Chapter 969: Chapter 966: Can’t Stop, Attitudes of All Sides

Jade Hall.

In a lush purple jade bamboo grove, a graceful figure in a cloud-edged gown stood with eyes closed, holding a treasured sword.

This purple jade bamboo grove stretches over 300 miles behind the Jade Hall, like a vast sea of purple and green from the sky; many inner sect disciples of Jade Hall train in this grove.

Rustle, rustle...

The gentle breeze rustled the shadows of the bamboo, the gown on the sword-wielding girl moved softly with the wind, yet she remained motionless. The light of the sword in her hand was concentrated, without the slightest sharpness.

At this moment, her entire being seemed fused with the wind; clearly standing before one’s eyes, yet feeling as though she was far away, her presence so ethereal and elusive that one could easily overlook her existence and the dazzling sword in her hand.

Woosh...

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through, causing the bamboo to sway wildly, the countless bamboo leaves swirling in the air like a flurry of winter snow.

At the instant the wind lifted the hair beside her ear, she suddenly opened her eyes, which shone brightly like stars illuminated by the sword light.

Swoosh!

A slight tremor of her fair wrist caused a dragon-like hum from the sword’s blade.

The girl disappeared from her original spot, the air slightly distorted, and then she reappeared, her foot landing precisely where she had just stood.

In the next moment.

Swish, swish, swish... 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Within a hundred meters of the bamboo grove, countless cold sword lights shone, illuminating the dim bamboo grove as bright as day.

Silently and stealthily, all the swirling bamboo leaves were sliced into four pieces of similar size in an instant.

Clang!

The serene and composed girl sheathed her sword, looked at the evenly sized shredded bamboo leaves on the ground, and let out a faint wry smile on her perfect face.

"Seven hundred and forty-six sword lights, still far from enough. The realm of Thousand Layers in One Sword is indeed not easy to cultivate..."

The serene girl was none other than Ye Siyi, known as ’Fragrance Without Shadow’, who had competed with Luo Feng for the top martial champion in the Golden Palace assessment.

Just as Ye Siyi was pondering, a sound of hurried footsteps came from afar.

Soon after, accompanied by a strong gust of wind, a petite figure burst through the air, it was a sweet and delicate-looking girl of about fourteen or fifteen, her outer sect disciple uniform of Linglong Hall made a popping sound due to her speed.

"Ah... Sister, move quickly! Xiao Shuang can’t stop..."

Seeing she was about to crash into Ye Siyi, the girl shouted urgently, trying to adjust her posture midair but still unable to slow down.

Ye Siyi smiled wryly, gently shook her head, and pointed a finger lightly in the air.

The air rippled as if a transparent crystal membrane appeared in front of her, the girl hit it with a pop, her body sinking into it like a swamp, her speed abruptly slowing until she gently landed on the ground.

"Xiao Shuang, you’re being naughty again."

Ye Siyi tapped the girl’s smooth forehead, saying:

"Many senior brothers and sisters are cultivating in this purple bamboo grove. If you continue shouting like this, you’ll disturb them. When you get punished, sister will not help you."

The girl was Ye Siyi’s younger sister, Ye Xiaoshuang.

"Sister, I know."

Ye Xiaoshuang stuck out her pink tongue, delighted upon seeing the evenly sized shredded bamboo leaves on the ground, "Sister, your swordsmanship is amazing! I can only separate a dozen leaves."

Ye Siyi smiled warmly, "You didn’t come rushing all the way here just to praise my swordsmanship, did you?"

"Ha... I almost forgot!"

Ye Xiaoshuang slapped her forehead, about to shout, but recalling Ye Siyi’s earlier warning, she quickly covered her mouth and smiled:

"Sister, the results of the hunting tournament are out. You ranked tenth in individual achievements, and many in the hall are talking about it. Now, you can exchange for a ground-level cultivation technique to train with, and will surely surpass Senior Brother, becoming the master sister of our Jade Hall!"

