LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 9:
Chapter 9:
At the foot of Azure Sun Mountain, before the mountain gate’s archway, stood a middle-aged woman in a regal purple robe. Beside her was a young woman dressed in flowing white robes, her face veiled with a delicate silk scarf, her hair tied in a high ponytail.
“Li Daozhen of the Fuyao Sword Sect, accompanied by her disciple Li Xingyao, seeks a sword challenge at Azure Sun Mountain!”
The middle-aged woman’s voice was melodious, not loud, but it resonated throughout Azure Sun Mountain, echoing endlessly among the peaks.
Inside the Reflection Cave on the back mountain…
“They’re finally here,” Xiao Yang said, opening his eyes.
In his previous life, Li Xingyao had also come to challenge Azure Sun Mountain.
At that time, Qin Fei had been defeated by Li Xingyao, and unwilling to see Xiao Yang fare better, Qin Fei had secretly drugged his tea. As a result, Xiao Yang had been utterly humiliated during the sword duel, trampled underfoot by Li Xingyao and defeated without dignity.
That disgrace had haunted him for his entire life.
But in this lifetime, no matter how they chose to play their games, Xiao Yang had no intention of participating.
…
“She… she’s Li Xingyao?”
Several Azure Sun disciples emerged cautiously from the mountain gate, standing a few meters away as they observed the two women at the archway.
The next moment, three dazzling sword lights shot out from the peak of Azure Sun Mountain.
Piercing sword energy engulfed the surrounding area, shocking every disciple of the Azure Sun Sword Sect.
Like divine rainbows descending from the heavens, the three sword lights landed at the mountain gate in an instant.
The sword energy dissipated, revealing three figures: the sect master Jiang Qitian at the forefront, with the Transmission Elder and the Law Enforcement Elder standing behind him.
“Daoist Li, it has been a long time,” Jiang Qitian greeted courteously, not daring to show any disrespect.
The person before him was not only an elder of the Fuyao Sword Sect but also one of the Northern Region’s top ten swordmasters, her mastery of the sword far exceeding his own.
Both the Transmission Elder and the Law Enforcement Elder bowed respectfully to Li Daozhen.
“Nine suns illuminating the sky—a phenomenon that shook the world. It seems Azure Sun Sword Sect has produced another extraordinary genius. Congratulations, Sect Master Jiang,” Li Daozhen said calmly.
Jiang Qitian’s heart sank. Could Li Daozhen have come because of the astonishing phenomenon caused by Qin Fei’s breakthrough to the Heavenly Martial Realm a few days ago?
Was this a deliberate show of dominance over the Azure Sun Sword Sect?
Otherwise, why would they choose this particular moment to arrive?
The Transmission Elder and the Law Enforcement Elder exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions growing grim.
“Ha, no matter how talented my disciples are, they cannot compare to your esteemed protégé,” Jiang Qitian said, glancing at Li Xingyao.
That one glance startled him—his cultivation level was insufficient to discern her realm.
“I brought my disciple here for training. Our first stop is Azure Sun Mountain. I hope you won’t disappoint us,” Li Daozhen said, her voice calm yet carrying a palpable pressure.
“Please,” Jiang Qitian replied without further ado.
…
The group ascended to the summit of Azure Sun Mountain.
By then, countless disciples had gathered in the square. Among them were Xiao Yang’s father, Xiao Zhenshan, and other members of the Xiao family.
Everyone took their seats according to rank.
Jiang Qitian activated a formation, and a massive stone platform with a diameter of ten meters slowly rose from the center of the square.
This was the Azure Sun Sect’s dueling platform.
The platform stopped when it was about one meter above the ground.
Without any unnecessary words, Li Xingyao leaped gracefully onto the platform.
“I, Li Xingyao, challenge Azure Sun Mountain today. Please, fellow disciples, do not hold back,” she said, clasping her hands in greeting.
Dressed in white, her face veiled, she exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura.
Her presence silenced the crowd, her elegance captivating everyone present.
“She’s the Fuyao Sword Sect’s Saintess?”
“The top genius of the Fuyao Sect’s younger generation. Truly remarkable!”
“I heard she possesses the Undying Phoenix Physique. Qin Fei has met his match.”
