Senior... You're Really So Cool!

But honestly, Jing Pu really did think so.

This so-called Great Yi Imperial Saber really wasn't all that impressive to Jing Pu.

Of course, he was only talking about the saber techniques!

Perhaps the Great Yi Imperial Saber contained something that increased a cultivator's True Qi, or perhaps it had some other powerful quality.

But if you stripped away all those things from the cultivation world and discussed only the saber techniques, Jing Pu really thought they weren't all that impressive.

Jing Pu didn't know how many levels the Great Yi Imperial Saber had, but according to Ling Ju, Yu Shen was currently at the third level. Jing Pu thought that was pretty absurd.

Even when Jing Pu had just begun cultivating Saber Intent, his skill had been better than this.

Yu Shen slowly turned around and saw Jing Pu and Ling Ju. Of course, he knew Jing Pu had been the one to say that just now, but his attention was drawn to Ling Ju first.

If it weren't for the fact that her breathtakingly beautiful face was one Yu Shen had longed for day and night and dreamed of a hundred times over, he really wouldn't have believed that the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pond, the most beautiful woman in the Northern Province, was dressed so plainly.

When Yu Shen glanced slightly downward, Ling Ju suddenly gave a cold snort. A ray of light instantly covered her jade feet as she stood on the meditation cushion, and she said icily:

"Do you want to lose your eyes?"

Ling Ju's words immediately brought Yu Shen to his senses. He bent at the waist and hurriedly said, his voice feverish:

"Greetings, Holy Maiden Ling Ju."

Seeing Yu Shen's expression, Jing Pu knew he was probably a lovesick puppy. But when he thought about it, that was only natural. With someone as beautiful as Ling Ju, it would be strange if she didn't have admirers.

Ling Ju was always this way with people. Only when she was in front of Jing Pu did she become a little different.

Yu Shen didn't find Ling Ju's attitude toward him strange. After all, he would have found it strange if she had spoken to him warmly.

Then Yu Shen looked at Jing Pu beside her.

Yu Shen couldn't possibly tolerate anyone insulting his saber techniques. They were what he was most proud of. Even with Ling Ju there, he had to settle things with Jing Pu first.

Yu Shen glanced at Jing Pu and immediately sensed the Dao Intent in his every movement. This was certainly no ordinary person.

Of course, judging from how plainly Ling Ju was dressed and how reserved she seemed in front of Jing Pu, Yu Shen had already guessed as much.

But Yu Shen didn't take it to heart. So what if the man was powerful? How could he possibly compare to his master?

Yu Shen casually cupped his hands and looked at Jing Pu with a cold expression.

"Senior, it seems you look down on our Sacred Saber Hall's Great Yi Imperial Saber!"

How could Jing Pu dare say he looked down on it now? It was the Sacred Saber Hall's exclusive secret art, and its hall master was one of the strongest people in the lower realm. There had to be something deeper to it. He simply hadn't seen through it as an ordinary person.

Jing Pu quickly waved his hands. "I don't look down on it at all. It's just that I think those few moves you used could be improved. For example, when you make that diagonal slash, I think it would be better if you turned the angle slightly."

Far away, Ling Jing suddenly froze. He frowned and thought back over Yu Shen's movements. A few seconds later, astonishment appeared on his face. It seemed... that really was the case!

Ling Ju and Lie Chun didn't practice saber techniques, so they didn't understand the intricacies. Still... everyone knew Senior was powerful. What puzzled them was that Senior wasn't a sword cultivator?

The earth-shaking vision of stars wheeling across the galaxy on the day Senior first arrived was something Lie Chun would never forget. Ling Ju and Ling Jing hadn't witnessed it themselves, but they had heard about it. Just from the description, they could tell how miraculous it had been.

But from what Jing Pu had just said, Senior knew saber techniques too?

Admiration appeared on everyone's faces as they looked at Jing Pu. Senior... was there anything he couldn't do?

Unlike the three of them, who knew Jing Pu's abilities, Yu Shen clearly wasn't about to overthink things. He couldn't even be bothered to listen. He immediately waved a hand and said coldly:

"Stop talking nonsense. My Great Yi Imperial Saber is at the third level, and there isn't a single flaw in it. There's no point in saying more. Since Senior thinks there's a problem with my saber techniques, why don't you spar with me? Then everything will be clear!"

