Ten years ago, almost everyone in the sect had heard of Li Shuang.
Upon joining, she sparked a frenzy of competition between the Sect Master and the Peak Masters.
While the other Peak Masters sought to claim her, Li Shuang chose differently.
Amid the clamor, she chose Lingxu Zhenren without hesitation.
She lived up to her reputation as a genius—forming her Core in three years, reaching the Nascent Soul in ten. One record after another, she shattered the sect's history.
The Sword Sect was thrilled. They believed this was the rise of a peerless prodigy.
But then…
Li Shuang fell.
Without warning.
For ten years.
What an eternity.
For a mortal with a hundred-year lifespan, subtracting childhood confusion and the weakness of old age, the true prime of life lasted only a few decades.
Ten years was half a lifetime.
And just when everyone thought Li Shuang would soar higher, she fell silent for a decade.
Ten years was long enough for everything to change.
Her once-unparalleled brilliance became a fading memory.
But now—
Li Shuang reminded them.
Even after ten years of silence. Even after shattering her foundation and starting over.
Qi Condensation had defeated Foundation Establishment.
She—she was still the same peerless genius of the sword.
Her sword had changed, but it was as sharp as ever.
The silence broke. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Li Shuang! Li Shuang!" Luo Mingyue waved a banner and shouted until her voice trembled, eyes red with emotion.
When she had first seen Li Shuang's decline, she had only felt a twinge of regret. But over time, she came to understand Li Shuang's pain and witness her grievances.
Even if Li Shuang no longer cared for herself—Luo Mingyue would care for her.
Today, Li Shuang, the sword genius, had vindicated herself.
"Li Shuang! Li Shuang!"
The cheers grew thunderous, shaking the sky.
After ten years of silence, she had revealed her brilliance once more.
On the edge of another ring, Ye Zhaozhao wielded the Dragon Roar Sword. Though it looked as if she controlled it, in truth, it was Long Yan within the Sword Spirit Dimension guiding the swordplay.
Without a master's cooperation, his techniques were difficult to display. But he had once been Li Shuang's sword spirit, and his swordsmanship was extraordinary.
Her opponent was not strong, and Long Yan easily subdued him.
A faint smile curved Ye Zhaozhao's lips.
It truly was a peerless sword, once capable of ascending with Li Shuang.
In the future she had seen, Li Shuang ascended, shattering tribulation clouds with a single strike—using this very Dragon Roar Sword.
Now, that peerless sword belonged to her, Ye Zhaozhao.
Long Yan demonstrated dazzling technique after dazzling technique, finally ending the battle with a spectacular finishing strike that sent her opponent tumbling off the stage.
Ye Zhaozhao—victory.
Applause suddenly erupted around them.
Ye Zhaozhao was stunned.
Was her battle truly so eye-catching? Were all the cheers for her?
Of course, with her three spiritual roots, she was already a legend within the Sword Sect. And this was her first time competing against a sect disciple. Attention was only natural.
Smiling, she turned to receive their admiration—
Only to hear:
"Li Shuang! Li Shuang!"
Her smile froze.
Li Shuang?
They were cheering for Li Shuang!
The spectators, even those who had been watching Ye Zhaozhao's match, rushed to the central arena.
Even the sect deacon in charge of her match couldn't help glancing over, looking as though he wished to abandon his post.
Ye Zhaozhao gripped the hilt of the sword tightly.
Inside the Sword Spirit Dimension, Long Yan heard it too. With curiosity, he emerged and looked toward the central arena.
"You want to see her as well?" Ye Zhaozhao's voice turned cold.
Long Yan's heart sank. He quickly said, "Zhaozhao, you and I are one. I only mean that knowing ourselves and our enemies ensures victory. If Li Shuang has stirred up such commotion, she will surely become our enemy. Shouldn't we understand the situation first?"
Ye Zhaozhao's expression darkened further. "Let's go see."
Long Yan's heart warmed. Though she was angry, it was because she cared. Ye Zhaozhao rarely revealed her raw emotions before anyone else, but with him, she did. That made him feel special.
Yes—they were a perfect match.
Together, they followed the crowd to the central stage.
The referee's voice rang out.
"Winner: Li Shuang!"
Li Shuang nodded calmly. She lowered her head, cast a gentle look at Hei Yuan, then sheathed her sword.
Ye Zhaozhao pieced together what had happened from the disciples' chatter.
Li Shuang… had actually won.
Qi Condensation defeating late-stage Foundation Establishment.
"Senior Sister Li's cultivation has risen rapidly since she retrained. She's already at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, and before entering the Secret Realm, she may reach the tenth."
"A genius is always a genius. Even starting over, she's still ahead of us all."
"She once took six months to establish her foundation, three years to form her core. Now that she's retraining, she might break her own record!"
The crowd buzzed with awe.
Ye Zhaozhao's face grew darker with each word.
That damned system… It had said she and Li Shuang shared gains and losses. As she lost cultivation, Li Shuang gained it.
Li Shuang's rapid progress—it was as if she had stolen it directly from her!
But Ye Zhaozhao couldn't reveal this truth. She could only roar inwardly.
Forcing herself calm, she reminded herself: there was still time.
Li Shuang was not even at Foundation Establishment yet. She would likely enter the Langya Secret Realm.
And there—Ye Zhaozhao would see her fall.
Jealousy gnawed at her heart.
At that very moment, Li Shuang's cultivation broke through to the tenth level of Qi Condensation.
Across the crowd, Li Shuang lifted her gaze and met Ye Zhaozhao's ferocious expression.
Her eyes lowered slightly.
Interesting.
Ye Zhaozhao… seemed connected to her cultivation.
On the podium, Meng Yifei's smile deepened as he watched Li Shuang.
"Master, did you see that?" Lin Qingling said proudly. "Li Shuang hasn't only mastered the initial application of the Sword Domain—she's even learned to condense it. Even that genius from Cangyuan Sect hasn't achieved this, has he?"
Meng Yifei nodded subconsciously.
Lin Qingling's eyes gleamed. "Don't let such a genius be wasted."
Meng Yifei's heart stirred. Yes.
And there was still the matter of Chang Le'an to be resolved.