Chapter Forty-Six: The Final Champion

Yang Xiao’s fist landed squarely in front of Qing Yuhe. Although Qing Yuhe tried to defend himself, he was already spent, like a crossbow at the end of its draw, and it was impossible for him to withstand Yang Xiao’s strike. Moreover, Qing Yuhe’s protective aura had already been shattered, making the outcome painfully clear.

After Yang Xiao’s punch sent Qing Yuhe to defeat, the spear suspended in the air also knocked Qing Yuhe’s treasured sword to the ground, landing before him.

Naturally, Yang Xiao had held back, intending only to teach Qing Yuhe a lesson rather than do him grievous harm. Yet even so, Qing Yuhe struggled to rise after collapsing to the ground—partly due to the excessive consumption of his spiritual energy, and partly because he had indeed suffered some light injuries. It would take careful recuperation before he could fully recover.

Qing Yuhe’s defeat caused a commotion below the arena. The disciples could scarcely believe what had just occurred. As the eldest senior brother of the Giant Spirit Sect and the favored student of Master Lingfeng, Qing Yuhe had fallen to an obscure disciple, Yang Xiao. The surprise was overwhelming.

Though Master Lingfeng had anticipated the possibility, he had not expected Qing Yuhe to lose so quickly. His expression grew grim. After all, Qing Yuhe was his own protégé, personally instructed by him. To be defeated by someone who had never been held in high regard was a hard blow to his pride. Yet, on second thought, Yang Xiao too was a disciple of the Giant Spirit Sect. If he proved loyal to the sect, there would be no harm in allowing him to become the next heir. In fact, it might even be preferable.

Nevertheless, Master Lingfeng sent two disciples to help Qing Yuhe up and check his injuries. Only after confirming that Qing Yuhe was not seriously harmed did he allow himself to relax and continue watching the contests.

With Yang Xiao’s victory decided, the outcome of Ling Yunmei’s match was soon clear as well. Although Hao Gang wielded a thunder-attribute spiritual weapon that complemented his own techniques for considerable power, Ling Yunmei ultimately triumphed by virtue of her extraordinary swordsmanship.

Yang Xiao could see that Ling Yunmei’s swordplay incorporated not only her formidable Four Seasons and Withering-Prosperity sword techniques, but also elements of the unparalleled swordsmanship and the unique insights of the Sword Soul Realm.

Evidently, the sword match between Yang Xiao and Ling Yunmei had left a deep impression on both. It had inspired Ling Yunmei to integrate the mysteries of the Sword Soul Realm into her own techniques.

This was clear proof of Ling Yunmei’s brilliance. With just a hint from Yang Xiao, she achieved such insight and was already able to evoke some of the power of the Sword Soul Realm. Such a person was truly worthy of being called a prodigy.

Yang Xiao, who possessed the secret manual of the Unparalleled Sword Technique, had spent much effort to make his own progress. Yet Ling Yunmei, without any manual to consult, was able to deduce the essentials after a single match. Such talent was rare indeed.

With Ling Yunmei’s victory over Hao Gang, it was now clear that the final contest—and the championship—would be decided between her and Yang Xiao. The two now faced each other across the arena.

“Senior Sister Ling, I didn’t expect it would come down to the two of us for the championship. I hope you’ll give me your guidance,” Yang Xiao said, clasping his fists in salute.

“You’re too modest, Junior Brother Yang. Your skills have improved greatly. I should be the one asking for your guidance,” Ling Yunmei replied in kind.

“Is Senior Sister hoping to win the championship?” Yang Xiao inquired, this time using spiritual transmission so that only Ling Yunmei could hear him. Clearly, what he meant to say next was not for public ears.

“Doesn’t Junior Brother want to be champion as well? Why do you ask?” Ling Yunmei replied, also using spiritual transmission so only Yang Xiao would hear.

