How could this happen!
There was actually a day when others didn’t believe she had done something bad!
Hua Yan felt she should be happy, but she couldn’t quite manage it.
The main reason was that Zhao You was just too foolish.
So foolish that it was impossible to communicate with him.
“Forget it, I’m leaving.”
Zhao You was stunned: “…Where are you going?”
Hua Yan thought he was truly stupid: “What else can I do? I’m going to watch the competition, of course.”
Zhao You: “Uh, actually, the first day isn’t that important…”
Before he could finish, Hua Yan had already lifted the hem of her skirt and swiftly left like the wind.
***
By the time she returned to Lu Chengsha’s side, the literary competition had already started.
Hua Yan felt a bit regretful. She had heard that on the first day, the sect leader of Dangshan and the master of Dongfeng Buye Tower would both give speeches. She had already seen the sect leader of Dangshan, but she still didn’t know what the legendary master of Dongfeng Buye Tower looked like.
Inside the venue, a few disciples had already started their competitions in small groups.
The so-called literary competition was divided into several categories. The first category was where disciples from various sects would theoretically dismantle each other’s sword moves, achieving a “battle of words.”
Tingjian Manor had a good position, close enough that Hua Yan could rest her chin on her hand and clearly hear the entire process of the verbal duel between two disciples in front of her.
“Look at my move ‘Wonderful Brush Produces Flowers,’ how would you counter it?”
“Then I would use our sect’s ‘Flying Cloud Spreads Wings,’ first retreating a step, then jumping up to avoid your sweep, and then stabbing here…”
“Good counter, then I would…”
After listening for less than half a stick of incense, Hua Yan was already feeling sleepy.
The second type of competition was a comparison of the various sects’ martial arts. Initially, it was meant for the elders and leaders of each sect to exchange their self-created martial arts techniques.
Unfortunately, as fewer self-created techniques emerged and more arguments arose, it evolved into evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each sect’s swordsmanship, sword techniques, spear techniques, internal energy methods, and other secret skills.
Each sect, from beginner to master, accumulated techniques over generations. Every major sect had at least dozens of techniques. Combined with those of smaller sects and occasionally self-created techniques, even if some were lost, there were still at least a few hundred.
It was hard not to argue when evaluating these hundreds of techniques.
Hua Yan initially forced herself to stay alert, but as she listened, she became sleepy again. Wasn’t this just bickering?
She turned her head out of boredom and saw Lu Chengsha staring motionlessly into the arena, which immediately lifted Hua Yan’s spirits.
As expected of Great Hero Lu, he could listen so intently to such a boring discussion!
Hua Yan poked Lu Chengsha: “Great Hero Lu, which of the two martial arts techniques they’re discussing do you think is more powerful?”
Lu Chengsha turned his head and asked, “What?”
Hua Yan: “…Were you even listening?”
Lu Chengsha looked towards the arena, remained silent for a while, and then replied, “They’re about the same.”
As expected of Great Hero Lu, he could reach a conclusion after listening for such a short time!
However, having asked this much, Hua Yan’s curiosity got the better of her. What kind of sword techniques did the mighty Lu Chengsha practice?
She couldn’t resist and asked the question.
After asking, she worried that she might have inquired about some secret techniques of his sect.
Lu Chengsha paused for a moment and then answered, “Basic Lu Family Sword Technique, Intermediate Lu Family Sword Technique, Advanced Lu Family Sword Technique.”
“That’s all…” Hua Yan couldn’t help but ask, “…Is there nothing else?”
Lu Chengsha nodded.
Hua Yan felt that Lu Chengsha was teasing her: “Uh, Great Hero Lu, are you joking with me?”
To her surprise, Lu Chengsha replied, “What is a joke?”
Hua Yan was stunned: “Have you really only practiced three sets of sword techniques?”
In their Zhengyi Sect, they naturally had martial arts techniques as well. Their ancestors were prosperous, and they had no shortage of sword techniques, knife techniques, and internal energy methods. They also had unique techniques for controlling gu insects, all stored in the sect’s treasury. They had all sorts of names like “Domineering Fist Technique,” “Invincible Diamond Sword,” “Soul Dispersing Palm,” and the most famous was the “Tiancan Sword Technique,” though unfortunately, they only had half of it.
