Chapter 125: Unexpected
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However, the outcome this time was something neither of them had anticipated.
Ye Qinghan believed he stood invincible, yet the Sanction Blade shattered the barrier woven by the Fallen Immortal Ruler.
Shangguan Rou never imagined the Godslayer Sword Array could be so outrageously powerful!
Both silently admitted they had underestimated the other!
Shangguan Rou was nearly instantly slain by the God-Slaying Sword Array, but fortunately, that strike shattered the Fallen Immortal Ruler. She dodged as best she could…
Ye Qinghan fared no better. Struck by the blade-like light formed from the Punishment Flames, she crashed to the ground. She hadn't expected her opponent to abandon martial ethics—even with a deep gash in her thigh, she hadn't flinched…
But what was even more shocking was that both of them managed to get back up!
"It hurts so much…" Ye Qinghan clutched her chest, slowly rising to her feet…
"You're still alive?" Shangguan Rou leaned against her blade, utterly bewildered…
"Honestly, I feel the same way." Ye Qinghan looked utterly speechless. There were actually people in this world who could withstand the God-Slaying Sword Array head-on!
"What?" Shangguan Rou tilted her head, sword in hand, looking like a street thug—clearly revved up from the fight!
"Continue?" Ye Qinghan echoed the sentiment. Since becoming a disciple, she had never encountered an opponent who could last even a single exchange!
"You think I'm afraid of you?"
"I don't care. Bring it on!"
Shangguan Rou had always been a sore loser, and Ye Qinghan was no different. In a way, the two were surprisingly well-matched.
This time it was pure swordplay and blade technique, both of them also trying to recover their stamina and injuries.
"What's wrong with you? Can't take a loss?"
After exchanging over a dozen blows, they pulled back. Shangguan Rou watched as Ye Qinghan pulled out a small bottle and tipped it into her mouth…
Ye Qinghan didn't seem to mind. She was getting a bit carried away now…
"Quick-acting fox-cure pills. Want some?"
"Give me two pills too."
"Two hundred taels."
"I'll pay you after we finish fighting. I never owe anyone money!"
Ye Qinghan wasn't stingy either. She casually tossed the small bottle to Shangguan Rou and let her take two pills too.
"Ready? Shall we continue?"
"Come on!"
Both had recovered somewhat and resumed their fight, leaving Su Cheng and Cheng Liang watching from outside the arena utterly bewildered…
"Qinghan… she's too playful… I'll have to discipline her properly when we get back!"
Cheng Liang was dumbfounded. This was a martial arts arena! His First Disciple seemed perfectly capable normally—why would she recklessly eat something offered by a stranger? Wasn't she afraid it might be poisoned?
Dongfang Jue chuckled, "Shiyao, don't follow Shangguan Sister's example! Never accept food from strangers!"
"Shiyao knows." Li Shiyu had lost interest in who won. In any case, her senior sister would never lose—not because she was powerful, but because she valued her reputation and wouldn't let their master down.
And indeed, Ye Qinghan wouldn't lose. Though both were gravely injured, Ye Qinghan still had her magical artifact…
"Sister Shangguan, if Qinghan kills you, will the Heavenly Dao Pavilion renege on their debt…"
As Ye Qinghan spoke, she summoned over a dozen magical treasures, all of which floated in the air.
"Ugh… Fine, I admit defeat!"
"No way! You have to hand over your blade!" Ye Qinghan adopted a slightly thuggish demeanor, leaning against her sword case as she demanded Shangguan Rou's Wind-Chanting Blade.
Shangguan Rou knew better by now—Ye Qinghan's unreasonable ways weren't something new!
"I concede." With those words, she vanished in an instant…
"Huh? Damn it! Shangguan Rou! You bloody—"
In the blink of an eye, Shangguan Rou was off to play with Su Muchan.
Leaning against Su Muchan's embrace, Shangguan Rou laughed uncontrollably. This was the first time she'd ever seen Ye Qinghan humiliated! It was too amusing!
Su Muchan was a bit confused: "Sister Shangguan, you clearly lost the duel. Why are you so happy?"
Shangguan Rou replied while healing her wounds: "Winning or losing doesn't matter to me. Just because I lost this time doesn't mean I'll lose next time. But now I know exactly what level her strength is at."
"What level?"
