At the foot of Kunlun Mountain, upon a platform.
Sunlight poured down, sword lights flashing. Yuyi and Bingxin stood side by side, facing Zhang Lie of Cangqiong Alliance. All around, cultivators gathered to watch. Disciples of Youyue Valley, Emei Sect, and Youming Sect held their breath, waiting for this duel between top sword cultivators.
Around the platform, ancient pines stood verdant, spiritual mist swirling. In the distance, the Kunlun mountain range was shrouded in clouds, like an immortal realm. The mountain breeze blew, bringing waves of pine fragrance, interweaving with sword qi to form a unique atmosphere of solemn killing intent.
"Forgive me." Bingxin made the first move. Her Azure Dragon Spirit Sword transformed into a stream of azure light, the sword intent of Absolute Shadow Sword spreading out like mercury flowing across the ground, penetrating everywhere. Wherever the sword light passed, the air was cut into countless fragments, emitting sharp hisses.
Zhang Lie's expression grew grave. He activated the Universe Shift Art, spiritual power circulating around him, forming an invisible barrier. The sword light struck the barrier and was skillfully deflected to both sides, but some sword qi still broke through his defense, leaving a bloody mark on his shoulder.
"Good sword technique." Zhang Lie gritted his teeth, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected Bingxin's sword dao attainment to be so profound. The area-wide damage of Absolute Shadow Sword was impossible to defend against completely.
Xueying stood to the side, amazement filling her beautiful eyes. Though she was the sect master of Youming Sect with extremely high sword dao talent, watching Bingxin's sword technique now, she still felt she had much to learn. The essence of Absolute Shadow Sword lay in the word "absolute"—sword intent following like a shadow, everywhere yet nowhere to be found.
Yuyi remained still, quietly observing the circulation of Zhang Lie's technique. The Universe Shift Art was indeed exquisite, able to deflect most attacks, but it wasn't flawless. Every technique had weaknesses; the key was whether one could find them.
"My turn." Yuyi stepped forward. The Yuehua Sword left its sheath, the blade radiating a faint silver-white glow, like moonlight pouring down. His figure flashed, sword light thrusting from a tricky angle toward Zhang Lie's abdomen.
Zhang Lie hurriedly circulated the Universe Shift Art, trying to deflect this sword. But Yuyi's sword momentum was too strange. The sword tip slightly shifted the moment it touched the barrier, bypassing the deflection point and thrusting straight in.
"Pfft—" The sword tip pierced three inches into Zhang Lie's abdomen, blood spraying.
Zhang Lie grunted, his figure retreating violently. He hadn't expected Yuyi's sword dao attainment to be even higher than Bingxin's, able to see through the Universe Shift Art's circulation patterns and find the weakness to strike true.
"Step on sword!" Bingxin shouted clearly, her figure rising into the air, the Azure Dragon Spirit Sword transforming into an azure rainbow.
Yuyi understood. His figure also leaped up, stepping on Bingxin's sword blade, borrowing force to surge forward. The Yuehua Sword drew a perfect arc in the air, sword light cascading like moonlight, enveloping Zhang Lie's entire body.
This was a supreme technique the two had perfected through years of cooperation—Step-on-Sword Launch. One provided the platform, the other borrowed force to assault, sword momentumssuperimposed, power multiplying.
Zhang Lie's expression changed drastically. He circulated the Universe Shift Art to its limit, spiritual power surging wildly around him. But under the combined attack of two sword lights, his defense was like paper, instantly collapsing.
"It's over." Yuyi's voice was calm as water. The Yuehua Sword pierced through Zhang Lie's heart, the sword tip emerging from his back.
Zhang Lie's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the sword in his chest. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but only coughed up blood. His body slowly fell, life extinguished.
The battle ended, lasting no more than fifteen mingutes.
Cheers erupted from all around. Youyue Valley disciples were especially excited. Their valley master's strength was unfathomable, and his coordination with Bingxin, Emei Sect's top expert, was seamless.
"Excellent sword technique!" Xueying couldn't help but exclaim, quickly walking over. "Valley Master Yuyi, could you give some guidance on this Step-on-Sword Launch technique?"
Yuyi sheathed his sword and smiled slightly. "If Sect Master Xueying is interested, we can spar another day."
Shaying stood in the crowd, watching her husband's tacit cooperation with Bingxin, feeling both proud and anxious. Proud of Yuyi's strength, anxious about the situation they were about to face.
Lingxiao, Liuchen, Youying, and others walked over from the distance, complex expressions on their faces. Lingxiao's gaze fell on the Crimson Shadow Sword in Shaying's hand, his pupils suddenly contracting.
That was Shaying's life-bound dharma treasure, the ancient divine weapon Crimson Shadow Sword. He recognized this sword, and even more, he knew its origin—it was a token of love that Yuyi had gifted to Shaying.
"Brother-in-law!" A disciple of Youming Sect excitedly shouted. "You're amazing!"
This single "brother-in-law" exploded in Lingxiao's ears like thunder.
