Chapter 32: The Reckless Challenge and Its Aftermath

Although Lin Xue was seething with anger, she found herself unable to retort. After all, this wasn’t a private altercation, nor did it breach any sect regulations. Coupled with the fact that Lin Shuang had been the one to initiate the provocation, Lin Xue could only grit her teeth and bear it.

Such a severe blow meant Lin Shuang would likely need a full month of rest before she could possibly recover.

The forcible disruption of her Sword Control Art had backlashed fiercely against Lin Shuang. This caused her internal energy to surge erratically, obstructing the flow within her meridians. It would take considerable time for her body to realign and clear these blockages.

This was not considered a particularly grave injury, merely a light one at most. As for superficial wounds, they were even less significant; a cultivator’s robust physique would ensure a swift recovery.

“Our sisters will remember this incident,” Lin Xue stated, leaving her words hanging in the air. She then picked up Lin Shuang, collected her treasured sword, and soared into the sky, heading towards their residence.

Those disciples who shared a close bond with Lin Shuang also quickly followed in pursuit.

Once the two sisters had departed, Deng Wenqing’s expression grew heavy, a hint of gloom clouding his features.

The position of Sect Master for Spirit Sword Mountain was not exclusively reserved for Heavenly Sword Peak disciples; all factions were eligible to compete.

Before Lin Shuang and Lin Xue arrived, Deng Wenqing was considered the undisputed choice for the next Sect Master. However, their appearance had introduced two formidable contenders into the race.

Deng Wenqing had always sought an opportunity to test the sisters’ capabilities. Yet, constrained by his status as a senior disciple and his significantly higher cultivation, he couldn’t openly challenge them.

However, several months prior, a female disciple from Heavenly Sword Peak, who harbored affection for him, sparked an idea in his mind. If he couldn’t directly challenge them, he could certainly devise a way to make them seek him out.

He knew that among the two sisters, Lin Shuang possessed a fiery temperament and would not tolerate injustice. Thus, just yesterday, he instructed the female disciple from Heavenly Sword Peak to offer herself to him, only to discard her afterwards.

Both Spirit Sword Mountain and Moonfall Sect were martial arts sects, not bound by the numerous rules of Daoist sects. As long as both parties were willing, no rules were broken.

Afterwards, the female disciple’s mental state undoubtedly crumbled. However, constrained by Deng Wenqing’s status, she could only confide her sorrow to her close sisters. Coincidentally, Lin Shuang was one of them.

Others might shy away from provoking Deng Wenqing, but Lin Shuang certainly wouldn’t. Incensed, she stormed up Blazing Flame Peak, unleashing a torrent of abuse at Deng Wenqing.

This played perfectly into Deng Wenqing’s hands. He appeared and provoked her with a few words, and Lin Shuang immediately challenged him to a duel on the Sword Discourse Platform.

“Alas! It’s over. I say, Senior Brother, are you sure you won’t go check on that child?” Ning Chong sighed again from the main sect hall.

Jiang Shengming shook his head.

“There’s no life-threatening danger. Let her rest for a month. Unable to cultivate or run around freely, this state is ideal for reflection. I believe that the next time she makes a decision, she will recall today’s events,” Jiang Shengming stated.

“Eh? You are truly strict! She’s your precious disciple, yet you won’t even go see her?” Ning Chong said, a wry smile playing on his lips.

Jiang Shengming desired disciples who could stand independently and uphold Spirit Sword Mountain in the future, not fragile hothouse flowers.

****

Soon after, at Lin Shuang’s residence.

“Junior Sister Lin Xue, is Junior Sister Lin Shuang alright? I… this whole incident, it’s all my fault.” The female disciple who had been wronged by Deng Wenqing stood by Lin Shuang’s bedside, accompanied by several other female disciples.

Lin Xue shook her head.

“She’s fine; she just needs a good month of recuperation. By the way, Senior Sister Milan, when did you and Deng Wenqing meet? How did you end up with him? And what’s this about you offering yourself to him?” Lin Xue inquired.

The woman named Milan quickly recounted her entire experience with Deng Wenqing.

After listening, while others might not have perceived any issues, Lin Xue, having experience in romantic relationships, quickly sensed something amiss. Deng Wenqing’s actions seemed far too deliberate, almost as if they were intentionally orchestrated.

Then, recalling that Deng Wenqing had been hailed as the number one genius of the outer sect and the undisputed choice for the future Sect Master of Spirit Sword Mountain before their arrival, she understood everything.

“So that’s how it is. Alright, Senior Sister Milan, my sister is fine. You all should head back now. Do not associate with Deng Wenqing anymore. Such a person is not worth your sorrow, Senior Sister Milan. Just consider it being bitten by a dog, and we’ll repay him when the opportunity arises,” Lin Xue told Milan.

Milan nodded solemnly, then departed with the other female disciples.

Not long after they left, Lin Shuang awoke.

