Chapter 30

No sword? Then what are you drawing?

Also, Senior Sister, do you even have a decent weapon?

How do they not know anything?

A few figures were all pressed against the rock wall outside the hall, each with the urge to facepalm in exasperation.

Among them, Shen Jiu practically felt a surge of wicked satisfaction…Hahaha, I finally corrupted her! but upon closer thought, something felt off.

Yashan’s Sword-Drawing Sect, the Sword-Drawing Sect… It’s not just about making others draw their swords, you have to draw yours too!

Everyone’s hearts were on the verge of collapsing.

Inside the Hall

After Jian Chou uttered the words “Draw your sword,” Zhou Baozhu froze momentarily before snapping back to reality.

Among Yashan disciples, there had always been the saying, “Yashan’s single sword severs the nine heavens.”

Those who upheld the tradition of “drawing the sword” were called the “Sword-Drawing Sect.”

She had heard of this before but had never actually witnessed it, as she rarely interacted with Yashan disciples.

And now, in this very hall, a mere Qi Refining-stage senior sister from Yashan was telling her to “draw her sword”?

Since when had people in the cultivation world become so bold?

Even if it was Yashan, shouldn’t they at least consider the disciple’s cultivation level?

At the very least, Zhou Baozhu was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator!

And yet, this nobody at Qi Refining stage, relying solely on her status as a Yashan disciple, dared to tell her to draw her sword?

A sense of humiliation, sharp as a slap to the face, made Zhou Baozhu’s expression darken further.

“To forgive is divine. We’ve treated Senior Sister Jian Chou with respect as a Yashan disciple, conducting ourselves with utmost courtesy since arriving at Yashan. We’ve done nothing to offend Senior Jian Chou. Why must she go this far?”

Zhou Baozhu’s face was grim, as if she were admonishing Jian Chou.

“I’ve heard of Yashan’s Sword-Drawing tradition. But I must advise Senior Jian Chou to think carefully, neither side will look good if this escalates.”

Though she spoke of “both sides,” everyone understood the underlying meaning.

In their eyes, Jian Chou was just a Qi Refining-stage cultivator, yet she had the audacity to challenge a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Zhou Baozhu.

If this ended badly, it would undoubtedly be Yashan that lost face!

But…

Behind Zhou Baozhu, the timid girl finally lifted her head slightly to glance at Yashan’s Sect Leader Zheng Yao and Elder Fudao Shanren, who had remained silent all this time.

Unexpectedly, the two decision-makers wore expressions of utter indifference..no, not indifference.

Their eyes practically gleamed with excitement.

At that moment, the girl sensed something was wrong and wanted to warn Zhou Baozhu, but she didn’t dare speak up in the hall.

Zheng Yao was inwardly overjoyed.

Senior Sister Jian Chou had just broken through to Foundation Establishment, and now someone had delivered themselves to her doorstep as a sparring partner, even going so far as to imply that Yashan would be the ones embarrassed?

This was going to be hilarious.

Stifling a laugh, Zheng Yao glanced at Fudao Shanren, who returned his look with an equally amused “This’ll be fun” expression.

The two exchanged a glance but didn’t intervene.

As for Jian Chou, the moment she heard “neither side will look good,” she couldn’t be bothered to argue.

She simply turned and bowed to Zheng Yao and Fudao Shanren.

“Sect Leader, Master, this hall is too small for a proper fight. May we relocate?”

Her meaning was clear, she would be “drawing her sword” today.

In truth, the current Lanyue Hall wasn’t small at all.

For two Foundation Establishment cultivators to spar, it was more than enough.

Jian Chou couldn’t possibly have missed that, so the only explanation was…

Fudao Shanren, recalling the massive hole in the mountain wall earlier, felt his eyes sparkle with excitement…Ah, my disciple is full of surprises!

Seemed like she was planning something big!

Before Zheng Yao could respond, Fudao Shanren had already stood up, eager for chaos.

“The Sword-Drawing Platform at the back mountain is spacious and empty. If you want to settle this ‘misunderstanding’ about whether accidental injuries are easy to cause, that’s the perfect spot.”

Zheng Yao couldn’t help but admire the sheer audacity.

What was clearly a provocation had been dressed up in such lofty terms..“discussing the likelihood of accidental injuries”.

