CHAPTER 5 : Duel of Honor

Bai Lianhua, Xiao Rui, and Ji Xue Er sat under the Yunluo Tree. They had passed the third stage. This time, they would each fight individually.

"I still can't believe I passed the third stage!" Ji Xue Er exclaimed happily.

The third stage of the exam would be held in three days. So, they had time to prepare themselves. Although there was a possibility of facing each other in a duel, they still trained together. In the end, only four people would be eligible to advance to the next stage.

"Lianhua…" Xiao Rui called out to her but he looked hesitant.

The girl turned her head, but Xiao Rui shook his head. "No… it's okay."

Seeing Xiao Rui's reaction, Bai Lianhua let out a sigh of annoyance because her concentration in training was disturbed. Secretly, someone was watching the two of them with envy and jealousy—Ji Xue Er. It was common knowledge that this girl had liked Xiao Rui since she was little, but had never been noticed by the young man.

Since Bai Lianhua's there, many academy students had been jealous of her. Not only because of this girl's achievements, but also because their grandmaster cared for Bai Lianhua so much.

For example, today, Mo Tian and Jing Yi visited Bai Lianhua who was practicing.

"Fix your stance, Bai Lianhua. Or you'll easily fall like this...." Jing Yi suddenly attacked her and made this girl almost lose her balance.

Bai Lianhua swiftly drew his sword. For some reason, at that time, the aura of their training ground became very hot. The participants who were practicing there were stunned and instead focused on seeing their younger apprentice competing in swordsmanship with Jing Yi.

The air seemed to be filled with dense streams of qi from these two people. The clink of metal clashing, as well as the gust of wind from the speed of their movement stunned the surroundings. Until finally Bai Lianhua was forced to surrender by the tip of Jing Yi's sword which was pointed in front of his chest.

"Your abilities have really improved a lot. It's no mistake if—"

Mo Tian interrupted Jing Yi, "Continue your training. We won't disturb you anymore. Come on, let's go, Jing Yi."

"B–but, Teacher. Did Teacher…" Jing Yi was clearly hesitant to continue his sentence when he saw the sharp gaze of his teacher.

For a moment, Bai Lianhua felt something strange about the two of them, especially when Mo Tian was seen whispering something to Jing Yi. However, she tried not to care. The one thing that was her goal right now was to prove to the Bai family that women were not as weak as they thought and also to find her father in Lianxin.

*

The day before the exam, Bai Lianhua walked to the edge of the lotus pond near the main hall of the academy. There were several people who were not Xuanjian disciples standing guard in front of the hall. When she was about to approach, someone patted her shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" Ji Xue Er surprised Bai Lianhua.

"Do you want to eavesdrop on the meeting of the elders of the five sects?" the girl asked again in a suspicious tone.

This made Bai Lianhua frown. The elders of the five sects are holding a meeting? She wondered.

Ji Xue Er immediately pulled Bai Lianhua away from the hall. "The elders always hold a meeting when the exams are held. If you're lucky, you can go on an exchange and study at another sect."

"Including Lianxin?" Bai Lianhua asked curiously.

"Yes, including the Lianxin Sect," Ji Xue Er replied as she looked at Bai Lianhua in surprise. "Why are you so obsessed with the Lianxin Sect?"

However, Ji Xue Er's question was only answered with silence. Seeing the elders leave the hall, the two girls hide behind the trees that flanked the path. They could faintly hear the elders' conversation.

"The movements of the evil sects are already apparent. They are starting to openly attack disciples from the righteous sects. Those Demon God worshippers are no longer hiding themselves." One of the elders spoke in a soft but firm voice.

"We must prepare the best disciples for the worst," another elder added.

Their grandmaster was seen stroking his long beard. The elder of the Lianxin sect–Li Haoran, became the focus of Bai Lianhua's attention. A tall, thin old man, with a thin face framing his dull eyes but with a clever look. His long eyebrows were starting to turn white. Beside him stood a man in his early forties.

The face of the person beside Li Haoran seemed familiar to him. Could he be my father? Curiosity enveloped him.

"How long are you going to hide and eavesdrop there?" Mo Tian looked straight at the tree, where Bai Lianhua and Ji Xue Er were hiding.

Because they were caught, they both moved out. Both Bai Lianhua and Ji Xue Er could only lower their heads in front of the five elders. While Jing Yi shook his head in disbelief.

"Master Bai Yunsheng, do you still recognize your daughter?" Mo Tian asked the man accompanying Li Haoran.

Bai Lianhua's feet seemed to have lost their footing, she felt like the earth was going to swallow her. It turned out to be true, the man was Bai Yunsheng–her father. Li Haoran looked at Mo Tian and Bai Lianhua in turn, in disbelief.

However, Bai Yunsheng only looked at the girl in front of him with a cold gaze. Bai Lianhua did not expect that at all. It was clear that only hatred was implied there. Seeing her father's reaction like that, Bai Lianhua lowered her head and greeted them and left.

After being left behind a few steps, Ji Xue Er hurriedly followed Bai Lianhua. She bombarded the girl with many questions.

