CHAPTER 283
The Inventor of Lingxian Hall
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"The one known as the Chicken-Stealing, Dog-Snatching Immortal Sovereign, Lingxian Hall's second direct disciple, the wicked villainess whose beauty and appetite coexist, the great poet upholding world peace—Li Shiyu!"
"Let's see what you've got!"
With that, Li Shiyu soared into the air, casually drawing the supreme treasure sword that had accompanied her for years. This was already the weakest magical artifact on her person—surely this was low-key enough!
The sword hung at her side as she adopted a cautious expression, but inwardly, she was pondering Jue'er's advice about putting on a show!
Acting was her specialty!
Following Juer's advice, she must first display an evenly matched stance, engaging in endless stalemates and tangles with her opponent!
Then, due to a single misstep, she must fall into disadvantage!
Finally, she would overcome her opponent through the righteous conviction in her heart!
Li Shiyao listened, her wide eyes blinking in awe, nearly mesmerized! Truly worthy of the title Northern Frontier General!
This was the great hero in Li Shiyao's heart!
Oh my, just like in the stories told by the Sixth Elder!
So she too wanted to be a great hero—the crucial part was that spirit of falling behind yet never admitting defeat!
But what exactly does one do when at a disadvantage?
Wasn't that a bit too challenging for Shiyu? This was her first time!
But I guess it just means pretending you can't win…
Shiyao understood!
"Do you believe in light?" She stared defiantly at the female sword cultivator holding a long sword across from her, tilting her golden head with an air of arrogance!
She clasped her sword and bowed: "Xu Xiaotong."
"I've long heard of the Holy Maiden's divine sword techniques. I've long wished to seek your guidance. Now that this opportunity has come, it is truly a blessing. I humbly request the Holy Maiden's instruction."
Having reached the top twelve, Miss Xu's strength was no small matter. She opened with a sweeping divine technique, then vanished in an instant!
Several sword beams slashed down. When the smoke cleared, Xu Xiaotong had transformed into six figures, completely surrounding Li Shiyao!
Li Shiyao's wide-eyed face spun in disbelief. She never imagined this female sword cultivator could wield the art of splitting into multiple forms!
"One… two… three… six? This is bullying! You, you, you! Six people ganging up on one Shiyu?"
Li Shiyu's pouting expression looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment!
Li Shiyu was a bit upset. Why hadn't her master taught her such a cool divine ability?
If she could conjure multiple copies of herself, couldn't she send the other Shiyuos off to train while she went out to play?
"Qingluan Sword Formation!"
Watch closely as they formed a formation! Six Xu Xiaotongs took their positions, trapping Li Shiyu within a swarm of flying swords that sealed off her escape!
"Oh no! This is terrifying!"
Li Shiyu recalled sparring with her senior sister. Truthfully, the sight of these flying swords made her uneasy…
But these flying swords looked…
Given that Dongfang had said they were evenly matched, shouldn't Li Shiyao unleash a divine ability too?
Seemingly panicked and rushed, yet steady and calculating—truthfully, these flying swords couldn't even scratch her!
Weaving through the swarm of flying swords, Li Shiyao racked her brain, trying to figure out how to achieve the "evenly matched" state her junior sister had described!
"Awesome Sword Formation!"
You say "Awesome Sword Formation," and it sounds impressive, but it looks even more awesome!
Li Shiyu never intended to use the sword formation to kill her. After all, she wasn't aiming to kill—the formation had to be cool! It had to be awesome! It had to be wildly, mind-blowingly spectacular!
And Li Shiyao delivered. Empowered by the Chaos Bell, she could even suppress space within a small area, altering the very fabric of reality!
When it comes to magic arrays, more is better, right?
Watch as layer upon layer of formation descended from above, one concentric circle after another—over a dozen layers in total!
Even the Zuxian Great Formation that sealed away Ye's mother back in the day didn't have such a grand display!
