Li Shuang didn't look back.
She stepped onto the ring with quiet grace and stood there, waiting.
"Junior Sister, we'll win!"
Luo Mingyue and Jiang Yi unfurled a banner.
Jiang Yi's knuckles turned white with nervousness. It's over, it's over—why is everyone staring at me?
Luo Mingyue, on the other hand, thrived under the attention. The more eyes she felt on her, the louder she shouted.
Beside her, Jiang Yi looked utterly hopeless, even regretful.
If I had known earlier, I would've signed up too. Then Senior Brother Liu would be busy preparing for his own match, and I wouldn't be stuck in this disaster…
Hearing their voices, Li Shuang turned back with a faint smile.
That smile—
like snow melting into spring, like a lotus blooming in frost.
Luo Mingyue's voice rose even louder, while Jiang Yi's tension eased at once.
As long as I can make Junior Sister smile, it doesn't matter if I embarrass myself, Jiang Yi thought.
Sheng Yuan, however, felt his chest tighten.
Once, that gentle smile had belonged only to them.
Once, that rare warmth had been reserved for her senior brothers and sisters.
But now…
She gave it freely to others.
What were they to her, after all? Were they so easily discarded?
Senior Sister… His lips moved, but no sound came out.
Beside him, Ye Zhaozhao leaned close and whispered softly, "Senior Sister Li doesn't want us anymore, Senior Brother. But don't worry. I'll always be here with you—and with everyone else."
Sheng Yuan forced a smile. "Zhaozhao, do your best."
Yes.
Zhaozhao was still here.
She was young, kind, obedient. Even if he had been a little partial to her at first, that was only natural.
Everything could have been resolved with a conversation, yet Senior Sister had chosen to go this far.
Bitterness rose in his heart, mixed with anger.
I'll see whether you are truly better off after leaving Lingxu Peak, Senior Sister.
"Zhaozhao, give it your all. You must win this battle," Sheng Yuan said, straightening her collar.
Recently, voices mocking Lingxu Peak had grown louder. Even within the peak itself, some disciples had begun doubting whether expelling Li Shuang had been the right choice.
But as the eldest senior brother, he had to stabilize hearts and restore confidence.
The best way was simple—let Ye Zhaozhao win.
If she won, the doubts would vanish overnight.
"I will," Ye Zhaozhao replied with a sweet smile.
"Don't be careless," Shen Yue said, his expression conflicted.
"With Long Yan here, I won't lose," Ye Zhaozhao answered confidently, stroking her sword's scabbard.
At once, she felt the link to Long Yan in the sword spirit space.
Step by step, she ascended the ring.
Inwardly, she whispered: Long Yan, you will win, won't you?
"Zhaozhao, don't worry," Long Yan's voice rang firmly.
He was confident. He had followed Li Shuang for more than ten years. He knew her habits, her moves, her techniques—better than anyone.
And cultivation stood on their side.
Ye Zhaozhao's power, even suppressed to the late Foundation Building stage, was still an entire realm above Li Shuang, who remained at Qi Training.
Even if Li Shuang had comprehended the Sword Domain, the gap in spiritual power was vast.
He remembered watching her duel with Duan Ziyu. Duan's swordsmanship was weaker than his own, yet Li Shuang had still struggled to claim victory.
More than ten years together—no one knew Li Shuang's sword better than he.
This time, he would win.
He longed to see the regret in Li Shuang's eyes… and the joy in Zhaozhao's.
—
The central arena fell silent.
"The second round of the qualifying matches—Li Shuang versus Ye Zhaozhao!"
The referee raised his hand, then dropped it.
"Begin!"
The moment he left the ring, the duel commenced.
Yet Ye Zhaozhao did not attack immediately.
Instead, she met Li Shuang's gaze.
"Senior Sister Li, I should face you in a proper sword duel. But Long Yan wants you to realize that giving up on him was your greatest mistake. So today, I'll grant his wish. He will control Long Yin."
Her words sounded generous, but in truth, she was laying groundwork.
Everyone would soon see that Long Yan was guiding the fight. Better to admit it first than leave room for others to criticize.
Li Shuang saw through her intentions.
Calmly, she replied, "Sword spirit assistance is permitted by the rules. You don't need to explain."
Then her voice softened, each word like steel wrapped in silk.
"What's more… without Long Yan, you wouldn't know a single thing about swordsmanship."
Her tone was light, yet cutting.
Ye Zhaozhao's expression faltered.
The audience erupted in whispers.
A disciple of the Sword Sect, here for ten years, yet not proficient in swordsmanship? Impossible!
How could such a thing exist in the Sword Sect?
Ye Zhaozhao's chest tightened. Li Shuang had exposed her in front of everyone.
She forced a smile. "Senior Sister Li must be joking. How could I not know swordsmanship?"
In truth, she had never endured the hardships of sword training. She had concealed her ignorance, pretending she merely disliked fighting. Over the years, her senior brothers had believed her excuses.
Even Lingxu Zhenren had turned a blind eye, as long as she remained obedient and filial.
But Li Shuang had torn that veil in a single sentence.
Resentment burned within her.
"Really?" Li Shuang's lips curved. "Then once Long Yan is defeated, Junior Sister Ye will surely display her true abilities. At that time, everyone will see that you, Ye Zhaozhao, are the true sword genius. Don't you think?"
Her words pressed like blades.
Ye Zhaozhao's face darkened. True abilities? What abilities do I even have…?
But now, if Long Yan failed, she would have to step forward.
And then… her secret would be exposed.
"Don't be afraid," Long Yan's voice rang in her mind. "I won't lose."
He knew she had no swordsmanship. But what of it?
He was strong enough to protect her.
Why should a delicate girl suffer the pain of endless sword drills?
In her, he had found a reason to exist.
Ye Zhaozhao steadied her breathing.
"Then… as Senior Sister wishes."
The Dragon Roar Sword rang out as it was unsheathed.
Its intricate patterns shimmered with light, and within, Long Yan fully seized control.
The battle had truly begun.