Practice More When You're Bad, Don't Play If You Can't Handle Losing

Xia Wantang's light amber eyes held no ripples, as if nothing in the world could affect her.

A ray of sunlight fell perfectly on her fair face, making her appear like the bright moon, radiant as the morning sun. Even a celestial maiden from the highest heavens would struggle to possess such beauty.

The ones seeking trouble were Lu Jinyan and her followers.

Lu Jinyan possessed a pair of dew-like peach blossom eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips, truly a water-blooming lotus, soft and graceful as jade.

She was the granddaughter of the First Elder of Martial God Peak and had been in Azure Cloud Palace since childhood.

With her impressive family background, talent, and looks, Lu Jinyan had been adored and pampered her entire life.

After the unfortunate demise of the previous Saintess, she had fully expected the position of Saintess to be hers.

However, unexpectedly, someone from an obscure branch family of the Xia Family had snatched it away.

Lu Jinyan harbored considerable resentment about this but had never found an opportunity to act on it.

Until recently, when inner disciples gossiped that the Saintess, in the six months since her initiation, had never demonstrated her sword techniques in front of others, nor had she been seen using the Saintess's exclusive Ice Heart Art.

The words were spoken carelessly, but heard with intent.

Lu Jinyan took these words to heart, beginning to doubt Xia Wantang's true strength, and even deliberately spread related rumors through her contacts.

If Xia Wantang was truly a Saintess in name only, then her own hope of becoming Saintess would be rekindled.

As for why she was so eager to become the Saintess of Azure Cloud Palace, it was actually related to the Holy Son.

The Holy Son of Azure Cloud Palace was the Palace Lord's biological son.

The Holy Son's talent was beyond compare, and his appearance was top-notch. With just one glance, Lu Jinyan had fallen for him.

However, even as an inner disciple, she had no opportunity to interact with the Holy Son.

If she became the Saintess, things would be different.

The Holy Son and the Saintess represented the image of Azure Cloud Palace, and for most external activities, the two were required to be present together.

This was Lu Jinyan's ultimate goal in becoming the Saintess.

For this, she had even given up the opportunity to become Lu Shenxing's personal disciple.

It was important to note that each First Elder only accepted one personal disciple at a time; missing this chance meant it would never come again.

If Xia Wantang knew about this, she would surely advise Lu Jinyan to wake up and stop being a love-struck fool.

Looking at the other woman's face, unburdened by worldly troubles, Lu Jinyan clenched her fists, a surge of intense unwillingness rising within her:

How could she accept that something she yearned for day and night was so easily obtained by someone else?

Not to mention Xia Wantang's natural, unparalleled beauty, which filled her with a great sense of crisis.

What if the Holy Son and Saintess developed feelings for each other during their interactions?

Thinking of this, her fingernails dug into her flesh, causing a slight pain.

"Saintess, you must have heard the recent rumors within the sect that you fabricated your cultivation to enter the sect and are unworthy of your position."

"Everyone, tell me, haven't we never seen the Saintess use her spiritual power?"

Lu Jinyan had brought her loyal followers, who naturally cooperated enthusiastically:

"Yes, yes, I've never seen the Saintess use magic."

"Since the Saintess has the strength of the late Mystic Martial Realm, why not show us?"

"Exactly, I also really want to witness the Saintess's heroic bearing."

Listening to their words, one after another, Xia Wantang let out a cold laugh:

"As the Saintess, I represent the image of Azure Cloud Palace, and naturally, I would not casually use my abilities in public."

"Flaunting my status would likely invite criticism."

Lu Jinyan had anticipated Xia Wantang's response and was even more convinced that she was merely a facade.

So, she curved her lips into a smile, her eyes filled with smugness:

"Oh? Is that so? Well, today, only we inner disciples are present, so Saintess need not worry about showing off."

"I, Jinyan, am untalented and wish to spar with the Saintess to learn from you, to understand where I, a candidate, fall short."

"If the Saintess refuses, it means she is guilty."

The other inner disciples beside her also joined in the clamor. If Xia Wantang refused to spar with Lu Jinyan today, they vowed not to back down.

If it were yesterday, Xia Wantang would have been so embarrassed she'd want to dig a Barbie Dream Castle with her toes.

But today... hehe.

After a day's separation, one should look at people with new eyes.

Taking out the Jianjia Sword, Xia Wantang beckoned to Lu Jinyan:

"Since that is the case, then I shall ask Senior Sister Lu for guidance."

This provocative stance angered Lu Jinyan.

Lu Jinyan drew her natal sword and activated the Azure Cloud Sword Art, attacking Xia Wantang directly.

The Azure Cloud Sword Art was a foundational sword art for disciples of the Azure Cloud Palace, ranked Heaven Grade Ninth Tier.

Inner disciples could practice the Azure Edge Sword Art, ranked Immortal Grade First Tier.

Lu Jinyan's action was a sign of contempt towards Xia Wantang, implying that a basic sword art was sufficient to deal with her.

Xia Wantang also knew both the Azure Cloud Sword Art and the Azure Edge Sword Art.

However, because their grades weren't high enough, they had lower priority, and she hadn't even had a chance to open them for review.

What she had practiced last night was the Purple Firmament Swordplay, ranked Immortal Grade Fifth Tier. Even with only one move, her Ice Spirit Root and Ice Heart Art made it more than enough to deal with Lu Jinyan.

With a few flashes of sword light, Lu Jinyan was already kneeling on the ground, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief:

"How, how is this possible?!"

She had initially thought that Xia Wantang's refusal to directly address the rumors meant she was guilty, but she never expected the other party to actually have some skill!

Now, the other party's overwhelming advantage over her wasn't just in looks and demeanor, but also in strength and talent. The blow was simply too immense!

The inner disciples who had come with her to cause trouble were also stunned:

"This... although the Saintess and Senior Sister Lu have the same cultivation level, Senior Sister Lu has been in the late stage of the Mystic Martial Realm for over a year!"

"The Saintess is only eighteen this year. She's so young, she must have broken through not long ago, yet her aura is so stable!"

"What sword art is the Saintess using? I've never seen it before."

"We're doomed. If the Saintess holds a grudge against us for coming here to cause trouble with Senior Sister Lu today, what will happen?"

In the cultivation world, the strong were revered, and there were plenty of people who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

When they dared to come and cause trouble today, they were naturally confident that Xia Wantang was just a paper tiger.

But they never expected that the reality would slap them in the face so hard.

Xia Wantang: If you're weak, train more. If you can't handle losing, don't play.

Of course, to maintain her persona, she merely smiled faintly, sheathed her sword, and ignored Lu Jinyan and the others, walking straight towards the Quiet Heart Hall.

Heaven knew her palms were sweating profusely just now.

Although her cultivation had improved and she knew the sword art, it was her first actual combat. It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous.

[Host, you're the best! You fought a beautiful comeback battle~ No one will question your strength after this.]

As soon as she entered the main hall, Xia Wantang's legs went weak:

"I really owe you one. Luckily my inner stability is good, otherwise I would have revealed my weakness just now."

[Host, don't panic. With this System here, everything will be fine, fine, fine.]

[From now on, as long as the Host gains more favorability points, you'll become stronger and stronger!]

Hearing this, Xia Wantang clapped her hands together, instantly revitalized:

"Right! I need to quickly go and make my presence known to the Holy Son."