By the time the sun had risen high in the sky, the disciples and higher-ups of Cloud Heaven Palace had all gathered at the arena on the First Peak.
On the high platform facing the arena, eight seats were reserved for the Eight Immortals in the Clouds. Several seats beside them had been set aside for the Garo Country Lord, Huangfu Xiong, Yan Lie, Ji Ya, and the others. The surrounding spectator stands were filled with disciples from the various peaks—of course, Jiu Youyue was mixed in among them.
Cai Lian and Yi Xian’er had yet to make an appearance, but it went without saying that they were surely here somewhere, hidden in the shadows.
After paying his respects to the Beautiful Female Master, Yan Zhen emerged from the Fire Refining Starry Sky. He and Huangfu Wenqing ascended the dueling arena one after the other.
The two faced off at a distance of about thirty feet.
Yun Xiu rose from her seat on the high platform and delivered the opening remarks in her melodious voice.
She had changed into her usual white silk dress, draped with the sect lord’s cloak that lent an air of supreme authority to her transcendent, ethereal beauty.
Her long, straight black hair was simply tied into a bun, with the front parted down the middle and her silky strands falling straight, swaying lightly in the wind along with the hem of her skirt. It only heightened her graceful poise to an even greater degree.
Everyone present, men and women alike, was utterly captivated by her immortal grace and aura.
The renown of the Cloud Heaven Sword Immortal’s beauty was as resounding as her reputation for strength and status throughout the Three Major Kingdoms.
What no one knew was that beneath her dress lingered traces of her “disciple son-in-law’s” ravages from the night before—warmth that had yet to fully dissipate from her abdomen.
Only Ji Ya, Jiu Youyue, and the others had picked up on a few subtle clues. They weren’t sure if Huangfu Wenqing had noticed as well.
Even these forward-thinking women couldn’t help blushing at the thought of such a forbidden scene.
—Master-disciple pairing was just too foul play. Damn that Yun Xiu!
Yun Xiu spoke eloquently:
“Thank you all for coming to witness this duel. This Seat’s personal disciple Huangfu Wenqing and the Young Lord of Martial Tang City, Yan Zhen, have had an engagement arranged by their elders since childhood. However, Yan Zhen once fell from genius to cripple, and This Seat intended to name Wenqing as the Young Sect Master. To avoid gossip, This Seat unilaterally altered the betrothal, having Yan Zhen marry into Cloud Heaven Palace instead. Who could have foreseen that Yan Zhen would rise against the tide—from the so-called cripple back to genius, achieving feats that inspire awe? This battle will decide which of them takes the lead in their future. If Wenqing wins, Yan Zhen will marry into Cloud Heaven Palace as our son-in-law. If Yan Zhen prevails, This Seat will not go back on her word and will marry Wenqing to him. I ask all of you here to bear witness.”
Those distinguished figures responded with polite clasped fists.
Yun Xiu smiled faintly, her gaze settling on the young pair in the arena.
“You two, make your preparations. You may begin. Remember, stop at the point of contact—don’t let your emotions carry you away and get injured.”
“Disciple understands.”
“I got it.”
Yun Xiu gave a slight nod and elegantly resumed her seat, watching her disciple and “disciple son-in-law” with the caring gaze of an elder.
Everyone’s attention shifted to Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing.
Huangfu Wenqing gripped the hilt of her sword and slowly drew it from her waist. She pointed it at Yan Zhen, her lips curving in confidence as she said:
“Come on, Yan Zhen. Let me show you my true strength!”
Yan Zhen didn’t summon the Extreme Tyrant Sword. Instead, he simply condensed flames into a sword, grasping the roaring gold-and-silver inferno in his hand.
“Wenqing, you’ve seen me thrash that Mystic King powerhouse Wen Canglan. You still this confident?”
“I’m nothing like that loser—you can’t intimidate me! Besides, you’ve seen me beat Senior Sister Yu Die, that Nine Star Mystic General. You still this confident?”
“Hey, then let’s see. Ladies first—you attack!”