“Yes, when she broke through to the Heavenly Martial Realm, a divine phoenix appeared in the heavens and circled the Fuyao Holy Land for three days and nights.”
The whispers of admiration spread, but none dared step onto the platform to accept her challenge.
Jiang Qitian stood and scanned the crowd. “To spar with the Fuyao Saintess is an opportunity most swordsmen dream of. Don’t miss this chance.”
“I’ll go!”
Before Jiang Qitian’s words had fully settled, a disciple leaped onto the platform.
“Excellent,” Jiang Qitian said, taking his seat.
The challenger was Wang Ao, his fourth disciple.
“Please instruct me,” Wang Ao said, bowing respectfully to Li Xingyao.
“Step down. You’re not my opponent,” Li Xingyao replied coldly, shaking her head.
“What…?”
Angered by her dismissive attitude, Wang Ao drew his sword.
But before he could strike, a casual wave of sword energy from Li Xingyao sent him flying off the platform.
The crowd was stunned.
“Disciples below the Heavenly Martial Realm need not step onto the platform,” Li Daozhen said calmly.
Jiang Qitian’s face darkened.
Her words were a blatant insult to the Azure Sun Sword Sect.
But strength ruled in the world of cultivation. Despite their anger, they could only endure.
Among the Azure Sun Sect’s younger generation, only three disciples had reached the Heavenly Martial Realm: Holy Son Xiao Yang, Lei Ranjie, the Law Enforcement Elder’s eldest disciple, and Qin Fei, who had just broken through.
The rest were still in the Divine Power Realm.
On the platform, Li Xingyao stood with her sword, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. None dared meet her eyes.
Wang Ao, a personal disciple of the sect master and at the peak of the Divine Power Realm, hadn’t even had a chance to strike. How could anyone else dare to challenge her?
“What’s this? Does the renowned Azure Sun Sword Sect have no one who can fight?” Li Daozhen’s voice echoed.
The disciples in the square were both shocked and furious, but none stepped forward.
Jiang Qitian’s expression grew even grimmer.
“I will challenge the Saintess,” a deep voice declared.
A figure strode confidently onto the platform—it was Lei Ranjie.
“Lei Ranjie of the Azure Sun Sword Sect seeks the Saintess’s instruction,” he announced, his gaze fixed on Li Xingyao.
“You won’t do either,” Li Xingyao replied, shaking her head.
“Outrageous!” Lei Ranjie roared, his sword intent surging. Lightning crackled around him, emitting a destructive aura.
“True Thunder Sword Technique?” Li Daozhen remarked indifferently.
“Take this!” Lei Ranjie shouted, the lightning around him condensing into a sword-shaped energy.
With a wave of his hand, the sword of lightning shot toward Li Xingyao like a cold streak of electricity.
“Not impressive,” Li Xingyao said, raising two fingers. She pointed at the incoming sword energy, which instantly shattered.
The next moment, she vanished. When she reappeared, her sword fingers were pressed against Lei Ranjie’s forehead.
In the blink of an eye, Lei Ranjie was sent flying off the platform, unconscious.
The crowd was stunned into silence, their shock palpable.
Li Xingyao had defeated Lei Ranjie, the second-strongest among Azure Sun’s younger generation, with just one move—and she hadn’t even drawn her sword.
Among the spectators, Jiang Ting and Qin Fei, who had just arrived, were equally shocked.
Two disciples hurriedly carried Lei Ranjie away.
Jiang Qitian’s face was dark, the Transmission Elder and Law Enforcement Elder equally unsettled.
The Azure Sun Sect’s younger generation had no one who could rival Li Xingyao.
“Only Senior Brother Xiao Yang can stand against her!” someone shouted.
“Let Senior Brother Xiao Yang fight!”
“Let Senior Brother Xiao Yang fight!”
The disciples began chanting, their voices growing louder, their spirits rising.
Xiao Yang was the sect’s Holy Son and a peerless sword talent.
But Xiao Yang was still reflecting in the back mountain’s cave.
“This…” The Law Enforcement Elder looked uncomfortable.
Letting Xiao Yang fight would mean violating sect rules, as he was still under punishment.
“No need to trouble Senior Brother Xiao Yang. I, Qin Fei, will take on the Fuyao Sword Sect’s challenge,” a voice declared.
A figure leaped onto the platform—it was Qin Fei.