This time, Ling Ju finally couldn't hold back. She immediately scolded him, her face cold:

"Impudent! What are you, to think yourself worthy of sparring with Senior?"

Yu Shen felt deeply aggrieved, especially hearing those words from the woman of his dreams.

But this was a matter of his sect's honor, so Yu Shen didn't look at Ling Ju. Instead, he stared straight at Jing Pu, who looked somewhat awkward.

"Senior, do you dare?"

Jing Pu thought it over carefully... and decided it seemed doable!

Watching them fight just now had made Jing Pu itch to try, too. He considered it, then raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm... How about this? We'll only compare saber techniques. No True Qi or Spiritual Power, since I'm an ordinary person and can't use either."

"An ordinary person?"

Yu Shen frowned, confused. But he soon understood. Senior must be afraid of hurting him, so he wouldn't use Spiritual Power. That was naturally best; this way, their saber techniques would be the truest measure.

Yu Shen had been very displeased with Jing Pu, but after hearing him say that, he felt considerably better about him. Still, he couldn't forgive Jing Pu for insulting the Great Yi Imperial Saber.

Yu Shen's tone softened considerably. He nodded slightly.

"I'll leave it entirely up to Senior."

Jing Pu nodded, looked around, and finally picked up a thin wooden stick used for scooping ashes out of the stove.

"I'll use this."

Seeing Jing Pu with a wooden stick, Ling Ju and the others weren't surprised. If Jing Pu had used a real weapon, they would have been surprised. Using a wooden stick was already giving Yu Shen too much credit.

Yu Shen merely paused for a moment, then drew his long saber and said through gritted teeth:

"Fine!"

Fine? Fine, your ass!

Jing Pu was completely baffled. What the hell were you saying "fine" for?!

Jing Pu meant that he would use a wooden stick, so Yu Shen should find a wooden stick too. They could just go through the motions and have a little practice.

What the hell did you mean by drawing your saber? Were you actually planning to cut me to death?!

You're a cultivator—how could you have the nerve?!!

Jing Pu stood there blinking twice, then curled his lip. Whatever, if Yu Shen wanted to use a saber, let him. If they were really only comparing saber techniques, Jing Pu should be able to manage with a wooden stick.

Yu Shen turned and headed toward the center of the clearing, but Jing Pu hurriedly called out:

"There's no need to go so far. We can spar right outside the pavilion."

Yu Shen froze, then gritted his teeth and said:

"How can we spar in such a cramped space? Do you think you can beat me in just a few moves? Aren't you looking down on me a little too much?!"

That really wasn't what Jing Pu meant. He wanted to stay outside the small pavilion because if Yu Shen lost and flew into a rage, he might use his True Qi to cut Jing Pu down. With Ling Ju beside him, she could save him right away.

Ling Jing had already had enough. He frowned and shouted at Yu Shen:

"Stop running your mouth! Why do you have so much to say? Senior is already giving you plenty of face by sparring with you. A few moves? I say you'd be lucky to last three moves against Senior!"

Though Ling Jing had never heard about or seen Jing Pu's saber techniques, he had an inexplicable faith in him.

Finally, the two took their places, less than three meters apart.

Jing Pu held the wooden stick, took a deep breath, and looked at Yu Shen, who stood before him with a cold expression.

"Go ahead."

Yu Shen didn't hold back at all. After quickly sizing Jing Pu up, he instantly charged at him.

At that move, Ling Ju and the others all cried out in alarm. Yu Shen had opened with his strongest move—

But before their cries had even fully left their mouths, something even more terrifying happened. Jing Pu shifted slightly to the side at an incredibly tricky, strange angle, then took one light step forward.

In less than half a second.

Jing Pu lifted his chin slightly, the corners of his mouth curving up.

"You lost."

Jing Pu now stood at Yu Shen's side, the wooden stick laid across Yu Shen's neck.

Ling Ju gazed at the scene before her, eyes brimming with affection. She clasped her hands before her chest, her cheeks flushed as she murmured:

"Senior... you're really so cool!"