How shameless!

Absolutely despicable!

…But he loved it.

So, the Yashan Sect Leader also stood, smiling.

“Yes, the Sword-Drawing Platform is perfect.”

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

…

A series of muffled thuds came from outside the hall.

Fudao Shanren had long known there were eavesdroppers outside but didn’t care, pretending not to notice.

Jian Chou, however, was slightly surprised.

Sect Leader Zheng Yao had already stepped out, leading the way for the three Jianzhu Sect female cultivators.

Zhou Baozhu shot Jian Chou a cold glare before following Zheng Yao.

Jian Chou nodded slightly, her demeanor still polite.

With a faint smile, she waited for Fudao Shanren to approach before falling into step beside her master.

The long, wide passage stretched ahead.

But as Jian Chou stepped out, she saw five people waiting outside.

Qu Zhengfeng and Shen Jiu were expected, as was the little radish she’d seen earlier.

There was also a tall, honest-looking man and another whose entire aura exuded a weary,down-and-out air.

Only his eyes left a deep impression.

“Senior Sister!”

Shen Jiu, seeing her emerge, immediately jumped forward, lowering his voice.

Jian Chou paused, glanced at Zhou Baozhu ahead, then changed direction to approach Shen Jiu.

“Fourth Junior Brother?”

Was there something he needed?

Shen Jiu scrutinized her as if seeing her for the first time.

Qu Zhengfeng’s gaze was similarly peculiar.

Jian Chou’s temperament was clearly different from what he’d initially imagined.

As for the other three, this was their first time meeting their “senior sister.”

They stared wide-eyed, as if trying to count how many bones she had.

“Senior Sister, do you even have a sword?”

Cutting to the chase, Shen Jiu asked the question weighing on everyone’s minds.

Jian Chou blinked.

“No.”

Shen Jiu facepalmed, sighing in exasperation.

“No sword? Then what are you making her draw?!”

Shing!

A cold glint flashed.

A long sword was suddenly thrust forward, presented to Jian Chou.

Both Shen Jiu and Jian Chou turned in surprise.

Qu Zhengfeng held a sheathed, deep-black sword, its surface dark as ink, seemingly unremarkable.

Jian Chou didn’t understand.

Qu Zhengfeng spoke calmly.

“As far as I know, Senior Sister currently lacks a suitable weapon. Since you’re about to fight Jianzhu Sect, a sword is necessary. This sword is named ‘Shentan,’ a high-grade magic treasure I used in my early years. Senior Sister can bind it with a drop of blood.”

“Right!”

Shen Jiu smacked his own forehead and, with a flick of his wrist, produced an elegant, slender sword.

“I snatched this from someone a few years ago. It was originally used by a female cultivator, also high-grade, and prettier than Second Senior Brother’s. If you don’t like his, take this one!”

As soon as the two displayed their treasures, the other three also looked eager to pull out their own weapons.

Jian Chou, seeing this, couldn’t help but feel a little helpless.

A warm smile touched her lips.

“No need to trouble yourselves, Junior Brothers. I believe ‘drawing the sword’ is about making others draw theirs. I don’t necessarily need to draw one myself.”

“But…”

Shen Jiu’s eyes darted around before he finally voiced his thoughts.

“Senior Sister, no sword means no cool factor!”

The others rolled their eyes in unison.

Jian Chou chuckled.

“Thank you for your consideration, Fourth Junior Brother. It’s true, I have no sword.”

She paused.

Everyone stared.

Jian Chou said lightly,

“But I have legs.”

Legs.

The simpleton Chen Weishan’s gaze immediately dropped.

And he wasn’t alone.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, everyone looked down at Jian Chou’s legs.

Jian Chou’s attire wasn’t particularly feminine, she wore a plain white robe suitable for travel, similar to the male disciples’ clothing.

Her legs…

Wait, is it inappropriate to stare at Senior Sister’s legs like this?

Little fatty Jiang He blushed.

Jian Chou glanced ahead, Sect Leader Zheng Yao had stopped and turned to look at them.

Fudao Shanren stood to the side, gnawing on a chicken leg, thoroughly entertained.

Knowing they couldn’t linger, Jian Chou didn’t explain further.

With a faint smile, she turned and continued walking.