How could a sword formation exist without swords?
Li Shiyao flung her long sword into the air. Watch as the blade in her hand slowly expanded, soon growing to the size of a miniature Demon-Sealing Stele!
Truth be told, this spectacle had already left her senior sister speechless…
"Master, don't you think Li Shiyao shows remarkable talent for sword cultivation?"
Su Cheng glanced at Ye Qinghan with a hint of surprise before smiling and speaking.
"Qinghan, are you implying I've been unfair to Shiyu? That you and Juer have received not only cultivation techniques but also sword manuals and spear manuals, while Shiyu only has cultivation techniques?"
Ye Qinghan had only spoken offhandedly, but upon hearing her master's counterquestion, she hastily defended herself!
"Disciple never meant that! Qinghan dares not presume to know Master's thoughts. Master must have your reasons…"
"Hmph. It's simply that I haven't given Shi Yao access yet. Moreover, her Jade Pendant lacks the retrieval authorization for the Moon-Winding Pavilion."
Dongfang Jue listened in stunned silence, unsure whether she should interject…
"Master, Qinghan truly means no harm. I trust you, Master—you must be doing this for Shiyu's own good!"
Su Cheng pursed her lips and offered a gentle smile.
[Did I scare Qinghan? When did she become so timid? Huh?]
【I gave her the Chaos Bell. Shiyao's a spellcaster—why would she need to learn spear or sword techniques?】
【Just eat well and sleep soundly. Li Shiyu is a magic core—she excels at one-hit kills with basic attacks. No need for close combat or that magic assassin nonsense!】
【Only when she's well-fed and well-rested can her spell power soar!】
But if I say it outright, would Qinghan think her master is being too controlling?
Ye Qinghan: I see. So withholding artifacts is meant to let her figure things out herself, develop her own divine abilities?
Li Shiyao is following every step exactly as her master intended…
The binding spell was for stripping people's pants, and this array is just for showing off…
But… isn't this getting a bit twisted?
"Cultivation aims to refine the self. Overreliance on external aids only backfires."
"Treasures and sword manuals are external aids. As Qinghan grows, she'll realize her own sword feels more natural than any artifact. After all, treasures are meant to empower the weak—to let those incapable achieve what they couldn't otherwise."
"If a magical artifact could restore sight to the blind, that would be cause for celebration. But it remains an artifact. Having taken me as her master, I hope Shiyao will find her own way to heal her eyes and see the light that belongs to her alone."
Oh my, this twisted, unreasonable line of reasoning didn't enlighten Ye Qinghan, but it certainly gave Dongfang Jue a secret thrill!
How profoundly insightful!
The divine artifacts and magical treasures so revered by the world—in the eyes of the Master, they were understood in such a way!
How truly admirable!
Only by rejecting the olive branch offered by weakness can one embrace true strength!
After speaking, Su Cheng turned to Shi Mingyi with a knowing smile, its meaning unspoken.
Shi Mingyi snapped out of his reverie, rose, and hurriedly bowed his hands, saying, "The Holy Maiden is still young. Immortal Su, you've taken such care."
"Hehe, Elder Shi, you flatter me. Shiyao is well-behaved and causes me no trouble at all."
[Hmm, she is easy to handle. Last time she even tried to drug me, though it was a bit of a hassle…]
However, on the martial arts field, Li Shiyu had made a mistake. She was deeply frustrated that she hadn't managed to play the role of an evenly matched opponent as Jue'er had instructed!
Li Shiyu never imagined that just grazing the edge would send that guy sprawling to the ground, feigning death!
If you're such a great actress, why not go play soccer?
"Master, that girl was definitely faking it! Shiyu didn't even hit her! She just wanted to scam Shiyu!"
"Alright, alright~ Shiyu, good girl~ Go back, and Master will buy you candied hawthorn!"
Li Shiyao ruffled the golden hair, her face full of indulgence.
"Then I want two!"
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