"Junior Sister, Junior Sister!" Luo Mingyue called from outside.
Li Shuang hurriedly opened the door.
Seeing her slightly exhausted appearance, Luo Mingyue was startled."Little Shuang, did you not rest enough last night? The next qualifying round is about to begin. Can you handle it?"
Li Shuang's eyes sparkled. "No problem."
After five days of sword combat with Su Mu, she was utterly exhausted, her spiritual power more than half depleted.
However, once she left the inheritance space, the Supreme Forgetfulness Art automatically began restoring her strength. Even if she couldn't recover to her peak in time, she had already comprehended the Sword Domain.
Li Shuang had experienced the mysteries of the Sword Domain firsthand.Even if she wasn't at her best, she would not lose.
"We still have a little time. Junior Sister, rest a bit first," Liu Juncheng said as he handed her a spiritual-restoring pill.
"Recover quickly. I'll keep track of the time—just don't be late," Luo Mingyue added.
Li Shuang didn't refuse. She nodded, sat down cross-legged, and began recovering.
In the martial arts arena, Li Shuang's victory over a disciple in the early Foundation Establishment stage was nothing short of shocking.
Defeating someone a small realm higher wasn't rare, but to cross such a vast gap—from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment—only an unparalleled genius could achieve such a feat.
Naturally, she once again became the center of attention.
"Today's battle list is out!"Excited voices rang out as many gathered before the notice board.
After yesterday's battles, most early Foundation Establishment disciples had been eliminated. Only mid-stage Foundation disciples remained—except for Li Shuang, whose record stood out brilliantly.
"Where's Li Shuang's name?""Here! Li Shuang vs. Shi Chuyun!""I wonder who will win this time!"
Chang Le'an sneered."Who else could it be? Yesterday, she was just lucky. She's not me—her luck can't last forever. Shi Chuyun has been in Foundation Establishment for years. Do you really think she'll lose to a mere Qi Condensation disciple?"
"Third Senior Brother!" Ye Zhaozhao quickly tugged him back. "Don't say that! What if Senior Sister has some trick up her sleeve?"
"What trick?" Chang Le'an scoffed. "In the arena, aside from her sword, she can't use any external aids. No magic treasures, talismans, or formations. How could she win?"
Few contradicted his words. Harsh as he was, he wasn't wrong.
Lei Chengkong was new to Foundation Establishment and inexperienced. But Shi Chuyun had cultivated solidly for years—Li Shuang had no chance.
When the second round began, contestants stepped onto their stages one after another.
But opposite Shi Chuyun's stage, the arena stood empty.
A murmur spread through the audience.
Where was Li Shuang?
The referee lit a stick of delay incense. If she didn't arrive before it burned out, she would be disqualified.
"Senior Sister Li… is she giving up?" Ye Zhaozhao frowned.
"What else? Better than embarrassing herself!" Chang Le'an said with disdain.
To him, Li Shuang was a fallen genius—supreme spiritual roots wasted. Even if she restarted cultivation, she'd never reach the heights she once dreamed of.
But Ye Zhaozhao's eyes flickered.She had studied Li Shuang for ten years—enough to know her pride.
Li Shuang would never flee without a fight.
So… what was she planning?
When the incense burned halfway down, a calm voice rang out:"Apologies, I'm a little late."
The crowd turned in unison.
Ye Zhaozhao's expression didn't change. Just as she expected—Li Shuang would never bow out. Even if she knew she was doomed, she would swing her sword with pride.
Li Shuang stepped onto the stage and faced Shi Chuyun.
The referee extinguished the incense."Both contestants are present. The match… begins."
Shi Chuyun looked at her quietly."Senior Sister Li, you were once the one I pursued."
Li Shuang's eyes remained calm.
"In swordsmanship alone, I am inferior to you. But today, this isn't just about swordsmanship."
Her aura surged. She was mid-stage Foundation Establishment, while Li Shuang was still at Qi Condensation.
"A single force can break a hundred techniques. That is my confidence."
She raised her sword. "I'm sorry."
The Spring Rain Sword flowed forth, sword energy falling in a fine, endless drizzle.
Shi Chuyun had carefully studied Li Shuang's previous battle, recording it and analyzing Lei Chengkong's defeat. This time, she chose the Spring Rain Sword Technique—not the strongest, but continuous and flawless, her own specialty.
Its ceaseless flow left no openings, ensuring Li Shuang could neither evade nor endure. Against such sword energy, even the slightest touch would injure her.
Her strategy was sound.
But…
Li Shuang was no longer the same person as yesterday.
Closing her eyes, she released her Sword Domain.
The Spring Rain Sword seemed flawless to the naked eye.
Yet, within her domain, everything slowed to a crawl.
Li Shuang stepped forward lightly, moving with unhurried grace, her Black Abyss Sword flowing like water. To outsiders, her movements looked casual, even careless.
But within her domain, every strike was precise.
Through the downpour of swords, she walked unharmed.
Then—
Her sword struck.
The Spring Rain Sword clattered to the ground.
The Black Abyss Sword rested coldly against Shi Chuyun's throat.
"You lose," Li Shuang said calmly.
Shi Chuyun's voice trembled."I… I lose."
The crowd erupted.
Shi Chuyun, a mid-stage Foundation cultivator, had conceded to a mere Qi Condensation disciple?
To the spectators, it seemed absurd—Li Shuang had simply walked through, waved her sword, and Shi Chuyun surrendered?
Chang Le'an shouted furiously,"This match is fixed! Impossible! I demand the Enforcement Hall investigate!"