The five junior brothers stood frozen.

Their eyes lingered on Jian Chou’s legs, tall, slender, with a narrow waist…

Those legs…

“So the shape of that hole outside the Scripture Pavillion really was left by Senior Sister…”

Chen Weishan muttered, as if confirming his own theory.

“Such thick legs…”

Shen Jiu nearly tripped over his own feet.

He turned to see the other four still staring at Jian Chou’s long legs.

He couldn’t hit the others, but he could smack Jiang He.

Whack!

“Ow! Fourth Senior Brother, what was that for?!”

The little fatty glared.

Shen Jiu scowled.

“What are you staring at? Senior Sister is a woman! Since when is it proper to gawk at a woman’s legs?!”

Qu Zhengfeng’s smile turned frosty, but he said nothing.

Chen Weishan blinked.

“But Fourth Senior Brother, you were staring pretty hard too…”

“Ahem—!”

Shen Jiu coughed, his face reddening.

“Anyway! Let’s hurry and watch the show!”

With that, he bolted ahead.

The others didn’t press the issue and followed.

Everyone wanted to see what “But I have legs” really meant.

Jian Chou now held the Inner-Outer Mirror gifted by the Sect Leader earlier.

During her time in the Scripture Pavillion, she’d studied many jade slips, including those on artifact control.

Though she hadn’t blood-bound this mirror yet, she could wield it effortlessly.

Golden light shimmered from the mirror, dazzlingly bright.

Fudao Shanren and Zheng Yao both looked over.

Zhou Baozhu couldn’t resist a mocking smirk.

“Senior Jian Chou isn’t sharpening her spear just before battle, is she?”

Jian Chou smiled but didn’t respond.

Instead, she bowed to Zheng Yao.

Then, with a wave of her hand, the Inner-Outer Mirror spun rapidly, its golden light scattering in all directions as it expanded to three feet in size.

The radiant glow was translucent, like colored glaze.

This was clearly no ordinary treasure.

Yashan’s profound heritage far surpassed that of minor sects.

Though Jianzhu Sect wasn’t small, Zhou Baozhu couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy when Jian Chou revealed the mirror.

Calmly, Jian Chou stepped onto the mirror’s surface and gestured to Zhou Baozhu.

“Jianzhu Sect’s little friend, after you.”

This “little friend” echoed her earlier “Jianzhu Sect little sister”—both equally mocking.

Everyone knew Jian Chou had only begun cultivating a mere ten days ago.

How dare she, relying solely on her seniority, call her “little friend”?

No—

Wait.

Ten days of cultivation!

Zhou Baozhu’s eyes widened in horror.

She stared at Jian Chou and the mirror beneath her feet—

This was artifact flight!

Only Foundation Establishment cultivators could fly on artifacts!

If she could do this, it meant she had already reached Foundation Establishment!

Impossible!

Zhou Baozhu refused to believe it.

Senior Sister Xu had said this was a disciple Fudao Shanren had taken in last-minute, barely at Qi Refining stage at Severing Karma Island, a complete novice who might never even reach Foundation Establishment.

But now?

Thirteen days later.

She’d seen it with her own eyes, how could it be fake?!

This Yashan senior sister had reached Foundation Establishment in thirteen days!

Seeing Zhou Baozhu’s expression, Jian Chou knew exactly what turmoil must be raging inside her.

She smiled faintly.

“Is something wrong?”

Zhou Baozhu snapped back to reality.

The wariness in her eyes had solidified into something tangible, but she forced herself to remain composed, sneering.

“Senior Jian Chou, after you.”

Her pretty face icy, she formed a hand seal, and a soft violet light emerged as a slender flying sword lifted her into the air.

Without another word, the two shot forward simultaneously, streaking like comets from the high stone pavilion down to the vast Sword-Drawing Platform below!

Dozens of idle Yashan disciples, sensing the surge of spiritual energy, looked up.

“What’s happening?”

“Isn’t that Eldest Martial Aunt?”

“Who’s that other female cultivator?”

“Wait—since when can Eldest Martial Aunt fly?!”

“Did I miss something? Did she really reach Foundation Establishment in one seclusion?!”

“Look! They’re heading to the Sword-Drawing Platform!”

The Sword-Drawing Platform!