Ye Siyi was amused, gently stroking Ye Xiaoshuang’s head, she said:

"Xiao Shuang, it’s fine to say that here, but if others hear it and it reaches Senior Brother, it’ll not be good."

"I was just saying it."

Ye Xiaoshuang pouted her red lips, then suddenly remembered something, she smiled mischievously at Ye Siyi, "Sister, can you guess who ranked fourth in this hunting tournament? It will definitely surprise you."

"Oh?"

Ye Siyi’s eyes flickered slightly, after a moment of thought, she said, "Is this person a disciple of Linglong Hall?"

Ye Xiaoshuang was startled, huffed, "So sister already knew, teasing Xiao Shuang on purpose."

Ye Siyi smiled, pinching Ye Xiaoshuang’s cheek, "Among the Golden Palace disciples of the Six Southern Domains, who else would make you so happy other than Luo Feng?"

Ye Xiaoshuang thought about it, and it was indeed the case, she giggled with admiration, "Brother Luo Feng is amazing, ranking fourth in this hunting tournament, even many of the top ten new dragons are no match for him. I must train hard too. One day, I want everyone to know my name, Ye Xiaoshuang, just like Brother Luo Feng."

Saying this, Ye Xiaoshuang’s face suddenly changed, "Oh no, oh no... Elder Xi’s morning lesson is today! I’m going to be late. Sister, I’m leaving first!"

Swoosh!

With that, Ye Xiaoshuang utilized her qinggong, disappearing into the bamboo grove in a blink of an eye.

Ye Siyi watched Ye Xiaoshuang’s departing figure, shaking her head slightly, her lips curled into a smile at Ye Xiaoshuang’s words, she muttered to herself:

"I expected you wouldn’t do poorly, but didn’t think you’d be fourth... Seems like I can’t slack off either. I’ll exchange for the cultivation technique first, then head to Sky Sword Pavilion to find He Qin. The Blue Rainbow Heavenly Swordsmanship she is training in has a completely different sword momentum to mine, training together can yield twice the result with half the effort..."

With that, Ye Siyi turned and headed towards the Golden Palace.

Sky Sword Pavilion, Expanding Heaven Square.

The plaza is several thousand feet wide, its entire surface gleaming white with a tinge of blue. In the middle stands a jade sword thirty feet tall, its intense sharpness causing the sky within miles to be devoid of any clouds drifting by.

At this moment, the plaza is teeming with people, all looking up at the gigantic jade tablet in mid-air, with voices erupting occasionally — some exclaiming in surprise, others shouting excitedly, some shaking their heads in sighs, and much more...

In a corner of the plaza, a cold, indifferent young woman dressed in a snow-colored long skirt and carrying a precious sword is gazing at the jade tablet in mid-air.

The disciples of the Sky Sword Pavilion around her notice this, and upon seeing the sword-bearing girl’s exquisite features, a hint of amazement flickers in their eyes.

The sword-bearing girl’s gaze sweeps over the top ten individual battle results. When her eyes fall on the name in the fourth place, her cold eyes, as clear as snow, ripple faintly like a lake stirred by a spring breeze.

Gazing at that name for a long time, the sword-bearing girl retracts her gaze and turns to leave the plaza.

"Isn’t that Junior Sister He Qin?"

Not far after she starts walking, three figures approach from the front. The one in front appears quite handsome, yet the depths of his eyes hold a sinister, cold gaze that exudes a dangerous aura. He is none other than Yi Wuxue, who had recently lost face in front of Luo Feng in East Flame City.

The other two are the Sky Sword Pavilion disciples who followed Yi Wuxue that day. The one on the right still bears scars on his lips from being slapped by the young city lord of East Flame City. However, the pretty female companion is absent.

The three of them enter the plaza and just so happen to block He Qin’s path.

He Qin looks up and glances at the three, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, "Is there something you need?"

Yi Wuxue smiles faintly and says:

"Junior Sister He Qin, I heard that you also ranked tenth in this New Dragon Ranking Tournament, just like me. This calls for celebration. I was planning to head down the mountain for a banquet celebration, how about joining us, Junior Sister He Qin?"