Even though Hua Yan’s father had obstructed her in every possible way, she had started practicing martial arts at the age of seven. By now, she had practiced at least seven or eight types of techniques, not including internal energy methods.
Lu Chengsha: “Yes.”
Before Hua Yan could respond, Lu Chengzhao, sitting in front of them, couldn’t hold back: “We know you’re great, but can you stop boasting? Damn it! You’re making it sound like our Lu Family only has those three sword techniques! We have over seventy kinds of sword techniques in our family, and seventeen of them are famous!”
Hua Yan set aside past grievances and humbly asked, “How many have you practiced?”
Lu Chengzhao vaguely sensed something was wrong and mumbled, “Thirteen…”
Hua Yan’s tone was infuriatingly provocative: “Then why can’t you beat him?”
“Damn it, you wretched woman, just you wait…”
Lu Huatian growled, “Chengzhao.”
Lu Chengzhao gritted his teeth and turned his head back.
Behind them, Hua Yan’s muffled laughter caused her to rock back and forth, which made Lu Chengzhao’s face twist in anger.
As for the third category of the literary competition, it was the contest between external techniques and internal energy, essentially debating the importance of techniques versus inner strength.
This was a topic that had endured for ages, even causing disputes within their Zhengyi Sect.
Some believed that with strong enough internal energy, one could overcome any technique with sheer force. Others argued that with sufficiently exquisite techniques, one could use force against force, dissolving attacks into nothingness, rendering even the highest internal energy ineffective. Both sides had produced many experts, and the debate had raged on for centuries without resolution.
Hua Yan listened attentively for a while. Mainly because she currently lacked internal energy and only had some flashy techniques that were useful for escaping but not for actual combat. She wanted to see if there was anything she could learn.
Listening, Hua Yan quietly poked Lu Chengsha again: “What do you think?”
Lu Chengsha seemed to genuinely ponder for a moment before answering her, “Sword techniques.”
Wow, it turned out Great Hero Lu was also a proponent of external techniques!
Hua Yan couldn’t help but feel a sense of kinship. She reached out a hand, grasped Lu Chengsha’s, and shook it up and down, saying, “Great minds think alike!”
Lu Chengsha seemed to be taken aback for a moment, looking down at their clasped hands.
Hua Yan blinked: “What’s wrong? Uh, is my hand too sweaty…”
It did seem a bit sweaty. Lu Chengsha’s hand felt very cold and dry… The weather was too hot, and she didn’t have internal energy, so she couldn’t be blamed!
Feeling guilty, Hua Yan withdrew her hand.
She heard Lu Chengsha turn his head away and calmly say, “It’s fine.”
Great Hero Lu really was too kind!
Hua Yan thought, truly, rumors stop with the wise. Great Hero Lu was the most easygoing!
As she was thinking this, she noticed a young boy standing in front of them, trembling and holding a tray with several small bowls, looking like he wanted to approach but didn’t dare.
“Um… could I…” His voice was as quiet as a mosquito.
“Hmm? Speak up?” Hua Yan leaned closer and asked.
The boy lowered his head even more: “The assembly… has provided… red bean soup… everyone gets a bowl…”
How considerate!
Hua Yan looked around and saw that indeed, everyone had a bowl. She casually took one, and the red bean soup was still cool.
Seeing her take one, the boy mustered a bit of courage and glanced at Lu Chengsha with the corner of his eye, then quickly looked away: “Um… Lu, Lu…”
“Oh, is this for him?” Hua Yan didn’t think twice and took another bowl, handing it to Lu Chengsha.
The young boy immediately showed a look of deep gratitude.
Lu Chengsha turned his head and took the bowl, his gaze casually sweeping over the boy.
The boy shivered, quickly raised the tray, and ran off without looking back.
Hua Yan: “…”
She was deeply troubled. Why was there such a heavy prejudice?
Thinking about it, Hua Yan took a sip of the red bean soup.
So sweet!
Cool and sweet, a true delicacy, Hua Yan immediately slumped in her seat, loving the righteous path!
After a few sips, she finished the whole bowl and let out a long breath, turning to see that Lu Chengsha hadn’t taken a sip and was watching her.
“Hmm?”
Lu Chengsha directly handed her his bowl.
“So, you don’t like it? Alright then.”
Hua Yan felt it would be a waste, so she gulped down the second bowl too.
