Chapter 6#

“The Sword Fighting Tournament, officially begins!”

The sound of a gong that resonated across the heavens broke the silence atop the sacred mountain.

Yu Lin stood beside Yu Yuan, looking around left and right from time to time. Noticing this, Yu Yuan asked, “Who are you looking for?”

“Wen Jin,” he answered naturally.

The friend he hadn’t seen in many years was kept under tight supervision by his sect elders; only now, with the excuse of the Sword Fighting Tournament, could he manage to see him.

Yu Yuan helped him look. A moment later, she pointed toward the silhouette of a person leaning against a tree trunk in the Lingyao Valley camp and said to Yu Lin, “There.”

A tall man was leaning against the tree with his arms crossed, eyes closed to conserve energy. Upon feeling Yu Lin’s gaze, he opened his eyes and smiled slightly.

Wen Jin glanced at the Lingyao Valley elders, his fingers moved slightly, and he circled from behind the crowd to appear in front of them, winking at Yu Lin with a smile.

He and Yu Lin had grown up together since childhood and were very close. Yu Lin naturally took his hand, smiling as he beckoned him to sit and exchanged pleasantries for a moment.

Xianjun Chongwu was sitting on the other side with Yu Ming and Yu Ling, which Wen Jin spotted as soon as he looked over.

Wen Jin frowned for a long time, leaned into Yu Lin’s ear, and whispered, “Who is that? Why does he look so much like you?”

A cold chill rose in Yu Lin’s eyes; he snorted and remarked sarcastically, “The ‘fifth junior brother’ my Master just took in.”

Wen Jin was somewhat surprised and frowned slightly, “Xianjun Chongwu hasn’t taken any disciples in over ten years. Does he have some extraordinary talent? Is he gifted?”

Yu Lin’s subconscious instinct was to deny it, but he suddenly recalled the scene from his past life where he had been beaten into a miserable state, and he shook his head hesitantly, replying, “I don’t know.”

Observing his expression, Wen Jin naturally smoothed things over, “True, if he weren’t exceptionally gifted, he wouldn’t have been taken in to be a thorn in your side.”

Yu Lin sighed and muttered to himself: It’s been so many years, why bring up these outsiders? He shifted the topic, looked up, and asked, “It’s been a long time. Was your sect willing to let you out?”

Yu Lin raised his eyes, tracing Wen Jin’s features with his gaze.

After the demonic realm incident in his past life, he had been living in a daze, paying no attention to external affairs, and had lost contact with Wen Jin. Counting carefully now, it had been many years.

Hearing him bring it up, the corners of Wen Jin’s mouth stiffened. He gave an “um” after a long pause, his tone somewhat reluctant, as if he didn’t want to touch upon the subject. Awkwardly, he placed his right hand on Yu Lin’s knee.

However, Yu Lin narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at a cluster of black marks faintly visible on the back of his hand. “What is this?”

Before his voice faded, Yu Lin swiftly grabbed Wen Jin’s sleeve and pulled it up. He saw that the back of Wen Jin’s right hand was covered by a terrifying black totem, which spread all the way up to his forearm.

Wen Jin was startled by the sudden movement and jerked back, trying to pull his hand away, but was firmly pinned in place by Yu Lin.

Yu Lin looked up at him steadily and asked again, “What is this?”

His gaze was stubborn; it seemed as if he wouldn’t let go unless he received an answer.

Wen Jin met his eyes for a moment, let out a soft sigh, and explained, “Just a little toy they use to monitor me. With this on me, I can’t run away.” After he finished speaking, he smiled indifferently, reassuring Yu Lin, “It’s fine.”

Back then, Wen Jin was the only direct descendant left in Lingyao Valley. He was young and unable to protect the valley, so peripheral disciples had usurped his position.

To avoid criticism, those people imprisoned Wen Jin in the valley as a puppet “orthodox” leader to be controlled.

He was pushed out to the public eye as a front. How could Yu Lin not know the reason behind it? He felt a sharp pang of heartache, grabbing his hand and turning it over repeatedly to inspect it for a long time.

“This thing… will it always be there? Are they crazy?! Do they want to control you for your whole life?!”

Wen Jin smiled, reached out to ruffle his hair, and comforted him: “No, this totem requires spiritual energy to maintain. Their strength cannot support it for that long.”

