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"...That concludes today's theoretical lesson. Next, I'll randomly select two students to spar on the Martial Arena and see how much you learned today."

The moment those words were spoken, everyone lowered their heads and silently chanted, Don't pick me, don't pick me...

It was exactly like students who did not know the answer when a teacher called on someone in class.

As soon as the elder finished speaking, Feng Yulong slowly raised his hand. Staring at Song Zhizhi, he smiled coolly. "Elder, Song Zhizhi and I are both Inner Sect Disciples. We ought to set an example for the other disciples. I am willing to go up and demonstrate. What does Junior Martial Aunt Song think?"

The fact that Song Zhizhi had been accepted as Qingyu's disciple was no secret. Qingyu's seniority was a full generation above that of most Sword Sect elders, so Song Zhizhi, as her disciple, was of the same generation as most elders. By seniority, Feng Yulong truly ought to call Song Zhizhi "Junior Martial Aunt."

But when those three words, Junior Martial Aunt, came from Feng Yulong's mouth, they carried a hint of mockery and provocation. If Song Zhizhi refused, she would lose face before all the Outer Sect Disciples.

Liu Changfei tugged at Song Zhizhi's sleeve and advised her softly, "Zhizhi, don't agree to it. He clearly isn't up to any good."

Even without Liu Changfei's reminder, Song Zhizhi could see that much. But Feng Yulong had already pushed things this far. If she refused, then whenever people mentioned Song Zhizhi in the future, they would only remember that she had not dared to accept the challenge today.

Song Zhizhi had, after all, been personally taught by Sword Venerable Mingxiao, the foremost sword cultivator of the present day. Xie Xiuji had taught her through both words and deeds: as a sword cultivator, how could one fear blades and dodge swords?

Song Zhizhi sighed. She did not like trouble, but trouble had come knocking on its own door. If she still refused, she would not only lose face for herself, but also tarnish Xie Xiuji's prestige.

Besides, ever since she began cultivating, she had never sparred with anyone other than Xie Xiuji. She also wanted to exchange blows with a cultivator of the same realm, so she could gain a clearer understanding of her own strength.

Song Zhizhi took out her sword, rose to her feet, and nodded at Feng Yulong. "Since Martial Nephew has put it that way, then as your martial aunt and elder, naturally I have no reason to refuse."

Feng Yulong looked at Song Zhizhi, a sinister smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "I hope that mouth of yours can still say such pretty things later."

The moment he said that, everyone present sensed the thick smell of gunpowder in the air. But sword cultivators were all a battle-hungry bunch. When they saw a conflict break out, their first thought was not to mediate, but rather: Fight! Hurry up and fight!

Only Liu Changfei looked at Song Zhizhi with anxious concern and objected, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? How can someone at Qi Refining beat someone at Foundation Establishment? Feng Yulong's proposal was clearly made with ill intent. What if you get hurt during this? Your body..."

Song Zhizhi knew Liu Changfei was genuinely thinking of her. Rather than finding her words excessive and irritating, Song Zhizhi felt a little warmth. She patted Liu Changfei's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. My senior brother taught me a few moves. Even if I can't beat him, I can still retreat unscathed."

Song Zhizhi's senior brother?

Liu Changfei suddenly recalled that figure as cold as a snow-capped mountain. If the senior brother Song Zhizhi spoke of was Sword Venerable Mingxiao, then having received Sword Venerable Mingxiao's guidance, Song Zhizhi's true strength naturally could not be judged by her cultivation alone.

Sword cultivators had never determined victory or defeat solely by the height of one's cultivation.

At that thought, Liu Changfei immediately felt much more at ease. "Then hurry and go. I'll cheer you on! Do your best to beat Feng Yulong until flowers scatter and he has to search the ground for his teeth!"

Outside Teaching Peak's classroom lay a Martial Arena, intended for practical combat matches between students. The Sword Sect did not permit disciples to fight privately with weapons. If they had any conflicts, they could arrange to settle them on the Martial Arena. Steward elders watched over the area, so no lives would be lost.

Since this spar was nominally meant to demonstrate sword techniques, Feng Yulong took out his spirit sword. His sword was not an ordinary standardized longsword made from materials issued by the sect. Instead, it was a superior spirit sword that overflowed with spiritual light; if one listened closely, its sword hum could even be heard. One glance was enough to tell it was extraordinary.

Liu Changfei immediately protested, "Elder, Zhizhi is using an ordinary spirit sword, but Feng Yulong is using a superior spirit sword. This match isn't fair!"

The elder glanced at the situation on the Martial Arena and shook his head. "What fairness is there in a real battle? This is also the lesson I am teaching you today: how to respond when faced with an immense disparity in strength."

Liu Changfei frowned, feeling that something was not quite right.

On the Martial Arena, Feng Yulong looked at the ordinary standardized longsword in Song Zhizhi's hand. He smiled at her with smug contempt and sneered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Blades and swords have no eyes. If you kneel and admit defeat now, then voluntarily request to leave the Inner Sect, I'll let you lose with a little more dignity."

Song Zhizhi gave him a faint glance. She had never understood why Feng Yulong kept targeting her. Was it merely because she had stolen his spotlight during the selection assembly? Or because she was close with Liu Changfei? Or perhaps both?

Song Zhizhi could not figure it out, so she simply stopped thinking about it. How could a normal person possibly keep up with a lunatic's train of thought?

Yes, in Song Zhizhi's eyes, Feng Yulong was a lunatic who bit anyone he saw. She raised her sword at him. "Enough nonsense. Let's begin."

Feng Yulong looked at Song Zhizhi, a flicker of jealousy and hatred flashing through his eyes.

He envied Song Zhizhi. If Song Zhizhi had not stolen his spotlight, then he should have been the one whom the Sword Venerable had offered to take as a disciple. Ever since childhood, there had never been anything he wanted but could not obtain. The first position among Red Cloud Peak's disciples belonged to him. He would thoroughly crush Song Zhizhi, make the Sword Venerable see that he was more outstanding than Song Zhizhi and more suitable to be Red Cloud Peak's successor!

He also hated Song Zhizhi. If she had not tipped them off, he would not have been caught by the Enforcement Squad a week ago and locked inside Reflection Cliff, only to be mocked by his fellow disciples after he came out!

With old grudges and new hatred piled together, along with a heart narrower than the tip of a needle, how could Feng Yulong possibly let Song Zhizhi off?

Song Zhizhi did not know about Feng Yulong's tangled thoughts, but even if she had, she would only have been speechless. When Xie Xiuji had offered to let her join Red Cloud Peak, it had not been because he valued her ability or talent, nor because he wanted to take her as a disciple. In terms of ability and talent, Song Miaomiao was more outstanding than her. What Xie Xiuji had truly meant was that he wanted to fulfill the promise from that night, but Song Zhizhi had not been willing, so she refused him.

Rankings

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Transmigrated into a Novel

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