones of amazement, pride, and gloating triumph, it chanted, “Zhixue established her foundation!” and buzzed around her in circles.
Eventually, after exhausting every word of praise it could possibly think of, it fell quiet for a moment.
Then it drifted directly in front of Lin Zhixue, its jade-green eyes suddenly lighting up.
“Zhixue, do you want to have a match with Gu Yanqing?”
“You’ve just established your foundation, and your sword intent has reached the next level. It’s the perfect time to test your skills on him! See if you can beat him black and blue!”
Lin Zhixue lowered her head in thought.
Not far away, Gu Yanqing was flipping through his cultivation notes on 《Black Iron Body》; hearing this, he froze mid-motion.
Quietly closing the book, he turned to walk away, but after just one step, Lin Zhixue’s voice called out from behind.
“Gu Yanqing.”
He paused.
“I would like to spar with you.”
She stood a few paces behind him, the Guilan Sword resting at her waist, her amber eyes regarding him earnestly.
He fell silent for a moment.
She had just reached Foundation Establishment and her sword intent had deepened; wanting to test her skills against someone was only natural. And there was no one else in this courtyard anyway.
“...All right.”
...
The sect’s sparring arena was located halfway up a side peak, an expansive stone terrace surrounded by stone pillars etched with defensive formation runes. The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, polished smooth by countless disciples over the years.
At this hour, there was barely anyone on the grounds, save for a few outer disciples practicing basic sword forms in a corner.
Jiang Yinglan happened to be passing by. Hearing that the two wanted to spar, she leaned against a stone pillar with her arms crossed, watching with keen interest, and volunteered to act as referee.
“Stop on contact. When I say stop, you stop.”
Lin Zhixue stepped to the center of the stone terrace and turned to face Gu Yanqing.
The Guilan Sword remained sheathed, yet her hand already rested on its hilt.
Gu Yanqing stood across from her, his eyes fixed on her.
Lin Zhixue stood upright with her back straight, one hand lightly resting on the hilt of the Guilan Sword, her chin slightly raised.
Daylight drifted over her from behind, outlining her figure in a soft glow.
Her eyes were calm and clear, meeting his gaze directly without the slightest hesitation.
He had seen this face before in a rainy alley in Canglan City.
Back then, she had collapsed in the muddy water, trembling from head to toe.
Her eyes had been rimmed with red, yet she had clenched her teeth, refusing to make a sound. Those eyes had been brimming with fear and grievance, scarcely daring to show even a flicker of anger.
Perhaps she had feared that showing anger would only invite even harsher retaliation.
Yet the person standing before him now possessed not a single trace of fear.
Her gaze was clear and bright, free of doubt, radiating a quiet, undeniable confidence.
“Begin,” Jiang Yinglan called, lowering her hand.
Lin Zhixue drew her sword.
The moment the Guilan Sword slipped from its scabbard, an aqua-blue sword glow washed over the edge like flowing water, and she was already moving.
Gone was her past cautious probing; instead, she thrust straight forward, crisp and decisive.
Gu Yanqing shifted sideways to parry, the meeting blades letting out a clear, resonant ring of steel.
Her sword was more than a step faster than before her breakthrough. The water-attribute spiritual power clinging to the blade was dense and focused; every swing carried both the fluid continuity of a mountain stream and the heavy undercurrent of a surging tide.
By the seventh strike he parried, his footing slipped back half a step.
Instantly seizing the opening, she unleashed three consecutive thrusts, each targeting his vitals.
“Go, Zhixue! Yes! Just like that! Hit him with another! Show him what real swordsmanship looks like!”
Xiaoyu hovered at the edge of the arena, cheering at the top of its voice.
Gu Yanqing steadily fell into a disadvantage.
He had only begun training with the sword after joining the sect. Even though he worked diligently and made rapid progress, the gap between him and Lin Zhixue, who had already absorbed the Guilan sword intent, remained substantial.
The swords clashed once more. Lin Zhixue deftly flicked her wrist, her blade gliding along his edge to bypass his defense with effortless ease, the tip coming to a steady halt right at his chest.
Her control was impeccable. The icy chill of her sword qi was palpable through his robes, yet it hadn’t harmed him in the least.
“Hold,” Jiang Yinglan raised a hand and called out.
Gu Yanqing sheathed his sword and said candidly, “I lose.”
Lin Zhixue slid the Guilan Sword back into its scabbard and walked slowly over to him.
“Your control was far sharper than last time,” Gu Yanqing remarked.
Lin Zhixue replied coolly, “It was just that you struggled to parry.”
“My foundation in sword technique was flimsy to begin with.”
She looked at him, the faintest trace of a smile touching the corner of her mouth.
Xiaoyu drifted over, circling Gu Yanqing twice with its arms crossed, wearing an expression completely different from its usual self.
It was a smug satisfaction that radiated from within.
“Mid Foundation Establishment losing to early Foundation Establishment—aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”
“Hmph, Zhixue is the real deal! I told you long ago, Zhixue’s talent isn’t something ordinary people can hold a candle to. From now on, you’d better stick to being her obedient sparring partner!”
The slight curve on Lin Zhixue’s lips had not yet entirely faded.
Gu Yanqing strapped his sword back onto his waist with an impassive face, his gaze cutting straight through Xiaoyu’s translucent body to settle on Jiang Yinglan.
“Senior Sister, thank you.”
Leaning against the stone pillar, Jiang Yinglan looked between the two of them, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “No need. If anything, I should thank you both for the entertaining match.”
Just as the group prepared to leave the sparring arena, a sudden commotion arose nearby.
In the center of the square stood a massive spirit stone bulletin board, densely filled with the names and point rankings of sect disciples, which had just refreshed.
A crowd was gathered before the board; some stood on tiptoe to search for their names, while others sighed and shook their heads, grumbling that their efforts this month had been for nothing.
Lin Zhixue walked over and cast a glance across it.
Her name sat somewhere below the middle, while Gu Yanqing was slightly higher up, though still not very high.
“We’re still accumulating points by taking missions too slowly.”
Gu Yanqing pulled his gaze away from the bulletin board and turned toward Jiang Yinglan.
“How many more batches of missions will be posted before the secret realm opens?”
“There should be another batch of Rank C and Rank B missions over the next few days,” Jiang Yinglan said, straightening up. “Why, looking to make a push?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go. While there’s still daylight, let’s head to the Mission Hall first and see what’s left to take.”
Rate on N.U.