"Without magical artifacts, she's about my level? I think I have a chance to beat her! With the Wind-Chanting Blade my master gave me, I'm not afraid of her!"
"Muchan is so envious of you two. When I faced Ye Qinghan, I didn't even get a chance to fight back."
Su Muchan envied both her sisters for having such excellent masters. Dongfang Jue was a human noble's daughter, while Li Shiyao was the prized treasure of two sects. It seemed only she…
Cheng Liang coveted her body and her identity as a witch, while Su Cheng looked at her as if she were a ghost. Among all the sisters, she seemed to be the most unlucky!
The assassination attempt failed, and she was poisoned. Now she had to pay two hundred taels every month!
Who among her family understood? Who could grasp the crushing burden two hundred taels placed on a fallen witch?
Now she couldn't even return home, forced to live under someone else's roof on Ling Mountain. At least Shangguan Rou treated her decently…
"What's there to envy? Sister even envies Dongfang Jue and Li Shiyao—they don't have to think about anything, just eat, drink, and be merry every day~"
Meanwhile, in a small pavilion on Ling Mountain, Su Cheng sat across from Cheng Liang. Cheng Liang found this arrangement reasonable, though unexpected.
"And who is this young lady?" Cheng Liang wasn't particularly interested in Su Cheng, but the woman beside him, Yu Lan, certainly had an air of authority about her!
"Master Cheng, this is my daughter, Yu Lan. She currently serves as an elder of Lingxian Hall."
As she spoke, Yu Lan poured Su Cheng a cup of tea before passing the teapot to Pei Ling. She wasn't one to serve others; this gentleness was reserved solely for Su Cheng and the two young ladies.
Pei Ling, however, possessed none of Yu Lan's disposition. She neither kept company nor smiled politely; she had merely accompanied them and was not there to serve tea or water.
Su Cheng, however, didn't mind. He introduced Yu Lan: "This is Pei Ling, the Third Elder of the Celestial Path Pavilion."
Yu Lan nodded, uttering a soft "mhm" to signal acknowledgment.
Soon, Su Cheng and Cheng Liang began getting down to business. Truth be told, Su Cheng knew Cheng Liang harbored wolfish ambitions, but Yu Lan was his woman. Having her stared at like this made Su Cheng feel a bit uncomfortable.
He casually rubbed the dragon-headed pendant, pulling her close to assert his claim before speaking.
"Master Cheng, I've come uninvited today concerning the blade in Shangguan Rou's possession."
"Oh?" Cheng Liang feigned puzzlement, eager to hear Su Cheng's reasoning.
Su Cheng had anticipated Cheng Liang's reaction and decided to get straight to the point.
"That blade is no ordinary weapon. I wish to know, Master Cheng, from whom did you acquire it?"
"Could it be that you, my senior brother, have taken a fancy to it? If it were merely a matter of our brotherly bond, I would gladly give it to you. But alas, I have already bestowed it upon my disciple."
Su Cheng let out a long sigh. He was truly sick and tired of these righteous types talking!
They all feigned ignorance while knowing full well the truth—utterly nauseating!
Instead, it was Su Cheng who, if he didn't play along, would appear to be the one lacking tact!
"Master Cheng, Yu Lan is my man. I trust him. Let's cut to the chase."
"What do you mean, Senior Brother?"
Su Cheng lit a premium system-grade cigarette, took a deep drag, tossed the cigarette and lighter to Yu Lan, pondered for a moment, then replied.
"That is the Blade of Sanction—a power not of this world. Its emergence will undoubtedly bring calamity. For you, who uphold the Heavenly Way, this can only spell trouble."
Cheng Liang listened to Su Cheng's words, surprised yet analyzing how credible they were.
First, Su Cheng recognized the blade, indirectly confirming its formidable power as described by the vixen.
Second, what did Su Cheng mean by saying the blade did not belong to this world?
Seeing Cheng Liang's silence, Su Cheng continued, "That blade didn't appear out of thin air. Perhaps someone gave it to you, or perhaps it was deliberately placed for you to find. Either way, it won't be a good thing for you."
Cheng Liang chuckled inwardly. Wasn't that obvious? The blade didn't have legs—it certainly wouldn't run away!
"Are you suggesting I hand it over to you, Master Su?"
"Not at all. I merely wish to know where Master Cheng acquired it."
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