Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament

"Come on! Let's see how powerful Azure Edge is."

Seeing how much Su Changqing liked Azure Edge, Lu Xueqi was naturally delighted and suggested it to him.

"Alright!"

Su Changqing immediately understood what Lu Xueqi meant.

The two leaped onto the training ground where they had sparred that day. With the same tacit understanding they had shown while facing each other in battle, they each drew their immortal swords, Tian Ya and Azure Edge.

"Since your senior sister gave you that sword, could you show me your true strength?"

Before they began, Lu Xueqi smiled and asked Su Changqing.

"Of course, but Senior Sister, you should be prepared."

Su Changqing smiled faintly and agreed to Lu Xueqi's request.

Then, Su Changqing completely dispelled the Heaven Concealing Art, released the restraints on his cultivation, and fully displayed his strength at the fifth realm of Foundation Establishment before Lu Xueqi.

Lu Xueqi was instantly astonished.

How could it be the fifth realm of Foundation Establishment?!

Lu Xueqi had considered that Su Changqing might actually be at the third realm of Foundation Establishment, or even the fourth, but she had never imagined that he had already reached the fifth realm.

He was already at the same realm as her. Yet her junior brother had only entered the sect a year ago, while she had begun cultivating half a year before him. Now, they stood at the same level.

With such cultivation speed, not only was it beyond her, but there was absolutely no one among their peers in the sect who could compare—not even Xiao Yicai, the Sect Leader's disciple, or Qi Hao, Cang Song Martial Uncle's disciple, the two geniuses universally acknowledged by the sect.

"Senior Sister, catch this sword strike!"

After smiling, Su Changqing directly raised Azure Edge and slashed at Lu Xueqi with a move from the Gale Sword Technique.

In an instant, fierce winds swept across the entire Sword Peak. Spiritual winds from every direction surged toward Su Changqing's Azure Edge, transforming into layer upon layer of azure sword qi that shot toward Lu Xueqi.

It was as though the Azure Edge Sword had been prepared specifically for Su Changqing. After using it for only one move, he already felt incomparably familiar with it, faintly reaching the state of sword and wielder becoming one. Furthermore, the already ferocious Gale Sword Technique became several times more powerful with Azure Edge's enhancement.

Seeing Su Changqing's sword slash coming at her, Lu Xueqi immediately steadied herself. Tian Ya fell into her hand, and she swung it backhandedly in a full-force slash.

The blue and azure sword qi collided violently. The tremendous impact kicked up a massive cloud of dust, and once it dispersed, two white-clad figures could be seen leaping forward and contesting each other with sword techniques.

Heaven and earth fell silent.

The battle ended quickly. Neither side could gain the upper hand, and they ultimately fought to a draw.

Under Lu Xueqi's gaze, Su Changqing left Sword Peak drenched in sweat. Fighting without holding back really was exhilarating!

Lu Xueqi truly was extraordinary!

Even with Azure Edge and the top-tier Gale Sword Technique, he had needed seventy percent of his strength merely to draw with her. Against other cultivators at the same realm, sixty percent would likely have been enough for a sure victory.

What?

You're saying I, Su Changqing, held back again?

Of course I did. With my full strength, I could reliably challenge opponents above my realm!

Over the following days.

The two agreed to meet on Sword Peak every midnight to spar and practice swordsmanship. Su Changqing naturally agreed. Through their repeated training, his skill in the sword path grew wildly, and naturally, so did Lu Xueqi's.

Su Changqing did his best to play the role of a sparring partner who was both opponent and teacher.

In every night's battle, Lu Xueqi always gained new insights into the sword path. Even her cultivation rose rapidly in just a few days, advancing from the middle stage of the fifth realm of Foundation Establishment to the peak of the fifth realm. She was only one step away from reaching the sixth realm.

Su Changqing, who had once drawn with her using seventy percent of his strength, now needed to add another ten percent.

Before they realized it, Lu Xueqi had grown accustomed to practicing swordsmanship with Su Changqing every day. However, it came to a stop because of the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament.

After seven days, Qingyun Sect finally welcomed its grand event held once every ten years: the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament!

Su Changqing got up early, trying to figure out how to avoid this ordeal. Before he could come up with anything, he heard someone calling for him outside.

"Junior Brother! Junior Brother!"

"Senior Sister, I'm coming!"

Su Changqing opened the door and saw Lu Xueqi dressed in white. Already breathtakingly beautiful, she wore a touch of light makeup today, adding even more to her beauty. Standing there, she looked like a fairy descending from the heavens.

When she saw Su Changqing emerge, she bloomed into a smile that could enchant all beings.

Su Changqing shook his head and silently recited a heart-clearing incantation before suppressing the infatuated thoughts in his heart.

"Junior Brother, Master sent me to find you so we could go to the sect plaza together."

"Oh, alright!"

After tidying himself up simply, Su Changqing followed Lu Xueqi and flew on their swords toward the sect plaza.

It truly was a grand gathering!

Across Qingyun Sect's boundless mountain peaks, lights of every hue danced and wound through the air. The closer they came to Tongtian Peak, Qingyun Sect's main peak, the denser those lights became. The sight of thousands traveling together was utterly breathtaking.

Lu Xueqi and Su Changqing were among them. One blue and one azure streak of light drew plenty of attention. Most people recognized Lu Xueqi, the sect's famously gifted woman, but they did not recognize Su Changqing, who flew beside her on his sword.

The two traveled side by side. Sometimes Su Changqing made Lu Xueqi laugh, and sometimes they exchanged profound insights into the sword path. They looked entirely at ease, without the slightest trace of nervousness over the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament.

People either suspected there was something between them or envied Su Changqing for being able to fly alongside Lu Xueqi on a sword.

This is infuriating!

What right did this brat have to be with Lu Xueqi, the gifted woman?!

Amid whistling wind, Su Changqing and Lu Xueqi descended on their swords into the sect plaza. The moment they landed, the Little Flood Dragon Snake poked its head out and looked around. It crawled excitedly over both of Su Changqing's arms.

Naturally, Su Changqing was not worried that it would run off and hurt anyone. After spending so much time together, the bond between man and snake had become deep. He knew perfectly well what the Little Flood Dragon Snake wanted to do, and he trusted that it would never harm anyone.

The sect plaza was already bustling with activity. From afar, it was a sea of heads.

"Senior Sister, I'll take a walk around first. I'll meet up with you all later."

After saying this to Lu Xueqi, Su Changqing strode away.

He had originally planned to look for Zhang Xiaofan. After all, the two were friends, and Zhang Xiaofan was the protagonist of the story. If things developed according to the plot, he should now have the ability to stand upon this stage. Su Changqing was quite curious about how he was doing.

However, before finding Zhang Xiaofan, he first saw another old acquaintance: Lin Jingyu.

Just as he had previously risen to fame within the sect, he was now the center of attention. Many disciples gathered around him, treating him as their leader.

Over the Nine Yin Mountain incident, his recklessness had nearly caused a disaster, so the sect punished him by ordering him into seclusion for seven days to reflect on his mistakes.

Yet what spread among the others was that Lin Jingyu had faced a great expert of the Demonic Cult without the slightest fear, remaining neither servile nor overbearing. Such courage and character truly lived up to the name of the righteous path.