“You dare underestimate me? I won’t hold back!”
After their routine exchange of taunts, Huangfu Wenqing was the first to erupt with Wind Mystic Power, charging forward sword in hand.
Yan Zhen met her head-on, slashing diagonally with his Flame Sword.
The swords clashed with a crisp ring.
The Wind and Fire Mystic Power cloaking their bodies collided at the same instant. Wind and fire surged against each other, sending shockwaves scattering in all directions. Scratches from Wind Mystic Power and scorch marks from Fire Mystic Power marred the ground beneath their feet.
Boom!
With a explosive blast, both were sent flying backward.
This simple clash of Mystic Power had ended in a draw.
It caught Yan Zhen off guard.
Though he was only at the One-Star Mystic General stage, he cultivated the Emperor Flame Technique, bolstered by his three Extreme Flames. The quality and quantity of his Mystic Power rivaled that of a Mystic King powerhouse.
Huangfu Wenqing was merely a Three-Star Mystic General—or was she? Wait. Could it be that she wasn’t practicing Cloud Heaven Palace’s techniques, but those of the Evergreen Holy Land?
“You guessed right~” Huangfu Wenqing sent over a mental transmission. “This is the Eternal Evergreen Art from Evergreen Holy Land—the thickest, most enduring Saint Mystic Art around. You haven’t refined the ‘Azure Sea Tide Birth Fire,’ eleventh on the Extreme Flame List yet. In terms of stamina, you might not match me.”
Well… Yan Zhen was speechless. And you’re calling yourself the Young Sect Master of Cloud Heaven Palace? Skipping sect techniques entirely? If the Palace Lord finds out, you’re done for.
As if reading his mind, his fiancée transmitted again:
“I use the Wind Mystic Power from the Cloud Midst Scripture to circulate the Eternal Evergreen Art. Unless they specifically probe, no one can tell. Even Master trains this way.”
“Good grief, pouring Coke into a Pepsi bottle, huh? Clever.”
Yan Zhen muttered to himself before launching a proactive assault, swinging his sword down.
In terms of swordsmanship finesse, Yan Zhen truly fell short of Huangfu Wenqing. But with his innate combat talent and four-realm Spiritual Power, he could intercept her strikes.
Wind sword met Flame Sword in a flurry of clashes—ding, ding, dang—sword qi flying everywhere in a dazzling display that set hearts racing.
The observing powerhouses chimed in with commentary, while the disciples expressed shock one after another.
Yan Zhen gradually felt the pressure mounting, but he remained calm. Sticking to the script, he unleashed the Heavenly Dragon Eight Tones Technique to intimidate her and turn the tide.
Yet Huangfu Wenqing seemed largely unaffected. Her sword thrust forward, forcing Yan Zhen to retreat.
Yan Zhen was baffled. What was going on? The disciples behind her were reeling from the disorientation, yet as the primary target, she could still counterattack?
Huangfu Wenqing laughed.
“Man and sword as one—my heart is my sword heart, my sword heart is me. With Sword Intent to shield my body, your sound waves can’t touch me.”
Of course, it worked once or twice, but not repeatedly. Yan Zhen couldn’t spam the Heavenly Dragon Eight Tones either—his throat needed time to recover, or it’d give out.
Yan Zhen finally grasped the gravity of the situation.
His fiancée, as a reincarnator, possessed invaluable cultivation and combat experience. She knew how to counter his moves, nullifying even his advantages in techniques and Mystic Power. He couldn’t steamroll her as easily as the script suggested.
What now?
Yan Zhen thought it over, then had no choice but to brazenly summon the Extreme Tyrant Sword.
The moment the sword appeared, Yan Zhen’s aura shifted dramatically. Even the Mystic King and Mystic Lord Realm powerhouses on the high platform sensed a trace of pressure emanating from him.
Huangfu Wenqing’s expression grew solemn.
In her previous life, Yan Zhen had shattered her sword with a single strike from this blade. She knew full well the might of the Extreme Tyrant Sword!
