Chapter 25: The Reason

As Lu Xueqi's figure disappeared from sight, Qian Mo glanced at the shattered silvery celestial sword in the center of the arena, then quickly withdrew his gaze. To say Lu Xueqi ruined a disciple from Dragon Head Peak—he would wholeheartedly support her even if she razed the entire peak to the ground. Especially since this disciple had tried to take advantage with words the moment he stepped onto the stage. If it were him instead of Lu Xueqi, he might have crippled the fellow too. Besides, this disciple belonged to Qi Hao’s faction; if he was ruined, so be it. It was nothing worth fussing over.

Just as Qian Mo was lost in thought, Zeng Shushu sighed, “I never expected the Tianyao, such a divine artifact, to appear in the world.”

Zhang Xiaofan, hearing this, was puzzled. “What is Tianyao?”

By now, the gathered disciples of Qingyun were dispersing. Zeng Shushu greeted his fellow disciples from Wind Return Peak, then explained to Zhang Xiaofan, “The Tianyao is the celestial sword you just saw Lu Xueqi wield.”

“I once read in ‘The Ten Essays on Extraordinary Treasures’ that the Tianyao Sword first appeared in the hands of a wandering immortal named Ku Xin a thousand years ago. Legend has it that this artifact was forged from heavenly iron that fell to earth, which Ku Xin discovered in the Arctic tundra and refined into a sword.”

“In those days, when the righteous and demonic factions clashed, Qingyun’s founder Master Qingye led the righteous side, but Ku Xin was renowned as well. With this Tianyao Sword, he battled the ferocious Blackheart Elder of the demonic sect for three days and nights, ultimately severely wounding him and removing a great threat from our path.”

“It’s said that only the Tianyao Sword could counter the demonic sect’s most fearsome artifact, the Bloodthirst Bead. Thus the name ‘Tianyao’ resounded throughout the world, becoming the most coveted treasure among cultivators.”

Hearing the mention of the Bloodthirst Bead once more, Zhang Xiaofan’s expression changed subtly, a hint of worry surfacing in his heart. He wondered if he himself could restrain such a fearsome artifact.

“But after Ku Xin passed away, the Tianyao Sword vanished. Who would’ve thought it ended up in the hands of Bamboo Peak?”

At this, Zeng Shushu shook his head. “Junior Brother Xiaofan, with Lu Xueqi possessing such a divine artifact, I fear our hopes in this grand trial are slim.”

Zhang Xiaofan was momentarily dazed. Indeed, as Zeng Shushu said, he had seen Lu Xueqi’s terrifying cultivation firsthand, and it seemed she hadn’t even exerted herself fully. Though his own abilities were respectable, he lacked confidence in victory.

If he couldn’t win, would all his years of hard work be for nothing? This thought filled Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes with worry, when suddenly a hand was placed on his shoulder.

He turned to see Qian Mo’s face adorned with a serene, gentle smile. “Brother Zhang, do not worry. Leave everything to me. As the saying goes, a good deed should be done to the end; escort the Buddha all the way to the West. Since I promised you, nothing unexpected will happen.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan nodded, recalling Qian Mo’s mysterious abilities—and since Lu Xueqi was his lover, there should be no trouble.

Moments later, the three arrived at another arena to watch a different match. In the morning, Bamboo Peak’s disciples had four victories and three defeats. Since Zhang Xiaofan and Qian Mo were scheduled for the afternoon, their results would not yet count.

Song Daren, Tian Ling’er, He Dazhi, and Du Bishu all advanced to the next round. If Zhang Xiaofan won, then six Bamboo Peak disciples would move on—a rare achievement in hundreds of years.

In the afternoon matches, unsurprisingly, Qian Mo and Zhang Xiaofan both advanced easily. As newcomers to Qingyun, their reputations were modest, so their progress attracted little attention.

Upon hearing the results, the elders of Bamboo Peak were overjoyed. Tian Buyi grinned from ear to ear, Su Ru’s face was bright with smiles. When they learned Zhang Xiaofan had also advanced, they didn’t ask much, simply attributing it to good fortune.

Night fell, and the male disciples of Bamboo Peak once again crowded into the guest rooms, talking excitedly. For once, no one complained about Du Bishu’s pungent foot odor; the conversation was lively and cheerful.

Song Daren surveyed the room, puzzled. “Has anyone seen Xiaofan?”

The disciples shook their heads. Du Bishu said, “Didn’t see them last night either. Who knows where they could be this late... Maybe he’s out chatting with his good friend Qian Mo!”

He Dazhi laughed, “Or maybe he couldn’t stand your foot odor and decided to spend the night outside?”

Everyone burst into laughter, while Du Bishu looked embarrassed.

Meanwhile, on the moonlit plaza, clouds drifted endlessly, clear streams flowed down, and beneath the Enlightenment Tree across the Rainbow Bridge, two figures nestled close, like celestial lovers.

Qian Mo held the soft, delicate figure in his arms, greedily inhaling the unique fragrance that emanated from her. He asked, “During today’s match, something seemed off—what happened?”

“You mean the disciple from Dragon Head Peak? I did it on purpose.” Lu Xueqi lifted her elegant head, her eyes flashing with cold light as she spoke in a frosty tone.

She then rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Here’s what happened. Last night…”

As Lu Xueqi recounted the events, a wicked smile curled at Qian Mo’s lips. He finally understood why Lu Xueqi had destroyed Fang Chao’s celestial sword in front of the sect leader and Daoist Cangsong.

It turned out that on her way to the Cloud Sea Plaza last night, Lu Xueqi had chanced upon two disciples from Dragon Head Peak, both aligned with Qi Hao’s faction.

The two were conversing in a secluded corner. Lu Xueqi hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but as she was about to leave, she heard Qian Mo’s name mentioned. Intrigued, she stayed hidden and listened.

The more she heard, the more shocked she became. Who would have guessed that Qi Hao, famed for his elegance and reputation, was actually a hypocrite. Though she had long suspected he was not a good person.

He not only used his status to secretly alter the opponents of Bamboo Peak’s disciples to make things difficult for them, but also plotted to cripple Qian Mo during the grand trial.

Thus, Lu Xueqi’s parting words last night—“Be careful of the Dragon Head Peak disciples”—were spoken out of concern.

Upon hearing their conversation, Lu Xueqi had nearly drawn her sword to kill them, but held back. Unexpectedly, her first match today was against a Dragon Head Peak disciple.

That was the source of her murderous aura. In the end, she refrained from killing, only destroying her opponent’s celestial sword—a punishment perhaps more satisfying than death.

“So that’s how it was.”

Having listened to Lu Xueqi’s account, Qian Mo understood everything. A gentle look flashed in his eyes as he embraced her tighter, as if to meld her into himself.

To vent his anger on his behalf, she risked the wrath of the seat-holders and destroyed Fang Chao’s celestial sword. Such a wife—one could search the world with a lantern and never find another. Luckily, she was his; otherwise, he wouldn’t have heard such a delightful story.