Yu Lin was half-doubting, looking up at him. Seeing that Wen Jin’s eyes were steady and unwavering, looking as usual, he hesitantly released his hand and softened his tone, “…If you are wronged in Lingyao Valley, remember to come find me.”

Wen Jin replied with an “um” and a smile, but his eyes remained dark and unreadable.

Unable to even save yourself, yet you talk about helping others.

Wen Jin found an excuse to change the subject. He picked up Yu Lin’s token and looked at it, asking, “Who are you battling?”

Engraved on the token were: Water Attribute, Field Number One, Number Seventeen.

Yu Lin replied immediately, “I am battling number twenty-three.”

Number twenty-three was Yu Ling.

In his past life, he had practiced in a lackadaisical manner and faced Yu Ling in the preliminary round, only to end up in a sorry state.

Yu Ling had little talent, so he hadn’t taken him seriously. He hadn’t expected that Yu Ling had already reached the third stage of the Water Earth-realm, and he lost his momentum the moment he made a move.

A gap in stages is like a mountain; he hadn’t been serious about cultivation to begin with, let alone against Yu Ling, who was a stage higher than him. Consequently, he was beaten back steadily and defeated in just a few moves.

Wen Jin nodded, “The preliminary round shouldn’t be too difficult, don’t worry. I saw the field you’re competing in just now; it should be your turn soon, go and prepare.”

Yu Lin looked at his own palms. Although he had reached the first stage of the Water Heaven-realm now, he still felt hesitant about facing Yu Ling.

He looked up and asked with hesitation, “Will you stay with me?”

Wen Jin nodded, “I’ll stay with you, let’s go.”

The two walked leisurely to Field Number One. As soon as they arrived, the token in Yu Lin’s hand lit up.

Wen Jin had guessed right; sure enough, he was next.

Wen Jin nodded, “Go on, I’ll wait for you off the stage.”

Yu Lin nodded, walked forward, took the standard-issue sharp sword, flourished it with a beautiful sword movement, and stepped onto the stage.

He was wearing simple white robes today, his black hair tied up, which highlighted his refined features. The whole look was clean and crisp.

Yu Ling followed and stepped onto the stage. His hair hung loose over his shoulders, and his white robes were embroidered with golden cloud patterns that reflected the sunlight, making him look like a young master from a wealthy family.

Upon seeing Yu Lin, his eyes showed a hint of cowardice. He pressed his lips together, tightened his grip on his sword, and then looked at Yu Lin with a determined expression.

Yu Lin lifted his long neck slightly, his eyes cold.

After months of diligent practice, he had reached the first stage of the Water Heaven-realm. He could feel his field of vision expanding and becoming clearer.

Yu Lin’s dantian spiritual energy flowed like water, gradually gathering to capacity, then spreading gently, circulating within his body like a flowing stream in a closed loop.

Suddenly, the gong sounded! Yu Lin took a step back, then charged out like the wind!

He recited the incantation silently, and the sword blade instantly shimmered with a water-blue light, with mist swirling around him. He swung his sword decisively, striking straight at Yu Ling’s vitals.

Yu Ling’s pupils constricted, and he raised his sword to block, but his posture was slightly clumsy.

Yu Lin was taken aback.

Xianjun Chongwu once said to him: “Your cultivation can be poor, but your swordsmanship cannot be slovenly.” Therefore, when he was still building his foundation, he had to get up at the hour of the rabbit to practice swordsmanship. There was no one under Xianjun Chongwu’s tutelage who wasn’t skilled in the sword.

Yet, for some reason, when it came to Yu Ling…

Yu Lin narrowed his eyes and struck at the opening left by Yu Ling’s awkward defense!

Having reached the first stage of the Heaven-realm, he could discern the depth of an opponent whose strength was below his own. As the spiritual energy on their swords collided, Yu Lin understood.

No wonder he had been kept in the dark in his previous life; it was simply because Yu Ling’s spiritual energy was truly abundant.

He seemed to be absorbing spiritual energy continuously with every breath, yet for some reason, he could not store it properly. The unfiltered spiritual energy was messy and chaotic, scurrying around within Yu Ling’s body, making every second an ordeal.

His spiritual energy appeared to have form, but it was like a group of dragons without a leader—collapsing at the slightest impact, lacking any punch.

Yu Lin frowned: This was not a level befitting the third stage of the Water Earth-realm.