The moment she stirred, Lin Xue couldn’t help but scold her.

“Awake? You brat, do you realize you fell right into someone else’s trap? Do you have no brains? Your personality was so impulsive in your previous life, and you still haven’t changed in this one. If not for your temperament, would I, you, and your brother have been struck by lightning?”

Lin Shuang turned her face away, refusing to look at Lin Xue. This time, she had been thoroughly disgraced and suffered such a significant loss.

“Not speaking? Do you think silence will make me shut up? With Deng Wenqing’s skill, you couldn’t have held out for so long. He was purely testing you, and you, of all people, exposed your dual cultivation of sword arts! You need to learn your lesson. Take this time of recuperation to reflect on yourself, alright?” Lin Xue continued.

“Hmph! This is my business, you meddle too much,” Lin Shuang snorted coldly.

Lin Xue rolled her eyes.

“If I weren’t your sister-in-law in your previous life and your sister in this one, I wouldn’t even spare you a glance if you died. It’s as if I desperately want to manage a hothead like you,” Lin Xue grumbled, then turned and left Lin Shuang’s residence.

This girl was beyond persuasion; only through her own profound enlightenment would she shed those bad habits.

“Sigh!” After a moment of dazed silence, Lin Shuang let out a long sigh. She was already reflecting.

****

Thus, time continued to pass slowly. In the blink of an eye, half a month had elapsed since Su Yun entered seclusion.

The stone chamber where Su Yun had been cultivating slowly opened, and Su Yun emerged, looking refreshed and invigorated.

“Haha, I, Su Yun, am not only a genius at artifact refinement, but also a genius in cultivation! In just over ten days, I’ve reached the fourth stage of Qi Refinement. Heaven is truly benevolent!” Su Yun decided not to continue cultivating her internal energy. She resolved to practice Spirit Sword Mountain’s Sword Control Art and other combat techniques.

However, as she passed by several disciples, she suddenly paused.

“Hey! Have you heard? I just returned from outside and heard that a few days ago, Lin Shuang, the Sect Master’s direct disciple, fought against Deng Wenqing of Blazing Flame Peak and was severely injured. What happened, do you know?”

“Oh, that incident? The entire sect knows about it now. Lin Shuang provoked Deng Wenqing, but her provocation failed, and she ended up being taught a lesson…”

Su Yun secretly listened to their conversation using her divine sense. After hearing it all, her gentle, pretty face immediately darkened.

She quickly left the Sword Comprehension Tower, then retrieved the ceremonial sword the sect had given her. Closing her eyes, she performed a few hand seals, and the sword immediately transformed into a streak of light, automatically unsheathing and flying before Su Yun.

Su Yun stepped onto it, using her power to connect herself with the flying sword.

“Go,” Su Yun commanded, changing her hand seals again. The flying sword immediately carried Su Yun towards the outer sect residences.

Su Yun had originally planned to have some fun, but now she had no such inclination. Her younger sister had been beaten; how could she possibly think of enjoying herself?

While Qi Refinement Stage Four allowed for sword flight, the speed wasn’t particularly fast, barely exceeding a normal person’s sprint over a hundred meters. It merely offered the ability to fly.

Su Yun quickly returned to the peak where the three of them resided. Upon landing, she immediately headed towards Lin Shuang’s dwelling.

“Bang, bang…” After a moment of hesitation, Su Yun knocked on the door.

Lin Shuang, still resting in bed, immediately dragged her weakened body up, walked to the main door, and opened it.

“Who is it?” Lin Shuang asked, her face pale as she opened the door.

Upon seeing her sister, who looked as if she had just recovered from a severe illness, Su Yun felt a pang of heartache.

“Ah? It’s you. I apologize, but I’m injured and not convenient for visitors. If you have anything, please speak to my elder sister,” Lin Shuang said weakly.

With that, she was about to close the door and return to rest.

“Hey, Junior Sister Lin Shuang, I heard you were injured by Deng Wenqing of Blazing Flame Peak a few days ago. I’ve been cultivating in the Sword Comprehension Tower all this time and only came out today, so I specifically came to see you,” Su Yun quickly explained.

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuang’s initial resistance towards Su Yun diminished considerably.

“Sigh! It seems this matter is now common knowledge, how embarrassing. If you’re not leaving, then come in and sit for a while. I’ve been bored to death recently anyway,” Lin Shuang sighed, then walked back inside and lay down on her bed.

Seeing Lin Shuang’s dejected expression, Su Yun finally entered and closed the door.

“I’ve already heard. You bravely stood up for a female disciple from your Heavenly Sword Peak. It was just a bit reckless,” Su Yun said, trying her best not to provoke Lin Shuang with her words.

Her statement was quite fitting for Lin Shuang’s personality. She first acknowledged Lin Shuang’s bravery but simultaneously pointed out her recklessness, without entirely negating Lin Shuang’s actions.