To every Yashan disciple, the Sword-Drawing Platform held unparalleled significance.

A slender sword, its tip embedded in the ground, its hilt supporting the towering platform, it bore the weight of Yashan’s backbone.

Clouds drifted only around the summit, the blazing sun casting the platform’s enormous shadow over the flat surface of Lingzhao Peak.

Jian Chou and Zhou Baozhu landed on opposite sides of the platform.

A fierce mountain wind stirred the clouds, but none dared rise to the platform’s height.

Lingzhao Peak was already towering, yet the Sword-Drawing Platform stood dozens of feet higher!

Yashan had always been the highest point in the Central Region.

Jianzhu Sect, though not small, couldn’t compare to Yashan’s overwhelming majesty.

Now, standing atop the towering Sword-Drawing Platform, with countless Yashan disciples watching from below and even more observing from the opposite cliffs, Zhou Baozhu felt her blood surge.

Yashan. Yashan.

This was Yashan.

She stood atop Yashan’s Lingzhao Peak, about to face a Yashan disciple in battle.

Wasn’t this the same as challenging all of Yashan?

But…if she won this fight, her name, Zhou Baozhu, would shake the Central Region!

Her thoughts raced far ahead.

She stared at Jian Chou opposite her, all prior underestimation now locked away.

Even if her opponent were a mere mortal, she would go all out!

Sword in hand, Zhou Baozhu clasped her fists and bowed, her voice ringing clear for all on Lingzhao Peak to hear.

“Jianzhu Sect’s Zhou Baozhu seeks Senior Jian Chou’s guidance.”

Jian Chou, holding the Inner-Outer Mirror, nodded faintly.

“Don’t mention it.”

“……”

Don’t mention it?!

The crowd below nearly choked.

Fudao Shanren, watching from the cliff, nearly doubled over laughing—This girl’s words are lethal!

Shen Jiu and the others twitched, fighting the urge to cover their faces.

They were beginning to see it now, if you cut Senior Sister open, she’d be black through and through!

Zhou Baozhu, who had just steeled her resolve, nearly coughed up blood at Jian Chou’s response.

Seizing her fury, she darkened her expression, drew her sword, and a violent violet light shot into the sky!

A ten feet Battle Disk materialized beneath her feet!

Zhou Baozhu was determined to end this quickly!

The Inner-Outer Mirror, gifted by Zheng Yao, was a high-grade magic treasure capable of withstanding a full-force strike from a Golden Core cultivator.

Jian Chou ran her fingers lightly over the mirror’s surface, and the glazed light shimmered brilliantly.

On the Sword-Drawing Platform, violet and gold clashed in a dazzling display.

In terms of artifacts, Zhou Baozhu was slightly outmatched, but she had the advantage of experience and mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

When Jian Chou had blocked Xu Lan’er’s  Strike, she’d used Fudao Shanren’s Nine-Jointed Bamboo, a top-grade treasure. According to sect elders, Xu Lan’er’s failure had been purely due to inferior equipment.

But now…

Jian Chou wasn’t using the bamboo, she’d brought out the Inner-Outer Mirror.

That was practically asking to lose.

Because every Jianzhu Sect disciple knew, while Xu Lan’er’s cultivation was higher, Zhou Baozhu was the rising star when it came to instantaneous offensive power!

At that moment, Zhou Baozhu was certain of victory.

Her eyes locked onto Jian Chou’s hand holding the mirror as she raised her sword.

Spiritual energy erupted from her brow chakra, blazing like light itself!

Simultaneously, she moved, her figure splitting into countless afterimages as she lunged at Jian Chou, who hadn’t budged!

Her Battle Disk spun faster as spiritual energy poured into it, dazzlingly bright.

A Dao Seal composed of over ten Dao Seeds lit up one by one, starting from the first.

Zhou Baozhu’s sword radiance blotted out the sky, as if enveloping the entire platform and Jian Chou along with it.

Jian Chou didn’t move.

Only the Inner-Outer Mirror in her hand glowed faintly.

But this glow was insignificant against the overwhelming violet light.

The crowd below tensed.

Danger!

Jian Chou slowly lifted her gaze, watching Zhou Baozhu close in.

A single question crossed her mind:

Will this kill her?

Unlikely.

But if she didn’t act now, the only life at risk would be hers!

