Everyone knew that Yun Jin and Ruan Jun were bound to face each other eventually. But with Yun Jin repeatedly drawing byes, her luck seemed untouchable. Most assumed she would draw the weakest opponent.
And yet—
She drew Ruan Jun.
The atmosphere turned electric.
Even Yue Zhao grew tense. He glanced at Yun Jin with worry in his eyes and said in a low voice, "Be careful, Little Junior Sister."
Yun Jin smiled lightly. "Don't worry, Senior Brother."
Not once had she ever entertained the possibility of losing. Not before, not now, and not in the future. Each battle was a whetstone for her sword heart, forging her path to invincibility.
As for Ruan Jun?
He was nothing more than a stepping stone.
"Very well," Zhao Wuji stood, unable to contain his anticipation. "Both sets of disciples, to the stage."
Yue Zhao and the other contestant took their positions on Stage One.
Yun Jin and Ruan Jun stepped onto Stage Two.
Even as he stood on his own platform, Yue Zhao couldn't stop glancing over toward Yun Jin. Ruan Jun had been in seclusion for three months. That time surely hadn't been wasted. And with Zhao Wuji backing him, there was a good chance he'd been given something powerful in secret. Ruan Jun now was likely far stronger than before.
Yue Zhao knew that if he had to face Ruan Jun again, he wouldn't have any confidence in victory. His Little Junior Sister had astonishing talent. One day, she would surpass him and Ruan Jun both. But right now…
There just hadn't been enough time.
Yue Zhao glanced up into the sky, searching for something unseen.
Qing Yun and elders must be watching in secret, right?
If anything went wrong, surely they would protect Yun Jin's life.
"Begin the match," the referee announced.
"Senior Brother Yue, I'll strike first!" said his opponent, seizing on his distracted state to launch an immediate attack.
Yue Zhao snapped back to focus, offering an apologetic smile.
"Apologies, Junior Sister. I had hoped we could spar at a measured pace… but my mind is elsewhere. I must end this quickly."
"...What?" his opponent blinked.
Before she could react—
His sword was already out.
No mercy. No restraint.
In that instant, the seventh-level Void-Piercing Sword Art exploded forth. The disciple from Lingqi Peak felt her pupils contract. It was Yue Zhao's Void-Piercing Sword Art! She had studied it in secret, crafting countless countermeasures. Now was the moment to—
But before she could act, the sword light flashed.
His blade hovered right in front of her chest.
Its sharp pressure locked her in place. She dared not move a muscle.
"Thank you for the match," Yue Zhao said calmly.
One move. Victory.
The Lingqi Peak disciple's face paled.
She had known there was a gap between them, but she hadn't expected to be overwhelmed so quickly. They were already in the semifinals, yet she had still been defeated in an instant.
The difference between them was far greater than she imagined.
"I concede," she said sincerely and stepped down from the stage.
"Forgive me," Yue Zhao gave her a regretful glance and followed after.
It had been a brutal way to win, but he couldn't help it. He had to get back in time to watch Yun Jin's match. Thankfully, the Lingqi Peak disciple understood. She smiled faintly. "Better to end it early. We still have the real match to watch."
All eyes turned to the other platform.
On the stage, Yun Jin and Ruan Jun had exchanged a few probing moves.
Neither had shown their full strength.
Ruan Jun smirked and widened the distance between them.
A moment later, the blazing arc of his flame-curved blade appeared in his hand.
"Junior Sister Yun, I had planned to toy with you a while longer. But now..." His lips curled into a bloodthirsty grin. "It seems my weapon has grown eager. Rather than play, I think I'd rather slice off your head right now."
"Oh?" Yun Jin tilted her head, sounding almost regretful. Her smile remained. "I quite like taking my time. But since Senior Brother insists..."
She chuckled softly, and the Tai'a Sword flashed into her grasp.
That sword—
Cang Li's pupils contracted sharply. He almost revealed himself then and there.
Luckily, Qing Yun pulled him back just in time.
"What's wrong with you, Cang Li?" Qing Yun shot him a look. "You want to expose yourself now of all times?"
This was his chance to watch his disciple display her might. There was no room for distractions.
Cang Li's voice was still faint with disbelief. "That's the Tai'a Sword."
Tai'a?
Both Qing Yun and Shen Yanye turned to look more closely.
They could sense it was a fine weapon. But nothing that should shake Cang Li like this.
Both masters looked to him in confusion.
Cang Li simply shook his head. He had no intention of explaining.
But his gaze toward Yun Jin had completely changed.
That sword… he had placed it in a storage ring on a whim.
The Tai'a Sword had potential for growth, but its two initial attributes were too extreme. Upgrading it required rare materials in large quantities. Even Cang Li himself had lacked the confidence to refine it to a higher star level.
Besides, he already had his life-bound weapon and couldn't afford to pour effort into another.
Still, the Tai'a Sword had always been unique. He hadn't had the heart to discard it.
He didn't know why, but when preparing the ring, he had placed it inside on a whim.
And immediately regretted it.
That was why he had left a message, asking the Yun Clan heirs to come to Kunlun Sword Sect and exchange it.
After all, any Yun Clan descendant entering the cultivation world would surely be a complete novice. No background, no resources. It would be impossible for them to raise the Tai'a Sword to a usable level.
Cang Li had chalked it up to a moment of foolishness.
But in the cultivation world, cause and effect mattered. Fate mattered.
Since he had already placed it in the ring, he couldn't justify taking it back.
And that was how Yun Jin came across the Tai'a Sword.
But even now—
Even Cang Li hadn't expected this.
Not only had Yun Jin chosen to wield Tai'a, she had already raised it to two-star level.
This meant Yun Jin was at least a second-rank weapon refiner.
Cang Li stared at the sword, eyes burning with interest.
She hadn't followed his plan for star upgrades. She had developed her own methods and her own refining system.
For the first time, Cang Li felt a surge of competitive curiosity.
He wanted to see what Yun Jin had come up with.
Was it better than his?
"The first battle of the Tai'a Sword," Yun Jin said brightly, eyes fixed on Ruan Jun. "I'll let you have the honor. If this sword is the one to take off your head, perhaps your name will be remembered for generations. Let me congratulate you in advance, Senior Brother."