"Yo-you are Bai Yunsheng's daughter?" Ji Xue Er asked in disbelief.

Bai Lianhua was silent.

"Bai Yunsheng is a formidable warrior from Lianxin who has cultivated to the sky level of the heavenly domain, if he reaches the sky lord, then his knowledge will be almost on par with those elders."

So his knowledge is already that high. Abandoning me twelve years ago and letting me suffer in the Bai family. He doesn't even look at me at all! Bai Lianhua grumbled in his heart.

"Lianhua ... Bai Lianhua!" Ji Xue Er was annoyed because Bai Lianhua ignored her words at all.

"Enough, stop talking about that person!" Bai Lianhua said angrily.

She returned to training with overflowing anger. Her energy flow felt unstable, but she continued to train. Ji Xue Er moved away from Bai Lianhua, because the girl's sword movements became wild with emotion.

*

The day of the test arrived, it turned out that only thirty-six people passed the third test. They would be divided into three duel groups. Each contained twelve people. It turned out that Bai Lianhua, Xiao Rui and Ji Xue Er were not in the same group.

Unlike the previous tests, this time the elders of the five righteous sects were present to witness the test. Only four people would advance to the fourth stage.

"The duel of honor is about to begin, the arena will be cleared!" Master Fu Wei announced the time of the test.

The participants who were still on the arena flew to the cliffs surrounding the arena. They all relied on Xue Lingxiao like in previous years. Although handsome, the young man's eyes were as cold as ice. Xue Lingxiao's attitude and behavior were also arrogant in Bai Lianhua's eyes.

Xue Lingxiao had looked down on Bai Lianhua since she first entered Xuanjian Academy. He often deliberately brought down Bai Lianhua's mentality.

"The first duel participant, please go up to the arena!"

Two senior Xuanjian disciples were seen going up to the arena. They were on the same level as Xue Lingxiao. The fight between the two participants did not last long, after one of them fell into the illusion abyss and returned to the audience cliff. So the one who remained in the arena was the winner.

One by one the participants fell. This time it was Ji Xue Er's turn. The girl looked at Bai Lianhua and Xiao Rui with anxious eyes. Both of them nodded encouragingly. Ji Xue Er closed her eyes and took a deep breath before entering the arena.

It turned out that Ji Xue Er's opponent was Han Shu, they both studied ice magic swords. They got their elemental strengthening when they were in their third year through the elemental determination test. Seeing these fights, Bai Lianhua's enthusiasm burned even more.

Her eyes carefully observed each participant's movements. As if recording everything on the arena. There Ji Xue Er seemed to become another person when she began to draw her sword.

The girl's steps seemed very light as if they were snow in the midst of the thin mist that enveloped her. When she began to move the sword gently, so gracefully. Dozens of illusionary swords began to surround Ji Xue Er, the first move of Ice Sword Magic - Mortal Dew (Lu Ying).

On the other hand, Ji Xue Er's opponent was no less great. Moreover, she was their senior. As her opponent's feet stomped hard on the ground, thick fog and cold air immediately enveloped the arena. Making it difficult for the duel audience to see clearly into the arena.

"A snowstorm split the sky." Xiao Rui muttered in response to Bai Lianhua's curiosity. "That move is only taught to sixth-grade students."

The clashing metal and the faint sparks of light behind the fog indicated that a fierce battle was taking place there. Ji Xue Er's illusionary swords moved quickly following the rhythm of her movements. Slowly the fog that enveloped the arena disappeared.

The girl gracefully slid to the side of her opponent, her sword moving in a circular pattern. Hail fell and attacked Ji Xue Er's opponent blindly from various directions. Ji Xue Er's snow dance almost forced her opponent to the edge of the arena.

However, with lightning speed, her opponent made light slashes in a matter of seconds. The slashes left a cold air and managed to hit Ji Xue Er's left arm. It was faintly visible from afar that the girl's arm that was hit by the slash was difficult to move as if it was frozen.

When her opponent was about to press her, no one expected that Ji Xue Er would fight back with all her might even with only one hand. Her sword moved around quickly, the illusionary swords turned into ice thorns that immediately attacked her opponent until he was pressed and fell out of the arena.

Ji Xue Er's breath was short when her name was announced as the winner of the duel. With great difficulty she flew back to the cliff where Bai Lianhua was waiting with Xiao Rui. They both smiled to greet her.

After Ji Xue Er's match, Xiao Rui's group was finally going to start the duel and she got the first turn. Before going up to the arena she whispered something to Bai Lianhua and it fueled Ji Xue Er's jealousy.

"What did Xiao Rui say to you?" Ji Xue Er inquired because Bai Lianhua's face looked red.

Bai Lianhua shook her head quickly. "No-nothing. He just said that he would definitely win."

Ji Xue Er's forehead frowned. Bai Lianhua's nervousness clearly showed that she was lying. She was no longer concentrating on the match that was taking place in the arena. However, busy thinking about how to defeat Bai Lianhua in the duel later and hoping that Xiao Rui would pay attention to her.

