The golden colossus of Mystic Gold Shatters the Sky from Zhang Lingrui crashed into the icy-blue giant blade of Wei Yunxi's Frozen Edge Slash. Power exploded across the arena in a single breath, rippling to every corner and even threatening to radiate beyond.
Both had intended that clash to decide the match. Though neither used full power, the destructive force was not small.
Zhang Lingrui was a shade inferior. Lacking the reserves of a late Nascent Soul cultivator, he was driven back to the edge of the platform the instant his sword fell. Wei Yunxi only retreated two steps before steadying.
Wei Yunxi frowned. She, too, heard the faintest crack and sent her divine sense searching for the source.
The moment Hao Hui Zūnzhě heard that subtle cracking sound, he knew the barrier would not hold. With a calm sweep of his sleeve, he relocated every wide-eyed spectator to the foot of the mountain, then spoke aloud, "Ran Xi and Lingrui, withdraw your swords. The barrier cannot withstand your strikes and is about to shatter. Do not let the shockwaves sweep across all of Doufa Peak."
Wei Yunxi and Zhang Lingrui recalled their swords at once, but the lingering force from both techniques could no longer be reeled in.
The next breath brought a crisp crack as the barrier finally burst. With its collapse, the remnant sword intent surged outward in every direction.
Both flashed off the platform to the perimeter, forming seals to intercept the aftermath of their own moves. Wei Yunxi bared her teeth in a wry grin. This time the spirit-stone bill might be larger.
A breeze swept past. All residual sword intent scattered like dust.
Only then did Wei Yunxi exhale, and her master's voice sounded by her ear. "Ran Xi, remember to compensate the Disciples' Hall for Doufa Peak's losses."
"Yes, Master."
Wei Yunxi bowed toward the sky, privately thankful that her master would smooth things over so the damages might cost a little less.
Zhang Lingrui came to her side, a little embarrassed. "Senior Sister Ran Xi, I misjudged the force. I will shoulder half the loss to the peak."
Wei Yunxi waved it off with easy generosity. "It is fine. I proposed the spar, and Master already told me to handle it. Do not worry about it. If anything, this bout was a little unsatisfying."
Zhang Lingrui laughed. "Senior Sister Ran Xi is right. Next time, let us fight to our hearts' content."
They stepped over to thank Hao Hui Zūnzhě.
With the look of an elder pleased by promising juniors, Hao Hui Zūnzhě said, "Save some strength. Shine at the Five Region Grand Tournament."
"Yes, Zūnzhě, Ancestor," the two answered together.
Once Hao Hui Zūnzhě had enjoyed his spectacle, he slipped away to the back mountain.
Wei Yunxi turned to Zhang Lingrui. "Come. Let us meet up with Lin Keyang."
When they flashed to the foot of the mountain, they found not only Lin Keyang waiting, but also Elder Han, Sheng Yuhong, Zhou Lingchuan, and a cluster of disciples eager to know the result.
Lin Keyang stepped forward first. "You two are not injured?"
Zhang Lingrui waved his hand. "No. We were holding back."
Lin Keyang snorted. "Holding back, were you? I saw you getting more and more excited. If Senior Sister Ran Xi had not restrained herself, you would have been chopped off the platform long ago, and you nearly dragged the spectators into it."
Seeing his friend about to continue the scolding, Zhang Lingrui hurried to laugh it off. "It was a rare chance, so of course I wanted to learn from Senior Sister Ran Xi. It will not happen a second time. I promise."
Lin Keyang only shook his head. He knew Zhang Lingrui too well. The man talked one way and acted another. Put a worthy sword opponent in front of him and he would always go all out. Lin Keyang let it drop and turned to Wei Yunxi. "Senior Sister Ran Xi, the damage to the platform should be borne by the three of us together."
Wei Yunxi gave the same answer with a wave of her hand, then beckoned Elder Han over.
"Elder Han, the barrier just now shattered under our strikes. Please prepare an itemized list of spirit stones for compensation."
Elder Han had already prepared and handed her a freshly inscribed jade slip. He explained,"This arena is seldom used. The barrier maintenance has been lax. That is why today happened. The Disciples' Hall will assume half the responsibility. Ran Xi Zhēnjūn only needs to pay the other half."
Wei Yunxi nodded, satisfied. No wonder the barrier felt so flimsy. They had not even fought long before residual force broke it. It had really spoiled the mood.
A sweep of her divine sense told her the amount was reasonable. She passed Elder Han the jade slip along with a storage pouch of spirit stones. Wei Yunxi was no longer short on funds.
Elder Han accepted with a smile. He would see to the rest.
Only then did Wei Yunxi say to the two, "Let us go sit at Lingxue Peak."
"Good."
None of the three wished to remain a public spectacle. They vanished and returned to Lingxue Peak.
With their figures gone, the murmurs finally burst wide open.
"Did you see the last exchange clearly?"
"No. I did not even blink, and we were teleported to the foot of the mountain at the key moment."
"Tsk. That was the Zūnzhě protecting us. Did you not hear Elder Han? The barrier was shattered. That tells you how powerful that last sword clash was."
"Sword cultivators are terrifying. The destructive power is too strong."
"Ran Xi Zhēnjūn is the terrifying one. Do not forget she was two against one."
Someone drawled, "That is only because Ran Xi Zhēnjūn's cultivation is higher. If she had lost, that would have been embarrassing."
"Which eye of yours saw Ran Xi Zhēnjūn lose?"
"If she did not lose, why not let us watch?"
Sheng Yuhong and Zhou Lingchuan, who had not yet left, both darkened at that kind of mindless chatter.
Sheng Yuhong stepped forward. "If you have nothing to do, leave Doufa Peak. Instead of arguing wins and losses here, go improve your own cultivation. Spars between Yuányīng Zhēnjūn are not judged on victory and defeat."
The crowd realized it was Senior Brother Sheng Yuhong and Zhou Lingchuan. Their words had clearly been overheard. Those two did not speak only for themselves, but for Haoran Peak as well. Everyone cupped their fists in apology and scattered like birds.
Zhou Lingchuan folded his arms. "Come on. Let us go back as well."
Though the spectators dispersed, plenty of disciples who came for the spectacle had already recorded the fight. Since there was no official winner, the bookmakers who had set up wagers made a small fortune.
Lingxue Peak
Once Wei Yunxi seated the two, she went straight to the point. "If you want to participate in this Five Region Grand Tournament, I will not stop you. Decide for yourselves."
Zhang Lingrui and Lin Keyang exchanged a glance. "We will both participate."
Lin Keyang had hesitated before. After fighting Wei Yunxi, he had seen his shortcomings clearly and wanted to accumulate real combat experience. Only worthy opponents could draw out his potential.
He would never let Zhang Lingrui, that sword maniac, go alone either. If they really fell into a trap set by evil cultivators, with Zhang Lingrui's headlong temperament, he would suffer. Lin Keyang had no intention of losing the partner he trusted to guard his back.