He stood frozen, his gaze moving from the Crimson Shadow Sword to Shaying's face, then from Shaying's face to Yuyi. The relationship between the three instantly became clear.
So that was it.
So Shaying had long been attached to someone, and that person was actually his best friend Yuyi.
Lingxiao's heart felt as if gripped by an invisible hand, the pain almost suffocating. But he forced a smile onto his face, his voice hoarse. "Yuyi, congratulations."
Yuyi looked at Lingxiao, his gaze deep. He had long sensed that Lingxiao's gaze toward Shaying was unusual. The emotion contained within was all too familiar to him.
"Thank you." Yuyi's voice was calm, a meaningful smile on his lips.
Liuchen stood to the side, his expression complex. He transmitted to Shaying: "Shaying, you can't have failed to notice Lingxiao's feelings for you, right? Don't let Yuyi know."
Shaying's heart tightened. She forced a smile and transmitted back: "I know. I'll handle it."
But her heart was even more anxious. Yuyi's insight was incredibly sharp. Could he really not see the subtle relationship between her and Lingxiao?
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Youying quickly smoothed things over. "Valley Master Yuyi, today's battle was spectacular. Why don't we find a place to sit and chat properly?"
Yuyi nodded. "Good."
Everyone came to an open area at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. The spiritual energy here was abundant, the scenery pleasant. Youyue Valley disciples had already prepared spirit tea and spirit fruits. Everyone sat in a circle.
The setting sun's afterglow scattered down, stretching everyone's shadows long. The mountain breeze gently blew, bringing waves of floral fragrance, interweaving with the spirit tea's subtle aroma to form a unique flavor.
"Yuyi," Youying spoke up. "I heard you're now the Valley Master of Youyue Valley, with unfathomable strength. I wonder how Youyue Valley is developing now?"
Yuyi said calmly: "Fairly smoothly. Youyue Valley now has three thousand disciples, considered a significant force in the Nine Provinces."
Lingxiao forcefully suppressed the turbulent emotions in his heart and asked: "Yuyi, what brings you to Kunlun this time?"
Yuyi glaned at Shaying and said: "Taking Shaying around, and handling some matters. By the way, Lingxiao, how is your Tianming Alliance doing now?"
Lingxiao smiled bitterly: "Not too well. Tianming Alliance only has over two thousand people, mainly active in the Tianjian Domain. Resources are scarce, finances are difficult."
Yuyi pondered for a moment and said: "I can help you."
"What?" Lingxiao was stunned.
"I have some spirit medicine collection points across the Nine Provinces, and some acquisition channels." Yuyi said calmly. "I can provide them to Tianming Alliance to solve your financial difficulties."
Youying's eyes lit up: "That's wonderful! Valley Master Yuyi, this kindness, our Tianming Alliance will remember in our hearts."
Lingxiao's feelings were mixed. Yuyi's help was both friendship and a kind of silent pressure. He knew deeply that Yuyi had seen through everything but chose to pretend ignorance, giving him dignity.
Shaying sat beside Yuyi, her heart anxious. She could feel Yuyi's gaze occasionally sweeping between her and Lingxiao, that gaze carrying a hint of deeper meaning.
She knew Yuyi had sensed something.
But Yuyi said nothing, just calmly chatted and laughed with everyone, as if everything was normal.
Liuchen was also observing the three. He saw Yuyi's insight, saw Lingxiao's suppression, and even more saw Shaying's anxiety. A subtle balane had formed between the three, each deliberately avoiding the truth, maintaining surface peace.
Night fell, stars dotting the sky.
Yuyi stood up and said: "It's getting late. We should go back."
Shaying quickly rose, following behind him. Lingxiao watched the two's retreating figures, bitterness surging in his heart.
"Lingxiao," Liuchen transmitted. "Let it go. Shaying has made her choice."
Lingxiao was silent for a long time, then slowly nodded. "I know."
But some things, knowing was one thing, doing was another.
Yuyi led Shaying away, their figures gradually disappearing into the night. He didn't look back, but a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
He had given Shaying the freedom to choose, and given Lingxiao a dignified exit. But how long could this restraint last?
The truth would eventually be revealed.
The mountain breeze gently blew, carrying away everyone's breath, leaving only that empty platform, witnessing this silent contest. Kunlun Mountain's night grew deeper, as if telling of the loneliness and helplessness on the path of cultivation.
Lingxiao stood in place, gazing in the direction where Yuyi and Shaying had disappeared, unwilling to leave for a long time. Liuchen and Youying exchanged glanes, both seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes.
"Let's go." Liuchen patted Lingxiao's shoulder. "There are missions tomorrow."
Lingxiao slowly turned, his steps heavy. He knew that from now on, he had to learn to let go. But that bone-deep emotion—how could it be so easily released?
In the night, Kunlun Mountain's outline grew clearer, like a sharp sword pointing straight at the heavens. And those secrets hidden in the depths of the heart were like this night—deep and unfathomable.