She had a Heavenly Disk.

She had Dao Seals.

She had the strength.

What reason was there not to draw her sword?

Her eyes lowered slightly.

A blinding white light erupted beneath her feet!

A fierce gale whipped up, sending her robes and hair flying.

A Battle Disk, 10 and half feet in diameter—manifested and began to rotate.

Zhou Baozhu was almost upon her.

Amid the all-consuming violet light, only Jian Chou could see the Battle Disk.

Bright Kun lines spread across its surface, arranged in accordance with the universe’s most ancient mysteries, their spiritual light extending outward…

The entire disk was alight!

Not a single Kun line was dim!

Zhou Baozhu’s horror reached its peak.

But no one would ever know.

All they saw was violet light swallowing everything, their Yashan senior sister like a lone boat in a storm.

One Dao Seed.

It lit up near Jian Chou’s feet, then vanished.

A second.

A third.

…

Each time a streak of light flashed, a Dao Seed ignited.

This was unmistakably the work of a beginner, a practiced Dao Seal would have appeared instantly upon the disk’s formation.

Some of Zhou Baozhu’s initial terror faded.

Her violet light descended like a guillotine!

Jianzhu Sect’s Lanyuan Strike!

Jian Chou sighed.

Next time, I’ll practice using my hands.

But for now…

She didn’t dare risk failure, if her hand-seal attempt botched, it wouldn’t just be her face lost, but Yashan’s.

As this thought crossed her mind, Jian Chou suddenly lifted her leg, meeting the violet light, Zhou Baozhu’s sword, and the Lanyuan Strike head-on!

Boom!

A colossal phantom appeared the instant her leg rose!

The phantom collided with the violet light!

Upon its emergence, the violet light was forced back, finally revealing Jian Chou’s figure to all!

And of course, everyone now saw her stance—

She’d just kicked!

The phantom smashed into the violet radiance!

The impact was immense—but brief.

Pop.

Like a bubble bursting in water, the sound was soft.

The overwhelming violet light shattered as if it were nothing!

Zhou Baozhu’s sword didn’t even reach Jian Chou before the phantom slammed into her!

A monstrous force ravaged her organs—the spiritual energy in her meridians, the moment the phantom passed through her, seemed to rebel, rampaging wildly!

“Pfft—!”

A mouthful of blood sprayed forth.

Zhou Baozhu’s grip failed.

Clang!

Her sword hit the ground.

And Zhou Baozhu herself was hurled off the platform by the phantom, crashing onto the edge of Lingzhao Peak!

The phantom, having defeated Zhou Baozhu, didn’t stop.

It shot straight into the distant clouds, blasting a peculiarly shaped hole through them before finally dissipating.

One strike—and such terrifying power!

Silence.

Absolute silence across Lingzhao Peak.

On the Sword-Drawing Platform, only Jian Chou remained, standing tall atop her Battle Disk, robes fluttering in the wind!

Then—

“Senior Sister Zhou!”

Two cries rang out as the remaining Jianzhu Sect disciples rushed to Zhou Baozhu’s side.

On the cliffs, Shen Jiu and the others were utterly dumbfounded.

So violent!

Is she insane?!

This is insane!

Jiang He, who’d already witnessed the Scripture Pavillion incident, shuddered, near tears.

“It really was her leg…”

The sword-obsessed Kou Qianzhi couldn’t help it, his eyes burned with fervor as his hand gripped the hilt of his restless sword.

Chen Weishan stared blankly at the white-robed figure on the platform, feeling as if the skies had cleared.

“So it’s ‘disagree? Then kick’…”

Shen Jiu, already reeling, nearly fell off the cliff at that remark.

Like them, every Yashan disciple who’d witnessed the battle was stunned.

The fight had been short but electrifying!

One move against another!

One victor, one loser!

Unlike the others, Qu Zhengfeng said nothing.

His gaze drifted to Zheng Yao and Fudao Shanren, who still stood frozen, staring at Jian Chou as if struck dumb.

Something was… off.

Following their line of sight, Qu Zhengfeng looked back at the platform.

Jian Chou’s Battle Disk was slowing, its glow fading as it vanished into the stone.

“Heavenly… Disk…”

The slight tremor in his voice betrayed a rare flicker of emotion.