The male disciple with the scar on his face, aware of Yi Wuxue’s intentions towards He Qin, laughs and says:

"Senior Sister He Qin, Senior Brother Yi is showing genuine sincerity, why not join us for the celebration? The Cloud Mist Building in Yunyue City has recently introduced some new dishes made with high-grade demon beasts, and they are renowned for their color, aroma, and taste. They’re beneficial for martial artists’ cultivation as well."

"No need, I still have to train. Farewell."

He Qin’s tone is indifferent, as she prepares to leave.

Seeing that He Qin is about to go, the scar-faced young man hurriedly steps forward, "Senior Sister He Qin..."

He Qin’s eyebrows furrow, and a cold light flashes in her eyes.

Instantly, the temperature in the surrounding space drops sharply, as a terrifyingly sharp aura transforms into tangible ice crystal sword aura, appearing before the scar-faced young man.

"Ah!"

A startled cry escapes as the scar-faced young man freezes on the spot, not daring to move.

In front of his face hangs a sword made of ice crystal sword aura, its tip resting at his brow, the chilling cold seemingly causing the blood in his entire body to slowly coagulate.

"This is my only warning."

Indifferent in her words, He Qin turns and leaves.

Noticing the gazes from the surroundings, Yi Wuxue’s expression turns ugly as he crushes the ice crystal longsword into dust.

Seeing the scar-faced young man still stiff and unmoving, Yi Wuxue says coldly, "Junior Brother Lin, she’s already gone."

Upon hearing this, Junior Brother Lin breathes a sigh of relief, swallowing hard, his face turning pale as paper, "Senior Brother, it seems Senior Sister He Qin’s sword intent has improved again."

Yi Wuxue’s face darkens, "I don’t need you to tell me that."

Junior Brother Lin’s face stiffens slightly, quickly nodding in agreement before adding, "Senior Brother, I know you have an interest in Senior Sister He Qin, but this might be difficult."

"What’s the matter?" Yi Wuxue frowns.

Junior Brother Lin whispers, "I’ve investigated thoroughly. Senior Sister He Qin has always been solitary and focused on practicing swordsmanship during her cultivation at the academy. However, there was a time when she was quite close to Luo Feng."

"Luo Feng? Him again!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Wuxue’s eyes twitched violently as he recalled that during the Twelve Golden Palace assessment, He Qin often appeared around Luo Feng. At that time, He Qin’s strength was average, so he didn’t pay much attention.

He began to notice He Qin only after they both entered the Sky Sword Pavilion, when she showcased her talent in swordsmanship.

Thinking of this made Yi Wuxue feel a surge of jealousy and anger.

"Luo Feng, it’s you again, always obstructing me. Very well, at the New Dragon Ranking Tournament, I’ll make you regret it!"

Holding in a cold snort, Yi Wuxue suppresses his fury and casually asks, "How did Luo Feng fare in this hunting competition? Is he in the top one hundred?"

He hadn’t seen the jade tablet yet and was informed of the results by Junior Brother Lin.

Upon hearing this, Junior Brother Lin and another Sky Sword Pavilion disciple exchange a glance, their expressions odd, hesitant to speak.

"What’s your deal?"

Yi Wuxue frowns, pushing past them and walking directly to the center of the plaza, looking up at the jade tablet. Instantly, his face turns ashen.

"Fourth... Fourth place... How is this possible..."

On a mountain peak several kilometers away.

A noble young man stands with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky where the jade tablet hovers, frowning deeply, the anger in his eyes almost palpable. He utters the same words as Yi Wuxue.

Boom!

After a moment of suppression, the young man slams his palm down, creating a large pit in the rocky ground, his face sinister, chuckling coldly, "Junior Brother Luo Feng, you truly surprise me!"

This man is none other than Lu Xiaoyun, one of the ten new dragons, known as the Blood Cloud Fire Dragon!