“To be honest, I have little interest in the championship,” Yang Xiao replied via spiritual voice. “I only defeated Qing Yuhe because I thought him too hypocritical for the position of sect heir. And also, since I saw that you wished to win, I wanted to help you. After all, Qing Yuhe is quite capable, and it would have been a hard fight if you had faced him. I, however, have techniques that counter his, so defeating him was not difficult for me.”

“Oh? So you beat Qing Yuhe to help me?” Ling Yunmei asked with some surprise. “Don’t you want to be the next heir of the Giant Spirit Sect? Many would fight for such an opportunity, yet you would pass it by?”

“I intend to venture out into the wider world,” Yang Xiao replied, his voice still private. “The Giant Spirit Sect is only a small sect, and the Myriad Peaks merely a minor region. Training here might be enough to reach the Qi Condensation stage, but to seek greater heights, one needs broader horizons. The resources here are too limited for true advancement.”

“I see,” Ling Yunmei answered. “In truth, I, too, have little personal interest in becoming the sect’s heir. It is my master, Master Withering-Prosperity, who wishes it greatly for me, hoping I might bring honor to our lineage. Since he values this position, I cannot disappoint him. So, if possible, I do wish to win this tournament to repay my master’s kindness.”

“In that case, I shall yield to Senior Sister and let you take the championship,” Yang Xiao said.

“That wouldn’t be right. We should fight fairly—the winner deserves the title. If we hold back for each other, the contest loses its meaning. Besides, I am quite curious to see just how strong you really are,” Ling Yunmei replied.

Yang Xiao, seeing Ling Yunmei’s earnestness, could not help but smile. Though she was his senior and surpassed him by a level, her lack of worldly experience made her appear rather innocent—an aspect that Yang Xiao found especially endearing.

While the two conversed with spiritual transmission, outsiders could not guess what was happening. They only saw the two facing each other without making a move, which struck them as odd.

Not wanting to arouse the suspicions of Master Lingfeng and Master Withering-Prosperity, Yang Xiao sent one last message: “We’ll have plenty of opportunities to spar in the future. For now, let’s do as I suggested. After a bout, I’ll forfeit and let you win the championship.” Without waiting for her reply, he drew his spear and thrust at Ling Yunmei.

Then, raising his voice, he shouted, “Careful, Senior Sister!” As he did so, he channeled the power of thunder into his spear, making a grand show of might—more for the benefit of the onlookers than for the actual fight.

Ling Yunmei, of course, met his attack with her sword. Half the blade radiated the vibrant energy of flourishing life, while the other half exuded a bleak, wintry chill. The two auras sought to merge, a mysterious phenomenon unique to the techniques passed down by Master Withering-Prosperity.

Clashing sounds of metal rang out as sword and spear met, accompanied by flashes of lightning and the shifting colors of the seasons—a spectacle marvelous to behold.

Yet for all the apparent ferocity of their duel, in truth, neither Yang Xiao nor Ling Yunmei was fighting in earnest. Their moves were for show, incapable of truly harming the other, designed only to impress the audience.

Yang Xiao was utterly captivated by Ling Yunmei’s grace in combat. To his eyes, her every move was as elegant as a celestial maiden’s.

At first, Ling Yunmei had difficulty getting into the spirit of the performance. But as time passed, she too became engrossed, carefully controlling each move to display momentum rather than deal damage.

To both, the duel began to feel less like a tournament battle and more like a playful dance.

Yang Xiao found himself so enchanted by this mock battle that he wished it could go on forever. But, of course, a contest must have a winner.

Spotting a particularly dazzling attack from Ling Yunmei—a move that, had it been wielded at full strength, would have been truly devastating—Yang Xiao deliberately lowered his guard, allowing her sword to graze him. He then tumbled backward, making it appear as though he had been wounded.

Seizing the moment, as he rose to his feet, Yang Xiao clasped his hands and bowed to Ling Yunmei. “Senior Sister Ling’s swordsmanship is truly superb. I concede defeat.”