After drinking two bowls, Hua Yan felt completely comfortable. This comfort made her sleepy. She hadn’t slept well the previous night, and today’s competition was so soporific. She nodded off and soon fell asleep.
When she woke up again, she found it was already dark.
Was she a pig to sleep so long?
Hua Yan immediately jumped up in shock. The venue was already empty, with most of the disciples from other sects gone. Great Hero Lu must have… She turned her head and saw Lu Chengsha sitting beside her in the dark, his eyes like bright and gentle stars in the night.
All the other Lu family disciples had left as well.
Hua Yan looked at the flattened crease on Lu Chengsha’s shoulder, internally screaming, No way! No way! Did I really sleep on Great Hero Lu’s shoulder until now? I must be a pig!
Lu Chengsha calmly stood up and said, “Let’s go.”
“Oh.” She followed behind Lu Chengsha in small steps.
Hua Yan was reflecting on herself. Although Great Hero Lu was very easygoing, she shouldn’t be so casual.
***
The next day, Hua Yan sat upright as soon as the martial competition began. But there really was no chance for her to doze off, because right at the start, the icy Zuo Jingshuang from Dangshan Sect leaped into the arena, pointed her sword at Qingcheng Sect, and said, “Zuo Jingshuang from Dangshan Sect, seeking to learn from Mu Xuelang of Qingcheng Sect.”
Hua Yan knew the rules for the disciple battles. Sometimes, if luck wasn’t on their side, they wouldn’t get to fight the person they wanted. So, they would choose to directly challenge in the martial competition.
Even so, her challenge caused an uproar among the audience.
Mu Xuelang was the senior disciple of Qingcheng Sect. He had joined as a child and had been with the sect for over twenty years. Although he had only attended the Sword-seeking Tournament twice due to numerous sect duties, he was long famous and had accomplished many chivalrous deeds. No one had ever questioned his martial skills.
Zuo Jingshuang, however, was different. She had joined Dangshan Sect only five years ago and became Ling Tianxiao’s closed-door disciple a year later. Three years ago, she wasn’t even qualified to participate in the Sword-seeking Tournament. Despite being hailed as a martial arts prodigy rarely seen in a century, she still seemed to pale in comparison to Lu Chengsha, who had never lost a fight and had a meteoric rise since childhood. Therefore, she remained somewhat unremarkable. Dongfeng Buye Tower, out of respect for Ling Tianxiao, had ranked her twenty-ninth. Now, she wanted to challenge Mu Xuelang, who was ranked fourth, which seemed overambitious, especially since she was a woman.
Most people shared this sentiment.
Mu Xuelang smiled wryly and leaped into the arena.
“You’re too kind, Junior Sister. Please go easy on me.”
Hua Yan excitedly tugged on Lu Chengsha’s sleeve.
Finally! She could see what she wanted!
The world of martial arts! Fights! Stories of handsome young heroes and beautiful, passionate heroines!
Before Hua Yan could look, another person from Dangshan Sect leaped into the arena.
Since the martial competition was aimed at sparring, the arena was divided into four sections, surrounded by thin ropes. Stepping out of the circle meant defeat, allowing four simultaneous matches to accommodate the numerous disciples wanting to compete within the day’s time.
The person from Dangshan Sect who jumped onto the second platform wore the same green-gray uniform as the other inner disciples, which contrasted sharply with his dark skin. His long hair was tied into a bundle, with the ends curling into waves. His wild gaze carried a wolf-like ferocity. He waved the long knife in his hand, pointing it in Hua Yan’s direction.
“Dangshan Chu Jun challenges Tingjian Manor’s Lu Chengsha. Come down.”
Hua Yan: “…!”
She was stunned! Someone actually wanted to challenge Great Hero Lu!
In an instant, she felt a thrilling excitement.
Lu Chengsha naturally did not refuse.
As Lu Chengsha landed, Lu Huatian kicked Lu Chengzhao and said, “Get up there.”
Lu Chengzhao, looking miserable, said, “Dad, can’t I not go…”
Lu Huatian glared coldly at his son.
Lu Chengzhao muttered a curse under his breath, then sighed deeply, drew his Bilu Sword, and jumped onto the platform. He looked for that fluffy white spot and said, “Tingjian Manor’s Lu Chengzhao wishes to learn from Bai Yujiang of Baiya Peak.”
Even before the martial competition began, the entire Sword-seeking Tournament venue was already buzzing with excitement.