The atmosphere above the arena felt hot. Xiao Rui gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and began to do a low horse stance. Without warning, he shot fast at his opponent like an arrow released from a bow. He twisted his body so that the sword in his grip formed a circular attack. The red qi energy that burned like a fire dragon seemed ready to pounce on the opponent in front of him.

Gu Zeyan, Xiao Rui's opponent, was the heir of the Gu Yunze clan who was famous as a swordsman who also mastered water magic. The sixth-year student blocked Xiao Rui's attack by waving his blue sword in a cross. Instantly a layer of water appeared as if it were a shield for him.

Xiao Rui did not want to fail again at this stage and was determined to be able to seize the Lieyang fire sword in the sword forest later. He turned behind Gu Zeyan, then drew his sword in a straight stab that locked his target.

It turned out that Gu Zeyan was indeed worthy of being their senior. He arched his body backwards in a slanted position to avoid Xiao Rui's fatal attack. Gu Zeyan's movement was so agile, he turned his wrist. Countering Xiao Rui's attack with a downward slash, a blue qi flow like a rushing waterfall appeared along with the slash.

Xiao Rui nimbly avoided the attack. He was almost injured by Gu Zeyan's sword slash. The air of the duel was like boiling water. Xiao Rui's fiery determination collided with Gu Zeyan's calmness like the ocean. The fierce battle drained both of their energy. They felt they had to finish this duel immediately.

This time, Xiao Rui jumped into the air, he swung his sword straight down. While sliding down, his body spun, creating a spiral silhouette of fire. Xiao Rui's sword lit up as if it was burning.

However, Gu Zeyan remained calm and smiled faintly. He stomped his feet on the ground while slashing upwards. With one movement, he created a wave of water that enveloped him. The wave of water exploded upwards, attacking Xiao Rui like a tsunami.

The powerful clash of fire and water energy, created a thick fog throughout the arena. Seeing the opportunity, Xiao Rui immediately shot out swinging his sword while condensing qi energy at the tip of his sword into a fireball. He released the fireball and managed to hit Gu Zeyan.

Xiao Rui was really exhausted. Seeing Gu Zeyan who was still standing in the middle of the arena, he almost gave up. However, just as he was about to make a move, his opponent vomited blood and fell down.

"Xiao Rui is the winner!"

After his name was called as the winner, Xiao Rui collapsed unconscious.

Duel after duel in Xiao Rui's group took place. Finally, it was Bai Lianhua's group's turn. When he saw the match list, he was really unlucky because his opponent was Xue Lingxiao.

Bai Lianhua took a deep breath. When she was about to jump down to the arena, Ji Xue Er held her hand. The girl's eyes looked worried.

"Just give up, Lianhua. Xue Lingxiao is no match for you. Even Xiao Rui was seriously injured before. You saw for yourself his opponent's ability earlier. Xue Lingxiao is five times stronger than him."

Actually, Bai Lianhua was also not sure whether she would be able to defeat Xue Lingxiao or not. However, if she gave up, then Xue Lingxiao would underestimate her even more. Moreover, her goal was not only to level up, but the heirloom sword in the sword forest.

"I won't give up!" Bai Lianhua gently released Ji Xue Er's grip and jumped onto the arena.

Seeing Bai Lianhua's stubbornness to fight him, Xue Lingxiao sneered, "You little girl! I'll show you where you belong!"

Xue Lingxiao's eyes flashed with hatred and envy. As soon as Bai Lianhua stepped onto the arena, without waiting for the invigilator's signal–Xue Lingxiao charged straight at her.

"Participant Xue Lingxiao. If you break the rules one more time, you will be disqualified!" The invigilator warned Xue Lingxiao.

Xue Lingxiao returned to his position with a snort of annoyance. It seemed like he was trying to intimidate Bai Lianhua, so that her mentality would be destroyed and would give up on this exam. However, who would have thought that Bai Lianhua showed no fear at all.

The arena barrier was set up, indicating that the duel between Bai Lianhua and Xue Lingxiao was about to begin. Both of them began to prepare.

The sky darkened, as if the universe felt the tension between Bai Lianhua and Xue Lingxiao. Many bet that the girl would be seriously injured or even killed in this duel. It was no secret that Xue Lingxiao had no mercy even to his junior.

As soon as the duel began, Xue Lingxiao immediately charged towards Bai Lianhua. The sound of metal clashing echoed in every corner of the arena. The sparks of light from the flow of their qi looked like fireworks.

A bang was heard from above the arena. It was obvious that Bai Lianhua was thrown to the edge by Xue Lingxiao's palm strike. With great difficulty, she stood back up. Bai Lianhua's persistence made Xue Lingxiao's anger explode and he began to move quickly. He suddenly disappeared.

The technique of a thousand snow petals. Xue Lingxiao actually mastered the same technique as Jing Yi. Bai Lianhua muttered to herself.

Xue Lingxiao suddenly appeared in front of Bai Lianhua with his sword drawn. The girl reflexively blocked the attack with her sword. Once again, the unbalanced clash of qi energy forced Bai Lianhua into a corner.

"I will make you surrender!" Xue Lingxiao said loudly.

***