As he thought this, his sword continued forward. He flicked Yu Ling’s sword upward. The silver blades collided with a “hum.”

Yu Ling was caught off guard by his move, his breathing stalling, and he scrambled to press his sword downward, retreating a few steps.

Yu Lin scrutinized his expression. He hadn’t noticed it before, but seeing Yu Ling’s inability to match his spiritual energy with his technique, it looked more like the result of seeking success too quickly…

As if to confirm something, he stepped forward, grabbed Yu Ling, pulled him back, and attacked his back with spiritual energy gathered in his palm.

Yu Lin had no intention of hurting him; a surge of gentle water-elemental energy spread through Yu Ling’s body. As he pushed his spiritual energy forward, he found that Yu Ling’s own energy was loosely gathered around his dantian, fragmented, and unable to take shape.

Fragmented… unable to take shape…

The spiritual energy inside Yu Ling was clearly accumulated from consuming spiritual herbs; it hadn’t been cultivated through proper practice at all!

Was this his own idea, or Xianjun Chongwu’s? And why do such a thing?

A chill crept up Yu Lin’s spine. He stared coldly at Yu Ling, his breathing short and fast, before closing his eyes to suppress the complex thoughts in his heart.

He let go of Yu Ling, his hand trembling slightly, and resumed his previous stance. But he couldn’t help but be distracted, and although his movements continued, he lost a bit of strength.

Just then, Yu Ling noticed his distraction and quickly gathered water elements into his sword, slashing toward him!

The piercing sword light struck suddenly. Sensing danger, Yu Lin raised his head and blocked it with his sword. Yu Ling was gritting his teeth, his grip on the sword strained, his veins bulging—he was clearly using all his strength!

His expression was filled with endless madness; looking at Yu Lin, it was as if he wanted to flay his skin and drink his blood.

Yu Ling’s breathing was heavy; he suddenly grabbed Yu Lin’s hand tightly and, taking advantage of the momentum, spun around and plunged his sword into Yu Lin’s waist!

A sharp pain surged in his waist, and Yu Lin groaned, blood flowing from the wound. A winding snake of blood trailed down his white robes, looking strikingly harsh.

The pain made Yu Lin’s scalp tingle, while the crowd below erupted in shock.

“Isn’t this a competition between fellow disciples? How could he strike with such cruelty?!”

“You don’t know, the one who looks well-behaved is the new disciple Xianjun Chongwu took in after ten years… I suppose he was favored too much and triggered jealousy!”

“What does it matter if they are fellow disciples? Their relationship doesn’t seem that great to me anyway! Tch, the dirty business of large sects.”

The blood dripped steadily. Yu Lin looked fixedly at Yu Ling, who had resolutely driven his sword into him, and after a long moment, he smiled.

Stimulated by the pain, Yu Lin reached out his left hand, grabbed the blade embedded in his wound, and pulled it out inch by inch.

In an instant, his palm was drenched in blood. Drops of blood splattered across the stage, unstoppable.

Some said he was jealous and intolerant, while others speculated about the relationship between the two brothers. In his past life, he had lost so miserably that he had heard things thousands of times worse than this; naturally, he didn’t care.

Without hesitation, he pressed Yu Ling’s sword blade downward with lightning speed, then grabbed his sword, threw it to the ground, and pinned Yu Ling’s hands with his bloodied hand.

“Hum—”

A breeze blew past, and the sword Yu Lin held was now pressed against Yu Ling’s neck.

Yu Ling struggled continuously, but Yu Lin, drawing on strength from nowhere, held him even tighter.

Yu Lin’s wound continued to tear, staining Yu Ling’s wrists red as well. The heavy scent of blood washed over them; Yu Ling couldn’t help but tense his body, breathing in short, shallow bursts.

He dared not provoke Yu Lin; the madness in his eyes had turned into profound fear.

Yu Lin appeared calm, his grip on the sword steady, though his breathing was heavy and ragged, trembling irregularly. He hid his face in the shadows, saying nothing.

Yu Ling couldn’t see his face, only a pair of eyes filled with chill, watching him like a venomous snake.

The two stood in a silent standoff, with only the cold sword hanging by the neck.

A moment later, Yu Lin’s sword sliced sideways, and the hair by Yu Ling’s ear was cleanly and neatly cut off, falling to the ground in a bundle.