CHAPTER 97: 080 THE HIGH MOUNTAIN FLOWER (2-IN-1)

Chaoyun Sect is immense in scale. Looking out, a path paved with White Jade stretches up to the sky. Above, countless peaks stand towering at the clouds, shrouded in mist, radiant with colorful lights, turning what should be a nighttime White Jade Platform into a scene resembling daylight.

Chaoyun Sect is vast, and with the proper authority, one can traverse the entire sect using the teleportation array from any Spirit Peak.

However, at the center of various Spirit Peaks stands a giant White Jade Platform. It serves as the "neutral" ground in Chaoyun Sect, divided into different areas based on the cultivation level of entering disciples. It is commonly used for trading items between different sect factions, with various public facilities available.

At this time, on the central high platform stood a youth with a sword and a girl in a floral dress with a pear blossom embroidered on her chest.

A Martial Arts Gathering had just concluded here, with inexplicable Smoke Rain still falling slowly.

"Tripod Heart Peak wins."

Following the judge’s announcement, the girl let out a sigh of relief and then looked at Sikong Jing across her — although he lost the Martial Arts Gathering, his complexion appeared calm — and said, "I accept your concession."

"Thanks to Senior Su for sparing me." Sikong Jing bowed in ceremony.

With the conclusion of the Martial Arts Gathering, the platform was permeated with rich Spiritual Qi, allowing their consumed cultivation to rapidly recover, easing their bodies gradually.

Beneath the platform, nearly a thousand spectators had complex expressions, mostly of shock.

Although Sikong Jing lost, it was evident that he remained unfazed. Facing Senior Su, who was at the Early-stage Clarity Heart Realm, with his Open Source Realm, he was only half a move behind... Moreover, he never once unsheathed the longsword wrapped in cloth behind him.

The Immortal Sword, unused by anyone in Profound Sword Bureau for thousands of years, now that it’s in his hands, what kind of sharpness might it reveal? Probably it would only be seen at the Sword Testing Spring.

"Junior Brother." Senior Su went to Sikong Jing, gazing at the handsome youth before her, frowned and said, "With so many eyes on you, doing this... Isn’t it discrediting Profound Sword Bureau?"

Though she is a disciple of Tripod Heart Peak, her sect is considered an amiable faction with Profound Sword Bureau, hence she issued a reminder.

Currently, Sikong Jing is the most dazzling newcomer in all of Chaoyun, even Qing Province, with countless people watching him... As soon as he joins Chaoyun, he challenges someone from a major realm and then loses.

Though losing to her is logical, such a person should be creating momentum, capable of defeating peers at the same level, even winning across realms, rather than embarking on Chaoyun and ending the first Martial Arts Gathering in failure.

After Sikong Jing finished adjusting his breathing, he nodded, offering little explanation.

To him, having the opportunity to engage in swordplay with someone stronger than himself is far more meaningful than bullying peers at the same level. He came to Chaoyun Sect precisely for dueling and competing for Spiritual Springs; the rest is inconsequential.

Oh, and now he has another purpose.

Sikong Jing recollected meeting Miss Liu in Beisang City, a hint of sparkle emerged in his eyes.

Just then, Sikong Jing suddenly noticed that Senior Su before him was looking at him unfavorably, he raised his head in some confusion.

"Junior Brother, have you met Senior Wen?" Senior Su couldn’t help but ask.

"Senior Wen?" Sikong Jing was taken aback, and then a vision of a figure always in a dark Daoist robe, unbelievably strong, flashed in his mind.

He looked at the pear blossom on Senior Su’s clothes before him and immediately understood... This Senior Sister is also one of those who admire Wen Li.

Sikong Jing instantly knew the source of Senior Su’s dissatisfaction.

Wasn’t it his father who sent a messenger to Muyu Peak, intending to arrange for him to "meet" that Senior Wen, only to be politely shown out, and then this news spread?

"I didn’t go to see Senior Wen." Sikong Jing said helplessly, "Regarding this matter, it was... the Peak Master who acted on his own, I’ve advised him already."

No matter which faction or status, once someone joins Chaoyun, the "Sect Leader" referred to is none other than the Sect Leader of Chaoyun, hence Sikong Jing called his father Peak Master.

"Is that so?" Senior Su looked skeptically at Sikong Jing. Even though she wasn’t from Muyu Peak, girls like her, who admire the senior sister of Muyu Peak, abound in Chaoyun Sect.

"Mm." Sikong Jing sighed.

Just joking.

Regarding Wen Li, he absolutely had no intentions whatsoever; if anything... it was only reverence.

Last year, Sikong Jing was fortunate enough to witness Wen Li’s sword testing at Chaoyun Sect; he, who prided himself on a Sword Heart stable as a rock, upon first sight of Wen Li, was just a fleeting glance, didn’t dare to look further.

The near suffocating pressure... he didn’t want to experience it closely, especially since a vast disparity rendered refining utterly meaningless.

That Senior Wen is a daunting existence, like a sharp Divine Sword, to someone like him who sees the sword as a mirror, even a glance might interfere with his Sword Heart.

This pressure, originating from the Sword Heart, couldn’t be given by anyone else; not even his father.

Therefore, this Pear Blossoms, to him, is completely a high mountain flower.

If the opportunity arose, he’d be eager to become her disciple; however... that would also have to wait some time, presently he was just too weak.

Putting aside all external resistance, merely discussing Wen Li herself, Sikong Jing couldn’t possibly imagine what kind of person could be courageous enough to become her Dao partner.

At this moment, Sikong Jing gained a deeper understanding of Wen Li’s influence — it must be recognized that the Senior Su before him is no ordinary individual, she is the eldest daughter of another major sect, and in terms of influence in Qing Province, it’s not much lesser than Profound Sword Bureau.