Chapter 273: Replaying an Old Trick
A single, simple word, yet it caused the entire scene to boil over again!
The victorious fist technique youth froze for a moment. After sensing Shen Qingwu's cultivation level, he then revealed a disdainful smile: "Since Elder Li permits, then I shall offer some guidance to this junior martial brother."
Shen Qingwu cupped his hands neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Please grant me your instruction, Senior Brother."
Below the stage, Yu Wanru was so anxious she was stomping her feet, while Guo Fugui frowned, always feeling that things weren't that simple.
Chen Xingcai sat back down in her seat, her jade hand supporting her chin, her eyes sparkling with keen interest.
Then, after a few breaths—
On the martial arts platform, Shen Qingwu staggered to his feet, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. His white robe was covered in dust, his topknot was disheveled, and he looked utterly wretched.
"Again!" he gritted his teeth, his voice trembling yet firm.
The fist technique youth stood where he was, his brow tightly furrowed.
The exchange just now was simply absurd—this outer sect disciple who claimed he wanted to "prove himself" was shockingly weak. With just a punch at thirty percent of his power, he had sent him flying several dozen feet.
"Junior Brother, that's enough," the fist technique youth couldn't help but advise. "The path of cultivation is long; there is no need to rush."
Shen Qingwu, however, seemed not to have heard. He trembled as he raised his arm, assuming a starting stance full of openings: "Please... please grant me your instruction, Senior Brother!"
His voice carried a hint of a choke, his eyes were red-rimmed, yet he stubbornly refused to admit defeat. He looked just like a small beast, drenched by rain yet still trying to hold itself up.
A hush fell over the crowd below the stage.
Li Hanzhou's face had already turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
He had thought that a disciple who dared to publicly challenge would at least have some real skills.
The result... was this?
"Enough," Li Hanzhou said coldly. "The victor has been decided. This ends here."
"No!" Shen Qingwu suddenly raised his voice, then seemed to realize his loss of composure and lowered his head, saying softly, "This disciple... this disciple still wants to try again..."
As he spoke, he took a faltering step forward, stumbling and nearly falling. This appearance of being on the verge of collapse yet still stubbornly holding on silenced the outer sect disciples who had been mocking him.
The fist technique youth was even more at a loss—had he struck too hard?
Chen Xingcai, sitting on the high platform, tapped her jade finger lightly on the armrest, her heart full of disappointment. She had expected to see a spectacular duel, but it turned out to be such a farce.
"Just this?" She pouted and was about to look away.
Suddenly—
[As long as I can enter the Holy Maiden's gaze, even if I die, it will be worth it!]
A resolute "inner voice" abruptly intruded into her mind without any warning.
Chen Xingcai abruptly sat up straight, her beautiful eyes widening slightly.
Her gaze shifted, and she subconsciously looked toward Shen Qingwu.
[For an existence so high above like her, if I don't use this kind of method, she probably wouldn't even spare me a glance.]
Another "inner voice" came through, and Chen Xingcai's brow furrowed slightly.
"Sound transmission? No..." Her mind raced, and she quickly realized—this was actually the youth's inner voice! But why could she hear it?
On the stage, seeing that his objective was achieved, Shen Qingwu immediately knew when to stop.
He knew full well that women in this world were most susceptible to this kind of tactic—the scene of risking everything for the one they admired and challenging a powerful foe, even if she wasn't the object of his affection, could always stir up feelings of pity and goodwill.
He struggled to his feet, a trace of blood still hanging from the corner of his mouth, yet he stubbornly straightened his back, looking just like a small white flower swaying in a storm but refusing to wilt.
Chen Xingcai's gaze fell upon him, and a strange sense of pity suddenly arose in her heart. She felt that this youth was so resilient and pure...
"Wait!"
As soon as this thought appeared, she immediately became vigilant.
She formed a hand seal inside her sleeve, and the Heart-Cleansing Chant instantly circulated throughout her body.
"This is... a very clever charm technique!?"
A cold glint flashed in her eyes. When she looked at Shen Qingwu again, her mind was perfectly clear, without the slightest ripple.
"Heh..."
Chen Xingcai suddenly let out a soft laugh, the corner of her lips curving into a faint arc.
Shen Qingwu happened to turn his head at that exact moment, capturing that smile.
In that instant, it was as if he saw ice melting and flowers blooming. He was completely stunned, and then his heart filled with wild joy.
The disciples below the stage were also dazzled by that smile. Many of them flushed red, their hearts pounding like drums.
But throughout the entire Immortal Spirit Valley, only a certain gray bear knew just how terrifying the smile Chen Xingcai now wore was.
This young girl's heart had never contained only the spirit and cuteness she showed to her father and her senior martial brothers and sisters.
Chen Xingcai gently twirled a lock of her long hair, a playful glint flashing in her eyes.
"Interesting..."
She quickly pondered the possibilities in her mind: Was this youth named Shen Qingwu acting on his own, was he being instructed by someone behind him, or was he a chess piece planted by another sect? Even if he himself was innocent, someone capable of deploying such an exquisite charm technique must have a mastermind hidden in the shadows.
As the daughter of the Saint Lord of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land, countless petty villains over the years had harbored designs on her—
Not to mention that she herself possessed unparalleled beauty and extraordinary grace (proud).
Unfortunately, those short-sighted fellows were often crushed like ants by her senior martial brothers and sisters before they even had a chance to enter her field of vision.
This was the first time someone had found an opportunity to get close to her and use a trick!
A sly glint flashed in the young girl's eyes as she secretly clenched her small fist.
This time, she absolutely had to keep it from them! If her senior martial brothers and sisters found out someone dared to use a charm technique on her...
She stole a glance at Shen Qingwu, who was still putting on an act on the stage...
Then... then there would be no more fun!
This time, she had to seize the opportunity, find the mastermind, and make a big impression in their eyes
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